Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are streaming services that have a lot of movies and TV shows that you can watch online. Netflix has a smaller library overall, but it has a lot more original material and top-rated shows that you can’t find anywhere else. Prime Video has a much bigger range of movies, and if you have an Amazon Prime membership, you can use it. There are also changes in the platforms that are available and how they are priced.
Overall Findings
- 6,000+ movies and TV shows.
- More original content, including movies and TV shows.
- More highly-rated content than Amazon.
- Monthly and yearly subscription options.
- 4K UHD requires a premium plan.
- Available on all streaming devices.
- 8,500+ movies and TV shows.
- Also produces original shows and movies, but to a lesser extent.
- Available as a standalone Prime Video subscription, or as a feature of Amazon prime.
- 4K streaming available by default.
- Some Chromecast streaming issues.
Amazon Prime Video and Netflix are two of the best streaming services, but they are very different. Netflix has a smaller library overall, but it has more original material, more highly rated content, and more TV shows that you can’t find anywhere else. There are a lot more movies to choose from on Amazon Prime Video, and some of them have won awards.
The other big difference between these services is that Netflix is a stand-alone video viewing service, while Prime Video is a part of Amazon Prime. You can subscribe to Prime Video on its own for the same price as Netflix’s basic plan, but it’s also included in Amazon Prime, which gives you free shipping on Amazon, access to a music streaming service, and many other perks.
Content: Amazon Has the Larger Overall Library, but Netflix’s Is Stronger
- Lots of original content.
- More shows that aren’t available elsewhere.
- More shows that are highly rated.
- Large library of movies and TV shows.
- Also has original content, but not as much.
- Some videos are available to stream for free without a subscription.
- Some titles need to be rented or purchased.
- Has a larger overall streaming library.
Amazon Prime Video has more movies and a bigger library total than Netflix. You can also buy and rent movies and TV shows through the same interface, which you can’t do with Netflix.
Original content is made by both sites, but Netflix is better. Netflix has more unique shows, like Stranger Things, House of Cards, and BoJack Horseman, which are all very popular. Netflix also has the edge when it comes to licensed material that is high-quality. Independent research shows that Netflix has more top-rated TV shows than Amazon Prime. For example, you can’t stream Breaking Bad or The Walking Dead on any other app.
Pricing: Amazon Prime Provides More Value
Netflix and Amazon’s pricing is pretty confusing, but the basic streaming services cost about the same. The Basic plan from Netflix, which has ads, is the cheapest choice overall. But the Prime Video plan that stands alone is cheaper than the Netflix Basic plan that doesn’t have ads. Netflix’s most expensive option, which lets you watch in 4K, is part of its Premium plan. Amazon doesn’t make 4K video quality only available to subscribers who pay more.
It’s also important to know that Prime Video can be used on its own as a viewing service, but it’s also one of the best parts of an Amazon Prime membership.
Other features and perks of Amazon Prime include free delivery on Amazon purchases, access to the Amazon Prime Music streaming service, cloud photo storage, free e-books through Prime Reading, games through Amazon Gaming, and even a discount at Whole Foods and free grocery delivery in some areas.
Device Compatibility: No macOS Netflix App
- Web player that works in all major browsers.
- Mobile app for iOS and Android.
- Windows app, but no macOS app.
- Available for all streaming devices, including Chromecast.
- Web player that works in all major browsers.
- Windows and macOS apps.
- Mobile app for iOS and Android.
- Deeply integrated into Fire TV devices.
- Also available on Roku, Apple TV, game consoles, smart TVs, and other devices.
- Some Chromecast issues.
Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are both compatible with most devices, but there are some important differences between the two. Netflix is offered on a lot of different platforms, including Chromecast.
Prime Video is also available on most devices, but because of a complicated past between Amazon and Google, Prime was not available on Chromecast for a long time. The long-term effect is that users have trouble getting their devices to work together, while new Chromecast devices can accept casts from new phones and tablets with the latest version of the Amazon Prime Video app.
There are a few things that Prime Video does better in this area. It works well with streaming devices like the Fire TV Stick or smart TVs that are built on the Fire TV platform because it works well with the Fire TV interface. It also has an app for macOS, which Netflix lacks. You can still play Netflix on a Mac using a web browser, but the Prime Video app is better because it lets you download videos to watch later.
Final Verdict: Look at the Content
The main difference between Netflix and Amazon Prime Video is the content. Before making a pick, check out what’s available on each service. They both have free trials, so you can look through their huge libraries to find shows and movies you want to watch.
Overall, Netflix has a better selection because it has more highly rated shows, exclusives, and originals that have been praised by critics. Still, Amazon Prime Video has more movies and a lot of great original shows. Device support is also important. For example, MacBook users may like that the Prime Video app lets them download TV shows and movies to watch when they don’t have internet. Older Chromecast devices, on the other hand, might not work well with the Prime Video app.
