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Head-to-head · Video Streaming Services

Prime Video vs The Roku Channel

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Prime Video #1 in Video Streaming Services 9.4/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Prime Video
The Roku Channel #7 in Video Streaming Services 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Try The Roku Channel

Prime Video leads on 1 check, The Roku Channel on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePrime Video · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly The Roku Channel
  • Most featuresPrime Video · 2 of 2

Prime Video scores higher on our rubric for video streaming services: 9.4 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

The Roku Channel offers free plan; Prime Video doesn't. Prime Video offers offline downloads; The Roku Channel doesn't publish it.

Prime Video is the better fit for broad films, series, sports, and channel add-ons. The Roku Channel is the better fit for free live channels and optional premium subscriptions.

  • Prime Video fits best

    Broad films, series, sports, and channel add-ons

  • The Roku Channel fits best

    Free live channels and optional premium subscriptions

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Prime Video 9.4/10 Visit ↗ The Roku Channel 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.7
Ranking #1 in Video Streaming Services #7 in Video Streaming Services
Best for Broad films, series, sports, and channel add-ons Free live channels and optional premium subscriptions
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Docs, Community Live chat
Built for Solo, Small business Solo
Features Prime Video 2/2 · The Roku Channel 1/2
Ad-supported tier ✓ ✓
Offline downloads ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
Simultaneous streams 3 Not published
Max video quality Not published Not published
Supported devices web, smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, game consoles, select smart TVs Roku streaming devices; web; iOS and Android mobile app; compatible Samsung Smart TVs; Amazon Fire TV devices
Included bundles Amazon Prime membership; third-party channel subscriptions can be added separately Optional Premium Subscriptions; partner subscription prices and terms vary
Our review
Pros
  • Combines on-demand titles, live sports, rentals, and free ad-supported viewing
  • Supports third-party subscriptions including HBO Max, Apple TV, and MGM+
  • Allows up to three concurrent streams and temporary offline downloads
  • Free ad-supported movies and TV shows, plus 500+ live channels
  • Includes Roku Originals and optional Premium Subscriptions
  • Works on web, mobile, Roku, compatible Samsung TVs and Fire TV
Cons
  • Prime Video is paid through Amazon Prime or a U.S. Ultra add-on
  • Third-party streaming subscriptions can add separate costs
  • Offline downloads are limited to eligible subscription titles and are temporary
  • Free viewing is ad-supported
  • Content availability varies by country
  • Premium subscription prices and terms vary by partner
Our verdict

Prime Video brings movies, series, live sports, and events together with rentals, purchases, free ad-supported channels and titles, and add-on subscriptions from other streaming services. In the U.S., it is included with Amazon Prime;…

Read the review →

The Roku Channel brings together free, ad-supported movies and television shows, live channels, and Roku Originals. It suits viewers looking for a no-cost way to stream a mix of on-demand and live programming, with the option to add paid…

Read the review →
  1. Prime VideoVideo Streaming Services 9.4Paid
  2. The Roku ChannelVideo Streaming Services 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Prime Video — where it wins

    • Combines on-demand titles, live sports, rentals, and free ad-supported viewing
    • Supports third-party subscriptions including HBO Max, Apple TV, and MGM+
    • Allows up to three concurrent streams and temporary offline downloads

    Where it doesn't

    • Prime Video is paid through Amazon Prime or a U.S. Ultra add-on
    • Third-party streaming subscriptions can add separate costs
    • Offline downloads are limited to eligible subscription titles and are temporary

  • The Roku Channel — where it wins

    • Free ad-supported movies and TV shows, plus 500+ live channels
    • Includes Roku Originals and optional Premium Subscriptions
    • Works on web, mobile, Roku, compatible Samsung TVs and Fire TV

    Where it doesn't

    • Free viewing is ad-supported
    • Content availability varies by country
    • Premium subscription prices and terms vary by partner

More comparisons

All video streaming services comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on video streaming services

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update