Crave users can enjoy their memberships with its defining key features, which include an original and on-demand catalog, international and local entertainment, simultaneous streaming, high-quality video resolutions, and a smooth, user-friendly interface. In this detailed review of Crave, we will take you on a rundown of everything you need to know about the platform, and what makes it one of the best streaming services for Canadians.

Since its launch in 2014, Crave has gained 3 million subscribers across Canada. Now, it has become a leading player in the country’s streaming market with its extensive library that caters to users’ wide array of interests and preferences. From popular blockbuster hits, side-splitting sitcoms, thought-provoking documentaries, and foreign films down to on-demand programming, the Canada-exclusive platform has you covered to satisfy your cravings for endless entertainment. 

Streaming giants like HBO Max, Hulu, and Peacock TV, are still geo-restricted for access in Canada, giving local viewers limited choices for high-quality entertainment content. But since Crave’s launch, Canadians can now tune in to thousands of shows and movies, as networks like HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central, Super Ecran, and Starz have partnered with Crave to bring their respective content to its platform. Through this deal, viewers from Canada are able to keep up with the latest and widely popular shows from these networks, such as Showtime’s “Yellowjackets” and “Billions,” as well as HBO’s “The Last of Us” and “Game of Thrones.”

What Is Crave?

Crave Review

• Crave is quite expensive with an ad-free plan at CAD$19.99 per month 
• Thousands of hours of movies and series 
• The service works with most smart devices. 
• Offers live TV programming
• Special content from HBO, Showtime, Super Ecran, Comedy Central, STARZ

Product Specs

• Vast library of local and international TV series, movies, documentaries, and original programming
• Compatible with various devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and media players
• Download feature for offline streaming
• Versatile subscription plans for different devices
• Add-on subscription for Starz content

Why Should You Get a Crave Subscription

With its exclusivity, premium original shows, and content from renowned networks, matched with a user-friendly interface, a subscription to Crave will surely give you the best of both worlds. Stick around to see what makes a Crave membership worthwhile. 

Extensive catalog

One of the most defining attributes of Crave is its library, which includes shows and movies from reputable networks like HBO, Starz, Showtime, Comedy Central, and Super Ecran. Through its collaboration with the aforementioned studios, Crave gives its users upscale access to some of the most critically acclaimed and highly popular shows of all time. Apart from that, it also has locally produced shows that showcase the country’s entertainment industry. Lastly, you can also enjoy Crave’s collection of French-language content, which caters specifically to Canada’s French-speaking population.

On-demand library

Crave does not just offer streaming content; it also has Crave TV, an on-demand library, where users can simply log in to their Crave accounts to watch live TV programming from HBO, Super Ecran, and other channels. Crave also provides a schedule of its live channel’s upcoming shows.

User-Friendly interface

Crave has a user-friendly interface that is seamless and easy to navigate. All content is properly sorted either by genre, popularity, or recently added, which users can easily sift through. Crave originals and programming from other networks are separated as well, which eliminates the hassle of identifying which shows belong to Crave or HBO. 

Crave also has an excellent algorithm that tracks your streaming activities to enhance and create better recommendations that will accurately suit your preferences.

Offline streaming

Crave members who are always on the go or are frequently traveling can still enjoy the platform’s content with its download feature. This key option lets you download shows to your device and stream your favorite shows without an internet connection.

Device compatibility

You can stream Crave’s content on various devices, such as smartphones, smart TVs, laptops, tablets, PCs, game consoles, and media players like Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Firestick, and Bell Streamer. You can also watch on Crave directly through your web browsers without the hassle of installing the app.

Simultaneous streaming

Crave’s Premium and Standard membership supports up to four simultaneous streams, while the Basic plan only allows one device. This feature is perfect for those who share their accounts with families and friends and lets you stream shows on Crave on different devices at the same time.

Streaming resolution

Your Crave subscription also offers various video resolutions, from 720p for Basic and Standard plans and up to 4K for the Premium plan. Do note that your video quality will still depend on your Internet connectivity.

Parental control and kids collection

Crave gives parents the option to prevent younger audiences from accessing content with mature themes. Parents can set up a PIN that will require users to enter a password when accessing an explicitly rated show. The streaming service also has a special section for kids with age-appropriate content. Some of the educational and entertaining shows youngsters can enjoy on Crave are “Sesame Street,” “Despicable Me,” and “Powerpuff Girls.”

Pros 

• Comprehensive Canadian content
• Original programming from HBO, Showtime, Starz
• Compatible with many devices
• Offline streaming
• Parental control
• Live TV

Cons

• Expensive subscription plans
• Regional restrictions
• Add-on subscriptions 

So, Should You Get A Crave Subscription?

Crave is a must-have platform for Canadians seeking entertainment from geo-restricted platforms like Max and Showtime. Crave gives locals convenient access to these reputable networks without the hassle of using a VPN. The platform is also perfect for those in Canada who enjoy both local and international titles. Though Crave can be quite expensive, the accessibility and extensive library it offers make up for its price. Nonetheless, users can always opt for cheaper ad-supported plans if they prefer to enjoy Crave at a lower cost.

Crave Cheat Sheet

Price

Crave starts with an ad-supported plan at CAD$9.99/month and an ad-free plan at CAD$19.99/month

Price Increase

There has been no increase recently, though Crave added a CAD$14.99 ad-supported plan to its membership tiers

Best deals

Premium ad-free for CAD$19.99 monthly

Supported devices

Crave is compatible with any device that can connect to the Internet

What’s popular

“Harry Potter” movies,  “Succession,” “Yellowjackets,” “Barry,” “The Righteous Gemstones,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” “Billionaire Murders,” “Little Bird,” “Sisters,” “Letterkenny”

Coming soon

“Infinity Pool,” “Tar,” “Our Flag Means Death,” “Shoresy” “John Wick Chapter 4,” “Starstruck,” 

How Much Is Crave?

Staying updated on Crave’s membership plans can be tricky, as it frequently changes its rates and subscription tiers. Keep reading to know how much is Crave in Canada.

Crave Plans and Pricing

Crave’s latest plan update offers three membership tiers: Basic with ads, Standard with ads, and Premium ad-free.

Plan	Monthly	Annual	Video resolution	Simultaneous streams
Basic with ads	CAD$9.99	CAD$99.90	720p	1 device
Standard with ads	CAD$14.99	CAD$149.90	4K	4 devices
Premium ad-free	CAD$19.99	CAD$199.99	4K	4 devices

Crave also offers a STARZ add-on, which features a massive collection of classic movies and other original STARZ content. The Crave STARZ add-on costs an additional CAD$5.99 per month.

Does Crave Have a Free Trial?

Yes, Crave offers a 7-day free trial that enables new users to navigate the platform’s features and content before they commit to a paid subscription. 

Does Crave Have an Ad-Supported Plan?

Yes, Crave recently introduced ad-supported plans that allow users to access the platform and its content for a cheaper cost.

Are There Crave Gift Cards? 

Yes, new and existing subscribers are entitled to redeem Crave gift cards. Its price ranges from CAD$25 to CAD$100. Simply visit the Crave website to redeem your gift card.

How Do I Sign Up for Crave?

There are various ways to create a Crave account, either via web browsers or directly through the mobile app. Simply follow the steps below to sign up for Crave.

On web browsers:

1. Visit the Crave website crave.ca
2. Click “Subscribe Now.”
3. Enter your email address and phone number.
4. Choose a subscription plan: Basic with ads, Standard with ads, Premium ad-free
5. Choose a payment method and confirm your subscription.
6. Start streaming.

On the app:

1. Install and open the Crave app on your phone.
2. Tap the “Subscribe Now” button
3. Tap on your chosen plan and click “Continue.” 
4. Enter your email address and password.
5. Enter your payment details and confirm your registration.

What Devices Does Crave Support?

Crave is compatible with almost any smart device that can connect to the Internet. Here are the different devices Crave supports.

Mobile Phone and Tablet

• Android tablets and smartphones 
• iPad, iPod and iPhone 
• Windows tablets and smartphones 

Computer

• PC
• Mac

Browsers

• Firefox 88+
• Chrome 68+
• Edge 16+
• Safari 10+
• Firefox 88+
• Chrome 68+

Set-top boxes

•  Amazon Fire TV
• Android TV
• Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD
• Bell Streamer
• Bell Fibe 
• Bell Fibe HD1, 2
• 4K boxes1, 2 (VIP5562 model)
• Chromecast
• Roku2

Smart TV

• Samsung SmartTV 
• Sony Android TV
• LG Smart TV (OLED, NanoCell and UHD – 2017 Models and above)
• RCA TV powered by webOS TV
• Roku Smart TVs – TCL, Sharp, RCA, Hisense, Sanyo, Westinghouse

Game Consoles

• PS4
• PS4 Slim
• PS4
• PS5

• Xbox One
• Xbox One S
• Xbox One X
• Xbox Series X

Is there a Watch Party Mode?

Unfortunately, Crave does not offer any watch party feature unlike Netflix or Disney Plus.

​​What Features and Formats Are Supported on Crave?

Each Crave plan offers varying features and benefits when it comes to downloads, simultaneous streams, video resolutions, and content accessibility. Read on to know what each plan entails to help you determine which one meets your needs the best.

Features Included In Ad-supported Plans

• The ad-supported plans are not compatible with Roku devices, Playstations 4 and 5, and AirPlays.
• Basic with ads only allows up to 720p streaming resolutions.
• Some titles may not be available with the ad-supported plans
• Basic and Standard plan users can add STARZ as an add-on purchase.
• Subscribers of the ad-supported plans can expect to see an average of five minutes of ads per hour during their streaming sessions.
• The Basic plan only allows one stream at a time, while the Standard allows up to four simultaneous streams.
• The Basic plan only has 720p video resolution.

Features Exclusive to Ad-Free Plans

• Compatible with all devices.
• Only Premium plan users can have access to Crave’s live TV programming.
• Premium users can also subscribe to add-ons.
• Allows up to 4K video resolution.
• Allows up to four simultaneous streams.

What Can I Watch In Crave?

Crave’s library caters to the diverse needs of Canadian viewers, ranging from international to local titles. From the most-buzzed series to blockbuster movies and French arthouse titles, Crave has plenty of entertainment for its millions of subscribers to indulge in. Check out some of the best movies and shows on Crave:

Best Shows

Crave is best known for its third-party content from other networks like HBO, Showtime, Super Ecran, and Comedy Central. Titles like “Game of Thrones,” “Succession,” “The White Lotus,” “The Last of Us,” “Chernobyl,” “The Righteous Gemstones,” “Yellowjackets,” “Dexter New Blood,” “The Chi,” “Billions,” “Sex and the City,” “The Idol,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Friends,” “Parks and Recreation,” “House of the Dragon,” “Euphoria,” “The Sopranos,” “Law & Order,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” “American Gigolo,” “Winning Time,” “The Office,” “Gossip Girl,” are some of the best shows on Crave.

While the platform focuses on bringing shows from prestigious networks, it still offers a growing selection of noteworthy Crave originals, like “Letterkenny,” “Shoresy,” “Sisters,” “Little Bird,” “Canada’s Drag Race,” “Billionaire Murders,” and “Thunder Bay.”

The platform means to appeals to all Canadian audiences, including its French-speaking regions, as seen with its collection of local productions from Quebec. “Viking,” “Arlette,” “Norbourg,” “Confessions,” “CODA,” and “Arsenault and Fils,” are a few of the best French originals on Crave. 

Best Movies

Crave boasts a wide array of movies of every genre, from romance, comedy, action, fantasy, horror, and more. Whether you’re seeking the classics or the latest theatrical releases, Crave’s movie library ensures there’s something for you to enjoy.

Some of the classic movies you can watch on Crave include “Eyes Wide Shut,” “American Psycho,” “A Clockwork Orange,” “Heat,” “Scarface,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Apocalypse Now,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Fight Club,” “Legally Blonde,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “Moulin Rouge,” “Beetlejuice,” “Goodfellas,” “The Shining,” “Dog Day Afternoon,” and more.

Crave also has a complete collection of popular movie franchises, like “Harry Potter,” “Lord of the Rings,” “The Dark Knight,” “John Wick,” “The Flash,” “Ghostbusters,” “The Hobbit,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them,” “Fast and Furious,” “Twilight,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and “Jumanji.” 

There’s also something for viewers who are seeking some of the cinematic masterpieces of the recent years. “Aftersun,” “Don’t Worry Darling,” “The Fabelmans,” “Tár,” “Elvis,” “La La Land,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “The Pope’s Exorcist,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Lady Bird,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Infinity Pool,” “Nope,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” “Minari,” and “Her,” are just some of the best movies on Crave that you can indulge in.

Best Documentaries

Crave has a growing collection of original documentaries that cover various subjects like true crime and history. Some of the best documentaries on Crave include “Billionaire Murders,” “Naked Sex and Gender,” “Don’t Rest in Peace,” “Master Liar,” Black Ice,” and “Cocaine Prison and Likes.”

It has entertaining and informative documentaries from HBO as well, including titles like “Telemarketers,” “Downey’s Dream Cars,” “How To with John Wilson,” “After the Bite,” “Woodstock 99,” “100 Foot Wave,” “Tiger,” and “Mind over Murder.”

Aside from HBO, Crave also houses several documentaries from Showtime like “Couples Therapy,” “The Lincoln Project,” “McEnroe,” and “Supreme Team.”

Does It Offer Anything Else?

Apart from its extensive collection of series and movies, the platform also offers Crave TV, an on-demand library that allows users to tune into the live television broadcast of their favorite shows from Crave, HBO, STARZ, Super Ecran, Comedy Central, and more.

What’s New On Crave

Crave’s new releases include the final seasons of “The Big Bang Theory” and Showtime’s “Billions” as well as the second seasons of Max’’s “Winning Time” and “And Just Like That.” New movies on Crave include some of 2022’s critically acclaimed films, like “Aftersun” and “The Fabelmans.” Meanwhile, you can also look forward to the new seasons of HBO’s “Our Flag Means Death” and the Crave original “Shoresy.” 

Who should sign up for Crave?

Crave is the perfect platform for Canadians who want to explore other types of entertainment from different international networks besides local programming. The French-speaking residents of Quebec can also enjoy Crave and its special collection of francophone content.

How to Cancel Crave

You can cancel your Crave membership through any web browser. Do take note that canceling your standalone subscription automatically cancels your add-ons, if you have any. On the other hand, canceling your add-ons will not cancel your standalone subscription. You can still use your account until the end of your billing date after you cancel. Simply follow the steps below to learn how to properly cancel your subscription and add-ons.

Cancel Subscription

1. Visit the Crave website https://www.crave.ca/en.
2. Log in to your account.
3. On the top right corner of the home page, click the user icon and click “Manage Account.”
4. Click on “Subscriptions”
5. In the top right corner of your activate subscriptions page, click on “Cancel Subscription.”
6. Confirm your cancellation.

Cancel An Add-on

1. Visit the Crave website https://www.crave.ca/en.
2. Log in to your account.
3. On the top right corner of the home page, click the user icon and click “Manage Account.”
4. Click on “Subscriptions”
5. Under each Add-on, click on “Cancel Add-On.”
6. Confirm your cancellation.

How does Crave compare to other streaming services?

Crave’s distinctive feature is its wide range of curated locally produced shows and high-quality programs sourced from other reputable networks. See how Crave compares to other streaming services.

Netflix

The leading streaming giant has the most popular original content, is spending a ton of resources on developing exclusive content, and has some of the best shows and movies out right now. Its interface is also considered one of the best across all platforms. They offer three plans in Canada: Basic with ads, Standard, and Premium. The main difference between the plans is the number of devices that can be streaming Netflix content at the same time.

Disney Plus

Like Crave, Disney Plus also has premium partnerships with other studios like Marvel, Pixar, and National Geographic. If you’re a big fan of Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Disney Plus is the platform to go to. Disney Plus will also combine its content with Hulu, so its library is about to get even bigger. Its membership plans are way cheaper than Crave’s, too. However, it is also more expensive than Crave, with a monthly plan priced at CAD$11.99. 

Amazon Prime Video

A Prime Video subscription gives users access to its other services outside streaming, such as free shipping on Amazon purchases, Prime Music, and Prime Reading. It also has an on-demand feature where you can rent and purchase thousands of movies and shows. It has a good offering of top-quality series and movies with original and licensed content. Prime Video offers you the service for CAD$9.99 per month, or pay upfront for a year at CAD$99.99. Also included in the plan are various Amazon perks. It offers video-on-demand services for thousands of movies and films as well.

Paramount Plus

Despite having a massive library of content, Paramount Plus still has one of the most affordable membership plans among its competitors. With a Paramount Plus subscription, you will get to access 30,000 original titles, blockbuster movies, on-demand programming, and live event streaming, which is undoubtedly worth your money. The streaming service also offers occasional discounts to users who subscribe to its annual plans.

Hulu 

A minor setback for Hulu is that it is not available in Canada, and you will need a VPN service to access the platform. It also offers Disney Plus and ESPN Plus bundles to its subscribers. Hulu’s catalog includes original shows like “The Great,” “Abbott Elementary,” and “The Bear.” Meanwhile, Hulu’s library is about to get bigger as the platform is set to merge into one app with Disney Plus later this year.

Max

Max is only available in the United States and select European countries. You will need a VPN service if you want to access its platform. However, its catalog is one of the most impressive, housing some of the best and top-rated titles of all time like “The Sopranos,” “The Last of Us,” and “Succession.” Unlike other streaming services, Max relies on past content to attract future subscribers. Warner Bros has no plans yet on releasing Max in Canada, but a VPN can solve your issue.

Peacock TV

Peacock TV is a video streaming service based in the United States, owned and operated by NBC Universal, offering popular shows like 30 Rock and having exclusive access to sports coverage like Premier League soccer matches. Sadly, for now, the service is only available in the US, but users outside of the US can still use a VPN.

Apple TV Plus

Apple TV Plus prioritizes the quality of its content, as seen in its widely acclaimed shows like “Ted Lasso” and “Severance.” Its plans are twice as much more affordable than Netflix’s and also offer Dolby features. However, Apple TV Plus does not offer third-party content and is compatible mostly with Apple devices. 

YouTube TV

YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service owned by Google that offers a good selection of local and international channels depending on your location. Unlike most other platforms, YouTube TV offers features such as the ability to record shows and watch them later. However, it is only available in the United States, though you can bypass this restriction by using some of the best VPN services.

Discovery Plus

Discovery Plus Canada is a great way to watch your favorite shows, movies, and documentaries, including channels like Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet, and many more. You can watch Discovery Plus in Canada by visiting their site and signing up for an account or by using a Canadian version of the app that was released in October. And if you want to watch the American version of Discovery Plus, you can use a VPN.   

Sling TV

Sling TV is a live streaming service that provides access to select channels for a monthly price fee. The service offers various packages such as ESPN, AMC, TNT, HGTV, HBO, and Cinemax. Sling TV can be watched outside of the US by using a VPN, which will allow you to stream Sling TV content without any restrictions. 

ESPN Plus

ESPN+ gives you access to world-class sporting events and live streams across a variety of sports. While the main ESPN channel has the best coverage for NHL, MLB, and NBA. Also, ESPN Plus excels in its coverage of niche sports such as MMA, Boxing, Lacrosse, Canadian Football, and many more. Sadly, ESPN+ is not currently available for Canadians.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crave

Is Crave with ads available on Roku?

No, Crave’s ad-supported plans are not compatible with Roku devices. It is also not supported on Airplays and Playstations 4 and 5.

Is Crave available in other countries?

No, Crave is exclusive to Canada. If you are outside the country, you can still access the platform via VPN.

Is the Crave Mobile plan still available?

Crave recently axed its mobile plan, so it is not available for purchase anymore. However, users who were previously subscribed to the mobile plan can still retain their subscriptions.

What happened to the Crave Total plan?

The Crave Total plan has been upgraded and renamed as Premium ad-free. It entails the same features and benefits and is even cheaper than the previous Crave Total plan.

Cravings Satisfied

Crave is a streaming service that puts forth the preferences and interests of Canadians but also brings high-caliber, internationally acclaimed shows that appeal to the general audience. By combining international and local content, Crave also ensures an immersive and satisfying streaming experience with its flexible subscription plans, free trial offers, smooth interface, and high-quality video resolutions.