Paramount Plus has four subscription tiers, ranging from $5.99 to $14.99 per month

Paramount Plus offers four different subscription plans. The cheapest is the Essential with Ads plan at $5.99 per month. Next is Essential (ad-free) at $11.99 per month. Then Premium at $14.99 per month. A fourth option, Paramount Plus with Showtime, costs $19.99 per month and bundles in the Showtime channel.

These prices are current as of 2024, but Paramount has raised prices multiple times in the past three years. The company has not announced future increases, but subscription services typically adjust pricing annually or when they add features.

You can pay month-to-month or commit to an annual plan, which usually costs less per month than paying monthly. Annual plans are not available for every tier — check the plan details when you sign up to see which ones offer yearly billing in your region.

Key Takeaways

  • The Essential with Ads plan costs $5.99 per month and includes ads during shows and movies.
  • The Essential ad-free plan is $11.99 per month and removes ads but has the same content library.
  • The Premium plan at $14.99 per month adds 4K video quality and the ability to download content to watch offline.
  • Paramount Plus with Showtime at $19.99 per month includes access to the Showtime channel on top of all Paramount content.
  • Annual billing is available on some plans and costs less per month than paying monthly.

What each plan includes and what it does not

The Essential with Ads plan ($5.99/month) gives you access to Paramount's full library of shows and movies, but you will see ads during playback. You can stream on one device at a time. Video quality maxes out at 1080p (standard HD). You cannot download episodes to watch later.

The Essential plan ($11.99/month) removes the ads and keeps everything else the same — one device at a time, 1080p video, no downloads. This is the middle ground for people who want to avoid ads but do not need 4K or offline viewing.

The Premium plan ($14.99/month) adds two features: 4K video quality (if your device and internet support it) and the ability to download shows and movies to your phone or tablet to watch without an internet connection. You still stream on one device at a time, but the downloads let you watch offline. This plan has no ads.

The Paramount Plus with Showtime plan ($19.99/month) includes everything in the Premium plan plus access to Showtime's channel, which has its own shows, movies, and sports programming. This is the highest tier and the only way to get Showtime content through Paramount Plus.

How simultaneous streaming works across plans

All four plans allow you to stream on only one device at a time. If you start watching on your phone, then try to watch on your TV at the same time, the phone stream will stop. This is different from some competitors — Netflix's higher tiers, for example, let multiple people watch at once.

Paramount Plus does not offer a plan that lets you stream on multiple devices simultaneously. If you need that, you would have to buy multiple subscriptions or use a single device and take turns.

Annual plans and how much you save

Paramount Plus offers annual billing on the Essential and Premium plans. An annual Essential subscription costs less per month than $11.99 if you pay for the year upfront, though the exact savings vary by region and change when Paramount adjusts pricing. The same applies to Premium — paying annually costs less per month than $14.99.

The Essential with Ads plan and the Paramount Plus with Showtime plan do not currently offer annual billing options in most regions. You pay month-to-month for those tiers.

To see the exact annual price for your region, start the signup process on Paramount's website or app and select the annual option. You can cancel an annual plan, but refunds depend on how long you have been subscribed and your region's consumer protection laws.

How to change or cancel your plan

You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time through your account settings on the Paramount Plus website or app. Changes take effect immediately. If you upgrade mid-month, you will be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of that billing cycle, then the new plan price on your next regular billing date.

If you downgrade, the lower price takes effect on your next billing date. You will not get a refund for the difference you already paid in the current cycle.

To cancel, go to your account settings and select the option to end your subscription. Your access stops at the end of your current billing period. You can resubscribe at any time — Paramount does not penalize you for canceling and returning later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Paramount Plus account with family members?

Paramount Plus allows one stream at a time on all plans, so technically you can share a login, but only one person can watch at a time. If you need multiple simultaneous streams, you would need separate subscriptions. Paramount's terms of service do not explicitly ban account sharing, but the one-stream limit is the practical restriction.

Does Paramount Plus cost more if I watch on my TV versus my phone?

No. The subscription price is the same regardless of which device you use. The device type does not affect your bill — only which plan you choose determines the cost.

What happens to my subscription if Paramount raises prices?

Paramount will notify you before a price increase takes effect, usually 30 days in advance. Your current price holds until your next billing date after the increase goes into effect. You can cancel before the new price kicks in if you do not want to pay more.

Is there a free trial for Paramount Plus?

Paramount Plus does not currently offer a free trial period. Some promotions or bundle offers (like through certain internet providers) may include free access for a limited time, but there is no standard free trial you can sign up for directly.

Do I pay the same price every month, or does it change?

Your price stays the same each month unless Paramount raises the plan price across the board. Month-to-month subscriptions renew at the same rate until Paramount announces a price increase. Annual plans lock in one price for the full year.