Max vs. Netflix

While both Max and Netflix are the priciest on-demand streaming services, they’re still the best out there.

We think it's fair to say that neither Max nor Netflix is cheap. In fact, these are the two most expensive major on-demand streaming services out there.

But Max takes the cake for us because it's simple: 15 bucks a month and no fuss about choosing between pricing tiers.

But for others, Netflix may actually win in the pricing category if you like options. Netflix can be cheaper or more expensive than Max.

With Netflix, you can choose between $6.99, $9.99, $15.49, or $19.99 a month, depending on what video quality you want and how many simultaneous streams you need.

Netflix lets you choose what you pay for. Don't care about 4K? Don't pay for it—just go for the $9.99 HD package that streams in 1080p, which is plenty good. Only watch Netflix on a tiny little phone screen and don't care about ads? You can stick with the Basic with ads plan, which gives you HD for only seven bucks a month.

Keep in mind, though, you won't have full access to Netflix's library with the Basic with ads plan.

You can also pick if you want one, two, or four simultaneous streams, depending on which tier you go for.

Most of the content on Netflix isn't available in 4K, but there is a lot more that is in 4K on Netflix than there is on other streaming services, including Max, which only has about 30 titles available in 4K.

Max definitely needs to step up its game here. On the bright side, you're not paying Netflix’s premium price either. While we do hope that Max gets more 4K content, we’d also rather not pay more for it.

It doesn’t matter what price you’re paying if you can’t get your streaming service on your devices. It was embarrassing when Max launched without Roku or Fire TV support. Netflix doesn't just have good device support, it's pretty much ubiquitous. Basically, if it has a screen, it'll play Netflix.

Admittedly, Netflix has had a lot of time to put its little red roots down everywhere. Max will get there, and it did fix its problems with Roku and Amazon.

You shouldn’t have any problems watching either Netflix or Max.

Nobody has a content library like Netflix. In the US alone, it has over 5,000 titles, and 2,000 of those are Netflix originals. With that bottomless well of content, it has something for everybody. Netflix content is tailored to niche tastes. Netflix feels like it's made for you, rather than some nebulous version of everyone.

But you know what quantity is not a synonym for? Quality. Max has fewer titles than Netflix, but what it does have is awesome. When you log into Max, you don't have to go through the same kind of endless scrolling, wading through stuff you have no interest in to find that one little gem. Instead, you log in and you're immediately greeted by excellent titles that you might actually want to watch and talk about with your friends.

• House of Cards
• Stranger Things
• Bridgerton
• Tiger King
• Queen’s Gambit

• Wonder Woman
• Godzilla vs. Kong
• Snyder Cut
• Game of Thrones
• Westworld
• Harry Potter
• Lord of the Rings
• Friends
• Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
• True Detective
• South Park
• Studio Ghibli films

Now, I could go on, but my point is just this, whether it's new stuff or classic stuff, Max's library is unbeatable at the moment. So for those who want the most popular titles, Max has to be the winner here.

Netflix has more options, but Max’s quality is tough to beat.

Netflix and Max are close competitors. Netflix has been the king of on-demand streaming services for a long time, but Max may be next in line for the throne.

Pricing: Max is straightforward with one plan, and Netflix could be cheaper or pricier, depending on which plan you pick.

Streaming quality: Netflix offers more 4K options than Max, but you can only stream in 4K if you pay for an ads-free plan.

Device availability: You can play Netflix on nearly any device. Max is a little more limited, but you shouldn’t have any trouble getting it on your main devices.

Content: Netflix has more options, which is good for those with specific tastes, but Max has more popular titles.