Max vs Binge: Is it worth it without HBO?

Max is the newest home for HBO in town, but how does it compare to Binge, the old go-to for streaming HBO content? The value proposition for Binge has definitely changed since Max's launch, but it still has a bunch of lifestyle and sporting content, and live channel viewing. Max on the other hand has HBO.

If you've only got the space in your heart (and budget) for a few streaming services it makes sense you'd be tossing up between these two. Below we compare everything you need to know about Binge and Max.

Streaming services aren't a dime a dozen anymore. One service costs so many dimes, but Binge and Max are pretty neck and neck when it comes to how much they want you to shell out. Max pricing starts from $11.99/mth (with ads) while Binge's is $10/mth for the cheapest plan.

Here is a quick side-by-side comparison.

These prices get you access to all the content available on both streaming platforms. For Max this is premium content like The Last of Us, Game of Thrones, and the Harry Potter franchise, while Binge includes plenty of reality TV, live footy streaming, and plenty of Australian award winners like Colin from Accounts. 

Each tier gets you a little something different. At the Basic tier Binge and Max both have ads, and cap out at 1080p resolution. Max allows for two simultaneous streams while Binge Basic only allows for one.

Standard gets you ad-free access for both streamers, and two simultaneous streams. Binge offers 4K content at this mid-tier, while Max sticks with HD but allows up to 30 offline downloads.

At the priciest option each platform has 4K and four simultaneous streams. Max's premium subscription also allows users to offline up to 100 pieces of content, and includes HDR and Dolby Atmos.

Binge offers a 7-day free trial on monthly subscription plans. If you forget to cancel in time, the most you'll have to pay is $22 for the first month. Max doesn't offer a free trial.

While HBO used to be a major drawcard for Binge, Max's entry to the market forced the streamer to give that content up. Instead Binge is now more about reality television, Australian content, footy streaming, and live channels. Max, is all about HBO.

Binge's most popular content is the trashy fun of reality TV; Keeping up with the Kardashians, The Real Housewives series, Below Deck and more. It recently nabbed the rights for live, weekend footy too. If you're looking for the place to barrack for your team, Binge is now the best place to do that. The Foxtel (see DAZN) owned streamer also has live television channels streaming directly from Foxtel itself. It is a little known, but budget way to access the pay TV giant's scheduled content.

Max may not have sports, but it does have one of the widest selections of premium drama in the country. Huge shows like The White Lotus, The Last of Us, Succession, and The Sopranos now live there alongside pretty much every other comfort show. Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Supernatural to name a few.

These are some of the best TV shows on Max and the best movies on Max to get you started.

Binge has been saying that offlining content has been coming for years, but it is still yet to eventuate. Max does allow users to download content, but that it dependent on which tier you're subscribed to.

Basic Max subscriptions don't have any downloadable content included, Standard subscriptions can access 30 downloads at a time, while the Premium subscription is good for 100 downloads.

For all those resolution geeks out there, you'll be happy to know that both Binge and Max offer 4K on select plans. On Binge you'll get access to 4K content from the Standard subscription upward, while Max gatekeeps this for Premium subscribers only. On top of this Max's Premium tier also includes HDR and Dolby Atmos.

Which streamer will work best for you will depend on what kind of content you're most after. If you were subscribed to Binge for the HBO flavoured content, Max should be your new go-to. If you'd rather support an Australian business and love a trashy reality show, then Binge will probably tick that box better.