Prime Video and Paramount Plus are separate streaming services owned by different companies

Prime Video is owned and operated by Amazon. Paramount Plus is owned and operated by Paramount Global, the media company behind CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and the Paramount film studio. They are not the same service, though both offer movies, TV shows, and original programming.

The confusion often happens because both services have overlapping content libraries and similar subscription models. You can subscribe to either one independently, or to both at the same time. Choosing between them depends on which shows and movies matter most to you, and how much you want to spend each month.

Key Takeaways

  • Prime Video comes with an Amazon Prime membership (which includes free shipping and other benefits) or can be purchased as a standalone streaming service.
  • Paramount Plus is a standalone streaming service with no bundled benefits; you pay only for the streaming access.
  • Paramount Plus owns CBS shows, Star Trek series, and films from the Paramount studio; Prime Video owns different original series and has a broader film catalog.
  • Both services offer ad-supported and ad-free subscription tiers at different price points.

How Prime Video works and what it costs

Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime membership, which costs a monthly or annual fee. If you already pay for Prime for shipping and other Amazon benefits, you get Prime Video at no extra cost. If you want only the streaming service without the full Prime membership, Amazon offers Prime Video as a standalone subscription at a lower monthly rate.

Prime Video's library includes original series like The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Rings of Power, plus thousands of films and licensed TV shows. The service also lets you rent or purchase individual movies and shows that are not included in your subscription. Pricing varies depending on whether you choose the ad-supported or ad-free tier.

How Paramount Plus works and what it costs

Paramount Plus is a standalone subscription with no bundled benefits. You pay a monthly fee for access to the service; there is no annual Prime-style membership that gives you other perks. Like Prime Video, Paramount Plus offers both an ad-supported tier and an ad-free tier at different price points.

Paramount Plus owns the CBS television library, which includes shows like The Good Fight, Ghosts, and Yellowstone. It also carries Star Trek series, movies from the Paramount film studio, and original programming made specifically for the service. Paramount Plus does not let you rent or purchase individual titles — everything available is part of your subscription or not available at all.

Which shows and movies are exclusive to each service

Paramount Plus holds the rights to all CBS broadcast shows, both current and archived. If you watch network television and want to stream those shows on demand, Paramount Plus is where they live. The service also owns the entire Star Trek franchise across multiple series and films, and it produces original shows that air nowhere else.

Prime Video's originals are different — shows like The Boys, Fallout, and The Expanse are exclusive to that service. Prime Video also has a larger film library overall because Amazon has licensed thousands of movies from studios worldwide. However, the specific films available change month to month as licensing agreements expire and renew.

Both services carry some of the same licensed content — movies and shows from studios that sell rights to multiple platforms. But the exclusive originals and the bulk of each library are distinct.

Ad-supported versus ad-free tiers on both services

Both Prime Video and Paramount Plus offer cheaper subscriptions that include advertisements during playback. The ad-free tier costs more but removes those interruptions. The exact price difference varies by region and changes over time, so checking each service's current pricing page gives you the most accurate numbers.

On Paramount Plus, some shows and movies may not be available on the ad-supported tier — they are reserved for ad-free subscribers. Prime Video does not restrict content this way; everything in your subscription is available on both tiers. If you choose the cheaper ad-supported option on Prime Video, you get the full library, just with commercials.

Can you bundle Prime Video and Paramount Plus together

No official bundle exists that combines Prime Video and Paramount Plus at a discount. You would need to pay for each subscription separately. However, some internet or phone providers bundle Paramount Plus with their service plans, so if you are a customer of one of those providers, you may already have Paramount Plus included.

Amazon does offer bundles that combine Prime Video with other services — for example, you can add Paramount Plus, Apple TV Plus, or other streaming services through Amazon's Prime Video Channels feature. This lets you manage multiple subscriptions in one place and charge them to your Amazon account, but you still pay the full price for each service.

How to decide which service is right for you

Start by listing the shows and movies you actually want to watch. Check which service carries them. If you watch a lot of CBS shows, Star Trek, or Paramount films, Paramount Plus is necessary. If you want The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, or a broad film selection, Prime Video is the better choice.

Consider your budget next. If you already pay for Amazon Prime for shipping and other benefits, Prime Video costs you nothing extra. If you do not have Prime, the standalone Prime Video subscription is cheaper than Paramount Plus on most tiers. If you want both services, add up the monthly cost of each and decide whether the combined expense fits your streaming budget.

You can also start with a free trial on either service to see whether the library appeals to you before committing to a paid subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need both Prime Video and Paramount Plus?

Not unless you want shows and movies from both libraries. If you watch only CBS shows and Star Trek, Paramount Plus alone is enough. If you prefer Amazon originals and a larger film selection, Prime Video alone works. Many people subscribe to both, but it is not required.

Can I watch Paramount Plus movies on Prime Video?

No. Paramount Plus owns its content, and Prime Video owns its content. They do not share libraries. A movie available on Paramount Plus will not appear on Prime Video unless you rent or purchase it separately through Prime Video's rental service.

Is Prime Video cheaper than Paramount Plus?

Prime Video's standalone subscription is typically cheaper than Paramount Plus on comparable tiers. However, if you already pay for Amazon Prime membership for shipping and other benefits, Prime Video costs you nothing extra. Paramount Plus has no bundled benefits — you pay only for streaming.

Can I use Paramount Plus if I have Amazon Prime?

Yes. Amazon Prime and Paramount Plus are separate services. Having one does not give you the other. You would need to pay for Paramount Plus separately, even if you are an Amazon Prime member.

Which service has more movies?

Prime Video generally has a larger film library because Amazon has licensed thousands of movies from studios worldwide. Paramount Plus focuses more on TV shows and films from the Paramount studio. The exact selection changes monthly as licensing agreements renew.