Prime Video and Paramount Plus are separate services with different costs
Prime Video does not include Paramount Plus. They are two different streaming services owned by different companies. Prime Video is owned by Amazon; Paramount Plus is owned by Paramount Global. You need a separate subscription to each one if you want to watch both.
Prime Video comes free with an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month. Paramount Plus costs $5.99 per month with ads or $11.99 per month without ads. If you want both services, you pay for both — there is no bundle that combines them.
Some people confuse the two because both are major streaming services with large libraries. But they have different owners, different content, and different subscription terms. Knowing which shows and movies you actually want to watch will help you decide whether you need one, both, or neither.
Key Takeaways
- Prime Video and Paramount Plus are owned by different companies and require separate paid subscriptions.
- Prime Video is free with Amazon Prime membership ($139 yearly or $14.99 monthly), while Paramount Plus costs $5.99 to $11.99 monthly depending on ads.
- The two services have different content libraries, so the shows you want to watch determine which one you need.
- Amazon does not offer a bundle that includes Paramount Plus with Prime Video.
What content is exclusive to each service
Paramount Plus owns the rights to shows and movies from the Paramount film studio, CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central. That means you will find Star Trek series, The Good Fight, Yellowstone, 1883, Halo, and Rugrats on Paramount Plus but not on Prime Video. Paramount Plus also carries live sports including NFL games, college football, and soccer.
Prime Video has its own original series and films, including The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Rings of Power, and The Expanse. Prime Video also licenses content from other studios, so it carries movies and shows that Paramount Plus does not. The overlap between the two services is small — most titles appear on one or the other, not both.
If you watch a lot of CBS shows, Star Trek, or live NFL games, Paramount Plus is the service you need. If you prefer Amazon originals or want access to a broader range of licensed films, Prime Video is the better choice. Many people who want both services end up paying for both subscriptions.
How to check if a specific show or movie is on Prime Video
The fastest way to know whether a title is on Prime Video is to search for it directly in the Prime Video app or on Amazon.com. Type the name of the show or movie into the search box. If it appears in the results, you can watch it with your Prime membership. If it does not appear, it is not available on Prime Video.
You can also use a third-party search tool like JustWatch or Reelgood, which let you search across multiple streaming services at once. Type in the title, select your country, and the tool will show you which services carry it and what the subscription cost is. This is useful if you are trying to decide whether to subscribe to a service for one specific show.
Keep in mind that streaming rights change. A show that is on Prime Video today might leave in six months, and a show that is not there now might arrive later. If you are looking for a specific title, check the current availability before you commit to a subscription.
Whether Prime Video offers any Paramount Plus content
Prime Video does not have a built-in Paramount Plus channel or add-on. You cannot pay extra through Prime Video to unlock Paramount Plus content. The two services are completely separate, and there is no way to access one through the other.
Some streaming services do offer add-on channels — for example, you can add HBO Max or Showtime to a Prime Video subscription for an extra monthly fee. Paramount Plus is not available this way. If you want Paramount Plus, you must subscribe to it directly through the Paramount Plus app or website.
The cost of subscribing to both services
If you want to watch content on both Prime Video and Paramount Plus, here is what you would pay:
| Service | Cost | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Video (with Amazon Prime) | $139/year or $14.99/month | Streaming video plus Prime shipping and other Prime benefits |
| Paramount Plus (with ads) | $5.99/month | Streaming video with ads |
| Paramount Plus (no ads) | $11.99/month | Streaming video without ads |
| Both services (minimum) | $14.99/month + $5.99/month = $20.98/month | Prime Video plus Paramount Plus with ads |
The total cost depends on whether you choose the ad-supported or ad-free version of Paramount Plus. If you already have Amazon Prime for the shipping benefits, adding Paramount Plus costs $5.99 to $11.99 per month on top of what you already pay. If you do not have Prime, the total cost is higher.
Alternatives if you want to avoid paying for both
If the cost of two subscriptions is too high, you have a few options. First, you can subscribe to one service at a time. Watch everything you want on Paramount Plus for a month or two, then cancel and switch to Prime Video. This spreads the cost over time, though it means you cannot watch both services simultaneously.
Second, you can choose the service that has more of the content you actually watch. If you are mostly interested in Star Trek and NFL games, Paramount Plus is the better value. If you prefer Amazon originals and a broader film library, Prime Video is the better choice. Paying for one service you use regularly beats paying for two you only half-watch.
Third, you can check whether anyone in your household already has a subscription you can share. Some people split the cost of a subscription with a family member or friend. Be aware that streaming services have terms of service that limit account sharing, so check the rules before you do this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Paramount Plus shows on Prime Video?
No. Paramount Plus content is only available on Paramount Plus. Prime Video does not carry Paramount Plus shows or movies, and there is no add-on or channel that lets you access them through Prime Video. You need a separate Paramount Plus subscription.
Is there a bundle that includes both Prime Video and Paramount Plus?
No. Amazon does not offer a bundle that includes Paramount Plus. You must subscribe to Paramount Plus separately. Some other streaming services like Hulu or HBO Max can be added to Prime Video for an extra fee, but Paramount Plus is not one of them.
What if I only have Amazon Prime for shipping — do I get Prime Video?
Yes. Prime Video is included free with any Amazon Prime membership. If you pay for Prime shipping, you automatically have access to Prime Video at no extra cost. You still need a separate Paramount Plus subscription if you want to watch that service.
Can I watch live NFL games on Prime Video?
Prime Video carries some NFL games through its Thursday Night Football package, but Paramount Plus carries more live sports including additional NFL games, college football, and soccer. If live sports are your main reason for subscribing, check which specific games each service offers before you decide.
Do I lose access to Paramount Plus if I cancel my subscription?
Yes. Once your Paramount Plus subscription ends, you lose access to all content on that service. If you cancel and resubscribe later, you start fresh — you do not get a discount or resume where you left off. Prime Video works the same way.