What Paramount+ offers and which plan fits your household
Paramount+ has four subscription tiers: Essential, Essential + Ads, Deluxe, and Premium. The main differences are whether ads play during shows and movies, how many people can watch at the same time, and whether you get access to live sports and local CBS broadcasts. Essential + Ads is the cheapest option; Premium costs the most but removes ads and lets the most household members stream simultaneously.
The service includes movies, TV shows, and original series from Paramount's studios. If you watch CBS shows live or want to catch local news and sports, the higher tiers unlock that. If you mostly want on-demand content and don't mind ads, Essential + Ads handles that for less money.
Key Takeaways
- Essential + Ads is the lowest-cost plan and includes all on-demand content but shows ads during playback and limits you to one simultaneous stream.
- Essential removes ads but costs more and still limits you to one stream at a time, making it less common than the other options.
- Deluxe adds the ability for two people to stream at once and includes live CBS, sports, and local channels in most markets.
- Premium allows four simultaneous streams, removes all ads, and includes everything Deluxe offers, but costs significantly more per month.
Essential + Ads: The entry-level plan
Essential + Ads is the cheapest Paramount+ option and includes the full on-demand library of movies and shows. You can watch one stream at a time, and ads will play during content. This plan does not include live TV, local CBS broadcasts, or live sports events.
This plan works well if you are the only person in your household watching, or if household members take turns and don't watch simultaneously. You save money compared to higher tiers, but you will see commercial breaks during shows and movies, similar to watching broadcast television.
Essential: Ad-free with one stream
Essential removes ads from all on-demand content but keeps the one-stream limit. Like Essential + Ads, it does not include live TV or sports. This plan sits between Essential + Ads and Deluxe in price.
Essential appeals to people who want ad-free viewing but don't need multiple simultaneous streams or live channels. In practice, most households either choose Essential + Ads to save money or jump to Deluxe to unlock multiple streams and live TV, making Essential less common.
Deluxe: Multiple streams and live TV
Deluxe allows two people to watch at the same time and includes live CBS broadcasts, local channels, and live sports in most markets. All on-demand content is ad-free. This is where live TV access begins, which matters if you want to watch CBS shows as they air or catch local news and sports events.
Deluxe costs more than Essential + Ads but gives you the ability to share the account across your household without waiting for someone to finish watching. The live TV component includes CBS primetime shows, daytime programming, and sports events that Paramount owns or carries rights to, though not all sports are included on every plan.
Premium: Maximum streams and full features
Premium is the top tier and allows four people to stream simultaneously. It includes everything Deluxe offers—ad-free on-demand content, live CBS, local channels, and live sports—plus 4K video quality on supported devices. This plan costs the most but removes all limitations on simultaneous viewing and video quality.
Premium makes sense for larger households or families where multiple people watch at different times. Four simultaneous streams mean everyone can watch their own content without conflicts. If you want the full Paramount+ experience without any ads or viewing restrictions, this is the plan that delivers it.
How to compare plans by your actual needs
Start by asking how many people in your household will watch at the same time. If it is just you, Essential + Ads saves the most money. If two people watch together regularly, Deluxe becomes worth the extra cost because Essential and Essential + Ads both limit you to one stream.
Next, consider whether you want live TV. If you watch CBS shows as they air, follow local news, or want live sports, you need Deluxe or Premium. If you only watch on-demand content, Essential + Ads works fine. Finally, decide whether ads bother you enough to pay more. Essential + Ads includes ads; everything else does not.
Paramount+ occasionally runs promotional pricing or bundles with other services, so check the current rates before you subscribe. Prices vary by region and change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Paramount+ on multiple devices at once with Essential + Ads?
No. Essential + Ads limits you to one simultaneous stream, meaning only one person can watch at a time, even if they are on different devices. Deluxe and Premium allow multiple streams, with Deluxe supporting two and Premium supporting four.
Does Paramount+ include all live sports?
No. Deluxe and Premium include live sports that Paramount owns or has rights to, primarily CBS Sports events and some NFL games. Not all sports leagues or events are included. Check the current sports schedule on Paramount+ to see what is available in your region.
Can I change plans anytime?
Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time through your account settings. Changes typically take effect immediately or at your next billing date, depending on the direction of the change. Check your account to see when the change will apply.
What devices work with Paramount+?
Paramount+ works on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV, and gaming consoles. The number of simultaneous streams your plan allows applies across all devices, so if you have two streams active on your phone and tablet, that uses both of Deluxe's allowed streams.
Is there a free trial?
Paramount+ occasionally offers free trial periods, but availability and length vary. Check the Paramount+ website directly to see if a trial is currently available in your region, as offers change frequently.