Starz vs AMC+: Which is Better?

Updated July 20, 2026 • Staff picks

Starz and AMC+ share more similarities than differences. They both produce original shows that often get cult-status fame (Power and Interview with the Vampire, anyone?), and they’re both available as Amazon Prime add-ons. But they also differ in significant ways. AMC+, despite being cheaper, has a breadth of content from sister channels like Shudder and IFC Films. Meanwhile, Starz has partnered with multiple film studios to feature blockbusters and indies alike. So which is better? We try to answer that question in our breakdown below.

Choose Starz if…

Try Starz

Choose AMC+ if…

  • You want to spend less — it’s $4.00/month cheaper
  • You need AMC, BBC America, IFC Shudder, or other channels exclusive to AMC+
  • You want a longer free trial (7 days vs 0 days)
Try AMC+ — 7 days free
Ready to sign up? Skip the research. Try Starz Try AMC+ — 7 days free

Summary: Starz vs AMC+

Feature Starz AMC+
Base price $10.99/mo $6.99/mo
Free trial None 7 days
Subscribers 28,900,000
Our rating 9/10 8/10
Try Starz Try AMC+ — 7 days free

Starz vs AMC+: All Plans & Pricing Compared

Starz 1 plan AMC+ 2 plans
Cheapest Starz Cheapest With Ads Ad-Free
Price / month $10.99 $6.99 $9.99
Annual Price $69.99 $95.88
New User Deal 73% off 1st month
Streams at Home 4 5 5
Streams Outside Home 4 5 5
Profiles 5 1 1
Max Quality 1080p 720p 720p
Audio 5.1 surround sound Standard stereo Standard stereo
Min. Speed 6 Mbps 3 Mbps 3 Mbps
Get plan → Get plan → Get plan →

What’s included in the cheapest plan

Starz — Starz ($10.99/mo)
  • Ad-free
  • Offline streaming
  • Special offer of 73% off for three months

Also available as an add-on on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Roku

AMC+ — With Ads ($6.99/mo)
  • Shudder and Sundance Now included
  • 6 live TV channels
  • Ad-supported

Channel Lineup: Starz vs AMC+

0 channels are available on both services. AMC+ has 5 exclusive channels not on Starz.

On both services AMC+ only
Channel Starz AMC+
AMC
BBC America
IFC Shudder
Sundance TV
Walking Dead Universe

Device Support: Starz vs AMC+

Both services support most major devices. Here’s a full breakdown of where you can watch each one.

Device / Platform Starz AMC+
Airplay
Amazon Fire TV
Android TV
Apple TV
LG TV
Roku
Samsung TV
Xbox
iOS

Popularity: Starz is more popular

Starz has 28,900,000M subscribers compared to 0M for AMC+.

Price: AMC+ is cheaper than Starz

AMC+ starts at $6.99/month, while Starz starts at $10.99/month. That’s $4.00 more per month for Starz, or $48.00 more per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AMC+ cheaper than Starz?

Yes. AMC+ starts at $6.99/month, while Starz starts at $10.99/month. That's a difference of $4.00/month, or $48.00 per year.

Do Starz or AMC+ offer a free trial?

Starz does not currently offer a free trial. AMC+ offers a 7-day free trial.

What channels does AMC+ have that Starz doesn't?

AMC+ has 5 channels not available on Starz, including: AMC, BBC America, IFC Shudder, Sundance TV, Walking Dead Universe.

Can I cancel Starz or AMC+ anytime?

Yes. Both Starz and AMC+ are month-to-month subscriptions with no long-term contracts. You can cancel either service at any time.

Our pick: Starz

<p>Original programming: While Starz doesn't have as many original shows and movies as Netflix or HBO, it does produce some acclaimed entertainment, including movies like Ash Evil Dead and shows such as American Gods, Power, to name but a few. </p> <p>Sharing devices: Starz lets you have four simultaneous streams per account, for about $7 less than Netflix's most expensive Premium plan which allows the same.</p>

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