Are you trying to decide whether to subscribe to Starz or Cinemax for streaming movies and original series? As leading premium cable channels, Starz and Cinemax both offer acclaimed exclusive content and theatrical releases to entertain viewers.
However, there are some key differences when it comes to their pricing, features and overall watching experience. This comprehensive guide compares all aspects of Starz vs Cinemax to help you determine the best premium channel for your viewing preferences.
A Quick Overview of Starz and Cinemax
Starz is owned by Lionsgate Entertainment and offers acclaimed original programming like Outlander, Power and American Gods along with hit movies and some live events.
Cinemax is owned by HBO and focuses heavily on action thrillers, suspense series and blockbuster film titles. Popular Cinemax originals include Banshee, The Knick and Outcast.
Both channels are available as standalone services or as add-ons through TV providers like DIRECTV, DISH, Sling TV, and more. When comparing Starz vs Cinemax, pricing, features and channel lineups are important factors to weigh.
Starz vs Cinemax: Key Comparison Points
When reviewing Starz against Cinemax, here are the main considerations:
- Pricing and subscription options
- Number of channels and extent of programming
- Original series and movie offerings
- Platform and device accessibility
- Video and audio quality
- User experience and interface
Analyzing these key areas will determine whether Starz or Cinemax (or neither) is the best premium channel addition for your entertainment needs.
Pricing and Plans
The monthly subscription costs for Starz and Cinemax are very similar, usually differing by only a dollar or two.
Starz Pricing
- $8.99 per month for standalone Starz app
- TV provider prices start from $9/month
- 7 day free preview
Cinemax Pricing
- $9.99 per month for standalone app
- TV provider prices start from $10/month
- 7 day free preview
Bundling Starz or Cinemax with a TV provider generally carries a small added discount compared to subscribing directly to the standalone app.
Both channels offer free 7 day previews so you can test the waters before paying. Overall, Starz carries a slight edge in base pricing but costs should not be a major distinguishing factor.
If you want to cancel your Starz subscription down the line, the process is straightforward.
Channel Lineups
Starz offers 17 premium channels included with a subscription as of 2023:
- Starz
- Starz Cinema
- Starz Comedy
- Starz Edge
- Starz Encore
- Starz Encore Action
- Starz Encore Black
- Starz Encore Classic
- Starz Encore Espanol
- Starz Encore Family
- Starz Encore Suspense
- Starz Encore Westerns
- Starz in Black
- Starz Kids & Family
- Starz Retro
- Indieplex
- Movieplex
See how Starz compares to Starz Encore for movies and programming.
The Cinemax channel lineup currently includes:
- Cinemax
- MoreMAX
- ActionMax
- ThrillerMax
- MovieMax
- 5StarMax
- OuterMax
With nearly twice as many channels, Starz has a clear advantage in the breadth of curated content available to view. More niche channels means more choice to find something tailored to your interests.
Original Programming
Both Starz and Cinemax develop acclaimed original hit series, focusing on distinctly different genres.
Starz Original Series
Some popular Starz originals include:
- Outlander – Historical drama
- Power – Crime drama
- American Gods – Fantasy drama
- Spartacus – Historical action
- Party Down – Comedy
- The White Princess – Historical drama
Cinemax Original Series
Some top Cinemax originals are:
- Banshee – Action drama
- The Knick – Medical drama
- Outcast – Supernatural horror
- Hunted – Conspiracy thriller
- Jett – Crime drama
- Warrior – Martial arts drama
In terms of genre variety, Starz once again rates more favorably with award-winning originals spanning drama, comedy, fantasy and history. Cinemax delivers very well in the action, suspense and supernatural categories though.
Movie Libraries
Both premium channels offer extensive on-demand movie libraries with popular theatre releases. Cinemax claims 4,000 titles compared to 3,500+ for Starz (figures as of early 2023).
Starz tends to get access to big hit movie titles about 6 months after their theatre run. Cinemax also airs blockbuster films but focuses a bit more on cult favorites and critically acclaimed films spanning several decades. Action buffs in particular will enjoy Cinemax’s vast array of thrilling shoot ’em ups, martial arts extravaganzas and high-octane car chase capers.
In terms of mainstream recent Hollywood hits though, Starz likely takes the edge for satisfy casual viewers. But Cinemax offers plenty of beloved classics from the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Platform and Device Accessibility
Both Starz and Cinemax are available across a wide range of streaming devices and platforms:
Starz Platforms
- Roku
- Apple TV
- Fire TV
- Android TV
- Xfinity
- PlayStation
- Samsung Smart TVs
- iOS devices
- Android devices
- Web browser
Cinemax Platforms
- Apple TV
- Amazon Prime Channels
- Roku
- Android devices
- iOS devices
- Chromecast
- Xbox
- Web browser
Starz just edges out Cinemax on platform support with channel integrations in Samsung TVs and gaming consoles like PlayStation that Cinemax lacks.
But both premium services are widely accessible across all major streaming mediums – mobile devices, media streamers, smart TVs and web.
Video and Audio Quality
Both Starz and Cinemax support up to 1080p Full HD resolution for streaming content. This allows for an optimal viewing experience across high resolution 4K TV displays.
Starz and Cinemax also offer 5.1 surround sound audio for a cinematic watching experience. Movies in particular shine with immersive, dramatic sound mixing.
In terms of technical specifications, streaming quality is very comparable between the two premium channels. But subjective opinions on video encoding and audio mastering may vary.
Interface and User Experience
The Starz and Cinemax app interfaces showcase content beautifully with high resolution artwork and imagery. Both platforms make discovering and watching premium entertainment straightforward.
However, Cinemax still lacks an official dedicated mobile app. The service must be accessed via mobile browsers. So the Starz mobile app offers a considerable convenience advantage for on-the-go streaming.
The Cinemax interface for living room devices like Apple TV and Roku is slick, responsive and intuitive though. Personal preferences regarding channel branding may lean viewers towards one design over the other. But core functionality is sound across both services.
Versus Showtime, Starz rates favorably in terms of channel count and app accessibility.
Additional Features and Benefits
Here are some other useful things to know when weighing up Starz against Cinemax:
- Offline downloads – Both apps allow downloading content to watch offline, useful when traveling without internet. Starz permits downloads on up to 4 devices.
- Multiple streams – Starz allows 4 simultaneous streams. Cinemax currently permits 2 concurrent streams. So Starz accommodates larger households.
- Free previews – Both offer 7 day free trials for new subscribers to sample the channels.
- Audio options – Alongside English, both provide a Spanish audio feed.
- Subtitles – Starz provides subtitles in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Cinemax offers English and Spanish subs.
- Picture-in-picture – This feature for following sports/news while watching other content is available on Starz but not Cinemax.
Starz vs Cinemax: Key Differences Summarized
| Comparison Point | Starz | Cinemax |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly pricing | $8.99 | $9.99 |
| Number of channels | 17 | 7 |
| Genre focus | Broad – drama, comedy, fantasy | Action, suspense, horror |
| Mobile app | Yes | No, web only |
| Max streams | 4 | 2 |
| Movie library size | 3,500+ | 4,000+ |
| Offline downloads | Yes, 4 devices | Yes |
| Free preview | 7 days | 7 days |
Which is Better: Starz or Cinemax?
Based on the in-depth comparison, Starz scores more top ratings across pricing, channel variety, platform support, streams and accessibility.
But Cinemax is no slouch. The channel excels with thrilling originals and a vast action-packed theatrical library spanning decades. Suspense and horror fans will love diving deep into Cinemax’s captivating catalogue created by visionary directors and legendary movie stars.
Ultimately there is no “right” choice – it depends whether you favor Starz’ broader premium blend or Cinemax’s fearless specialty focus. Try out both extended free previews to determine the best premium channel for unlocking your favorite entertainment.
FAQs About Starz and Cinemax
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions for choosing between Starz vs Cinemax:
Q: Which premium channel has better original series?
A: Starz rates best for originals overall based on its varied lineup including hits like Outlander, Power and American Gods. But Cinemax excels at adrenaline-charged action fare like Banshee, Warrior and Jett.
Q: Which includes more movie channels?
A: Starz offers 17 premium movie channels compared to 7 for Cinemax, so has far greater depth and variety. However Cinemax focuses intently on cult action and suspense genres.
Q: Is Cinemax available as a standalone streaming service?
A: Yes, Cinemax launched a standalone $9.99 monthly streaming app allowing access without a satellite/cable provider. Some restrictions apply based on home location.
Q: Which network has the bigger on-demand library?
A: Cinemax claims a movie catalogue of over 4,000 titles compared to 3,500+ for Starz. But numerical comparisons here often shift month to month as titles enter and leave streaming channels.
Q: Can I stream Starz and Cinemax on my iPhone and Android phone?
A: Yes, both channels offer streaming access across iOS and Android mobile devices. However Starz provides a dedicated, optimized app experience while Cinemax can only be viewed via mobile web browsers currently.
In Closing
Determining the best premium channel out of Starz and Cinemax depends on personal preferences for original series, theatrical depth versus breadth, monthly pricing threshold and device streaming priorities.
Hopefully this detailed head-to-head comparison gives you the insights needed to decide if Starz or Cinemax (or even both) deserve a spot in your entertainment lineup!
