Amazon Prime costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month as of 2024

Amazon Prime is a membership service that gives you faster shipping on purchases from Amazon.com, along with access to streaming video, music, and other perks. The annual plan costs $139 and renews every 12 months. The monthly plan costs $14.99 and renews every month. Both give you the same core benefits — the difference is just how you pay.

If you use Prime for shipping alone, the annual plan works out cheaper: $139 divided by 12 months is about $11.58 per month. The monthly plan costs $14.99, so you pay about $3.41 more per month if you choose that option. The monthly plan makes sense only if you think you might cancel within a few months.

Amazon also offers a discounted Prime membership for students (currently $7.49 per month or $69 per year) and a reduced-price plan for people receiving certain government benefits. Prices vary by country and can change, so check Amazon's website directly for your current options.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon Prime costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month, with both plans renewing automatically unless you cancel.
  • The annual plan saves you money if you keep the membership for a full year, working out to about $11.58 per month.
  • Students and people receiving certain government benefits may may have access to for discounted rates, though the exact programs vary by location.
  • Your membership includes faster shipping, video streaming, music streaming, and other services bundled together — you cannot buy them separately at a lower price.
  • Canceling stops future charges but does not refund money you have already paid for the current billing period.

What you actually get with the membership

Prime membership bundles several services together. The main one is two-day shipping on most items sold by Amazon directly (not all third-party sellers). Many items now ship in one day or same-day in major cities, though the speed depends on your location and the item. You also get free shipping on items marked as Prime-may be able to access, even if they cost $1.

The membership also includes Prime Video, a streaming service with movies and TV shows included. You can watch on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. Prime Music lets you stream a limited catalog of songs (not as large as Spotify or Apple Music). Prime Reading gives you access to a rotating selection of books, magazines, and newspapers.

Less commonly used perks include Prime Photos (unlimited photo storage), discounts on Whole Foods purchases if you have a Prime membership, and early access to Amazon's sales events like Prime Day. The exact perks change over time, and Amazon sometimes adds or removes features.

How the billing works and when charges hit your account

When you sign up for Prime, Amazon charges your payment method when ready. If you chose the annual plan, you are charged $139 right away and again 12 months later on the same date. If you chose the monthly plan, you are charged $14.99 right away and again on the same day each month.

Your membership starts the day you pay. You can use Prime benefits when ready — you do not have to wait for a confirmation email or anything else. If you cancel before your next billing date, you will not be charged again, but you will not get a refund for the current period. For example, if you pay $139 in January and cancel in March, you lose the remaining nine months of payment.

Amazon sends you a reminder email a few days before your next charge. The email includes a link to manage your membership, but you have to click it and confirm the cancellation — straightforward ignoring the email does not stop the charge.

How to check your current plan and cancel if you want to

To see which plan you are on and when you will be charged next, go to Amazon.com, click the account menu (usually in the top right), and look for "Your Prime Membership" or "Memberships and Subscriptions." This page shows your current plan, your next billing date, and a button to manage or cancel.

To cancel, click the "End Membership" or "Cancel Prime" button on that same page. Amazon will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay (like a month free or a reduced rate). You can accept the offer or proceed with cancellation. Once you confirm, your membership ends on your next billing date, and you will not be charged again.

If you cancel mid-cycle, you keep your Prime benefits until the end of that billing period. For example, if you pay monthly on the 15th and cancel on the 20th, you can still use Prime until the 15th of next month.

Prime membership versus paying for shipping on individual orders

Without Prime, Amazon charges shipping on most orders. The cost depends on the item, how fast you want it, and where you live. Standard shipping (5 to 8 business days) often costs $5 to $10 per order. Faster shipping costs more. Some items have free shipping regardless of Prime status, but those are usually marked clearly.

If you order from Amazon fewer than 14 times per year, paying for shipping on individual orders is probably cheaper than a $139 annual membership. If you order more than 14 times per year, Prime usually saves you money on shipping alone. The math changes if you also use Prime Video or Prime Music — those services add value beyond shipping.

Amazon does not publish how many orders the average customer places, so you have to estimate based on your own habits. If you are unsure, the monthly plan ($14.99) lets you try Prime for a few months and see whether you use it enough to justify the cost.

Price differences by country and special membership tiers

Prime membership costs vary outside the United States. In Canada, Prime costs CAD $15.99 per month or CAD $179 per year. In the United Kingdom, it costs £8.99 per month or £95 per year. In Australia, it costs AUD $9 per month or AUD $89 per year. These prices change independently of the US price and are set by Amazon's local teams.

Amazon occasionally tests or offers special membership tiers. For example, some regions have a Prime Lite plan that includes shipping but not video streaming, at a lower price. These options are not available everywhere and may not be permanent. Check your local Amazon website to see what plans are currently offered in your country.

If you live in a country where Prime is available but you travel frequently, your membership usually works in other countries too — you can watch Prime Video and use other benefits while abroad. Shipping benefits may be limited depending on where you are.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I cancel Prime mid-month?

Amazon does not refund the current billing period if you cancel. If you paid $14.99 on the 1st and cancel on the 15th, you keep your membership until the end of that month but do not get money back. You straightforward will not be charged on the 1st of next month.

Does Prime membership include free returns?

Prime members get free returns on most items, but the return window and process are the same as for non-members. You still have to initiate the return through Amazon and print a label or drop the item at a return location. Prime does not change the return policy itself.

What happens to my Prime membership if I close my Amazon account?

If you close your Amazon account, your Prime membership ends when ready. Any remaining balance is not refunded. If you later reopen an Amazon account, you would need to sign up for Prime again and pay the full price.

Is there a free trial for Prime?

Amazon occasionally offers a 30-day free trial to new members, but this is not may provide and varies by region and time of year. Check Amazon.com directly to see if a trial is currently available in your area. Any trial period ends automatically and converts to a paid membership unless you cancel before the trial ends.

Can I share a Prime membership with family members?

Amazon offers a feature called Amazon Household that lets you share Prime benefits with up to two adults and up to four children on the same account. Each person gets their own login and recommendations, but they all share the same Prime membership and payment method. Set this up through your account settings under "Household and Family."