Looking for a Max free trial in 2024? Read on for how to do just that.
Ever since the Netflix free trial was scuttled in the fall of 2020, other streaming services have followed suit, putting an end their own free trials.
Even newer streaming services like Disney+, Peacock, and Max quickly stopped offering a free week.
But fear not, there are still ways to get a Max free trial in 2024. Also, Max just launched a new deal for its annual subscription that’s even better than a free trial—if you want HBO’s streaming service for an entire year.
Read on for all you need to know about Max free trials and deals in 2024.
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Our Max Review offers an in-depth look at the content, features, and prices of the service.
Does HBO offer a Max free trial in 2024?
No.
Not directly.
Max does not offer a free trial if you sign up directly through its app or website in 2024. But you can still get a Max free trial via other streaming services and HBO partners.
Most methods require getting another subscription, but those services often have their own free trials that you can take advantage of at the same time.
Before we look at how to get a free trial for HBO’s Max in 2024, here’s the (direct) free trial situation for major streaming services in 2024.
| Streaming Service | Free Trial | Repeatable |
| AMC+ | 7 Days | No |
| Apple TV+ | 7 Days | No |
| Disney+ | None | - |
| Hulu | 30 Days | Yes |
| Max (HBO) | None* | - |
| MGM+ | 7 Days | Yes |
| Netflix | None* | - |
| Paramount+ | 7 Days | No |
| Peacock | None* | - |
| Prime Video | 30 Days | Every 12 Months |
| Starz | None* | - |
| * The service does not offer a free trial directly, but there might be promotions and other ways to get a free trial. | ||
How to get a Max free trial in 2024
While HBO’s standard free trial for Max is no more, here are a few ways to snag a free trial in 2024.
Get a Max free trial with Amazon Prime Video
The easiest way to get a Max free trial is through Amazon Prime Video. The 7-day Max free trial is delivered through Prime Video Channels.
This means you’ll need a Prime Video subscription or a full Amazon Prime membership. Read about Prime Video price plans and the differences between them.
Fortunately the Prime Video free trial (which actually comes as part of the all-encompassing Prime free trial) is a full 30 days. That’s more than enough time to try the Max free trial and a few others. Even better, you can sign up for the free trial every 12 months.
BUT keep in mind that when you sign up for Max as a Prime Video Channel, you can only watch Max via Prime Video (the app or website). You cannot log in to the official Max app with your Amazon credentials.
Also, Max’s Ultimate Ad-Free plan is NOT available through Prime Video Channels, meaning you’re limited to 2 simultaneous devices and Full HD streaming quality.
Get a Max free trial on Hulu
The second-best way to get a Max free trial is with Hulu.
Like Prime, Hulu also offers a 30-day free trial. You can sign up for Max through Hulu by going to Manage Add-ons.
The bad news is that there’s only one Max plan to choose from and that’s the Max Ad-Free plan. Furthermore, you can’t get the current deal of 45% off the Max Ad-Free plan, so it’s terrible time to subscribe to Max through Hulu.
The good news is that you can use your Hulu credentials to log in to the official Max app.
Get a Max free trial on DirecTV Stream
It’s hard to say DirecTV Stream has the best Max free trial. It may be the longest, but it’s going to cost you the most. (About $255 if you go for the whole 3 months.)
If you sign up for the Entertainment, Choice, or Ultimate plan you have the option to get 3 months of Max for free. (The top-tier Premier plan includes Max in its standard channel lineup.)
Three months free sounds like a winner until you factor in that DirecTV Stream is the most expensive streaming service around. You can get the 5-day DirecTV Stream free trial, but that’s not much against a 3-month Max free trial. In fact, DirecTV Stream’s free trial isn’t even long enough to cover a typical 7-day trial.
FURTHERMORE you can’t get the current 40% off Max deal through DirecTV Stream and the Max Ad-Free plan is the only plan available through DirecTV Stream.
One positive point is that you can log in to the official Max app with your DirecTV Stream credentials. But you can do that with Hulu, which costs a fraction of DirecTV Stream’s cheapest plan.
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Is there a Max free trial on Roku?
No.
There was a free trial for Max through Roku, but it ended in February 2024.
How to pay less for Max
The best way to pay less for Max is to sign up directly with Max. You can get from 42–45% off annual plans for a limited time. The With Ads and Ultimate Ad-Free plans are both 42% off, while the Ad-Free middle tier is 45% off.
HBO’s current Max promo in advance of March Madness is better than a free trial if you actually plan on subscribing. And it’s available to both new and returning subscribers.
Furthermore, unlike most streaming service discounts, the 40% off Max deal is available through third-party partners. This current promo is available to new and returning subscribers through the following:
- Max.com
- Amazon Appstore (new subscribers only)
- Apple
- Google Play
- Roku
Of course, after the first year is up, it renews at the regular price. Unless you turn off automatic renewal, which we recommend doing.
Take a break from Max for a few months and watch your other streaming subscriptions. Then restart your subscription when the next HBO Max deal rolls around.
Get Max for free with Cricket Wireless
What’s better than 42% off?
100% off.
Cricket Wireless’ Unlimited + 15 GB Mobile Hotspot Plan includes a Max subscription “for free”. The plan is $60/month and gets you the Max With Ads plan. It’s like subscribing through a TV provider, so you get to use the official Max app.
Unfortunately there’s no option to upgrade to an ad-free plan and Max is not included with any other Cricket Wireless plans.
But if you’re in the market for a new wireless plan and want a Max subscription, it’s worth a look.
Get Max with Verizon Wireless
While it’s not as good as Cricket’s deal, Verizon’s Netflix & Max Perk gets you both streaming services for an even 10 bucks a month.
The deal gets you the ad-supported plan for each streaming service. You can upgrade your Netflix plan (and pay the difference between the 2 plans) but there’s no option to upgrade your Max plan.
Does HBO have a Max student discount?
Unfortunately HBO does not offer a student discount for Max. If you’re a student looking for a discounted streaming services, take a look at Apple TV+, Paramount+, Peacock, and Prime Video.
Does HBO offer a Max discount for AARP members?
Nope.
There is no AARP discount for Max. AARP members should look at Paramount+ for a discount.
Final thoughts
Max is one of the most expensive on-demand streaming services available. (Its ad-supported plan is the most expensive.) So getting a Max free trial to test the waters is important to a lot of streamers.
The best options for getting a Max free trial are with Amazon Prime and Hulu. But the current deal at 45% off Max With Ads is worth jumping on for movie fans, HBO fans, and now even sports fans—especially fans of NCAA basketball and NHL hockey.
If you know any other ways to get Max for free (or cheaper), we’d love to hear from you. Let us know in the comments below!
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