Every year, more and more people are cutting the cord and saving a few bucks by subscribing to a streaming service instead. But with so many options to choose from, how do you decide which one to go with?
In this guide, we'll do an in-depth comparison of YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video to help you decide which is the better option for you.
Quick overview: YouTube TV vs. Amazon Prime Video
YouTube TV, from Google, combines unlimited DVR with great features and a solid lineup of channels across entertainment, news, live sports and more. A fan-favorite, YouTube TV gives you the option to customize your package with add-ons like Max, Showtime or MGM+, or even the 4k Plus add-on, which enables 4k quality video streaming, offline recording and unlimited streams.
Amazon Prime Video is one of the best on-demand streaming services out there, and it’s widely considered one of the “Big 3” VOD services next to Netflix and Hulu. It includes a huge variety of great on-demand content, including a number of highly-regarded Amazon Original shows, and also has a large library of movies which can be bought or rented for an additional fee.
But which one is better? Before we can declare an overall winner, let's start with a bird's-eye breakdown of the basics:
| YouTube TV | Amazon Prime Video | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $72.99/month | $8.99/month |
| Free Trial Length | 7 days | 30 days |
| Number of Channels | 100+ | None |
| DVR Capacity | Unlimited (keeps recordings for up to 9 months) | None |
| Device Support | Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, and more | Roku, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Android, and more |
| Simultaneous Streams | 3 | 3 |
Best pricing: YouTube TV vs. Amazon Prime Video
When it comes to price, Amazon Prime Video is of course lower. However, if you're looking for live channels and more features, YouTube TV could be the better choice for you.
Prime Video
- On demand content
- Stream on three screens
$8.99/month
Based on its cost, you can think of Amazon Prime Video as similar to Netflix or Hulu. If you want added Prime perks like free 2-day shipping, you have to pay extra, which is still reasonable. Keep in mind, however, that some shows and movies do require an additional fee for viewing.
Amazon Prime does offer discounts for certain groups of people. If you have an EBT card or are on Medicaid, you are eligible for Prime EBT/Medicaid. They also offer student discounts. These plans come at a fraction of the price, and give you every Amazon Prime benefit, including Prime Video.
Source: YouTube TV
YouTube TV offers one plan, but you save $8 each month on your first 3 months. The price different is justified through 100+ live channels, unlimited DVR and other special features.
Best free trial: YouTube TV vs. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video offers a 30-day free trial, which trumps YouTube TV's 7-day free trial.
Best channels and add-ons: YouTube TV vs. Amazon Prime Video
In terms of channels, add-ons and on-demand content, both YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video are great in different ways. It comes down to whether or not you want live TV options or prefer only on-demand content.
What to watch on YouTube TV
YouTube TV offers 100+ channels across all genres: entertainment, live sports, children's programming, and more.
YouTube TV allows you to add on a few extra channels (mostly premium networks) for an additional monthly fee. Here are some of your options:
- AMC Premiere
- CuriosityStream
- Fox Soccer Plus
- NBA League Pass
- Showtime
- Shudder
- STARZ
- MGM+
- Sundance Now
- Sports Plus
- Max
YouTube TV also offers tons of local channels, including ABC, NBC, PBS (select regions), FOX, The CW, MyNetworkTV, Telemundo, Univision, Unimas.
Not sure what channels, shows, and events are airing on YouTube TV? Flixed is here to help with the Flixed YouTube TV Channel List.
What to Watch on Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video has a huge lineup of movies and TV shows, including shows you won’t find on any other streaming service like Hulu or Netflix. Some popular titles include:
- Yellowstone
- The Tourist
- Always Jane
- Murdoch Mysteries
- Nine Perfect Strangers
It also has some unique Amazon Prime Originals like Good Omens, The Grand Tour, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel which you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
You can add a few extra channels like Max, Starz and Showtime to Amazon Prime Video if you want, and access additional premium content.
Not sure what other content is available on Amazon Prime Video? Flixed is here to help with the Flixed Amazon Prime Video Content Guide.
Best DVR and offline viewing: YouTube TV vs. Amazon Prime Video
With the YouTube TV DVR, you can store as many episodes and hours of content as you want for up to 9 months. After 9 months, your oldest recordings will begin to be deleted. This makes the YouTube TV DVR the best in the internet TV market by a wide margin.
And with YouTube TV's 4K Plus $19.99/month add-on, you get 4K viewing on available content, unlimited streams at home and the ability to watch DVR recordings offline.
For more information on YouTube TV's DVR, click here.
Amazon Prime Video is an on-demand service, so there is no DVR, and there’s no need for one. The only videos you can watch are, for the most part, available on-demand, so you don’t need to record them.
However, there are some events that Amazon Prime airs live, like Thursday Night Football. Unfortunately, the lack of a DVR means there is no way to record these events. You’ll have to watch them live.
Amazon Prime Video does allow you to download titles for offline viewing, as long as it's on a Fire tablet, or the Prime Video app for iOS, Android, macOS, or Windows 10. Unfortunately, you can't currently download content on any other device.
For more information on Amazon Prime Video's DVR, click here.
Best device support: YouTube TV vs. Amazon Prime Video
YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video both have pretty great device support - you shouldn't have trouble finding ways to watch either one.
To check out the full device support for each streaming service, check out our complete YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video supported devices lists.
Best simultaneous streaming: YouTube TV vs. Amazon Prime Video
Both YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video offer 3 simultaneous steams. However, YouTube TV does give you the option to create 6 profiles so you can keep your content organized, and the 4K Plus add-on gives you unlimited streams at home for an additional $19.99/month. Amazon Prime Video doesn't offer any options for more streams.
Which is better: YouTube TV vs. Amazon Prime Video?
For this match-up, we're going to have to call it a tie. Both YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video are great options for cord-cutters, but they offer two very different experiences.
YouTube TV is better for you if you want the option of live TV in addition to a good amount of on-demand content. With the option of 100+ channels, plenty of features and add-ons, and a solid on-demand library, YouTube TV allows you to customize the service into your own personal TV paradise. Every year, it keeps improving by listening to what its customers want. We expect YouTube TV to just keep on getting better.
But if you're looking for a substitute to Hulu or Netflix, or just something to give you more on-demand shows and movies at your disposal, Amazon Prime Video is a stellar choice. It comes with a 30-day free trial, it’s budget-friendly and includes plenty of Amazon Prime Originals. And for an extra few bucks a month, you can get all your household necessities delivered to your door within 2 days. Who said streaming services were only good for watching?
Tara Khudairi • Author
Tara Khudairi is a freelance content writer and copywriter based in Toronto. Since 2014, she has contributed to brands and blogs alike to tackle popular topics relating to technology, personal finance, entertainment, travel and lifestyle. Whether it’s the latest streaming service or cryptocurrency, she’s passionate about making the complex simple. When she’s not busy typing away, you’ll find Tara watching Netflix’s latest true crime doc or a classic 90’s horror flick.
Lisa Holden • Editor
Lisa Holden is an editor and creative based in Houston, TX. Lisa holds a BA in African-American Studies from Temple University and has spent her career working in news publications and magazines, even founding a magazine herself. She began working as an editor for Flixed in 2023. When she’s not editing or working on one of her many creative endeavors (whenever that is), she enjoys traveling to new places and biking on sunny days.
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