Netflix, HBO Max, or Disney+: compare plans and catalogs.
Por Rodrigo Pereira
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The Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Prime Video, and Apple TV apps cost free on the Play Store and App Store. The bill arrives the following month: R$ 20.90, R$ 29.90, R$ 29.90, R$ 19.90, and R$ 34.90 for each entry-level plan. Adding all five together, that's R$ 135.50 per month to watch everything, and nobody watches everything.
Let me be blunt: there is no such thing as the best streaming service. There is only the one that has the series you want to watch today, at a price that fits your monthly budget.
The app is free, the subscription isn't: prices checked.
The table uses the prices from each service's plan pages as of September 8, 2026. Streaming prices change frequently; if you are reading this months later, check the service's page before finalizing your account.
| Service | Entry-level plan (with ads) | Ad-free plan | Screens at the same time | Maximum resolution | Download on your mobile phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Standard with ads, R$ 20.90/month | Standard, R$ 44.90; Premium, R$ 59.90 | 2 (4 in Premium) | Full HD (4K with HDR on Premium) | Yes, on 2 devices (6 on Premium) |
| HBO Max | Basic plan with ads, R$ 29.90/month | Standard, R$ 44.90; Platinum, R$ 55.90 | 2 (4 in Platinum) | Full HD (4K on Platinum) | 30 titles in Standard, 100 in Platinum |
| Disney+ | Standard with ads, R$ 29.90/month | Standard, R$ 49.90; Premium, R$ 69.90 | 2 (4 in Premium) | 4K UHD with HDR only on Premium. | Not on the plan with ads; yes on the others. |
| Prime Video | Amazon Prime, R$ 19.90/month (or 12x R$ 13.90) | Same plan + R$ 10.00/month | Not informed | Not informed | Yes, through the app. |
| Apple TV | There is no plan with ads. | R$ 34.90/month, 7 days free | Up to 6 people per Family Sharing | 4K with HDR and Dolby Atmos | Yes, on compatible mobile apps, including Android. |
Annual plans may have a lower equivalent monthly cost, but require a different commitment than monthly plans. Compare the total annual cost and cancellation terms, not just the monthly payment. Prices and benefits may also vary by store or provider; check both offers without assuming one channel is always cheaper.
Netflix: Originals, K-dramas, and the R$ 20.90 plan
Netflix brings together original and licensed productions from various countries, including dramas, documentaries, films, and series. To choose, check the titles on your list in the Brazilian offering. Popularity and volume of releases do not guarantee that the program you want is included in the cheapest plan.
Netflix offers an extra subscriber on eligible plans, subject to charges and account terms. Other services may also have sharing options or additional members; check the provider's rules. The number of simultaneous screens does not automatically equate to authorization to share the account between households.
Original series, movies and games, with K-dramas featured; plans starting from R$ 20.90 per month.
HBO Max: HBO series and Warner movies
Warner's service reverted to its original name, HBO Max, in 2025 and continues as the home of HBO's prestigious series and Warner and DC films, which arrive on the streaming service months after their theatrical release. If your routine involves watching one long series at a time, with a weekly episode, this catalog offers more value.
HBO Max offers Basic plans with ads for R$29.90, Standard plans for R$44.90, and Platinum plans for R$55.90 per month. Basic does not include downloads; Standard and Platinum have different limits and features, as shown in the table. Check the subscription and provider: promotions have their own eligibility and duration, and live events may include ads even on higher-tier plans.
HBO series, Warner and DC movies; Basic plan with ads for R$ 29.90 per month.
Disney+: Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and ESPN on Premium
Disney+ brings together Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and other brands, as well as ESPN sports depending on the plan. Check out the event or series you want to watch. The presence of well-known franchises does not mean that every title will remain in the catalog forever, nor that every plan includes the same sports coverage.
The three plans have clear differences. The Standard plan with ads, at R$ 29.90, allows two screens and doesn't allow downloads, making it unsuitable for those traveling by plane or taking the subway without signal. The Standard plan, at R$ 49.90, allows downloads. The Premium plan, at R$ 69.90, is the only one with 4K UHD, HDR, Dolby Atmos, four screens, and all ESPN channels live (sports events have ads on any plan). For an annual subscription, the Standard plan costs R$ 407.90 and the Premium plan costs R$ 587.90, with prepayment.
Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and ESPN; Standard with ads at R$ 29.90 per month.
Prime Video: the streaming service that comes with shipping.
Prime Video doesn't sell itself in Brazil: it's part of Amazon Prime, which costs R$19.90 per month or 12 installments of R$13.90 (R$166.80 per year) and includes free and fast delivery on Amazon products. The official page clearly states that movies and series come with ads; removing them costs an additional R$10.00 per month. New subscribers get a 30-day trial.
If you already pay for Amazon Prime for other benefits, check what's included in Prime Video before subscribing to another streaming service. This doesn't make the subscription free: consider the cost of the package and your actual usage. Channels, rentals, and purchases may appear alongside the included titles and generate additional charges.
Movies and series included in Amazon Prime cost R$ 19.90 per month; removing ads costs an additional R$ 10.00.
Apple TV: few titles, almost all originals.
Apple announces R$ for $34.90 per month, with a seven-day trial for eligible users. Offers with new devices and bundles have their own terms and conditions. Family Sharing allows up to six people in the group. The Android app also offers downloads of compatible content; this feature is not exclusive to Apple devices.
Apple Originals like Ted Lasso and Foundation; R$ subscription $34.90 per month after a 7-day free trial.
How to choose what you watch
Start by identifying the titles you want to watch and the features you need. Use this guide to compare what each service offers:
- Write down the three TV series or movies you want to watch in the next 30 days. Not the ones you "someday" want to watch; the ones you want to watch right now.
- Search for each one using your phone's search engine and note which service it belongs to.
- Compare the entry-level plan with the features you need: ads, devices, downloads, and catalog. A cheaper option is only worthwhile if it includes the content and features you'll use.
- If there are children, check the ratings and parental controls. For live sports, confirm the championship and the plan that broadcasts it. A purchase package only counts as an advantage if you already intend to use it.
- Mark the renewal date on your calendar. That's when you decide whether to continue or switch.
If you don't know where a title is, Google TV's guide to renting movies and bringing together all streaming services. It explains the search that shows you the service for each movie before you subscribe to anything.
If your week has a new series
Netflix or HBO Max. Netflix releases more content; HBO Max releases less, with weekly episodes, which generates discussion for two months. A plan with ads from either platform solves the problem.
If there are children in the house
Disney+ Standard (R$ 49.90), because the ad-supported plan doesn't download anything, and downloading is what saves a car trip. It also has the catalog with the most content for the 3-10 age range.
If you want 4K on a big TV
Check the plan, title, screen, and connection. Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+ reserve certain features for higher-tier plans; other services have their own rules. HDR, audio quality, and the number of devices supported can also matter on your phone. Choose based on the equipment and features actually supported, without assuming that all plans will produce the same image.
If the budget is tight
Prime (R$ 19.90) and Netflix with ads (R$ 20.90). Together, they cost R$ 40.80, and you also get free Amazon shipping. To top it off, you get free movies!, The five apps for watching free movies that work in Brazil. They cover the remaining costs with advertising-supported channels.
When does it make sense to pay twice?
Having two subscriptions can make sense when you use both frequently or follow simultaneous premieres. Switching services can reduce expenses, but it doesn't guarantee the same catalog the following month. Consider the season lengths, renewals, and advertised availability periods.
- A house with different tastes. Child and adult on the same couch: Disney+ with ads and Netflix with ads total R$ 50.80, almost the same as Disney+ Standard alone (R$ 49.90), with two catalogs.
- Prime already paid for with the purchase. If Amazon Prime is included in the shipping cost, Prime Video is the second free streaming service; you choose the first one from the catalog.
- Weekly series in two locations. One HBO series and one Netflix series in the same month: subscribe to both with ads (R$ 50.80) and cancel whichever one finishes first.
Having three or more subscriptions at the same time almost always leads to them being forgotten: the service profits from those who pay but don't subscribe. If audio is what really weighs on your monthly budget, a comparison of music streaming apps It follows the same logic as a plan with and without ads.
How to cancel without penalty
Cancellation must be done through the channel responsible for billing. Check when it takes effect and what conditions apply to monthly fees, trials, packages, or annual plans. In general, canceling prevents future renewal; this does not mean an automatic refund or cancellation of all installments of an annual commitment.
- Signed up through the website: Log in to your service account in your browser, open "Account" or "Plan," and look for "Cancel subscription." Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, and Amazon state on their plan pages that cancellation can be done at any time.
- Signed up via Android (Google Play): Open the Play Store, tap on your profile picture, then "Payments & subscriptions," "Subscriptions," choose the service, and tap "Cancel." The official step-by-step instructions are available at [link to instructions]. Cancel, pause, or modify a subscription on Google Play..
- Signed via iPhone: Settings, your name at the top, “Subscriptions”, choose the service and “Cancel subscription”. Apple explains in How to cancel an Apple subscription.
- Did you sign up through the operator or as part of a package? Cancellation is handled by the service provider, and the ad-supported plan may not even exist there (Netflix warns about this in its help center).
The annual plan is a separate contract. HBO Max describes its annual plan as a "12-month plan," and Disney+ requires upfront payment for the annual plan. Canceling in these cases prevents renewal the following year; the current year is already purchased. If you're looking for a rotating subscription, stick with the monthly plan.
Common mistakes when signing
- Choosing a plan based solely on resolution. Also check simultaneous displays, downloads, HDR, audio, and compatibility. The differences may matter on the phone, but they only make sense when you use the features.
- Hire without checking offline. Disney+ Standard with ads and HBO Max Basic with ads do not include downloads. Confirm the feature in the plan and title before relying on it during a trip.
- Sign up through the app store without comparing. Disney+ warns that the price may vary by subscription channel. Open the website before tapping "subscribe" within the app.
- Leave the annual payment on automatic. Paying in 12 installments is cheaper per month, but it locks you into a year. It's only worthwhile for a service you used every month last year.
How do these services make money?
A paid streaming service relies on three sources: monthly subscriptions, ads in the entry-level plan, and agreements with cable and television providers and manufacturers. The ad-supported plan isn't charity: Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+ charge advertisers for each ad break, and therefore sell the same catalog for half the price. Prime Video sells the "ad-free" plan as an add-on for R$10.00, a way to charge those who are bothered by ads without changing the price of Prime.
Licenses and commercial agreements can alter the catalog. A title identified as original is also not a guarantee of permanence. See the guide on... Asian releases and catalog changes to understand how region and timeline affect access.
Common questions
Is the Netflix app free?
The app is free on the Play Store and the App Store, but without a subscription it only shows the registration screen. The cheapest plan costs R$ 20.90 per month (Standard with ads), price checked on September 8, 2026.
Do I need the Premium plan to watch on my mobile phone?
Not necessarily. Compare the plan's features with the devices, the number of people watching, and the need for downloads. Resolution is one criterion, but HDR, audio, and account limits can also influence the decision.
Can I download and watch it without internet access?
It depends on the plan, title, and device. Check the download icon and validity within the app itself. HBO Max Basic with ads and Disney+ Standard with ads do not include this feature. Apple TV also allows downloading compatible content on Android phones. Streaming downloads remain subject to the service's access rules.
Which one has a free trial?
Apple and Amazon announce trials for eligible accounts, but terms and offers may change. Check the duration, payment requirements, renewal, and cancellation deadline when signing up. A discounted promotion is not a free trial, and a partner offer may have different rules than a direct subscription.
Grab your phone, write down the three things you want to see this month, and open the plan page for the service where they're included. Sign up for the entry-level plan, set the renewal date, and decide again in 30 days.
