Online video stores: A comparison of providers

There are many online video stores - here we introduce you to the three most popular providers in Germany with Amazon Prime Instant Video, Maxdome and Videoload and we go into the advantages and disadvantages. As an alternative, we also take a look at iTunes.

Amazon Prime Instant Video: streaming service and DVD shipping

The Amazon Prime Instant Video streaming service from Amazon originally started under the name Lovefilm exclusively as an online rental service for DVDs and Blurays, which are traditionally sent by post. With Amazon Prime Instant Video, however, the focus was placed on the streaming offer.

• Amazon Prime Instant Video offers various subscription packages, depending on whether you prefer to rent DVDs or use the Video on Demand service.
• Amazon Prime Instant Video is only available as part of the Amazon Prime offer. For 49 euros a year, you can get unlimited streaming and other services, such as free premium shipping from Amazon and a monthly loan book for your Kindle. With Prime Music, you can also listen to and download unlimited music at no additional cost. For a further 8.99 euros a month, you can also have 4 rental DVDs or Blu-rays sent to you by post per month.
• Amazon Prime Instant Video's video on demand offering can keep up with the competition, but it cannot offer the diversity of Maxdome.
• Since current blockbusters are not included in the Prime offer and have to be bought or rented as an option, DVD and Bluray shipping is still interesting. Here you can get current film releases within the monthly price of 8.99 euros for Prime customers.
• Amazon Prime Instant Video can be used on various devices. In addition to the PC, the Playstation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Amazon's Kindle Fire and the iPad, there are also some internet-compatible Smart TVs from Sony and Samsung. The complete device list can be found here.
• For new customers, Amazon Prime Instant Video offers a 30-day free membership.

• Over 10, 000 titles are available in HD and Dolby 5.1 sound. You can even view more than 5, 000 content in the original language at no additional cost.
• Films and series are often available before the current DVD launch.
• From 0.99 euros you can watch films in the distribution online. Buy episodes of different series from 1.99 euros. You receive discounts for the purchase of a complete season.
• Even without an Internet connection, the content can be viewed at any time with the Videoload app for PC and Mac.
• At home you can enjoy your films and series on your Smart TV or on Entertain Telekom.
• Entertain even offers you 3D versions.
• If you are an Entertain customer, you can also use Videoload via app on smartphones and tablets with Android or iOS operating system.

Maxdome: Large video-on-demand offer with an affordable monthly subscription

The Maxdome video on demand service belongs to the ProSiebenSat.1 group and, according to its own statement, comprises over 50, 000 films and series.

• If you want to get a first taste of online video stores or video on demand, Maxdome is a good place to go. You get the first 4 weeks free of charge.
• You then pay EUR 7.99 a month. You can cancel the subscription with 14 days' notice to the end of the month.
• Around 70% of the films and series are available in the original version.
• Maxdome can either be used directly on the PC, via an Internet-compatible television, various set-top boxes, Blu-ray players with an Internet connection, Android devices, iPhone and iPad, Xbox One or with the PlayStation 3.
• You can also download content directly to your mobile device and thus view it without an internet connection.

Apple iTunes: Gigantic range of series and films

The film and series offering in Apple's iTunes store is at the forefront with 60, 000 films and over 190, 000 episodes of international series, leaving other online video stores far behind in this regard.

• The films and series can be bought and borrowed from the iTunes Store. Standard quality films and series usually cost between EUR 2.99 and EUR 3.99. If you want to use the HD version, this usually costs one to two euros more.
• Series junkies can look forward to iTunes: Many of the series are also available in their original language.
• Borrowed or purchased films and series can be played on all Apple devices. To do this, however, you need the iTunes program and a suitable iTunes account. If you want to watch the films or series on the TV, you have to grab the Apple TV set-top box, which costs almost 100 euros.

If you don't want to spend money on online streams, we'll show you 3 legal alternatives to kino.to and kinox.to in another practical tip.