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TechRadar

Tom Power

HBO Max free trial: is there one, what deals are available, and more big questions answered

HBO HBO Max Max (Organization) Hulu United States

As one of the more expensive streamers around, you might have gone back and forth on whether it's worth signing up to HBO Max.

Wouldn't it help, then, if there was a free trial offer that would let you try it first? I guess you'll have to read through this article to find out if one is available for one of the globe's best streaming services. I promise you, though, that there are plenty more reasons to scroll on — indeed, from details about potential HBO Max deals and more besides, it's well worth perusing our HBO Max free trial article. So, hop to it!

HBO Max free trial: is one available?

Both seasons of hit medical drama The Pitt can be streamed in full on HBO Max (Image credit: Warrick Page/HBO)

Nope. HBO Max doesn't currently give you the option of trying out the service for free, and it hasn't done so for a few years now.

When it first launched in the US, customers were given the chance to make use of a seven-day free trial offer. Unfortunately, that was discontinued when the service was rolled out internationally and, barring a brief return in mid-2024, it hasn't returned in any one nation or territory.

That doesn't mean we won't see it again. It could make a comeback if Paramount Skydance's buyout of Warner Bros. (and HBO Max as part of that package) is approved. However, right now, you'll have to open an account to give HBO Max a runout on your TV, mobile phone, or other electronic device of choice.

Are there other ways to get a HBO Max free trial?

The latest reimagining of Emily Bronte's classic story Wuthering Heights is out now on HBO Max (Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Yes, but only in the US. If you live there, you can sign up to one of Cricket Wireless' $60 a month unlimited plans and get a 12-month subscription for HBO Max's Basic With Ads plan for no extra cost. Sure, you'll have to sit through the odd advert or two, but that's a small price to pay when this deal means you'll save you $120.

Previously, an HBO Max free trial was also offered as part of certain Hulu plans. Unfortunately, one of the best streaming deals hasn't been offered for some time. With Hulu being further integrated into Disney+, I imagine it'll never return, too.

What's the cheapest way to get HBO Max without a free trial?

Season 1 of Steve Carell's comedy show Rooster is one of many TV shows you can catch on HBO Max (Image credit: HBO Max)

The best way to keep hold of some of your cash is to sign up to one of HBO Max's annual plans.

My HBO Max price guide is stuffed with more information about these but, essentially, you can save up to 20% by committing to an annual plan rather than paying monthly. For the ad-supported plan, you'll need to pay $109.99 for the year in the US and AU$119.99 for 12 months in Australia.

An annual deal isn't available in Canada, but you can sign up to a monthly plan for $10.99. Similarly, there isn't an cheap annual plan for UK users to sign up to, so your best bet is signing up for the rolling monthly Standard with Ads plan, which costs £9.99 a month and works out at just under £120 for the year.

The cheapest Saver Plan in the UK is HBO Max Standard with Ads and TNT Sports, which will cost you an eye-watering £335 for a 12 months subscription. However, if you're a Sky Ultimate TV owner, HBO Max is now included as part of your package. Interested in this huge money-saving deal? Check out the £22 per month Sky Ultimate TV bundle now.

Lee Cronin's The Mummy will rise from its grave on HBO Max in the not too distant future (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Not sold on any of those deals? The only other option available to you is adding a family or friend to your account, or getting yourself added to one of theirs.

Confused? Let me explain. With HBO Max's password crackdown now rolled out worldwide, you can't access HBO Max if you live in a separate household to the account holder. The same is also true if you're the main subscription holder and someone, who doesn't live with you, wants to use your account.

If you still want to use it and live in the US, you'll need to pay $7.99 a month to be added as an extra member to their subscription and vice versa. As of May 2026, this feature doesn't seem to be available in the UK. Once it is, I'll update this section.

Finally, you can check out some of the best films and TV series for free via the HBO Max free episodes section of its website. Again, though, this is US-only, so you'll have to be based in the states to use it.

What can I watch on HBO Max?

House of the Dragon's third season will fly onto HBO Max in late June (Image credit: HBO)

Some of the finest movies and TV shows ever created, that's what.

HBO Max is home to everything that HBO, aka the multi-award-winning cable network, has ever produced. A seemingly infinite number of classic movies and more recent big-screen offerings, plus numerous HBO Max Movie and TV Originals, are also just a button push or a mouse click away.

Here's a small slice of what you can stream if you sign up today: