What Paramount Plus costs right now

Paramount Plus offers three subscription tiers, and the price you pay depends on which one you choose and whether you want ads. As of early 2024, the ad-supported plan costs $5.99 per month, the ad-free plan costs $11.99 per month, and the premium tier with the most features costs $19.99 per month. These prices can change, and Paramount has adjusted them in the past, so check the Paramount Plus website directly before you sign up to confirm current rates.

The company also bundles Paramount Plus with other services. If you subscribe to Paramount Plus with Showtime, you pay $23.99 per month for an ad-free experience that includes both services. Some cable and streaming bundles include Paramount Plus at no extra cost, depending on your existing subscriptions.

Paramount Plus does not charge an annual upfront fee the way some competitors do. You pay month to month, and you can cancel anytime without a penalty. The charge appears on your credit card or payment method each billing cycle.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus has three standalone plans: $5.99 per month with ads, $11.99 per month without ads, and $19.99 per month for the premium tier.
  • The ad-supported plan gives you access to most content but shows commercials; the ad-free plans remove ads but cost more.
  • You can add Showtime to your Paramount Plus subscription for $23.99 per month total, bundling both services into one charge.
  • Paramount Plus bills monthly, not annually, and you can stop your subscription at any time without an early termination fee.

What each plan includes

The $5.99 ad-supported plan gives you access to Paramount Plus's full library of movies, TV shows, sports, and live news. You will see ads during playback, typically a few minutes of commercials per hour. You can stream on one device at a time, and you can read some content to watch offline.

The $11.99 ad-free plan removes the ads but keeps everything else the same: full library access, offline downloads, and one simultaneous stream. This is the middle option for people who want no interruptions but do not need the extra features of the highest tier.

The $19.99 premium plan adds simultaneous streaming on up to four devices at once, which matters if multiple people in your household want to watch at the same time. It also includes 4K video quality on supported content and devices, whereas the lower tiers max out at 1080p. Like the $11.99 plan, it has no ads.

How to check if you already have access

Paramount Plus sometimes comes included with other services you may already pay for. If you have a cable subscription through providers like Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, or Cox, check your account to see whether Paramount Plus is bundled in. Some mobile phone plans from carriers like Verizon also include Paramount Plus at no extra cost.

If you have a Costco membership, Costco occasionally offers discounted Paramount Plus subscriptions or bundles. Amazon Prime Video subscribers can add Paramount Plus as a channel through Prime Video Channels for $11.99 per month, which bills through your Amazon account instead of directly to Paramount.

The easiest way to know for certain is to visit the Paramount Plus website, sign in with your existing account credentials, and see whether you have active access. If you do, you will not need to pay separately.

Differences between the ad-supported and ad-free plans

The main difference is commercials. On the $5.99 plan, you will see ads before, during, and after content. On the $11.99 and $19.99 plans, there are no ads at all. Some people find the ads tolerable for the price savings; others prefer to pay more to avoid them entirely.

A smaller difference is that some very new content may be available only on the ad-free plans for a limited time. Paramount occasionally holds back the newest episodes of shows or films from the ad-supported tier for a week or two. This is rare, but it happens, so if you watch the day something releases, the ad-free plan is more likely to have it when ready.

Both the $5.99 and $11.99 plans let you stream on one device at a time. If you need to watch on multiple screens simultaneously, you must upgrade to the $19.99 premium plan, which allows four concurrent streams.

When your payment is due and how to manage it

Paramount Plus charges your payment method on the same day each month that you signed up. If you subscribed on the 15th, you will be billed on the 15th of every month. You can see your next billing date in your account settings under "Subscription" or "Billing."

To pause or cancel your subscription, log into your Paramount Plus account, go to your account settings, and select the option to manage your subscription. You can cancel when ready, and your access will end at the end of your current billing cycle. You will not be charged again, but you will keep access until that cycle ends.

If you want to change plans—for example, upgrading from the ad-supported plan to the ad-free plan—you can do that in your account settings as well. The change usually takes effect when ready, and your billing adjusts on your next billing date.

Student and promotional discounts

Paramount Plus occasionally runs promotional offers, such as discounted rates for the first few months or free trials. These offers change frequently and vary by region. Check the Paramount Plus website or your email to see what promotions are currently running.

Paramount Plus does not currently offer a dedicated student discount program the way some competitors do. However, if you are a student, you may be able to get Paramount Plus through a bundle with your mobile carrier or through a family plan discount if someone in your household already subscribes.

If you see a promotional offer advertised, read the terms carefully. Most promotions require you to provide a valid payment method, and the discounted rate applies only for the promotional period. After that, you will be charged the regular price unless you cancel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Paramount Plus account with family members?

On the $5.99 and $11.99 plans, you can stream on only one device at a time, so you cannot watch simultaneously with someone else. The $19.99 premium plan allows four concurrent streams, so multiple people can watch at the same time. Paramount's terms of service state that accounts are for personal use, so sharing login credentials with people outside your household may violate the terms.

Is there a free trial for Paramount Plus?

Paramount Plus does not offer a standard free trial anymore, though promotional offers occasionally include free access for a limited time. Check the Paramount Plus website to see what current offers are available in your region. Some bundles or carrier partnerships may include trial periods as well.

What happens if I cancel and want to resubscribe later?

You can resubscribe to Paramount Plus anytime by logging back into your account or creating a new one. There is no penalty for cancelling and returning later. Your previous watch history and saved content may still be there if you use the same account, depending on how long you were away.

Does Paramount Plus cost more on certain devices?

The subscription price is the same regardless of whether you watch on a phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV. However, some devices like Apple TV or Roku may charge a small processing fee if you subscribe through their app store instead of directly through Paramount Plus. Subscribing on the Paramount Plus website avoids this fee.

Can I get a refund if I change my mind?

Paramount Plus does not issue refunds for subscription charges. If you cancel, you keep access through the end of your current billing cycle but will not be charged again. If you were charged in error, contact Paramount Plus customer service to dispute the charge with your payment provider.