Paramount+ vs Peacock: price, plans, and which to keep
Current US prices, price history, trial terms, and cancellation friction side by side, built from our service guides. Last reviewed August 26, 2026.
The short answer
These are the two budget streamers, and the cheapest way in is Peacock Select at $7.99, a dollar under Paramount+ Essential. Ad-free flips it: Paramount+ Premium is $13.99 with Showtime included, while Peacock Premium Plus is $16.99 and still shows ads on live sports. Paramount+ has a 7-day trial; Peacock has none. Both lean on promotions: Paramount+ hands out codes all year and Peacock's $1.99 Black Friday deal is an annual event. Peacock's 2025 hike was the steeper of the two.
Peacock is cheaper by $12 a year on its entry plan.
At a glance
| Paramount+ | Peacock | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest standard plan | Essential (with ads): $8.99/mo | Select: $7.99/mo |
| Cheapest plan per year | $107.88 | $95.88 |
| Most expensive plan | Premium (with Showtime): $13.99/mo | Premium Plus (no ads): $16.99/mo |
| Price changes since 2023 | 2 | 2 |
| Latest price change | January 2026 | August 2025 |
| Free trial | 7-day free trial for new subscribers on most plans. | No ongoing free trial; heavy promo discounts appear around Black Friday and big sports events. |
| Cancellation | 4 steps · app-store or partner billing caveat | 4 steps |
Cheapest and most expensive plans exclude add-ons, student, bundle, and per-seat plans. Price changes are counted from January 2023. US list prices, last reviewed August 26, 2026.
Which one should you pick?
Choose Paramount+ if…
Pick Paramount+ if you want ad-free viewing at the lowest price, Showtime, CBS, or a trial before you commit. Annual plans are about 35% cheaper than monthly if you know you will keep it.
Choose Peacock if…
Pick Peacock if you follow NBC sports or Bravo, and you can time your signup to a promotion. At full list price Peacock is the weaker deal of the two.
Every current plan
Paramount+ plans
| Plan | Current price |
|---|---|
| Essential (with ads) | $8.99/mo |
| Premium (with Showtime) | $13.99/mo |
Peacock plans
| Plan | Current price |
|---|---|
| SelectTV catalog only; excludes sports, movies, and Peacock Originals. | $7.99/mo |
| Premium (with ads) | $10.99/mo |
| Premium Plus (no ads) | $16.99/mo |
US list prices; taxes, promotions, and app-store billing may differ. Last reviewed August 26, 2026.
Price history, both services
January 2026 · Paramount+
Essential rose $7.99 → $8.99 and Premium $12.99 → $13.99.
August 2025 · Peacock
Premium rose $7.99 → $10.99 (+38%) and Premium Plus $13.99 → $16.99 (+21%). Unchanged since.
August 2024 · Paramount+
Prior hike took Essential to $7.99 and Premium to $12.99.
July 2024 · Peacock
Olympics-timed hike took Premium from $5.99 to $7.99.
How to run both without paying for both
Neither deserves a full-price, full-year subscription. Buy Peacock on its yearly promo, use the Paramount+ trial and seasonal codes, and let each lapse the moment the discounted period ends. Set the renewal reminder the day you subscribe.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Paramount+ or Peacock?
Peacock. Its cheapest standard plan works out to $7.99 a month ($95.88 a year) versus $8.99 a month ($107.88 a year) for Paramount+, a difference of $12 a year. Bundles, promotions, and app-store billing can change the final price.
Which is cheaper, Paramount+ or Peacock?
With ads, Peacock Select at $7.99 beats Paramount+ Essential at $8.99. Without ads, Paramount+ Premium at $13.99 beats Peacock Premium Plus at $16.99.
When is the best time to subscribe to Peacock or Paramount+?
Black Friday for both. Peacock has offered $1.99 a month for a year every Black Friday since launch, and Paramount+ regularly matches it with $1.99 or $2.99 promotions.
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