Prime Video vs Netflix: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Prime Video comes with Amazon Prime (or on its own) and shows limited ads unless you add Prime Video Ultra, which also unlocks 4K. Netflix has three plans — one with ads, two without — keeps 4K for Premium and bills monthly only. Prime streams on 4 screens (Ultra: 5) and allows up to 50 downloads (Ultra: 100); Netflix allows 2 or 4 screens.
Option A
Option B
We compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Amazon Prime Video | Netflix |
|---|---|---|
| Ads | Limited; Ultra removes most | Only on Standard with ads |
| 4K | With Ultra | Premium |
| Screens | 4 (Ultra: 5) | 2 / 2 / 4 |
| Downloads | Up to 50 (Ultra: 100) | 15 a month / up to 100 per device |
| Billing | Monthly or yearly (Prime) | Monthly only |
Many US households already pay for Prime for shipping, so Prime Video often feels “free”. Netflix is a standalone subscription built around its originals.
If you don’t want to read further
You already have Amazon Prime — start with Prime Video. You want a fully ad-free catalog without add-ons or Netflix originals — Netflix Standard or Premium.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
How do you get it?
Amazon Prime Video
With Amazon Prime (monthly or yearly), or as a Prime Video membership on its own.
Netflix
A Netflix plan, billed monthly only.
If you pay for Prime anyway, Prime Video costs nothing extra.
Ads?
Amazon Prime Video
Limited ads by default; Prime Video Ultra removes most (not in live TV, sports and some channels).
Netflix
Ads only on Standard with ads; Standard and Premium are ad-free.
Ad-free on Prime Video means paying for an add-on.
Where is 4K?
Amazon Prime Video
With Ultra.
Netflix
On Premium.
Both put 4K behind an upgrade.
Screens and downloads?
Amazon Prime Video
4 titles at once and up to 50 downloads (Ultra: 5 and 100).
Netflix
2 screens on Standard plans, 4 on Premium; 15 downloads a month on the plan with ads.
Prime Video is more generous on the base level.
Pay-per-view and channels?
Amazon Prime Video
Some titles cost extra to rent or buy; channels like Paramount+ are billed separately.
Netflix
The only optional extra is paying for extra members on Standard or Premium; a few titles are locked on the plan with ads.
With Prime Video, watch for rentals and channels you didn’t mean to add.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
A plan with ads
Both have an ad-supported entry point.
4K costs more
Ultra on Prime Video, Premium on Netflix.
Cancel any time
Neither monthly option has a long-term commitment.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You already pay for Amazon Prime | Prime Video | Included with Prime. |
| You want no ads at all | Netflix Standard or Premium | Prime Video Ultra still has ads in live TV and sports. |
| You download a lot | Prime Video | Up to 50 downloads (Ultra: 100). |
| You want one predictable bill | Netflix | The plan, plus extra members only if you add them. |
- Channel subscriptions inside Prime Video keep billing after your Prime membership ends.
- Prime Video Ultra still shows ads in live TV, sports and some channels.
- Netflix’s plan with ads can’t add extra members.
- Netflix has no annual plans.
Where the facts come from
Sources: Amazon’s US help pages for Prime and Prime Video, and the Netflix Help Center for the United States. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Amazon Prime Video or Netflix
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “Streaming services” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — spatial audio and HDR: Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video: yes (5,0/5) · Netflix Standard: no (2,0/5)
If what matters most is — maximum resolution: Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video: 4K UHD (HDR not for all content) (4,0/5) · Netflix Standard: 1080p Full HD (3,0/5)
If what matters most is — simultaneous streams: Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video: 3 screens at the same time (4,0/5) · Netflix Standard: 2 screens at the same time (3,0/5)
If what matters most is — app rating: Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video: 4,8 out of 5 (4,8/5) · Netflix Standard: 4,7 out of 5 (4,7/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: