Netflix vs Prime Video in Canada
Quick answer
Get Netflix if you mainly watch new original series, international shows and films; get Prime Video if you like Amazon's exclusive films and Prime Originals and enjoy browsing a large back catalogue of movies and shows. You do not have to settle on one for good. Because the plans here are short and do not renew on their own, alternating between the two is easy.
LicenceBase sells both products, so this page is not neutral. Features are set by each brand and change over time. LicenceBase prices are read live from the store; brand list prices show the date they were checked on the brand's own site.
Prices in Canadian dollars
| Product | LicenceBase price (CAD) | Lowest per month | Brand's own price (reference) | Product page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix |
|
$5.23 on 3 Months | Standard with ads: CA$7.99/monthChecked Oct 2026 on Netflix's siteStandard: CA$18.99/monthChecked Oct 2026 on Netflix's sitePremium: CA$23.99/monthChecked Oct 2026 on Netflix's site | View plans |
| Prime Video |
|
$3.58 on 3 Months | Amazon Prime, monthly (includes Prime Video): CA$9.99/month (Plus tax)Checked Oct 2026 on Amazon's siteAmazon Prime, yearly (includes Prime Video): CA$99.00/year (Plus tax)Checked Oct 2026 on Amazon's site | View plans |
Brand prices are what the brand charges on its own Canadian site, shown for reference on the date given, before any tax the brand adds; follow the link for today's price. They are not LicenceBase prices: LicenceBase is an independent store, not the brand, and its plans are one-time payments for a fixed term, sold on different terms from the brand's own subscription. A brand price appears only where we have matched our product to the brand's plan.
Which should you choose?
Choose Netflix if
- You follow Netflix original series and want new seasons as they arrive
- You watch a lot of international series and documentaries
- You want everything in the app included, with no rentals mixed in
Choose Prime Video if
- You want Amazon's exclusive films and Prime Original series
- You like browsing a big library of older movies and shows
- You are looking for a second service to rotate with Netflix
- A specific Prime Original is the reason you want to subscribe
Key differences
| Feature | Netflix | Prime Video |
|---|---|---|
| Known for | Original series, films and international shows | Prime Originals, Amazon exclusives and a large film library |
| Picture quality | Depends on the Netflix plan; 4K only on Premium and supported titles | HD across devices; quality varies by title |
| Extra purchases | None: the catalogue is included | Some titles in the app are rentals or purchases |
| On the brand's own site | A standalone Netflix subscription | Comes with an Amazon Prime membership |
| Catalogue in Canada | Differs from the US catalogue | Also varies by country |
| Plans at LicenceBase | 1, 2 or 3 months | 1, 2 or 3 months |
What each service is really for
Netflix built its reputation on original programming: binge-ready drama series, true-crime documentaries, stand-up specials and a wide spread of international shows, many of which you will not find anywhere else. Prime Video's draw is a mix of Amazon's own exclusive films and Prime Original series plus a large on-demand library of licensed movies and TV. Put simply, Netflix is the stronger choice when you want the new original series, and Prime Video is a good place to go looking for a particular film from a few years back.
Neither catalogue stands still. Licensed titles come and go on both services, and what is available in Canada is not the same as in the United States or elsewhere. If one specific show is the reason you are subscribing, check that it is streaming in Canada before you pay. A quick search in each app, or on each service's own site, settles it in a minute.
Picture quality, rentals and the Prime question
On Netflix's own site, picture quality depends on the plan: 4K Ultra HD comes with the Premium plan, and only on titles that support it. If 4K matters to you, email the store before buying to confirm which Netflix tier the plan gives you. Prime Video streams in HD across devices, and its app also lists rentals and purchases that the subscription does not cover, so check the label before pressing play. On Amazon's own site, Prime Video comes as part of an Amazon Prime membership. The LicenceBase listing is for Prime Video streaming; if you were expecting other Prime perks, read the product page or email the store before buying.
Rotating instead of choosing
Every plan at LicenceBase is paid once and stops at the end of its term, so there is no cancellation to remember. That makes rotation practical: take one to three months of Netflix for a new season, then switch to Prime Video for its next big original, rather than paying for both all year. Orders are prepared by hand and the store aims to deliver within 12 hours of payment, so it is sensible to order the day before a premiere rather than an hour before.
Pros and cons
Netflix
Pros
- Large slate of original series, films and international shows
- Strong line-up of international series and documentaries
- Everything in the catalogue is included in the subscription
Cons
- Licensed titles rotate out over time
- Canadian catalogue differs from what US viewers see
Prime Video
Pros
- Amazon exclusive films and Prime Original series
- Large on-demand library of films and shows
- Short plans make it easy to rotate with another service
Cons
- Some titles in the app cost extra to rent or buy
- Other Amazon Prime benefits should be confirmed before buying
Verdict
Netflix is the better single subscription for viewers who want new original series and international shows. Prime Video is the better pick for Amazon's exclusives and a broad library of films and shows. If you like both, short plans that end on their own make it easy to alternate rather than choose.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Netflix catalogue in Canada the same as in the US?
No. Netflix licenses much of its content country by country, so the Canadian catalogue differs. Check that a specific title is available in Canada before buying for it.
Does Prime Video include every movie in the app?
No. Some titles shown in the app are rentals or purchases that cost extra on top of the subscription.
Does the Prime Video plan include Amazon Prime shipping?
The LicenceBase product is for Prime Video streaming, as described on the product page. If you need other Amazon Prime benefits, email the store before buying to confirm what is included.
Can I watch on my TV?
Yes. Both services have apps for smart TVs and streaming devices as well as phones, tablets and laptops.
