How much is Amazon Prime? Should you get an Amazon Prime membership? Waiting for packages can be frustrating, and the idea of two-day delivery is quite tempting. Plus, all those extra perks are hard to ignore. Have you noticed a lot of people around you signing up for Prime? It seems that getting a membership has become somewhat of a trend.
Is spending $14.99 a month or $139 a year really worth it? This article will help you figure out if Amazon Prime is worth it for you.
How Much Is Amazon Prime (2025)?
First, let’s deal with the question you might have. There’s not only a yearly plan for about $139, but also something else. Let me show you:
Amazon Prime Price:
- Monthly plan: $14.99/month
- Yearly plan: $139/year
- Prime Video membership: $8.99/month
- Prime Access: $6.99/month
Amazon Prime Student Membership (For Students):
- Monthly plan: $7.49
- Yearly plan: $69
There you have it – Amazon Prime offers various pricing options tailored to your needs and budget.
There’s also Amazon Household, Amazon’s way of letting you split your Prime benefits without splitting your wallet.
Here’s how it works:
With a single Prime membership (any paid plan – monthly, yearly, student, etc.), you can share most benefits with one other adult in your household at no extra cost. You can also add up to four teen profiles and four child profiles.
Shared benefits include:
- Free Prime shipping
- Prime Video
- Prime Reading
- Prime Gaming
- Amazon Photos (shared storage)
Key differences:
- There’s no separate pricing tier for Family; it’s just a way to extend one membership.
- The second adult gets nearly all benefits, but only the original account holder can manage billing.
- Teen and child profiles have limited access: teens can shop or stream, but parents approve purchases; children can only access kid-friendly content (often requires Amazon Kids+).
So, if you’re living under the same roof (or willing to link payment methods), Family Plan via Amazon Household gives you a smart way to stretch your membership, and it won’t cost you a cent more.
What Do You Get for Amazon Prime?
Amazon Prime isn’t just about free shipping, though that’s probably the first thing that comes to mind for many. Sure, getting your packages fast (sometimes the very next day) is awesome, but let’s take a closer look at everything you’re getting for your $139.
Free Shipping (And Fast Shipping!)
Let’s get the obvious one out of the way: shipping. Prime’s free two-day shipping can save you a ton of time. In some areas, you even get same-day or next-day delivery. Amazon’s Prime delivery service is convenient. You order something on a whim, and the next day, it’s at your door.
And let’s not forget free release-date delivery on certain items. Pre-order a book, game, or gadget, and it will show up on release day without you having to pay a cent more for shipping. That’s not too shabby if you’re a fan of staying up to date with the latest products.
Amazon Prime Video
You get access to a pretty solid library of movies, original shows, and a bunch of documentaries and live events.
Sure, Amazon Prime Video might not have all the titles that Netflix or Disney+ offer, but it does have a respectable collection for the price. Plus, you get the added bonus of streaming in 4K quality (if your internet can handle it).
What’s more, you get Amazon Channels. Think of it as a way to add subscriptions to premium content like HBO, Showtime, or Starz without needing multiple accounts. It’s like customizing your own streaming experience. If you’re still not sure, there’s a 30-day Amazon Prime Video free trial. Just try it out and see how you like it.
Stream Content Globally with a VPN
Take LightningX VPN, for example. You connect to a server that works with Netflix or Disney+, and then you’re in. It’s really that simple. No need to overthink it, just a quick step, and you’re good to go.
Tip: With LightningX VPN, you can connect to 2000+ servers worldwide, unlocking a wider range of content on Amazon Prime Video or other streaming platforms. Its fast and solid internet can provide you with smooth streaming in 4K without buffering. And it’s pretty simple to use, so it won’t take you too much time to set up.
LightningX VPN helps you get the most out of your Prime Video subscription, while it can also help keep your online activities private and secure.
Prime Music and Amazon Music Unlimited
Is Amazon Music free with Prime? Yes, it is! Prime Music comes with your membership, letting you stream millions of songs for free.
But wait, there’s more! If you’re really into music, you can always upgrade to Amazon Music Unlimited, which gives you access to tens of millions of tracks with no ad interruptions.
It’s like getting the best of both worlds: the basics are free, but if you need more, you can always upgrade.
Amazon Photos: Unlimited Storage for Your Memories
How many times have you run out of space on your phone because you’ve got a ton of photos and videos? Amazon Prime offers unlimited photo storage through Amazon Photos, so you can upload and store all your pictures without worrying about running out of space. This is especially useful for those who have a lot of high-quality pictures or videos they don’t want to lose.
Other Perks
So far, it seems like a pretty sweet deal, right? But there’s more! Amazon Prime also includes:
- Prime early access: This gives you early access to Lightning Deals and exclusive promotions. It’s like getting first dibs on all the best sales!
- Prime reading: If you love reading, you can borrow books, magazines, comics, and even audiobooks. It’s a nice bonus if you don’t want to spend extra on books, but honestly, it’s not as expensive as Kindle Unlimited.
- Twitch Prime: If you’re into gaming, this perk is a dream. You get free in-game loot, discounts on new games, and a free monthly Twitch channel subscription.
- Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Discounts: In some areas, Prime members can use Amazon Fresh to get grocery delivery or pick-up at no extra cost. Plus, if you shop at Whole Foods, you get exclusive discounts on your grocery bills.
- Grubhub+ Membership: Prime members in the U.S. get a free Grubhub+ subscription for a year. That means unlimited $0 delivery fees on orders over a minimum amount from tons of local restaurants.
- Fuel saving: In the U.S., Prime members can cut fuel costs by 10 cents per gallon at over 7,000 gas stations like BP and Amoco. Even better, every Friday in June, that discount jumps to 20 cents per gallon.
Is Amazon Prime Membership Really Worth It?
The answer really depends on how much you actually use the perks. If you’re someone who’s constantly ordering stuff from Amazon, enjoys streaming shows and music, and needs photo storage, then yeah, it might be totally worth it.
In fact, you could easily save more than $139 just from the free shipping alone if you’re a frequent Amazon shopper.
You get a 30-day free trial, so why not take it for a spin and see if it’s actually worth upgrading?
Just a heads-up, though: once the trial ends, the subscription kicks in and quietly starts billing you. If it’s not what you need, make sure to cancel in time before it starts chipping away at your wallet.
Sure, you’ll still get free shipping, but it might not be enough to justify the annual fee.
The real value of Amazon Prime comes down to your personal preferences. If the idea of getting things delivered fast and binge-watching shows or the best movies on Amazon Prime Video sounds like your idea of a good time, then Amazon Prime is probably worth it.
But if you’re already happy with other subscriptions or don’t shop a lot, you might want to hold off.
Final Thoughts
So, is $139 really worth it? Honestly, for many people, it absolutely is. Between the shipping perks, entertainment options, and exclusive deals, it’s a pretty solid offer. If you’re the type who shops on Amazon regularly or enjoys streaming without breaking the bank, you’ll likely get more than your money’s worth.
