Disney Plus vs. Amazon Prime Video: Which On-Demand Streaming Service Is Best for You?

Selecting the best streaming service for you and your family can be a difficult choice — especially when there are so many options out there!

As a parent, you might have additional worries like whether the streaming library caters to both kids and adults. Or if the content will be safe for your child.

In this review, we’ll be looking at two of the largest streaming services available globally — Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video.

As someone who has a subscription with both platforms, I can tell you that it’s difficult to choose between the two because they each have great shows and movies.

But if you have to choose one, there are some key differences between them that I’ll explain to you in this review. I’ll also be sharing my personal experience with both platforms so you can make the best choice for you.

Why Streaming Services Have Taken Over

Based on a poll by survey money, most people prefer streaming services because of the competitive prices and the convenience they offer compared to traditional cable TV. (1)

Plus, the on-demand aspect of streaming means that you can watch content anytime you like! And of course, no ads interrupting your show is a big plus. 

What is Disney Plus?

Disney Plus is an on-demand streaming service that features over 600+ movies and series and is available in 50+ countries. 

Their movies and shows are hugely popular and often exclusive to Disney Plus. You also get access to content created by Disney-owned companies like Pixar, 20th Century Studies, Lucasfilm, and National Geographic. 

While Disney may be associated more with children’s films, Disney Plus features a mixture of content to cater to all age groups — children to adults.

What is Amazon Prime Video? 

Prime Video is an on-demand movie and show streaming service created by Amazon.

It has a whopping 24,000+ movies and 2,100+ shows in its library — some of which are Amazon Originals and can’t be found anywhere else. It’s available in 200+ countries all over the world. 

Disney Plus vs. Amazon Prime Video Compared

Audience	Started out mostly for kids. Now has more content for adults	Adults and kids
No. of shows or movies	600+ movies and shows (many exclusive to Disney+)	24,000+ movies 2,100+ shows
Available countries	50+	200+
Additional features	Offline viewing Kids profile Groupwatch Premier access (additional cost)	Offline viewing Kids profile Add on subscription for premium “Channels” like HBO and Paramount+
Top movies and shows	Marvel movies Star Wars movies Disney originals Bluey Encanto Frozen Avatar Eternals National Geographic	La La Land Reacher Bosch Lego City Adventures Ninjago Winx Club Arthur Clifford
Exclusive shows and movies	The Mandalorian Marvel Hero Project Loki Marvel Legends Lady and the Tramp (2019) The World According to Jeff Goldblum Olaf Presents Star Wars Visions and more	Borat Subsequent Moviefilm The Holy Trinity The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Bosch The Man in the Castle High The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and more
Pricing	Monthly: $7.99 Yearly: $79.99	Monthly: $8.99 OR Amazon Prime (with Prime Video) Monthly: $14.99 Yearly: $139
Reviews	4.6/5 stars from 800,000+ reviews (Amazon and Consumer Affairs)	4.6/5 stars from 100,000+ reviews (Amazon and productreview.com.au)
Special Offers	From $7.99/month: Disney+	30-day free trial: Prime Video

From $7.99 a month: Disney Plus

Disney Plus Review

Disney Plus was started in 2019 by the iconic Walt Disney Company. It began with a lot of children-oriented content. But it has now expanded its offering to cater to all ages — from blockbusters to dramas and comedies.

How Does Disney Plus Work?

Disney Plus is a subscription-based streaming service. To get started, all you need to do is:

1. Sign up for a Disney Plus subscription — there are monthly or yearly options
2. Login
3. Start watching your favorite movies and shows!

For parents, you can set an account to a kid’s profile so that only child-friendly content will be displayed. 

How Many Shows Are on Disney Plus? 

Disney Plus has over 600+ shows and movies in their library.

What Are the Best Shows to Watch on Disney Plus?

Here’s a look at some of the top kids and adult shows and movies on Disney Plus at the moment!

From $7.99 a month: Disney Plus

Kids will also love animated films like The Link King, Maleficent, Moana, and more!

For adults, the top trending content seems to be the oldies but goodies like The Simpsons, Alias, Grey’s Anatomy, and Futurama. And National Geographic documentaries like Free Solo and Running Wild with Bear Grylls have also been trending.

Did My Family Like Disney Plus?

My partner and I are 80s children, and we have a 4-year-old. So the content available on Disney+ suits all of us very well. My son is just getting into Disney shows like Toy Story and Lion King — which I’m happy to watch too as it’s quite nostalgic for me. 

I’m also a fan of older series like Buffy and Futurama, while my husband likes the Marvel blockbusters and National Geographic. So there really is something for everyone in the family. 

We use our subscription every week. So I would say that it’s been well worth the monthly price in our case. 

From $7.99 a month: Disney Plus

How Much Does Disney Plus Cost? 

Monthly: $7.99
Yearly: $79.99 

If you want Premier access to new movies, you’ll need to pay an extra $34.99 per movie. This allows you to get early access to them before they’re available to other subscribers.  

Disney Plus Supported Devices 

You can watch Disney Plus on most smart mobile devices, web browsers, set-top boxes, game consoles, and smart TVs. 

This includes:

• Apple iPhones or iPads
• Android phones and tablets
• Android TV
• Amazon Fire TV
• Apple TV
• Playstation
• Chromecast

And many more!

Disney Plus Audio and Video Quality 

Disney Plus video quality is generally good, and it supports 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced (depending on the title).

For audio, it uses digital stereo audio. But more content is being offered in 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos.

From $7.99 a month: Disney Plus

How Do I Get Disney Plus on TV? 

If you have a smart TV, you can simply download the Disney Plus app, log in, and you’re good to go. 

There are also other options like Chromecasting, using an Amazon Fire TV stick, or through a game console. 

Stories you’d expect and Stories you wouldn’t on Disney+

From $7.99 a month: Disney Plus

Disney Plus Reviews: What Members Are Saying 

Disney Plus got a strong 4.6 out of 5 stars from 800,000+ reviews across 2 platforms (Amazon and Consumer Affairs).

Most of the positive things said were about the type of shows Disney Plus has in the library. 

Popular titles include the Marvel and Star Wars series, and of course Disney itself. So if you’re a fan of these movies, Disney Plus will be an excellent choice for you as they won’t be available on other streaming services. Some viewers also found Disney Plus shows very nostalgic for 90s kids.

Many parents were also satisfied with a lot of the kids’ content — especially revisiting old classics like Sleeping Beauty and Aladdin. They also like that there was plenty of content for older kids and adults too, so there was something for everyone. 

Most of the negative comments were regarding technical issues like not being able to stream on TV or confusion with the interface. 

Some were also disappointed that several older Disney shows or movies were unavailable, like The Boatniks.  

Is Disney Plus Worth It?

If you’re a fan of Disney shows, National Geographic, Marvel, Star Wars, and iconic 90s series, then Disney Plus will be worth it for you. 

Some of this content is exclusive to Disney Plus (like The Mandalorian and Artemis Fowl) so you can’t get it anywhere else. For many households where such shows are big favorites, it’s usually the main reason they choose the Disney Plus streaming service.

Disney Plus have also come a long way since the start. They have now expanded their library so that there’s something for every age group, including more adult shows.

The pricing is mid-range when compared with other services. So I’d say less than $10 a month for 600+ high-quality – and often exclusive – shows and movies is reasonable.   

30-day free trial: Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video Review

Prime Video started in 2006 as Amazon Unbox with an already impressive library of 5000+ shows — but has now expanded to about 25,000+! It also features a range of Amazon exclusives that can’t be found anywhere else.   

How Does Amazon Prime Video Work?

Prime Video works mostly on a subscription basis. So all you need to do is:

1. Sign up just for a Prime Video subscription (monthly). Or sign up for an Amazon Prime subscription (which comes with Prime Video) — monthly and annual options available. 
2. Login. 
3. Start watching your favorite movies and shows!

It’s worth noting that not all movies and shows are included in the Prime Video subscription. 

You have the option of renting or buying individual movies. And you can also subscribe to additional channels (like Paramount+ and MGM) at an extra cost. 

How Many Shows Are on Amazon Prime Video? 

Prime Video has one of the most impressive libraries in terms of sheer volume: 24,000+ movies and 2,100+ shows!

What Are the Best Shows to Watch on Amazon Prime Video?

Prime Video has been investing heavily in their Originals over recent years to win subscribers over to their platform. But they’ve also maintained a steady range of classics. 

Here’s a look at some of their most popular titles: 

• Kids: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Croods, Arthur, Hotel Transylvania, The Lego Movie, and more.
• Originals: Spencer, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Legend of Vox Machina, Reachers, and many others.
• Movies: Little Women, The Secret Life of Pets, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Only Living Boy in New York, and more.
• TV shows: House, The Office, American Gods, Utopia, Chicago P.D., Madmen, and more.

30-day free trial: Prime Video

How Much Does Amazon Prime Video Cost? 

A stand-alone monthly Prime Video membership costs $8.99 a month.

Alternatively, you can sign up for an Amazon Prime membership (that gives you shopping perks at Amazon) which also includes Prime Video. Here is the pricing: 

Monthly: $14.99
Yearly: $139

30-day free trial: Amazon Prime (including Prime Video)

Add-on Channels (like STARZPLAY, Paramount+, and MGM) start from $3.99 a month.

Not all movies are available for free through the Prime Video subscription. And you will need to rent these individual movies (from $3.99) or buy them (from $7.99). 

30-day free trial: Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video Supported Devices

You can watch Prime Video on most smart mobile devices, web browsers, set-top boxes, game consoles, and smart TVs.

This includes:

• Apple iPhones or iPads
• Android phones and tablets
• Android TV
• Amazon Fire TV
• Apple TV
• Playstation
• Chromecast
• And many more!

Amazon Prime Video Audio and Video Quality

Prime Video has 4K Ultra HD video quality with HDR support and surround sound.

How Do I Get Amazon Prime Video on TV?

If you have a smart TV, simply download the Prime Video app, log in, and you’re good to go

There are also other options like Chromecasting, using an Amazon Fire TV stick, or through a game console.

30-day free trial: Prime Video

Free Trial Amazon Prime

30-day free trial: Amazon Prime (with Prime video)

Did My Family Like Amazon Prime Video?

We find ourselves generally gravitating towards series rather than movies with Prime Video. My son particularly likes Pete the Cat and Arthur, while I like sticking to shows like The Good Doctor and revisiting The Office series. 

Most people would find that having so much content would be a good thing. But we sometimes suffer from having too much choice, which can be a little overwhelming. 

Amazon Prime Video Customer Reviews: What Others Are Saying 

Prime Video scored an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 100,000+ users across 2 platforms — Amazon and productreview.com.au).

Most people were happy with the thousands of shows and videos on Prime Video. With such an extensive library, you’ll never run out of things to watch. 

Several also added that this made the pricing (which is comparable to other streaming services) even more worth it. 

The quality of the content was also praised by many viewers as there was a good variety of blockbusters, dramas, comedies, and documentaries. 

There weren’t as many comments from parents, but there are obviously many popular kid titles like Pete the Cat and Arthur. 

Of those that did not enjoy the service as much, the biggest complaint was that not all shows were free. For example, the “channels” content (HBO and Paramount+) had to be purchased as an add-on subscription. And many movies either had to be bought individually or rented.

Others also had some technical issues streaming with Firestick and occasional customer service problems like canceling their subscription. 

Is Amazon Prime Video Worth It?

If you want a vast streaming library of shows and movies, then Prime Video is one of your best choices. With over 25,000 shows and movies, that should be able to keep you entertained for a long time.   

Plus, many of their popular Prime Originals like Bosch and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel are only available on this platform. So this is often a reason for choosing it over others. 

Is Disney Plus or Amazon Prime Video Better?

If you’re a Marvel, Star Wars, or Disney fan, Disney Plus is probably better for you. Many of these movies and shows are cult favorites — some of which can only be accessed on Disney Plus. It’s also priced slightly cheaper than Prime Video. On the other hand Prime Video is a better option for everyday watching or if you want a platform with one of the largest libraries (25,000+ movies and shows). 

Overall, both are great platforms in terms of video quality and extra features like setting up kids-safe profiles, which is why we chose to have both subscriptions in our home.

But if you are deciding between the two services your 2 biggest considerations will probably be library quality and pricing. 

Disney+ vs Prime Video: Which is Best for Kids?

Both platforms have a lot of content for kids but Disney obviously has a slight advantage in this area with hundreds of Disney original titles. My 4-year-old even loves the same classic movies that I grew up on, like The Lion King and Toy Story. 

This is often why many parents choose Disney+ over Prime Video.  

But of course, this is completely up to personal preferences. Older children might take to the Prime Video titles a little more with movies like The Lego Movie and Hotel Transylvania.    

Disney+ vs Prime Video: Which is Best for Adults?

For adults, Prime Video beats Disney Plus hands down in terms of the total number of titles available (25,000+ compared to 600+).  

However, Disney Plus is continuing to add lots of content each year, in particular shows for adults. So it’s probably more important to consider which shows and movies you prefer.  

Many people specifically go with Disney Plus for cult favorites like Marvel Universe and Star Wars content — some of which can only be accessed on Disney Plus. 

There’s also a ton of classic 90s series like Buffy, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Lost. While documentary junkies will love all the National Geographic content.  

Prime Video seems to stand out in terms of their newer original series like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Reacher, and The Grand Tour.

They’ve also got some great older content like House, E.R., and The Office.

And some also like the option to pay the additional subscription for various additional channels (e.g. Paramount+) to customize their content even further.   

Disney+ vs Prime Video Price Comparison

In terms of pricing, Disney Plus is clearly the cheaper of the two — ($7.99 vs. $8.99 per month). But Prime Video has a lot more titles (25,000+ vs. 600+), so that extra dollar a month gives you way more content to view.

But again, it’s not just about the number of titles — quality matters too. So it’s better to look at which type of shows you prefer. 

If you like your Disney Classics and Marvel movies, then Disney Plus is probably for you. Or if you’re looking for more of the popular Amazon Original series like Reacher and Bosch, then Prime Video might be better.  

One thing that some users didn’t like about Prime Video was that not all movies are included in the subscription. And viewers had to either rent or buy them individually under the “store” section.  

The best way to see which one is best for you is to try them. Fortunately, Prime Video has a 30-day free trial. And while Disney Plus doesn’t have a free trial, you can sign up for a monthly subscription first and then upgrade to an annual one if you feel it’s right for you. 

Netflix vs. Disney Plus vs. Amazon Prime Video

Sitting at the top next to Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video in the streaming world is Netflix. (2)

Similar to the two platforms reviewed here, Netflix has an impressive library of 15,000+ titles. Some of its most-loved content include Ozark, The Crown, Squid Game, and The Irishman.

While I still enjoy Netflix shows quite regularly, there were times when I felt disappointed when they pulled favorites like Friends, Designated Survivor, and Daredevil from their library. 

But they’re still always coming up with great Netflix original content like The Unforgivable and Peaky Blinders.    

Overall, it’s still a top contender alongside Disney Plus and Prime Video. But do note that it’s slightly more expensive than the other 2 at $9.99 a month.   

Disney Plus FAQs 

Is Disney Plus completely free?

No Disney Plus is a paid service and has a subscription fee ($7.99 monthly or $79.99 annually). They do not currently offer a free trial.

Is it legal to share a Disney Plus account?

Yes you can share a Disney Plus account. You can create up to seven different profiles on Disney Plus to customize each person’s preferred shows.

Is Disney Plus free with Amazon Prime Video? 

No, Disney Plus and Prime Video are separate on-demand streaming services that require separate subscriptions. 

Can you cancel Disney Plus at any time?

Yes, you can cancel your Disney Plus subscription at any time, and you will still be able to watch the content till the end of the current billing cycle. 

Are Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video the same thing? 

No, they are not the same. Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video are different streaming services. Both have their own set of shows that are exclusive to each platform. 

Amazon Prime Video FAQs

What’s the difference between Amazon Prime and Amazon Prime Video?

Amazon Prime subscriptions give you perks when you shop online at Amazon. But the Amazon Prime subscription also gives you access to Prime Video. Prime Video is the streaming arm of Amazon Prime. Alternatively, you can subscribe to Prime Video on its own at $8.99 a month without subscribing to Amazon Prime. 

Is Yellowstone on Amazon Prime? 

Yellowstone is on Prime Video, but it’s not free with your membership, so there is an additional cost. 

Is Amazon TV free with Prime? 

Amazon Fire TV stick is not free with Prime. 

Why am I being charged for Prime Video when I have Amazon Prime?

This is most likely an error that you should speak to Amazon about. 

Educational shows 

If you’d like to try a more educational language video program for your child, you can check out Muzzy BBC (see our full review here).