Discovery+ is a streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery that costs between $5.99 and $12.99 per month depending on the plan you choose
Discovery+ shows programs from channels like HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Animal Planet, and Discovery Channel. You watch on demand rather than on a schedule — you pick what to watch and when. The service works on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs.
The price depends on whether you want ads in your shows and whether you want to watch on multiple devices at once. There is no free trial period, so you pay from your first day of use.
Key Takeaways
- Discovery+ offers two paid plans: a $5.99-per-month plan with ads and a $12.99-per-month plan without ads.
- You can watch on one device at a time on the cheaper plan, or on four devices at once on the more expensive plan.
- You can cancel anytime without penalty, and you will stop being charged after your current billing period ends.
- Discovery+ does not offer a free trial, so you start paying immediately when you sign up.
- The service is separate from other streaming platforms — you pay for Discovery+ in addition to Netflix, Hulu, or any other service you use.
The Two Discovery+ Plans and What Differs Between Them
The Standard plan costs $5.99 per month and includes ads during shows. You can watch on one device at a time. If you start watching on your phone and then switch to your TV, the show stops on your phone.
The Premium plan costs $12.99 per month and has no ads. You can watch on up to four devices at the same time, so multiple people in your household can watch different shows simultaneously. This plan also gives you the option to download shows to watch offline.
Both plans give you access to the same library of shows and movies. The difference is the number of ads you see, how many devices you can use, and whether you can download content.
How to Sign Up and Start Watching
You create an account on the Discovery+ website or through the mobile app. You enter your email address, create a password, and choose which plan you want. Then you enter a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account.
Your first charge happens immediately. After that, you are charged on the same day each month. You can change your plan or cancel anytime from your account settings.
Once your account is set up, you can download the Discovery+ app on any device you own, sign in with your email and password, and start watching right away.
What Shows and Movies Are Available
Discovery+ carries current and past seasons of shows from HGTV (like Property Brothers and Fixer Upper), Food Network (like The Pioneer Woman and Chopped), TLC (like 90 Day Fiancé), Animal Planet, and the Discovery Channel. It also has nature documentaries, true crime series, and home improvement content.
The library changes over time — some shows are added and some are removed. Discovery+ does not publish a full list of everything available, so the best way to see what interests you is to browse the app or website before you commit to paying.
Canceling Your Subscription and Getting Refunds
You can cancel anytime through your account settings. You will not be charged again after your current billing period ends, but you lose access to the service on the day your period ends. Discovery+ does not issue refunds for the time you have already paid for.
If you were charged by mistake or think there is an error on your bill, you can contact Discovery+ customer service through the app or website to dispute the charge. They may reverse it if they find a genuine error.
Using Discovery+ on Different Devices
The Standard plan ($5.99) lets you watch on one device at a time. The Premium plan ($12.99) lets you watch on up to four devices at once. Both plans work on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs.
To watch on a new device, download the app or go to the website, sign in with your account email and password, and start watching. You do not need to do anything else — your subscription follows your login, not your device.
If you reach your device limit on the Premium plan and try to start watching on a fifth device, you will get a message telling you to stop watching on one of the other devices first.
How Discovery+ Compares to Other Streaming Services
| Service | Cheapest Plan | Most Expensive Plan | What You Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery+ | $5.99/month (with ads) | $12.99/month (no ads) | HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Animal Planet, documentaries |
| Netflix | $6.99/month (with ads) | $22.99/month (no ads, 4 devices) | Original series, movies, documentaries |
| Hulu | $7.99/month (with ads) | $14.99/month (no ads) | ABC, Fox, and other network shows, originals |
| Max (formerly HBO Max) | $5.99/month (with ads) | $19.99/month (no ads) | HBO series, movies, Warner Bros. films |
Discovery+ is cheaper than most other services at the entry level, but it has a narrower focus — it specializes in reality TV, home improvement, cooking, and nature content rather than scripted dramas and comedies. If you want a mix of content types, you might end up paying for multiple services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Discovery+ password with family members?
The Premium plan ($12.99) allows up to four simultaneous streams, so multiple people can watch at the same time if they are on different devices. The Standard plan ($5.99) only allows one stream at a time. Sharing a password across different households may violate Discovery+'s terms of service, and the company has been cracking down on password sharing.
Does Discovery+ offer a free trial?
No. Discovery+ does not offer a free trial period. You are charged starting on the day you sign up. Some third-party services or promotions may offer trial periods, but you should check the terms carefully to understand when charges begin.
What happens if I cancel mid-month?
You keep access to Discovery+ through the end of your current billing period. You are not charged again after that period ends. You do not get a refund for the unused portion of the month you already paid for.
Can I watch Discovery+ shows offline?
Only the Premium plan ($12.99) includes the ability to download shows to watch offline. The Standard plan ($5.99) requires an internet connection to watch. Downloaded shows expire after a certain period, so you cannot keep them permanently.
Is Discovery+ the same as Max or HBO Max?
No. Discovery+ and Max are separate services owned by the same company but with different content libraries and different prices. Discovery+ focuses on reality and lifestyle content. Max focuses on HBO series, movies, and Warner Bros. films. You would need to pay for both if you want to watch content from both.