Rated 7+ IMDb · 70%+ RT Little-known finds Curated by humans
Rated 7+ IMDb · 70%+ RT Little-known finds Curated by humans
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.
| Feature | Starz | Paramount+Our pick |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | $11.99/mo | $8.99/mo |
| Free trial | None | 7 days |
| Titles that pass our 7.0 IMDb / 70% RT bar | 32 | 97 |
| Try Starz | Try Paramount+ free for 7 days |
We only recommend movies and shows rated at least 7.0 on IMDb and 70% on Rotten Tomatoes. By that standard, Paramount+ currently streams 97 qualifying titles, compared to 32 on Starz. Here are the picks our readers are watching most on each right now.
If you just want the lowest possible bill, here is exactly what each service’s cheapest plan gets you.
| Feature | Starz Starz | Paramount+ Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Price / month | $11.99 | $8.99 |
| Annual Price | $69.99 | $89.99 |
| New User Deal | 73% off 1st month | – |
| Streams at Home | 4 | 3 |
| Streams Outside Home | 4 | 3 |
| Profiles | 5 | 6 |
| Multiview Screens | – | 4 |
| Max Quality | 1080p | 720p |
| Audio | 5.1 surround sound | Standard stereo |
| Min. Speed | 6 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
| Get Starz → | Get Essential → |
| Starz 1 plan | Paramount+ 2 plans | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest Starz | Cheapest Essential | Premium | |
| Price / month | $11.99 | $8.99 | $13.99 |
| Annual Price | $69.99 | $89.99 | $139.99 |
| New User Deal | 73% off 1st month | – | – |
| Streams at Home | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Streams Outside Home | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Profiles | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Multiview Screens | – | 4 | 4 |
| Max Quality | 1080p | 720p | 1080p |
| 4K Support | – | – | ✓ Yes |
| Audio | 5.1 surround sound | Standard stereo | 5.1 audio |
| Dolby Atmos | – | – | ✓ Yes |
| Min. Speed | 6 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 5 Mbps |
| Get plan → | Get plan → | Get plan → | |
Also available as an add-on on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Roku
Both services support most major devices. Here’s a breakdown based on the device apps each service lists.
| Device / Platform | Starz | Paramount+ |
|---|---|---|
| Airplay | ✓ | ✓ |
| Amazon Fire TV | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | Not listed | ✓ |
| Android TV | ✓ | Not listed |
| Apple TV | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chromecast | Not listed | ✓ |
| Hisense Android TV | Not listed | ✓ |
| LG TV | ✓ | ✓ |
| Playsation | Not listed | ✓ |
| Roku | ✓ | ✓ |
| Samsung TV | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sony Bravia Android TVs | Not listed | ✓ |
| TCL 3-Series Smart TV | Not listed | ✓ |
| Visio TV | Not listed | ✓ |
| Vizio TV | Not listed | ✓ |
| Xbox | ✓ | ✓ |
| iOS | ✓ | ✓ |
“Not listed” means the service doesn’t list an app for that device; it may still work via casting or a browser.
Paramount+ starts at $8.99/month, while Starz starts at $11.99/month. That’s $3.00 more per month for Starz, or $36.00 more per year.
Before you pick either one, here is the drawback of each service, plainly stated.
Starz is a movie-first channel with a small originals slate; if its film library does not appeal to you, there is not much else here.
Outside CBS content, sports, and the Taylor Sheridan universe, the Paramount+ catalog is one of the thinnest among the major services.
Is Paramount+ cheaper than Starz?
Yes. Paramount+ starts at $8.99/month, while Starz starts at $11.99/month. That's a difference of $3.00/month, or $36.00 per year.
Do Starz or Paramount+ offer a free trial?
Starz does not currently offer a free trial. Paramount+ offers a 7-day free trial.
Are Starz and Paramount+ the same company?
No. Starz is owned by Starz Entertainment, a separate company spun off from Lionsgate, while Paramount+ is owned by Paramount. They are separate, competing subscriptions.
Is Starz included with Paramount+?
No. Neither service includes the other: a Paramount+ subscription does not give you Starz content, and vice versa. You need a separate subscription for each.
Which has more highly-rated titles, Starz or Paramount+?
By our curation standard (at least 7.0 on IMDb and 70% on Rotten Tomatoes), Paramount+ currently streams 97 qualifying titles, compared to 32 on Starz.
Can I cancel Starz or Paramount+ anytime?
Yes. Both Starz and Paramount+ are month-to-month subscriptions with no long-term contracts. You can cancel either service at any time.
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