HBO vs. Netflix

HBO or Netflix: Which is better? Both have powerhouse originals and on-demand streaming, but it depends on what you’re looking for.

Jump to: Packages and pricing | Shows and movies | Devices | Resolution | Simultaneous streaming | Pros and cons | FAQ

Bottom line

HBO is perfect for movie lovers and fans of its original shows and movies. There are some excellent titles that you just can’t find anywhere else, like Game of Thrones, Last Week Tonight, and Westworld. If you want to watch these series, you need HBO—plain and simple.

Netflix has a greater overall selection of content with must-see originals of its own, including The Witcher, Orange Is the New Black, Stranger Things, and Black Mirror. The o.g. streaming service also has a constantly rotating library of films and shows, so you always have something new to watch.

This is a tough comparison because both services offer such great exclusives. If you have to choose, go with Netflix. It’s a slightly better overall choice simply for the huge on-demand library and wide variety of shows and movies.

Data effective 02/14/20. Offers and availability subject to change.

Packages and pricing

Free trials

If you’re having trouble choosing just one of these services, take them for a test-drive! HBO NOW and Netflix both offer free trials so you can get a feel for the type of content available.

• HBO NOW gives you 7 days to think it over before your credit card gets charged.
• Netflix offers a 30-day free trial before billing starts.

If you change your mind, just remember to cancel your subscription before the trial period is over because the services will renew automatically.

HBO has only one package that gets you all the features, which is nice because you don’t have to worry about different subscription tiers. But there are multiple ways to stream HBO, which can get a little complicated.

You can go with either of HBO’s streaming services: GO or NOW. The tough choice here is whether you need an HBO cable subscription, which includes HBO GO, or if you want to stick to just streaming with HBO NOW. The content is the same for each, so it depends on whether you have or want TV service (more on that below).

You can also add the HBO channel to one of many other streaming services. Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV all allow you to watch HBO content for an additional fee (it costs the same as HBO NOW).

Cable packages that include HBO

Some cable packages include HBO at no extra cost. Since every HBO subscription includes HBO GO, a cable package is a great way to get streaming access to HBO without paying extra monthly fees. Here are some cable packages that include HBO:

• Cox Contour Ultimate
• Spectrum Silver
• Xfinity Digital Premier

With Netflix, you’ll need to decide whether you want to spring for the Premium subscription—with 4K content and up to four simultaneous streams—or stick with Standard (the most popular subscription). We recommend skipping the Basic plan entirely because SD is no fun these days. Plus, it allows for streaming on only a single device, which can get frustrating.

TV shows and movies

HBO and Netflix have both produced some outstanding shows and movies that you can’t find anywhere else. How can you choose?

On-demand shows and movies

HBO and Netflix are both on-demand services, so that’s where the bulk of the goodies are at. The main difference is that HBO does offer a semi-live TV experience, since new episodes are generally available to stream right when they air on the cable channel.

HBO

While it isn’t normally considered a livestreaming service, HBO GO and HBO NOW both allow you to catch new episodes of shows as they air. The only exceptions to this are shows that are filmed live, like Last Week Tonight and Real Time with Bill Maher. These episodes are usually available to stream within 24 hours of when they air live.

Netflix

Netflix doesn’t offer live TV programming—everything is available on-demand. And that’s just fine with us! But depending on what you’re into, that could start to feel boring after a while.

Compatible devices

You can get Netflix and HBO on pretty much everything, including popular choices like Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast. Most users won’t have any trouble finding a device for either service.

Best streaming devices

The device you stream on can be just as important as the service itself. That’s because apps and interfaces vary from one platform to another, so Netflix on an Apple TV may look a bit different from Netflix on another device.

For the best all-around experience, we recommend Apple TV. Nearly every streaming service supports it, so you should be covered with all your streaming services. Plus, you get access to the iTunes Store, which is a great alternative for shows and movies that aren’t available to stream. For future-proofing purposes, we’re fans of the Apple TV 4K.

Resolution and quality

HBO streaming is available at up to 1080p resolution, although the maximum resolution is limited by your internet speed (we get more into that below). Resolution of 1080p, also known as Full HD, is roughly six times the resolution of a typical DVD. In other words, it’s pretty sharp.

Netflix, on the other hand, provides up to 4K (Ultra HD) streaming quality, depending on the plan you choose. With 4K, your picture is about four times sharper than 1080p—that’s 24 times sharper than a DVD. With TVs getting larger every year, 4K can make for a noticeably better picture, so this is a big advantage for Netflix.

Recommended internet speed

Fast internet is vital to a good streaming experience. You’ll get less buffering on your shows, and it can have a major impact on streaming quality as well (like in the case of HBO).

HBO recommends at least 5 Mbps per user for streaming HBO NOW or HBO GO reliably.

Netflix recommends these minimum speeds:

• 3 Mbps per user for SD
• 5 Mbps per user for HD
• 25 Mbps per user for 4K

Keep in mind that these are minimum speeds for one instance of streaming. So if you and your kids want to watch different shows, make sure you have enough internet speed (and the right Netflix package) to support multiple streams.

Sharing your account

Sharing is caring, but both HBO and Netflix discourage password sharing. Still, a ton of people hand out their login credentials to friends, family, significant others, and roommates. And that makes sense. That’s why streaming services let you stream on multiple devices simultaneously, right?

HBO doesn’t have a hard limit on the number of simultaneous users on one account. But before you text your login to all your friends, know that more users outside of your home means you’re more likely to run into an error message when you stream. That’s why it’s a good idea to limit the number of people you give your password to.

Netflix allows more users with each subscription tier:

• Basic allows only one user on the account at a time.
• Standard allows two users at once.
• Premium allows up to four simultaneous streams, making it the best option for large families or households.

But its Terms of Use states the following: “The Netflix service and any content viewed through our service are for your personal and non-commercial use only and may not be shared with individuals beyond your household.”

So if your best friends are asking to borrow your accounts, just know there are limits to just how much you can share one account without ponying up for another.

Pros and cons

Why choose just one?

HBO and Netflix both offer excellent streaming platforms with outstanding original programming, but the content is totally different. This makes choosing just one much harder. For that reason, we recommend grabbing both if you can swing it. That way you won’t miss out on any of the watercooler conversations about who did what on TV.

FAQ about HBO and Netflix

What’s the difference between HBO GO and HBO NOW?

A lot of people what the difference is between HBO GO and HBO NOW, but the answer is actually quite simple:

• HBO GO is a streaming service provided with a cable HBO subscription at no extra cost.
• HBO NOW is a standalone streaming service that doesn’t require a separate cable subscription.

Other than that, there isn’t any real difference between the two. They’re both the same HBO you know and love.

What is Max?

Max is an upcoming HBO streaming service that is set to roll out around May 2020. Like HBO NOW, it is a standalone service (you don’t need a cable subscription to access it). But in addition to all the content that’s already on HBO’s other two streaming services, Max will also offer exclusive content from WarnerMedia (like Friends and The Fresh Prince of Bel–Air).

How much 4K content is available on Netflix?

Netflix boasts a pretty hefty 4K content library, including big titles like Breaking Bad, The Umbrella Academy, Bird Box, and Mindhunter. And most Netflix Originals are now available in 4K. To find 4K content, search for the terms “4K” or “Ultra HD.” Another way to find it is to keep an eye out for an Ultra HD icon next to shows in the library.

When will 4K come to HBO NOW?

HBO NOW doesn’t support streaming in 4K resolution right now. The network says it’s looking into it, so we’re hopeful for the future.

Can you watch HBO shows on Netflix?

Unfortunately, you can’t watch popular HBO titles on Netflix. You have to purchase an HBO subscription through your TV provider, HBO NOW, or an HBO digital channel through another streaming service in order to see why everyone suddenly stopped talking about Game of Thrones after being obsessed with the franchise for a decade.

Curious about other streaming services? Check out our streaming guides.