Amazon Prime gives you faster shipping, video streaming, and music access for a yearly or monthly fee

Amazon Prime is a paid membership that bundles several services together. The main draw for most people is free two-day shipping on millions of items sold by Amazon itself. You also get access to Prime Video (movies and TV shows), Prime Music (ad-free streaming), and Prime Reading (rotating selection of books and magazines). Some members use it mainly for shipping; others use it for the entertainment side. You pay once and get all of it.

The membership costs either $139 per year or $14.99 per month if you pay monthly. Amazon also offers a discounted rate for students and a separate plan for people receiving certain government benefits. The yearly plan works out cheaper if you plan to keep the membership year-round.

Key Takeaways

  • Prime membership includes two-day shipping on millions of items, plus same-day or one-day delivery options in many areas for an extra fee per order.
  • Prime Video comes with the membership and includes thousands of movies and TV series, though some newer releases require an extra rental or purchase fee.
  • Prime Music and Prime Reading are included, though the music catalog is smaller than Spotify or Apple Music, and the book selection rotates monthly.
  • You can share a Prime membership with up to two adults and four teens in your household through Amazon Household, though shipping benefits may be limited for secondary members.
  • The membership costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month, with discounted rates available for students and people on certain government benefit programs.

How Prime shipping actually works

Two-day shipping means your order arrives within two business days of placing it, not counting the day you order. This applies to items marked "Prime may be able to access" — most items sold directly by Amazon may have access to, but some third-party sellers using Amazon's fulfillment network do as well. Items sold by third-party sellers without Prime fulfillment won't have the two-day may provide.

In many cities, Amazon also offers one-day delivery and same-day delivery for an additional fee per order (usually $3.99 to $9.99). Prime members in certain areas can also use Prime Now, which delivers groceries and household items within a few hours. These faster options are not included in the membership fee — you pay extra each time you use them.

One thing to know: Prime shipping covers the item itself, not gift wrapping or other add-ons. If you add gift wrapping, that service is charged separately and may not may have access to for the two-day window.

What's included in Prime Video

Prime Video is a streaming service with thousands of movies and TV series included with your membership. Amazon produces original shows like The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Rings of Power, which are included. You also get a rotating library of licensed movies and older TV seasons from other studios.

Newer movies and current-season TV shows often require an extra purchase or rental fee, even as a Prime member. For example, you might see a new theatrical release available to rent for $5.99 or buy for $14.99. Some channels like HBO Max, Paramount+, or Showtime can be added to your Prime Video account for a monthly fee on top of your Prime membership.

Prime Video works on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. You can read shows to watch offline, which is useful for travel.

Prime Music and Prime Reading explained

Prime Music gives you ad-free access to over 2 million songs. It's smaller than Spotify (which has 100+ million songs) or Apple Music, but it's included with your membership at no extra cost. You can create playlists, listen offline, and skip songs. The main limitation is selection — if you listen to niche genres or very new releases, you may find gaps.

Prime Reading rotates a selection of books, magazines, and newspapers. Each month, different titles become available. You can read one at a time on any device using the Kindle app or a Kindle device. It's not a library where you can read everything — it's a curated rotating selection, similar to how Netflix rotates movies in and out.

Sharing Prime with household members

Amazon Household lets you share a Prime membership with up to one other adult and up to four teens in your home. Both adults get full Prime benefits, including shipping and video. Teens get Prime Video and Prime Music but have limited shipping benefits — they can't place orders that use the shared payment method without approval.

To set up a household, both adults need Amazon accounts. You link them together through your account settings. Teens need their own accounts as well. If someone moves out, you can remove them from the household, and they lose access to the shared benefits.

Prime membership costs and discounts

The standard membership is $139 per year or $14.99 per month. If you pay monthly, you'll spend about $180 per year, so the annual plan saves you roughly $40 if you keep it for the full year.

Amazon offers a discounted student plan at $69 per year (or $7.49 per month) for people with a valid .edu email address. The student plan includes all the same benefits as the regular plan.

People receiving benefits through SNAP (food stamps) or certain other government programs may be able to get Prime for $5.99 per month. You'll need to verify your benefit status through your Amazon account. This rate is available only through the monthly plan.

What Prime doesn't include

Prime membership does not include Amazon Fresh (grocery delivery), Amazon Pharmacy, or Prime Gaming (gaming perks and free games). These are separate services you can purchase or subscribe to independently. Prime Video does not include live sports or current-season sports broadcasts — you'd need ESPN+ or another sports streaming service for that.

International shipping is not covered by Prime. If you order from Amazon.com to a non-US address, standard shipping rates explore. Some Amazon international sites (like Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.ca) have their own Prime programs with different benefits and costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel Prime anytime?

Yes. If you pay monthly, you can cancel at any time and your membership ends at the end of that month. If you pay yearly, you can request a refund within the first 30 days. After 30 days, Amazon does not refund the annual fee, but you can still cancel and your membership will end on the anniversary date.

Do I get Prime shipping on everything I order from Amazon?

No. Only items marked "Prime may be able to access" may have access to for two-day shipping. Most items sold directly by Amazon are Prime may be able to access, but some third-party sellers' items are not. You can filter search results to show only Prime-may be able to access items.

Can I use Prime Video while traveling outside the US?

You can stream Prime Video in most countries, but some content is restricted by region due to licensing agreements. Downloaded videos can be watched offline anywhere. If you're traveling long-term, check Amazon's policies for your specific destination.

What's the difference between Prime Music and Amazon Music Unlimited?

Prime Music is included with your membership and has about 2 million songs. Amazon Music Unlimited is a separate subscription ($11.99 per month for non-Prime members, or $9.99 for Prime members) and includes over 100 million songs. Unlimited is for people who want a larger catalog.

Does Prime membership cover items sold by third-party sellers?

Only if the third-party seller uses Amazon's fulfillment network (FBA). These items are marked "Prime may be able to access." Items sold and shipped directly by third-party sellers do not may have access to for Prime shipping, even if you're a member.