Introduction
If you’re wondering whether Amazon Prime Video is free, you’re not alone. With the popularity of streaming services on the rise and many people looking for ways to cut costs, finding a good TV streaming service that doesn’t break the bank is more important than ever. In this article, we’ll explore the question of whether Amazon Prime Video is free and how viewers can access free content on the platform. We’ll also compare Amazon Prime Video to other popular streaming services and weigh the value of its subscription fees.
How to Watch Amazon Prime Video for Free: A Step-by-Step Guide
Firstly, it’s important to understand that Amazon Prime Video is a feature of Amazon Prime, the subscription service provided by Amazon. You can access Amazon Prime Video by signing up for an Amazon Prime membership, which starts at $12.99 per month for a month-to-month subscription or ~$119 a year. Students can also sign up with a discounted rate that ranges from $6.49 to $70 annually based on the number of years they sign up for. While there is a cost associated with Amazon Prime, it does offer benefits beyond just streaming services. For example, the subscription provides free 2-day delivery for Amazon.com purchases, access to Amazon’s music streaming service, and much more.
If you’re hesitant to commit to a subscription, Amazon does offer a 30-day free trial for new users. Once you’ve signed up, you can access Amazon Prime Video by downloading the app or accessing it through your web browser. The interface is user-friendly, and you can search for content based on genre, keyword, or other categories.
One way to find free content on Amazon Prime Video is to browse the service’s “Free to watch” section. You can also use the search function and filter your search to show only free content.
5 Alternatives to Amazon Prime Video for the Budget-Conscious Viewer
While Amazon Prime Video offers an array of content, it may not be the best choice for everyone, especially those trying to save money. Fortunately, there are other streaming services that offer free or low-cost options. Here are five alternative streaming services to consider:
1. Hulu
Hulu offers two types of subscription services: basic and premium. Its basic service starts at $5.99 per month and includes ads. The premium service, on the other hand, costs $11.99 per month and is ad-free. While Hulu doesn’t offer as much free content as Amazon Prime Video, it does offer a range of popular TV shows and movies, and its subscription costs are relatively low.
2. YouTube TV
YouTube TV offers a wide range of TV shows, live sports events, and movies for just $64.99 per month. Though it is more expensive than Amazon Prime Video, the service offers channels like ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox, making it an excellent option for sports fans.
3. Crave
If you’re in Canada, then Crave is one streaming service to look at. It offers premium cable TV channels like HBO and Showtime, as well as several on-demand programming blocks from a variety of popular TV networks, for a monthly subscription fee of $9.99.
4. IMDb TV
Owned by Amazon, IMDb TV provides free TV shows and movies that you can stream with no subscription fee. Keep in mind, however, that this content is ad-supported and there’s no access to premium content.
5. Peacock TV
Peacock, from NBCUniversal, is another streaming service which offers a range of TV shows, movies and original series. It offers both free and paid subscription tiers, with the free tier including advertising and limited access to content. The premium tiers, from $4.99 to $9.99 per month, offer more access to content as well as ad-free viewing.
Exploring Amazon Prime Video’s Free Content: What’s Worth Watching?
If you’re looking for free entertainment content, Amazon Prime Video does provide a range of movies, series, and documentaries. Here are some options you may want to check out:
1. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
This Amazon Prime original series has won multiple awards for its engaging story and talented cast. The show is about a wealthy New York housewife who discovers her talent for stand-up comedy in the 1950s.
2. The Big Sick
This film, written by Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, tells the story of their real-life courtship and the difficulties they faced as an interracial couple. The Big Sick is a rom-com with a heart and humor, and it received positive critics reviews.
3. A Quiet Place
If you’re a horror film enthusiast, A Quiet Place is a must-watch. This film, directed by John Krasinski, provides us with a frightening concept of a family forced to remain silent to avoid an alien threat that listens for any sound.
Are Amazon Prime Video’s Subscription Fees Worth the Cost?
Whether the cost of Amazon Prime Video is worthwhile depends on a variety of factors. As mentioned earlier, the subscription provides access to a range of features beyond just streaming services such as free delivery, extensive platform of different items and music, among others. For those who order from Amazon often, the service may be a valuable tool for saving money on shipping costs. With respect to free content, Amazon Prime Video does provide a selection of TV Shows, movies, and original series, but it may not have everything you’re looking for. It’s worth mentioning that if you tend to watch a lot of premium content, you may exceed the other alternatives’ subscription fees in terms of cost.
Amazon Prime Video vs. Netflix: Which Streaming Service Offers More for Free?
When comparing these two popular streaming services, it’s worth noting that Netflix has the largest subscription base in the world, and its streaming platform was the first to hit popular culture. It has an extensive list of critically-acclaimed original series like The Queen’s Gambit, Stranger Things, and Money Heist among others. In contrast, Amazon Prime Video has also generated multiple award-winning series like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Man in the High Castle or Fleabag, and movies such as The Report or Late Night. Amazon Prime Video’s interface is relatively more simple and user-friendly, while Netflix’s interface recommends a personalized roster of content based on the user’s viewing history. In terms of free content, Netflix only offers its first-month as a free trial; beyond that, there is no free access to Netflix. In contrast, and as mentioned previously, Amazon provides various free selections.
Conclusion
While Amazon Prime Video isn’t entirely free, there are ways to access free content, and the subscription provides multiple bonuses beyond just streaming services like Amazon’s prime shipping benefit. However, it’s essential to balance the value of the subscription’s additional benefits against the cost individual premium content. There are other streaming services available that viewers can explore, like Hulu or YouTube TV, and Amazon Prime Video is just one option in a crowded market that offers a range of access to different types of content at various pricing points.
