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

Amazon Prime's annual plan runs $139 a year if you pay upfront, or you can pay month-to-month at $14.99 per month. If you choose monthly payments, you'll spend about $180 over a year, so the annual option saves you roughly $41. Both plans give you the same benefits — there's no difference in what you receive based on how you pay.

Students get a separate rate: Amazon Prime Student costs $69 per year or $7.49 per month. You need a valid .edu email address to sign up, and the student discount lasts for four years from the date you first join.

These prices can change, and Amazon has raised them several times over the past decade. If you're already a member, Amazon will notify you before any price increase takes effect, and you'll have a window to cancel if you don't want to pay the new rate.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon Prime costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month for standard membership, with the annual plan saving you about $41 compared to monthly payments.
  • Students with a valid .edu email can join Prime Student for $69 per year or $7.49 per month for up to four years.
  • Your membership includes free two-day shipping on millions of items, streaming video and music, and access to Prime Reading.
  • You can cancel anytime, and if Amazon raises the price, you'll receive notice before the increase applies to your account.
  • Some households may may have access to for a discounted rate through government assistance programs, though availability varies by state.

What's included in a Prime membership

The $139 or $14.99 annual fee covers several services bundled together. The most visible benefit is free two-day shipping on millions of items sold by Amazon and third-party sellers. Many items also may have access to for same-day or one-day delivery in areas where Amazon offers it, though those faster options don't add extra cost — they're included in your membership.

Prime Video is the streaming service included with membership. You get access to movies, TV shows, and original series produced by Amazon Studios. This is separate from Amazon Music, which gives you ad-free listening to millions of songs and access to playlists. Prime Reading lets you borrow books, magazines, and newspapers at no additional cost.

Members also get early access to Lightning Deals during Amazon sales events, discounts on certain items, and the ability to share some benefits with household members through Amazon Household.

How to check your current membership status and cost

If you already have Prime, you can see your plan type and renewal date by going to Your Account on Amazon.com, selecting "Memberships and subscriptions," and clicking "Amazon Prime." This page shows whether you're on the annual or monthly plan and when your next charge will occur.

The same page lets you change your plan — switch from monthly to annual, or vice versa — without losing your membership. If you switch from monthly to annual mid-cycle, Amazon will credit any remaining monthly balance toward the annual fee.

You can also see any promotional discounts you're currently receiving. Some members may have access to for a reduced rate through programs like SNAP or other government assistance, though these discounts vary by state and aren't available everywhere.

Discounted Prime membership through government assistance

Amazon offers a discounted Prime membership for households receiving SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) or certain other forms of government assistance. The discounted rate is $5.99 per month instead of the standard $14.99, though this program is not available in all states.

To see if you're in a state where this discount is offered, go to the Prime membership page and look for the option to verify your SNAP or government assistance status. You'll need to provide proof of your current benefits. The discount applies to the same membership — you get all the same shipping, video, and music benefits as a standard member.

This discounted rate is not advertised as heavily as the standard plans, so many people who would be may be able to access don't know it exists. If you receive SNAP benefits, it's worth checking whether your state participates.

Canceling Prime and what happens to your account

You can cancel Prime anytime through the same Memberships and subscriptions page. If you're on a monthly plan, cancellation takes effect immediately and you won't be charged again. If you're on an annual plan, you can request a refund for the unused portion of your membership, though Amazon's refund policy for this varies depending on how long you've been a member.

Canceling Prime doesn't delete your Amazon account or affect any purchases you've already made. You'll lose access to Prime Video, Prime Music, and two-day shipping, but you can still shop on Amazon as a regular customer. Your order history and saved items stay with your account.

If you cancel and later want to rejoin, you can sign up again at any time. There's no penalty for canceling and restarting — you simply pay the current membership rate.

Comparing Prime to other shipping and streaming services

Prime bundles shipping, video streaming, and music into one membership. If you were to buy these services separately, you'd pay for a shipping membership (if one existed), a video streaming service like Netflix or Disney+, and a music service like Spotify. The value depends on how much you actually use each part.

Some people use Prime primarily for shipping and rarely watch Prime Video. Others subscribe mainly for the video content and treat the shipping as a bonus. The monthly payment option ($14.99) makes it easier to cancel if you find you're not using it, while the annual plan ($139) works better if you know you'll use it regularly and want to save money.

If you're unsure whether Prime is worth it for your household, you can start with a month-to-month membership and cancel after a month or two if it's not meeting your needs. There's no commitment beyond the current billing period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Prime membership with family members?

Yes, through Amazon Household. You can add up to two adults and up to four children to your account, and they'll have access to Prime shipping and video. Each person gets their own recommendations and watchlist. Set up Household in Your Account under Memberships and subscriptions.

Does Prime membership include free returns?

Prime members get free returns on most items sold by Amazon, with prepaid return labels. Items sold by third-party sellers may have different return policies. Check the return policy on the product page before you buy to see what applies to that specific item.

What's the difference between Prime Video and Prime Music?

Prime Video is the streaming service for movies and TV shows. Prime Music is the music streaming service. Both come with your membership at no extra cost. Prime Music has a smaller catalog than paid music services like Spotify, but it's included with Prime.

If I cancel Prime mid-year, do I get a refund?

If you're on an annual plan, you can request a refund for the unused portion. Amazon's refund may be able to access depends on how long you've been a member and whether you've used certain benefits. Contact Amazon customer service to ask about a refund for your specific situation.

Does Amazon Prime cost more in certain states?

The standard price is the same nationwide: $139 per year or $14.99 per month. The only variation is the discounted rate for SNAP recipients, which is available in some states but not others. Tax may be added depending on your location.