Amazon Prime Video vs Netflix: Which one is better for Indians?

The streaming service business is saturated with options right now.

14:46 06 January 2020

However, two services emerge as frontrunners in this tight race, Amazon Prime and Netflix. The competition between these two rivals drives them to create original content that is relatable and attractive to the Indian audience. However, the average Indian cannot keep up with the surge in the subscription fees and has to make a choice. Though Netflix has many quality shows, the pricing for Indian audience falls on the heavier side and thus, drives many of them to prefer Amazon Prime Video. The following points present a showdown; Amazon Prime Video vs Netflix, a debate that has no end.

Amazon Prime is Easy on the Pocket

It is no news that the subscription cost for Amazon Prime is way cheaper than Netflix, especially in India. The lowest price for a Netflix subscription is Rs. 500 and the premium plan is for Rs. 800. Moreover, the basic plan can be used only in a single screen at a time. In contrast, Amazon Prime’s monthly plan stands at Rs. 129, which is the only plan it offers. However, the yearly subscription is also way cheaper, at Rs. 999 per year, the monthly total comes to be roughly Rs. 89 per month.

Abundance of Regional Content

Netflix seems to cater more towards the English-speaking audience, thus, the number of international films and series (especially Hollywood productions) is more. Prime seems to lead in this area too, there is more content in Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali language than on any other streaming platform in India. Therefore, to cater to pan-Indian audiences, Netflix should try to broaden its horizon and diversify its content. As of now, only Prime Video offers options to binge on content in other Indian languages.

Additional Benefits with Regular Subscription

When you subscribe to Amazon Prime, you don’t only pay for the streaming service. There are many other perks tied within the average subscription plan. Apart from Prime Video, Indian subscribers can enjoy the benefit of two-day delivery on their orders, early access to flash sales and premium deals, Prime Music, and more. Netflix on the other hand is purely a video-streaming service. Thus, if you want more options within the same subscription, then Amazon Prime is a truly good deal, here is a depth article on amazon prime perks. However, if your focus is solely on watching movies and TV series online, then Netflix can be a good option.

HD and 4K Services

In the basic package of Netflix (Rs. 500 per month), the subscribers only get standard HD quality, that is 720p. To stream content in 1080p and 4K Ultra HD, you have to upgrade to more expensive plans. As opposed to this, Amazon Prime Video does not charge extra for streaming content in 1080p Full HD or 4K Ultra HD resolution. Moreover, Amazon lets you stream content to 3 screens at a time but in Netflix you can stream content to four devices at once only after paying for the premium membership (Rs. 800 per month).

Access to Amazon Prime Music

Prime membership also allows subscribers to access music services, in addition to video streaming. The song library is also not only limited to latest Hollywood and Bollywood releases. Prime music boasts of music content in 12 different languages, such as English, Hindi, Punjabi, Kannada, Bhojpuri, Gujrati, Rajasthani, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi. This vastness implies that Amazon Prime is truly committed to catering to the diversity present within the country. As opposed to Netflix, Amazon Prime offers more in the same plan and also caters to a diverse audience, looking for entertainment.

The Bottom Line

In the Amazon Prime Video vs. Netflix debate, one side might seem to come out stronger. However, Amazon Prime is not without its own faults. The content, though catering to a larger audience, is also mostly subpar. Compared to the quality of Netflix’s curated content, Amazon Prime Video seems to fall short. Similarly, Netflix, throughout the years, has perfected its user interface to run smoothly on multiple devices and platforms. The user interface of Amazon Prime Video seems clunkier and also does not appeal aesthetically. In the end, it is up to the users and their priorities, which will decide what services works best for them.