I've seen tons of posts on r/AmazonPrimeVideo complaining about the increasing ads and the messy updates. That’s why many of us start looking for a more stable way to watch what we already have access to—especially when we’re traveling, commuting, or dealing with spotty Wi-Fi.
In this guide, I’ll walk through four practical approaches to keep a personal offline copy of Prime Video titles you can already watch: two offline viewing tools and two recording-style options. Each has trade-offs—some focus on speed and convenience, others are more manual and time-consuming.
In this guide, “ripping” means creating a personal backup copy of titles you can already watch under your valid subscription or purchase so you can view them later when the internet isn’t available.
- It does not mean uploading or sharing the files with anyone else.
- You still need to follow your local copyright laws and Amazon's Terms of Use.
In short, think of it as building a personal backup library for yourself, not a way to distribute content.
Is It Legal & Safe to Back Up Prime Video for Personal Offline Viewing?
If you're worried about whether ripping is legal and safe, here's the short version I follow myself.
From a legal standpoint, ripping Prime Video can be acceptable under strict conditions. In many places, it's treated like personal time-shifting with a DVR, as long as you keep everything for private, non-commercial use. The bright red line is redistribution: sharing, selling, or uploading ripped videos is a clear copyright violation and should always be avoided.
On the safety side, here’s what I’ve learned both from my own use and from community reports:
- Always download software from the official website. There are plenty of fake “Amazon rippers” online that are just malware.
- None of the tools I’ve tested (StreamFab, MovPilot, OBS, RecordFab) triggered antivirus warnings when downloaded from their official sites.
- Use your own Amazon account login only in trusted, built-in browsers (like StreamFab or RecordFab). These apps don’t send your credentials to third parties.
- Don’t go overboard. If you rip massive amounts of content in a short time, you could draw unwanted attention from Amazon. Moderation is the safest path.
Anyway, treat these tools as a personal offline viewing setup—not a way to upload or share content. If you stick to that principle, you’re far less likely to run into legal or accounting issues.
Ways to Backup Prime Video Offline (Within Your Valid Access)
Alright, enough talking. Let's move to the methods to rip Amazon Prime titles and start with a comprehensive sheet. Click on the name to check my detailed introduction.
| Best for | Speed | Quality | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| StreamFab Amazon Downloader | Long-term users with lots of titles | Very fast (direct download) | Lossless 1080p with EAC3 5.1 | Paid, with free trial |
| MovPilot Amazon Video Downloader | Short-term users with a few movies | Medium (re-encoding) | 960p with some quality loss | Cheaper, limited free trial |
| OBS Studio | Free users who don't mind real-time recording | Slow (recording in real time) | Depends on your settings and device | Completely free |
| RecordFab | Users who want an easier, more guided recording workflow | Faster than OBS with 2× speed | Up to 1080p recording | Paid, with limited trial |
Method 1: Backup Prime Video for Offline Viewing with StreamFab Amazon Downloader
When I first tried StreamFab Amazon Downloader, what stood out to me was how seamless the process felt. Unlike recording tools that make you sit through an entire two-hour movie in real time, StreamFab directly downloads the video file from Amazon’s servers. That means no waiting around and no guessing if the quality will hold up.
This tool helps you keep Prime Video titles as MP4 or MKV files in full HD with EAC3 5.1 audio, and you can pick the codec, audio tracks, and subtitles that match your setup. It also includes a few quality-of-life features that make managing a larger offline library much less painful. If you’re looking into download rented movies on Amazon, keep in mind rentals have stricter licensing—availability and what’s allowed can vary by region, so it’s worth double-checking the rules where you live.
Equipped with a pile of convenient features, ripping Amazon Prime Video in good audiovisual quality for infinite, limitless playbacks.
- Available on Windows/macOS systems
- Rip Prime videos in lossless 1080p with EAC3 5.1 audio
- Save Prime videos in MP4/MKV format to be watched on all your devices
- Download Prime videos offline in H.264 or H.265 codecs as you prefer
- Support ripping Amazon's normal/purchased/rented movies
- Auto-save newly released episodes from Amazon Prime to watch offline in time
- Watch Prime videos offline with subtitles and audio in your original language
- Save titles as device-friendly MP4/MKV files for personal offline viewing (within your valid access)
- Free trial does not require payment info or a StreamFab account to use
- Pay to unlock more downloads and full functions
- Only 3 Amazon video downloads during the 30-day trial
I also noticed that there seems to be a trend of Amazon Prime Video warning emails and StreamFab security upgrades. As far as I am concerned, this issue is more related to the usage of VPN. And in case you don't know how to download Amazon Prime Video to PC with StreamFab or enable its functions, I wrote a detailed step-by-step guide here.
Sign in with your own Amazon account in the built-in browser, then follow the on-screen prompts to access the catalog you can already watch.
Open the title you want to keep for offline viewing. When the options panel appears, pick the video quality, audio, and subtitles that fit your needs.
Now you can set a download schedule in the left corner to enable the auto-download function.
Start the task and let it run. For best results, keep it to moderate, personal-use downloads and avoid “bulk grabbing” behavior.
Method 2: Rip Amazon Videos with MovPilot Amazon Prime Video Downloader
Not everyone needs a full-featured, all-in-one suite like StreamFab. If you just want to download a few movies or a couple of series, MovPilot Amazon Video Downloader can be a lighter, more affordable option to watch Amazon Prime Video offline. When I tested it, I noticed it was much simpler to set up, though it also came with some trade-offs.
The reason why I listed it after StreamFab is that its core download mode is re-encoding, which is worse than StreamFab's direct downloading. If you are curious about it, here is a MovPilot Amazon Downloader review for you.
- Available on Windows/macOS systems
- Save Prime Video titles to MP4/MKV for device-friendly offline viewing (within your valid access)
- Support downloading subtitles, audio tracks, and metadata
- Compatible with rented/purchased Amazon movies
- Has an easy built-in search function
- Only downloads the first 6 minutes of the movie in the free trial
- Sometimes the ripping process will get stuck
- Output 960p in fact rather than 1080p
- No schedule download mode
- Not supporting background download
- Re-encoding causes inevitable quality loss & ripping speed drop
If you’re trying MovPilot for occasional offline viewing, here’s the high-level flow:
Install the app from its official source and open it.
Sign in with your Amazon account, then search for the title you want to watch offline (within your valid access).
Select your preferred output settings, such as quality, audio, and subtitles when the options panel appears.
Start the task and check progress inside the app’s task list until it finishes.
Method 3: Record Amazon Prime Videos with OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)
If you’re like me and don’t want to shell out any cash, OBS Studio is where most people land. I’ve had it hanging around on my computer for ages—I’ve used it a ton for streaming and just plain old screen recording. It’ll screen record Amazon Prime Video, but don’t get too excited: Amazon’s playback-level restriction usually leaves you with nothing but a frustrating black screen.
Some Prime Video titles use technical protection measures that can block or limit screen capture in certain apps and browsers. So even if OBS is set up correctly, you may still end up with a blank or black recording.
What to do instead:
OBS is perfect if you only need a free and occasional solution, but I wouldn’t use it for binge-downloading a whole season. It’s simply too time-consuming. Still, as a backup option when other tools don’t work—or if you’re determined not to pay—it gets the job done.
- Completely free and open-source
- Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Very flexible: you can tweak bitrate, resolution, audio, overlays, etc.
- Not compatible with DRM-protected content
- Need extra operations to work normally
- Hard to get familiar with its functions
- Cost the same time as the video
- Maybe interrupted by sound from other software
- No movement on your PC is allowed until the recording is finished
If you still want to try OBS to make Amazon Prime Video to MP4 for occasional personal-use recording, here’s the general flow:
Install OBS and complete the basic setup for capturing a video source on your device.
Start playback in your browser or app, then test a short recording to confirm the output is usable.
If your recording fails or shows a blank screen, stop and switch to official offline viewing options where available, rather than forcing workarounds.
Extra troubleshooting tips when recording Prime Video:
- If you keep getting a black screen, double-check Firefox, hardware acceleration, and Window Capture settings.
- Close other apps that might pop up notifications or sounds during the recording session.
- Avoid recording for hours on end every day to stay under the radar and reduce account risk.
Method 4: Rip Amazon Prime Videos with RecordFab
When I first tried RecordFab, what impressed me was how much smoother the workflow felt compared with a fully manual OBS setup. It’s basically a more guided recorder-style option for services like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Disney+.
I used it during a business trip when I didn’t want to babysit OBS settings. For quick, no-fuss recording sessions, it felt a lot less stressful—though, like any recording approach, results can still vary depending on the title, device, and region.
- Solves the black screen problem with Amazon Prime Video
- Faster than OBS thanks to the 2× speed option
- Much simpler to set up—no need to dig through OBS’s dozens of settings
- Still slower than direct downloaders like StreamFab or MovPilot
- Doesn’t support multiple tasks at once (no batch recording)
- Paid software—trial is limited
If you prefer a guided recorder-style workflow, here’s the basic idea:
Install the app from the official source and open the service page inside the built-in browser.
Play the title you want to record for personal offline viewing, then choose your preferred recording settings when prompted.
Start the recording and let it finish. Keep sessions reasonable and personal-use only, and avoid marathon recording runs.
Direct Comparison of the Amazon Prime Video Rippers
Quick Takeaways:
- If you want the fastest, highest-quality option, go with StreamFab.
- If you’re on a budget but don’t need extras, MovPilot is lighter and cheaper.
- If you want free, OBS does the job, but only with the Firefox workaround.
- If you want a simple recording without hassle, RecordFab is the most user-friendly recorder.
FAQs
In many regions, making a personal backup copy of content you've already paid for is treated similarly to private time-shifting with a DVR. However, you must keep the files for non-commercial, personal use only and never upload or share them with others. Laws differ a lot from country to country, so if you're unsure, it's always best to check your local copyright rules or ask a professional.
If your device can play MP4 or MKV files, you can usually watch your personal offline copies on many common devices—laptops, phones, tablets, and TVs that support local playback. The main benefit here is device compatibility and offline convenience, as long as you’re using it for private viewing and within your valid access rights. You can even transfer downloaded movies from Amazon Prime to other devices.
Amazon doesn't publish a clear "safe" limit, but anything that looks like automated or abusive behaviour is more likely to trigger attention, such as ripping huge libraries overnight or combining heavy downloads with aggressive VPN hopping. To stay on the safe side, rip moderately, avoid running multiple tools at once, and always log in with your own legitimate account.
That “black screen” issue usually comes down to technical protection measures on certain titles. If you hit it, don’t waste hours chasing brittle tweaks—results vary a lot across devices and regions. Your safest bet is to use official offline options when possible and consult the platform’s support guidance if you’re troubleshooting playback or recording behavior.
Final Words
At the end of the day, ripping Amazon Prime Video on PC in 2025 really comes down to what you need most. No matter if you have had enough with Amazon Prime download limits, or just dislike the ads like me, there are always ways that can help us enjoy pure offline viewing experiences.
I’m kind of hooked on StreamFab for grabbing lots of videos at once, though I also hang onto OBS as my trusty (and free) plan B. Whichever route you end up taking, just use them only for your own offline watching. That way, no more panicking over vanished downloads or spotty Wi-Fi ruining your night.
This software is intended only for making personal backup copies of streaming content you can legally access under a valid subscription, purchase, or rental. Do not use it for commercial purposes or illegal redistribution, and always comply with local copyright laws and the platform’s Terms of Use.
