Rated 7+ IMDb · 70%+ RT Little-known finds Curated by humans
Rated 7+ IMDb · 70%+ RT Little-known finds Curated by humans
Philo and Paramount+ are not as big as Netflix or Youtube TV, but they have unique offers between them that are worth considering.
To help you choose which one is for you, we have listed their differences in a number of criteria below.
Paramount+ has a meager channel lineup: CBS local affiliates, CBS News (CBSN), CBS Sports, and ET Live.
Philo offers over 60 channels, including AMC, BBC America, Lifetime, TLC, MTV, and even the Paramount Network channel.
Philo’s on-demand library includes 60,000 movies, shows, and specials. Paramount+ is stacked with content you can choose from as well, but it is mostly from their partner channels: Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Smithsonian Channel, etc.
| Feature | PhiloOur pick | Paramount+ with SHOWTIME |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal for | Budget cord-cutting | |
| Base price | $25/mo | $12.99/mo |
| Free trial | 7 days | 7 days |
| Subscribers | 0.8 million | 42 million |
| Try Philo free for 7 days | Try Paramount+ with SHOWTIME free for 7 days |
If you just want the lowest possible bill, here is exactly what each service’s cheapest plan gets you.
| Feature | Philo Essential | Paramount+ with SHOWTIME Entertainment with Paramount+ Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Price / month | $25.00 | $102.98 |
| New User Deal | – | 45% off 1st month |
| Streams at Home | 3 | Unlimited |
| Streams Outside Home | 3 | 3 |
| DVR Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| DVR Keeps For | 12 months | 9 months |
| Profiles | 10 | 5 |
| Multiview Screens | – | 4 |
| Max Quality | 720p | 1080p |
| 4K Support | – | ✓ Yes |
| Audio | Standard stereo | 5.1 audio |
| Dolby Digital | – | ✓ Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | – | ✓ Yes |
| Min. Speed | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| Get Essential → | Get Entertainment with Paramount+ Premium → |
| Philo 2 plans | Paramount+ with SHOWTIME 4 plans | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest Essential | Bundle+ | Cheapest Entertainment with Paramount+ Premium | Choice with Paramount+ Premium | Ultimate with Paramount+ Premium | Premier | |
| Price / month | $25.00 | $33.00 | $102.98 | $107.98 | $137.98 | $149.99 |
| New User Deal | – | – | 45% off 1st month | 40% off 1st month | 30% off 1st month | 14% off 1st month |
| Streams at Home | 3 | 3 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Streams Outside Home | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| DVR Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| DVR Keeps For | 12 months | 12 months | 9 months | 9 months | 9 months | 9 months |
| Profiles | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Multiview Screens | – | – | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Max Quality | 720p | 720p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p |
| 4K Support | – | – | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Audio | Standard stereo | Standard stereo | 5.1 audio | 5.1 audio | 5.1 audio | 5.1 audio |
| Dolby Digital | – | – | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | – | – | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Min. Speed | 3 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps | 8 Mbps | 8 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| Get plan → | Get plan → | Get plan → | Get plan → | Get plan → | Get plan → | |
The original Philo plan without all the add-ons
You can add Paramount+ Premium to every DirecTV base package
Both services support most major devices. Here’s a breakdown based on the device apps each service lists.
| Device / Platform | Philo | Paramount+ with SHOWTIME |
|---|---|---|
| Airplay | ✓ | Not listed |
| Amazon Fire TV | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android TV | ✓ | Not listed |
| Apple TV | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chromecast | ✓ | ✓ |
| Google TV Streamer | ✓ | Not listed |
| LG Smart TV | ✓ | Not listed |
| LG TV | Not listed | ✓ |
| PlayStation 4 | Not listed | ✓ |
| Portal TV | Not listed | ✓ |
| Roku | ✓ | ✓ |
| Samsung TV | ✓ | ✓ |
| Vizio | Not listed | ✓ |
| Xbox | Not listed | ✓ |
| Xbox One | Not listed | ✓ |
| Xbox Series S | Not listed | ✓ |
| Xbox Series X | Not listed | ✓ |
| Xfinity Flex | Not listed | ✓ |
| iOS | ✓ | ✓ |
| iPhone | ✓ | Not listed |
“Not listed” means the service doesn’t list an app for that device; it may still work via casting or a browser.
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME has 42 million subscribers compared to 0.8 million for Philo. That makes Paramount+ with SHOWTIME 5150% more popular by subscriber count.
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME starts at $12.99/month, while Philo starts at $25/month. That’s $12.01 more per month for Philo, or $144.12 more per year. Philo costs more but carries more channels (86+ vs 4+), which may justify the difference depending on what you watch.
Before you pick either one, here is the drawback of each service, plainly stated.
Philo carries no sports, no news networks, and no local channels at all; that is exactly how it stays cheap.
Is Paramount+ with SHOWTIME cheaper than Philo?
Yes. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME starts at $12.99/month, while Philo starts at $25/month. That's a difference of $12.01/month, or $144.12 per year.
Do Philo or Paramount+ with SHOWTIME offer a free trial?
Philo offers a 7-day free trial. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME offers a 7-day free trial.
Are Philo and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME the same company?
No. Philo is owned by Philo, while Paramount+ with SHOWTIME is owned by Paramount. They are separate, competing subscriptions.
Is Philo included with Paramount+ with SHOWTIME?
No. Neither service includes the other: a Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscription does not give you Philo content, and vice versa. You need a separate subscription for each.
Which has better DVR, Philo or Paramount+ with SHOWTIME?
Philo's base plan includes Unlimited of DVR storage. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME's base plan includes Unlimited of DVR storage.
Can I cancel Philo or Paramount+ with SHOWTIME anytime?
Yes. Both Philo and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME are month-to-month subscriptions with no long-term contracts. You can cancel either service at any time.
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