Apple TV+ costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year

Apple TV+ is a streaming service run by Apple that shows original shows, movies, and documentaries. The monthly plan costs $9.99 and renews every month. The yearly plan costs $99 and renews once a year — that works out to about $8.25 per month if you pay upfront.

Both plans give you the same content and features. The only difference is how often you pay and whether you save money by committing to a year. You can cancel either plan anytime without penalty.

The price has stayed the same since Apple TV+ launched in 2019, though Apple has raised it once — in October 2022, from $6.99 to $9.99 per month. There is no free tier, though some people get it bundled with other services or devices.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple TV+ costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year, with no difference in content or features between the two plans.
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time, and you will keep access until the end of your billing period.
  • Some iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV owners get three months free when they buy a new device, though this offer changes.
  • Apple TV+ is also included in Apple One bundles, which combine it with iCloud storage, Apple Music, and other Apple services at a lower total price.
  • The subscription covers one account with up to six family members, each with their own profile and watch history.

How to start and stop your subscription

To start Apple TV+, open the Apple TV app on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV device. Tap or click the Apple TV+ tab, then select a show or movie and tap "Try Free" or "Subscribe." You will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID and confirm your payment method. Your subscription begins immediately.

To cancel, go to Settings on your device, tap your name at the top, select "Subscriptions," find Apple TV+, and tap "Cancel Subscription." You will see the date your access ends. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until that date arrives. If you want to restart later, you can resubscribe the same way without losing your watch history or saved shows.

What comes with your subscription

Your Apple TV+ subscription includes access to all original shows and movies Apple has made or licensed for the service. This includes series like Ted Lasso, Severance, and The Morning Show, plus films and documentaries. You can watch on up to four devices at the same time on one account, though only one stream can play in 4K at a time.

You get one account with up to six family members. Each person can create their own profile with separate watch history, recommendations, and saved shows. Family members do not see what others are watching unless they choose to share that information.

You can download shows and movies to watch offline on your phone or tablet. This is useful for travel or when you do not have internet. Downloaded content stays on your device until you delete it or your subscription ends.

Free trials and bundled offers

Apple does not currently offer a free trial for new subscribers who buy the subscription directly. However, if you buy a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV device, you may get three months of Apple TV+ free. This offer varies by device and region, so check your device's setup screen to see if you may have access to.

Apple TV+ is also included in Apple One bundles. The Individual plan includes Apple TV+, Apple Music, and 50 GB of iCloud storage for $16.95 per month. The Family plan adds more iCloud storage and lets up to six people use the services for $25.95 per month. The Premier plan adds Apple News+ and Apple Fitness+ for $37.95 per month. These bundles cost less than buying each service separately.

How Apple TV+ compares to other streaming services

Apple TV+ is smaller than Netflix or Disney+. It has fewer total titles, but focuses on original content rather than licensed shows from other studios. If you watch a lot of older movies or TV shows, you may find more on Netflix or Disney+. If you prefer newer original series and films, Apple TV+ may have what you want.

The monthly price of $9.99 is in the middle range. Netflix's ad-free plan costs more; Disney+ costs less but has fewer originals. Many people subscribe to more than one service depending on what they want to watch. Some use bundles like Apple One or Disney Bundle to lower their total cost.

Student and family discounts

Apple does not offer a separate student discount for Apple TV+ by itself. However, students can get Apple Music for $5.99 per month through Apple's student program, and some student plans bundle Apple Music with other services.

The best discount for families is the Apple One Family plan at $25.95 per month, which includes Apple TV+ for up to six people. This costs less than buying Apple TV+ and Apple Music separately for each person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Apple TV+ account with people outside my household?

Apple's terms say your account is for your household only. Sharing with people in other homes may violate the terms of service. Apple has not announced plans to charge extra for out-of-home sharing like some other services do, but the policy could change.

Do I have to watch ads on Apple TV+?

No. Apple TV+ does not show ads on either the monthly or yearly plan. You pay one price and watch without interruption. This is different from some competitors that offer a cheaper ad-supported tier.

What happens to my watch history if I cancel and resubscribe?

Your watch history and saved shows stay on your account. When you resubscribe with the same Apple ID, you will see everything you watched before. This means you can pick up where you left off or find shows you saved.

Can I use Apple TV+ on devices that are not made by Apple?

Yes. You can watch on Android phones and tablets, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TVs, and some other devices. Open the Apple TV app or search for Apple TV+ in your device's app store. You sign in with the same Apple ID you use on Apple devices.

Is the yearly plan worth it compared to monthly?

The yearly plan costs $99, which is about $8.25 per month. The monthly plan costs $9.99 per month. If you plan to keep the subscription for the full year, the yearly plan saves you about $21. If you are not sure you will keep it that long, the monthly plan is safer because you can cancel anytime.