Amazon Prime costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month, and includes fast shipping, video streaming, and music

Amazon Prime is a paid membership that bundles several services into one subscription. The annual plan costs $139 and the monthly plan costs $14.99. If you pay monthly, you'll spend about $180 per year, so the annual option saves you money if you plan to stay subscribed for the full year.

The main benefit most people use is free two-day shipping on millions of items sold by Amazon. You also get access to Prime Video (movies and TV shows), Prime Music (ad-free streaming), Prime Reading (rotating selection of books and magazines), and Prime Photos (unlimited photo storage). Students pay $69 per year through Prime Student, which includes the same benefits for six months free, then half price after that.

You can cancel anytime. If you pay monthly and cancel, you lose access immediately. If you pay annually and cancel within the first 30 days, Amazon refunds the full amount. After 30 days, you cannot get a refund, but your membership runs until the anniversary date and you can cancel before it renews.

Key Takeaways

  • Annual Prime membership ($139/year) costs less than paying monthly ($14.99/month) if you keep the subscription for the full year.
  • Prime includes two-day shipping, Prime Video streaming, Prime Music, Prime Reading, and unlimited photo storage in one membership.
  • Student memberships cost $69 per year and include six months free, then half the regular monthly price after that.
  • You can cancel within 30 days of paying annually and receive a full refund, but after 30 days you cannot get money back.
  • Monthly memberships cancel immediately with no refund period, so you lose access the same day you cancel.

What's included in the Prime membership

Prime Shipping covers two-day delivery on millions of items sold directly by Amazon. Some items ship faster (one-day or same-day in certain areas), and some take longer, depending on the item and your location. This applies only to items marked "Prime may be able to access" — third-party sellers using Amazon's fulfillment also may have access to, but items shipped by the seller themselves do not. Groceries through Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods also offer Prime discounts and fast delivery in participating areas.

Prime Video is Amazon's streaming service included with membership. You can watch movies, TV series, and original shows on any device with the Prime Video app or website. The catalog changes monthly and includes both free titles and rentals you can purchase separately. You can create up to six user profiles on one account.

Prime Music gives you ad-free access to over two million songs. It is not the same as Music Unlimited, which is a separate paid service with a larger catalog. Prime Music works offline — you can download songs to listen without internet.

Prime Reading rotates a selection of books, magazines, and newspapers you can read for free. You can read one title at a time, and the selection changes regularly. This is different from Kindle Unlimited, which is a separate subscription with a larger library.

Prime Photos gives you unlimited storage for photos in your Amazon account. Videos are limited to 5 GB. This storage does not count against your Amazon Drive storage limit for other files.

Annual versus monthly payment plans

The annual plan ($139/year) breaks down to about $11.58 per month if you keep it for the full year. The monthly plan ($14.99/month) costs more over time but gives you flexibility to cancel without penalty. Choose annual if you know you will use Prime for at least 12 months. Choose monthly if you want to test it out, only need it for a few months, or want to cancel without waiting for a refund window.

Amazon sometimes offers discounts on the annual plan during Prime Day (mid-July) or Black Friday (late November), though the discount is usually small. If you have an Amazon credit card, you may earn cash back on the membership purchase, which effectively lowers the cost.

If you switch from monthly to annual mid-year, Amazon prorates the difference — you pay the annual price minus what you already paid for the remaining months. If you switch from annual to monthly, you cannot get a refund for the unused portion of your annual membership, but your monthly membership starts after the annual membership ends.

Prime Student membership

Prime Student costs $69 per year and includes all the same benefits as regular Prime. You get six months free when you first sign up, then pay $69 per year after that (or $7.49 per month if you choose the monthly plan). To sign up, you need a valid .edu email address or proof of enrollment from an accredited U.S. college or university.

Prime Student membership lasts four years from the date you sign up, then converts to regular Prime pricing unless you cancel. If you graduate or are no longer a student, you can keep the membership but it will convert to the regular price at the next renewal.

How to cancel and refund policy

To cancel, go to Your Account on Amazon.com, select Memberships and Subscriptions, find Prime Membership, and click Manage Membership. Then select Cancel Membership and confirm. The cancellation takes effect immediately for monthly plans and at the end of your current billing period for annual plans.

If you paid annually and cancel within 30 days of your purchase, Amazon refunds the full amount to your original payment method. After 30 days, no refund is available, but your membership continues until the anniversary date. You can cancel anytime before the renewal date to prevent being charged again.

If you cancel a monthly membership, you lose access immediately. There is no refund for the current month — you pay for the full month even if you cancel on day one. If you know you will not use Prime for the next month, cancel before your monthly billing date.

Prime membership and household accounts

One Prime membership covers your entire household if you set up Amazon Household. You can add up to four adults and up to four children to one account. Each person gets their own login and can use Prime benefits independently — they see their own recommendations, watch history, and shopping cart. All household members share the same Prime shipping and video benefits.

To set up Household, go to Your Account, select Household and Family Library, and add members by email address or phone number. Adults must confirm the invitation before they can access Prime. Children have limited account controls set by the parent or guardian.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Prime membership include free shipping on everything?

No. Free two-day shipping applies only to items marked "Prime may be able to access." Most items sold directly by Amazon may have access to, and many third-party sellers using Amazon's fulfillment also may have access to. Items shipped by the seller themselves, very large items, and some specialty products do not include Prime shipping. Always check the shipping details before you buy.

Can I share my Prime membership with family members?

Yes, through Amazon Household. You can add up to four adults and four children to one account, and all household members get Prime benefits. Each person needs their own login. Set this up in Your Account under Household and Family Library.

What happens to my Prime membership if I don't use it for a while?

Nothing. Your membership stays active and renews on the anniversary date unless you cancel. There is no penalty for not using Prime, and you can cancel anytime before renewal to avoid being charged again.

Is Prime Video the same as Prime membership?

Prime Video is one benefit included in Prime membership, but you can also buy Prime Video separately for $14.99 per month if you only want streaming without shipping and other benefits. Most people get Prime Video as part of the full Prime membership.

Can I get a refund if I change my mind after 30 days?

No. Annual memberships purchased more than 30 days ago cannot be refunded, though your membership continues until the renewal date. Monthly memberships have no refund period — you pay for the full month regardless of when you cancel. Plan accordingly if you are unsure about committing.