Amazon Prime membership costs and what is included
Amazon Prime is a paid membership that gives you faster shipping on purchases from Amazon.com, plus access to video streaming, music, photo storage, and other services. The cost depends on how you pay: a monthly plan runs about $14.99 per month (the exact amount varies by region and changes over time), or you can pay for a full year upfront at a lower per-month rate. Amazon also offers a discounted Prime membership for students and for people receiving certain government benefits — the student plan is roughly half the regular monthly price, and the benefits-based plan costs less than the standard monthly rate.
When you sign up, you are not locked into a contract. You can cancel anytime, and you will not be charged again after your current billing period ends. If you pay monthly and then cancel mid-month, you keep your membership until the next billing date. If you pay yearly and cancel, you do not get a refund for the unused portion — Amazon's policy is final on that point.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon Prime membership costs either monthly or yearly, with the yearly option working out to a lower per-month cost.
- Prime includes two-day (or faster) shipping on most items, video streaming through Prime Video, music streaming, and cloud photo storage.
- Students and people receiving certain government benefits can join at a reduced rate.
- You can cancel your membership at any time, and cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period.
- The exact price and benefits vary slightly by region and change periodically, so checking Amazon's current terms before signing up is important.
Shipping benefits and how they work
The core benefit of Prime is faster shipping. Most items sold by Amazon itself (not by third-party sellers using Amazon's marketplace) ship with two-day delivery at no extra charge. Some items may have access to for one-day or same-day delivery depending on your location and the item. You do not pay per shipment — the membership covers unlimited two-day shipping for the duration of your membership.
Items sold by third-party sellers on Amazon's marketplace may or may not be Prime-may be able to access. When you search for a product, Amazon labels Prime-may be able to access items with a Prime badge. If an item does not have that badge, it either does not may have access to for Prime shipping or the seller has not enrolled in the Prime program. You can still buy it, but you will pay standard shipping rates.
Prime shipping does not cover everything. Oversized items like furniture, some groceries, and items shipped directly from the manufacturer sometimes have different delivery windows. When you add an item to your cart, Amazon shows you the estimated delivery date before you check out, so you can see what to expect.
Video, music, and photo storage included with membership
Prime Video is a streaming service included with your membership. It includes movies, TV shows, and original series produced by Amazon. You do not pay extra to watch — it is part of your Prime membership. Some newer movies and shows may require an additional rental or purchase fee even as a Prime member, but the bulk of the catalog is included. You can watch on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV through apps or a web browser.
Prime Music gives you access to a music library you can stream without ads. It is more limited than standalone music services like Spotify or Apple Music — you cannot always choose exactly which song plays next in the same way — but it is included at no extra cost. Amazon Music Unlimited is a separate paid service that offers more control and a larger catalog; Prime members get a discount on that subscription if they want it.
Prime Photos provides unlimited cloud storage for photos. Videos are limited to 5 gigabytes of storage. This is useful if you want a backup of your photos or access them from multiple devices, but it is not a replacement for a full cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Prime membership for students and people receiving government benefits
Amazon offers Prime Student for people with a valid .edu email address or a student ID from a participating school. The monthly cost is roughly half the standard Prime membership rate. Student membership lasts for four years or until you graduate, whichever comes first. After that, it converts to a regular Prime membership at the standard rate unless you cancel.
Amazon also offers a discounted Prime membership for people who receive certain government benefits, including SNAP (food stamps), SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or TANF (Temporary information for Needy Families). You will need to verify your benefit status through Amazon's process, which involves connecting to your state's benefits system or uploading documentation. The discounted rate is significantly lower than standard Prime membership.
Both the student and benefits-based plans include the same shipping, video, music, and photo storage as regular Prime. The only difference is the price.
How to cancel your membership
To cancel Prime, log into your Amazon account, go to "Your Account," find "Memberships and Subscriptions," and select "Prime Membership." From there, you can choose to end your membership. Amazon will ask you why you are canceling and may offer you a discount to stay, but you can proceed with cancellation regardless.
Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period. If you are on a monthly plan and cancel on the 15th of the month, you keep Prime through the end of that month. If you are on an annual plan, you keep Prime through the end of that year. You will not be charged again after your membership ends.
If you cancel an annual membership and later decide you want Prime again, you can rejoin at any time. There is no penalty for canceling and restarting.
What happens if you share your Prime membership
Amazon allows you to share your Prime membership with people in your household through a feature called Amazon Household. You can add up to four other adults and up to four children to your household account. Everyone in the household gets access to Prime shipping, Prime Video, and Prime Music using their own login.
There are limits: only two adults in the household can use Prime Video at the same time, and some content may be restricted based on parental controls you set for children's accounts. If someone moves out of your household, you can remove them from the account, and their access to Prime ends when ready.
Sharing Prime with people outside your household — for example, giving your login to a friend who does not live with you — violates Amazon's terms of service. Amazon can suspend or cancel your membership if they detect this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I try Prime before paying for a full month?
Amazon periodically offers free trial periods for new members, usually 30 days. The availability and length of the trial vary. You can check your account to see if a trial is available to you. If you use a trial and then cancel before it ends, you will not be charged.
Does Prime membership include free returns?
Prime membership does not automatically make returns free, but many Prime-may be able to access items come with free return shipping. When you return an item, Amazon shows you whether return shipping is free. Some items, like clothing from certain sellers, often have free returns; others may not. Check the return policy for each item before you buy.
What if I have a problem with a Prime shipment?
If an item does not arrive by the promised date, you can report it in your Amazon account under "Your Orders." Amazon typically offers a refund or replacement. If the issue is with Prime Video or another service, you can contact Amazon customer service through your account or by phone.
Does Prime membership work internationally?
Prime membership is country-specific. A Prime membership in the United States does not automatically work in the United Kingdom, Canada, or other countries. Each country has its own Prime program with its own pricing and benefits. If you travel or move, you may need to set up a new membership in that country.
Can I use Prime Video without a Prime membership?
No. Prime Video is only included with a Prime membership. Amazon does offer Prime Video as a standalone subscription at a lower price than full Prime membership if you only want the video service, but that is a separate purchase from Prime itself.