A while ago, I wrote a post comparing Netflix Instant to Hulu Plus. Netflix was the clear winner for my personal viewing habits; let’s see how it holds up against Amazon’s streaming service.
Amazon began offering unlimited free streaming to customers who are a part of their Amazon Prime service. Previous to the streaming perk, Prime was a paid service which allowed users to get free two-day shipping on most items purchased at Amazon or one of their merchant partners. It makes total financial sense for me to purchase it each year, because I spend a lot of money at Amazon, year after year.
Let’s compare them point by point.
Cost
Amazon Prime costs $89/year, and Netflix Instant costs $96/year.
Selection
Amazon’s selection of streaming titles is fairly limited compared to Netflix, but it does offer a few titles I was looking for that Netflix doesn’t, including Justified, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Dead Like Me, and Falling Skies.
Picture and Sound Quality
Netflix gives me a perfect HD picture and quality sound about 95% of the time. Amazon’s picture quality was sketchy, and there were long gaps in my viewing while the video buffered.
Device Compatibility
I can stream Netflix on my Kindle Fire, iPad, DVD player, TiVo, Wii, directly through my TV, and on the computer. I can watch Amazon Prime on my computer. While Amazon claims their streaming service is compatible with many devices, none of them happen to be devices I own. I work on my computer about 16 hours a day, I don’t really enjoy watching TV on it, I prefer to watch TV on my couch, with a cat or two, with my computer shut off. It helps me keep work time and Selena time separate.
Overall
Amazon Prime streaming is a nice perk, but I stay with the service because of free shipping, not for the streaming service. The price is certainly nice, but the device restrictions and limited selection are keeping me from giving up my beloved Netflix, which remains the clear winner in the battle of the streaming services.
10 replies on “We Try It: Netflix v. Amazon Prime Unlimited Streaming”
I think I’m the last weirdo who doesn’t have Amazon Prime because I hardly ever buy anything online (and when I do get stuff there, I just make sure it adds up to $25 so I can get the free slow shipping). I do know my dad’s password and have watched a couple movies that way, but I hate watching things on my computer. Glad to know I’m not missing much!
I’m still waiting for a service that lets me pay per series, to watch them legally and (HD-)quality, a bit cheaper if you want streaming over downloading.
Wow I have been wanting to watch Justified for so long. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I just find searching through Amazon’s video list to be a lot more clunky than the fast netflix way. :)
I can watch Amazon Prime through my Wii. You just have to go into the store on the Wii and “buy” the free app, then follow the instructions.
aHA! That’s the trick. I also discovered I can stream on my new phone from Amazon, so I take back some of what I said above. ; )
Yes! The interface is a little clunky compared to Netflix, but it does work.
We have both. It’s probably wrong, but I buy *so many things* with Amazon Prime. I love that free shipping!
I’m not giving either one of them up, no judgment here.
Edited to take the “e” out of judgment, because that word is my Kryptonite.
Just pretend you’re British. They can use the “e” there. :)
wait judgement doesn’t have an e in it? that’s how i have spelled it for my entire life.