Amazon vs Prime Video: Key Differences, Current Pricing, and What’s Worth It in 2026

Published: 19 Feb 2026

f you have ever wondered whether “Amazon” and “Prime Video” are the same thing , or felt confused about which subscription you actually need , you are not alone. The relationship between Amazon’s broader ecosystem and its streaming service is genuinely layered, and Amazon’s pricing changes in 2025 and 2026 have made the decision more nuanced than it used to be.

This guide explains clearly what each service is, what has changed recently, how the costs stack up, and how to figure out which option makes the most sense for you.

The Relationship Between Amazon and Prime Video: What’s the Difference?

Amazon is a technology and commerce company that operates dozens of distinct services , online retail, cloud computing (AWS), smart home devices (Alexa/Echo), grocery delivery (AmazonFresh), ebook publishing (Kindle), and more. Amazon Prime is the company’s subscription membership programme, which bundles a selection of these services together for a flat monthly or annual fee.

Prime Video is Amazon’s streaming service , one component of the Amazon Prime bundle, but also available on its own as a standalone subscription.

So the hierarchy looks like this: Amazon (the company) → Amazon Prime (the membership) → Prime Video (the streaming service, included in Prime or available separately).

Understanding this structure is the starting point for any meaningful comparison of the two.

What Is Amazon Prime? The Full Bundle

Amazon Prime (US pricing as of 2025) costs $14.99/month or $139/year, with discounted rates for students ($7.49/month after a free trial) and those on qualifying government assistance programmes.

A Prime membership includes all of the following: free two-day (and often same-day) delivery on eligible items, access to Prime Video, Prime Music (ad-supported streaming), Prime Reading (a rotating Kindle book library), Prime Gaming (free games and in-game content), early access to Lightning Deals, and unlimited photo storage via Amazon Photos.

For households that shop on Amazon regularly, Prime typically pays for itself through shipping savings alone. The streaming and music access are, for many subscribers, genuinely additional value on top of what they would pay for anyway.

What Is Prime Video? The Streaming Service

Prime Video is Amazon’s streaming service offering access to over 25,000 movies and TV shows, including a growing slate of in-house original productions. Hulu It is available in two ways: included with an Amazon Prime membership, or as a standalone subscription at $8.99/month.

What’s Changed in 2025: The Ads Update

The most significant recent change to Prime Video is that as of April 2025, Prime Video is no longer ad-free by default. All subscribers , whether part of an Amazon Prime membership or using Prime Video as a standalone service , will see ads unless they pay an additional fee. TV Guide

Subscribers can go ad-free for an additional $2.99 per month, giving them more control over their entertainment experience. DealNews This means the effective cost of an ad-free Prime Video experience is now $11.98/month as a standalone, or $17.98/month bundled with a full Prime membership.

This is an important consideration that did not exist even a year ago, and it changes the value calculation for subscribers who assumed ad-free viewing was included.

Current Pricing: A Clear Breakdown (US, 2025)

Plan	Monthly Cost	What’s Included
Prime Video (standalone, with ads)	$8.99/month	Streaming library, originals, 4K HDR, downloads
Prime Video (standalone, ad-free)	$11.98/month	All of above + no ads (+$2.99/mo)
Amazon Prime (with ads on video)	$14.99/month	Full Prime benefits + Prime Video with ads
Amazon Prime (ad-free video)	$17.98/month	Full Prime benefits + ad-free Prime Video
Amazon Prime (annual, with ads on video)	$139/year (~$11.58/mo)	Best value for regular Amazon shoppers
Prime Student	~$7.49/month	Half-price Prime for eligible students

One notable advantage of Prime Video’s pricing: for just $8.99/month, subscribers get 4K HDR streaming and offline downloads , to get the same 4K quality on Netflix, you would need the Premium plan at $24.99/month. GamsGo

Comparison Table: Amazon Prime vs Prime Video Standalone

Feature	Amazon Prime	Prime Video (Standalone)
Primary purpose	Lifestyle membership (shopping + entertainment)	Streaming only
Price (with ads)	$14.99/month	$8.99/month
Price (ad-free)	$17.98/month	$11.98/month
Annual option	$139/year	No
Free shipping	Yes (2-day and same-day)	No
Prime Video access	Yes (included)	Yes
Prime Music	Yes	No
Prime Gaming	Yes	No
Prime Reading	Yes	No
Add-on channels	Yes (100+ options)	Yes
Live sports (NFL, NBA, WNBA)	Yes	Yes
4K/HDR streaming	Yes	Yes
Offline downloads	Yes	Yes
Free trial	30 days	30 days

Content: What Can You Actually Watch?

Prime Video’s library contains thousands of titles available to watch instantly, with many more movies and TV shows available for rent or purchase. For additional content, Prime Video offers options to integrate over 100 premium channels into your subscription. Homeowner

The streaming library is strong across several categories. Prime Video’s original productions have become a genuine differentiator , The Boys, Fallout, Reacher, The Rings of Power, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Invincible are among the most-watched series on any platform. The service also holds exclusive streaming rights to NFL Thursday Night Football, making it essential for American football fans without a traditional cable subscription.

Prime Video also offers a robust selection of movies and shows available for rent or purchase , useful for new releases not yet included in the subscription or titles you want to own digitally. TV Guide

One honest caveat: many customers find the Prime Video interface less user-friendly compared to newer streaming services Homeowner, partly because the platform intermixes subscription-included titles with rentals, purchases, and add-on channel content in a way that can feel cluttered. This is a recurring criticism in user reviews and worth knowing before you subscribe.

Who Should Choose What?

Your ideal choice depends on how often you shop, stream, and whether you value bundled benefits over standalone savings.

Choose full Amazon Prime if: you shop on Amazon at least a few times per month (shipping savings typically cover the cost), want access to Prime Music and Prime Gaming, and value having everything in one membership. The annual plan at $139/year is the best value option for regular users.
Choose Prime Video standalone if: you are primarily interested in streaming and do not shop on Amazon regularly enough to justify the full membership cost. At $8.99/month, it is one of the most competitively priced streaming options available, particularly given that 4K is included at no extra tier cost.
Add the ad-free upgrade if: you find advertising during streaming disruptive and watch for extended periods. The $2.99/month premium is relatively modest compared to the ad-supported experience during longer viewing sessions.
Consider add-on channels if: you want to consolidate multiple streaming subscriptions in one place. Prime Video offers over 100 channel add-ons, including both major streamers and niche services, many of which come with a free 7-day trial. TV Guide Pricing varies per channel, but managing everything through one interface and one bill is genuinely convenient.

How Prime Video Compares to Competitors

Prime Video sits in an interesting position in the streaming market , it is not trying to out-produce Netflix on volume, and it is not as niche as Apple TV+. Its strongest competitive advantages are price (particularly the 4K-included pricing) and the bundled value when combined with Amazon Prime membership.

Netflix’s recommendation algorithm and interface are generally considered more polished, and its original content output is significantly larger. Prime Video offers fewer originals but starts cheaper and includes 4K in all plans. GamsGo

Disney+ competes more directly with Prime Video on family and franchise content. Apple TV+ has a smaller but critically acclaimed original library with no back-catalogue. For most households, Prime Video serves best as a complement to one other streaming service rather than an exclusive choice.

Key Questions Answered

Here are the most important things to know before choosing between Amazon Prime and Prime Video.

Is Prime Video free with Amazon Prime? Yes , Prime Video is included in every Amazon Prime membership at no additional charge, though you will see ads unless you pay the extra $2.99/month.

Can I get Prime Video without Amazon Prime? Yes , the standalone plan is $8.99/month and gives you full access to the streaming library, including 4K and offline downloads.

Does Prime Video have live sports? Yes , Prime Video is the exclusive streaming home to NFL Thursday Night Football, and also carries NBA and WNBA coverage. Hulu

Is there a student discount? Yes , Amazon Prime Student offers the full membership at approximately half price, with an extended free trial period.Can I try it before subscribing? Amazon Prime gives a 30-day free membership trial, which includes Prime Video. The same 30-day trial also applies if you sign up for standalone Prime Video.Hulu