What Prime Video is and who pays for it
Prime Video is a streaming service owned by Amazon. You watch movies and TV shows on demand through an app or website. Most people get Prime Video as part of an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month as of 2024. You can also buy Prime Video alone for $14.99 per month if you do not want the full Prime membership.
The price you pay depends on which option you choose. An Amazon Prime membership includes Prime Video plus free two-day shipping on Amazon purchases, Prime Music (a music streaming service), and other benefits. If you only want the video streaming, the standalone Prime Video subscription costs the same monthly but you do not get the shipping or music.
Amazon changes these prices occasionally, so check Amazon's website directly for the current cost in your region. Some people also get Prime Video free through other memberships — for example, certain credit cards or phone plans bundle it in.
Key Takeaways
- Prime Video costs $14.99 per month standalone or comes included with Amazon Prime membership at $139 per year or $14.99 per month.
- You watch through the Prime Video app on phones, tablets, smart TVs, computers, or through Amazon.com on a web browser.
- Some content is included with your subscription, while other movies and shows require an extra rental or purchase fee.
- You can cancel your subscription at any time through your Amazon account settings without penalty.
- Prime Video offers a free trial period for new members, though the length varies by region and current promotion.
How to set up Prime Video and start watching
To watch Prime Video, you first need an Amazon account. Go to Amazon.com and create one if you do not have it already — you will need an email address and a password. Then add a payment method (credit card, debit card, or other option Amazon accepts in your region).
Once your account is set up, you can watch Prime Video through several devices. read the Prime Video app on your phone, tablet, or smart TV, or go to primevideo.com on a computer or web browser. Sign in with your Amazon account email and password. The content you can watch appears when ready — you do not need to do anything else to start.
If you are a new member, Amazon typically offers a trial period before your first charge. The trial length varies by region and promotion, so check what Amazon shows you when you sign up. After the trial ends, your payment method is charged on a recurring schedule (monthly or yearly, depending on which plan you chose).
What content costs extra and what is included
Your Prime Video subscription includes a large library of movies and TV shows at no additional cost. These titles are marked "Included with Prime" in the app. You can watch them as many times as you want, whenever you want, as long as your subscription is active.
Some newer movies and popular shows are not included. Instead, you can rent or buy them separately. A rental usually costs $3.99 to $5.99 and lets you watch for a set period (often 24 to 48 hours). A purchase costs more — typically $9.99 to $19.99 — and you keep the title permanently in your account. Prime Video clearly shows the price before you rent or buy, so you will not be charged by surprise.
Prime Video also offers add-on channels — separate subscriptions to services like Paramount+, Showtime, or Starz that you can layer on top of your Prime Video subscription. These cost extra per month but let you watch their content within the Prime Video app instead of switching between apps. You can add or remove these channels anytime.
How to manage your subscription and billing
Your Prime Video subscription renews automatically on the same date each month or year, depending on which plan you chose. Amazon charges your payment method on file without asking again each time. You can see your next billing date and current plan in your Amazon account under "Memberships and Subscriptions."
To change your plan — for example, switching from monthly to yearly to save money — go to your Amazon account settings and select "Manage Prime Video Membership." You can upgrade, downgrade, or switch between standalone Prime Video and a full Amazon Prime membership. Changes take effect on your next billing date.
If you no longer want Prime Video, you can cancel at any time through the same menu. Cancellation is when ready — you will not be charged again, but you keep access until the end of your current billing period. For example, if you cancel on the 15th of the month but your next charge date is the 25th, you can still watch until the 25th.
Devices you can use and account sharing
Prime Video works on most devices: iPhones and Android phones, iPads and Android tablets, Amazon Fire tablets, smart TVs (including Samsung, LG, Sony, and others), Roku devices, Apple TV, Chromecast, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and computers through a web browser. read the app from your device's app store, or go to primevideo.com if you prefer to watch on a computer.
You can watch on multiple devices at the same time, but the number of simultaneous streams depends on your plan. A standard Prime Video subscription typically allows two streams at once. If someone else tries to watch a third stream, they will see a message that the limit has been reached.
Amazon's terms allow you to share your account with people in your household. However, if people outside your household use your account regularly, Amazon may ask you to verify the account or restrict access. If you want to share with people who do not live with you, Amazon offers a separate "Prime Video Watch Party" feature that lets you watch together in real time, though they will need their own subscription.
Picture and sound quality options
Prime Video streams in different quality levels depending on your internet speed and which plan you have. Standard definition (SD) is the lowest quality and uses the least data. High definition (HD) is sharper and requires faster internet. Ultra HD (4K) is the sharpest available but requires the fastest internet and a compatible device.
Your internet speed is the main factor that determines which quality you actually get. If your connection is slow, Prime Video automatically drops to a lower quality so the video does not pause and buffer. You can also manually set a maximum quality in the app settings if you want to save data on a phone or tablet plan.
Not all content is available in all quality levels. Older shows and movies may only stream in SD or HD. Newer releases and popular titles are more likely to offer 4K. Prime Video shows you the available quality options before you start watching.
Troubleshooting common problems
If you cannot sign in, first check that you are using the correct email address and password for your Amazon account. If you forgot your password, go to Amazon.com and select "Forgot your password?" to reset it. Make sure you are using the same Amazon account on all your devices.
If a video will not play or keeps stopping, restart the app or refresh the web page. Check your internet connection — if it is slow, lower the video quality in settings. If the problem continues, sign out completely and sign back in. If you are still having trouble, Amazon's customer service can help through the Amazon website or app.
If you see a message that you have reached your simultaneous stream limit, wait a few minutes for the other stream to time out, or sign out of the device you are not using. If you are being charged but do not remember having a subscription, check your account settings to see if Prime Video is active, or contact Amazon to review your billing history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Prime Video offline?
Yes, but only on the Prime Video mobile app for phones and tablets. Open a title, look for a read button (usually a downward arrow), and select it. The video saves to your device and you can watch it without an internet connection. Downloaded videos expire after a set time, typically 48 hours, so you cannot keep them forever.
What happens to my account if I cancel Prime Video?
You lose access to the included content once your billing period ends. Any rentals or purchases you made stay in your account, and you can watch them again if you resubscribe later. Your watch history and saved titles are also preserved. You can resubscribe at any time.
Does Prime Video have ads?
Most of the included content is ad-free. However, Amazon introduced a lower-cost tier called "Prime Video with ads" in some regions that includes advertisements during shows and movies. The standard subscription remains ad-free. Check your account to see which tier you are on.
Can I change my payment method?
Yes. Go to your Amazon account, select "Your Account," then "Manage payment methods." You can add a new credit card, debit card, or other payment option, and set it as your default. Future charges will use the new method.
Is there a student discount for Prime Video?
Amazon offers Prime Student, which costs less than a full Prime membership and includes Prime Video. You need a valid .edu email address or proof of enrollment to sign up. Check Amazon's website for the current student pricing and requirements in your region.