Disney+ and Max are two of the newest subscription services to have hit the market in recent years. They've both become popular, with plenty of subscribers already on-board and tons of great content. But how do they compare to one another? And which one should you choose if you only want to subscribe to one of them?
Well, there are several aspects to consider when it comes to comparing Disney+ vs Max. In this guide, we'll put them side-by-side. We'll look at the strengths and weaknesses of each service. Plus, we'll see how they compare in terms of content, price, plans, and more. By the end, you’ll be able to make a much more informed decision on Max or Disney+.
Disney+ wins in pricing
Let's start off with one of the most important aspects of all: price. With so many streaming services out these days, costs can add up. So how much will you need to pay to enjoy the content on Disney+ and Max?
- Disney+ - There are two plans to choose from: Basic (with ads) and Premium (no ads). You can also subscribe through the Disney bundle, which gets you Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ and has 3 plans to choose from.
Disney+ Basic
Get 3 HULU, DISNEY Plus, ESPN
- On demand content
- Stream on four screens
- HD and 4K video quality
$7.99/month
Disney Bundle Duo Basic
- Includes Disney+ and Hulu
- On demand content
- Stream on four screens
$9.99/month
Disney+ Premium
- No ads
- Stream on four screens
- HD and 4K video quality
- Offline viewing
$13.99/month
Disney Bundle Trio Basic
- Includes Disney+ Hulu and ESPN+
- On demand content
- Stream on four screens
$14.99/month
Disney Bundle Duo Premium
- Includes Disney+ and Hulu
- On demand content
- Stream on four screens
- Offline viewing
- No ads
$19.99/month
Disney Bundle Trio Premium
- Includes Disney+ Hulu and ESPN+
- No ads
- On demand content
- Stream on four screens
- Offline viewing
$24.99/month
- Max - For Max, subscribers can choose from three different plans: With-Ads, Ad-Free, and Ultimate Ad-Free.
So, when it comes to pricing, Disney+ has the edge. It is much cheaper than Max, when compared to the ad-free pricing. Plus, it can be bundled together with other streaming services for a low price.
Disney+ and Max offer different kinds of originals
Next, let's look at what you can expect to find on each of these platforms in terms of original content. “Original content” refers to any films, shows, or other media that is created for the platform or released on an exclusive basis on that platform. Both Disney+ and Max have a range of original programming for viewers to enjoy.
- Disney+ - Disney+ gives viewers the chance to see a huge range of original programming, with a majority of the content focused on the Marvel and Star Wars universes, such as shows like WandaVision, Ms. Marvel, The Mandalorian, and Andor. There are also original comedy shows like Mila in the Multiverse, as well as animation like Monsters at Work.
- Max - Max features a number of original series, including The Flight Attendant, The Tourist, and Peacemaker. Subscribers can enjoy dramas like Station Eleven, true crime shows like The Staircase, and comedies like South Side. There are also many reality shows on the platform, like Legendary and Selena + Chef.
When it comes to original content, both of these platforms are producing some popular and highly-rated shows. The best option for you will depend on your tastes. Marvel and Star Wars fans will want to sign up for Disney+ to get access to the latest stories in these universes, while fans with more diverse tastes may prefer the wider range of content on Max.
There’s tons of other content, as well
Along with the new, original shows and films on each platform, both Max and Disney+ also provide a library of other content for subscribers to enjoy. Here’s what you can expect to find on each of these streaming services.
- Disney+ - On Disney+, viewers can watch all of the Disney and Pixar movies from the past, such as Toy Story, The Lion King, and Frozen. There are also many classic kids and family-oriented animations and TV shows like Recess, Duck Tales, Kim Possible, and Goof Troop. The entirety of The Simpsons and FOX’s back catalog is also available on Disney+.
- Max - On Max, viewers have access to over 10,000 hours of on-demand content. This includes all of the classic HBO shows from the past, such as The Wire, The Sopranos, and Game of Thrones. Viewers can also enjoy lots of comedies like Friends and The Big Bang Theory, as well as films like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Matrix, and DC movies like Joker and Wonder Woman.
In terms of other content, Max has the more varied range of programming. It offers comedies, drama, classic films, modern superhero movies, documentaries, and more. Disney+ is more catered towards family content, like kids’ shows and Marvel movies.
Both services have a wide range of device support
Another factor to think about when it comes to Max vs Disney+ is device compatibility. You may want to run these apps on a range of devices, such as smart TVs, Roku boxes, game consoles, or Android phones. Fortunately, there’s no major difference between the two in this field. Both Disney+ and Max are capable of working on almost any device you can think of, including the following:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast
- Roku
- Android TV
- iPhone
- Android phones and tablets
- Mac
- Windows
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- Smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony, and others
Disney+ offers more 4K content
How do Disney+ and Max compare in terms of quality? Well, when the services launched, Disney+ clearly had the edge, as it immediately offered 4K HDR streaming, while Max launched without this feature. Since then, Max has been updated to include some 4K content, like the latest Warner Bros. movies.
However, Disney+ has far more 4K content overall. It also makes this content much easier for users to access. All subscribers of Disney+ get to enjoy dozens of movies in 4K UHD and even IMAX-enhanced versions of many new movie releases, too. If you want 4K on Max, you’re limited to a small selection of films, and you have to pay for the ad-free plan, too.
Disney+ offers more streams at a better price
Both Disney+ and Max allow multiple people to stream simultaneously on different devices from the same account. This allows you to pay for one membership for your household and allow each member of the family to watch different shows and films at the same time. However, there’s a slight difference between the two: Disney+ offers four simultaneous streams, while Max is limited to three.
Both services have well-designed interfaces
In terms of the interface and general user experience, there are only minor differences between Max and Disney+. Both of these streaming services have user-friendly menus, with content sorted into different categories and a search function for finding your favorite things to watch. Disney+ arguably has more of a busy interface, with content divided up among its various brands like Marvel and Star Wars. Max, meanwhile, has more of a minimalistic hub.
Our takeaway: For its price, you’ll get more out of Disney+
As you can see, both Max and Disney+ are super streaming services with a lot to offer. It’s no surprise that both of these services have become popular and attracted some big audiences already. But, if you’re only able to pick one, which should you choose: Max or Disney+?
Well, it all depends on what you want from your streaming platform. Both Max and Disney+ offer enjoyable user experiences and are compatible with most devices. They also both have a ton of quality content, with Disney+ offering an almost endless supply of family films and shows, while Max provides more of a varied catalog of movies, comedies, documentaries, etc.
Max has the more diverse range of content to suit households where people have a range of tastes, while Disney+ may be more recommended to families with children. Disney+ also has the advantage of being the cheaper of the two services, and it has some extra bonuses like four simultaneous streams and a big selection of 4K content.
Khadija Bilal • Author
Khadija Bilal is an accomplished writer with over a decade of experience under her belt. Having developed a versatile writing style that allows her to tackle a wide range of topics, Khadija has several publications to her name. Khadija’s expertise includes in-depth guides and how-to articles.
Davan Hamilton • Editor
Davan Hamilton is an editor and writer based in Jacksonville, FL. Holding a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, her writing spans a wide range, from essays on film criticism and analysis to surreal poetry. Now, she works for Flixed as an editor, continuing to ignore the list of passion projects she’s accumulated. When she’s not glued to her computer, you can find her building endless amounts of Lego sets, binge-reading manga, or playing with (fighting) her cat.
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