# Paramount+ vs STARZ

The clearest difference is monetization model: Paramount+ at freemium against STARZ's subscription. Paramount+ also leads on review sentiment (33% vs 10%) and chart position (#2 vs #14). STARZ's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Paramount+ sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and STARZ sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

STARZ holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 921K and 332K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of Paramount+'s written reviews are positive against 10% of STARZ's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Paramount+ ships an update fortnightly, STARZ every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Paramount+ | STARZ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (921K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paramount-plus/id530168168/reviews) | **[4.8 (332K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starz/id550221096/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **921K** | 332K |
| Positive reviews | **33.0% of reviews** | 9.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Freemium** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#2** | #14 |
| Size | 200 MB | 57 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [CBS Interactive](https://appshunter.io/developer/295669712) | [Starz Entertainment, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/550221102) |

## What reviewers say

### Paramount+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paramount-plus/id530168168)

**Currently charting:** #2 Top Grossing · Entertainment, #4 Top Grossing, #16 Top Free · Entertainment, #111 Top Free (US App Store)

Stream exclusive originals, blockbuster movies, and live sports. Enjoy content from CBS, Nickelodeon, and more. Premium plans offer ad-free viewing and live local CBS station access.

**Highlights:** Exclusive originals, Blockbuster movies, Live sports (NFL, UFC, Champions League), Content from CBS, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, On-demand full episodes, Multiple user profiles, Kids Mode

**Features:** SharePlay

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Paramount+ Essential | $5.99 | per month |
| Paramount+ Essential: Monthly | $8.99 | per month |
| Paramount+ Essential | $8.99 | per month |
| Paramount+ Limited Commercials | $9.99 | per month |
| Paramount+ Premium/Showtime | $12.99 | per month |
| Paramount+ Premium | $13.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast app performance
- 💡 Great content selection
- 👍 Smooth streaming experience
- 🤩 Awesome shows like Star Trek

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes
- 🔍 Difficult navigation and UI
- 💸 Too many ads even in paid plans
- 🤯 Unreliable downloads and offline viewing

**Reported bugs**

- Audio/video sync issues
- Disappearing downloaded content
- Inconsistent playback controls
- Streaming errors and black screens

**Requested features**

- Add a watchlist or favorites feature
- Improve episode resume functionality
- Allow skipping of ads
- Provide more customization options


### STARZ

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starz/id550221096)

**Currently charting:** #14 Top Grossing · Entertainment, #55 Top Free · Entertainment, #95 Top Grossing (US App Store)

Access a library of bold original series and hit movies with this streaming service. Enjoy ad-free and offline viewing on multiple devices. Explore boundary-breaking content for adult audiences.

**Highlights:** Ad-free streaming, Offline viewing, Watch on multiple devices, Groundbreaking original series, Blockbuster hit movies

**Features:** Family Sharing, SharePlay

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| STARZ® App Monthly | $11.99 | per month |
| STARZ® Monthly | $11.99 | per month |
| STARZ® Monthly (T-Mobile) | $11.99 | per month |
| STARZ® App Monthly | $11.99 | per month |
| STARZ® Three Month | $25.99 | per 3 months |
| STARZ® Six Month | $45.99 | per 6 months |
| STARZ® Six Month (T-Mobile) | $45.99 | per 6 months |
| STARZ® Annual | $69.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Great content and selection
- 👍 User-friendly app interface
- 🚀 Reliable video streaming
- 💎 Excellent adaptation of book series

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
- 🔀 Inconsistent resume functionality
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find content
- ⏱️ Slow app performance
- 💸 Subscription issues and billing problems

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to enter parental control PIN
- Downloaded content randomly deleted
- Incorrect movie/show playback
- Login issues with TV provider accounts

**Requested features**

- Add option to turn off autoplay
- Improve syncing across devices
- Provide more detailed episode information
- Implement better parental controls


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Paramount+ free?

Paramount+ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is STARZ free?

STARZ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Paramount+ or STARZ?

STARZ is rated higher. Paramount+ averages 4.6 out of 5 from 921K ratings, while STARZ averages 4.8 from 332K ratings.

### Do Paramount+ or STARZ have ads?

Both Paramount+ and STARZ show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Paramount+ or STARZ?

Paramount+ ships an update fortnightly, and STARZ every 3 weeks. Most recently, Paramount+ was updated on September 25, 2026 and STARZ on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Paramount+ or STARZ?

Paramount+ currently peaks at #2 in the App Store charts, and STARZ at #14. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*