Netflix HBO Competition: Why Do You Prefer One over the Other?

Netflix has been a widely-received streaming site since its launch. HBO Max is one of the latest streaming services that has entered this busy landscape. It goes beyond bringing the high-end cable remit of HBO to a wider audience. The competition between Netflix HBO is strong. This is the reason HBO Max is making such a mass-market play with the new streamer.

Selecting any one streaming site would be a lot of quests for you. Hence, we analyze the features of both platforms hoping this will help you make decisions better. And the HBO vs Netflix competition will be analyzed from some aspects. 

1. HBO Max vs Netflix on Price

The first thing that you need to consider when comparing HBO vs Netflix is the price. Netflix has 3 price tiers.

• Basic: $8.99 per month
• Standard: $12.99 per month 
• Premium: $15.99

With a Standard subscription, you will get to enjoy HD streaming. However, to enjoy 4K videos, you will get to enjoy HD streaming. Netflix also provides a 30-days free trial before it starts with the billing. 

If you get HBO Max, you will get it at a full price of $14.99. Sure, that is on the higher side. Nevertheless, it is just what subscribers are already paying for HBO Now. Moreover, you will get more bang for your buck as there are unlimited content. 

But, the issue with this is, to people who do not have HBO already, a service costing more than the standard Netflix tier might be a difficult pill to swallow. Furthermore, you don’t get HD streaming at this price. HBO Max offers a 7-day trial before you are charged. 

In case the price for HBO is a little high for you, an ad-supported version of HBO Max might be a good choice. It is in the works for 2021. So, it can be expected that the price will come down a little. For now, the winner in HBO vs.Netflix in terms of pricing is Netflix.  

2. HBO Max vs Netflix on Device Compatibility 

When it comes to HBO Max Netflix device compatibility, you can get both in almost every device, including popular choices, such as Apple TV, and Chromecast. A majority of the users will not have any hassle looking for a device to stream these services. 

The device that you are streaming on is as important as the service. This is because the interfaces and apps vary from one device to the other. So, Netflix on Apple TV might appear a tad different than Netflix on some other device. The devices where you can access Netflix are iPads, iPhones, Apple TV, Android Phones, smart TVs, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, set-top cable boxes, PlayStation, Xbox, and some Blueray players.

HBO Max on the other hand is available on Android phones, iPads, iPhones, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, Xbox One, Playstation Phone, and Smart TVs. Nevertheless, HBO Max is not yet available on Fire TV or Roku, as it is still working out deals with the platforms. 

To get the best overall experience, it is better to go for Apple TV. Almost all streaming devices support it. 

3. HBO Max vs Netflix on Shows & Movies

HBO Netflix has a lot to give in regards to movies and shows. 

HBO Max has come up with a large library of shows as the WarnerMedia brand has amassed decades of content. On HBO Max, you will find content from DC, HBO, and Warner Bros, television studios, and movies. 

When it comes to the original TV shows, HBO Max originals does not really have anything yet to get excited about. The appeal lies in its archive. Starting from The Larry Sanders Show to The Sopranos, you will find it all. HBO is responsible for several great TV shows that have ever been created. This continues to be the case even today. 

Other than HBO’s own, you will find many other shows, such as Friends or The Big Bang Theory. There is a good collection of British Shows, such as Doctor Who and Luther. 

In the meantime, Netflix has an enviable collection of Netflix originals including movies and shows for you to enjoy. They have built the catalog for several years. So, it will take time for HBO Max to catch up with this. However, it is no slouch in its present form. 

This can be an argument of quality and quantity. Like premium cable channels, HBO is making fewer shows than the popular platform Netflix. However, Netflix has a higher hit rate. It adds many new shows almost every week. But there are series that you might not ever watch. Yet, for the regularity and breadth of content, Netflix is still the TV king. So, viewers would like HBO Max to challenge that. 

But in terms of movies, the curated TCM archive by HBO Max is probably the best thing about it. There is a blend of international movies and all-time classics. Also, the Warner blockbusters are to be found here. HBO Max has splashed out the entire Studio Ghibli archive of animated movies. 

Netflix has excellent licensed movies and a large number of originals. However, the breadth of HBO Max’s library makes it largely exciting at first glance. It feels like the cinema lover’s offering that you can expect from a movie studio that has been around for a long time. 

Again in this Netflix HBO contest for shows, Netflix is the winner. But in terms of movies, it is a tie. 

4. HBO Max vs Netflix on 4K Support

On Netflix, you will find high-profile Netflix originals in 4K, in case you are ready to pay for it as a part of the Netflix Premium Plan for $15.99. HBO Max has been launched without a 4K stream. This can be a point of contention for a few people given the price. In the future, however, it will be added to the service. 

According to a spokesperson, HBO Max 4K HDR might not be available at launch but they look forward to delivering it in time to come. So, it might be a tad disappointing that HBO Max does not offer 4K videos but that will eventually change. 

5. HBO Max vs Netflix on Simultaneous Streams

Sharing is good. However, both HBO Max Netflix discourage password sharing. Yet, many people hand out the login credentials to family and friends. That is the reason streaming services allow you to stream on multiple devices. 

Netflix has three plans and these come with different numbers of simultaneous streams. With this, people can share the account to watch various shows at the same time. However, the basic plan allows just one stream. The Standard offers 2 and Premium 4. 

However, it states in its terms and conditions that the service and content viewed through Netflix are for non-commercial and personal use. So, it shouldn’t be shared with individuals beyond the household. 

HBO Max allows 3 simultaneous streams across 5 profiles under just one account. 

6. HBO Max vs Netflix on Free Trial

With Netflix, you will get to enjoy 30-days of a free trial.

But for HBO Max, new subscribers are going to get a free trial for 7 days. Moreover, some internet and AT&T wireless customers might be able to get a 30-day free trial. So, check your AT&T account to find out if you qualify. 

7. HBO Max vs Netflix on Download

If you would like to watch shows offline, you can download them from the Netflix and HBO on your device. 

To download from Netflix, you should have the latest Netflix app and then follow the steps given below.

• Open the Netflix app on your tablet or smartphone and sign in. 
• Look for the episode of a show or movie you would like to download. 
• Click on the download button. 
• Go to ‘Downloads’ to find the content you have downloaded. You can now watch this offline. 

To watch HBO TV shows and movies offline, these are the steps you have to follow. But remember, you have to get the HBO Max app to download content.

• Open the HBO Max app on the tablet or phone and sign in. 
• Check if you are connected to Wi-Fi. 
• Select the movie or episode of a show you would like to download or is most available on HBO Max. The ones that aren’t will not have a download option. 
• Tap on ‘Download’ to download the content.
• You will find the downloaded content in the ‘My Downloads’ section. 

In the case of HBO Max, if you do not watch the download within 30 days, it will automatically be deleted from the device. So, in this case of HBO vs Netflix, both are on equal grounds.

8. Download Streaming videos from HBO Max and Netflix to keep forever

You certainly want to keep the downloaded movies and shows on your computers for as long as you want, do you? And you would also like to be able to watch your downloaded videos on any device you have, instead of from the HBO Max app, don't you?!

Well then, you need to resort to a 3rd-party HBO downloader software. StreamFab HBO Downloader is a dedicated streaming video downloader to download HBO Now, HBO Max, HBO Europe and HBO Spain services.

50. Download 1080p/720p MP4 videos from HBO.
50. Download audios in AC3 5.1 channel or AAC 2.0 channel
50. Download subtitles of your preferred language
50. Batch-download multiple videos in one go
50. Download metadata information for easier video management

                          i  Download for Win    i  Download for Mac 

Here below are the detailed steps to download HBO Max videos with this HBO downloader:

50. Step 1: Launch StreamFab Downloader and choose the Streaming Services tab from left;
50. Step 2: Open HBO Max portal or any other HBO portal you want to download videos from;
50. Step 3: Sign in to your account and play the video to be downloaded;
50. Step 4: As soon as the video starts to play, a popup will show up, click the Download Now button on it to start downloading your video.

In terms of Netflix, you should choose the Netflix Downloader module from the software. Besides, this streaming downloader suite also has modules targeted for all the other major streaming services out there, such as Apple TV+, Paramount+, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ and many more.

Final Wrap-up

No one expects HBO Max, the new streaming service to overthrow the existing champion. It has made a good first impression. The service has the core of HBO’s library. You will automatically be starting with the best movies and TV shows. Loads of new releases are up for HBO Max. Warner is all set to unravel a big archive. So, it is expected to grow in the meantime. Netflix continues to shotgun new movies and series every week. Thus, it is difficult to see ourselves having the urge to unsubscribe from the service. 

If you don’t mind spending, you can get both Netflix & HBO streaming services.