Twitch Prime is a free tier of Amazon Prime membership that includes channel subscriptions and exclusive perks

Twitch Prime is not a separate subscription you buy — it is a benefit included with Amazon Prime membership. If you pay for Amazon Prime (the service that gives you fast shipping on Amazon purchases), you automatically get Twitch Prime at no extra cost. This means you can subscribe to one channel per month for free, get ad-free viewing, exclusive emotes, and access to a rotating library of free games.

Amazon rebranded Twitch Prime to Prime Gaming in 2021, though many people still call it by the old name. The core benefit remains the same: one free channel subscription every 30 days, plus gaming perks tied to your Amazon account.

You do not need to own a Twitch account before you have Prime membership, but you do need to link your Twitch account to your Amazon account to use the benefit. The linking takes a few minutes and happens through Twitch's settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Twitch Prime (now called Prime Gaming) comes free with Amazon Prime membership and includes one free channel subscription per month.
  • You must link your Twitch account to your Amazon account in Twitch's settings to activate the free subscription benefit.
  • The free subscription renews every 30 days and can be used on a different channel each month if you choose.
  • Prime Gaming also includes ad-free viewing on Twitch, exclusive emotes, and access to free games through the Prime Gaming catalog.
  • If your Amazon Prime membership ends, your Twitch Prime benefits stop, but your Twitch account itself remains active.

How to link your Twitch account to Amazon Prime

Go to Twitch.tv and sign in to your Twitch account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings. On the left sidebar, click Connections. Find Amazon in the list and click Connect. You will be taken to an Amazon login page. Sign in with the Amazon account that has an active Prime membership. Twitch will ask you to confirm that you want to connect the accounts — click Authorize.

Once linked, your Twitch Prime benefits activate immediately. You should see a purple Prime Gaming icon next to your username on Twitch, and a Prime Gaming Channel Subscription button will appear on any channel you visit. The connection stays active as long as your Amazon Prime membership is current.

Using your free monthly subscription

Each month, you get one free subscription to give to any Twitch channel. This is different from following a channel — a subscription means the streamer gets a cut of revenue from your subscription, and you get channel-specific perks like custom emotes, subscriber-only chat, and a badge next to your name in chat.

To use your free subscription, visit any channel and click the Subscribe button. Twitch will show you subscription tiers (usually Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3, at different price points). Select Prime Gaming from the dropdown menu, and Twitch will confirm the subscription at no charge. Your subscription renews automatically every 30 days on the same channel unless you cancel it.

If you want to switch your subscription to a different channel next month, you must cancel the current subscription first. Go to your subscriptions (in your profile settings under Subscriptions) and click Manage next to the channel you are subscribed to. Select Cancel Subscription. After cancellation, you can subscribe to a new channel with your next month's free tier.

Other Prime Gaming benefits on Twitch

Beyond the free monthly subscription, Prime Gaming includes ad-free viewing on Twitch. Once your account is linked, ads will not play before streams or during mid-roll breaks on any channel. This benefit is active as long as your Prime membership is current.

You also receive exclusive emotes that only Prime Gaming members can use in chat. These rotate periodically, so new emotes become available throughout the year. Prime Gaming members also get a special badge that appears next to their name in chat, making it visible that you have the membership.

What happens if your Amazon Prime membership ends

If you cancel your Amazon Prime membership or let it lapse, your Twitch Prime benefits stop immediately. Your free channel subscription will end, and you will start seeing ads on Twitch again. Any Prime Gaming emotes you unlocked remain in your account, but you cannot use the ad-free viewing or free subscription benefits.

Your Twitch account itself does not disappear — you keep your followers, chat history, and any channels you follow. You simply lose the perks that came with Prime membership. If you reactivate Amazon Prime later, you can link your Twitch account again and regain the benefits.

Prime Gaming games and other benefits outside Twitch

Prime Gaming also includes a rotating catalog of free games you can download and keep permanently. These games change monthly, and you claim them through the Prime Gaming website or the Prime Gaming app. This benefit is separate from Twitch but part of the same Prime Gaming membership.

Prime Gaming members also get in-game loot for popular games like Fortnite, League of Legends, and Valorant — cosmetics, battle pass progress, or other items that appear in your game account automatically. These offers rotate, so check the Prime Gaming website to see what is currently available for games you play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Twitch Prime subscription on a channel I own?

No. You cannot subscribe to your own channel using Prime Gaming or any other subscription tier. The free subscription must go to a different channel. If you want to support your own channel, you would need to pay for a subscription out of pocket.

What if I do not have Amazon Prime — can I get Twitch Prime another way?

No. Twitch Prime is only available as part of Amazon Prime membership. You must have an active Amazon Prime subscription to use the benefit. Amazon Prime costs a monthly or annual fee depending on which plan you choose.

Does my free subscription count toward a streamer's subscriber goal?

Yes. Prime Gaming subscriptions count as full subscriptions for a streamer's subscriber count and revenue sharing, even though they are free to you. Streamers receive payment from Amazon for Prime subscriptions just as they do for paid subscriptions.

Can I gift my Prime subscription to someone else?

No. Your Prime Gaming subscription benefit is tied to your account and cannot be transferred or gifted. Each person with their own Amazon Prime membership gets their own free subscription to use.

If I subscribe with Prime Gaming, can I also pay for a higher tier subscription on the same channel?

Yes. Your Prime Gaming subscription is a Tier 1 subscription. If you want Tier 2 or Tier 3 benefits on the same channel, you can pay for an upgrade separately. You would then have both subscriptions active on that channel.