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Entertainment · head to head

Amazon Prime Video vs VLC

Amazon Prime Video logo

Amazon Prime Video

Entertainment

Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime.

From
$8.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
VLC logo

VLC

Entertainment

The free and open source media player

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only VLC has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Amazon Prime Video pricing varies by region; USD pricing not directly published on main site; VLC vLC is completely free open source software with no paid tier, ads, or vendor support contract
  • They diverge on capability: Amazon Prime Video covers Video streaming, VLC covers Media playback.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Amazon Prime Video and VLC differ
AttributeAmazon Prime VideoVLC
Starting price$8.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Fire-tvWindows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Founded20061998

Identical on both: 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 VLC

  • Media playback
  • Codec support
  • Streaming
  • Conversion
  • Plugins
  • Network streaming
  • DVD playback
  • Open source

Both cover

  • 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 VLC
  • Original series viewingnot VLC
  • Movie streamingnot VLC
  • Family entertainmentnot VLC
  • Offline viewingnot VLC

VLC

  • Media playbacknot Amazon Prime Video
  • Video conversionnot 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

VLC

  • VLC is completely free open source software with no paid tier, ads, or vendor support contract

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

VLC

Free
  • FreeFree
    • All codecs
    • No ads
    • Open source

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 VLC if

  • You need media playback.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want codec support.
VLC review

Questions people ask

Is Amazon Prime Video or VLC better?
Neither clearly leads. Amazon Prime Video starts at $8.99/month and VLC at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Amazon Prime Video or VLC?
VLC has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $8.99/month for Amazon Prime Video and Free for VLC.
Does Amazon Prime Video or VLC run on more platforms?
Amazon Prime Video runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles, Fire-tv. VLC runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use VLC for free?
Yes. VLC has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Amazon Prime Video starts at $8.99/month.
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 VLC is typically brought in for.
What can Amazon Prime Video do that VLC cannot?
Amazon Prime Video covers Video streaming, Original content, Offline downloads, Multiple profiles. VLC covers Media playback, Codec support, Streaming, Conversion. Both handle 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
VLC: Is VLC media player free to use?

Yes. VLC is completely free and open source software with no subscription or licensing fees.

Source
VLC: Can VLC be used commercially?

Yes. VLC explicitly states there is no spyware, no ads, and no user tracking. As open-source software under permissive licenses, commercial use is permitted within each license's specific terms.

Source
VLC: Does VLC include all features across all platforms without additional purchase?

Yes. All playback features, codecs, cross-platform compatibility, and customization options are included with no additional purchases required for full functionality on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Source
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