Launched in 2014, Crave TV has become one of Canada’s best on-demand streaming services. Crave has garnered more than 3 million subscribers thanks to its wide array of content. It is home to megahit shows, sensational sitcoms, captivating documentaries, and more.
Currently, streaming giants like Hulu, ESPN+, and HBO Max are geo-limited in Canada except when using a reliable VPN. Still, Canadians can access hundreds of shows because Crave has partnered with Starz, Showtime, Super Ecran, HBO, and more.
This Crave review explores what you need to know about Crave’s streaming services, top shows to watch, available pricing plans, and how it compares to its biggest competition, such as Netflix and Disney+.
Key Takeaways
- Crave TV is an exclusive Canadian streaming service that offers domestic content and access to premium channels like Starz, HBO, and Showtime.
- Catch popular blockbusters such as Billions, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Last of Us, Big Little Lies, or True Detective on Crave.
- It has several pricing plans, and its Basic Plan caters to individual users who mainly watch their shows on their phones or laptops.
What is Crave TV
Crave is a subscription streaming service that focuses on TV shows. It offers a solid catalogue that includes HBO classics and Showtime hits.
This platform is exclusively Canadian, and they’ve also invested in Canadian original programming, hoping to compete with established giants like Netflix. Some captivating Crave originals include Shoresy, Pillow Talk, Letterkenny, Canada’s Drag Race, and more.
The service has several subscription tiers. Cheaper ones where you can get Crave as a standalone or the more expensive plan with add-ons such as Starz. Since 2021, they also have affordable plans for subscribers who mainly watch their content from phones or laptops.
Best Crave TV Shows and Movies
Whether you love comedies, horror, action, or sci-fi movies, Crave has it all. When it was launched, Crave had over 10,000 hours of programming.
In the last decade, their library has grown to satisfy every subscriber’s taste.
You can watch HBO classics on Crave, including The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Big Little Lies, True Detective, The Outsider, or the iconic Game of Thrones. Besides classics, new HBO hits such as Prodigal Son, Telemarketers, Interview with the Vampire, Succession, or Adventure Time: Fiona and Cake exist.
On Starz, you can also catch past and present hits such as Black Sails, Outlander, Ash vs Evil Dead, Power, BMF, Vida, Spartacus, and more.
Additionally, Crave offers TV shows from Showtime such as Billions, Yellowjackets, Dexter, Your Honor, and Couples Therapy, among many more. Besides Showtime shows, you can also watch The Good Doctor, Castle Rock, The Rookie, The Big Bang Theory, The Handmaid’s Tale, and many more titles.
Add shows from Super Ecran and Crave’s original shows mentioned above, and you’ve got a long list of titles across several genres for all ages.
How Much is Crave in Canada?
Crave’s latest pricing plan comes in three tiers: The Basic plan with ads, the Standard with ads, and the Premium ad-free plan.
| Plan | Monthly | Yearly | Resolution | Simultaneous streams |
| Basic Plan with ads | CAD$9.99 | CAD$99.90 | 720p | 1 device |
| Standard with ads | CAD$14.99 | CAD$149.90 | 4K | 4 devices |
| Premium Plan (ad-free) | CAD$19.99 | CAD$199.99 | 4K | 4 devices |
Crave is more expensive than many other streaming services in Canada. You’ll also pay an extra $5.99 if you want Starz as an add-on. However, it’s worth it if you are a fan of megahits.
Their Mobile Basic Plan mainly targets solo subscribers who watch everything on their phones, tablets, or laptops. It offers quality streaming with ads, but there are no offline downloads, and you’re limited to one device.
In contrast, the Premium Plan has no ads, allows offline downloads, offers a top streaming experience, and allows four simultaneous users. Crave is also compatible with almost every smart device that can access the internet, from smartphones to consoles.
Remember, prices may vary if you pick Crave as an add-on on another platform.
How to Get a Crave Free Trial in Canada
Unfortunately, the 7-day free trial before committing to a paid subscription is no longer available.
To register for a paid account, you can sign up using the Crave app or any browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari).
If you’re using a web browser:
- Go to the Crave website Crave.ca
- Click “Subscribe Now.”
- Enter your email and phone number.
- Find the best subscription plan: Mobile with ads, Standard with ads, Total ad-free
- Choose a payment method and confirm your subscription.
- Start streaming
If you want to use the Crave app:
- Install the Crave app
- Tap “Subscribe Now”
- Find the best plan and click “Continue.”
- Enter your email and password.
- Enter your payment details and confirm your registration.
Crave’s subscription is not contractual, and you can end it anytime. But if you don’t like Crave, unsubscribe within the 7-day trial period; otherwise, you will incur subscription charges afterward.
Benefits of Crave TV
One of the things we like most about Crave is their fantastic collection of Blockbuster hits from The Big Bang Theory to Game of Thrones.
Whichever genre you are into, you will get all kinds of shows that are added straight after they’ve hit the theatres. Crave seems to get these movies before the likes of Netflix.
Additionally, you have access to HBO, Starz, Showtime, or Super Ecran hits.
Also, whether you’re a French-speaking person or just looking to brush up on your French, you can watch many shows on Crave in French. Plus, you can opt for the cheaper version with exclusive Canadian content.
Lastly, you get a 7-day free trial to see if you like Crave. You also get an extra two months for free, among other deals, if you pay their annual subscription plan.
Downsides of Crave TV
As mentioned, Crave is one of Canada’s most expensive streaming services. But it’s worth it if you love megahits from HBO, Showtime, and Starz.
On Crave, you can only register a maximum of 5 people, and only 4 can watch simultaneously. This may not be enough if you are a big family.
Also, you have to unregister people to register new ones. And you can only register a maximum of 10 devices per month. If you want to register more than 10 people, you’ll have to wait for the next month.
Lastly, the Crave Mobile Plan only allows one device at a time, and you can’t use Roku, Airplay, PS4, and PS5. And some reviewers feel that Crave TV’s interface is not as intuitive as Netflix’s.
Crave TV Alternatives
Disney Plus
This platform, launched in Canada in 2019, has over 1600 titles available with popular shows from Star Wars, Pixar, and Marvel. It goes toe to toe with Crave and its extensive catalogue from HBO, Super Ecran, and Showtime.
Contrary to popular belief, Disney+ isn’t only for kids — there are many adult hits. But if you want the latest megahits, Crave TV is your go-to platform.
Disney+ pricing plans don’t differ much from Crave’s entry-level and premium plans. Disney’s Basic plan with ads goes for CAD$11.99 per month, while their Premium plan is $14.99.
Disney Plus
Access to over 1,600 movies and 28,000 drama, true crime, comedy, and more episodes.
$11.99 monthly or $119.99 yearly (2 months free with annual subscription).
New releases every week.
View on four screens or devices simultaneously.
Easily download movies and watch on the go.
Netflix
Netflix is among the leading streaming services in Canada. It was launched in 2010, and by 2022, Netflix Canada had over 18 million subscribers.
Canadians love this platform because it has plenty of hits and original Netflix shows, reasonable pricing, a user-friendly interface, family-friendly settings, and more. There is a significant difference between the Netflix US and the Canadian version. Still, it offers solid service.
Compared to Crave, Netflix’s plans range from CAD$5.99/month to CAD$20.99/month, and you can watch everything they offer. Crave plans may be more expensive (if you get add-ons), but they offer the latest blockbusters and a wider range of content from several other platforms.
Here are Netflix Canada’s plans and pricing.
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime may have launched its streaming services in 2005, but it only ventured into Canada in 2013.
Besides video streaming, Amazon Prime comes with a myriad of benefits to Amazon members, such as fast shipping, streaming services for music, Prime Reading, exclusive members-only deals, and more.
Amazon Prime membership is cheaper than Netflix and Crave with two plans: $9.99/month and $99/year. It’s also worth considering other perks that come with this membership.
You can catch popular shows and Amazon originals like The Boys, Reacher, The Wheel of Time, and more.
Hulu
Hulu is currently geo-restricted in Canada, but you can access it with a reliable VPN. It’s one of the best platforms for original programming.
This platform also has solid DVR capabilities and offers the ability to stream from almost every device.
You can catch programs such as Justified, The Other Black Guy, The Bear, and more.
Regarding pricing, Hulu is not very different from Crave. It offers its basic plan (with ads) at $7.99/month, and its plan without ads is set to increase to $17.99/month from October 2023.
Is Crave TV Worth It?
Crave TV is among the best streaming services. If you are a blockbuster enthusiast, this is your go-to service.
It may be expensive with its add-ons, but it offers other affordable plans with amazing content. However, you’ll have limited devices, and it isn’t ad-free.
Compared to Netflix, Crave also focuses on homegrown content and access to premium channels like HBO, Showtime, Starz, and Super Ecran.
FAQs about Crave
No, Crave does not come free with Amazon Prime. These are two different streaming services with their own pricing plans.
The Crave Basic Plan aimed at individual users costs CAD$9.99/month. On the other hand, its Premium Ad-free Plan goes for CAD$19.99/month.
Crave is regionally-locked, and you can only access it in Canada. However, you can watch Crave abroad using a reliable VPN.
No, Crave is not free on FireStick. Several apps and channels available on FireStick (including Crave) require a subscription fee. And if you’re not in Canada, you’ll still have to use a secure VPN to access Crave TV.
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