Amazon Prime Video and Netflix are the two biggest streaming services in the world. Both have massive content libraries, both produce award-winning originals, and both work on pretty much every device you own. Picking between them feels harder than it should.
The difference comes down to what you actually want from a streaming service. Netflix has the larger catalog and a stronger track record with original series. Amazon bundles its streaming into a broader Prime membership that includes free shipping, music, and more. One charges extra for 4K. The other includes it.
This comparison breaks down pricing, content, video quality, and features so you can figure out which one fits your situation without paying for both.
How Much Do Netflix and Amazon Prime Video Cost
Netflix runs a three-tier pricing structure. The cheapest option is Standard with Ads at around $7 per month. It gives you access to the full content library but inserts ad breaks during playback and limits you to 1080p resolution. Standard without ads costs about $15.50 per month and bumps you up to two simultaneous streams with Full HD quality.
The Premium plan sits at roughly $23 per month. That’s the only Netflix tier that includes 4K Ultra HD, HDR, and Dolby Atmos audio. It also supports four simultaneous streams. If you want the best picture and sound quality on Netflix, you’re paying top dollar for it.
Amazon Prime Video works differently. You can subscribe to Prime Video as a standalone service for about $9 per month. But most people get it bundled with an Amazon Prime membership at around $15 per month (or $139 per year). That Prime membership includes free two-day shipping on millions of Amazon items, Amazon Music, Prime Reading, Prime Gaming perks, and unlimited photo storage on top of the video streaming.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Video Quality | Simultaneous Streams | Ads | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix Standard with Ads | ~$7/mo | 1080p | 2 | Yes | Full content library with ad breaks |
| Netflix Standard | ~$15.50/mo | 1080p | 2 | No | Full library, downloads on 2 devices |
| Netflix Premium | ~$23/mo | 4K HDR | 4 | No | Full library, Dolby Atmos, downloads on 6 devices |
| Prime Video (standalone) | ~$9/mo | 4K HDR | 3 | Yes (pay extra to remove) | Prime Video only |
| Amazon Prime (full membership) | ~$15/mo ($139/yr) | 4K HDR | 3 | Yes (pay extra to remove) | Video + free shipping + Music + Reading + Gaming + Photos |
On pure streaming cost alone, Amazon is cheaper. You get 4K streaming for $9 per month on Prime Video standalone. Netflix charges $23 per month for the same resolution. If you factor in everything that comes with a full Prime membership, the value gap widens even more.
Does Netflix or Amazon Prime Video Have More Content
Netflix has the larger overall content catalog. It carries thousands of movies and TV series across every genre, and it produces more original content per year than any other streaming platform. The volume is hard to beat. You could scroll for an hour and still find something new.
Amazon Prime Video has a solid library too, but its approach is different. The base subscription gives you access to a large selection of included movies and shows. Beyond that, Amazon operates a massive rental and purchase store. If a movie isn’t included with your subscription, you can usually rent it for $3 to $6 or buy it for $10 to $20. Netflix doesn’t offer rentals or purchases at all.
Amazon also sells add-on channel subscriptions directly through Prime Video. You can subscribe to Paramount+, Starz, AMC+, Shudder, and dozens of other services without leaving the Prime Video app. Netflix is a closed ecosystem – you only get Netflix content.
For international content specifically, Netflix has a clear edge. It produces original series and films in dozens of languages and has invested heavily in Korean, Spanish, Japanese, Indian, and European programming. Shows like Squid Game proved that international content can become a worldwide phenomenon on the platform.
Amazon Prime Video Originals vs Netflix Originals
Both platforms produce high-quality original programming. Netflix has been doing it longer and produces significantly more volume. Its originals roster includes Stranger Things, Wednesday, Squid Game, The Crown, Bridgerton, The Witcher, and Cobra Kai, among many others. Netflix releases dozens of new original series and films every month.
Amazon’s originals slate is smaller but has landed some big hits. The Boys has become one of the most talked-about superhero shows on television. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is one of the most expensive TV productions ever made. Reacher, Jack Ryan, Citadel, and Fallout have all drawn large audiences. Amazon also broadcasts Thursday Night Football, giving it a live sports presence that Netflix is still building out.
Netflix tends to cancel shows faster if viewership doesn’t hit internal targets. Amazon has generally been more patient with its originals, letting shows build audiences over multiple seasons. That said, both platforms have canceled fan-favorite series, so neither is immune to axing a show you love.
If sheer volume of originals is what you want, Netflix wins. If you’re the type who follows a few specific series rather than browsing through dozens of options, Amazon’s originals might be enough.
Which Streaming Service Has Better 4K Quality
Both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video stream in 4K Ultra HD with HDR support. The technical ceiling is similar. Both platforms support HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos on compatible devices. Picture quality on a top-end smart TV is excellent on both services.
The difference is how they charge for it. Netflix locks 4K behind its Premium plan at about $23 per month. If you’re on the Standard plan, you max out at 1080p. There is no way to get 4K on Netflix without paying for the most expensive tier.
Amazon Prime Video includes 4K streaming on every plan. Whether you’re paying $9 for standalone Prime Video or $15 for the full Prime membership, you get 4K Ultra HD and HDR at no extra charge. Not every title in the library is available in 4K, but the ones that are don’t require a plan upgrade to access.
For people who own a 4K TV and want to take full advantage of it without paying a premium, Amazon is the better deal on video quality per dollar spent.
| Feature | Netflix | Amazon Prime Video |
|---|---|---|
| 4K Ultra HD included | Premium plan only (~$23/mo) | Yes, all plans |
| HDR support | HDR10, Dolby Vision (Premium only) | HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision |
| Dolby Atmos / spatial audio | Premium plan only | Supported on select titles |
| Simultaneous streams | 2 (Standard) / 4 (Premium) | 3 |
| Offline downloads | Yes (2 or 6 devices depending on plan) | Yes (up to 25 titles at a time) |
| Ad-free viewing | Standard and Premium plans | Pay extra to remove ads (~$3/mo) |
Do Netflix and Amazon Prime Video Have Ads
Netflix introduced its ad-supported tier in late 2022. The Standard with Ads plan shows short ad breaks before and during content. If you’re on the Standard or Premium plan, you get completely ad-free viewing. Netflix gives you a clear choice: pay less and watch ads, or pay more and skip them entirely.
Amazon took a different approach. In early 2024, Amazon added advertisements to Prime Video for all subscribers by default. If you were already paying for Prime, ads showed up in your stream without any reduction in your subscription price. To remove them, Amazon charges an additional fee of about $3 per month on top of your existing subscription.
That move frustrated a lot of existing Prime members. Many felt they were already paying for an ad-free experience and shouldn’t have to pay again to keep it that way. Regardless of how you feel about it, the current reality is that both services show ads on their cheapest plans.
What Devices Support Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
Device compatibility is a tie. Both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are available on virtually every platform you can think of. Smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio all support both apps. Both work on Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, and Android TV devices.
Mobile apps are available on iOS and Android for both. Both stream through web browsers on laptops and desktops. Both work on PlayStation and Xbox consoles. If you own a device that connects to the internet and has a screen, chances are both Netflix and Prime Video run on it.
Amazon has a slight home-field advantage if you own Amazon hardware. Fire TV sticks and Fire tablets come with Prime Video pre-installed and deeply integrated into the interface. Alexa voice commands can launch Prime Video content hands-free on Echo Show and Fire TV devices.
What Makes Amazon Prime Video Different From Netflix
Amazon has a few features Netflix doesn’t match. The most notable is X-Ray, a feature powered by IMDb that displays real-time information about the actors, music, and trivia in whatever you’re watching. Pause any scene and X-Ray shows you the names of the actors on screen, the song playing in the background, and relevant production details. It’s a small thing, but people who use it tend to love it.
The rental and purchase store is another differentiator. If a new movie just left theaters and isn’t streaming anywhere for free, Amazon usually has it available to rent for a few dollars. Netflix doesn’t offer any pay-per-title options.
The biggest Amazon advantage isn’t a video feature at all. It’s the rest of the Prime membership. For $15 per month, you get streaming video plus free two-day shipping on Amazon orders, Amazon Music with a growing library of songs, Prime Reading for ebooks and magazines, and unlimited full-resolution photo storage. No other streaming service comes with that kind of non-streaming value attached.
What Makes Netflix Better Than Amazon Prime Video
Netflix has a stronger recommendation engine. Its algorithm is famously good at surfacing content you’re likely to enjoy based on your viewing history. Amazon’s recommendations exist, but they often mix in paid rentals alongside included content, which can feel cluttered and sales-driven.
Netflix also has a larger and more diverse catalog of international content. If you watch shows and films from outside the United States regularly, Netflix offers far more options in more languages than Prime Video does.
Brand recognition matters too. When a new Netflix original drops, it tends to dominate social media conversations in a way that Amazon originals rarely do. That cultural footprint makes Netflix the default “what should we watch tonight” platform for a lot of households.
Netflix’s interface is also cleaner. Everything on the platform is included with your subscription. There are no rental upsells, no channel add-ons, and no confusing mix of free and paid content. You press play and it plays. That simplicity counts for something.
Should I Get Amazon Prime Video or Netflix
If you already have an Amazon Prime membership for the free shipping, you already have Prime Video. There’s no reason not to use it. Adding Netflix on top as a second streaming service depends on whether you want access to its larger originals library and international catalog.
If you’re choosing only one service, here’s how to think about it. Amazon Prime Video makes more sense if you order from Amazon regularly and want 4K streaming without paying a premium price. The full Prime membership gives you far more value beyond just video.
Netflix is the better pick if original content and variety are your top priorities. It produces more originals, carries more international programming, and has a smoother user experience. You’ll pay more for 4K, but the content library justifies the cost for many people.
For households that can afford both, the two services complement each other well. Netflix handles the browsing-and-discovering side of streaming. Amazon fills in gaps with its rental store and throws in free shipping as a bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon Prime Video free with Amazon Prime?
Yes. Amazon Prime Video is included with every Amazon Prime membership at no additional cost. If you pay for Prime – whether monthly at about $15 or annually at $139 – you automatically get access to Prime Video’s full streaming library. You can also subscribe to Prime Video on its own for about $9 per month without the other Prime benefits.
Which has more movies – Netflix or Amazon Prime Video?
Netflix generally has a larger catalog of movies included with its subscription. Amazon Prime Video’s included movie library is smaller, but Amazon offers thousands of additional titles through its rental and purchase store. If you’re willing to pay a few extra dollars per title, Amazon gives you access to a much wider selection of newer and classic films than Netflix does.
Netflix allows account sharing within a household. If someone outside your household wants to use your account, Netflix charges an extra member fee of about $8 per month per additional person. Amazon Prime allows sharing Prime benefits – including Prime Video – with one other adult and up to four teens or children through Amazon Household, all at no extra cost.
Which has better 4K quality – Netflix or Amazon Prime Video?
Both services stream in 4K Ultra HD with HDR and Dolby Vision support. The visual quality is comparable when watching supported content on a capable TV. The key difference is pricing. Netflix requires the Premium plan at about $23 per month for 4K access. Amazon Prime Video includes 4K on all plans, starting at $9 per month. For 4K streaming on a budget, Amazon is the more affordable option.
Sources
Netflix – Netflix Plans and Pricing | Amazon – About Prime Video