Amazon Prime membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year

The standard Amazon Prime membership runs $14.99 per month if you pay monthly, or $139 per year if you pay annually. The yearly option saves you about $40 compared to paying month-to-month. Amazon also offers a six-month plan for $69, which works out to $11.50 per month — the lowest per-month rate of the three options.

If you are a student, Amazon Prime Student costs $7.49 per month or $69 per year, half the standard price. You need a valid .edu email address to sign up, and the discount runs for four years from your enrollment date.

Amazon Prime Video, the streaming service alone, costs $14.99 per month without a Prime membership. This matters because some people only want the video service and not the shipping, cloud storage, and other benefits that come with full Prime membership.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon Prime membership is $14.99 per month or $139 per year, with a six-month option at $69 if you want to test it first.
  • Students pay half price ($7.49 per month or $69 per year) with a valid .edu email address.
  • The yearly plan saves about $40 compared to paying monthly, so annual membership makes sense if you plan to stay subscribed.
  • You can cancel anytime, and Amazon refunds the unused portion of your membership if you paid for a full year or six months.
  • Prime Video alone costs $14.99 per month if you only want streaming without the other Prime benefits like two-day shipping.

What's included in a Prime membership

Prime membership includes two-day shipping on millions of items sold by Amazon directly (not all third-party sellers), Prime Video streaming with movies and TV shows, Prime Music with ad-free listening, cloud photo storage through Amazon Photos, and early access to Lightning Deals. You also get discounts on Amazon Fresh grocery delivery in some areas and discounted rates on Whole Foods purchases if you have a Prime membership.

The two-day shipping applies to items marked "Prime may be able to access" in the product listing. Same-day and one-day delivery are available in many areas for an additional fee per order, or included for some items if you have Prime. Not every item qualifies — third-party sellers using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) may have Prime shipping, but sellers who handle their own fulfillment often do not.

How to pay for Prime and change your plan

You set up Prime through your Amazon account. Go to Your Account, select Memberships and Subscriptions, then Prime Membership. From there you can choose monthly or annual billing, or switch between the two. If you are already a member and want to change your plan, you can do that in the same section without losing your membership date.

Amazon charges your payment method on file on the same day each month (for monthly plans) or each year (for annual plans). If your payment fails, Amazon sends you an email and gives you a few days to update your payment information before suspending your membership.

Canceling Prime and getting refunds

You can cancel Prime anytime through Your Account. If you paid for a full year or six-month plan, Amazon refunds the unused portion. For example, if you paid $139 for a year and cancel after four months, you get back roughly $104 (the cost of the eight remaining months). The refund goes back to your original payment method within a few business days.

If you cancel a monthly membership, your access ends at the end of that billing cycle — you do not get a refund for the current month. The cancellation takes effect immediately in your account settings, but you keep your benefits through the end of the paid period.

Prime membership discounts and special offers

Amazon occasionally runs promotions for new members or people who have let their membership lapse. These might include a discounted first month or a free trial period. Existing members sometimes see offers to extend their membership at a discount, though these are not may provide and vary by account.

If you have an Amazon credit card, you may earn rewards points on Prime purchases, but the card itself is separate from the membership cost. Some employers and organizations offer Prime memberships as a benefit, so check with your workplace or school before paying out of pocket.

Prime membership for families and households

One Prime membership covers one person, but Amazon allows you to add a household member through Amazon Household. This feature lets another adult and up to four children share the same Prime benefits, including shipping and video streaming. Both adults can use the same payment method, and each person gets their own recommendations and watchlist.

To set up Amazon Household, go to Your Account, select Login & Security, then Amazon Household. You invite the other adult by email, and they accept the invitation. Children are added as child accounts and have limited purchasing power unless you give them permission.

Comparing Prime to other streaming and shipping services

If you only want the video streaming part of Prime, you might compare the $14.99 monthly cost to standalone services like Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu. Netflix's ad-free plan costs $15.49 per month, while Disney+ costs $7.99 per month. The choice depends on which shows and movies matter to you.

For shipping, services like Walmart+ offer two-day delivery for $98 per year, and Target Circle+ offers free two-day shipping for $9.99 per month. None of these include the full range of benefits that Prime does, so the comparison depends on which specific services you actually use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a free trial of Prime?

Amazon occasionally offers free trial periods for new members, usually 30 days, but this varies by region and account. Check your Amazon account to see if a trial is available to you. If you start a trial, set a reminder to cancel before the trial ends if you do not want to be charged.

Does Prime cost more if I live outside the US?

Yes. Amazon Prime pricing varies by country. In the UK, Prime costs £8.99 per month or £95 per year. In Canada, it is CAD $14.99 per month or CAD $139 per year. Check your local Amazon site for the exact price in your region.

What happens to my Prime membership if I close my Amazon account?

Your Prime membership ends when you close your Amazon account. If you paid for a full year or six months, you can request a refund for the unused portion before closing the account. Once the account is closed, you lose access to all Prime benefits immediately.

Can I pause my Prime membership instead of canceling?

Amazon does not offer a pause feature. You either keep your membership active or cancel it. If you want to take a break, you can cancel and rejoin later — you will not lose your Prime history or recommendations, though you will be charged the full price when you rejoin.

Is there a difference between Prime membership and Prime Video membership?

Yes. Prime membership ($14.99/month or $139/year) includes shipping, video, music, photos, and other benefits. Prime Video alone ($14.99/month) is just the streaming service. If you want shipping and other perks, you need the full Prime membership.