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

The standard Amazon Prime membership in the United States runs $14.99 per month if you pay monthly, or $139 per year if you pay upfront. The yearly option saves you about $40 compared to paying month-to-month. You can cancel anytime without penalty.

Amazon also offers a discounted Prime membership for people who receive certain government benefits. If you're on SNAP, SSI, TANF, or LIHEAP, you may be able to get Prime for $6.99 per month instead. You'll need to verify your benefit status through Amazon's system when you sign up.

Students can get Prime for half price: $7.49 per month or $69 per year. This requires a valid .edu email address or verification through a student verification service. The student rate is available for up to four years.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Prime membership costs $14.99 monthly or $139 yearly, and you can cancel anytime.
  • If you receive SNAP, SSI, TANF, or LIHEAP benefits, you may may have access to for Prime at $6.99 per month after verification.
  • Full-time students with a valid .edu email can get Prime for $7.49 monthly or $69 yearly.
  • Prime Video alone (without shopping or shipping benefits) costs $14.99 per month as a separate subscription.

What's included in a Prime membership

Your membership includes free two-day shipping on millions of items sold by Amazon directly. Many items ship faster — same-day or next-day delivery is available in most urban areas for an additional fee. This shipping benefit applies to items marked "Prime may be able to access" in the product listing.

You also get access to Prime Video, which includes movies, TV shows, and original series. Prime Music lets you stream over two million songs ad-free. Prime Reading gives you access to a rotating library of books, magazines, and newspapers. Amazon Photos provides unlimited photo storage and 100 GB of video storage.

Prime members can use Amazon Fresh in select cities to order groceries for same-day or next-day delivery. Whole Foods Market discounts are available to Prime members in most locations. You also get early access to Lightning Deals during Amazon sales events.

Prime Video as a standalone subscription

If you only want the video streaming service without shipping or other Prime benefits, Amazon offers Prime Video separately for $14.99 per month. This gives you the same movies and shows as the full Prime membership but nothing else. You can cancel this anytime.

Prime Video also offers an ad-supported tier for $6.99 per month, which includes the same content but with advertisements during playback. The ad-free version is $14.99 per month. Some newer releases and live sports may not be available on the ad-supported plan.

How to verify government benefits for the discounted rate

To get Prime at $6.99 per month, you need to prove you receive SNAP, SSI, TANF, or LIHEAP benefits. Amazon uses a third-party verification service called Truework to confirm your benefit status. You'll be asked to provide your name, date of birth, and state of residence.

The verification process happens during signup and typically takes a few minutes. Amazon will ask you to log into your state's benefits portal or provide documentation. If you're approved, the discounted rate applies immediately. You can keep the discounted membership as long as you remain on the benefit program.

If your benefits end, your Prime membership will revert to the standard price. Amazon will notify you before the price change takes effect, usually giving you time to cancel if you prefer.

Student Prime pricing and how to sign up

Amazon Prime Student costs $7.49 per month or $69 per year. You need a valid .edu email address from an accredited college or university to sign up. The student rate is available for up to four years, after which you can convert to a standard membership.

During signup, Amazon will ask you to verify your student status using your .edu email. If your school isn't recognized in Amazon's system, you can use a third-party verification service. Some schools partner with Amazon to streamline this process.

Student members get all the same benefits as standard Prime: free shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, and the rest. When your four-year student period ends, Amazon will ask if you want to continue as a regular Prime member at the full price.

Canceling your Prime membership

You can cancel Prime anytime through your Amazon account settings. If you paid for a full year upfront, Amazon will refund the unused portion if you cancel within the first few days. After that window, refunds depend on how much time remains on your membership.

Monthly memberships have no cancellation fee. Your access ends at the end of the current billing cycle. You'll receive a confirmation email when the cancellation is processed.

If you signed up for a free trial, you must cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged. Amazon sends reminder emails as the trial period approaches its end date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a free trial of Prime?

Amazon offers a 30-day free trial for new members who have never had Prime before. You'll need to provide a payment method to start the trial, and you must cancel before the 30 days end to avoid being charged. Existing members or those who have had Prime in the past are not usually may be able to access for the trial.

Does the student discount continue after graduation?

No. After four years of student membership, your account converts to a standard Prime membership at the full $14.99 monthly or $139 yearly rate. Amazon notifies you before the conversion happens so you can decide whether to continue.

What happens if I lose my government benefits?

If you're on the discounted $6.99 plan through SNAP, SSI, TANF, or LIHEAP and your benefits end, Amazon will eventually charge you the standard rate. They typically give you notice before the price change. You can cancel at any time if you don't want to pay the full price.

Is Prime Video included in the full Prime membership?

Yes. Prime Video is included with a standard Prime membership at no extra cost. If you only want Prime Video without the shipping and other benefits, you can buy it separately for $14.99 per month or $6.99 per month with ads.

Can I pause my Prime membership instead of canceling?

Amazon does not offer a pause option. You can cancel and rejoin later, but you'll lose any benefits tied to your membership during the gap. If you're considering canceling, contact Amazon customer service to see if they offer any retention options.