Amazon Prime is an 📝Amazon product that bundles free fast shipping, video streaming, and a growing list of member perks into one paid subscription. Prime launched on February 2, 2005 at $79 a year for unlimited two-day shipping; the US price rose to $99 in 2014, $119 in 2018, and $139 in 2022, where it still sits alongside a $14.99 monthly option. Prime Video arrived as Prime Instant Video in 2011 and became the stage for originals from 📝Amazon Studios such as 📝The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and 📝Fallout, putting Prime in direct competition with 📝Netflix; in 2024 Amazon made ads the default on Prime Video and moved ad-free viewing to a paid add-on. With more than 200 million members worldwide, Prime is the loyalty engine of Amazon's retail business. It is aimed at frequent online shoppers and households, offered in many countries with local pricing, with discounted tiers through Prime Student for college students and Prime Access for qualifying recipients of government assistance.
Key Features
- Fast free shipping — Free two-day, one-day, and same-day delivery on millions of eligible items with no order minimum, plus free package pickup from Amazon Lockers nationwide.
- Prime Video — Streams films, series, Amazon originals, and live sports; ads have run by default since 2024, with an ad-free upgrade sold separately as a paid monthly add-on.
- Prime Day and member deals — An annual members-only sales event held every summer since 2015, plus early access to Lightning Deals and member pricing across Amazon's store.
- Prime Gaming — Free PC games, in-game loot for popular titles, and a free monthly 📝Twitch channel subscription, all bundled into the membership at no extra cost.
- Grocery and pharmacy perks — Member-only prices at 📝Whole Foods Market and access to 📝RxPass, which covers eligible generic medications for a flat $5 monthly fee.
Getting Started
- Visit amazon.com/prime and start the free trial offered to eligible new members.
- Choose monthly or annual billing; students and qualifying households get discounts.
- Shop items carrying the Prime badge to get free, fast delivery applied at checkout.
- Open Prime Video on a TV, phone, or browser and sign in with your Amazon account.
- Share benefits with one other adult in your household through Amazon Household.