Amazon Prime Video Review & Guide
As one of the biggest streaming services to hit Australian shores, Amazon Prime comes with a big reputation. But is the hype justified? Find out how you can get Amazon Prime Video, what you can watch, how much it costs, and how it compares to Netflix and Stan in this Canstar Blue review.
What is Amazon Prime Video?
Amazon Prime Video – or just ‘Prime Video’ – is a streaming video on demand (SVOD) service that is run by Amazon, the massive online retailer. The service has actually been around in some form since 2006, but only in 2016 did Prime Video start to take off when it acquired rights to The Grand Tour, a show featuring former Top Gear hosts James May, Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson. Now it has many shows and films to watch and competes with other streaming services in Australia, most notably Netflix and Stan. Amazon Prime Video has a range of features including:
- Stream content on up to three devices at once
- Download content to your iPhone, iPad, tablet or Android device to watch on the go
- Data-saver feature, which controls data usage while downloading and streaming on select devices
- 30-day free trial, cancel anytime
- Add up to six profiles to one account so every member of your household can personalise their viewing experience
Is Amazon Prime Video available in Australia?
Yes, Amazon Prime Video is available in Australia. It has been since late 2016, when Amazon first launched its 200-country service. Prime is now available in every country worldwide, with the exception of mainland China, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Crimea.
If you sign up to Amazon Prime, you’ll also have Prime Video included in your subscription. Amazon Prime is a membership for $6.99 per month with free delivery and subscriptions to Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Reading and Prime Gaming (a gaming service formally called Twitch Prime).
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Does Amazon Prime Video have a free trial?
There is a 30-day free trial for new customers for Amazon Prime, the online store and delivery service, which includes free access to Amazon Prime Video. You’ll have to create an account and provide your details, but there aren’t many streaming services that offer a 30-day free trial anymore, giving it a few bonus points amongst streamers.
How can I watch Amazon Prime Video?
Like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video is web-based and is able to be watched on pretty much any device that can access the internet. In addition to watching on your web browser, there are a range of compatible devices including:
- Certain smart TVs (brands include Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, LG, Hisense and Philips)
- Amazon Devices (FireTV/Fire TV Stick, Echo devices with a screen, Fire Tablet)
- Gaming consoles such as the Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and PlayStation 4
- Select Blu-Ray players (brands include LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony)
- Android and iOS (Apple) devices including phones and tablets (download to app from the Apple App store or Google Play store)
- Set-top boxes and media players (including Google Chromecast, Telstra TV and Apple TV)
How much does Amazon Prime Video cost in Australia?
Amazon Prime Video includes a 30-day free trial, and then is only $6.99 per month. Unlike Stan and Netflix, you won’t have to choose your subscription type, as there is only one subscription for Prime Video (similar to the Disney+ subscription model). You can also choose a year subscription, (like Disney+) for $59 paid upfront.
If you’re a regular Amazon shopper, you might find an Amazon Prime subscription could be more value. At the same price as the Prime Video subscription, you’ll also get the free and fast delivery on orders, along with subscriptions to Prime Video, Prime Reading, Prime Music and Twitch Prime, which is a gaming subscription service. Prime Reading gives you access to a huge selection of books, magazines, comics and more, while Prime Music allows you to stream two million songs, ad free.
Sign up to Disney+ Australia
Keen for some animated classics? Why note check out Disney+? There are two plan options to choose from – a monthly subscription at $11.99 per month, or prepay for a year at $119.99 and save on the monthly cost. Both plans include the same features, with unlimited downloads and the ability to stream on up to four screens at the same time. This table includes links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month or year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $11.99 over one month |
4 | $11.99 |
Get DealCanstar Blue receives a commission for sign-ups through Disney+ * |
|
min. cost $119.99 over one year |
4 | $119.99 |
Get DealCanstar Blue receives a commission for sign-ups through Disney+ * |
 |
^^View important information | |||
What shows are on Amazon Prime Video Australia?
Prime Video includes a wide range of shows and movies, but perhaps, much like Netflix, its draw card for many viewers is its selection of Amazon Originals. As somewhat of a reflection of its cost, Prime’s library is much smaller than what you’ll get with Netflix. However, there are some exciting shows on Prime Video that may tickle your fancy, here is a selection of Amazon Originals you can stream on Prime Video:
- Star Trek: Picard
- Jack Ryan
- American Gods
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Modern Love
- Mozart in the Jungle
- The Tick
- Good Omens
- Hanna
- Jonas Brothers Chasing Happiness
- Carnival Row
- The Grand Tour
- Le Mans
- Patriot
- Goliath
- Fleabag
- Sneaky Pete
- ‘I Love Dick’
- The Man in the High Castle
If you’re keen for more, check out our guide on the best shows on Amazon Prime Video. And if you get bored of the shows, why not check out what sports docos Amazon Prime Video has?
Much like with Netflix in Australia, licences for other non-original shows and movies differs from other countries. Certain shows might be on Prime Video in other countries, but on Netflix or Stan in Australia. Much of this is due to the fact that many studios, particularly in the US, have their own streaming platforms in the US, but need to reach an agreement with a provider in Australia for streaming rights.
What movies are on Amazon Prime Video Australia?
Amazon Prime Video has a large catalogue of movies on offer, including some of the newest releases. Here is a small selection of movies currently streaming on Prime Video:
- Coming 2 America
- Coming To America
- Borate Subsequent Moviefilm
- Jumanji
- Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
- Jumanji: the Next Level
- Hustlers
- Joker
- Little Women (2019)
- Knives Out
- Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood
- Late Night
- Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture
- The Lighthouse
- Love Actually
- Transformers: The Last Knight
- Forrest Gump
- Mission Impossible
If you’re looking for something for movie night, check out our guide on the best movies on Amazon Prime Video.
How does Prime Video compare to Netflix and Stan?
As is becoming a theme for Australia, US streaming services frequently water down their products for the Australian market – Netflix and Prime Video included. Prime is much cheaper, starting at $6.99 a month, while Netflix and Stan start at AUD $10.99 and $10 respectively
However, the price simply reflects the amount of content available – especially in Australia. Currently, Netflix and Stan trump Prime in terms of catalogue size, and arguably in the range of interesting content that people want to binge watch. Although, Prime Video has been grabbing some of the newer release movies, so if you’re a big movie buff, you might find some good choices with Prime Video.
Prime Video has a range of originals much like Netflix, but the shows have not yet garnered enough of a name for themselves yet. Past Amazon Originals didn’t quite reach the level of success as Netflix Originals, such as Orange is the New Black and The Crown. However, Amazon is starting to grow its original content with shows such as Jack Ryan and Good Omens causing much more of a stir.
You may also be interested in:
- The best shows and movies to watch on Stan
- The best movies to watch on Netflix Australia
- The best shows to watch on Netflix Australia
Is Amazon Prime Video worth it in Australia?
Unless there is something specific you want to watch on Prime Video, Australian users may struggle to see value, and it’s hard to see what’s available prior to signing up. However, for the free trial and cheap price, Amazon Prime Video may be worth a go.
It’s hard to argue against Netflix, Stan or even Disney+, however, and even if they cost more than Prime Video, there is no doubt their libraries are bigger and the quality of content is probably – subjectively – more desirable. You might find a bit more value in an Amazon Prime subscription if you do more online shopping, especially considering the price point. All in all, Prime Video is slowly expanding its content and at a cheaper monthly price, you could still find enough value to entice you to sign up. And if you’re still not sure, why not check out our Pay TV and streaming services ratings to see what else is on offer, and how they stack up against each other.
Stream great shows and movies with BINGE
Looking for something more? Check out BINGE’s huge library of content, with three plans to choose from. Prices start at $10 per month for a basic package and go up to $18 per month. Check out the plan inclusions in the below table. This table includes links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $10 over one month |
1 | $10 |
Go To Site |
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min. cost $14 over one month |
2 | $14 |
Go To Site |
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min. cost $18 over one month |
4 | $18 |
Go To Site |
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^^View important information | |||
About the author of this page
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Content Projects Lead, Dean Heckscher. He’s our resident expert on all things automotive, health & fitness, streaming and more. Dean is also one of Canstar Blue’s customer research report producers, helping to turn complicated subjects into easily-digestible information for our readers. He’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services.
