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Amazon Prime Video vs Criterion Channel

Amazon Prime Video logo

Amazon Prime Video

Entertainment

Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.

From
$8.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Entertainment

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Amazon Prime Video pricing varies by region; USD pricing not directly published on main site; Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • They diverge on capability: Amazon Prime Video covers Video streaming, Criterion Channel covers Criterion films.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Amazon Prime Video and Criterion Channel actually diverge.

Attributes where Amazon Prime Video and Criterion Channel differ
AttributeAmazon Prime VideoCriterion Channel
Starting price$8.99/month$10.99/month
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Fire-tvWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox
Founded20061984

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Amazon Prime Video

  • Video streaming
  • Original content
  • Offline downloads
  • Multiple profiles
  • X-Ray features
  • 4K Ultra HD
  • HDR content
  • Dolby Atmos

Only in Criterion Channel

  • Criterion films
  • 4K restoration
  • Essays
  • Special features
  • Curated selections
  • Streaming devices
  • Content access
  • Android support

Both cover

  • Smart TVs
  • Account security
  • Web support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Amazon Prime Video

  • Entertainment streamingnot Criterion Channel
  • Original series viewingnot Criterion Channel
  • Movie streamingnot Criterion Channel
  • Family entertainmentnot Criterion Channel
  • Offline viewingnot Criterion Channel

Criterion Channel

  • Streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectivesnot Amazon Prime Video
  • Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot Amazon Prime Video
  • Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot Amazon Prime Video
  • Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot Amazon Prime Video

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Amazon Prime Video

  • Pricing varies by region; USD pricing not directly published on main site

Criterion Channel

  • Maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • No PlayStation 4 app available
  • HDCP compatibility issues reported on some devices like Chromebooks and Xbox One
  • No live chat or phone support for customer service
  • Limited library compared to mainstream services like Netflix and Hulu

Pricing, plan by plan

Amazon Prime Video

$8.99/month
  • Prime Video$8.99/month
    • Thousands of movies and TV shows
    • Amazon Original series
    • Ad-free viewing
  • Amazon Prime$14.98/month
    • All Prime Video content
    • Free shipping on Amazon
    • Amazon Music Prime

Criterion Channel

$10.99/month
  • Monthly$10.99/month
  • Annual$99.99/year

Which should you pick?

Choose Amazon Prime Video if

  • You need video streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Fire-tv.
  • You also want original content.
Amazon Prime Video review

Choose Criterion Channel if

  • You need criterion films.
  • You work on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
  • You also want 4k restoration.
Criterion Channel review

Questions people ask

Is Amazon Prime Video or Criterion Channel better?
Neither clearly leads. Amazon Prime Video starts at $8.99/month and Criterion Channel at $10.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Amazon Prime Video or Criterion Channel?
Amazon Prime Video starts at $8.99/month and Criterion Channel at $10.99/month.
Does Amazon Prime Video or Criterion Channel run on more platforms?
Amazon Prime Video runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Fire-tv. Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
What is Amazon Prime Video best used for?
Amazon Prime Video is most often used for entertainment streaming, original series viewing, movie streaming, family entertainment. Of those, entertainment streaming and original series viewing are not what Criterion Channel is typically brought in for.
What can Amazon Prime Video do that Criterion Channel cannot?
Amazon Prime Video covers Video streaming, Original content, Offline downloads, Multiple profiles. Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. Both handle Smart TVs, Account security, Web support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Amazon Prime Video: How much does Amazon Prime Video cost?

Amazon Prime Video subscription pricing varies by region. In the UAE, Prime Video is AED 16/month ($4.36 USD). Standalone Prime Video subscriptions in the US typically start at $14.99/month, though regional pricing should be verified on Amazon's site.

Source
Criterion Channel: Can I watch Criterion Channel offline?

No, Criterion Channel requires an active internet connection for streaming. The service does not offer offline viewing or download capabilities.

Source
Criterion Channel: What devices does Criterion Channel work on?

Criterion Channel works on Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, and Xbox. There is no PlayStation app or dedicated mobile app for iOS/Android.

Source
Criterion Channel: How much does Criterion Channel cost?

Criterion Channel costs $10.99/month or $99.99/year with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.

Source
Criterion Channel: What is the maximum video quality on Criterion Channel?

Criterion Channel streams in HD quality only. The service does not offer 4K or Ultra HD resolution.

Source
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