If you know the difference between the Paramount Plus Essential & Premium subscriptions, then choosing a subscription is pretty straightforward. The main differences between the two are:
- Whether you want an affordable subscription with adverts.
- Whether you prefer a more fully featured subscription with fewer interruptions and extra features.
This guide will explain the Paramount Plus subscriptions available, what they include, how they compare and which subscription would be best for different viewers in the USA.
Paramount Plus Subscriptions & Prices (2026)
Currently, there are two main subscriptions available in the USA.
- Paramount Plus Essential: Affordable subscription with adverts.
- Paramount Plus Premium: Higher-priced subscription with no adverts on demand.
Prices below are for USA subscriptions.
| Subscription | Monthly Price | Yearly Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paramount Plus Essential | $8.99 | $89.99 |
| Paramount Plus Premium | $13.99 | $139.99 |
There is a $5 difference between the two subscriptions if you go for a monthly subscription. Whilst the Premium subscription costs more, you get quite a few extra features.
1. Paramount Plus Essential
Affordable Subscription
The Paramount Plus Essential subscription is for those who want to watch Paramount Plus content without paying for the extra features included in the Premium subscription.
At just $8.99 per month or $89.99 per annum, you will get access to a wide range of movies, TV episodes, original content and selected live sport.
Features Included
- Over 40,000 episodes and popular movies on demand.
- Exclusive Paramount Plus Originals.
- NFL on CBS & UEFA Champions League.
- UFC & Zuffa Boxing.
- CBS News 24/7 & CBS Sports HQ.
- Over 20 live channels.
- Up to 6 personal profiles (including child profiles).
- Watch on up to 3 devices simultaneously.
- Create your own watch list (My List).
- Selected SHOWTIME series.
Main Drawback
The Paramount Plus Essential subscription includes adverts on demand. You will also not get access to your local CBS Live.
This could be a major factor for those who are mainly getting the subscription to watch local CBS or NFL on their local affiliate.
If you mainly watch on-demand content and don’t mind adverts, then this is a great option.
Learn More About Paramount Plus Essential
2. Paramount Plus Premium
Best For Extra Features
The Paramount Plus Premium subscription is the more comprehensive option. This subscription will cost you $13.99 per month or $139.99 a year.
You will get everything included in the Essential subscription plus extra options.
Features Included
- No adverts on demand.
- Access to your local CBS Live.
- All SHOWTIME content.
- SHOWTIME East & West.
- Selected 4K UHD, Dolby Vision & HDR10 Movies & Shows.
- Downloadable content.
- Extra live sport & Soccer.
This subscription would be great if you regularly watch CBS content, love SHOWTIME or want to download content.
Is Paramount Plus Premium Ad Free?
No, this is something people can often forget.
Whilst most on-demand movies & shows will not have any adverts, you may still see some adverts whilst watching:
- Live TV.
- Live sport.
- Sponsorship & promotions.
- Trailers & adverts.
This subscription is more accurate to say it is ad free on demand.
Depending on the title, device and internet connection, you may not get 4K & HDR.
Paramount Plus Essential vs Premium – What’s The Difference?
The easiest way to identify the differences between the two subscriptions is to compare the features that matter.
| Feature | Essential | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Price Per Month | $8.99 | $13.99 |
| Price Per Year | $89.99 | $139.99 |
| Adverts On Demand | Yes | No (Some advertised) |
| Movies & TV | Yes | Yes |
| Paramount Plus Originals | Yes | Yes |
| Local CBS Live | No | Yes |
| All SHOWTIME Content | No | Yes |
| Selected SHOWTIME Series | Yes | Yes |
| Downloadable Content | No | Yes |
| Selected 4K/HDR | No | Yes |
| NFL on CBS | Separate Live Feed | Local CBS & Live Feeds |
| UFC | Yes | Yes |
| UEFA Champions League | Yes | Yes |
| Profiles | Up To 6 | Up To 6 |
| Streams Simultaneously | Up To 3 | Up To 3 |
Based on information from Paramount Plus’s published plan in the USA. Live Sport & Regional content may vary.
Top 3 Differences
1. Adverts
This will be the most noticeable difference.
The Paramount Plus Essential subscription will include adverts on demand. The Paramount Plus Premium subscription will remove most adverts from on-demand movies & TV.
However, you may still see some adverts from live content & promotions.
2. Local CBS Live
With the Paramount Plus Premium subscription, you will get access to your local CBS Live. With the Paramount Plus Essential subscription, you will not.
This can be a big factor if you want to watch local CBS content.
3. SHOWTIME & Downloadable Content
With the Paramount Plus Essential subscription, you will get access to selected SHOWTIME series. With the Paramount Plus Premium subscription, you will get access to the full SHOWTIME library.
Along with downloadable content.
These extra features make the Paramount Plus Premium subscription more appealing.
Is Paramount Plus Premium Worth The Extra $5?
This will depend on how you are using the streaming service.
If you regularly watch content that is exclusive to the Paramount Plus Premium subscription, then paying the extra $5 per month could be worth it.
For example:
- If you are only watching a few Paramount Plus Originals & the occasional movie, then the Essential subscription would be enough.
- If you regularly watch CBS, love SHOWTIME & want to download shows, then the Paramount Plus Premium subscription would be a good option.
It’s not just about the quality & adverts but also getting access to certain content.
When To Go For The Essential Subscription
Go for the Paramount Plus Essential subscription if:
- You want to keep your monthly streaming costs down.
- You mainly watch on-demand content.
- You don’t mind watching adverts.
- You don’t need downloadable content.
- You mainly want to watch Paramount Plus Originals & selected sport.
When To Go For The Premium Subscription
Go for the Paramount Plus Premium subscription if:
- You want to watch on-demand content with no adverts.
- You want access to your local CBS.
- You watch lots of SHOWTIME.
- You want to download content.
- You have a compatible 4K TV & want to watch 4K titles.
Generally, if you are only watching occasionally, then the Paramount Plus Essential subscription will be more cost effective. If you are regularly watching, then the Paramount Plus Premium subscription will be worth the extra cost due to extra features.
Monthly Or Yearly Subscription?
Both subscriptions can be purchased on a monthly basis or yearly. If you are planning on watching throughout the year, then the yearly subscription can be cheaper.
Below is how much it would cost.
| Subscription | 12 Months Monthly | Yearly | Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $107.88 | $89.99 | $17.89 |
| Premium | $167.88 | $139.99 | $27.89 |
Cost Of Subscription Over 12 Months
| Subscription | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $107.9 | $90 |
| Premium | $167.9 | $140 |
If you know you will be using the service for most or all of the year, then going for a yearly subscription would make sense.
If you are only using the service for a particular TV season, sports competition or movie release, then going for a monthly subscription would be more flexible.
Bear in mind that generally you will pay the full yearly charge. Be sure to check the terms & conditions regarding renewals & cancellations.
Do Both Subscriptions Include Live Sport?
Yes, both subscriptions include a range of live sport.
However, there are some differences.
Some live sport you can watch includes:
- NFL on CBS.
- UEFA Champions League.
- UFC.
- Zuffa Boxing.
With the Paramount Plus Essential subscription, you can watch selected live sport via separate feeds. With the Paramount Plus Premium subscription, you can also watch your local CBS Live.
This can be an important factor for those who like to watch NFL. Just because you can watch NFL via the Paramount Plus sports feed doesn’t mean you can watch it on your local CBS.
Even with the Paramount Plus Premium subscription, you will see adverts whilst watching live sport.
If you are mainly using the service for sport, then be sure to check what competitions are on at the moment & what region they’re being shown in.
Can I Watch On Multiple Devices?
Yes, both subscriptions can be streamed on up to 3 devices simultaneously.
You can watch Paramount Plus on:
- Smart TVs.
- Smartphones & Tablets.
- Streaming Devices.
- Computers & Browsers.
- Compatible Gaming Consoles.
Both subscriptions can also be used with up to 6 personal profiles.
This means different members of your household can have their own preferences & watch lists.
Having multiple profiles isn’t the same as streaming on multiple devices. You won’t be able to stream on 6 devices with 6 profiles.
Can I Download Content?
This feature is only available with the Paramount Plus Premium subscription.
If you regularly travel or commute, then this feature will be useful.
You can download eligible movies & TV episodes onto compatible mobile devices. This means you can watch without having an internet connection.
However, there are some limitations:
- Not all titles can be downloaded.
- Only compatible devices & Operating Systems.
- There is an expiry date on downloaded content.
- Some content will no longer be available after being played.
Paramount Plus state that downloaded content can be watched for 30 days from download or 48 hours from play.
This makes the Paramount Plus Premium subscription more convenient for those who regularly watch whilst travelling.
How To Choose The Correct Subscription
If you are still unsure which subscription to go for, then think about how you are going to be using the service.
Go For The Paramount Plus Essential Subscription If:
- You want an affordable option.
- Paramount Plus Originals & Movies.
- Selected Live Sport.
- Large on-demand library.
- Stream on up to 3 devices.
Price: $8.99 per month | Annual: $89.99
Go For The Paramount Plus Premium Subscription If:
- You want fewer interruptions whilst watching on demand.
- Local CBS.
- Full SHOWTIME library.
- Downloadable content.
- Selected 4K & HDR.
Price: $13.99 per month | Annual: $139.99
Before paying for a subscription, check if you are getting Paramount Plus for free with an eligible membership or TV provider.
For example, eligible members of Walmart Plus may get Paramount Plus Essential for free as part of their membership. Be sure to check the current terms & conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the different Paramount Plus subscriptions?
There are 2 subscriptions available in the USA. The Paramount Plus Essential subscription includes adverts whilst the Paramount Plus Premium subscription includes mostly no adverts on demand, local CBS Live, full SHOWTIME & downloadable content.
2. How much does Paramount Plus cost per month?
The Paramount Plus Essential subscription costs $8.99 per month, while Premium costs $13.99 per month. This can vary depending on taxes & promotions.
3. Is Paramount Plus Essential worth it?
Yes, if you mainly watch movies, original series & selected live sport, then this subscription would be a good option. You’ll have access to a large content library without paying for extra features.
4. Is Paramount Plus Premium completely ad free?
No, whilst most adverts are removed from on-demand movies & shows, there will still be adverts from live TV, live sport, trailers & promotions.
5. Does Paramount Plus Essential include local CBS?
No, local CBS Live is only available with the Paramount Plus Premium subscription. The Paramount+ Essential subscription does include selected sport via separate feeds.
6. Can I watch NFL Games on Paramount Plus Essential?
Yes, you can watch NFL on CBS via separate feeds. However, you will not get access to your local CBS Live.
7. Does Paramount Plus include SHOWTIME?
Yes, the Paramount Plus Essential subscription includes selected SHOWTIME series whilst the Paramount Plus Premium subscription includes the full SHOWTIME library & SHOWTIME East & West.
8. Can I download movies on Paramount Plus Essential?
No, downloadable content is available with the Paramount Plus Premium subscription.
9. How many devices can I watch on?
Both subscriptions can be streamed on up to 3 devices. Both subscriptions can also have up to 6 personal profiles.
10. Can I change my subscription?
Yes, you can change your subscription within your account settings. If you have subscribed via a 3rd party payment provider, then you may need to amend your subscription via this.
11. Does Paramount Plus include 4K?
Yes, the Paramount Plus Premium subscription includes selected titles in 4K UHD, Dolby Vision & HDR10. This will depend on the title, compatible devices & internet connection.
12. Is it cheaper to get a yearly subscription?
Yes, the Paramount Plus Essential subscription will cost you $89.99 annually compared with $107.88 if you go for a monthly subscription over 12 months. The Paramount Plus Premium subscription will cost you $139.99 annually compared with $167.88.
Final Verdict – Which Subscription Should I Get?
Both the Paramount Plus Essential & Premium subscriptions include a wide content library, original content & selected live sport. It really depends on what extra features you require.
If you are looking for an affordable option & don’t mind adverts, then the Paramount Plus Essential subscription would be the best option to start with. You’ll still get access to Paramount Plus content & selected sport without paying for features that you may never use.
If you regularly watch local CBS, love SHOWTIME, want to watch without adverts or need downloadable content, then the Paramount Plus Premium subscription would be worth considering.
I would recommend starting with the Paramount Plus Essential subscription. If you find you want the extra features, then you can upgrade.
Be sure to check the latest offers & subscription details on the official site.
Check the Paramount Plus official site.
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