Amazon Prime Video used to be a great place to enjoy streaming without any annoying ad breaks, but these days, that’s changing. Now, it offers you two choices: put up with commercials, or pay a few dollars more a month to continue watching ad-free. There is a third choice — finding a Prime Video alternative.
While you may not have access to Prime originals like Reacher, Jack Ryan, and The Wheel of Time, there is plenty of quality original content on other platforms.
Factors I considered when creating the list of alternatives to Prime Video include value for the subscription price, the quality of the content library, and whether the platform has original content. I also considered whether I can keep watching when I travel abroad.
Of course, with hundreds of streaming platforms out there, I couldn’t include them all. If you think I missed one, please leave a comment, and I’ll be sure to check it out.
One of the biggest misconceptions about using a VPN for streaming is that it’s only helpful if you want to access content from a different country. The reality is that using a VPN also encrypts your online activity, preventing your ISP from throttling your internet speed during bandwidth-heavy activity, such as streaming.
What’s Going On with Amazon Prime Video?
In late December 2023, Amazon sent a letter to Prime members stating that starting January 29, 2024, it’s adding commercials in TV shows and movies. Amazon already runs Freevee, an ad-supported free streaming platform, that they can use to generate the revenue needed to invest in new content.
The ads themselves aren’t really the problem. Many streaming platforms have ads-based plans. It’s the way Amazon handled it that has upset many of its viewers, myself included. Instead of lowering the price for the ad-supported version, as Netflix recently did, Prime Video is offering you the option to pay an additional $2.99 a month to continue watching as you did until now. (If you’re willing to deal with the ads, then you don’t have to make any changes to your account.)
The US is the first market that will get ads, followed by the UK, Germany, and Canada in February. The second phase of the rollout will include France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Australia toward the middle of 2024. Amazon hasn’t provided any information about any other countries just yet.
If you’re in one of the affected countries and you’re not willing to put up with this, here are some of the best alternative platforms.
The 10 Best Amazon Prime Video Alternatives
1. Netflix – Better Overall Selection of Shows and Movies
Netflix seemingly has everything you need in a streaming platform. The content library includes a constantly growing list of original and licensed TV shows and movies in every imaginable genre, including quality documentaries and comedy specials.
Netflix tailors its content to every country where it’s available. This means you’ll get some locally produced shows and movies, along with subtitles and dubbing based on your country.
Another thing I like is that you don’t have to pay for what you don’t use. You can choose a package based on streaming quality and the number of simultaneous screens. If you’re looking to save money, Netflix has started rolling out an ad-based plan that is less expensive than Prime Video. As of now, it’s available in the US, UK, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Spain.
Pros:
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- 👍 Large selection of TV shows and movies
- 👍 Available worldwide
- 👍 UHD streaming available
Cons:
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- 👎 Cracking down on password sharing
- 👎 Content changes based on location
2. Hulu – New Shows Available the Day After They Air on TV
Hulu offers a good combination of current and classic TV along with Hulu Originals. Many popular shows are available on Hulu the day after they air on ABC, Fox, FX, Comedy Central, and other major channels.
The easy-to-use interface organizes content by channels, genres, and Hulu Originals. It also recommends shows based on what you’ve watched.
Hulu has several plans to choose from, including ad-free, with ads, bundled with Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, and Live TV. The live TV options give you access to over 90 channels and a DVR, so you can watch shows when it’s convenient. There are also premium add-ons for more sports, movies, and entertainment channels.
Pros:
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- 👍 Large selection of original content
- 👍 Attractive bundles with other streaming services and live TV
- 👍 User-friendly interface
Cons:
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- 👍 Only available in the US
- 👍 Limited 4K and HDR options
3. Apple TV+ – Better Price, Better Original Content
Apple TV+ made its name with original content. Unlike Prime, Netflix, and Hulu, it doesn’t buy licenses for broadcast TV shows. It brings in big names like Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon (Morning Show), Jason Segel (Shrinking), Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso), providing plenty of star power.
You can also stream MLS soccer and Friday Night Baseball, and connect with other streaming platforms, such as Paramount Plus, MGM+, BET+, and more to expand the selection of TV and movies. Lastly, much like Prime Video, you can rent or buy movies from a large selection.
Apple TV+ is available in most countries, although some content is only available in certain locations. An Apple TV+ VPN will give you access to the content from your home country if you’re traveling abroad.
Pros:
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- 👍 High-quality original content
- 👍 Live sports
- 👍 Ad-free streaming
Cons:
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- 👎 No Android app
- 👎 Limited licensed content
4. Freevee – Similar to Prime Video, But Free
If you’re not too upset at Amazon, Freevee is an excellent Prime Video alternative. Yes, there are commercials, but the platform is free to watch, so it’s tough to be annoyed at them. It has a nice mix of older and newer shows and even some Freevee originals.
Amazon recently announced that more than 100 Prime Video Originals will also stream on Freevee. You’ll just need to be patient and avoid hearing the spoilers from your friends while you wait for the shows to become available.
Freevee is only available in the US, and you need a free Amazon account to watch. You can download apps for mobile devices, most smart TVs, and gaming consoles.
Pros:
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- 👍 100% free
- 👍 Access to Prime Video and Freevee Originals
- 👍 Thousands of movies and TV shows
Cons:
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- 👎 Can’t get rid of the ads
- 👎 No new releases
5. Pluto TV – Live and On-Demand Streaming for Free
Pluto TV has both on-demand TV and movies, and over 250 live channels. The live TV and on-demand content are organized by genre on the sidebar.
You won’t find new releases or too many hit shows, but it’s a great option if you just want to kick back and watch some TV. That being said, Pluto TV is owned by Paramount, so you can find older shows that aired on CBS and other channels owned by the company.
You don’t need to create an account to watch Pluto TV, although if you have one, you can save your favorite channels and shows and watch them on multiple devices.
Pros:
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- 👍 Free on-demand and live streaming
- 👍 Large content library
- 👍 Well-organized platform
Cons:
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- 👎 Lots of ads
- 👎 Can’t pause live TV
6. BritBox – Large Collection of British TV Shows and Movies
BritBox is the best streaming platform for British TV. It includes shows and movies from the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, and ITV.
The content library is a mix of classic and newer shows with a good selection of comedies, drama, and mysteries. You can download episodes for offline viewing, create watchlists, and set up multiple user profiles.
The best version of BritBox is in the UK, but you can’t log in when you’re visiting other countries. It’s also available in the US, Canada, South Africa, and several EU countries, but the content library is much smaller than a UK account.
Pros:
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- 👍 Large selection of British TV from the BBC and ITV
- 👍 You can watch on 4 screens simultaneously
- 👍 Commercial free
Cons:
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- 👎 No downloads for offline viewing
- 👎 Only has British content
7. Max – New Releases, Movies, and Live Sports
Max, formerly HBO Max, is owned by Warner Bros and offers more than 15,000 hours of streaming content. You’ll find comedies, dramas, family-friendly content, fast-paced action films, reality shows, and documentaries.
Max features a combination of legendary original series like Game of Thrones and The Sopranos, along with new hits like Bookie, Succession, The White Lotus, and more. You’ll also find network hits, a wide range of movies, and live news and sports.
Most of the content on Max is available in HD, and with the Ultimate plan, some titles are available in 4K HDR.
Pros:
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- 👍 Top-tier shows and original content
- 👍 Downloads for offline viewing
- 👍 Reasonably priced ad-free plan
Cons:
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- 👎 Only available in the US
- 👎 Not as many movies as other streaming platforms
8. Now TV – More Sky Originals, HBO Content, and British Shows
Sky-owned Now TV offers a wide range of content that surpasses Prime in many respects. It includes more than 3,000 movies, new TV releases from Sky TV, complete series, and a kid-friendly section.
While most of the content is geared towards British viewers, it also has a large selection of Max programming.
Now has several membership options, allowing you to customize a plan based on the type of content you want to watch, including a commercial-free option.
Pros:
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- 👍 Sky and Max Originals
- 👍 Option for Live TV
- 👍 No contracts
Cons:
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- 👎 Not as many movies as Netflix and Hulu
- 👎 Default video quality is 720p
9. Peacock – Original Content and Next-Day Streaming of New Releases
NBC-owned Peacock has shown dramatic improvements over the past year. Its content library includes a good mix of originals, new releases, and the greatest hits from NBC.
Peacock has two subscription options. The premium subscription plan is relatively inexpensive, but comes with ads. You can get rid of the ads by upgrading to the Premium Plus plan, which is still cheaper than an ad-free Prime Video subscription.
In addition to on-demand content, Peacock streams live NFL games and is the exclusive home of the English Premier League.
Pros:
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- 👍 Classic NBC shows like Cheers, Friends, and Seinfeld
- 👍 Good selection of original content
- 👍 Affordable pricing
Cons:
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- 👎 Limited movie selection
- 👎 Only available in the US
10. Paramount Plus – Combines Live and On-Demand Content
All Viacom-owned content is available to stream on Paramount Plus. This includes CBS TV, Nickelodeon, Showtime, Comedy Central, MTV, and more.
You’ll find a good mix of new releases, CBS classics, and original content that can keep you entertained, with over 40,000 hours of content. Additionally, some CBS channels are available to livestream, including NFL football and UEFA Champions League matches.
Pros:
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- 👍 Large selection of shows and movies
- 👍 Live channels
- 👍 Option for ad-free plan
Cons:
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- 👎 Not as many originals as other platforms
- 👎 Only available in the US
Why CyberGhost Is the Best VPN for Streaming
There are a few reasons why you should use a VPN for streaming, and CyberGhost excels at them all.
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- Maintaining your high-speed connection: Many ISPs intentionally slow down your internet speed when they detect bandwidth-heavy activity like streaming or gaming. CyberGhost encrypts your traffic, preventing your ISP from knowing what you’re doing and thus allowing you to avoid throttling.
- Global network of fast servers: CyberGhost boasts a large network of high-speed VPN servers in {countries_no} countries. With 10-Gbps servers strategically located in popular areas, you never have to worry about slowdowns caused by server overcrowding.
- Bypassing content filters at school, work, and home: A VPN allows you to connect to your streaming platforms, even if there are filters or firewalls designed to block access on your network.
- Secure streaming on public Wi-Fi: Stream on public Wi-Fi on the bus, train, or at the cafe without worrying about hackers accessing your data. CyberGhost VPN uses 256-bit encryption to secure your traffic.
- Unlimited data and bandwidth: Your CyberGhost VPN account has no data caps, so you can stream for as long as you want without slowdowns or interruptions.
- Streaming when you travel abroad: Losing access to your streaming platform or missing out on shows and movies while traveling to another country can be frustrating. CyberGhost’s global network of VPN servers includes streaming-optimized servers for many popular streaming services, regularly tested to ensure they work seamlessly.
Find the Best Alternatives to Prime Video
Whether it’s dissatisfaction with how Amazon handled the addition of commercials or having exhausted your favorite shows and movies on Prime Video, there’s no shortage of alternative options.
Finding a Prime Video alternative shouldn’t be difficult. All the streaming platforms listed above offer a vast selection of shows and movies. You can even rotate your accounts, subscribing to Netflix for a month, then switching to Hulu, Apple TV+, etc., to ensure you always have something new to watch and never get bored.
I strongly recommend you get CyberGhost VPN for streaming to avoid ISP throttling, secure your device on public Wi-Fi, and bypass filters and firewalls. Additionally, if you travel abroad, CyberGhost will ensure you don’t lose access to your streaming account while you’re away.
FAQ
If you have Prime Video as part of your Amazon Prime subscription, then it’s certainly worth it. It’s just one of the many benefits of a Prime account. However, if you subscribe to Prime Video, then it’s only worth it for a few months. There aren’t that many Amazon Originals, and once you finish them, you can cancel your account and look for a suitable alternative.
Netflix is a much better streaming platform than Prime Video. It has more original content and higher-rated network TV shows than Prime. This is especially true if you’re living outside the US, where the Prime Video content is very limited. The one advantage of Prime Video is that you can rent or buy some titles directly from Amazon and stream on Prime Video.
CyberGhost is the best streaming VPN. We have streaming-optimized servers that are regularly tested to make sure they work with leading streaming platforms around the world. Better yet, your account comes with unlimited bandwidth and no data caps. This allows you to stream whenever you want with no slowdowns, buffering, or lagging.
Amazon Prime Video is one of the hardest streaming platforms to access with a VPN. Most premium VPNs are detected and blocked, so free VPNs really don’t stand a chance. Even if you find one that can connect to Prime Video, most free VPNs have bandwidth and data limits that would prevent you from watching an entire movie. To access your home Prime Video content while traveling outside the country, you’ll need a VPN that’s proven to consistently work with Prime Video.
Yes, Prime Video has a 30-day free trial for non-Prime members. If you already have a Prime account, it’s included in the membership price. However, your Prime subscription will be raised by a few dollars if you want to remove ads from Prime Video.
Yes, you can subscribe to Prime Video without having an Amazon Prime account. The price for the standalone Prime Video account is also set to rise by $2.99 if you plan on upgrading to an ad-free account.
Hulu and Amazon Prime Video are competitors in the streaming battles, and they don’t offer a bundled package. There is the option to pay for Hulu through your Amazon account, which is convenient instead of managing multiple accounts, but that won’t get it to you for free.
I’ve seen this question on a few different forums, and the answer is no. Netflix and Prime Video are competing for your streaming dollars. Prime Video doesn’t have any deals for free Netflix when you register your account.
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