What Prime membership includes
Amazon Prime is a paid membership that bundles together shipping, video streaming, music, and storage services into one account. When you pay for Prime, you get faster shipping on most items sold by Amazon, access to Prime Video (movies and TV shows), Prime Music (ad-free streaming), and cloud photo storage. The membership costs a set annual or monthly fee, and the exact benefits available to you depend on which country you're in and which membership tier you choose.
The core benefit most people join for is free two-day shipping on items marked as Prime-may be able to access. In many areas, Amazon also offers same-day or next-day delivery on certain items for no extra charge. You also get free returns on most Prime purchases, and you can start a return directly from your Amazon account without printing a label.
Key Takeaways
- Prime membership includes two-day shipping on Prime-may be able to access items, Prime Video streaming, Prime Music, and cloud photo storage, all for one annual or monthly fee.
- Prime Video lets you watch thousands of movies and TV shows, and you can read content to watch offline on your phone or tablet.
- Prime Music gives you ad-free access to millions of songs, and Prime Photos stores unlimited photos at full resolution at no extra cost.
- Some Prime benefits, like exclusive deals and early access to sales, are only available during certain times of the year or to members in specific regions.
- Amazon offers a free trial period so you can test the membership before you commit to paying.
Prime Video and entertainment streaming
Prime Video is the streaming service included with your membership. It has thousands of movies and TV shows you can watch on demand, plus original series and films made by Amazon Studios. You can watch on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV using the Prime Video app or website. The service is ad-free, though some titles may have ads depending on your region and membership type.
One feature many people use is the ability to read episodes or movies to your device and watch them later without an internet connection. This works on phones and tablets through the Prime Video app. You can also add premium channels like HBO, Showtime, or Paramount+ to your Prime account for an extra monthly fee if you want access to their content alongside Prime Video.
Prime Music and photo storage
Prime Music is an ad-free music streaming service with millions of songs. You can create playlists, listen to curated stations, and read songs to listen offline. It is not the same as Amazon Music Unlimited, which is a separate subscription with a larger catalog; Prime Music comes with your membership at no extra cost.
Prime Photos gives you unlimited cloud storage for photos at full resolution. This means you can back up your entire photo library without worrying about running out of space or losing quality. You also get 5 gigabytes of storage for videos and other files. If you need more space for videos or documents, you can pay for additional storage through Amazon Drive.
Shipping perks and exclusive deals
Beyond the standard two-day shipping, Prime members often get access to exclusive deals and early access to sales events. During Amazon's Prime Day (usually in July), members can shop deals before the general public. Prime members also see a "Prime" badge on may be able to access items, making it straightforward to spot which products may have access to for fast shipping.
If you order something and it arrives damaged or not as described, you can return it for free. Amazon provides a prepaid return label, or in some cases, you can return items to a physical Amazon location or a Whole Foods store. The return window is typically 30 days from delivery, though some items have different policies.
Prime Gaming and other add-ons
Prime Gaming (formerly called Twitch Prime) is included with your membership if you link your Amazon account to Twitch. It gives you a free monthly subscription to one Twitch channel of your choice, ad-free viewing on Twitch, and access to exclusive games and in-game content. You also get a free Twitch channel subscription every month that you can give to a different streamer.
Prime members also get discounts at Whole Foods Market (which Amazon owns) and access to exclusive deals on Amazon devices like Kindles, Fire tablets, and Echo speakers. Some regions offer additional perks like free shipping on grocery orders or discounts on Amazon Fresh, Amazon's grocery delivery service.
Student and family membership options
Amazon offers Prime Student, a discounted membership for college and university students. It includes all the same benefits as regular Prime but costs less per month or year. To join, you need a valid .edu email address or proof of enrollment. Prime Student memberships last for four years, after which they convert to a regular Prime membership at the standard rate.
You can also share some Prime benefits with family members through Amazon Household. This feature lets you link up to two adults and up to four children to one Prime membership, so everyone in your household can use the same account for shipping and streaming. Each person gets their own recommendations and watchlist, though you all share the same payment method.
Cost and how to start
Prime membership is available as a monthly subscription or an annual plan. The annual plan costs less per month if you divide the yearly fee by 12, so it is usually the better value if you plan to keep the membership for a full year. Amazon regularly offers discounts on annual memberships during sales events.
You can start a free trial to test the membership for a set period before you are charged. During the trial, you get access to all the same benefits as a paid member. If you decide Prime is not for you, you can cancel anytime before the trial ends and you will not be charged. After the trial ends, your membership renews automatically each month or year unless you cancel it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Prime membership with people who don't live with me?
Amazon Household is designed for people living at the same address. If you try to add someone from a different location, Amazon may ask for verification. For streaming benefits like Prime Video, you can watch on multiple devices at once, but the account is meant for household use only.
Do I have to watch ads on Prime Video?
Most Prime Video content is ad-free. However, some titles may include ads depending on your region and membership type. Amazon has introduced an ad-supported tier in some countries that costs less than the standard membership but includes ads on certain shows and movies.
What happens to my Prime membership if I cancel?
Once you cancel, you lose access to fast shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, and all other benefits when ready. If you cancel during a billing cycle, you typically keep access until the end of that cycle. Any content you downloaded to your device through Prime Video will no longer play after your membership ends.
Is Prime membership worth it if I only want one benefit?
That depends on how much you use it. If you order from Amazon frequently, the shipping savings alone may pay for the membership. If you mainly want Prime Video or Prime Music, compare the membership cost to what you would pay for those services separately to decide if the bundle makes sense for you.
Can I get Prime benefits without paying for a full membership?
Amazon sometimes offers limited free trials or promotional periods. Some credit card companies also offer Prime membership discounts or free trials as a cardholder benefit. Check your bank or credit card benefits to see if any explore to you.