What Amazon Prime costs and what you get

Amazon Prime is a paid membership that gives you faster shipping on most items, access to Prime Video (movies and TV shows), Prime Music, and other perks. The membership costs either $14.99 per month if you pay month-to-month, or $139 per year if you pay annually. Students pay $7.49 per month or $69 per year with a valid .edu email address.

The main benefit most people use is free two-day shipping on millions of items. Many items ship the same day or next day depending on where you live and what you order. You also get access to Prime Video, which includes thousands of movies and TV series included with membership, plus the ability to rent or buy additional titles.

Other benefits include Prime Music (a music streaming service with over 2 million songs), Prime Reading (access to magazines, books, and newspapers), and early access to Lightning Deals during sales events. The exact perks can change, so check Amazon's current membership page to see the full list.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year for regular members, with a cheaper student rate of $7.49 per month or $69 per year.
  • You start a membership by going to Amazon.com, signing into your account, and selecting your payment option on the Prime membership page.
  • Your membership begins immediately after you choose your plan and enter a valid payment method.
  • You can cancel your membership at any time, and if you paid annually, Amazon refunds the unused portion.
  • A 30-day free trial is available if you have never had Prime before, though you must enter a payment method to start it.

How to sign up for Prime on Amazon.com

Start by going to Amazon.com in your web browser. If you already have an Amazon account, sign in with your email and password. If you do not have an account yet, you will need to create one by entering your email, creating a password, and confirming your name and address.

Once you are signed in, look for the "Prime" link at the top of the page or search for "Amazon Prime membership" in the search bar. This takes you to the Prime membership page. You will see options for monthly or annual payment. Click the button for the plan you want — either "Join Prime" for monthly or the annual option.

On the next screen, confirm your payment method. You can use a credit card, debit card, or other payment option already saved to your account, or add a new one. After you confirm your payment method, your membership starts immediately. You will receive a confirmation email with your membership details.

Starting Prime on your phone or tablet

If you use the Amazon shopping app on your phone or tablet, you can start a Prime membership from there as well. Open the Amazon app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Prime" or "Your Account," then look for the Prime membership option.

Tap "Join Prime" and select your payment plan. The app will ask you to confirm your payment method, and your membership will start right away. The process is the same whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or tablet.

Note that you cannot start a Prime membership through the Prime Video app alone — you must use either Amazon.com or the Amazon shopping app.

Student membership and special rates

If you are a current student at a college or university in the United States, you can get Prime at a reduced rate. Student Prime costs $7.49 per month or $69 per year, which is roughly half the regular price. To sign up, you need a valid .edu email address from your school.

Go to the Prime membership page and look for the "Prime Student" option. Enter your .edu email address and confirm your student status. Amazon may ask you to verify your enrollment by connecting to your school's student portal or by uploading a photo of your student ID. After verification, your student membership starts immediately.

Student Prime includes all the same benefits as regular Prime. Your student rate continues as long as you remain enrolled. After you graduate or leave school, your membership automatically converts to the regular price unless you cancel it.

Using your free trial before paying

If you have never had an Amazon Prime membership before, you can start a 30-day free trial. During this trial, you get full access to all Prime benefits at no cost. After 30 days, your membership converts to a paid plan unless you cancel before the trial ends.

To start the free trial, go to the Prime membership page and look for the "Start your 30-day free trial" option. You will still need to enter a valid payment method, but you will not be charged during the trial period. Set a reminder on your calendar for day 29 if you think you might want to cancel, so you do not forget and get charged.

You can cancel the free trial at any time by going to "Manage Your Prime Membership" in your account settings. If you cancel before day 30, you lose access to Prime benefits immediately and are not charged anything.

What happens after you join

Your Prime membership is active as soon as you complete the sign-up process. You can start using two-day shipping right away on may be able to access items — look for the Prime badge (a lightning bolt) next to the price when you are shopping. You can also start watching Prime Video immediately by going to primevideo.com or opening the Prime Video app.

Your membership renews automatically on the same date each month or year, depending on which plan you chose. Amazon will charge your payment method on that date unless you cancel beforehand. You can check your membership renewal date and manage your subscription by going to "Manage Your Prime Membership" in your account settings under "Memberships and Subscriptions."

If you move to a new address, update it in your account settings so that shipping estimates and delivery options are accurate for your location.

Canceling your membership

You can cancel your Prime membership at any time without penalty. If you paid for an annual membership and cancel before the year is up, Amazon refunds the unused portion to your original payment method. If you have a monthly membership, cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle.

To cancel, sign into your Amazon account and go to "Manage Your Prime Membership" under "Memberships and Subscriptions." Click "End Membership" and follow the prompts. Amazon will ask you why you are canceling, but you do not have to answer — you can skip that step and proceed with the cancellation.

After you cancel, you lose access to Prime benefits immediately, including two-day shipping and Prime Video. If you change your mind within a certain period, you may be able to restart your membership, though this depends on your account history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Prime membership with family members?

Yes, through Amazon Household. You can link up to two adults and up to four teens or children to one Prime membership. Each person gets their own account but shares the same Prime benefits. Go to "Manage Your Household" in your account settings to add family members.

Do I get free shipping on everything?

No. Free two-day shipping applies to millions of items marked with the Prime badge, but not all items. Some items have longer shipping times or additional fees. Third-party sellers can also set their own shipping policies, so always check the shipping details before you order.

What if I want to pause my membership instead of canceling?

Amazon does not offer a pause feature. You can cancel and restart your membership later, but you will lose Prime benefits in between. If you think you might rejoin soon, canceling is your only option.

Is there a Prime membership for seniors or people with disabilities?

Amazon does not currently offer a reduced rate for seniors or people with disabilities. Your options are the regular monthly or annual rate, the student rate if you are enrolled in school, or the free trial if you are new to Prime.

Can I change from monthly to annual billing or vice versa?

Yes. Go to "Manage Your Prime Membership" and select "Edit Membership." You can switch between monthly and annual plans at any time. If you switch from annual to monthly, you receive a refund for the unused portion of your annual payment.