Netflix vs. Amazon Prime Video: Which One Is Really Worth It in 2026?

Netflix and Amazon Prime Video dominate the streaming market in France, but which one really offers the best value for money in 2026? This detailed comparison covers pricing, content libraries, video quality, and additional features to help you choose. You can also find out how to significantly reduce your subscription costs by sharing through Spliiit, a legal and simple solution for sharing your streaming services with other users.

Price Comparison: Netflix vs. Amazon Prime Video

Price is often the primary factor in making a choice. Netflix currently offers two main plans in France: the Standard plan at €13.49 per month, which allows you to stream in HD on two devices simultaneously, and the Premium plan at €19.99 per month, which unlocks 4K streaming and allows up to four simultaneous connections.

Amazon Prime Video, on the other hand, is available in two plans. The Prime Video-only subscription costs €6.99 per month, which is half the price of Netflix Standard. However, this price includes only the video streaming service. If you want access to the entire Amazon Prime ecosystem (fast delivery, Prime Music, Prime Photos, Prime Gaming), you’ll need to opt for the full Amazon Prime subscription at a price of €69.90 per year, which works out to about €5.83 per month. This annual plan remains an excellent deal if you take advantage of Prime delivery and the associated services.

In terms of monthly cost alone, Amazon Prime Video remains significantly cheaper than Netflix. For users focused solely on video, the difference is substantial: €6.99 versus a minimum of €13.49. However, Netflix offers pricing flexibility that Prime Video does not currently provide.

Respective catalogs: TV series and movies

When it comes to exclusive content, the two platforms are neck and neck, though each has its own strengths.

The Benefits of Netflix

Netflix has built its reputation on impressive original series. Stranger Things, its most iconic franchise, continues to attract millions of subscribers, as does *Wednesday*, the dark world of the Addams family that has skyrocketed in popularity. You’ll also find hit series in the catalog such as The Crown, Black Mirror, Ozark, Squid Game, Cyberpunk Edgerunners, and Andor, produced in partnership with Lucasfilm.

Netflix particularly excels at producing dramatic series and psychological dramas. Its catalog of original films includes ambitious productions, although the platform is less dominant in the film sector than it is in the series sector. Netflix also benefits from early access to films from major studios, depending on the agreements in place.

The Benefits of Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is taking a different approach. Its original series include *The Boys*, the offbeat and ultra-violent adaptation of Garth Ennis’s comics, and the lavish production *The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power*, filmed on a massive budget. You’ll also find quality productions like *The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel*, *Fallout*, and *Haryana Harrison*, as well as a variety of original documentaries.

But Amazon Prime Video's real strength lies in its film library. Thanks to agreements with movie studios, Prime Video offers a wider selection of films that is updated more frequently than Netflix's. You'll find the latest movie releases just a few months after their theatrical release, as well as a vast library of films spanning all genres and eras.

Prime Video also offers thousands of free movies through its built-in AVOD (Ad-Supported Video on Demand) service, a section accessible at no extra cost even to paying subscribers, which further expands the available selection.

The verdict on the catalog

Netflix clearly leads the way in TV series, with a steady stream of upcoming shows. Amazon Prime Video dominates in movies, with a more extensive catalog and a faster rotation of new releases. Your choice will depend on your preferences: whether you’re a TV series fan or a movie buff.

Video Quality and 4K: A Head-to-Head Comparison of the Two Platforms

Video quality is becoming increasingly important, especially for those with high-definition screens.

The Standard Netflix plan, priced at €13.49 per month, caps video quality at HD (1080p) and limits simultaneous connections to two devices. If you own a 4K TV and want to take full advantage of its capabilities, you’ll need to upgrade to the Premium plan for €19.99 per month, which unlocks 4K and allows access on four devices simultaneously.

Amazon Prime Video offers 4K resolution on all compatible content, even with the Standard subscription at €6.99 per month. This feature is a significant advantage: you don’t have to pay extra to access ultra-high-definition content. However, this discounted plan limits simultaneous connections to two devices, just like Netflix Standard.

In terms of compression rates and streaming stability, both services use modern technologies. Netflix uses VP9 and H.265, while Amazon Prime Video also relies on H.265. In practice, with a good internet connection (at least 25 Mbps for 4K), you won’t notice any difference between the two services.

The bottom line: If you're considering 4K, Amazon Prime Video offers it at the same price as Netflix Standard, which further boosts the financial appeal of Amazon's platform.

User Interface and User Experience

The user-friendliness of a streaming platform affects your daily experience.

Netflix features a clean, consistent interface across all devices (phones, tablets, computers, and TVs). Its search bar is intuitive, and the "Top 10" feature by region helps users quickly discover popular content. The automatic playback of trailers when hovering over tiles can be turned off. Netflix also offers a robust user profile system and strong parental control settings.

Amazon Prime Video integrates its streaming service into a broader platform (Prime, Prime Music, Prime Gaming, delivery services). This adds a wealth of features, but can also make the interface less intuitive for those looking solely for video content. Navigating to high-quality video content can sometimes feel less straightforward. However, Amazon’s mobile app has improved significantly in recent years, and the current version remains functional and intuitive.

Netflix offers a better pure video-streaming experience, while Amazon Prime Video shines if you take full advantage of all Prime services, which enhances the overall ecosystem but makes it harder to simply browse for videos.

Additional benefits: beyond video streaming

Netflix is, above all, a video streaming service. The Premium subscription offers limited benefits: downloads on certain devices and the highest video quality, but nothing revolutionary.

Amazon Prime Video, included with Amazon Prime, unlocks a comprehensive ecosystem. In addition to video streaming, you get access to Prime Gaming, which offers free games and bonus content for popular titles every month (including a Twitch Prime subscription). Amazon Prime also includes Prime Music, which offers a vast music library, and Prime Photos, which provides unlimited cloud photo storage. Finally, if you shop online regularly, Prime delivery saves you on recurring shipping costs.

This suite of additional services changes the economic equation. For a household that uses Prime Delivery (for regular orders) and is interested in Prime Gaming, the annual subscription of €69.90 quickly becomes a better deal than Netflix alone.

Sharing Options and Cost Savings

A key factor in 2026: the ability to share and save. Netflix has gradually tightened its subscription-sharing rules, limiting the number of households that can share an account and introducing additional fees for external users. This policy makes a Netflix subscription less appealing for those on a tight budget.

Amazon Prime Video offers more flexible sharing within the same Prime household, at no significant extra cost. You can also share your Netflix subscription via Spliiit, a French platform that facilitates the legal and secure sharing of digital subscriptions. Amazon Prime Video is also available on Spliiit, allowing you to split the costs with other users and cut your monthly expense in half—or even more.

Verdict: Which one should you choose based on your needs?

There is no clear-cut winner. Your choice depends on your actual priorities.

Choose Netflix if…

You’re first and foremost a TV series fan. Netflix offers a more extensive lineup of original productions, with highly anticipated hits released regularly. The interface is clear, and navigation is smooth. If you have a 4K TV, keep in mind that the Premium plan at €19.99 is a must, which adds to the cost, but the 4K video experience justifies the investment. Netflix is also ideal for households that watch together and appreciate easy account sharing.

Choose Amazon Prime Video if…

You watch just as many movies as you do TV shows. Prime Video offers a superior movie catalog, with more recent releases and greater variety. The price of €6.99 per month for the video service alone is unbeatable. If you already use Prime delivery for your online shopping, the annual subscription for €69.90 is a smart investment, as it includes fast delivery, Prime Music, Prime Gaming, and photo storage. You save much more than you would with Netflix alone.

The hybrid solution: share to save

In 2026, the best strategy is often to subscribe to both services and share them. Explore how Netflix compares to Disney+ and check out the ultimate comparison of the platforms to help you make your choice. Through Spliiit, share your subscriptions with other users: Netflix and Prime Video immediately cut your cost in half or by two-thirds, making both services more affordable than a single Netflix Premium plan. For those who are undecided, this approach eliminates the dilemma: you get access to the best catalogs on each platform without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Netflix in 4K: Is it really necessary?

The difference with 4K becomes noticeable mainly on TVs 55 inches or larger, with a good internet connection (at least 25 Mbps). If you mainly watch on your phone or a small screen, HD is sufficient. If you have a recent 4K TV and a fast connection, yes, 4K enhances the viewing experience for content produced in high resolution.

Can I really share my Netflix or Prime Video subscription?

Netflix allows sharing within the same household but charges users outside of it. Prime Video allows for more flexible sharing as long as users are at the same address. For broader, legal sharing, Spliiit a secure and transparent platform where each user pays their share without violating the terms of service.

Which catalog is the largest?

Netflix offers around 6,000 titles in France. Amazon Prime Video, thanks to its integrated free AVOD catalog, offers many more—around 10,000 titles—although the quality varies. Prime Video clearly has the edge in terms of volume.

Is Amazon Prime Video worth the annual fee of €69.90?

If you shop online more than twice a month and value fast delivery, then yes. You’re already saving on shipping costs, and the video is a bonus. Otherwise, the monthly plan for €6.99 is still the better option.

Netflix or Prime for families?

Netflix offers robust kids' profiles and excellent parental controls. Prime Video is better suited for families who also use Prime services. When it comes to streaming alone, Netflix has a slight edge in content for children and young teens.

Conclusion: Your Best Choice in 2026

Netflix reigns supreme when it comes to TV shows, while Prime Video dominates movies and related services. Neither service has an absolute monopoly. Your decision depends on your actual usage: are you more into TV shows or movies? Do you use Prime for delivery and other services? Do you have access to a reliable 4K connection? Answer these questions honestly.

And above all, don’t forget: in 2026, sharing is part of the equation. Discover how to drastically reduce your streaming costs with Spliiit, the French solution that lets you share Netflix, Prime Video, and dozens of other services with other users—legally and with complete peace of mind. For the same price, you get much more access to multiple platforms than you would on your own.