In the US, Paramount+ lists two monthly plans: Essential for $8.99 and Premium for $13.99, according to its signup page checked October 3, 2026. Essential is ad-supported and includes select SHOWTIME series; Premium adds all SHOWTIME, downloads, select-title 4K formats, and live local CBS. Premium still carries ads during live TV, and either plan may include trailers or sponsorship.
What’s the difference between Paramount+ Essential and Premium?
These are the monthly prices and features shown on Paramount+’s US plan picker when checked October 3, 2026. Prices and subscription options can vary by country, billing provider, and date. Check the current US plan picker before subscribing.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Paramount+ eGift Card | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Paramount+ $25 eGift Card - Standard | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Paramount+ eGift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Netflix Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Visa Physical Gift Card $100 (plus $5.95 Purchase Fee) | $105.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| Plan | US advertised monthly price | Included features | Important limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $8.99/month | Ad-supported streaming, select SHOWTIME series, and simultaneous streaming | Select SHOWTIME series may not include every episode. |
| Premium | $13.99/month | All SHOWTIME, downloads, select-title 4K UHD, Dolby Vision and HDR10, and live local CBS streaming | Advanced video formats are limited to select titles and require a capable device and internet connection. Download restrictions apply. Live TV has ads; plans may also include trailers or sponsorship. |
Paramount+ says both plans support three simultaneous streams on its US service page. The plan picker advertises 23% savings for an annual plan compared with twelve regular monthly charges, but the annual dollar totals were not stated there; check the live picker rather than multiplying the monthly price and assuming an annual rate.
When Essential may fit
Choose Essential if you are comfortable with ads and select SHOWTIME series are enough. Its lower advertised monthly price does not include the complete SHOWTIME offering.
#1 Best Overall
- Watch over 40,000 full episodes on demand from hit series like Survivor, NCIS, Big Brother and more
- Get hooked on subscriber-only originals
- Make every night a movie night with blockbuster hits and fan-favorite films
- To Redeem: Go to paramountplus.com/redeem
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
When Premium may fit
Premium is the relevant choice if you want all SHOWTIME, offline downloads, supported select-title advanced video formats, or live local CBS. Its “ad free” positioning has limits: live TV includes ads, and Paramount+ says plans may include trailers or sponsorship.
Does Paramount+ Premium include SHOWTIME?
Yes. Paramount+ describes Premium as including all SHOWTIME, while Essential includes select SHOWTIME series. The Essential selection may omit some episodes, so it should not be treated as the full SHOWTIME catalog.
Rank #2
- Watch over 40,000 full episodes on demand from hit series like Survivor, NCIS, Big Brother and more
- Get hooked on subscriber-only originals
- Make every night a movie night with blockbuster hits and fan-favorite films
- To Redeem: Go to paramountplus.com/redeem
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
How do Paramount+ add-on subscriptions work?
An add-on is a separate subscription to a video service purchased through a platform account. For Prime Video, Amazon says add-on fees are charged on top of the Prime Video membership fee in its add-on subscription help page. That general billing explanation does not confirm that Paramount+ is currently offered as a Prime Video add-on in your country. Check the local storefront and its terms before subscribing.
The platform or provider through which you enrolled can also determine who handles billing and cancellation. Roku’s subscription support guidance distinguishes subscriptions billed through Roku from those purchased directly from a service provider. Paramount’s Canada terms likewise say subscriptions set to auto-renew through a third party must be cancelled according to that third party’s instructions; this is Canada-specific guidance, not a statement of US policy. See the Paramount+ Canada terms.
Rank #3
- Watch over 40,000 full episodes on demand from hit series like Survivor, NCIS, Big Brother and more
- Get hooked on subscriber-only originals
- Make every night a movie night with blockbuster hits and fan-favorite films
- To Redeem: Go to paramountplus.com/redeem
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Where do I cancel Paramount+ if I signed up through another provider?
- Identify the biller. Check your subscription receipt, payment statement, or the account page where you enrolled. Look for Paramount+, a platform such as Roku, or another third-party provider.
- Open the billing provider’s subscription settings. If a third party bills you, use that provider’s cancellation instructions rather than assuming the Paramount+ account page controls the subscription.
- Confirm cancellation with the biller. Check the provider’s account page or confirmation message for the subscription status and any remaining access period.
Paramount+’s US plan page says “Cancel anytime”; where a third party bills the subscription, follow that provider’s process.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Rank #4
- Unlimited movies, TV shows, and more. Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.
- Give the gift of entertainment so your friends and family can stream unlimited films and Netflix original series. Whether your loved one already has a Netflix account or they will be creating a new account, they can use a Netflix gift card toward their membership.
- No credit card is required to redeem a gift code.
- Codes are applied to your account as a gift balance. Gift codes can be added to any plan, regardless of the amount.
- Redemption: Online
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
