Paramount Plus subscription prices range from about $4.99 to $7.99 monthly for Essential (depending on annual vs. monthly billing) to $12.99 monthly for Paramount+ with Showtime. Students can get 50% off any Paramount plan, and some may qualify for free access through existing memberships.
Wondering about Paramount Plus cost before diving into another streaming subscription? Smart thinking. While $7.99 might sound reasonable, those monthly charges add up fast when you’re already juggling Netflix, Hulu, and whatever else is auto-charging your card.
We’re breaking down everything about how much is Paramount Plus, from their Essential plan to the premium Showtime tier, plus all those sneaky ways to potentially get the subscription for free.
Track and budget your streaming subscriptions effortlessly! 💰📱
What is Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus is a streaming service that brings together content from across various networks – CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and BET, all in one place.
A Paramount Plus subscription offers a mix of live programming, on-demand shows, and exclusive originals alongside a robust movie collection from Paramount Pictures.
You’ll find everything from current CBS primetime shows to classic Nickelodeon cartoons, plus 24/7 live news coverage and next-day access to popular programs like 60 Minutes.
Paramount Plus price and plans breakdown
Paramount Plus price plans are straightforward – just two subscription tiers designed for different viewing preferences and budgets, each offering monthly or annual payment options to fit your budget.
Paramount+ Essential – $7.99/month or $59.99/year: The Paramount Plus Essential plan offers access to Paramount’s full content library with limited ads. It includes 40,000+ episodes and movies, select access to Showtime Originals, and the ability to stream on up to 3 devices at once.
The Paramount Plus Essential plan is a better deal with annual billing at $59.99 yearly, as it essentially saves you $36 every year compared to paying monthly.
Paramount+ with Showtime – $12.99/month or $119.99/year: The premium Paramount Plus subscription combines all Essential features with Showtime’s entire library of originals and movies. Annual billing can reduce your overall Paramount Plus cost as subscribers can save also almost $3 per month on an annual plan compared to the monthly billing plan.
Key upgrades include:
- Ad-free viewing (except live TV and select shows)
- Complete Showtime content library
- Local CBS station access
- Download capability for offline viewing
Reducing your Paramount Plus cost with smart money strategies
Don’t pay full price when you don’t have to. Paramount Plus prices can be significantly reduced through existing memberships, student discounts, and smart billing choices that many subscribers overlook. Here are some tips to hack your Paramount Plus subscription costs.
Get Paramount+ for free through existing memberships
Walmart+ members get Paramount+ Essential included at no extra cost, with optional upgrades available to the Showtime tier for an additional fee. Learn more here.
SportsLine and 247Sports subscribers automatically receive Paramount+ with Showtime at no additional cost as part of their existing sports subscription benefits. Learn more about SportsLine and 247Sports.
Student discounts to lower the cost of Paramount Plus
You can get 50% off any Paramount Plus plans by verifying your student status. That means that if someone in your household is a student, you may be eligible to rack up significant savings.
Opt for an annual plan over Paramount Plus monthly billing
Annual subscribers can save money on both Paramount Plus plans. Essential subscribers save $36 yearly by paying $59.99 upfront instead of $7.99 monthly, while Showtime tier subscribers also save $36 yearly at $119.99 compared to the $12.99 monthly rate.
Test drive before you buy and get a week free
Both Paramount Plus plans offer one-week free trials, allowing you to test all features and content before committing your entertainment budget to a paid subscription
đź’ˇMoney Hack: Time your Paramount Plus free trial around new season premieres or when you have a specific show to binge, so you can get maximum entertainment value without committing to a subscription you might barely use afterward.
How to get Paramount Plus
Getting started with a Paramount Plus subscription can be done directly through their website, mobile app, or even on partner streaming platforms.
Direct sign-up options: Visit Paramount+ website or download the app on your smartphone, tablet, smart TV, or streaming device like Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV Stick. Create an account, choose your preferred Paramount Plus plans (Essential or Showtime), and start streaming.
Through Device Platforms: You can also subscribe through Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon Prime Video, or directly on your smart TV’s app store. Keep in mind that signing up through these platforms may have different billing and cancellation processes.
Through other streaming services: You can subscribe to Paramount+ through an existing Walmart+ membership.
Gift subscriptions: Paramount+ offers gift subscriptions that can be purchased for friends or family members, making it easy to share access or give entertainment as a present.
Is Paramount Plus worth your money?
The Paramount Plus price tag can become worthwhile when you’re already invested in their content library, which includes on-demand access to Showtime, as well as selections from Comedy Central, BET, MTV, CBS, and premium Paramount Plus originals.
Paramount also offers a top-tier movie selection and you can find many critically acclaimed films, such as Gladiator II, Top Gun Maverick, Benjamin Button, and more. Likewise, the platform can be a solid option for households wanting live news, CBS Sports, and NFL games.
Paramount Plus plans can be a great complement to a Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Max subscription. However, if you find yourself spending most of your time binge-watching shows or movies on other platforms, an additional streaming subscription may not be worthwhile.
In some ways, how much Paramount Plus costs matters less than whether its content library aligns with your actual viewing habits.
Making Paramount Plus Fit Your Budget
Before adding a Paramount Plus subscription to your monthly expenses, take a quick look at what you’re already spending on streaming. You might be surprised – those seemingly small $8 to $15 monthly charges from different services can sneakily add up to $100+ without you realizing it.
Here’s a smart approach: think seasonally. Subscribe when there’s actually stuff you want to watch, like new Showtime series or during football season, then hit pause when things get quiet. The beauty of Paramount Plus plans is that there are no annoying contracts, so you can start and stop whenever it makes sense for your life and budget.
Add a Paramount Plus subscription to your entertainment budget easily with the MoneyLion App to stay on top of your spending. 🎯💰
FAQ
How much does Paramount Plus cost?
Paramount Plus costs range from $7.99 monthly for the Paramount Plus Essential plan with ads to $12.99 monthly for the ad-free Showtime tier, with annual billing options that save approximately $36 per year on both plans.
What is Paramount Plus Essential?
Paramount Plus Essential is the budget-friendly subscription tier at $7.99 monthly or $59.99 annually, that gives you access to 40,000+ episodes and movies from Paramount, CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central, though you’ll see ads during most content and only get limited sports coverage.Â
How to watch Paramount Plus?
You can watch Paramount Plus by signing up directly through their website or mobile app, subscribing through streaming devices like Apple TV, adding it through platforms like Amazon Prime Video. You can also access it for free with qualifying memberships like Walmart+.
