Netflix vs Amazon Prime: Which is better?

Well, now as I have subscribed and watched content on both platforms, we can discuss which one is better. If you are a new OTT user and would want to subscribe to one of these, this blog post is for you. This post will help you decide where you can watch movies and TV Shows effortlessly at your convenience.

1) User Profiles

User profiles are a set of profiles which you can create to separate your viewing from that of your sister or family or friend. User profile for a particular individual lets us keep our recommendations and watchlists different from others.

Netflix

• Convenient to select the user profiles as they appear the first on your screen.
• In Profile images there is a lot of variety. You can select your favourite characters, cartoons and colours.

Amazon Prime

• User profiles are not explicitly visible. To select a different one, you will have to make an effort to go to the top right corner.
• Only four types of profile images available.

2) Maturity Rating

As the platforms have content for all age groups, assigning a maturity rating and restrictions to a particular user profile is essential.

Netflix

• Netflix follows 7+, 13+, 16+, 18+ maturity ratings.
• If a user profile is assigned a maturity rating, let’s say 16+, then that profile will have all the movies and TV shows equal or under 16+ maturity rating.

Amazon Prime

• Prime assigns maturity ratings to content based on the ratings prevalent in the specific country. For example, in India it displays U, U/A, A ratings. In US, it is G, PG, PG-13, R.
• If a user profile is assigned a maturity rating, the titles above that maturity rating will have a password encryption.

3) Video Options

This heading will analyze the various options both platforms provide while streaming the content.

Netflix

• Subtitles
• 10 seconds backward/forward
• Playback speed (0.5x, 0.75x. 1x(normal), 1.25x, 1.5x)
• Next episode
• List of all episodes

Amazon Prime

• Subtitles
• 10 seconds backward/ forward
• Video quality
• Name of actors(in the current scene)
• Some fun facts about the current scene
• Next episode

4) Search option

Netflix

• The search option shows more relevant and newer titles.
• Provides recommendation on similar search topics at top.

Amazon Prime

• The search option doesn’t show many relevant titles. Here it is showing majority of ‘Vampire Diaries’ titles which is irrelevant.
• Provides recommendation on similar search topics while searching.

5) Watchlist

Netflix

• ‘My List’ collects all the titles that you want to watch later.
• No segregation based on Movies or TV shows.

Amazon Prime

• Segregation based on Movies and TV shows.

6) Critic ratings

Netflix

• Provides personalized ratings based on previously watched titles.
• Doesn’t show critic ratings.

Amazon Prime

• It shows an IMDb rating of the title.
• No personalized recommended ratings.

7) Content banners

The platforms categorize the content into latest, best and many more banners. This is done to provide better recommendations.

Netflix

• At your home page it shows the top 10 titles in your country.
• Recommendation banners include: Trending now, Bingeworthy TV thrillers, Watch in one weekend, Gems for you.

Amazon Prime

• It displays its top titles in the top banner.
• Recommendation banners include: Latest movies, Top movies, Best of world cinema.

8) Content

As you may have heard ‘content is the king’, it is important for these platforms to bring fresh and intriguing content.

Netflix

• It has new content coming every week.
• Large pool of content to select from.

Amazon Prime

• Lesser new movies coming per week.
• Good at fetching regional content.

Conclusion

Depending on what you prefer, now you can select an apt video streaming service. I like both the platforms for different reasons. If you have used any of these platforms, what are the things that you like/dislike about them? Do let me know in the comment section below.