Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

In the U.S., Amazon Prime costs $14.99 a month or $139 a year and combines eligible-item shipping with selected video, music, reading, gaming, photo, grocery, and other benefits. The membership does not make every order or entertainment option free: eligibility, location, and separate service charges matter. This guide reflects Amazon’s listed benefits and terms as of October 4, 2026.

How much does Amazon Prime cost?

Amazon lists regular U.S. Prime membership at $14.99 per month or $139 per year. Paying annually costs less than 12 monthly payments at the listed rates, but the better option depends on whether you want a recurring monthly commitment or expect to use Prime for a full year. Taxes and billing terms may vary; check the offer shown when you enroll.

U.S. membership Listed price and trial Who may qualify
Regular Prime $14.99 per month or $139 per year General membership
Prime for Young Adults Six-month $0 trial for eligible applicants, then $7.49 per month or $69 per year Eligible 18–24-year-olds and higher-education students; verify current eligibility and trial terms
Prime Access 30-day trial, then $6.99 per month Qualifying government-assistance recipients and income-verified customers

These are prices Amazon lists for U.S. plans, not international rates. Eligibility and promotions can change; confirm the enrollment page for current terms. Amazon’s June 30, 2026 press release describes Prime as bundling savings, convenience, and entertainment; that is Amazon’s characterization, not an independent assessment.

What shipping and shopping benefits are included?

Prime offers free delivery options on eligible orders, but the item, delivery address, and sometimes order value determine what is available. Amazon lists One-Day, Two-Day, Amazon Day, No-Rush, and Standard Delivery for eligible items. Same-Day Delivery is free only for qualifying orders that meet the applicable minimum. Some expedited options in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico may carry a charge, and marketplace items without Prime eligibility are excluded.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Amazon eGift Card - Amazon Logo
  • Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
  • Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
  • Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
  • Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
  • No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.

Look for the Prime marking on the product page, then confirm the delivery option and estimated arrival date at checkout. Those screens show whether the item and address qualify; membership alone does not guarantee a particular speed.

Amazon also offers members access to selected deals and shopping events. Access does not guarantee that a product is discounted or cheaper than it is elsewhere. Amazon reports that more than 300 million items are eligible for free Prime shipping in the U.S.; this is Amazon’s figure, not an independent count.

Rank #2
Amazon eGift Card - Happy Birthday
  • Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
  • Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
  • Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
  • Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
  • No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.

Is Prime Video included, and what costs extra?

Prime includes access to selected Prime Video movies and series, along with some live sports. The included catalog is not the same as every title available through the Prime Video app.

  • Ads: Amazon announced limited advertisements in Prime Video shows and movies. Its 2024 announcement gave a historical U.S. price of $2.99 per month for an ad-free option at that time. That figure is not a current price confirmation; check Amazon’s current terms for any ad-free option.
  • Channels: Prime Video Channels are separate subscriptions. You pay for the channels you choose.
  • Rentals and purchases: Some titles are offered for an additional rental or purchase charge rather than included with membership.

Prime Video works on many compatible devices. A Fire TV device is optional hardware, not a Prime benefit included with the membership.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Amazon eGift Card - Birthday Wishes
  • Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
  • Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
  • Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
  • Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
  • No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.

What music, reading, gaming, and photo benefits come with Prime?

Prime includes several digital benefits, but access, catalogs, and features can change. Amazon currently lists the following:

  • Amazon Music: Amazon says Prime includes access to over 100 million songs in shuffle mode, All-Access Playlists, and ad-free podcasts. The catalog figure is Amazon-reported. Music Unlimited is a separate paid upgrade that adds unlimited on-demand playback. Amazon’s benefits page lists Music Unlimited for Prime members at $10.99 monthly or $109 annually; verify the current offer before subscribing.
  • Reading: Selected Kindle books and audiobooks, plus Amazon First Reads selections.
  • Gaming: Luna cloud gaming, rotating PC game downloads, and a Twitch channel subscription.
  • Photos: Unlimited full-resolution photo storage and 5 GB of video storage.

“Included” here refers to the benefits Amazon describes for Prime; it does not mean every book, game, song, or video is available on demand without additional terms or charges.

Rank #4
Amazon Physical Gift Card in a Gift Box - Better than Gold - Black
  • Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
  • Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
  • Gift Card is nested inside a specialty gift box
  • Free One-Day Shipping (where available)
  • Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App

Are grocery delivery, fuel, dining, and health offers included?

These benefits depend more heavily on location, participation, eligibility, and current program terms than standard digital access does.

  • Groceries: Amazon describes free Same-Day Delivery on Amazon.com grocery orders over $25 in most eligible areas. Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market may offer member savings, but service availability and order thresholds vary by location.
  • Fuel: Amazon lists savings at participating bp, Amoco, ampm, and Thorntons stations. Participation, required payment method, and discount terms apply. Amazon’s annual fuel-savings illustration assumes 675 gallons used per year and 21.5 miles per gallon; it is an example, not a guaranteed saving for each member.
  • Dining: Amazon lists Grubhub+ as a Prime offer. Check the current enrollment and restaurant terms to see whether it is available to you.
  • Health: Amazon lists some Health AI consultations at no additional cost for eligible U.S. members. One Medical and RxPass are separately priced programs. Verify eligibility, clinical availability, and current terms; these offers do not replace medical advice.

Can you share Prime benefits with your household?

Amazon Family lets members share a broad range of benefits with one adult. Amazon’s benefits page says Prime Video and additional digital content can be shared with one adult and up to four children in the household. Sharing is subject to Amazon’s current household rules; it is not a general entitlement to share benefits with anyone at any address.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
$300 Apple Gift Card—Email Delivery
  • For all things Apple - products, accessories, apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, iCloud+, and more.
  • Perfect for App Store purchases and subscriptions—get apps, games, music, movies, TV shows, and more.
  • The perfect gift to say happy birthday, thank you, congratulations, and more.
  • Available in $15 - 500, Card delivered via email or SMS
  • Use it for purchases at any Apple Store location, on the Apple Store app, apple.com, the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple News+, Apple Books, Apple Arcade, iCloud+, Fitness+, Apple One, and other Apple properties in US only
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How can you decide whether Prime is worth it for you?

There is no universal break-even point in the available information: the value depends on which benefits you can access and actually use. Consider these factors before choosing monthly or annual membership:

  • Eligible deliveries: How often do you order Prime-eligible items, and do the delivery speeds shown for your address matter to you?
  • Entertainment: Will you watch included Prime Video titles or use the included music, reading, gaming, or photo benefits? Account for paid Channels, rentals, purchases, and any ad-free option you choose.
  • Local offers: Are grocery delivery, fuel, dining, or health benefits available where you live, and do their terms fit your needs?
  • Discounted eligibility and household sharing: Do you qualify for Young Adults or Prime Access pricing, or can eligible household sharing change the cost per person?
  • Commitment: Compare the annual price with the total cost of monthly payments over a year, then consider how long you expect to keep the membership.

Amazon’s listed benefits and savings are company claims; they do not establish how much a particular member will save. Compare current prices and terms at checkout, and count only benefits you expect to use.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Amazon eGift Card - Amazon Logo
Amazon eGift Card - Amazon Logo
Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.; Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
$50.00
Bestseller No. 2
Amazon eGift Card - Happy Birthday
Amazon eGift Card - Happy Birthday
Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.; Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
$50.00
Bestseller No. 3
Amazon eGift Card - Birthday Wishes
Amazon eGift Card - Birthday Wishes
Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.; Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
$50.00
Bestseller No. 4
Amazon Physical Gift Card in a Gift Box - Better than Gold - Black
Amazon Physical Gift Card in a Gift Box - Better than Gold - Black
Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com; Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
$50.00
Bestseller No. 5
$300 Apple Gift Card—Email Delivery
$300 Apple Gift Card—Email Delivery
The perfect gift to say happy birthday, thank you, congratulations, and more.; Available in $15 - 500, Card delivered via email or SMS
$300.00

Sources

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.