How to get Paramount Plus for free

Paramount Plus widget
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Paramount Plus, the home of "Star Trek," the expanded "Yellowstone" universe, and everything Nickelodeon, is one of the least expensive streamers around, costing just $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year for the service’s "Essentials", or its ad-supported tier.

The streamer offers a variety of benefits, including access to many critically acclaimed movies and shows. Subscribers can also enjoy live sports coverage, including NFL games and UEFA Champions League, along with a broad selection of CBS content.

But even though this platform has a pretty low cost of entry when compared with other streamers, if you’re looking to add Paramount Plus to your streaming lineup for the low cost of nothing at all, there are several ways to do just that.

Does Paramount Plus have a free trial?

Paramount Plus does currently have a free trial, and you can sign up for one before you commit to one of the service's streaming plans. However, you'll have to choose which plan you want to use before you'll be granted your free week.

Learn more at Paramount Plus

Walmart Plus subscribers get Paramount Plus for free

If you get free grocery delivery through Walmart Plus, one of the perks of your membership is an included Paramount Plus Essentials subscription. Walmart Plus currently costs $12.95 a month (or $98 for the annual plan) after a 30-day free trial.

However, the retail giant often offers deep discounts on subscriptions through its official app, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled if you are considering subscribing to this service so you can save even more money.

Learn more at Walmart

Showtime channel subscribers get access to ad-free Paramount Plus free

If you subscribe to the Showtime premium channels (which recently, and a little bit confusingly, rebranded as Paramount Plus with Showtime) through Spectrum, Direct TV or Hulu with Live TV, you can get access to the premium, no-ads version of Paramount Plus With Showtime (the digital service which includes live access to local CBS stations as well) for free.

Simply log in with your TV provider credentials to verify your subscription at the official Paramount Plus website and you’ll be able to enjoy all the extras that come with the app for free.

Learn more at Paramount Plus

Charter Spectrum customers get free Paramount Plus Essentials for free

As of August, customers with Charter Spectrum's Spectrum TV Select and Mi Plan Latino packages can access the ad-supported version of the streaming service, Paramount+ Essential, for free.

Subscribers need to head over to the Spectrum website to manage their accounts and activate their free subscription, which is available as long as the eligible Spectrum cable service package is active.

Learn more at Charter Spectrum

Paramount Plus free episode library

Looking for a taste of what Paramount Plus (and Showtime) has to offer before committing to a free trial? Paramount Plus has a small free content library that includes episodes of acclaimed series like "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," "Billions," "1883" and more. You can access this content at the official Paramount Plus Watch Free site, which is available any time, no login necessary.

Learn more at Paramount Plus

More from Tom's Guide

Amanda Kondolojy
Writer

Amanda Kondolojy is an entertainment journalist based in Florida with over 15 years of experience covering film, TV, theme parks and more. When not in front of a screen you can find her reading something at the beach (usually by Neil Gaiman, Grady Hendrix or Brandon Sanderson) or dancing around the kitchen to her favorite showtunes. 

With contributions from

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Netflix logo on a TV screen next to a vase of flowers
How to get Netflix for free — here are 3 ways
Paramount Plus widget
Paramount Plus Coupon Codes for March 2025
The Peacock app
How to get Peacock for free
The Prime Video logo is on a TV next to an Amazon smart speaker and a plant
How to get Prime Video for free
The Apple logo in white glows behind a phone with the Apple TV+ logo on it
How to get Apple TV Plus for free
(L to R) The Hulu, Disney Plus logos
How to get Disney Plus and Hulu for free
Latest in Paramount Plus
Igor
The Roku Channel is streaming one of my favorite kids' movies for free
Fletcher Loyer (cropped out of the shot) fouls Zakai Zeigler while battling for control of a loose ball during the Elite Eight round of the 2024 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in March 2024
How to watch March Madness tournament on Paramount Plus
Eddie Horniman (Theo James) sits in a red armchair, with a glass of red wine in hand in Netflix's "The Gentlemen"
Love 'The Gentlemen'? Guy Ritchie's next crime drama is streaming soon — but not on Netflix
Paramount Plus on a TV screen with a bowl of popcorn
New on Paramount Plus in March 2025 — all the movies and shows to watch
Host Jeff Probst greets the latest castaways in "Survivor" season 48
How to watch ‘Survivor' season 48 – stream latest episodes of castaway competition
The 2025 contestants wait on the start line as host Phil Keoghan prepares to start "The Amazing Race" season 37
How to watch ‘The Amazing Race' season 37 online – stream return of epic reality competition
Latest in News
The Signal app logo displayed on an iPhone, with a screenshot of the Signal app in use displayed on a monitor in the background.
Signal — everything you need to know about the app at the center of the group chat scandal
Robert Downey Jr. revealed as Doctor Doom for "Avengers: Doomsday"
Marvel reveals 'Avengers: Doomsday' casting — follow the latest updates live
Wyze Cam v3
Wyze adds AI-powered filter to its security cameras to cut down on notifications that are “no big deal”
Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) as Invincible in his blue suit during a scene from "Invincible" season 3 on Prime Video.
'Invincible' season 4 release window just announced — here's when it's coming
Microsoft Copilot app running on a phone with Microsoft logo in background
Microsoft 365 Copilot debuts new research tools for work: here's what that means
COLUMBUS, OHIO - JANUARY 26: Amber Glenn skates in the Women's Free Skate during the U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Nationwide Arena on January 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Watch World Figure Skating Championships 2025 online – live stream, schedule, what TV channel is it on?