Acorn TV vs AMC+: Are You Paying for the Same Thing Twice
By The Spool Editors · Published September 17, 2026 · Updated October 7, 2026
Here is the fact that resolves most of this comparison before it starts: AMC+ contains Acorn TV. They are both AMC Networks products, and the cheaper of the two is the one that includes the other. If you currently pay for Acorn TV on its own, this page is worth three minutes of your time.
At a Glance
| Acorn TV | AMC+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price with ads | No ads at any tier | $6.99/mo |
| Price ad-free | $8.99/mo | $9.99/mo |
| Annual price | $89.99/yr | $95.88/yr |
| Acorn TV library included | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shudder included | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sundance Now included | ✗ | ✓ |
| AMC originals | ✗ | ✓ |
| British and Australian drama | ✓ | ✓ |
| Included in another service | In AMC+ | In Philo Bundle+ |
| Free trial | 7 days | 7 days |
Which One Is Right for You
The Plans That Actually Compete
Acorn TV sells one library monthly or annually. AMC+ sells the same library plus several others, with and without ads. Here is each plan.
Acorn TV
AMC+
Price Breakdown & Hike History
Acorn TV went from $7.99 to $8.99 a month in May 2026, with the annual plan at $89.99. AMC+ is $6.99 with ads, $9.99 ad-free, and $95.88 a year ad-free, which works out at $7.99 a month. The headline number to sit with: the cheapest AMC+ tier costs less than Acorn TV and contains it.
Acorn TV: Acorn TV moved from $7.99 to $8.99 a month in May 2026, with the annual plan at $89.99.
AMC+: AMC+ holds at $6.99 with ads and $9.99 ad-free, and is bundled free into Philo's $33 Bundle+ plan.
What You Actually Get
Acorn TV carries British, Australian, Canadian and European mysteries and drama, ad-free on every plan. AMC+ carries that same Acorn library plus Shudder's horror catalogue, Sundance Now, IFC Films Unlimited and AMC's own originals, including The Walking Dead universe and Anne Rice adaptations.
You May Already Have AMC+
AMC+ is bundled into Philo's Bundle+ plan at $33 a month, alongside HBO Max and discovery+. It is also sold through Prime Video Channels, Apple TV and Roku, and it turns up in carrier and pay-TV packages. Check what you already subscribe to before adding another bill, because AMC+ is one of the most widely bundled services in American streaming.
The Features That Decide It
| Feature | Acorn TV | AMC+ |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $8.99/mo | $6.99/mo |
| Free trial | 7 days | 7 days |
| Cloud DVR | None, on-demand only | None, on-demand only |
| Simultaneous streams | Not published | Not published |
| Accounts / profiles | Single login with profiles | Single login with profiles |
| 4K | Select titles | Select titles |
Add-Ons & Hidden Costs
Acorn TV add-ons: Sold through Prime Video Channels, Apple TV and Roku. Acorn TV is itself sold as an add-on channel inside Prime Video, Apple TV and Roku.
AMC+ add-ons: Sold through Prime Video Channels, Apple TV, Roku and inside Philo Bundle+. AMC+ arrives free inside Philo Bundle+, which is worth pricing if you also want live channels.
How to Try Each One Free
Both run 7-day free trials. The useful test is to start the AMC+ trial first, since it includes the Acorn catalogue, and see whether the ads on the $6.99 tier bother you. If they do not, the decision is made.
The Cheapest Way to Get What You Want
AMC+ with ads at $6.99 a month is the cheapest way to watch the Acorn TV catalogue, cheaper than Acorn itself. If you want it ad-free and only care about the mysteries, Acorn annual at $89.99 is a dollar-a-year cheaper than ad-free AMC+ annual, but you give up three other libraries to save it.
What Changed Recently
- May 2026: Acorn TV raised its monthly price by a dollar, to $8.99. The annual plan is $89.99.
- September 2025: AMC+ was folded into Philo's top tier, so Philo subscribers get it at no extra cost.
Acorn TV vs AMC+ FAQ
- Is Acorn TV included in AMC+?
- Yes. AMC+ is a bundle that includes the full Acorn TV library alongside Shudder, Sundance Now, IFC Films Unlimited and AMC's own originals. In some regions outside the US the bundling differs.
- Am I paying twice if I have both?
- In the US, effectively yes. AMC+ already carries everything on Acorn TV, so a separate Acorn subscription duplicates content you can already watch.
- Which is cheaper?
- AMC+ with ads at $6.99 a month is cheaper than Acorn TV at $8.99. Ad-free AMC+ is $9.99, a dollar more than Acorn, and still includes far more.
- Can I get AMC+ without paying for it separately?
- Often, yes. AMC+ is included in Philo's $33 Bundle+ plan and appears in various pay-TV and carrier packages, so check what you already have before subscribing directly.
Acorn TV vs AMC+: The Verdict
AMC+ with ads is $6.99 and includes the entire Acorn TV library, which costs $8.99 on its own. Unless advertising genuinely ruins it for you, paying for Acorn separately is spending more to get less. Ad-free the gap narrows to a dollar, $9.99 for AMC+ against $8.99 for Acorn, and AMC+ still adds Shudder, Sundance Now and the AMC originals on top. The one honest case for standalone Acorn is that you want mysteries and nothing else, and you value a clean app over a bigger catalogue. And before you buy either, check whether you already have AMC+ inside Philo Bundle+.
Last updated: October 7, 2026