What Amazon Prime is and what you pay for it

Amazon Prime is a paid membership that gives you faster shipping on purchases from Amazon.com, access to streaming video and music, and other perks. You pay a yearly or monthly fee, and the cost varies depending on which plan you choose and where you live.

The main reason most people buy Prime is the shipping benefit: orders marked "Prime may be able to access" arrive in two business days or faster, often at no extra charge. Without Prime, standard shipping typically takes five to eight business days and may cost money. If you order frequently from Amazon, the shipping savings alone can cover the membership cost.

Prime also includes Prime Video (movies and TV shows), Prime Music (ad-free music streaming), Prime Reading (access to books and magazines), and other features that rotate. These are bundled into the membership — you do not pay extra for each one once you have Prime.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon Prime costs either a monthly fee or a yearly fee; the yearly option costs less per month if you divide it out.
  • The main benefit is two-day (or faster) shipping on most items marked Prime may be able to access, with no shipping charge.
  • Prime Video, Prime Music, and Prime Reading are included in the membership at no extra cost.
  • Amazon offers a free trial period before you are charged, so you can test the service before committing money.
  • Students and people receiving certain government benefits may pay a reduced rate or get Prime free.

Current pricing and payment options

As of 2024, Amazon Prime offers two main payment plans in the United States: a monthly plan and an annual plan. The monthly plan renews every 30 days; the annual plan renews every 12 months. The annual plan costs less per month overall, but requires a larger upfront payment.

Prices vary by country and can change without notice. Amazon also occasionally runs promotions where the first few months cost less, or where you get a discount if you sign up during a specific period. The best way to see current pricing for your location is to visit Amazon.com and look at the Prime membership page directly.

You can pause or cancel your membership at any time. If you cancel during a billing period, you keep access to Prime until the end of that period, then the membership stops. Amazon does not charge you again after cancellation unless you restart it yourself.

Free trial and how to start

Amazon offers a free trial of Prime that lasts 30 days. During the trial, you get full access to all Prime benefits — two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, and the rest — at no cost. The trial is meant to let you test whether Prime is worth the money before you are charged.

To start a free trial, you need an Amazon account. Go to the Prime membership page, select "Start your free trial," and follow the prompts. Amazon will ask for a payment method (credit card, debit card, or other option) to keep on file, but will not charge you during the 30 days. If you do not cancel before the trial ends, your paid membership begins automatically and you are charged according to the plan you chose.

You can cancel the free trial at any point before it ends, and you will not be charged. After cancellation, you lose Prime benefits immediately, though you keep any purchases you made during the trial.

Reduced-cost Prime for students and people on government benefits

Prime Student is a discounted membership for people enrolled full-time at a four-year college or university in the United States. The monthly cost is lower than standard Prime, and the yearly cost is also reduced. Prime Student includes the same benefits as regular Prime — two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, and more. You need a valid .edu email address or proof of enrollment to sign up.

Amazon also offers a program called Prime for SNAP (formerly Prime Discounted Monthly Offering) for people who receive SNAP benefits (food assistance). This program provides Prime membership at a reduced monthly rate. To use it, you must have an active SNAP case and provide your case number when you sign up. The discount is available only on the monthly plan, not the annual plan.

may be able to access for both programs is verified by Amazon at the time you sign up. If you no longer meet the requirements (for example, you graduate from college or your SNAP benefits end), your discounted membership converts to standard Prime pricing unless you cancel.

What is and is not included in Prime

Prime membership includes two-day (or faster) shipping on items marked "Prime may be able to access" — this is the core benefit. Most items sold by Amazon directly are Prime may be able to access, but not all items are. Third-party sellers can also offer Prime shipping on their products. When you search for an item, the Prime badge shows whether that specific product qualifies.

Prime Video is included and gives you access to a rotating library of movies, TV shows, and original series. You can watch on any device with the Prime Video app or website. Prime Music includes ad-free music streaming from a catalog of millions of songs. Prime Reading lets you borrow books, magazines, and newspapers at no extra cost.

Prime does not include Amazon Fresh (grocery delivery), Amazon Music Unlimited (a larger music catalog with offline downloads), or Kindle Unlimited (unlimited e-book borrowing). These are separate paid services. Prime also does not cover items sold by third-party sellers unless they specifically offer Prime shipping — you have to check each listing.

How to manage or cancel your membership

To view your Prime membership status, change your payment method, or cancel, log into your Amazon account and go to "Your Account" or "Memberships and Subscriptions." From there you can see when your next charge is due, switch between monthly and annual plans, or end your membership.

If you cancel during a billing period, you keep Prime benefits until the end of that period. For example, if you pay monthly and cancel on the 10th of the month, you have Prime through the end of that month, then it stops. You are not charged again unless you restart the membership yourself.

If you have a free trial running and want to cancel before being charged, go to the same "Memberships and Subscriptions" page and select the option to cancel the trial. Make sure you do this before the 30 days are up, or the paid membership will start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Prime on multiple devices?

Yes. Prime Video can be watched on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs using the Prime Video app or website. Prime shipping applies to any order you place from your Amazon account, regardless of device. However, only one person per account can watch Prime Video at the same time unless you pay for additional simultaneous streams through Prime Video's add-on options.

What happens to my Prime membership if I move to another country?

Prime membership is tied to the country where your Amazon account is registered. If you move, you may need to update your account information and your membership may change or end. Contact Amazon customer service to discuss your situation, as policies vary by country and individual circumstances.

Do I have to buy anything to keep Prime active?

No. Your Prime membership stays active as long as you pay the membership fee, whether you order anything or not. You do not have to make purchases to keep the membership going. You can cancel at any time if you decide you no longer want it.

Can I share my Prime membership with family members?

Amazon offers Amazon Household, which lets you link multiple adults and children to one Prime membership. Each person gets their own account and can use Prime shipping and Prime Video. Set up is done through your Amazon account settings under "Household." Note that only adults on the account can make purchases using shared payment methods.

Is Prime worth the cost if I do not order from Amazon often?

That depends on how much you use Prime Video and other included benefits. If you watch movies or TV shows regularly, or use Prime Music, the membership might pay for itself even if you do not order much. The free 30-day trial lets you test whether you will actually use these features before you commit to paying.