Once upon a time, streaming was regarded as a budget-friendly substitute for cable. Now, based on your subscriptions, “inexpensive” may not be the appropriate term. In 2026, various apps have elevated their prices, making it challenging to monitor. Here’s a summary of prominent streaming services that have raised their fees this year.
Prime Video: In March, Amazon modified its pricing for Prime Video, eliminating lower-cost options and positioning essential features within its premium tier. The basic Amazon Prime continues at $14.99 monthly or $139 annually, but now exclusively provides 1080p streams. Gaining access to 4K content necessitates an additional $4.99/month for the “Ultra” tier, which also eliminates ads and permits more simultaneous streams and downloads. Is it worth the 33% increase?
Paramount Plus: In January, Paramount Plus boosted prices for both tiers by $1 per month. The ad-supported Essential tier now costs $9 monthly or $90 annually, while the ad-free Premium tier is priced at $14 monthly or $140 annually.
Crunchyroll: Anime enthusiasts also encountered price hikes. In February, Crunchyroll upped its prices. The Fan tier increased from $7.99 to $9.99 per month, the Mega Fan tier from $11.99 to $13.99, and the Ultimate Fan tier from $15.99 to $17.99. This marked the first considerable price increase in years, but it came with benefits like offline downloads. The free, ad-supported tier was eliminated, making payment essential to view anime.
Spotify: In February, Spotify raised its Premium plan from $11.99 to $12.99 per month. The Student plan saw an increase from $5.99 to $6.99. Duo and Family plans experienced $2 increments, with Duo rising from $16.99 to $18.99 and Family from $19.99 to $21.99.
Sling TV: Sling TV, designed to take the place of cable, also saw a price increase earlier this year. Rates rose by $4 per month for many users, though there are too many tiers to enumerate here.
YouTube Premium: YouTube Premium, a wise investment if you dislike ads, underwent a $2 monthly price hike, increasing from $13.99 to $15.99 in April. Regrettably, no added benefits accompanied this rise.