Paramount Plus and Hulu Are Separate Services

Paramount Plus does not include Hulu. They are two different streaming services owned by the same parent company, Paramount Global, but they charge separately and have different content libraries. If you want both, you need to pay for both subscriptions.

However, Paramount does offer a bundle that combines Paramount Plus with other services. The bundle includes Paramount Plus, Hulu, and Disney Plus together at a discounted price compared to paying for each one separately. This is the main way to get Paramount Plus and Hulu together without paying full price for each.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus and Hulu are separate services that do not come bundled together by default.
  • You can buy a bundle that includes Paramount Plus, Hulu, and Disney Plus at a lower combined price than three individual subscriptions.
  • The bundle comes in two versions: one with ads on all three services, and one with no ads on any of them.
  • You can also buy Paramount Plus and Hulu separately if you prefer to subscribe to only one or the other.

The Paramount Plus and Hulu Bundle Options

Paramount offers two bundle tiers. The first is the ad-supported bundle, which includes Paramount Plus with ads, Hulu with ads, and Disney Plus with ads. The second is the ad-free bundle, which removes ads from all three services. The ad-free version costs more per month but gives you uninterrupted viewing across all three platforms.

Both bundles are billed as a single monthly charge rather than three separate charges. This makes budgeting simpler and saves money compared to paying for each service individually. You can cancel the bundle at any time without penalty, and the cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle.

The bundle is the only way Paramount offers these three services together. You cannot add Hulu to a standalone Paramount Plus subscription or vice versa—you have to switch to the bundle plan if you want both.

Paramount Plus Standalone vs. the Bundle

If you only want Paramount Plus without Hulu or Disney Plus, you can buy Paramount Plus as a standalone subscription. This plan comes in two versions: with ads or ad-free. The standalone Paramount Plus subscription costs less per month than the bundle because you are only paying for one service instead of three.

The standalone subscription gives you access to all the same Paramount Plus content as the bundle version—the difference is just the price and whether Hulu and Disney Plus are included. Your choice depends on whether you watch content on those other two services. If you do not use Hulu or Disney Plus, the standalone Paramount Plus plan is the cheaper option.

What Content Is on Each Service

Paramount Plus focuses on content from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Pictures. This includes shows like Star Trek: Discovery, The Good Fight, and Yellowstone, plus movies and sports events. Hulu carries content from ABC, FX, and other sources, with shows like The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and a large library of older television series.

Disney Plus carries Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars content, plus National Geographic documentaries. There is very little overlap between the three services, so if you watch shows on more than one of them, the bundle saves money. If you only watch one type of content, a standalone subscription to that service is more cost-effective.

How to Switch to the Bundle or Cancel

If you already have a Paramount Plus subscription and want to add Hulu and Disney Plus, you need to change your plan through your account settings. Log into your Paramount Plus account, go to your subscription or billing section, and look for the option to upgrade to the bundle. The system will show you the price difference and the effective date of the change.

If you have a standalone Paramount Plus subscription and want to cancel it to switch to the bundle, you can cancel through your account settings and then sign up for the bundle separately. Some users find it simpler to contact Paramount customer support directly to make the switch, as they can confirm the change is processed correctly and answer questions about billing dates.

Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, not when ready. You will keep access to the service until that date arrives. If you cancel and then change your mind, you can resubscribe at any time.

Comparing Costs: Bundle vs. Individual Subscriptions

The bundle price varies depending on whether you choose the ad-supported or ad-free version. The ad-supported bundle costs less than the ad-free bundle. When you compare the bundle price to buying Paramount Plus, Hulu, and Disney Plus separately, the bundle saves you money each month—the exact savings depend on which ad tier you choose for each service.

If you only plan to watch one or two of the three services, calculate whether the bundle price is lower than buying just those services individually. For example, if you only watch Paramount Plus and Hulu, check whether the bundle price is less than those two subscriptions combined. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy two services separately than to pay for the bundle with a third service you do not use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Hulu with ads and Paramount Plus without ads in the bundle?

No. The bundle requires you to choose the same ad tier for all three services. You either get ads on all three or no ads on any of them. You cannot mix and match ad preferences within the bundle.

Does the Paramount Plus bundle include Hulu with live TV?

No. The bundle includes the standard Hulu service only. Hulu with live TV is a separate, more expensive subscription that is not part of any bundle.

What happens to my Paramount Plus subscription if I switch to the bundle?

Your existing Paramount Plus subscription converts to the bundle plan. You keep the same account and login, but your billing changes to reflect the bundle price. Your viewing history and saved content remain the same.

Can I pause the bundle instead of canceling it?

Paramount does not offer a pause option for subscriptions. If you want to stop paying temporarily, you must cancel. You can resubscribe later without losing your account or viewing history.

Is the bundle cheaper than buying each service separately?

Yes, the bundle is always cheaper than paying full price for Paramount Plus, Hulu, and Disney Plus as three separate subscriptions. However, if you only use one or two of the three services, compare the bundle price to buying just those services individually to see which option costs less.