Crave Review: Features, Pros and Cons, Content

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 “Yellowjackets,” “The Office,” “Sex and the City,” and “The Last of Us.”

In this review of Crave, we will show you what makes it one of the best streaming services for Canadians.

Crave at a Glance

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.

Product Specs:

• A 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

The platform also lets new users enjoy a 7-day free trial that they can cancel at any time. The free trial period provides users with the opportunity to test out all of Crave’s features and content before they decide to commit to a paid subscription.

Why Should You Get a Crave Subscription

With its exclusivity, premium and original shows as well as 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 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 boasts 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, eliminating 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 that 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 memberships support up to four simultaneous streams. 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

The Crave Total subscriptions also offer different video resolutions, from 720p up to 1080p and 4K for selected devices. Do note that the video quality you would get would 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 would 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.”

Crave’s Streaming Library

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. Here are some of the best shows you can stream on the platform.

Crave originals

• Letterkenny
• Little Bird
• Shoresy
• Canada’s Drag Race
• Sisters

HBO Max shows

• Game of Thrones
• Succession
• The Idol
• The White Lotus
• Euphoria

Blockbuster films

• Nope
• The Hunger Games
• John Wick
• Shazam! Fury of the Gods
• Harry Potter

Reality shows

• RuPaul’s Drag Race
• The Voice
• Master Chef Canada
• Love Island USA
• Project Runway

Documentaries

• The Princess
• Epstein’s Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell
• Julia
• Controlling Britney Spears
• I Am Jackie O

French originals

• Mommy
• Viking
• Disobey
• Confessions
• Chouchou

How To Sign Up for Crave’s Free Trial in Canada?

There are two ways to avail yourself of Crave’s 7-day free trial: through web browsers and the mobile app. Read on to learn how you can sign up for the free trial.

On the Website:

1. Visit the Crave website on your browser. www.crave.ca 
2. Click the subscribe button on the upper right of the Home page.
3. Tap the “Subscribe Now” button.
4. Enter your email address and phone number.
5. Choose any of its subscription plans: Crave Total Annual and Crave Total Monthly.
6. Once you’ve chosen a plan, enter your payment credentials and confirm your registration.

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 Makes Crave Different From 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 its competitors.

Netflix

The leading streaming giant has the most number of popular original content. Its interface is also considered one of the best across all platforms. Netflix offers a cheaper ad-supported subscription as well, unlike Crave.

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, Disney Plus does not support a number of devices, such as game consoles and media players.

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. However, Prime Video has a messy interface that is quite confusing to navigate, unlike Crave. 

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 can get access to 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.

How Much Will Crave Cost After the Trial Period?

After the 7-day trial period, you will be automatically charged the price of the plan you chose for your free trial. You can subscribe to any of the following plans if you wish to push through with your membership:

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$199.9.	4K	4 devices

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

Cons

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

Cravings Satisfied

Crave is a streaming service that puts forth the preferences and interests of Canadians, bringing 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.