How Much Does Paramount Plus Cost? April's Subscription Pricing

With all the different streaming services available today, it's easy to get confused and overwhelmed with choices. Paramount Plus is one of the more popular options for direct-to-consumer streaming and videos on-demand, and it has a large selection of original series, TV shows, and popular movies.
The cornerstone of service they offer is Paramount Plus With Showtime, a premier service that includes all Showtime projects and films, live CBS sports and event streaming like golf and basketball, as well as the CBS news network. Although the popular pick Yellowstone series TV show is no longer available to stream on Paramount Plus, the prequel show 1923 is available, along with other popular shows like Survivor and Star Trek.
Paramount Plus' Cost Per Month & More
Paramount+ Military Discount
From $4/mo. for EssentialMilitary members can get an entire year of Paramount+ for 50% off when they verify their status through SheerID in 2025. Even better, this discount is good for either Paramount+ plan so you can opt for the basic Essential or the Paramount+ with Showtime and save half-off either way.
Paramount+ Student Discount
50% off any planStudents who want to go all-in on Paramount+ can get 50% off any plan for a whole year with this 2025 deal. New and returning student subscribers should be eligible, but you'll have to verify your student status either way with SheerID. Note that after a year, your subscription will auto-renew at the regular price (currently plans start at $7.99 per month or $119.99 per year) unless you cancel, so set a reminder when you sign up so you don't get hit with an unexpected charge!
Paramount+ Senior Discount
From $7 per monthSeniors with a valid and active AARP membership can take 10% off any Paramount+ plan. That includes the basic Paramount+ Essential and the higher tier Paramount+ with Showtime. Prices start at $7.19 per month.Want to learn more about Paramount Plus discounts? Our guide to Paramount Plus coupon codes in 2025 has the info you need for scoring discounts on the streaming service. Also check out our guide to Paramount Plus subscription costs and prices to learn how much Paramount Plus is in 2025.
Other Top Streaming Offers
Peacock Premium Annual Plan
1 year for $30Get 63% off one year of Peacock Premium with this deal. Unless you currently subscribe to Peacock Premium or Premium Plus, you can sign up and save $50 on the annual plan, paying less than $3 a month. Have a Peacock account but don't currently subscribe to the streaming service? Then you can sign in and use promo codes for Peacock like "WINTERSAVINGS" to redeem.
Peacock Premium Student Offer
$2.99/mo. for 12 monthsStudents (with a valid SheerID verification) get this monthly price for 12 months with this 2025 offer, saving you $60 in total. After the 12 months are up, your subscription will auto-renew at the then-current annual retail price, but it can be canceled at any time. Students can renew the offer annually if they continue to meet verification requirements.Want to learn more about Peacock discounts? Our guide to Peacock TV promo codes for 2025 has the info you need for saving on the streaming service. Also check out our guide to Peacock subscription costs and prices to learn how much Peacock is in 2025.
Peacock Premium Military Discount
$3.99/mo. for 12 monthsVerify your military status and start streaming for $3.99 per month for 12 months. The Peacock Military Discount for 2025 is $4 off per month, for a total of $48 for 12 months. After 12 months, you'll be charged $7.99 per month or the then-current retail price each month until you cancel. Cancel anytime.Want to learn more about Peacock discounts? Our guide to Peacock TV promo codes for 2025 has the info you need for saving on the streaming service — we've even seen Peacock promo codes that let you stream for $1.99 a month. Also check out our guide to Peacock subscription costs and prices to learn how much Peacock is in 2025.
Paramount Plus at a Glance
Paramount Plus is a streaming service from the company known as ViacomCBS. Because of that, a lot of its content consists of CBS originals and TV shows (highlighted below), but it offers up plenty of other titles too — especially if you opt for the Paramount Plus With Showtime tier, which provides access to a ton of different Showtime programming.
How Much Are Paramount Plus Subscriptions?
Paramount Plus Essential
This is their base tier subscription. You'll have access to their huge library of shows and movies, NFL on CBS (and other sports), and 24/7 live news with CBS News. However, there will be limited ads throughout programming. As of August 20, the price for this tier has increased for new subscribers by $2, from $5.99 a month to $7.99. (Existing monthly subscribers keep their $5.99 cost, however.) An annual subscription still costs $59.99, which is now a pretty significant $36 savings compared to paying monthly.
Paramount Plus With Showtime
This top level subscription gives you everything you get in their Essential plan, plus Showtime original movies and shows, and CBS and PGA Tour live TV. The best part of this tier is that ads and commercials are removed, except for a few limited ones required by streaming regulations and on live TV. You'll also be able to download shows to your mobile device to watch your favorite programs when you don't have internet access.
Like the Essential tier, the price for this subscription rose on August 20. This went up by a buck a month, from $11.99 to $12.99. (This has immediate effect for new subscribers, and will apply for existing subscribers with their next billing date on or after September 20.) The annual price stays at $119.99, another $36 savings.
Subscription Tier Differences
Besides the cost of Paramount Plus differing based on which plan you choose, you'll also have access to different content. If you're wondering "How much is Paramount Plus a month?" you're probably wondering about the cost of Paramount Plus Essential, which is their basic tier. It's $7.99 per month, but if you're curious about the premium tier of the service, then you're likely wondering "How much is Paramount Plus With Showtime?", and that'll set you back $12.99 per month.
But in order to warrant the differences in the Paramount Plus price of each plan, there has to be pretty hefty differences between the plans. The Essential plan provides access to the library of shows and movies, NFL on CBS (as well as other sports), and 24/7 live news with CBS News. You'll also see "limited" ads throughout the programming as you watch.
However, jumping from the lower cost of the Essential plan to the Paramount Plus cost of the upper tier means you should be getting significantly more. You get everything that you would with the Essential tier, but you also receive access to Showtime original movies and TV shows, and CBS and PGA Tour live TV. Most ads are moved — you'll continue to see limited ones required by streaming regulations and on live TV, though. You'll also be able to download shows to your mobile device to watch when you're on the go.
How Does Paramount Plus' Cost Compare?
With its new pricing tiers, Paramount Plus, in both its forms, is basically consistent with the cost of Peacock and Disney Plus. Since prices are so varied across the most popular streamers, it's hard to make any definitive comparison — for example, Netflix's ad-supported tier is a buck cheaper per month, but its Ultimate tier is almost $10 more expensive than Paramount Plus With Showtime. So it's best to just give you the info in the form of a handsome table.
Streaming Service |
Plan |
Monthly Price |
---|---|---|
Amazon Prime Video |
Ad-supported |
$8.99 |
Apple TV Plus |
Ad-free |
$9.99 |
Disney Plus |
Ad-supported |
$9.99 |
ESPN Plus |
Ad-supported |
$11.99 |
Hulu |
Ad-supported |
$9.99 |
Max |
Ad-supported |
$9.99 |
Netflix |
Standard w/ ads |
$7.99 |
Paramount Plus |
Essential (Ad-supported) |
$7.99 |
Peacock |
Ad-supported |
$7.99 |
Starz |
Ad-free |
$10.99 |
More to Know About Paramount Plus
SEE ALSO: The Best 2025 Streaming Bundles for Peacock, Hulu, and More
If you're still trying to decide which one is right for you, it's best to weigh the pros and cons of each service you're interested in. Consider features like ad-free viewing and live TV streaming as well as the overall cost.
How Do You Sign Up for Paramount Plus?
Unsurprisingly, the process is very similar to the steps detailed right above. The two big decisions are whether to go for the Essential or Showtime tier, and whether to pay monthly or yearly. Luckily, once you've made those decisions, and signed up, the choice of what to watch is actually very easy, since this is where every season of Frasier lives.
Is Paramount Plus Still Free With Amazon Prime?
Unfortunately, no. From your Amazon Prime Video subscription, you can choose to watch a featured channel from Paramount Plus, but it is not free. It requires a subscription to Paramount Plus.
Does A Walmart Plus Membership Include Paramount Plus?
At the time of this writing, your Walmart Plus membership also includes free streaming with a Paramount Plus Essentials plan for no additional charge. To take advantage of this benefit, log into your Walmart Plus account and click the link to "Get Paramount" from the benefits section. Currently, Walmart is running a promotion for a free 30 day trial of their Walmart Plus service. It's a great time to give it a try without having to spend any money upfront.
Discounts for 2025 Viewers
Paramount Plus offers a student discount, a military discount, and even a senior discount.
Military Discount: All service members qualify for 25% off any plan.
Student Discount: Another great way to save if you're eligible is the student discount plan.
Senior Discount: If you're an AARP member, you can save 10% off any Paramount Plus plan with the Paramount Plus senior discount.
Can You Try Paramount Plus and Cancel Any Time?
Yes, you can sign up for Paramount Plus to give it a try with the ability to cancel at any time if you don't like the service.
What did Paramount Plus pricing look like in previous years?
Paramount Plus has consistently offered competitive pricing for its streaming services, adapting to market trends and consumer demands. Here is a detailed breakdown of its historical pricing:
Year |
Plan |
Monthly Price |
Annual Savings |
Additional Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 |
Paramount+ Essential |
$5.99 |
23% |
Basic plan with ads |
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME |
$11.99 |
23% |
Includes SHOWTIME content; ad-free except for live TV |
|
Limited Commercials |
$6.99 |
N/A |
Increased from $5.99; legacy plan not available to new subscribers |
|
2022 |
Paramount+ Essential |
$4.99 |
23% |
Consistent pricing |
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME |
$9.99 |
23% |
Access to premium SHOWTIME content |
|
Limited Commercials |
$5.99 |
N/A |
Available to existing subscribers before price hike |
|
2021 |
Paramount+ Essential |
$4.99 |
23% |
Introduction of Essential plan with competitive pricing |
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME |
$9.99 |
23% |
Consistent pricing since introduction |
Over the years, Paramount Plus has strategically adjusted its pricing, particularly with the Limited Commercials plan, which saw a $1 increase in 2024 as part of their content and service enhancements. The Paramount+ Essential and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plans have maintained stable pricing, offering significant savings with annual billing and providing value through promotions for new subscribers.
Which Channels Are Included With Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus gives you access to many classic and new Paramount movies, as well as original programs. Some of the included channels (depending on your subscription) are:
CBS: Paramount Plus offers live access to CBS, a major American network known for its comprehensive news coverage, popular dramas like "NCIS," and live sports broadcasts, including the NFL and NCAA basketball. CBS content is also available on platforms like Hulu Live and YouTube TV.
- BET: This channel focuses on entertainment and news geared towards African American audiences. Shows like "Sistas" and the BET Awards are highlights. BET's content is generally unique to platforms with ViacomCBS licensing, but some shows appear on Hulu.
- Comedy Central: Known for iconic shows such as "South Park" and "The Daily Show," Comedy Central offers a comedic spin on current events and pop culture. Similar content is available on Hulu, but new episodes often premiere first on Paramount Plus.
- MTV: Famous for reality TV and music-related content, such as "The Challenge" and the "MTV Video Music Awards," MTV targets younger audiences. YouTube TV and Sling TV also carry MTV.
- Nickelodeon: Offers a vast library of children's programming, including classics like "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Dora the Explorer." Disney+ and Netflix offer alternative children's content, but Nickelodeon's library is exclusive to platforms with ViacomCBS agreements.
- SHOWTIME (with SHOWTIME Plan): Provides access to critically acclaimed series like "Billions" and "Dexter," as well as a variety of films. SHOWTIME is also available as a standalone service or through bundles with Hulu and Amazon Prime.
Where Are Prices Headed?
The pricing strategy for Paramount Plus continues to evolve, reflecting its content expansions and service enhancements. Historically, Paramount Plus has adjusted its prices in tandem with major content updates, such as its merger with SHOWTIME.
Current and Projected Pricing for Major Streaming Services:
Streaming Service |
Current Monthly Price |
Annual Savings Option |
Price Changes |
---|---|---|---|
Paramount+ Essential |
$7.99 |
37% with annual billing |
Limited Commercials increased by $1 |
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME |
$12.99 |
23% with annual billing |
Price increase last occurred in 2024 |
Disney Plus |
|
Annual billing options available |
Price increased in late 2024 |
SlingTV |
$46 (Orange/Blue) |
Discounted annual plan |
Price adjustments based on channel packages |
Hulu |
|
Annual billing options available |
Expected price hike in 2025 |
Netflix |
|
No annual savings option |
Confirmed price increase for 2025 |
Are Add-Ons Available?
Paramount Plus occasionally offers add-on opportunities through partnerships with other companies, such as bundling with SHOWTIME content in its premium plan.
Additionally, Paramount Plus sometimes collaborates with other platforms or retailers to offer promotional bundles or discounts. While the availability of these add-ons can vary, they typically coincide with strategic partnerships or promotional periods designed to attract new subscribers or reward existing ones.
Where Can You Get Paramount Plus Customer Support?
You can access Paramount Plus customer support in one of three ways:
- Hit the Chat button in the bottom right corner of their website
- Go find them on Twitter at @AskParamount
- On Facebook
These are some of the ways to get access to Paramount Plus while still saving some money.
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