Written by: Brooke Gaines
October 16, 2024

While HBO Max offered a 7-day free trial earlier in June, the offer was only for a limited time and has expired.

Yet, users can get free access to HBO Max by subscribing to partnered platforms with HBO Max, offering complimentary or discounted access. 

Read on to find the 10 ways to get an HBO Max subscription free or at a lower price!

Key Takeaways: Get HBO Max For Free Or Low-cost

Follow through this section to know the active status of the HBO Max free trial and the other prime takeaways: 

  • No Free Trials: HBO Max doesn’t have a standard free trial.
  • Bundles are Best: Get the best value through Amazon Prime, Hulu, or cell phone plans (Verizon, Cricket Wireless).
  • Share with Care: Split the cost of a subscription with friends or family (respect the streaming limits).
  • Student Perks: Check out UNiDAYS or Student Beans for potential HBO Max student discounts.
  • Look for Deals: Keep an eye on the HBO Max website or social media for promotions or discounts.

Does HBO Max Offer A Free Trial In 2024?

Max offered a 7-days free trial from June 6th to June 23rd. This limited-time offer was only exclusive to new HBO Max subscribers, allowing them to watch their favorite shows and movies. 

However, no direct HBO Max free trials are offered upon a new subscription. 

While the free trial option is unavailable now, there are still ways to access HBO Max without paying the full price, which will be detailed in this guide.

How To Claim An HBO Max Free Trial [Other Methods]

From bundled deals on Amazon Prime, Hulu, Verizon, and Cricket Wireless to special discounts for students, explore diverse ways to enjoy premium content while being on a budget.

Check how exactly you can still get free access without a direct free trial or HBO Max free trial code.

1. Hulu+Max Bundle

If you’re already a Hulu subscriber or considering signing up, you can explore bundled deals that include HBO Max. This way, you can access both platforms at a discounted rate, giving you more bang for your buck.

Add HBO Max to your Hulu plan, which costs $9.99/mo. Start the bundle plan by clicking here: Hulu X HBO Max. 

Based on our survey, upon comparing Hulu vs HBO Max, HBO Max came out on top. But with this unique offering, you can enjoy the best of both platforms together.

Hulu+Max Bundle

To make this deal even better, you can get the Hulu+Max+Disney bundle at just $16.99/month.

2. Verizon Netflix+Max

Another option to consider is Verizon’s Netflix and Max bundle deal.

By subscribing to Verizon’s Unlimited Plus plan (4-line plan), you get access to Netflix and Max together at just $10 per line, saving you a total of $6.98/line.

Similar to our comparison of HBO Max vs Netflix, like the one above with Hulu, Netflix takes an edge above than HBO Max.

Check out our side-to-side comparison linked to gain more insights. 

Verizon Netflix+Max

Check with Verizon to check out this offer: Verizon and HBO Max Bundle.

3. Max With Cricket Wireless

Another way to get HBO Max for Free is with the Cricket Wireless Unlimited + 15 GB Mobile Hotspot Plan, which costs $60/month.

Max With Cricket Wireless

If you are already a Cricket Wireless member, you can start this plan by changing your plan, logging in to your account, or creating one account.

Click here to get  Max with Cricket Wireless.

4. With Exclusive Student Discounts 

Students can claim massive discounts on HBO Max subscriptions to compensate for the free trial unavailability, with the most significant discount being 50%. 

With Exclusive Student Discounts

Partnered with UNiDAYS, HBO Max is offering a flat 50% discount, with access to Max content at just $4.99/month.

Follow this official guide to claim this exclusive HBO Max student discount.   

Alternatively, StudentBeans also offers a 20% discount on Max if you are not eligible for the above discount. 

5. With DirecTV subscription

If you’re a DirecTV cable subscriber, it’s worth checking if your current plan grants free access to HBO Max.

The following DirecTV plans offer free HBO Max free access: 

  1. DIRECTV STREAM: PREMIER and MAX
  2. DIRECTV: PREMIER & LO MAXIMO
  3. U-verse TV: U400, U450, and U450 Latino
With DirecTV subscription

Visit the DirecTV website, to subscribe to the above plans of your choice. 

6. Chegg Perks + Max 

To double up the study breaks, learners from Chegg can avail of the Max ad plans free to stream the popular HBO Max shows and movies. 

Chegg Perks + Max

However, only the Chegg Study Pack and Chegg Study subscribers are eligible to claim this offer until August 2026.

Check out this link to find more details about this offer. 

7. Doordash DasPass+Max

Doordash has recently announced that its DashPass annual subscribers would be eligible to get free access to the Max with ads subscription at zero cost. 

Doordash DasPass+Max

Not just that, if users want to opt for the ad-free Max plan, Doordash will offer an exclusive discount for eligible users, which can be claimed during subscription payment. 

Follow this guide to correctly claim the Max subscription. 

8. HBO Max Free Content

If none of the above options interest you, you can stream free content available on HBO Max. This includes free episodes of Game of Thrones, Succession, Euphoria, and more!

HBO Max Free Content

While all the earlier options to stream HBO Max for free involved subscribing to another platform or having special eligibility criteria, with the free Max content, you can make up for the missed free trial. 

9. Go For The Annual HBO Max Plan 

You can also choose HBO Max’s annual pricing plan, a great savings alternative. For instance, all the Max plans cost 16% less when subscribed to annually.

Additional tip: Look for deals and promotions offering discounted or free HBO Max access. HBO Max occasionally offers discounts or free trials for new subscribers. Check or follow their website on social media to stay updated on ongoing promotions. 

HBO Max Pricing

Regarding HBO Max, there are a few different pricing options to consider. 

Let’s take a look at their pricing plan in detail:-

Plan Price Per Month Price Per Year Savings
Ad-supported$9.99$99.99$19.89
Ad free $16.99$169.99$33.89
Ultimate Ad free $20.99 $209.99$41.89

Furthermore, HBO Max allows you to cancel your membership anytime without any issues. However, remember to take note of your expiration date so you can check it out until you use the app. 

To claim unique once a year discounts up to 70%, look out for the HBO Max Black Friday deals when they go live this November.

HBO Max Free Trial Features

HBO Max does not offer a free trial. However, here is how Max subscribers can access a wide range of features and content with alternate free access. 

With its extensive and diverse content library, HBO Max offers a streaming experience that caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences.

Let’s take a look at HBO Max Features:-

1. Create Profile

HBO Max allows you to set up individual profiles for different household members. You can create up to 5 different profiles with HBO Max and get up to 3 simultaneous stream options with their no-ads plans. 

This feature ensures that everyone gets personalized recommendations based on their viewing preferences. Whether you’re a crime drama or animated series fan, HBO Max will curate content tailored to your tastes.

2. Download for Offline Viewing

Take advantage of HBO Max’s download feature. You can save your favorite shows and movies to your device and watch them offline, even without an internet connection.

3. Explore Curated Collections

HBO Max curates collections based on different themes, genres, or moods. Take some time to explore these collections and discover hidden gems that you may not have come across otherwise. 

Whether you’re in the mood for a laugh-out-loud comedy marathon or a thought-provoking documentary binge, HBO Max’s curated collections have something for everyone.

HBO Max Content: What Can You Enjoy Watching

One of the biggest draws of HBO Max is its extensive library of content. From popular shows to blockbuster movies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

Here are just a few examples of the diverse range of content available on HBO Max:

1. HBO Originals

HBO Max is home to a wide variety of original shows and documentaries produced by HBO. From critically acclaimed dramas like “Game of Thrones” and “Succession” to thought-provoking documentaries like “The Jinx” and “Leaving Neverland,” there’s no shortage of compelling content to explore.

HBO Originals

2. Movies

HBO Max offers a vast selection of movies, including both recent releases and timeless classics. HBO Max has it all if you’re in the mood for a thrilling action film, a heartwarming romantic comedy, or a thought-provoking indie flick.

Movies

3. Exclusive Premieres

HBO Max is known for its exclusive premieres, allowing subscribers to be among the first to watch highly anticipated shows and movies. From new seasons of beloved series to original films and specials, there’s always something exciting to look forward to on HBO Max.

Exclusive Premieres

In addition to these categories, HBO Max also features curated collections, such as “Black History Month” or “Pride Month,” which highlight content related to specific themes or events. This makes it easy to discover new shows and movies that align with your interests.

Whether you’re a fan of dramas, comedies, documentaries, or blockbuster films, you will surely find something that captures your interest on HBO Max.

HBO Max Alternatives 

Several options are available if you’re looking for alternatives to HBO Max or ways to access it for free. 

Let’s explore some popular alternatives with their pricing and some famous works: 

1. Hulu – 30-Day Free Trial

Price Starts from $7.99/month
Free Trial30-days
Hulu - 30-Day Free Trial
Source: Hulu. 

Hulu is a popular streaming service that offers a wide range of movies and TV shows. While Hulu itself doesn’t offer a free trial specifically for HBO Max, you can access HBO Max through bundled deals available on Hulu. 

By subscribing to the Hulu + HBO Max bundle, you can enjoy both services at a discounted price.

2. Amazon Prime – 30-Day Free Trial

Price Starts from $14.99/month 
Free Trial30-days
Amazon Prime - 30-Day Free Trial
Source: Amazon. 

Amazon Prime Video is another streaming service that offers a vast library of movies and TV shows. 

You can get a free trial of HBO Max with an Amazon Prime membership. Moreover, Amazon Prime has other perks, such as getting Prime video, prime music and discounts, and more with Amazon Prime. 

Moreover, Amazon Prime also offers a 6-month free trial for students, and after the trial ends, it charges $7.49/ month. 

3. Peacock TV – No Free Trial 

Price Starts from $7.99/month
Free TrialNot Offered
Peacock TV - No Free Trial 
Source: Amazon.com. 

Peacock TV is a streaming service owned by NBCUniversal that offers premium content. With Peacock TV, you enjoy diverse content that includes Peacock originals and Live channels. 

These alternatives provide options for accessing HBO Max content through bundled deals or add-ons. While they may not offer the exact same experience, they can still be a great alternative to HBO Max.

Related Read:

Conclusion – HBO Max Free Trial 7 Days

While HBO Max no longer offers a free trial, there are numerous ways to access its premium content at a reduced cost or even for free.

Explore bundled deals with Amazon Prime, Hulu, or Verizon, utilize account sharing responsibly, or consider student discounts for budget-friendly options.

Keep your eyes and ears open for when HBO Max offers their year-end Black Friday deals to maximize your benefits further.

So, don’t miss out—explore these options and enjoy HBO Max today!

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Article By

Brooke Gaines is a dedicated writer for Evoca.tv, focusing on in-depth reviews and discussions about the latest movies and TV series. Her expertise in media criticism was developed through contributions to several online entertainment outlets before she settled into her current role at Evoca.tv. Brooke has a knack for uncovering both popular and lesser-known aspects of the media world, which she eagerly shares with her audience.