Saving & Spending Budgeting & Expenses

Is Amazon Prime Still Worth It?

The price of Amazon Prime keeps going up. Here's a breakdown of what the service offers to help you decide whether it's still worth it.

By Ashley Donohoe, MBA, CFLP®, CFEI®, FPWMP® , Edited by Steve Miller

Updated April 10, 2026

If you're like me and regularly shop online, you've likely placed an order with Amazon. The retail giant is extremely popular for its paid Prime subscription service, which offers free, fast shipping and more. In the company's 2020 annual report, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos wrote that there were already more than 200 million Amazon Prime members worldwide. While that's the most recent official data available from the company, that number has almost surely risen as Amazon has continued to grow.

However, as a longtime Prime member, I've noticed several price hikes over the years, which can make anyone wonder whether the membership is still worth it. If you're working on managing your money better, I recommend exploring the many benefits of Amazon Prime to make sure you get enough value for the cost.

What is Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime is a paid subscription service offered by the online retailer that provides loads of benefits to its members, including access to Prime Delivery and the Prime Video streaming library. The service launched in 2005 for an annual fee of just $79 (now $139) and offered unlimited two-day shipping on more than a million items.

Since the launch, Amazon and Amazon Prime have grown tremendously. What was once a niche subscription for online shoppers has become a daily part of many people's lives. I've found myself increasingly relying on Prime for everything from quick deliveries for electronics and art supplies to clothing and personal care items, and I still haven't tried all the services and benefits it offers.

What perks can make Amazon Prime worth it?

While you're probably most familiar with the shipping benefits and special sales and discounts for members, Amazon Prime has a surprisingly long list of benefits that continues to grow in recent years.

Amazon Photos

Amazon Photos provides unlimited full-resolution photo storage for all your photos, plus 5GB of free video storage. You can use the service to order and print photos and customize the backgrounds of two popular Amazon devices: the Echo Show and Fire TV.

Since I love to share photos and videos and have lost media when my phone and computer have messed up, being able to back up and store these items is very important to me. I like how Amazon Photos offers much more generous storage space than Dropbox does without an extra charge, so I highly recommend it if you love shooting photos and videos.

Amazon Kids+

Prime members receive a roughly 40% discount on an Amazon Kids+ subscription, which offers access to thousands of kid-friendly entertainment options, including books, movies, apps, and games. While needing to pay extra for this service doesn't impress me, I like that it offers plenty of variety to keep kids engaged and includes parental controls to limit screen time and use technology more wisely.

Prime Delivery

Out of all the Amazon Prime features, Prime Delivery is my favorite and the exact reason I signed up in the first place. I've liked how Amazon has expanded delivery options and benefits over the years, giving me more value. Here's a breakdown of the different delivery and shipping benefits:

Free delivery: Depending on where you live, you might have options for free two-day, one-day, or same-day shipping on millions of items. While I've occasionally received a package later than expected, I've also been surprised to get an order I placed right before bed delivered overnight.
Grocery delivery: If you're a Whole Foods Market fan, you'll like that you can order directly from the store for fast delivery or pickup. You can also use Amazon Fresh for two-hour grocery delivery of brand-name products in select cities and areas.
Prescription delivery: While I haven't tried this one yet, I like that you can receive free two-day delivery on prescriptions from Amazon Pharmacy. You might also qualify for savings if you're paying out of pocket, which I find helps in times when budgets are strained.
Release-date delivery: You can receive release-date delivery on select items, including new video games, books, and more, on the day they're released. I've used this feature to get popular Nintendo Switch games and haven't been disappointed yet.
No-rush shipping: While I don't use this feature since quick deliveries have spoiled me, you can earn rewards for selecting "no-rush shipping" if you don't need to receive your orders quickly. It's like an incentive for delaying gratification, which comes in handy in other areas of spending.
Amazon Day: If you'd like to avoid waiting for and managing multiple deliveries over a short timeframe, you can opt to receive all your Amazon orders on a specific day each week and in fewer boxes.
Amazon Key: Eligible areas can receive Amazon packages delivered right inside their garage. I imagine this would be helpful if you live in an area where package theft is common, or if you just want your items protected from the elements.

Amazon Luna

All Prime members receive free video games and in-game content through Amazon Luna, formerly known as Prime Gaming. It typically offers new free PC games each month that you can keep forever, and I like that the games rotate so you'll always have new options to explore. You also receive a free Twitch channel subscription of your choice each month.

Amazon Luna offers other features that are worth checking out, too. For example, it has previously provided free in-game content for League of Legends, New World, Apex Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, and other popular titles.

Prime Music

If you're paying for a service like Apple Music or Spotify, you might like that Prime members get access to two million ad-free songs and millions of podcast episodes. You can listen to available selections through the Amazon Music app and by using an Echo device.

Another option is to sign up for Amazon Music Unlimited and stream over 75 million ad-free songs and millions of podcast episodes. While this subscription service is available to Prime and non-Prime members, you receive a 20% discount with your Prime membership ($7.99 vs. $9.99).

While I mainly stick with Spotify, I've occasionally used Prime Music and enjoyed the experience. I've also found that it sometimes has more music options, especially if you're a fan of international tunes like I am.

Prime Reading

As a Prime member, you receive access to thousands of reading options through the Prime Reading library. This includes a rotating selection of ebooks, digital magazines and comics, and audiobooks. You can also download and keep one free Kindle book per month from the editors' picks of Amazon First Reads. I've enjoyed discovering new books through the service at no extra cost.

Prime shopping benefits

Prime memberships offer a variety of shopping benefits, including:

Amazon credit cards: Some of the best credit cards for Amazon offer bonus rewards for shopping in the marketplace. I've had the Prime Visa for several years, and the savings have quickly added up since I do a lot of online shopping. I've also liked the buy now, pay later financing offers unlocked by using the card for Amazon purchases.
Prescription savings: If you're underinsured or uninsured, you'll like that you can save up to 80% on prescriptions at over 60,000 pharmacies. You can either fill your prescriptions and get free two-day delivery with Amazon Pharmacy or receive discounts at a preferred pharmacy.
Prime Day: Amazon Prime Day is similar to Black Friday in that you can find loads of discounts and shopping deals on a variety of products. However, it's specifically for Prime members shopping on Amazon. In my experience, you can typically find big discounts on eligible items from every Amazon shopping category.
Prime Early Access: As a bargain hunter, I like that Prime members can access Amazon.com Lightning Deals 30 minutes early. These promotional deals are offered for a short period and provide a limited number of discounts. That extra time is often worth it.
Prime offers: You can access exclusive shopping deals available only to Prime members. For example, I've scored deals on hard drives, Lego sets, and craft supplies this way.
Whole Foods: Besides the delivery benefits, you can also access exclusive discounts in-store and online with Whole Foods Market. I've seen some great deals around Thanksgiving.
Woot! benefits: You can receive free standard shipping on all Woot! Orders. Woot! is a company that typically provides deals and limited-time offers on different products and was acquired by Amazon in 2010. I've noticed that it has good prices on refurbished electronics, like iPhones.

Prime Video

If you're looking to cut other streaming subscriptions, know that the included Prime Video service provides access to thousands of movies and TV shows, including Amazon Originals like "Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan," "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," and "The Boys." You can access streaming content through the Prime Video app, available on the Apple App Store, Google Play, and more.

If you want to add more content to your library, select different channels to add with Prime Video Channels. It typically costs between $4.99 and $14.99 to add channels such as discovery+, EPIX, STARZ, SHOWTIME, HBO Max, and more.

Grubhub+ membership

You might be surprised to learn that Amazon Prime includes a free Grubhub+ membership, which helps you avoid delivery fees and get special savings on your orders. This saves you about $120 compared to paying for the service separately, and it's a great perk if you order food delivery often.

One Medical

While telemedicine is nothing new, it's unique that you can save money on care thanks to your Amazon Prime membership. Amazon One Medical offers 24/7 online doctor visits via messaging and video chat, and it has physical offices in several major cities.

While non-members can still use the service and pay for each visit, Prime members can pay for a separate yearly membership that includes unlimited virtual visits, but in-office visits cost extra. I can see this being a good deal if you need care for illnesses at least a few times per year.

How much does Amazon Prime cost?

If you're wondering how Amazon Prime's standard annual membership cost has changed over time, here's a quick rundown:

2005: $79 per year (Amazon Prime launches)
2014: $99 per year
2018: $119 per year
2022: $139 per year (same price as of April 2026)

In fewer than 20 years, the cost has increased three times, which is about once every 5 1/2 years. That's not a huge amount over such a long span of time, though the increases have become more frequent since the first.

With each price hike, however, Amazon has included additional benefits in its Prime membership. What we see today with Prime Video, Prime Music, and even free two-day deliveries is a far cry from what the original Prime service offered.

Additionally, you might qualify for a lower membership fee. For example, Prime Access provides access for $6.99 per month if you receive SNAP, Medicaid, or other qualifying government benefits. Prime for Young Adults (formerly Prime Student) is also available if you're 18 to 24 years old or a college student, at $7.49 per month or $69 per year.

One mistake Amazon shoppers make is not taking full advantage of all the available Prime benefits that could help you avoid paying for other services. For example, Prime Video might replace Netflix, and Prime Music could be a good substitute for Spotify. The same goes for Prime Reading, Amazon Photos, and similar services.

Other potential costs

Keep in mind that you might incur additional costs beyond the Prime membership fee, including:

Amazon Kids+: An Amazon Kids+ subscription, which offers unlimited access to the Kids+ library for up to four children (depending on your plan), costs $5.99 per month for Prime members ($2 less than for non-Prime members).
Amazon Music Unlimited: Getting expanded access to millions of ad-free songs and podcast episodes will set you back $11.99 as a Prime member compared to $12.99 as a non-Prime member.
Audible: Available to anyone, this service offers audiobooks, podcasts, meditation programs, and more. It offers a Standard plan at $7.95 per month and a Premium Plus plan for $14.95 per month. If you're a Prime member with an Audible Premium Plus membership, you'll receive two free credits to use on any title from the Audible Premium selection. Non-Prime members who sign up only get one free credit.
Kindle Unlimited: Kindle Unlimited offers unlimited access to millions of digital titles, including books, magazines, and audiobooks. It typically costs $9.99 per month, whether or not you have Prime.
Prime Video Channels: Only Prime members can add the many Prime Video Channels, which typically cost $4.99 to $14.99 per month.
Subscribe & Save: Available even to non-Prime members, Amazon's Subscribe & Save program offers discounts when you set up recurring orders for select products. You can get a discount for your first order and then cancel the subscription. However, if you forget, you could end up spending extra money on more products than you want or need. I learned that the hard way when I received extra bottles of mouthwash.

Why might Amazon Prime not be worth it?

Since I utilize enough of the benefits to make Amazon Prime worth the cost, that might not be the case for you. Here are some key considerations.

High (and increasing) membership fee

The upfront cost of an annual membership can be daunting, and opting for the monthly plan brings the cost to $14.99 per month (about $180 per year). And if past experience is anything to go by, that fee is likely to increase.

At some point, the fee might become too much compared to the benefits you're getting from it. I recommend adding up the value based on how much you're saving with free shipping, special discounts, included services (like Prime Photos and Prime Video), and any other features you use.

If the value doesn't exceed the membership fee, it may be worth skipping or canceling Amazon Prime, especially if you're looking into how to save money.

Paid add-ons

Amazon has connections and partnerships with many other companies, which is helpful if you want a one-stop shop for all your needs. Can't find a show you want to watch on Prime Video? Use Prime Video Channels to find it. Need content to keep the kids busy? Sign up for Amazon Kids+.

But beware: such add-ons come at a price and increase your overall cost. I'm guilty of paying for several subscriptions I might not even use often, and being surprised when I do the math. So, if you find yourself needing multiple add-ons to get enough value from your experience, joining Prime might not be worth it.

Potentially better alternatives

Prime has loads of benefits, but are they the best services in their respective categories? For example, how does Amazon Music Unlimited compare to a Spotify subscription? Is Prime Video as good as Netflix? Most of the benefits available from Prime face fierce competition.

In some situations, you might prefer a different service than Prime offers, which is the case with my favorite streaming subscriptions. If you don't use Prime's services, the overall value from your membership will decrease. So, you'd need to carefully weigh the benefits versus the cost for what you do use to decide.

Few perks for in-store shoppers

Amazon is all about online shopping, and Prime caters to its online shopper members. Even though I still shop locally, I use Amazon a few times per week, so this works out fine for me. But if you prefer shopping in person, a Prime membership might not make the most sense.

I recommend carefully reviewing your shopping habits and considering the monthly subscription option if you only need to use Prime's benefits for a short time, such as around the holidays. I also advise doing the free trial to see how you like Prime and better understand the value in your situation.

How to sign up for Amazon Prime

Follow these steps to sign up for Amazon Prime:

1. Head to Amazon.com/AmazonPrime and select the type of Prime membership you want to sign up for:

2. Sign in to an existing Amazon account or create a new account

3. Add a payment method such as a credit card, debit card, or gift card and click on "Continue"

4. If you're eligible for a free trial, including a 30-day trial, select "Activate your free trial"

5. Start exploring your Amazon Prime benefits

FAQs

Is Amazon Prime worth it?

An Amazon Prime membership could be worth it if you get enough value from its benefits. $139 per year for a standard membership comes to nearly $12 per month. This could be offset if you take advantage of one or any combination of Prime benefits, such as Prime Delivery, Prime Music, and Prime Video.

If you rarely use these services, Amazon Prime might not be worth it for you. But the fact that all these common services are included in one membership could offer you more than enough value to offset the subscription cost. Non-Prime members don't have to pay a membership fee, but they also miss out on all the Prime benefits.

Is Amazon Prime better than Netflix?

Amazon Prime could be better than Netflix and other streaming services in some ways, but in other ways, Netflix might be better.

Here's a breakdown of Amazon Prime Video vs. Netflix:

Number of subscribers: Amazon Prime has more than 200 million subscribers, and Netflix has over 325 million.
Price: Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, whereas Netflix costs between $8.99 and $26.99 per month. Certain Prime Video titles also cost extra to rent or buy.
Selection and content: Both services offer access to thousands of movies and TV shows, including original content.

Netflix offers access to some of the most popular streaming content, and its original programming has won dozens of awards. However, Prime Video's streaming library is much larger than Netflix's. If you compare the most expensive Netflix plan to Amazon Prime's annual price, the cost of Netflix can be higher.

Do you save money with Amazon Prime?

Learning how to save money on Amazon depends on your situation. You might save money on shipping if you're a frequent online shopper, or on streaming if you use Prime Video instead of other services. In most cases, you would likely save money with Prime by using a variety of its available benefits, including Prime Delivery, Prime Video, Prime Music, Amazon Photos, and Amazon Luna.

Bottom line

Although Amazon Prime may be worth the price if you do a lot of online shopping, it's not just designed for online shoppers. There are loads of other benefits and services to consider, including Amazon Prime Photos, Video, Reading, Music, Gaming, and more. As a result, there are many ways to get more than your money's worth with a Prime membership.

Many people may still be on the fence about renewing their Prime subscription. But as you become more familiar with the platform and everything it offers, you may find ways to save money on other subscriptions you're already paying for. For help putting cash back into your wallet with Amazon, check out these Amazon hacks.