What you get with Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is a streaming service you can buy on its own or as part of an Amazon Prime membership. If you buy Prime Video alone, you pay a monthly or annual fee and get access to movies, TV shows, and original content that Amazon produces. If you have an Amazon Prime membership, Prime Video is included at no extra cost — you're already paying for it as part of your Prime benefits.
The service works on most devices: phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku or Fire TV. You can watch on up to three devices at the same time on one account, though the rules about sharing your password vary by region and change periodically. Amazon doesn't publish a fixed library size, so the number of titles available shifts as licensing agreements expire and new content arrives.
Prime Video also offers add-on channels — separate services you can subscribe to through the Prime Video app, like Paramount+, MGM+, or Starz. These cost extra and appear as separate line items on your bill, but you manage them all in one place.
Key Takeaways
- Prime Video costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year if you buy it standalone, though prices have changed in the past and may change again.
- If you have an Amazon Prime membership, Prime Video is included; Prime membership costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month.
- You can watch on up to three devices at the same time, but password sharing outside your household may violate the terms of service.
- Add-on channels like Paramount+ or Starz cost extra and are billed separately through the Prime Video app.
- Prime Video offers a free tier with ads in some regions, which costs nothing but shows advertisements during playback.
Standalone Prime Video vs. Amazon Prime membership
If you only want to stream video, you can buy Prime Video by itself without joining Amazon Prime. The standalone subscription costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year. You get the same video library and the same streaming limits (three devices at once) as someone who has Prime membership.
An Amazon Prime membership also costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month, but it includes much more than video: free two-day shipping on may be able to access items, Prime Music (a music streaming service), Prime Gaming (game content and free games), and other benefits. If you use any of those services, Prime membership may cost less per benefit than buying Prime Video alone. If you only want video and never shop on Amazon, the standalone subscription makes more sense financially.
Both options let you pause or cancel at any time. If you cancel, you lose access when ready — there's no grace period to finish watching something.
How much Prime Video costs and when prices change
As of the most recent price update, standalone Prime Video costs $14.99 per month (billed monthly) or $139 per year (billed once). Amazon Prime membership costs the same: $14.99 per month or $139 per year. These prices are not fixed — Amazon has raised them multiple times in the past decade, and the company can change them again at any time.
When Amazon raises prices, existing subscribers usually get a notice 30 days before the change takes effect. If you pay monthly, the new price applies to your next billing date. If you pay annually, the new price applies when your current year expires and you renew. You can cancel before the price increase takes effect if you don't want to pay the new amount.
Some regions outside the United States have different pricing. Currency, local taxes, and regional licensing costs all affect what you pay. If you travel or move, check the current price in your new location.
Prime Video with ads vs. ad-free
In the United States and some other regions, Amazon offers a cheaper tier called Prime Video with ads. This version costs $5.99 per month and includes the same content library as the ad-free version, but you see advertisements during playback. The ads are typically 15 to 30 seconds long and appear before, during, and after shows and movies.
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you get the ad-free version by default. To use the ad-supported tier, you would need to downgrade your Prime membership or buy Prime Video with ads as a separate subscription — you cannot mix them on one account.
The ad-supported tier is not available in all countries. Check your region's Prime Video page to see if it's an option where you are.
Devices and simultaneous streaming limits
Prime Video works on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and dedicated streaming devices. Amazon publishes a list of compatible devices on its website, and the list changes as new devices are released and old ones stop receiving updates. Most current smartphones and tablets support the app, and most smart TVs have it built in or available to read.
You can stream on up to three devices at the same time on one account. If a fourth person tries to start watching, they'll see an error message. This limit applies whether the devices are in your home or elsewhere — Amazon doesn't check location. However, the terms of service state that your account is for personal use by you and members of your household, so sharing your password with people outside your home may violate those terms. Amazon has not consistently enforced this rule, but the company has the right to do so.
Video quality depends on your internet speed and the device you're using. Prime Video streams in up to 4K (Ultra HD) on compatible devices if your internet connection is fast enough, but most content is available in 1080p (Full HD) or lower. The app automatically adjusts quality based on your connection speed.
Add-on channels and extra costs
Through the Prime Video app, you can subscribe to additional streaming services called add-on channels. Common examples include Paramount+, MGM+, Starz, Showtime, and Apple TV+. Each channel costs extra — typically $5.99 to $15.99 per month depending on the service — and appears as a separate charge on your bill.
You manage all your add-on subscriptions in one place within the Prime Video app, which can be convenient if you use multiple services. However, you're still paying each service separately; there's no bundle discount. You can add or remove channels at any time, and cancellation takes effect when ready.
Not all streaming services are available as Prime Video add-ons. Some, like Netflix or Disney+, only sell subscriptions directly through their own apps and websites.
How to manage your subscription and billing
You manage your Prime Video subscription through your Amazon account. If you have Prime membership, you go to the Prime membership section of your account settings. If you have standalone Prime Video, you find it under subscriptions. From there, you can view your billing date, change your payment method, pause your subscription, or cancel.
Your bill appears on your Amazon account statement along with any other charges. If you pay monthly, you're billed on the same date each month. If you pay annually, you're billed once a year on the anniversary of when you started. If you have add-on channels, each one shows as a separate line item.
If you cancel, you lose access to Prime Video when ready. You cannot read videos to watch offline later — everything you watch is streamed in real time. If you pause your subscription, you can resume it later without losing your watchlist or viewing history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Prime Video password with family members who don't live with me?
The terms of service say your account is for personal use by you and members of your household. Sharing your password with people outside your home technically violates this rule, though Amazon has not consistently enforced it. Amazon reserves the right to restrict password sharing or require additional payment for out-of-home access, similar to what Netflix has done in some regions.
What happens if I cancel my Prime Video subscription?
You lose access to Prime Video when ready. Your watchlist and viewing history are saved, so if you resubscribe later, you can pick up where you left off. You are not refunded for the remainder of your billing period — cancellation takes effect right away, whether you're in the middle of a monthly or annual plan.
Can I read Prime Video shows to watch offline?
Prime Video does not offer offline downloads. Everything you watch must be streamed in real time over an internet connection. Some other streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ do allow downloads, but Prime Video does not.
Does Prime Video work outside the United States?
Prime Video is available in many countries, but the library of content, pricing, and features vary by region. If you travel or move, you may see different shows and movies available. Pricing and the availability of the ad-supported tier also differ by country. Check your local Prime Video page to see what's available where you are.
What's the difference between Prime Video and Amazon Prime?
Prime Video is just the video streaming part of Amazon Prime. Amazon Prime membership includes Prime Video plus free shipping, Prime Music, Prime Gaming, and other benefits. If you only want video, you can buy Prime Video standalone. If you want all the Prime benefits, you buy the full Prime membership, which costs the same as standalone Prime Video but includes more services.