Starz vs Paramount+: Which is Better?

Starz and Paramount+ both shine when it comes to original shows and blockbuster films, but which is better among the two streaming services? Paramount+ has more options when it comes to plans (you can upgrade the Essential plan to the Showtime plan), while Starz promises no-ad streaming (and mostly lives up to it). Paramount+ also offers a free trial if you want to see what you're getting before committing, and it has sports content from partner CBS channels. Ultimately, it comes down to preference. Starz might be better if you're after pure entertainment, but Paramount+ is the one to get if you want more variety. You can read more about them in our breakdown below.

Summary

Comparaison	Starz	Paramount+ Essential
Price	$10.99/month	$7.99/month
Trial	No	7 days
Our rating	8/10	7/10
Number of channels	-	-
Parental controls	Yes	Yes

Paramount+ Essential and Starz cost

Paramount+ Essential is cheaper than Starz: Paramount+ Essential costs $8 whereas Starz costs $11/month. Subscribing to Starz instead of Paramount+ Essential will set you back $3 every month ($36/year).

Why get Starz?

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.

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.

Go to Starz

Why get Paramount+ Essential?

Offline downloads and 4K streaming: Although you have to pay for the service, Paramount+ offers premium subscribers offline downloads, as well as 4K streaming for select titles.

Go to Paramount+ Essential

Devices: Paramount+ Essential is more widely available than Starz

Paramount+ Essential is available on Airplay supported, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Hisense Android TV, iOS, LG TV, Playsation, Roku, Samsung TV, Shareplay supported, Sony Bravia Android TVs, TCL 3-Series Smart TV, Visio TV, Vizio TV or Xbox.

Whereas Starz is available on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, LG TV, Roku, Samsung TV, Shareplay supported or Xbox. That's 9 less devices than Paramount+ Essential.