What Prime Video costs and what's included

Prime Video is Amazon's streaming service, and you can get it two ways: as a standalone subscription or bundled with Amazon Prime membership. The standalone Prime Video subscription costs less than Prime membership but gives you only video streaming. Amazon Prime membership includes Prime Video plus fast shipping, Prime Music, Prime Reading, and other benefits — it costs more but covers multiple services.

With either option, you get access to thousands of movies and TV shows included at no extra cost. You can also rent or buy individual titles that aren't included. The exact catalog changes monthly, and what's available varies by country. You can stream on multiple devices at the same time, though the number of simultaneous streams depends on your plan.

Amazon offers a free trial period for new members — typically 30 days for Prime Video standalone and 30 days for Prime membership. After the trial ends, your payment method is charged automatically each month or year, depending on which billing cycle you chose.

Key Takeaways

  • Prime Video standalone costs less than Amazon Prime membership but includes only video streaming, not shipping or other Prime benefits.
  • Both options include thousands of movies and shows at no extra charge, plus the option to rent or buy additional titles separately.
  • You can stream on multiple devices at once, but the exact number allowed depends on which subscription tier you choose.
  • A free trial period lets you test the service before you're charged, and you can cancel anytime before the trial ends to avoid being billed.
  • The catalog of included content changes regularly and differs by country, so what's available to you may not match what you see on a friend's account.

Prime Video standalone versus Amazon Prime membership

Prime Video standalone is the cheaper option if you only want to stream video. You pay a lower monthly or annual fee and get access to the video library only. This works well if you don't use Amazon's shipping service or other Prime perks.

Amazon Prime membership bundles Prime Video with fast shipping on may be able to access items, Prime Music (a music streaming library), Prime Reading (a rotating selection of books and magazines), and other benefits that vary by region. The membership costs more, but if you use multiple services, the total cost per service is lower than buying them separately. Prime membership also includes exclusive deals during Prime Day and early access to some sales.

Both subscriptions renew automatically. You can change your plan or cancel through your Amazon account settings at any time. If you cancel during a billing period, you keep access until the end of that period.

How to set up and manage your subscription

To start a Prime Video subscription, go to Amazon's website or open the Prime Video app on your device. You'll create or sign into your Amazon account, choose whether you want Prime Video standalone or Prime membership, and enter a payment method. Amazon accepts credit cards, debit cards, and sometimes other payment options depending on your country.

Once you're signed up, you can stream immediately on any device where you sign in with your account — phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku or Fire Stick. You can download some titles to watch offline, though this feature isn't available for all content.

To manage your subscription, log into your Amazon account and go to the membership or subscription settings. There you can change your billing cycle (monthly to annual or vice versa), update your payment method, or cancel. If you cancel, you'll keep access through the end of your current billing period, then lose access when it ends.

What happens if you share your account

Amazon allows you to stream on multiple devices at the same time, which means household members can watch different shows simultaneously. However, the terms of service say the account should be used only by people in your household. Sharing your login with people outside your home technically violates the terms, though Amazon doesn't actively police this.

Amazon has introduced a paid add-on called Prime Video Extra Member in some countries, which lets you add another person's profile to your account for an extra fee. This is Amazon's official way to let someone outside your household use your subscription. Check your account settings to see if this option is available in your region.

If Amazon detects unusual activity on your account — such as logins from very different locations at the same time — they may ask you to verify your identity or reset your password. This is a security measure, not necessarily a punishment for sharing.

Content availability and regional differences

Prime Video's catalog is not the same everywhere. The movies and shows available depend on licensing agreements in your country, which means a title you can watch in the United States might not be available in the United Kingdom or Australia. Licensing also changes — shows and movies are added and removed regularly as Amazon's contracts with studios expire or renew.

You can see what's currently available by browsing the app or website in your region. If you travel to another country, you may temporarily lose access to content licensed only in your home country. When you return, access usually restores automatically.

Some titles are included with your subscription, while others require an additional rental or purchase fee. The app clearly labels which titles are included and which cost extra. You can also add premium channels like Paramount+ or Starz to your Prime Video subscription for an extra monthly fee, though these are separate from the base subscription.

Billing, cancellation, and what to do if there's a problem

Amazon charges your payment method automatically on the date your subscription renews. If you're on a monthly plan, you're charged once a month. If you're on an annual plan, you're charged once a year. Your billing date is shown in your account settings, and you can change your payment method there anytime.

If a charge appears that you didn't authorize, or if you're charged after you thought you cancelled, log into your Amazon account and check your subscription status. You can see your billing history and any active subscriptions. If you find an unauthorized charge, you can dispute it through your payment method (credit card, bank, etc.) or contact Amazon customer service.

To cancel, go to your account settings, find your Prime Video or Prime membership subscription, and select the cancel option. Amazon will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay. Once you confirm cancellation, you'll keep access through the end of your current billing period. You can reactivate your subscription anytime by signing back up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Prime Video on multiple devices at the same time?

Yes. Prime Video lets you stream on multiple devices simultaneously, so different household members can watch different shows at the same time. The exact number of simultaneous streams varies depending on your subscription tier and your region, so check your account settings for the specific limit.

What's the difference between renting and buying a title on Prime Video?

When you rent a title, you can watch it for a limited time (usually 24 to 48 hours) and then it expires. When you buy a title, you own it permanently and can watch it anytime. Rentals cost less than purchases. Both are separate from your subscription and cost extra.

Can I get my money back if I cancel within the free trial?

You won't be charged if you cancel before your free trial ends. Once the trial period is over, cancellation stops future charges but doesn't refund money already paid for the current billing period. If you're charged after cancelling, contact Amazon customer service to request a refund.

What devices can I use to watch Prime Video?

You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast. You can also watch through a web browser on any computer. Download the Prime Video app on your device and sign in with your Amazon account to start watching.

Does Prime Video work if I travel outside my country?

You can usually watch while traveling, but some content is licensed only for specific countries. If a title isn't available where you're traveling, you won't be able to stream it there. When you return home, access to region-locked content typically restores automatically.