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

Amazon Prime has two main pricing tiers. The standard plan runs $14.99 a month if you pay monthly, or $139 per year if you pay annually. The annual option saves you about $40 compared to paying month-to-month. Both give you the same benefits — free two-day shipping on may be able to access items, Prime Video streaming, Prime Music, and Prime Reading.

Amazon also offers Prime Student, which costs $7.49 per month or $69 per year. You need a valid .edu email address to sign up. The student plan includes the same shipping and streaming perks as the standard plan, though some sources say the video library may vary slightly by region.

If you have an EBT card (food information), you may be able to get Prime for $5.99 per month through a program Amazon calls Prime Access. You'll need to verify your EBT status during signup. This plan includes the same core benefits as standard Prime.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Prime costs $14.99 monthly or $139 yearly, with the annual plan saving roughly $40 per year.
  • Prime Student is half the price at $7.49 monthly or $69 yearly if you have a valid university email address.
  • Prime Access offers $5.99 monthly pricing for EBT cardholders and requires verification at signup.
  • All three tiers include the same core benefits: two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, and Prime Reading.

What's included in your Prime membership

The main draw for most people is free two-day shipping on millions of items sold by Amazon directly. This applies to items marked "Prime may be able to access" — not all Amazon listings may have access to. Some items ship even faster; Amazon offers same-day or next-day delivery in many cities, though those may carry an extra fee depending on your location and the item.

Prime Video is Amazon's streaming service bundled into the membership. You get access to movies, TV shows, and original series like The Boys and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. Prime Video does show ads on some content unless you pay an extra $2.99 per month for ad-free viewing.

Prime Music gives you access to over 2 million songs ad-free, plus the ability to create playlists. It's more limited than services like Spotify or Apple Music — you can't always pick exactly which song plays next on a playlist — but it's included at no extra cost.

Prime Reading lets you borrow books, magazines, and newspapers at no extra charge. You can have up to 10 titles checked out at once, and there's no due date — you straightforward return them when you want to borrow something new.

How to check your current plan and billing date

To see which Prime plan you're on and when you'll be charged next, go to Amazon.com and sign in. Click the account menu (usually in the top right), then select "Your Account." Look for "Memberships and Subscriptions" or "Prime Membership" — the exact wording varies by device and region.

On that page you'll see your current plan type, your next billing date, and the amount you'll be charged. You can also see your full billing history and read invoices from this section. If you're on a monthly plan and want to switch to annual (or vice versa), you can make that change here too.

If you signed up through a third-party service — like through your phone carrier or a cable provider — your billing may be handled differently. In that case, check your bill from that provider rather than Amazon's account page.

Canceling or pausing your membership

You can cancel Prime at any time from your account settings. Go to "Memberships and Subscriptions," find Prime, and select "Edit Membership" or "Cancel Membership" depending on what Amazon shows you. If you cancel mid-cycle, you'll keep access until your next billing date — Amazon doesn't refund partial months.

Amazon doesn't offer a formal pause option, but you can cancel and rejoin later without penalty. If you rejoin within a certain window, your saved preferences and watchlist usually carry over, though this isn't may provide.

If you were charged but didn't authorize it, or if you believe you were charged in error, contact Amazon Customer Service through your account. They can review the charge and issue a refund if warranted.

Price increases and regional differences

Amazon has raised Prime prices several times over the past decade. The most recent increases happened in 2022 and 2024, though the exact timing and amounts vary by country. Prices in the United Kingdom, Canada, and other regions differ from U.S. pricing and have their own separate increase schedules.

If you're an existing member when a price increase takes effect, Amazon typically gives you 30 days' notice before charging the new rate. New members are charged the current price when ready. You can cancel during the notice period if you don't want to pay the higher amount.

Bundled options and family sharing

Amazon offers Prime Video Channels, which are add-on subscriptions you can layer on top of Prime. These include services like Paramount+, MGM+, and Starz. Each channel costs extra (usually $2.99 to $14.99 per month) but can be added or removed from your Prime account anytime.

Prime membership is tied to a single Amazon account. If you want to share benefits with family members, they can use your account on shared devices, but each person should have their own Amazon login for personalized recommendations and watchlists. Some features, like Prime Video simultaneous streams, may be limited depending on your plan.

Amazon also sells Amazon Household, which lets you link multiple adult accounts and share Prime benefits. This costs nothing extra — it's a free feature — but both adults need to agree to the arrangement and share payment methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a free trial of Prime?

Amazon occasionally offers 30-day free trials to new members, but this promotion changes and isn't always available. The best way to check is to visit Amazon.com and look for any trial offer on the Prime signup page. If you're a student, Prime Student includes a free trial period as well.

Do I have to pay for Prime shipping on every order?

No. Once you're a Prime member, two-day shipping is included on all Prime-may be able to access items at no extra charge. You only pay for expedited options like same-day or next-day delivery if you choose them, and those fees vary by location and item.

What happens to my Prime Video if I cancel Prime?

Your access to Prime Video ends when your membership ends. You'll lose the ability to watch shows and movies included with Prime. Any Prime Video Channels you added separately will also stop working unless you keep paying for them individually.

Can I change my billing from monthly to yearly mid-cycle?

Yes. You can switch from monthly to annual billing (or vice versa) anytime through your account settings. If you switch to annual, you'll typically be charged the full annual price right away, and your new billing cycle starts from that date.

Is Prime cheaper if I use a discount code or coupon?

Amazon rarely offers discount codes for Prime membership itself. Occasionally they run promotions for new members or specific groups, but these are announced directly on Amazon's site. Be cautious of third-party sites claiming to have Prime discount codes — most are not legitimate.