Amazon Prime Video is a streaming service that offers a treasure trove of video content. This streaming service is one of the many benefits included with an Amazon Prime membership, but did you know you can also get it as a standalone service for $8.99/month?
That’s a game-changer if you’re not interested in the full suite of Prime benefits. As someone who’s always looking for engaging documentaries or educational shows to share with my network of educators, I find this flexibility incredibly appealing.
Amazon Prime Video Benefits
Let’s tackle the big question first: Do you need an Amazon Prime Membership to use Prime Video? Nope, you don’t. You can rent or buy titles individually, which offers great flexibility for those “one-off” situations where you might want to show a specific educational film or documentary in your class or recommend it to parents.
However, an Amazon Prime membership does offer free titles and often exclusive access to Amazon’s own in-house original shows and movies. That’s a plus when you’re trying to keep a classroom—or a household—entertained and educated.
Now, if you’re on the move like me, always between meetings, researching, and possibly attending educational seminars, the feature to download Prime Video titles for offline viewing is a lifesaver. All you need is the Prime Video app on your device, and you’re good to go. It’s like carrying a mini-library of video content right in your pocket!
Related: Everything You Need to Know about Amazon Prime Student
The maturity ratings and parental controls on Prime Video shouldn’t be overlooked either. As educators and parents, we know that not all content is suitable for all age groups. With the ability to set restrictions and require an Account PIN for certain types of content, Prime Video makes it easy to curate an age-appropriate viewing experience.
As for the content, it’s vast and varied, spanning TV shows, documentaries, movies, and even live sports programming like NFL and NBA. What caught my eye, especially, are the documentaries—these can be a rich resource for educators. You can flip the classroom by assigning a documentary for homework and then discussing it in class the next day.
Did I mention you can add on various channels like PBS, Showtime, STARZ, and BBC? That’s like having the best of all worlds, especially when I think of channels like PBS which offer a ton of educational content.
And finally, for those of you like me who sometimes have multiple devices going at once (research, am I right?), you’ll be happy to know that Prime Video supports up to three simultaneous streams.
Cost-wise, you’ve got options. A 30-day trial period lets you dip your toes in. After that, it’s part of the Amazon Prime package at $14.99 per month, or you can opt for the standalone service at $8.99/month or $139.00/year.
So there it is. Whether you’re an educator looking to supplement classroom materials, a parent wanting to control what your kids watch, or a student in need of some quality downtime, Amazon Prime Video has something for everyone.
Note: As an affiliate partner with Amazon, I do earn from qualifying purchases made through the links I share in this post. But rest assured, I only recommend products and services that I personally use, love, and believe will add value to your lives as teachers, parents, and students.
FAQ
All You Need to Know About Amazon Prime Video
Where can I watch Prime movies?
Great question, especially for educators who want to integrate movies into their teaching or parents looking for convenient ways to entertain their kids. You can watch Prime Video content on the web by going to Amazon.com/primevideo. Alternatively, you can use the Prime Video app on your iOS and Android devices, as well as select Smart TVs.
Is Prime Video better than Netflix?
Both services have their merits, but it really depends on what you’re looking for. Netflix has a wide range of original content and might have a slight edge in terms of international films and series. On the flip side, Prime Video often has a more extensive selection of newer Hollywood releases. From an educational standpoint, Prime Video offers a lot of documentaries and educational material that could be incredibly useful in a classroom or as a learning resource at home.
Do you need a smart TV for Prime?
No, you don’t necessarily need a smart TV. You can still watch Prime Video on a regular TV by using a streaming device like Amazon Firestick. Just plug it into your TV’s HDMI port, and you’ll be able to enjoy Prime Video’s extensive library. It’s a pretty easy workaround for those who haven’t made the leap to a smart TV yet.
Is Prime Video better than YouTube?
This one is a bit subjective and depends on what you’re after. YouTube is fantastic for short-form content, vlogs, and, of course, a limitless supply of educational tutorials and lectures. Prime Video, on the other hand, provides a more traditional viewing experience with a wide range of movies, series, and high-quality original content. If you’re looking for long-form storytelling or higher production values, Prime Video might be more up your alley.
Is Prime Video and Prime the same?
Not exactly. Prime Video is a component of Amazon Prime, but you can also subscribe to it as a standalone service. With Amazon Prime, you get a whole suite of benefits like free shipping, exclusive deals, and, yes, Prime Video. If you’re interested only in the streaming service, you can get Prime Video by itself for $8.99 a month.
