How Much Is Paramount Plus? 2026 Prices for Essential, Premium and Annual Plans

As of 19 October 2026, Paramount+ in the US costs $8.99 a month for Essential (with ads) or $13.99 a month for Premium (ad-free on demand). Paying for a year up front costs $89.99 for Essential or $139.99 for Premium.

Premium is the plan that used to be called Paramount+ with Showtime. For $5 more a month it adds the full Showtime library, offline downloads, select 4K titles and the bigger live sports line-up on CBS. Both plans let you stream on up to three devices at once.

Paramount+ prices at a glance (US, October 2026)#

Prices are for new US sign-ups and exclude tax. Paramount+ charges different prices in Canada, the UK, Australia and other countries, and some markets use different plan names, so check your local Paramount+ site before comparing.

What changed in 2026#

Paramount raised US prices on 15 January 2026. Monthly plans went up by $1, but the yearly Essential plan rose by half, which makes paying yearly a smaller saving than it used to be.

Paramount has also said it plans to cut back on free trials and discounted bundles. When we checked the US sign-up page on 19 October 2026, it did not offer a standard free trial.

Paramount+ Essential vs Premium: what the extra $5 buys#

Essential is enough if you mainly watch Paramount films and originals and don't mind ads. Premium is worth the extra if you follow a sport Paramount lists under Premium, want the whole Showtime catalogue, or download shows for travel. If you are subscribing for one particular match or event, check that it appears in your plan before paying.

Is Paramount+ with Showtime still a plan?#

Not under that name. The plan sold as Paramount+ with Showtime is now called Premium and costs $13.99 a month or $139.99 a year. That is the answer to "how much is Paramount Plus with Showtime" today.

Essential also carries some Showtime series, but not the full library. If a specific Showtime show is the reason you are signing up, search for it in the Paramount+ app first and check which plan it needs.

When does yearly billing actually pay off?#

Both yearly plans cost almost exactly ten monthly payments: 10 × $8.99 = $89.90 for Essential and 10 × $13.99 = $139.90 for Premium. So the yearly plan only saves money if you would otherwise keep paying for at least 11 months.

If you tend to watch in bursts, monthly billing plus cancelling between seasons usually wins. Our guide to monthly vs yearly subscriptions explains the same break-even idea for other services.

Ways to pay less for Paramount+#

• Students: Paramount+ advertises 50% off for verified students. At current prices that is roughly $4.50 a month for Essential or $7 for Premium. Check the exact price and how long the discount lasts at checkout.
• Walmart+ members: Walmart+ lets members choose Paramount+ Essential as an included streaming benefit. If you already pay for Walmart+, check its current terms before paying for Paramount+ separately.
• Phone and TV plans: some mobile and TV providers include Paramount+. Check whether it is Essential or Premium, and note that you usually cancel through that provider.
• Pick Essential by default: only upgrade if you will use downloads, the full Showtime library or a sport listed under Premium.
• Rotate: subscribe for the season or show you want, then cancel. Our guide on how to save money on subscriptions shows how to plan a rotation.

Cancelling and renewal#

Paramount+ renews automatically until you cancel. Where you cancel depends on where you subscribed:

• Bought on paramountplus.com: cancel in your Paramount+ account settings.
• Billed by Apple or Google Play: cancel in that app store's subscriptions page.
• Included with a phone, TV or Walmart+ plan: cancel or switch through that provider.

Cancelling normally stops the next payment, and you keep access until the end of the period you have paid for. On a yearly plan, set a reminder a few weeks before renewal so you can decide whether another $89.99 or $139.99 is worth it.

Who should skip Paramount+?#

Paramount+ is good value if you watch CBS shows, Paramount films, Showtime dramas or the sports it carries. It is a weaker choice if you mainly want big general-entertainment libraries; compare Netflix plans and prices or HBO Max plans first.

In parts of Europe, SkyShowtime, which Paramount part-owns, carries many Paramount films and series. If you are outside the US, our SkyShowtime prices guide is worth a look before you subscribe.

Paramount+ price questions#

How much is Paramount Plus per month?#

In the US, Essential costs $8.99 a month and Premium costs $13.99 a month, before tax, as of 19 October 2026.

How much is Paramount Plus for a year?#

$89.99 for Essential or $139.99 for Premium, paid up front. That works out to $7.50 or $11.67 a month.

Is there a Paramount+ free trial?#

The US sign-up page showed no standard free trial when we checked on 19 October 2026. Paramount occasionally runs promotions, and some partner offers include a trial period of their own.

Is there a Paramount+ Standard plan?#

Not in the US. The two US plans are Essential and Premium. Some other countries use different plan names and prices, so check your local Paramount+ site.

Can I watch live CBS on Essential?#

Essential includes CBS live with some sports and events. Paramount lists NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League and UFC fights under Premium, so check the event you want before choosing Essential.

How many people can watch at once?#

Both plans allow streaming on up to three devices at the same time.

Is there a Paramount+ student discount?#

Yes. Paramount+ advertises 50% off for verified students. Confirm the price, the length of the offer and the renewal price at checkout.

More streaming price guides#

• Best streaming deals and bundles: build a shortlist around your watchlist.
• Crunchyroll plans and prices: Fan vs Mega Fan for anime viewers.

Where these prices come from#

Checked on 19 October 2026 against Paramount+'s own US plan page and sign-up flow. The January 2026 price change is from Paramount's announcement as reported at the time. Prices, sports rights and offers change, so confirm the amount at checkout before paying.

• Paramount+ US plans (Essential and Premium)
• Paramount+ US sign-up
• Clark.com: Paramount+ pricing changes for 2026