Amazon Prime Video Review: Is It Better Than Netflix & Disney+?

The streaming wars are in full swing. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ each claim millions of viewers and boast exclusive shows. As of late 2025, Netflix leads the pack with over 325 million global subscribersflixpatrol.com. Amazon’s Prime Video (part of the Amazon Prime membership) is also huge, with roughly 200 million global Prime membersreuters.com. Disney+ trails with about 132 million subscribers worldwide. But raw subscriber numbers don’t tell the whole story of valueadvanced-television.com. How do price, content quality, and features compare? This in-depth review breaks down Amazon Prime Video versus Netflix and Disney+ on every front: pricing, libraries of movies/TV, streaming quality, device support, and extra perks. By the end, you’ll know which service is the smarter pick for your needs and money.

Pricing and Subscription Plans

When comparing streaming services, cost is often a top concern. Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ each offer tiered plans, and occasionally bundled deals. Here’s how their US pricing shakes out in early 2026:

• Netflix: Three main plans are available in the US. The cheapest is Standard with Ads at $7.99/month (1080p quality, 2 devices). The regular Standard (no ads, 1080p, 2 devices) costs $17.99/month. The top-tier Premium plan runs $24.99/month (4K HDR video, 4 simultaneous streams). (Netflix used to have a $15.49 Standard tier, but it raised rates to $17.99 by 2025tomsguide.com.) Netflix also offers a year-long Student discounted plan in some countries, but as of 2026 it has no special student rate in the US or UK.

• Disney+: Disney+ has two main tiers now. The With Ads plan is $12.99/month (4K/HDR select titles, no offline downloads), and the Ad-Free plan is $19.99/month (4K UHD everywhere, downloads on up to 10 devices)businessinsider.com. In practice, promotions (and bundle deals with Hulu/ESPN+) can bring those prices down. Disney+ also sells the option to subscribe annually ($190/year for ad-free), and live sports (ESPN+) via bundle. For families and franchise fans, Disney+’s ecosystem can make the higher price worthwhile.

• Amazon Prime Video: Prime Video comes two ways. First, it is included with the full Amazon Prime subscription at $14.99/month or $139/year (which also bundles free 2‑day shipping, Prime Music, and more). For those who only want streaming, Amazon offers a standalone Prime Video subscription. The ad-supported standalone plan is $8.99/month; you can upgrade to ad-free streaming for $11.99/month (an extra $3). Notably, Amazon also offers a Prime Student discount (half-price Prime) for college students (~$7.49/mo in the US). This makes Prime Video the cheapest option for many studentsreuters.com.

In summary, Netflix’s lowest tier (with ads) is cheapest at about $8, compared to Disney+ ads at $13 and Prime Video standalone ads at $9. But the feature sets differ: Netflix’s ad plan is 1080p HD, Disney’s ad plan offers up to 4K on select titles, and Prime Video’s standalone ad plan includes 4K and many features. Meanwhile, Netflix and Disney+ force you to pay much more (nearly double) to go ad-free, whereas Amazon’s jump ($3 more) is smaller. Also consider hidden value: a full Amazon Prime membership (at $14.99/mo) brings in shopping and music perks, which none of the others include.

Key takeaway: Netflix has more subscription tiers and the cheapest basic price ($7.99 with ads), but Amazon’s Prime membership bundles streaming with shopping benefits, and Disney+ offers a compelling ad-free library for $19.99. Students get the best deal on Amazon Prime Video via Prime Student.

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Content Libraries and Originals

Another crucial factor is what to watch. Each service’s library reflects its strategy:

• Amazon Prime Video: Prime Video’s catalog is vast. It includes thousands of movies and shows, much of it licensed (older titles) plus Amazon Originals. According to one analysis, Amazon Prime Video has roughly 25,000 titles available via subscriptionreddit.com (far more than Netflix or Disney). Not all of these titles are high-profile — critics note many are older or low-budget. But Amazon’s strength lies in its original content. Popular Amazon Originals include The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Reacher, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. In 2025 alone, Amazon MGM Studios earned 24 Emmy nominations (with The Boys winning multiple Creative Arts Emmys)aboutamazon.com. Prime Video also launched blockbuster films like Air and Red, White & Royal Blue. Beyond fiction, Prime offers live sports (e.g. NFL Thursday Night Football in the US) and the option to add channels (HBO, Showtime, Paramount+, etc.) to your subscription.

• Netflix: Netflix’s library is smaller by title count (a few thousand titles) but loaded with hits. Netflix pioneered binge-watching and invests heavily in new content each year. Hit shows like Stranger Things, The Crown, Bridgerton, Ozark, and Squid Game drive its subscriber numbers. Netflix has also won multiple Oscars (for Roma, The Irishman, etc.) and Emmys in recent years, reflecting its strong film and TV slate. Netflix’s originals cater to a broad audience, from crime dramas to comedies and kids’ shows. Because it releases popular series globally, Netflix often has the widest variety of content appealing to different tastes. Its business model is pure streaming, so all shows and movies are included at the subscription price (no extra fees).

• Disney+: Disney+ has the smallest library of the three in terms of total titles, but it’s highly curated. The platform focuses on Disney-owned franchises: Disney classics (Snow White, Frozen), Pixar films, Marvel Cinematic Universe series (WandaVision, Loki), Star Wars shows (The Mandalorian, Andor), and National Geographic documentaries. Essentially, if a franchise has Disney’s backing, it’s likely on Disney+. This makes it the go-to for family and franchise fans. For example, Disney+ has launched original hits like The Mandalorian and Loki, and it boasts the entire Marvel/Star Wars back catalog (including Avengers movies and Star Wars films)businessinsider.com. Disney+ has fewer adult-centric movies and TV dramas compared to Netflix, but its strength is in blockbusters and family content.

Real-world content comparison shows the trade-offs: Amazon Prime Video has a staggering quantity of content (older and newer), Netflix balances quantity with many critically acclaimed originals, and Disney+ is narrower but heavy on hits. For example, if you want mature dramas or crime thrillers, Netflix and Prime will have more options. If you want family films or superhero series, Disney+ leads. And if you like variety (or hidden gems), Prime Video’s broad catalog might surprise you.

Key takeaway: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video offer huge, varied libraries with lots of originals. Netflix edges out in award-winning series and movies, while Prime’s library is largest by item count. Disney+ has fewer titles but its exclusive franchises (Marvel/Star Wars/Pixar) give it unique, must-watch content.

Streaming Quality and Device Support

Quality of playback and device compatibility can make or break the viewing experience. Here’s how they compare on tech specs:

• Video/Audio Quality: All three services offer up to 4K Ultra HD streaming (with HDR) on select plans or content. Netflix’s 4K streams (HDR10 or Dolby Vision) are available on the Premium plantomsguide.com. Disney+ allows up to 4K (and Dolby Atmos sound) even on its cheapest ad-supported tier. Amazon Prime Video includes 4K HDR (HDR10+) as part of its service — by default, all Prime Originals and many new movies stream in 4K HDR (HDR10+, and on some titles Dolby Vision). In fact, Amazon leads in some formats: Prime Video supports HDR10+ on compatible TVs and also offers Dolby Atmos audio on many titleshighdefdigest.com. In practice, if you have a 4K TV and fast broadband, all three can deliver excellent video quality, though Netflix’s 4K is gated by the premium tier.

• Audio: Netflix Premium and Disney+ (ad-free) support Dolby Atmos on selected content. Amazon Prime Video supports Dolby Atmos on many shows (e.g. Jack Ryan) and generally provides 5.1 surround as standard. Netflix is known for widespread Dolby Atmos support on Netflix Originals, Disney+ offers Atmos on Marvel/Pixar/Dess movies, and Prime’s Atmos availability is growing via Fire TV and Xbox devices.

• Device Compatibility: All three platforms run on virtually every device you own. Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video each have apps for iOS and Android, web browsers, Smart TVs, streaming devices (Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast), and gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox). (Prime Video is pre-installed on Amazon’s Fire TVs and Fire tablets.) For example, Amazon notes that “Prime Video is available on hundreds of devices – Fire TV, Roku, Samsung/LG/Vizio smart TVs, gaming consoles, mobile devices, and even Windows/Mac computers”aboutamazon.com. One difference: Disney+ still lacks native apps on some older platforms, and Netflix no longer supports 4K playback on desktop Chrome/Firefox due to DRM restrictions, whereas Prime and Disney do via browsers like Edge or Safari. Overall, though, you can stream any of them on TV, phone, or tablet.

• Simultaneous Streams and Profiles: Netflix Premium allows 4 screens at once, Standard 2, and the Basic (now sunset) only 1. Disney+ (both plans) allows 4 simultaneous streams. Amazon Prime Video permits 3 concurrent streams total (with a limit of 2 devices viewing the same title at once). All services let you create multiple profiles per account for separate watch histories and kids’ restrictions (Disney+ allows up to 7 profiles, Netflix up to 5, Prime up to 6).

Key takeaway: All three stream in up to 4K HDR, but Netflix requires its Premium tier for 4K. Disney+ includes 4K (HDR) in all plans. Amazon Prime Video supports 4K HDR10+ and Dolby Vision on many titles. Simultaneous streams vary (Netflix Premium 4, Disney+ 4, Prime 3).

User Experience and Interface

Beyond raw tech, ease of use and interface design affect satisfaction:

• Netflix: Long considered the gold standard of streaming UI, Netflix offers a clean, personalized interface with rows of recommended titles, curated collections, and watchlists. It’s fast to navigate and its recommendation engine is highly tuned to your viewing habits. Critics often praise Netflix’s polished UI and personalization.

• Amazon Prime Video: The Prime Video app is more cluttered, partly because it must also advertise add-on channels and items to rent/buy. Some users find Prime Video’s interface less intuitive, with separate sections for “Amazon Originals”, “Rent/Buy”, and different categories. However, recent updates have improved it. The search function is strong (including voice control on Fire TV). Overall, Prime Video’s interface has improved but still feels tied into the broader Amazon shopping experience.

• Disney+: Disney’s interface is simple and family-friendly. Top-level menus include Home, Search, Watchlist, etc. It showcases Disney’s brands prominently (e.g., row of Marvel content, Star Wars). The UI is clean with poster carousels. Because its library is smaller, it’s generally easy to find content. Some users note Disney+ has limited interface quirks (e.g. forced up-sell from trailers to shows).

All three allow profiles and parental controls. Netflix and Disney+ allow kids’ profiles. Amazon Prime allows setting up a separate “kids” view and has robust parental pins (especially for rentals).

Key takeaway: Netflix generally has the most user-friendly and polished interface. Disney+ is clean and easy (good for families). Prime Video’s interface is decent but can feel cluttered with ads and menus.

Value-Added Perks and Bundles

Value isn’t just content for money – extras count too:

• Amazon Prime Perks: For Amazon Prime Video, the value must be measured in the bundle. A Prime subscription also gives you free fast shipping, Prime Music (millions of songs), Prime Gaming (free games/month), and exclusive shopping deals. For users who already shop on Amazon, this makes Prime Video essentially “free” bonus content. Amazon also holds Live events on Prime (like Prime Day specials, or Prime-exclusive sports like NFL Thursday), which Netflix/Disney don’t. In addition, Amazon offers “Prime Channels” – a way to subscribe to HBO, Starz, Paramount+ and others through one account (for extra fee).

• Disney Bundles: Disney+ can be bundled with Hulu and ESPN+ (owned by Disney) at a discount. For example, a Hulu + Disney+ ad-supported bundle runs $13–$20 depending on ads and live TV options, making a combined entertainment/sports package. This can be great for families who watch sports (via ESPN) and cable channels.

• Netflix Offers: Netflix rarely bundles or offers additional products. It sometimes partners with telecoms (e.g. phone carriers) to bundle Netflix with phone plans. But Netflix’s core value is content – if you want other perks (like music, shipping), you won’t find them.

Key takeaway: Amazon Prime Video wins on extra perks if you value Amazon Prime’s shopping and music benefits. Disney+ can be a bargain with ESPN/Hulu bundles if you want sports and TV. Netflix’s value lies solely in its content, with no other bundled perks.

Subscriber Numbers & Market Position

Looking at the market helps gauge popularity:

• Netflix: Over 325 million global subscribers (as of Dec 2025)flixpatrol.com. It’s available in nearly every country. Netflix has by far the highest revenue of any streamer. Its dominance means more content budgets and production scale.

• Amazon Prime Video: Amazon doesn’t report Prime Video subs, but Amazon Prime has ~200 million members worldwide. In the U.S., Prime Video is the third-largest streaming platform (after YouTube and Netflix) with ~157 million usersreuters.com. Amazon has the advantage of bundling video into Prime; many users may watch without paying extra.

• Disney+: About 132 million Disney+ subscribers globally (Q4 2025). Growth has slowed recently, but Disney’s strong content pipeline (Marvel, Star Wars) keeps it competitive. Disney’s CEO indicated the company is shifting to emphasize profitability over subscriber count.

Market share varies by country (for example, Disney+ is #1 in the Philippines and US?), but globally Netflix leads. However, despite fewer subscribers, Disney+ and Amazon often have very loyal niches (families and shopaholics, respectively).

Key takeaway: Netflix leads in subscriber numbers (300M+), with Amazon Prime second (~200M global) and Disney+ third (~132M). This scale allows Netflix to produce far more originals, but Amazon and Disney punch above their weight with exclusive content.

Which Service is Best for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer – it depends on your needs:

• Best Overall Content Variety: Netflix. It has the largest and most diverse library of high-quality content, from award-winning dramas to reality shows. Its user experience is top-notch, and new content is constantly added. However, it comes at a higher price (especially the 4K plan).

• Best for Families & Franchises: Disney+. If you have kids or love Marvel/Star Wars and Disney classics, Disney+ offers unique shows and movies you can’t get elsewherebusinessinsider.com. It’s especially good value bundled with ESPN/Hulu if you want sports.

• Best Value for Shoppers & Broader Bundles: Amazon Prime Video. If you already pay for Amazon Prime (or plan to), Prime Video is effectively “free” on top of your shopping benefits. It has an enormous library (for better or worse) and solid originals. It also offers live sports and the ability to add HBO/Max, Showtime, etc. Amazon’s offerings make it a great all-around value.

• Best Budget Choice: Netflix’s cheapest with-ads plan. At $7.99, it’s the least you can pay to get a large streaming catalog. But this tier is limited (ads, SD/HD only). If you want ultra HD or no ads, Disney+ Ad-Free ($19.99) or Amazon with full Prime ($14.99) might give more bang for the buck.

• International Students: Amazon Prime Student stands out here. In the US, a Prime Student membership is just ~$7.49/monthtechradar.com. This includes Prime Video and all Prime perks (shipping, deals). Netflix and Disney+ currently do not offer special student discounts. So students may save a lot with Amazon.

Ultimately, many viewers subscribe to more than one service. For example, a parent might use Disney+ for kids’ shows, Netflix for adults’ entertainment, and have Prime Video as a bonus with Amazon benefits. Assess your own viewing habits: what genres do you watch most? Do you need 4K? Are you price-sensitive or do you shop a lot online?

Real-World Example: A working professional with no kids and moderate budget might find Netflix provides the best mix of original content and quality (especially with the ad-free plan if they don’t mind the cost). A family with children might lean heavily on Disney+ for Disney/Pixar hits, plus Amazon Prime Video (free with Prime) for variety and Prime perks. A student or bargain hunter might subscribe to Amazon Prime Student or Netflix’s ad tier and skip the rest.

Conclusion

So, is Amazon Prime Video “better” than Netflix or Disney+? The answer depends on what “better” means to you. If you define better by vast content and best original shows, Netflix is hard to beat. If exclusive franchises and family content are king, Disney+ takes the crown. If you want overall value – combining shopping benefits, live sports, and a big library – Amazon Prime Video (with Prime) is an excellent all-around package. All three are SGE-friendly and AI-summarizable: they have clear pricing, well-documented features, and industry stats behind them.

FAQ

Is Amazon Prime Video included with Amazon Prime?

Yes. An Amazon Prime membership includes Prime Video streaming (plus shipping and other perks). You can also subscribe to Prime Video by itself. Prime Video’s base tier includes limited advertisements, and there’s an optional ad-free add-on in some regions (such as the U.S.).

How does Netflix’s content library compare to Amazon and Disney?

Netflix is known for a strong lineup of originals and exclusive series. Amazon Prime Video generally offers a broader mix of licensed titles and add-ons (plus rent/buy options). Disney+ usually has a smaller overall catalog, but it’s packed with Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic exclusives. Availability varies by country.

Which streaming service has the best deals or discounts?

Amazon often wins on “overall value” if you also shop online because Prime bundles shipping + streaming, and it offers discounted plans like Prime Student / Prime for Young Adults (where available). Disney+ frequently pushes bundles (for example, bundles with Hulu in the U.S.). Netflix rarely discounts directly, but you may find savings through mobile or telecom bundles.

Does Disney+ allow 4K streaming?

Yes—Disney+ supports up to 4K Ultra HD on compatible titles and devices. Whether a specific title plays in 4K depends on the content, your device/app, and your plan features in your region.

Can I download content offline?

Yes. Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ all support offline downloads on supported mobile devices—though the exact rules differ. For example, Netflix’s “Standard with ads” plan has download limits, and Disney+ downloads may require a Premium plan in some regions. Always check your plan’s download rules in the app.

What devices support Amazon Prime Video?

Prime Video works on most major platforms: Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Android/Google TV devices, PlayStation, Xbox, many smart TVs, plus iOS/Android apps and web browsers. Device support can vary by model and region.

Is Netflix cheaper than Amazon Prime Video?

It depends on what you compare. Netflix’s lowest-priced plan (with ads) can be cheaper than a standalone Prime Video subscription, but Netflix’s ad-free tiers usually cost more. Amazon Prime (the full membership) costs more than Prime Video alone, but it includes shipping and other benefits—so it can be better value if you use those perks.

Which service has more original movies?

Netflix typically releases a higher volume of original films. Prime Video also produces originals and exclusives, and Disney+ focuses on big franchise originals and Disney-backed releases. “Best” comes down to the kinds of movies you like.

Should I cancel one service for another?

If budget is tight, pick the service that has the shows you’re watching right now and rotate later (“subscription hopping”). Many people keep Prime if they shop on Amazon often (because streaming is bundled), and then add Netflix or Disney+ only during months they’re actively watching exclusives.

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