What you get with Amazon Prime monthly membership

Amazon Prime is a paid membership that gives you faster shipping on purchases from Amazon.com, access to Prime Video (movies and TV shows), Prime Music (ad-free streaming), and other perks. You pay a monthly fee instead of an annual one, which means you can cancel anytime without losing money on unused months.

The core benefit most people use is two-day shipping on millions of items — and one-day or same-day shipping on many items in major cities. Prime Video includes thousands of movies and TV series at no extra charge beyond your membership fee. Prime Music lets you stream over 100 million songs without ads, and you get unlimited photo storage through Amazon Photos.

Other included perks vary: Prime Gaming (formerly Twitch Prime) gives you free games and in-game content each month, early access to Lightning Deals during sales events, and discounts at Whole Foods if you have a Prime membership linked to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon Prime monthly membership costs $14.99 per month in the United States, with no long-term contract — you can cancel anytime.
  • You get two-day shipping on most items, one-day or same-day shipping in many areas, Prime Video streaming, and ad-free music through Prime Music.
  • The monthly plan costs more per month than the annual plan ($139 per year), so the annual option saves money if you plan to stay a member for the full year.
  • You can start or stop your membership through your Amazon account settings without calling customer service or paying a cancellation fee.

Monthly cost compared to annual membership

The monthly plan costs $14.99 per month as of 2024, though Amazon has raised this price multiple times over the years. If you do the math, paying monthly for 12 months costs $179.88 per year, while the annual plan costs $139 per year. That makes the annual membership about $40 cheaper if you stay for the full year.

The monthly option makes sense if you only need Prime for a few months — say, during the holiday shopping season or while you are moving. The annual plan is better if you use Prime regularly throughout the year. Some people also use the free trial period (usually 30 days) to test the service before committing to either plan.

Student members get a different rate: Amazon Prime Student costs $7.49 per month or $69 per year, roughly half the regular price. You need a valid .edu email address or a student ID to sign up, and the membership lasts for four years or until you graduate, whichever comes first.

How to start a monthly membership

Go to amazon.com and sign in to your account, or create a new account if you do not have one. Click on "Account & Lists" in the top right corner, then select "Your Account." Look for "Prime membership" or "Memberships & subscriptions" and click on it.

You will see options for monthly or annual membership. Select the monthly plan and choose your payment method — Amazon accepts credit cards, debit cards, and some other payment options depending on your country. Amazon will charge your payment method on the same day each month going forward.

Your membership starts immediately after payment goes through. You can start using Prime shipping, Prime Video, and other benefits right away. If you signed up during a free trial period, your trial runs for the number of days Amazon advertises (usually 30), and then your first monthly charge happens on the day after the trial ends.

How to cancel or pause your membership

You can cancel anytime through your Amazon account without paying a penalty or talking to anyone. Go to "Account & Lists," select "Your Account," find "Memberships & subscriptions," and click on "Prime membership." You will see a button to "End membership" or "Cancel Prime."

Amazon will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay — you can accept or decline. Your membership ends immediately if you cancel during a free trial, or at the end of your current billing cycle if you are a paying member. You keep all Prime benefits until that date.

If you want to pause rather than cancel, Amazon does not offer a formal pause feature for monthly memberships. Your options are to cancel and rejoin later, or to keep paying. Some people cancel before a month they know they will not use Prime, then rejoin the next month.

What happens if you share your account

Amazon allows you to share Prime benefits with people in your household through Amazon Household. You can add up to four adults and up to four children to your account, and everyone gets access to Prime shipping, Prime Video, and other member benefits using the same membership.

Each person in the household can have their own Amazon account and their own watch history on Prime Video, but they all use the same Prime membership. This is different from sharing a password — it is a built-in feature that Amazon designed for families.

To set up a Household, go to "Account & Lists," select "Your Account," and look for "Household & Family Library." You can add people by email address or phone number, and they will receive an invitation to join. They need to accept the invitation before they can use Prime benefits.

Comparing monthly Prime to other streaming and shipping services

Amazon Prime is not the only service that offers fast shipping or streaming. Walmart+ costs $12.98 per month and includes fast shipping, fuel discounts, and access to Walmart's streaming service. Target Circle+ costs $9.99 per month and offers free shipping and other perks, though it does not include streaming.

For streaming alone, services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu cost between $6.99 and $22.99 per month depending on the plan you choose. Prime Video is included with Prime membership, so if you want both shipping and streaming, Prime may cost less than buying them separately.

The choice depends on where you shop and what you watch. If you order from Amazon regularly and watch Prime Video, the monthly membership might save you money compared to paying for shipping on individual orders plus a separate streaming service. If you rarely order from Amazon, a streaming-only service might be cheaper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a free trial of Amazon Prime monthly membership?

Yes, Amazon usually offers a 30-day free trial for new members. You need to provide a payment method, and Amazon will charge you after the trial ends unless you cancel. The trial period is the same whether you choose monthly or annual membership.

Does the monthly price include taxes?

The $14.99 monthly price is before tax. The final amount you pay depends on your state or local tax rate. Amazon will show you the total including tax before you confirm your payment.

What if I cancel mid-month — do I get a refund?

No, Amazon does not refund the current month if you cancel. Your membership ends at the end of your current billing cycle, and you keep all Prime benefits until that date. If you cancel during a free trial, your membership ends immediately.

Can I switch from monthly to annual membership without losing my benefits?

Yes, you can change your membership type anytime through your account settings. If you switch from monthly to annual, Amazon will credit any remaining balance from your current month toward the annual price. The exact credit depends on how many days are left in your billing cycle.

Does Amazon Prime monthly membership work outside the United States?

Amazon Prime is available in several countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, India, Australia, and Mexico. The monthly price and benefits vary by country. You need an account with the Amazon site for your country to use Prime there.