Disney+ vs Paramount+: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Disney+ lists 4K and HDR on both plans and bundles with Hulu, ESPN and HBO Max; it prepays only Premium. Paramount+ includes NFL on CBS, UFC and Champions League even on Essential, streams on three screens with six profiles and prepays both plans — but 4K, downloads and SHOWTIME in full are Premium-only.
Option A
Option B
$13.99/moParamount+ Premium
Official price before tax: $13.99
Price checked
Paramount+ price and plansWe compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Disney+ | Paramount+ |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | With Ads, Premium | Essential, Premium |
| 4K | Both plans | Select titles, Premium |
| Live sports | With ESPN bundles | Both plans |
| Yearly billing | Premium | Both plans |
| Downloads | Premium, 10 devices | Premium, phones and tablets |
| Streams at once | 4 | 3 |
| Share outside the home | Extra Member add-on | Not listed |
Disney+ is Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic; Paramount+ is CBS, SHOWTIME, Paramount networks such as Nickelodeon and MTV, and live sports.
If you don’t want to read further
Disney, Marvel and Star Wars, 4K on the plan with ads, bundles — Disney+. Live sports on the cheaper plan, CBS and SHOWTIME — Paramount+.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
4K on the plan with ads?
Disney+
Yes — up to 4K UHD and HDR on both plans.
Paramount+
No — select titles in 4K on Premium only.
For 4K on a budget, Disney+.
Live sports?
Disney+
Through bundles with ESPN; Premium can show ads in select live programming.
Paramount+
NFL on CBS, UFC, Zuffa Boxing and Champions League on both plans.
Sports without a bundle — Paramount+.
Yearly billing?
Disney+
Premium only.
Paramount+
Both plans.
To prepay the plan with ads, only Paramount+.
Downloads?
Disney+
Premium, on up to 10 devices.
Paramount+
Premium, up to 25 at a time, on phones and tablets.
Both keep downloads on Premium.
Sharing outside the home?
Disney+
Extra Member add-on — one stream, one profile; not with some bundles.
Paramount+
No paid sharing option in Paramount+’s plan descriptions; three streams and six profiles for the household.
Someone outside your home — Disney+’s Extra Member.
Discounts?
Disney+
25% off Premium yearly for military households through the Exchange; a student Disney+, Hulu bundle.
Paramount+
50% off for students advertised; Walmart+ includes Essential.
Check Walmart+ and military or student offers first.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
Two plans
One with ads and one without on each.
Kids’ content
Disney+ for Disney and Pixar; Paramount+ for Nickelodeon, with kids’ profiles.
Premium isn’t 100% ad-free
Disney+ live programming and Paramount+ live TV keep ads.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| Families with young kids | Disney+ | Disney, Pixar and 4K even with ads. |
| You follow the NFL on CBS or UFC | Paramount+ Essential | Included without Premium. |
| You want Hulu or ESPN too | A Disney+ bundle | With Hulu, ESPN or HBO Max. |
| You already have Walmart+ | Paramount+ Essential | Included with Walmart+. |
- Disney+ doesn’t currently offer a free trial.
- Paramount+ Essential doesn’t include your local live CBS station beyond NFL games.
- Paramount+ has no DVR.
- The Disney+ Extra Member isn’t available with every bundle.
Where the facts come from
Sources: the Disney+ Help Center for the US and the Paramount+ website and Help Center. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Disney+ or Paramount+
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “Streaming services” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — maximum resolution: Disney+ Premium
Disney+ Premium: 4K UHD with HDR (5,0/5) · Paramount+ Premium: 4K UHD (HDR not for all content) (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — simultaneous streams: Disney+ Premium
Disney+ Premium: 4 screens at the same time (5,0/5) · Paramount+ Premium: 3 screens at the same time (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — what else is included: Paramount+ Premium
Disney+ Premium: 1 extra content type at no extra cost (3,0/5) · Paramount+ Premium: 2 extra content types at no extra cost (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — profiles: Disney+ Premium
Disney+ Premium: up to 7 (5,0/5) · Paramount+ Premium: up to 6 (4,0/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: