What Amazon Prime Video costs and what you get
Amazon Prime Video is a streaming service you can watch on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. You pay a monthly or yearly fee and get access to movies, TV shows, and original series that Amazon produces. The cost varies depending on whether you choose a standalone Prime Video plan or bundle it with other Amazon services.
A standalone Prime Video subscription costs less than a full Prime membership. If you want Prime Video alone — without free shipping, Prime Music, or other Prime benefits — you pay one monthly rate. If you want the full Amazon Prime package (which includes Prime Video, free two-day shipping, Prime Music, and other perks), you pay a higher monthly or yearly rate. The exact prices change over time, so check Amazon's website for current costs.
With any Prime Video plan, you can watch on up to three devices at the same time, though only one stream per account can play in 4K resolution. You can read shows and movies to watch offline on the Prime Video app, which is useful if you travel or have spotty internet.
Key Takeaways
- Prime Video as a standalone service costs less per month than a full Prime membership, and you can cancel anytime without penalty.
- A full Amazon Prime membership includes Prime Video plus free shipping, Prime Music, and other benefits at a higher monthly or yearly price.
- You can watch on up to three devices at once and read content to your phone or tablet for offline viewing.
- Prime Video works on most devices: phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku or Fire Stick, and gaming consoles.
How to start a Prime Video subscription
To start, go to amazon.com or open the Amazon app on your phone. Sign in with your Amazon account, or create one if you don't have one yet. You'll need a valid payment method — a credit card, debit card, or other payment option linked to your account.
Once you're signed in, look for the Prime Video section. You'll see options to choose between a standalone Prime Video plan or a full Prime membership. Select the plan you want, review the price and billing cycle (monthly or yearly), and confirm your payment method. Your subscription starts right away, and you can begin watching when ready.
If you already have a full Prime membership, Prime Video is already included — you don't need to do anything extra. Just open Prime Video on any device and start watching.
Devices where you can watch Prime Video
Prime Video works on most devices you probably already own. On phones and tablets, read the Prime Video app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, sign in, and start watching. On a computer or laptop, go to primevideo.com or amazon.com, sign in, and watch in your web browser.
For TV viewing, Prime Video is built into many smart TVs made by Samsung, LG, Sony, and others. If your TV doesn't have it built in, you can use a streaming device like Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, Apple TV, or Google Chromecast. Prime Video also works on gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. read the app, sign in once, and it stays signed in so you can pick up where you left off.
How billing works and when charges appear
When you start a subscription, your first charge appears within a few days. After that, you're charged on the same day each month (or year, if you chose yearly billing). For example, if you sign up on the 15th of the month, you'll be charged again on the 15th of the next month.
Your charges appear on the payment method you linked to your Amazon account — usually a credit card or debit card statement. The charge description typically shows as "Amazon Prime Video" or "Amazon.com." If you have a full Prime membership, the charge covers both Prime shipping benefits and Prime Video together.
You can see your billing history and upcoming charges by going to Your Account on Amazon, then selecting "Memberships and Subscriptions" or "Prime Membership." This page shows your current plan, the next billing date, and options to pause or cancel.
Pausing or canceling your subscription
You can pause your Prime Video subscription for up to three months without canceling it entirely. When you pause, you won't be charged, but your subscription doesn't end — you can resume anytime within that three-month window. After three months, the pause expires and you'll be charged again unless you cancel.
To pause or cancel, go to Your Account on Amazon and select "Memberships and Subscriptions." Find Prime Video in the list, click "Manage," and choose either "Pause subscription" or "Cancel subscription." If you cancel, you lose access to Prime Video when ready, though you can rejoin anytime. There's no penalty for canceling — you won't be charged for the next month.
If you have a full Prime membership and want to keep the shipping benefits but remove Prime Video, you can't do that — Prime Video is included in the full membership. You would need to cancel Prime entirely and then start a standalone Prime Video subscription if you wanted video only.
Sharing your account with household members
Amazon allows you to share your Prime Video account with people in your household. You can create separate user profiles for each person, so everyone has their own watchlist, recommendations, and viewing history. This is different from sharing your password — creating profiles keeps things organized and personalized.
To set up profiles, go to Prime Video settings and select "Profiles & Parental Controls." You can create a profile for each family member and set parental restrictions if needed. Each person signs in with their own profile name (no password required if they're on a shared device), and their viewing stays separate from everyone else's.
Keep in mind that only three devices can stream at the same time on one account, so if four people try to watch simultaneously, the fourth person will get an error. If this is a regular problem in your household, you might need a second subscription.
What to do if you can't watch or have technical problems
If Prime Video won't load or keeps stopping, start by checking your internet connection. A slow or unstable connection is the most common cause of streaming problems. Try restarting your device, closing the Prime Video app completely, and opening it again.
If that doesn't work, try signing out of Prime Video and signing back in. On some devices, you can do this in the app settings. If you're watching on a TV or streaming device, unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and try again.
If the problem continues, check Amazon's Help & Customer Service page for your specific device type. Amazon has troubleshooting steps for phones, tablets, computers, Fire Stick, Roku, and other devices. If you still can't fix it, you can contact Amazon customer service through the website or app — they can often resolve issues in a single conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Prime Video on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes, up to three devices can stream at once on a single account. However, only one stream can play in 4K resolution at a time. If a fourth device tries to play, it will show an error until one of the other streams stops.
Do I have to pay for Prime Video if I already have Amazon Prime?
No. Prime Video is included in a full Amazon Prime membership. If you pay for Prime (which includes free shipping), Prime Video is already available to you at no extra cost. You only pay separately if you want Prime Video alone without the other Prime benefits.
What happens to my watchlist if I cancel my subscription?
Your watchlist and viewing history are saved to your Amazon account. If you cancel and rejoin later, your watchlist will still be there. However, you won't be able to watch anything while your subscription is inactive.
Can I read shows to watch without internet?
Yes. Open the Prime Video app on your phone or tablet, find a show or movie, and look for the read button (usually a downward arrow). Downloaded content stays on your device for a set period — typically 30 days for rentals or longer for included titles — and you can watch it anytime without an internet connection.
Is there a free trial for Prime Video?
Amazon sometimes offers free trial periods for new subscribers, but this varies by region and changes over time. Check the Prime Video sign-up page to see if a trial is currently available in your area. If one is offered, it typically lasts 30 days before your first charge.