HBO Max, HBO Go and HBO Now: What is the difference?

HBO Max launched today, just in time to offer a brand-new library of streaming shows if you’ve already exhausted Netflix, Hulu, Apple+ and Disney+ during your coronavirus quarantine. But since it’s joining other HBO add-ons HBO Go and HBO Now, there’s a lot of confusion about the three different branches of the premium network. “Tomorrow …

HBO Max launched today, just in time to offer a brand-new library of streaming shows if you’ve already exhausted Netflix, Hulu, Apple+ and Disney+ during your coronavirus quarantine.

But since it’s joining other HBO add-ons HBO Go and HBO Now, there’s a lot of confusion about the three different branches of the premium network. “Tomorrow HBO Max launches and I’m still figuring out the difference between Now & Go,” one viewer complained Tuesday night.

What, exactly, is the difference between them?

HBO Go

This is for if you already have HBO as part of your cable package and you want to be able to still watch it on the go. For instance, if you’re away from your home TV — maybe you’re staying in a hotel, or with a friend who doesn’t have HBO — and you still want to be able to catch the next episode of, say, “Insecure” live as it airs, you can simply log in and watch it. Then you don’t have to worry about being spoiled on Twitter. It’s “free” in the sense that it comes with your HBO subscription but, really, it’s $5 to $20 a month (depending on your provider).

HBO Now

This is for cord-cutters who don’t have cable at all but still want to be able to binge “The Sopranos” or “Game of Thrones” or be able to talk about “Watchmen.” It includes all of HBO’s original shows — both past and present — as well as movies and comedy specials. It’s $14.99 a month.

Since HBO Now is the same price as HBO Max but has fewer offerings, existing customers and those billed through Apple, Samsung, Optimum, Google Play and Verizon Fios will get instant access to HBO Max (at no extra cost), and their HBO Now app will automatically update to the HBO Max app.

HBO Max

This is a stand-alone streaming service has everything HBO Go and HBO Now have — but it also offers a selection of new original shows exclusive to HBO Max, such as an upcoming “Gossip Girl” reboot, the Paul Feig-produced dating anthology show “Love Life” starring Anna Kendrick, and a talk show hosted by Elmo (“The Not Too Late Show with Elmo”).

It also has thousands of hours of programming in the form of WarnerMedia content, which includes TNT, TBS, Adult Swim and more. This includes “The Big Bang Theory, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Rick and Morty,” “The O.C.” and all 236 episodes of “Friends.” It also has a selection of movies, such as all eight “Harry Potter” films. It’s $14.99 per month.