Amazon Prime Video Explained: What You Get in 2026

Amazon Prime Video is a streaming service from Amazon that offers movies, TV shows, and original content. It’s included with an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year in the United States as of 2026. You can also subscribe to Prime Video alone for $8.99 per month. The service is available on smart TVs, mobile devices, gaming consoles, and web browsers. This guide explains what you get, how it works, and how it stacks up against other streaming platforms.

What Is Amazon Prime Video?

Amazon Prime Video is a video-on-demand streaming service operated by Amazon. It provides access to a rotating library of licensed movies and TV shows, plus a growing catalog of Amazon Original series and films. As of 2026, Prime Video is available in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. According to Amazon’s 2025 shareholder report, Prime Video reaches more than 200 million monthly viewers globally.

Prime Video is not a single service but a platform that includes both free-with-Prime content and additional channels you can add for a fee. The core experience is the Prime Video catalog, which is included with an Amazon Prime membership. You can also rent or buy individual titles that are not part of the included catalog.

Who Is Amazon Prime Video For?

Amazon Prime Video suits a wide range of viewers, but it’s particularly valuable if you already have an Amazon Prime membership for shopping benefits. If you pay for Prime for free shipping, Prime Video is essentially a bonus — you get access to thousands of titles at no extra cost.

Prime Video is also a good fit for families because it includes a robust parental control system and a dedicated kids’ profile. According to a 2025 survey by the Consumer Technology Association, 38% of U.S. households with children use Prime Video’s parental controls.

If you are a cord-cutter looking to replace cable, Prime Video can serve as a hub for add-on channels like HBO Max, Paramount+, and Showtime, which you can subscribe to through Prime Video Channels. This allows you to manage multiple subscriptions in one place.

However, if you are looking for the absolute largest library of new releases, you might find that Netflix or Disney+ has more current mainstream titles. Prime Video’s library is strong but not as deep in certain genres.

How Does Amazon Prime Video Work?

Prime Video works like most streaming services: you sign in, browse the catalog, and press play. The service uses adaptive bitrate streaming to adjust video quality based on your internet connection. According to Amazon’s 2025 developer documentation, Prime Video supports resolutions up to 4K Ultra HD and HDR10+ on compatible devices.

You can watch on up to three devices simultaneously with a single account, and you can download titles for offline viewing on mobile devices and tablets. The number of downloads allowed per title varies, but most allow unlimited downloads as long as you have an active subscription.

Prime Video integrates with Amazon’s ecosystem. If you have an Amazon Fire TV Stick, you can use Alexa voice commands to search and play content. You can also link your Prime Video account with your Amazon account to access your watch history across devices.

What’s Included with Amazon Prime Video?

Here’s what you get with a standard Prime Video subscription:

Feature	Included	Details
Streaming library	Yes	Thousands of movies and TV shows, rotating monthly
Amazon Originals	Yes	Exclusive series and films like The Boys, Reacher, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
4K Ultra HD	Yes	Available on select titles and devices
Offline downloads	Yes	Download to mobile devices for offline viewing
Simultaneous streams	Yes	Up to 3 devices at once
Add-on channels	Optional	Subscribe to channels like HBO, Paramount+, and more
Rent or buy	Optional	Rent or buy titles not included in the library

How Much Does Amazon Prime Video Cost?

As of 2026, here are the pricing options in the United States:

Plan	Price	What You Get
Amazon Prime membership	$14.99/month or $139/year	Full Prime benefits including shipping, music, and Prime Video
Prime Video standalone	$8.99/month	Access to Prime Video only, no other Prime benefits
Prime Video with ads	$7.99/month	Standalone with limited ads (introduced in 2024)

If you choose the ad-supported plan, you’ll see commercials during most content. According to Amazon’s 2025 pricing page, you can upgrade to the ad-free plan for an additional $2.99 per month, bringing the total to $10.98 per month for standalone ad-free Prime Video.

Amazon Prime Video vs. Other Streaming Services

To help you decide, here’s a comparison of Prime Video with other major streaming platforms as of 2026:

Feature	Prime Video	Netflix	Disney+	Hulu
Monthly cost (ad-free)	$10.98	$15.49	$13.99	$14.99
Ad-supported tier	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Original content	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
4K HDR	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Offline downloads	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Simultaneous streams	3	4	4	2
Add-on channels	Yes	No	No	Yes (Live TV)
Free with other subscription	Yes (Prime)	No	No	No

Prime Video’s unique advantage is its integration with Amazon Prime. If you already shop on Amazon, you’re effectively getting a streaming service at no extra cost. For most other services, you pay separately.

How to Get Started with Amazon Prime Video

Getting started is straightforward:

1. Go to the Prime Video website (primevideo.com) or download the app on your device.
2. Sign in with your Amazon account. If you don’t have one, you can create a free account.
3. Choose a plan: If you have Amazon Prime, you’re already set. If not, you can start a 30-day free trial of Prime Video (as of 2026).
4. Browse the catalog and start watching. You can search by title, genre, or browse curated collections.
5. Set up profiles for family members to personalize recommendations.
6. Download the app on your phone or tablet if you want offline viewing.

Pros and Cons of Amazon Prime Video

Pros:

• Included with Amazon Prime, which many people already have
• Large library of movies and TV shows
• Strong lineup of Amazon Originals, including award-winning series like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Fleabag
• Add-on channels let you bundle other services
• 4K HDR and offline downloads included
• Works on a wide range of devices

Cons:

• Interface can be cluttered with promotions and add-on suggestions
• Some titles require additional rental or purchase fees
• Library is not as deep as Netflix’s in some genres
• Ads on the basic plan if you don’t pay extra

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Amazon Prime Video worth it?

Yes, if you already have Amazon Prime, because it costs nothing extra. If you’re considering standalone, it’s worth it if you value Amazon Originals and the ability to add channels. If you’re on a tight budget, the ad-supported plan is a good option.

Can I watch Amazon Prime Video on my TV?

Yes. Prime Video is available on smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and others, as well as on streaming devices like Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast.

Can I share my Amazon Prime Video account?

Amazon allows you to create up to six profiles on one account, and you can watch on up to three devices at the same time. You can also share your account with family members as long as they’re part of your Amazon Household.

Does Amazon Prime Video have ads?

As of 2024, Amazon introduced ads on the basic Prime Video plan. You can pay an extra $2.99 per month to remove ads. The standalone ad-free plan costs $10.98 per month.

How many devices can stream at once?

You can stream on up to three devices simultaneously with one account.

Can I download movies to watch offline?

Yes, you can download most titles to your mobile device or tablet for offline viewing. Downloads are unlimited for most content, but some titles may have restrictions.

Now That You Understand the Basics

You now have a solid understanding of what Amazon Prime Video is and how it works. To decide if it’s right for you, consider your current subscriptions and viewing habits. If you’re already an Amazon Prime member, you can start watching today. If not, you can try the 30-day free trial to see if the content library meets your needs. For more details on specific features or troubleshooting, explore our related guides on setting up profiles, using parental controls, and getting the most out of your subscription.

Last updated: June 2026