What Paramount+ costs right now

Paramount+ offers three subscription tiers: an ad-supported plan at $5.99 per month, an ad-free plan at $11.99 per month, and a premium tier called Paramount+ with Showtime at $19.99 per month. The ad-supported and ad-free plans give you access to the full Paramount+ library. The Paramount+ with Showtime plan adds Showtime channels and content on top of everything else.

These prices are current as of early 2024, but Paramount has raised prices before and may do so again. The company does not announce price changes far in advance, so if you sign up now, the rate you see is the one you will pay for your first billing cycle — but check your account settings before each renewal to confirm the current price.

Paramount+ does not offer a free trial period anymore. You start paying when ready when you sign up, with no unpaid preview period.

Key Takeaways

  • The ad-supported plan costs $5.99 per month and includes the full library with commercials during playback.
  • The ad-free plan costs $11.99 per month and removes ads but does not add extra content beyond the standard library.
  • Paramount+ with Showtime costs $19.99 per month and bundles Showtime channels and original series into one subscription.
  • You can cancel anytime without penalty, and your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle.

What each plan includes

The $5.99 ad-supported plan and the $11.99 ad-free plan have the same content library — the only difference is whether you see ads. Both include access to CBS shows, movies, sports like NFL games and college football, reality television, and Paramount+ originals like Yellowstone, Halo, and The Offer. You can stream on one device at a time on the basic tiers.

The $19.99 Paramount+ with Showtime plan adds the full Showtime channel lineup and Showtime originals like Dexter, Penny Dreadful, and The L Word. This tier also lets you stream on multiple devices at once, so two people in your household can watch different shows simultaneously. This plan comes without ads.

All three plans let you read episodes to watch offline on the Paramount+ app, though the number of downloads may vary by plan.

How to pay and manage your subscription

You can sign up directly through the Paramount+ website or app using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. Paramount also offers subscriptions through third-party platforms: you can add Paramount+ as a channel through Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV Channels, or The Roku Channel, and the cost will appear on that platform's bill instead of a separate Paramount charge.

If you subscribe through a third-party platform, the price may differ slightly from the direct Paramount price, and you manage your subscription through that platform rather than through Paramount's website. For example, adding Paramount+ through Amazon Prime Video may cost a different amount than signing up directly with Paramount.

You can change your plan or cancel anytime from your account settings. If you downgrade to a cheaper plan, the change takes effect on your next billing date. If you cancel, you keep access through the end of your current billing cycle, then lose access when that cycle ends.

Bundling options that lower your total cost

Paramount offers a bundle that combines Paramount+ (ad-supported), Pluto TV, and Showtime for $14.99 per month. This bundle gives you the ad-supported Paramount+ tier plus access to Showtime channels, which is cheaper than buying Paramount+ with Showtime ($19.99) on its own. However, you get the ad-supported version of Paramount+ in this bundle, not the ad-free version.

Some cable and internet providers also bundle Paramount+ into their packages at no extra cost or at a discount. Check with your provider to see whether Paramount+ is included in your current plan.

Student and promotional discounts

Paramount occasionally runs promotional offers for new subscribers — for example, discounted rates for the first few months or a reduced annual rate. These offers change frequently and are not always available. Check the Paramount+ website directly when you sign up to see what current offers are running.

Paramount does not currently offer a dedicated student discount program. However, some student discount platforms like SheerID or Student Beans occasionally partner with Paramount to offer limited-time discounts to verified students. These are not permanent and depend on current partnerships.

Annual payment option

Paramount allows you to pay for a full year upfront instead of month-to-month. The annual price for the ad-supported plan is $59.99 per year (equivalent to about $5 per month), and the ad-free plan is $119.99 per year (about $10 per month). Paying annually saves you a small amount compared to paying monthly, and you avoid billing surprises if prices rise during your subscription year.

If you pay annually and then cancel before the year is up, Paramount does not refund the unused portion. You keep access through the end of your paid year, but you do not get money back for the months you did not use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Paramount+ password with family members in another household?

Paramount's terms of service state that your account is for your personal use only and should not be shared outside your household. The company has not announced a formal password-sharing crackdown like Netflix did, but sharing access outside your home violates the terms. If you want multiple people in different households to watch, each person needs their own subscription.

What happens if Paramount raises the price after I sign up?

Paramount will notify you before the price increase takes effect, usually through email. You can cancel before the new price kicks in if you do not want to pay more. If you do nothing, your subscription renews at the new price on your next billing date.

Is there a difference between Paramount+ and Paramount Plus?

No — Paramount+, Paramount Plus, and the Paramount streaming service all refer to the same subscription. The official name is Paramount+, but the terms are used interchangeably.

Do I need a cable subscription to watch Paramount+?

No. Paramount+ is a standalone streaming service and does not require cable or any other subscription. You only need the Paramount+ subscription itself and an internet connection.

Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?

Paramount does not offer a pause or freeze option. You can only cancel your subscription. If you want to stop paying but might return later, you will need to cancel and then sign up again when you are ready, though you may not get the same promotional rate you had before.