In the world of streaming services, Netflix vs Amazon Prime are two of the biggest streaming giants in the world. They can keep you busy for days. Both streaming services have their pros and cons. Netflix versus Amazon Prime has been a topic of debate from time immemorial. The two have many differences, and which streaming platform suits you depends on your preferences.
Though Netflix has a relatively smaller content library, it has more original and high-quality content than anywhere else. On the other hand, Amazon Prime is not just a streaming service.
At the cost of a streaming service, it gives you many benefits, from streaming movies and TV series to free delivery of your favorite products. If you also want to know which streaming service is better for you, you are at the right place.
In this article, we’ll show you a detailed comparison of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to help you know which is better for you.
Netflix vs Amazon Prime Video: A Detailed Comparison:
We all know about Netflix and Amazon Prime. But not many of us know what to consider before buying a subscription. If you must subscribe to only one service, refer to the guide below to make an informed decision.
1. Introduction:
We may know about the current Netflix. But not many of us are aware of its history. Netflix was established in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Mark Randolph. It began as a DVD rental service and became one of the most influential streaming giants. According to recent Netflix stats, it has an impressive 209 million subscribers worldwide.
It is considered one of the most used streaming services in the world. The success of Netflix can be attributed to its collection of original content, including quality series like “Stranger Things,” “The Crown,” and “Narcos.”
Amazon Prime Video, on the other hand, is a component of Amazon’s Prime subscription service. Amazon Prime is not just a streaming service. It has several advantages, such as fast shipping, Amazon Prime Music, etc. It was introduced in 2006 and provides a wide variety of films, TV shows, and exclusive content.
Amazon’s venture into the streaming sector has been characterized by noteworthy series like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “The Boys.” Presently, Amazon Prime Video has also amassed millions of subscribers on a global scale.
2. Price and Plans:
When considering which streaming services to choose, price plays an important role. Both Netflix and Amazon Prime comes at different price point. They offer several subscription plans available at different prices. Here are both of them discussed.
Netflix is a bit more costlier than Amazon Prime. There are four subscription plans for Netflix, providing different features at different costs. Here are them explained.
- Basic Plan with Ads: This is the cheapest subscription plan for Netflix, costing around $6.99 monthly. However, you have to be bothered with ads now and then.
- Basic Plan: Netflix’s Basic plan is the second most economical option, providing streaming in HD on one device at a time. It doesn’t include HD or UHD streaming support and typically costs about $9.99 per month.
- Standard Plan: The Standard plan offers the ability to stream in full HD quality on two devices simultaneously and usually comes with a price tag of approximately $15.49 per month.
- Premium Plan: Netflix’s Premium plan is designed for those seeking top-notch streaming quality and the flexibility to watch on four devices simultaneously. It includes UHD streaming and is typically priced at around $19.99 per month.
Now, let’s talk about Amazon Prime. Unlike Netflix, Amazon Prime does not have multiple subscription plans. It has only one subscription plan, which includes the streaming service and other benefits related to Amazon. Here is what you have to pay to avail the benefits of Amazon Prime.
- Amazon Prime Membership: Amazon Prime Video is included in the Amazon Prime membership. Besides Prime Video, you get free shipping and access to Amazon Prime Music. An Amazon Prime membership costs about $119 per year (or approximately $13 per month).
In the United States, users can subscribe to Prime Video independently at a monthly cost of $8.99. However, it’s important to note that this particular choice is not available to users in the United Kingdom.
3. Device Compatibility:
Device compatibility and accessibility are important when deciding which streaming service to watch. Imagine you bought a streaming service subscription and learned it is incompatible with your device; that will be utterly frustrating.
So, have a look at the devices that are compatible with both services. It is to be noted that both streaming services have almost the same device compatibility.
Netflix is compatible with several devices. So, if you buy a Netflix subscription, you won’t have to worry about running it on your favorite device. Here are some of the devices compatible with Netflix mentioned.
- Amazon Fire TV
- Android devices
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast
- iOS devices
- Nintendo
- Nvidia Shield
- PlayStation
- Roku
- Smart TVs
- Wii
- Web browsers
- Xbox
Amazon Prime is also very much compatible with several devices. It has better app synchronization as compared to Netflix. Here are all the supported devices of Amazon Prime mentioned.
- Amazon devices
- Amazon Fire TV
- Android devices
- Android TV
- Apple TV
- Google Chromecast
- iOS devices
- Nintendo
- Roku
- Smart TVs
- Web browsers
- Xbox
4. User Interface:
Another criterion you should consider while deciding which streaming service to subscribe to is the user interface. Many users neglect this, but it is important. Here’s what you’ll see on the app of both these platforms.
Netflix’s user interface is organized with rows of content floating on the screen, and at the top, there’s a spotlight section that highlights trending series and movies. The first row is dedicated to “My List,” followed by the “Continue Watching” row.
Beyond that, numerous other rows include specific genres and a “Watch It Again” section in a random order. The app is divided into sections: Search, New & Popular, Categories, TV Shows, Movies, My List, and Notifications. While the smartphone app also includes a gaming section, the overall layout remains consistent across various devices.
Amazon Prime features a carousel at the top to showcase multiple shows rather than focusing on a single piece of content. Prime Video also includes sections like Home, Store, Channels, Categories, My Stuff, and Sports, and it takes considerably more time to scroll through than Netflix.
Both Netflix and Amazon provide the option to create profiles for tracking viewing history and recommendations tailored to different family members, including children. Netflix allows up to 5 profiles, whereas Amazon offers space for 6.
5. Content:
The primary comparison between two streaming services is based on what content they offer to their users. Though both streaming services have a lot of content to offer, they differ from country to country. Here’s an overview of both the streaming giants about the content they offer.
In the US, Netflix offers approximately 7,000 titles. On Netflix features hit TV shows like Stranger Things, Squid Game, The Crown, House of Cards, Bridgerton, The Witcher, and Bojack Horseman, covering a wide range of genres and international content.
Prime Video appears to have a significantly larger collection of films, boasting around 24,000 movies and 2,100 shows as of a 2022 report by Business Insider. Prime Video offers popular originals like Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Good Omens, and The Boys. It also offers sports and reality TV through Hayu.
While Amazon may not have released as many TV shows with the same hype and critical record as Netflix, it has been investing in high-budget productions to bring more content. For instance, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is considered the most expensive TV show ever produced per episode, and Citadel is also rumored to have a substantial budget.
Netflix and Prime Video frequently rotate TV shows and movies in and out of their libraries. They secure licenses from third-party companies to offer content for streaming, but these agreements have expiration dates.
6. Streaming Quality:
Everyone wants to watch their favorite content in high definition. But do both these services offer HD content to all its users? Let’s find out.
On Netflix, the video quality you can enjoy depends on your chosen subscription plan. The Basic and Basic with Ads plans enable HD streaming, with Basic also allowing downloads on a single device at a time.
The Standard tier allows you to stream in Full HD and offers the option for downloads on two devices simultaneously. The Premium plan takes it up a notch, offering Ultra HD streaming and supporting downloads on up to four devices concurrently.
On the other hand, Amazon Prime has only one plan, which means you can access Ultra HD content on any device. It is immaterial whether you have a regular subscription or a student discount subscription; the quality of streaming will be the same.
Netflix vs Amazon Prime: Final Verdict
Both Netflix vs Amazon prime are accessible on a wide range of devices and offer streaming in resolutions as high as 4K, with support for Dolby Atmos and 5.1 audio on compatible titles.
The primary distinctions are pricing and the specific content available on each platform. Netflix is the more budget-friendly choice, especially if you’re willing to compromise on video quality or don’t mind ads, as seen in its Basic and Basic With Adverts subscription options.
The best approach to deciding between these two streaming services is to explore the content libraries they provide and choose based on your preferences and priorities.
So, the final decision to choose the streaming service ultimately depends on your content preference, budget, etc. Each platform has its pros and cons, and they both offer a ton of entertainment, ensuring you’ll have plenty of engaging TV shows and movies to enjoy.
Conclusion:
That’s our detailed comparison of Netflix vs Amazon prime. If you are unsure which platform to choose, refer to our comprehensive guide. Take help from all the criteria, current offers, and our guide to make an informed decision. I hope you liked the article. In case you have any doubts, feel free to comment below.
