Disney+ vs HBO Max:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Disney+ had more branded searches than HBO Max among streaming services worldwide. Disney+ had about 13.6 million branded searches, while HBO Max had 9.1 million. Disney+ made up 10.1% of all streaming service searches we track, and HBO Max accounted for 6.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about streaming services, Disney+ appeared in all five answers and HBO Max in four. HBO Max was mentioned before Disney+ in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Disney+, about 49% more searches than HBO Max
Who does AI mention more?
Disney+, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
HBO Max, named ahead of Disney+ in 4 of 5 answers
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Top streaming services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Disney+ appeared in all five answers. HBO Max was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. HBO Max was listed before Disney+ in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Netflix1st- HBO Max2nd
- Disney+3rd
Hulu4th
Prime Video5th
YouTube TV6th
Apple TV7th
Sling TV8th
Philo9th
Fubo10th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Disney+5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Hulu5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Netflix4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- HBO Max4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Prime Video4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- YouTube TV4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Apple TV3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Sling TV2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Philo2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Fubo1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about streaming services
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which streaming service should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best streaming services?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best streaming service for movies and shows?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“streaming services”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“tv streaming service”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Disney+ or HBO Max more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Disney+ and HBO Max by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten streaming services we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Disney+, HBO Max. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Netflix | Disney+ | HBO Max | Prime Video | YouTube TV | Apple TV | Hulu | Fubo | Sling TV | Philo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 59.3% | 11.8% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 3.6% | 4.4% | 1.6% | 0.87% | 0.04% |
| Nov 2025 | 57.7% | 11.5% | 7.7% | 6.3% | 5.2% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 1.9% | 1% | 0.04% |
| Dec 2025 | 64.6% | 10.6% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 0.96% | 0.53% | 0.03% |
| Jan 2026 | 62.9% | 10.3% | 8.5% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 1.1% | 0.62% | 0.04% |
| Feb 2026 | 62.9% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 5.7% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 0.76% | 0.51% | 0.04% |
| Mar 2026 | 60.3% | 12.1% | 8.1% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 4.4% | 1.1% | 0.49% | 0.04% |
| Apr 2026 | 61.5% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 6.8% | 3% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 0.74% | 0.41% | 0.04% |
| May 2026 | 63.1% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 6.9% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 0.76% | 0.42% | 0.04% |
| Jun 2026 | 62.3% | 10.2% | 8.3% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.41% | 0.04% |
| Jul 2026 | 64.2% | 10.5% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 1.2% | 0.35% | 0.04% |
| Aug 2026 | 62.9% | 12.6% | 6.9% | 5.7% | 3.1% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 0.76% | 0.34% | 0.04% |
| Sep 2026 | 61.8% | 10.1% | 6.8% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.5% | 0.03% |
How has the Disney+ and HBO Max comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Disney+ was ahead of HBO Max in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Disney+’s share of searches among streaming services worldwide moved from 11.8% to 10.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 16.6M to 13.6M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HBO Max’s share of searches among streaming services worldwide moved from 6.5% to 6.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 9.1M.
How did search popularity change for streaming services worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Disney+ lost share of searches among streaming services worldwide, from 12.6% to 10.1%.
HBO Max’s share of searches among streaming services worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 8.3% to 6.8% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Disney+’s and HBO Max’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among streaming services
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