Amazon Prime has three main subscription tiers, each with different features and prices
Amazon offers Prime, Prime Video, and Prime Student as separate subscriptions. Prime is the full membership that includes fast shipping, video streaming, music, photo storage, and other services. Prime Video is video streaming only. Prime Student is Prime at a reduced rate for college students. The price of each changes periodically, and Amazon occasionally runs promotional rates for new members.
You pay for each subscription separately — buying Prime Video does not give you Prime shipping, and Prime Student does not include Prime Video unless you add it. The structure matters because your needs determine which combination makes sense for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Prime includes fast shipping on millions of items, Prime Video streaming, Prime Music, photo storage, and other perks, while Prime Video is streaming only.
- Prime charges either monthly or annually; annual payment costs less per month but requires paying the full year upfront.
- Prime Student offers the same Prime benefits as the standard membership but at a lower price, and requires a valid college email or student ID.
- Prime Video can be purchased separately if you only want streaming and do not need shipping or other Prime benefits.
- Prices vary by region and change over time, so the amount you pay depends on your location and when you sign up.
Prime membership: what it includes and how much it costs
Standard Prime membership covers fast shipping on may be able to access items (usually one or two days), Prime Video streaming, Prime Music (ad-free music streaming and playlists), unlimited photo storage through Amazon Photos, early access to Lightning Deals, and a few other services that vary by region. You can pay monthly or annually. The monthly option lets you cancel anytime without penalty; the annual option costs less per month but you pay the entire year upfront.
The exact monthly and annual prices depend on your location and have changed multiple times in recent years. Amazon publishes current pricing on its membership page when you visit to sign up. Some regions also offer a discounted tier called Prime Lite in certain countries, though this is not available in the United States.
If you have an EBT card (food information), you may be able to get Prime at a reduced rate through a program Amazon runs. You will need to verify your EBT card information during signup.
Prime Video as a standalone subscription
Prime Video can be purchased without buying full Prime membership. This subscription gives you access to Prime Video's streaming library — movies, TV shows, and original series — but does not include shipping, music, photo storage, or other Prime benefits. Like Prime, you can pay monthly or annually, and annual payment costs less per month.
Prime Video pricing is separate from Prime pricing and also varies by location. Some people add Prime Video to an existing Prime membership rather than buying it standalone; the cost is the same either way, but the billing appears as one charge if you have Prime.
Prime Student: reduced-price Prime for college students
Prime Student offers the same benefits as standard Prime — shipping, video, music, photo storage, and other perks — but at a lower monthly or annual rate. To sign up, you need a valid college email address or proof of enrollment through a student ID verification service. Amazon verifies your student status before activating the membership.
Prime Student memberships last for four years from the date you sign up, then convert to standard Prime at full price unless you cancel. You can renew your student status if you are still enrolled after four years, which resets the clock. Some Prime Student members add Prime Video for an additional monthly fee, though this is optional.
How billing works and when you can cancel
Monthly Prime memberships renew automatically on the same date each month. You can cancel anytime through your Amazon account settings, and cancellation takes effect when ready — you lose access to Prime benefits right away, not at the end of the month. If you cancel partway through a month, Amazon does not refund the portion you did not use.
Annual Prime memberships renew automatically one year from your signup date. Canceling an annual membership also takes effect when ready, and Amazon does not refund unused months. If you want to avoid the automatic renewal, you must cancel before the renewal date arrives.
You can switch between monthly and annual billing at any time. If you switch from monthly to annual mid-month, Amazon charges you the annual rate and credits your account for the remaining monthly balance.
Regional differences and price changes
Amazon Prime prices and features vary by country. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, India, Australia, and Mexico all have Prime, but the cost and included services differ. Some regions have additional tiers or promotional pricing that others do not.
Amazon changes Prime prices periodically. These changes explore to new signups when ready and to existing members on their next renewal date. If your membership renews after a price increase, you will pay the new rate going forward. Amazon typically announces price changes publicly before they take effect.
Comparing Prime, Prime Video, and Prime Student at a glance
| Feature | Prime | Prime Video | Prime Student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast shipping | Yes | No | Yes |
| Video streaming | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Music streaming | Yes | No | Yes |
| Photo storage | Yes | No | Yes |
| Monthly billing available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Annual billing available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Requires student status | No | No | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I try Prime before paying for a full month?
Amazon sometimes offers a free trial period for new Prime members, though the length and availability of trials change. Check the Prime signup page to see if a trial is currently available in your region. If a trial is offered, you will need to provide payment information, and your account will be charged when the trial ends unless you cancel beforehand.
What happens if I cancel Prime mid-year?
If you cancel an annual Prime membership before the year is up, you lose access to Prime benefits when ready and do not receive a refund for the unused months. Monthly memberships work the same way — cancellation is when ready with no refund for the remainder of the month.
Can I share my Prime membership with family members?
Amazon offers a feature called Amazon Household that lets you link your account with up to three other adults and up to four children. Everyone in the household can use Prime benefits, though some features like video recommendations remain separate. Each adult can manage their own payment method and settings.
Does Prime include free shipping on everything?
Prime shipping applies to millions of items, but not all. Items must be marked as Prime-may be able to access in the product listing. Some items have minimum order amounts for free shipping, and some categories like groceries or large furniture may have different shipping rules. Check the product page to see if an item qualifies for Prime shipping before you buy.
What is the difference between Prime Music and other music services?
Prime Music is included with Prime membership and offers ad-free streaming of a curated catalog of millions of songs and playlists. It is more limited than Amazon Music Unlimited, which is a separate subscription with a larger library and more personalization features. Prime members can add Music Unlimited for an additional monthly fee if they want the expanded service.