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Entertainment · head to head

Apple TV+ vs Paramount+

Apple TV+ logo

Apple TV+

Entertainment

Original stories from the most creative minds

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Paramount+ logo

Paramount+

Entertainment

A mountain of entertainment

From
$5.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apple TV+ has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apple TV+ bundle offering states no free trial, discounted offers, or annual plans available at launch; Paramount+ the App Store listing states Paramount+ gates all of SHOWTIME behind the Premium plan only, and separately caps household profiles at six, without stating either plan price in the visible description.
  • They diverge on capability: Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals, Paramount+ covers Streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple TV+ and Paramount+ actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple TV+ and Paramount+ differ
AttributeApple TV+Paramount+
Starting priceFree$5.99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsIos, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, WebWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv
Founded20192021

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apple TV+

  • Apple Originals
  • 4K HDR
  • Dolby Atmos
  • Family sharing
  • Downloads
  • Apple devices
  • Family sharing controls
  • Parental restrictions

Only in Paramount+

  • Streaming
  • Live sports
  • CBS shows
  • Nickelodeon
  • Parental controls
  • Profile management
  • Android support

Both cover

  • Smart TVs
  • Gaming consoles
  • Ios support
  • Smart-tv support
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apple TV+

  • Streaming exclusive TV shows and moviesnot Paramount+
  • Sports viewing (Friday Night Baseball, upcoming MLS and Formula 1 content)not Paramount+
  • Ad-free entertainmentnot Paramount+

Paramount+

  • TV streamingnot Apple TV+
  • Sportsnot Apple TV+
  • Kids contentnot Apple TV+

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apple TV+

  • Bundle offering states no free trial, discounted offers, or annual plans available at launch
  • Only 3 months free with Apple TV 4K hardware purchase, not a standalone free option

Paramount+

  • The App Store listing states Paramount+ gates all of SHOWTIME behind the Premium plan only, and separately caps household profiles at six, without stating either plan price in the visible description.
  • The App Store listing states the base Paramount+ plan carries ads and does not include ad-free viewing, offline downloads, or a local CBS station live stream, which are reserved for the Premium plan.

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple TV+

Free
  • Standard$12.99/month
    • 7-day free trial
    • Hundreds of exclusive shows and movies
    • New releases every week
  • Apple TV Plus with Peacock Bundle$14.99/month
    • Apple TV Plus (Premium tier)
    • Peacock Premium or Premium Plus
    • Save over 30% vs individual subscriptions

Paramount+

$5.99/month
  • Essential$5.99/month
    • Limited ads
    • Full library
  • With Showtime$11.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Showtime
    • Downloads

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple TV+ if

  • You need apple originals.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web.
  • You also want 4k hdr.
Apple TV+ review

Choose Paramount+ if

  • You need streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
  • You also want live sports.
Paramount+ review

Questions people ask

Is Apple TV+ or Paramount+ better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple TV+ starts at Free and Paramount+ at $5.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple TV+ or Paramount+?
Apple TV+ has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple TV+ and $5.99/month for Paramount+.
Does Apple TV+ or Paramount+ run on more platforms?
Apple TV+ runs on Ios, Macos, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Web. Paramount+ runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
Can I use Apple TV+ for free?
Yes. Apple TV+ has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Paramount+ starts at $5.99/month.
What is Apple TV+ best used for?
Apple TV+ is most often used for streaming exclusive tv shows and movies, sports viewing (friday night baseball, upcoming mls and formula 1 content), ad-free entertainment. Of those, streaming exclusive tv shows and movies and sports viewing (friday night baseball, upcoming mls and formula 1 content) are not what Paramount+ is typically brought in for.
What can Apple TV+ do that Paramount+ cannot?
Apple TV+ covers Apple Originals, 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos, Family sharing. Paramount+ covers Streaming, Live sports, CBS shows, Nickelodeon. Both handle Smart TVs, Gaming consoles, Ios support, Smart-tv support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apple TV+: How much does Apple TV Plus cost?

Apple TV Plus costs $12.99 per month after a 7-day free trial. The bundle with Peacock starts at $14.99 per month for combined access, saving over 30% compared to individual subscriptions.

Source
Apple TV+: Does Apple TV Plus offer a free trial?

Yes, Apple TV Plus includes a 7-day free trial before the $12.99 monthly subscription begins. The trial does not require a credit card. The bundle with Peacock offers no free trial or discounted introductory offers.

Source
Apple TV+: Can I share my Apple TV Plus subscription with family members?

Yes, Apple TV Plus lets you share your subscription with up to five family members for free through Apple's family sharing feature, allowing multiple household members to watch on different devices simultaneously.

Source
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