4 Best Alternatives to Paramount+ in 2026
By Noahlast updated pricing verified
From our data: None of the five services compared here, Paramount+ or its four alternatives, carry an external rating. Sorted by entry-tier monthly price, the four alternatives run from Peacock's $8.99/month Select up to Hulu's $11.99/month standalone plan, a spread of $3, and three of the four (Max, Disney+, Hulu) start above Paramount+'s own $8.99/month Standard tier while only Peacock matches it exactly.
Max
Disney+
Hulu
PeacockHow we picked
- None of the five services in this comparison (Paramount+ or its four alternatives) carry an external ratings record, so ranking here rests entirely on published pricing, plan structure, and the documented content library rather than review scores.
- Every one of Paramount+'s four alternatives, like Paramount+ itself, has no permanently free tier: Max starts at $10.99/month, Disney+ at $11.99/month, Hulu at $11.99/month, and Peacock at $8.99/month, so this list is ranked among paid-only competitors rather than free-vs-paid.
- Pricing for all five services was verified within the same session (2026-08-21), so the dollar figures compared here reflect a consistent point-in-time snapshot rather than mixed verification dates across services.
- Live sports rights are a concrete, checkable differentiator captured for every alternative: Max carries NBA/MLB/NCAA March Madness, Peacock carries Premier League/WWE, and Paramount+ itself carries NFL on CBS/UFC/UEFA Champions League, while Hulu and Disney+ carry no live sports content documented in our listing data.
Paid placement never alters editorial rank — read the full methodology.
Paramount+ alternatives at a glance
| Alternative | Best for | Standout | Biggest weakness | Learning curve | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paramount+reference | CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and BET viewers who also want in-app live NFL, UFC, and UEFA Champions League coverage without a separate cable or sports subscription | Live NFL games on CBS, UFC events, and UEFA Champions League matches streamed directly in the app alongside the full CBS/BET/Comedy Central/MTV/Nickelodeon on-demand library. | Reliability complaints are severe and consistent: Trustpilot reviewers rate the service around 1.2/5 from roughly 3,400+ reviews, citing constant buffering and lagging on smart TVs and streaming devices, shows being removed from the catalog, and customer service that's largely bot-driven with little human escalation. | Low | From $8.99/mo |
| Max | HBO and Warner Bros. film fans already inside the Warner Bros. Discovery ecosystem who also want in-app access to NBA, MLB, and NCAA March Madness without a separate cable package | Combines HBO's prestige scripted library with Warner Bros. theatrical films, DC, Discovery factual programming, and live NBA/MLB/NCAA March Madness coverage in a single subscription. | Reliability and support complaints dominate third-party reviews: Trustpilot users rate the service around 1.3/5, citing frequent buffering, forced sign-outs, and playback progress that doesn't sync across sessions, and even the ad-free Standard and Premium tiers still show ads on select live and linear content. | Low | From $10.99/mo |
| Disney+ | households that already watch Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar titles and want to bundle that library with Hulu or ESPN under one subscription | A single subscription spans Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, and bundle tiers fold in Hulu's general-entertainment catalog and ESPN Unlimited without a separate login. | No permanently free tier and no ad-free option under $18.99/month; bundle pricing changes frequently and the cheapest ad-free bundle with live sports (ESPN Unlimited) costs $44.99/month. | Low | From $11.99/mo |
| Hulu | US viewers who want next-day access to current-season network TV episodes alongside a general streaming library, especially those already subscribing to Disney+ | Next-day streaming of current-season broadcast and cable TV episodes, a library category most general streaming competitors do not match. | Hulu no longer sells a clearly advertised ad-free standalone plan separate from the Disney+ bundle, effectively pushing ad-free viewers into paying for Disney+ content they may not want, and Hulu + Live TV starts at $89.99/month, well above dedicated live-TV competitors at typical promotional rates. | Low | From $11.99/mo |
| Peacock | NBC, Bravo, and Premier League/WWE fans who want live network and sports content alongside NBCUniversal's original series and film library | Live Premier League soccer and WWE programming streamed alongside current-season NBC and Bravo shows, a sports package none of the other major general-entertainment streamers match at Peacock's price point. | There is no free tier at all — Peacock phased it out entirely by July 2024 — and Trustpilot reviewers rate the paid service around 1.2-1.5/5 from over 1,200 reviews, citing buffering, billing problems, app crashes, and difficulty canceling subscriptions as recurring complaints. | Low | From $8.99/mo |
Paramount+1.Max — best Paramount+ alternative for HBO and Warner Bros. film fans already inside the Warner Bros. Discovery ecosystem who also want in-app access to NBA, MLB, and NCAA March Madness without a separate cable package
Max is the best Paramount+ alternative for HBO and Warner Bros. film fans who also want live NBA, MLB, and NCAA March Madness coverage without a separate cable package, much as Paramount+ bundles NFL on CBS, UFC, and UEFA Champions League into its own app. Max's entry Basic with Ads tier costs $10.99/month, close to Paramount+'s $8.99/month Standard tier, and its ad-free Standard plan at $18.49/month goes further than Paramount+'s Premium at $13.99/month by removing ads from all Max originals rather than just most content, since Paramount+ Premium still shows ads during live TV. Max combines HBO's scripted originals with Warner Bros. theatrical films, DC, Cartoon Network, and Discovery's factual programming under one login, a broader film-and-cable-network mix than Paramount+'s CBS/BET/Comedy Central/MTV/Nickelodeon library. Neither service carries an external rating, so this comparison rests on documented plans and content rather than review scores. Paramount+ remains the better choice for viewers who specifically want NFL games, UFC, and UEFA Champions League: Max's own reliability complaints are severe, with Trustpilot reviewers citing frequent buffering, forced sign-outs, and playback progress that doesn't sync across sessions, and Max has no standalone desktop app for Windows or macOS, unlike Paramount+'s broader device support.
Compared to Paramount+: HBO originals plus NBA/MLB/NCAA March Madness live sports vs Paramount+'s NFL/UFC/UEFA Champions League, ad-free Standard tier at $18.49/month removes ads from all originals vs Paramount+ Premium's $13.99/month which still shows ads on live TV, no standalone Windows/macOS desktop app unlike Paramount+'s broader platform list
Wins:Combines HBO's prestige scripted library with Warner Bros. theatrical films, DC, Cartoon Network, and Discovery factual programming in one app · In-app live NBA, MLB, NCAA March Madness, NHL, and college football, a broader live-sports mix than Paramount+'s NFL/UFC/UEFA Champions League · Ad-free Standard and Premium tiers support 4K/HDR playback and up to 100 offline downloads, versus Paramount+'s Premium tier which still shows ads during live TV
Loses:No standalone desktop app for Windows or macOS; desktop access is browser-only, unlike Paramount+'s broader platform coverage · Entry Basic with Ads tier costs $10.99/month, above Paramount+'s $8.99/month Standard tier · Trustpilot reviewers cite frequent buffering, forced sign-outs, and lost playback progress, complaints Paramount+'s own listing shares at a similarly severe rate
Pros
- One app for HBO originals, Warner Bros. theatrical releases, DC, Cartoon Network, and Discovery factual content.
- Ad-free Standard and Premium tiers support 4K/HDR playback and up to 100 offline downloads.
- In-app live sports: NBA, MLB, NCAA March Madness, NHL, and college football during their seasons.
- Cheaper bundle pricing available with Disney+ and Hulu.
Cons
- Trustpilot rating around 1.3/5, with buffering, forced sign-outs, and lost playback progress as the most common complaints.
- No standalone desktop app for Windows or macOS; desktop access is browser-only.
- Ads still appear on select live and linear content even on ad-free Standard and Premium plans.
- No permanently free tier; Basic with Ads still costs $10.99/month.
Pricing: From $10.99/mo — $10.99/month (Basic with Ads) vs Paramount+'s $8.99/month (Standard); Max's ad-free Standard tier runs $18.49/month against Paramount+ Premium's $13.99/month (verified undefined NaN, NaN)
2.Disney+ — best Paramount+ alternative for households that already watch Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar titles and want to bundle that library with Hulu or ESPN under one subscription
Disney+ is the best Paramount+ alternative for households that want the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic catalogs in one subscription, a family-content library Paramount+'s CBS/BET/Comedy Central/MTV/Nickelodeon mix doesn't cover. Disney+'s ad-supported plan starts at $11.99/month, close to Paramount+'s $8.99/month Standard tier, and its ad-free Premium plan at $18.99/month or $189.99/year offers 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos on compatible titles, a home-theater feature set Paramount+'s listing doesn't document. Disney+ bundle tiers fold in Hulu's general-entertainment catalog and, on higher plans, ESPN Unlimited, letting subscribers combine three services under one login rather than Paramount+'s single-brand bundle with SHOWTIME. Neither service carries an external rating, so this comparison rests on documented plans and content rather than review scores. Paramount+ remains the better choice for viewers who specifically want NFL on CBS, UFC, or UEFA Champions League without paying for a separate sports bundle: Disney+ has no permanently free tier and no ad-free option under $18.99/month, and the cheapest ad-free bundle that includes live sports (ESPN Unlimited) costs $44.99/month, well above anything Paramount+ charges for its own in-app NFL, UFC, and Champions League coverage.
Compared to Paramount+: Disney/Pixar/Marvel/Star Wars/National Geographic library vs Paramount+'s CBS/BET/Comedy Central/MTV/Nickelodeon mix, ad-free Premium at $18.99/month with 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos vs Paramount+'s $13.99/month Premium which still shows ads on live TV, bundle tiers folding in Hulu and ESPN Unlimited vs Paramount+'s single SHOWTIME bundle
Wins:One subscription spans Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content, a broader family-film library than Paramount+'s network-TV mix · Ad-free Premium tier includes 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos on compatible devices and titles, features not documented on Paramount+'s Premium tier · Bundle tiers add Hulu and, on higher plans, ESPN Unlimited or HBO Max without separate logins, versus Paramount+'s single SHOWTIME bundle
Loses:No permanently free tier and no ad-free option under $18.99/month, above Paramount+'s $13.99/month Premium price · The cheapest ad-free bundle with live sports (ESPN Unlimited) costs $44.99/month, well above Paramount+'s own in-app NFL/UFC/Champions League coverage at $13.99/month Premium · Library rotates, with some licensed titles leaving the catalog after a limited window, a risk Paramount+'s own listing shares with removed shows
Pros
- One subscription covers Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content.
- Bundle tiers add Hulu and, on higher plans, ESPN Unlimited or HBO Max without separate logins.
- 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos are available on compatible devices and titles at no extra cost.
- Parental controls let each profile in a household carry its own content rating limits.
Cons
- No permanently free tier; every plan requires a paid subscription from day one.
- The cheapest ad-free bundle that includes live sports (ESPN Unlimited) runs $44.99/month.
- Ads are still served in select live and linear content even on some higher-priced bundle tiers.
- Library rotates: some licensed titles leave the catalog after a limited window.
Pricing: From $11.99/mo — $11.99/month (with ads) vs Paramount+'s $8.99/month (Standard); Disney+'s ad-free Premium at $18.99/month vs Paramount+ Premium's $13.99/month (verified undefined NaN, NaN)
3.Hulu — best Paramount+ alternative for US viewers who want next-day access to current-season network TV episodes alongside a general streaming library, especially those already subscribing to Disney+
Hulu is the best Paramount+ alternative for US viewers who want next-day access to current-season network and cable TV episodes, a library category Paramount+'s originals-and-catalog model doesn't specifically emphasize. Hulu's standalone With Ads plan costs $11.99/month, close to Paramount+'s $8.99/month Standard tier, and most customers now buy it bundled with Disney+ at $12.99/month with ads or $19.99/month ad-free, a two-brand combination Paramount+'s single-service Premium tier (bundling only SHOWTIME) doesn't match. Hulu + Live TV starts at $89.99/month for a full live-channel lineup and cloud DVR, a tier of service well beyond anything Paramount+ offers, which streams only its own NFL/UFC/Champions League live content rather than a full cable-replacement channel package. Neither service carries an external rating, so this comparison rests on documented plans and content rather than review scores. Paramount+ remains the better choice for viewers who specifically want NFL on CBS, UFC, or UEFA Champions League bundled into their base subscription: Hulu no longer sells a clearly advertised ad-free standalone plan separate from the Disney+ bundle, effectively pushing ad-free viewers into paying for Disney+ content they may not want, unlike Paramount+'s straightforward two-tier Standard/Premium structure.
Compared to Paramount+: next-day current-season network and cable TV episodes vs Paramount+'s originals-and-catalog focus, Disney+/Hulu bundle at $12.99-$19.99/month vs Paramount+'s single-brand SHOWTIME bundle, Hulu + Live TV at $89.99/month for a full live-channel lineup vs Paramount+'s own in-app-only NFL/UFC/Champions League coverage
Wins:Next-day access to current-season episodes from major broadcast and cable networks, a library category Paramount+'s listing doesn't specifically emphasize · Disney+/Hulu bundle pricing ($12.99-$19.99/month) is cheaper than subscribing to Disney+ and Hulu separately, combining two libraries under one login · Hulu + Live TV combines on-demand library, live channels, and cloud DVR in one subscription, a tier Paramount+ doesn't offer at any price
Loses:No clearly marketed ad-free standalone Hulu plan; ad-free viewing effectively requires the pricier Disney+ bundle, unlike Paramount+'s direct Premium upgrade · Hulu + Live TV starts at $89.99/month, far above Paramount+'s $13.99/month Premium tier for live NFL, UFC, and Champions League · Content library is US-only, matching Paramount+'s own US-focused NFL/CBS content but without Paramount+'s comparably simple two-tier pricing
Pros
- Next-day access to current-season episodes from major broadcast and cable networks.
- Disney+/Hulu bundle pricing ($12.99-$19.99/month) is cheaper than subscribing to both services separately.
- Student bundle at $6.49/month with ads is one of the lowest-cost entry points among major streamers.
- Hulu + Live TV combines on-demand library, live channels, and cloud DVR in one subscription.
Cons
- No clearly marketed ad-free standalone Hulu plan; ad-free viewing effectively requires the pricier Disney+ bundle.
- Hulu + Live TV starts at $89.99/month, a significant jump from the on-demand-only plans.
- Content library is US-only, unlike globally available competitors such as Netflix.
- Bundle pricing structure with Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited adds complexity when comparing plans.
Pricing: From $11.99/mo — $11.99/month (Hulu With Ads) vs Paramount+'s $8.99/month (Standard); Hulu's Disney+ bundle runs $12.99-$19.99/month against Paramount+ Premium's $13.99/month (verified undefined NaN, NaN)
4.Peacock — best Paramount+ alternative for NBC, Bravo, and Premier League/WWE fans who want live network and sports content alongside NBCUniversal's original series and film library
Peacock is the best Paramount+ alternative for fans of Premier League soccer, WWE, golf, and cycling who want that live sports mix alongside NBC and Bravo shows, a different sports lineup than Paramount+'s own NFL on CBS, UFC, and UEFA Champions League. Peacock's Select tier starts at $8.99/month, matching Paramount+'s own Standard tier price, though Select excludes sports, movies, and original series entirely; Peacock's Premium tier at $12.99/month opens up the full catalog including sports and originals, close to Paramount+'s $13.99/month Premium price. Peacock Premium Plus at $19.99/month removes most ads and adds 24/7 access to local NBC affiliates, a feature Paramount+'s listing doesn't document. Neither service carries an external rating, so this comparison rests on documented plans and content rather than review scores. Paramount+ remains the better choice for viewers who specifically want NFL, UFC, and UEFA Champions League rather than Premier League and WWE: Peacock discontinued its free ad-supported tier entirely by July 2024, and even Premium Plus keeps ads on live sports and select programming despite being marketed as ad-free, a limitation Paramount+'s own Premium tier shares on live TV.
Compared to Paramount+: Premier League, WWE, golf, and cycling live sports vs Paramount+'s NFL/UFC/UEFA Champions League, Premium tier at $12.99/month for the full catalog vs Paramount+ Premium's $13.99/month, Premium Plus at $19.99/month adding 24/7 local NBC access which Paramount+'s listing doesn't document
Wins:Live Premier League, WWE, golf, and cycling coverage bundled with NBC/Bravo programming, a sports lineup Paramount+'s NFL/UFC/Champions League mix doesn't match · Premium Plus adds offline downloads and continuous access to local NBC affiliate feeds, a feature Paramount+'s listing doesn't document · Premium tier at $12.99/month is slightly cheaper than Paramount+'s $13.99/month Premium for a comparable full-catalog, with-ads experience
Loses:No free tier at all since Peacock phased it out by July 2024, the same free-tier gap Paramount+ itself has · The cheapest Select tier excludes sports, movies, and original series entirely, a bigger content gap than Paramount+'s single-tier-with-ads Standard plan · Even Premium Plus keeps ads on live sports and select programming despite being marketed as ad-free, the same limitation Paramount+ Premium has on live TV
Pros
- Live Premier League, WWE, golf, and cycling coverage bundled with NBC/Bravo programming.
- Premium Plus adds offline downloads and continuous access to local NBC affiliate feeds.
- Annual billing on every tier saves roughly two months versus paying monthly.
- Broad device support: smart TVs, computers, mobile, tablets, and game consoles.
Cons
- No free tier since July 2024; every plan requires payment starting at signup.
- Trustpilot rating around 1.2-1.5/5 from over 1,200 reviews, dominated by buffering, billing, and cancellation complaints.
- The cheapest Select tier excludes sports, movies, and original series entirely.
- Even Premium Plus keeps ads on live sports and select programming despite being marketed as ad-free.
Pricing: From $8.99/mo — $8.99/month (Select) matches Paramount+'s $8.99/month Standard tier; Peacock's Premium at $12.99/month vs Paramount+ Premium's $13.99/month (verified undefined NaN, NaN)
Which one is right for you?
- You want HBO's prestige originals plus live NBA, MLB, or NCAA March Madness in one app.Max
- You have kids or want the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars catalog under one subscription.Disney+
- You want next-day access to current-season broadcast and cable network episodes.Hulu
- You follow Premier League soccer or WWE and want that live coverage alongside NBC shows.Peacock
- You want a full live-TV channel replacement with cloud DVR rather than just on-demand streaming.Hulu
- You want the cheapest full-catalog paid tier that still includes live sports and originals.Peacock
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Paramount+?
- Max is the best alternative to Paramount+ for viewers who want prestige HBO originals alongside live NBA, MLB, and NCAA March Madness, starting at $10.99/month. Disney+, Hulu, and Peacock are better fits depending on whether you want family content, next-day network TV, or Premier League and WWE.
Is there a free alternative to Paramount+?
- No, none of the four alternatives compared here (Max, Disney+, Hulu, Peacock) offer a permanently free tier, matching Paramount+'s own lack of a free plan. Peacock did have a free tier at launch but phased it out entirely by July 2024.
Can Max replace Paramount+?
- Max can replace Paramount+ for viewers who care more about HBO originals and Warner Bros. films than NFL, UFC, or UEFA Champions League, since Max's $10.99/month entry price is close to Paramount+'s $8.99/month. Max carries NBA, MLB, and NCAA March Madness instead of Paramount+'s NFL and UFC lineup, so sports fans should check which leagues they actually need.
What is the closest alternative to Paramount+ for live sports?
- Peacock is the closest alternative to Paramount+ for live sports, carrying Premier League, WWE, golf, and cycling instead of Paramount+'s NFL, UFC, and UEFA Champions League. Its Premium tier at $12.99/month is close in price to Paramount+ Premium's $13.99/month.
Is Disney+ cheaper than Paramount+?
- Disney+'s ad-supported plan at $11.99/month costs more than Paramount+'s $8.99/month Standard tier, and Disney+'s ad-free Premium at $18.99/month is also pricier than Paramount+ Premium's $13.99/month. Disney+ is not the cheaper option, though it adds the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars catalog Paramount+ doesn't carry.