If you shop on Amazon, you have probably seen the word Prime next to products or been offered an Amazon Prime free trial.
But what exactly is Amazon Prime? Do you need it? And what are you actually paying for?
Amazon Prime is a paid membership from Amazon that gives you a collection of benefits, including fast delivery on millions of eligible products, Prime Video, special offers and other services.
You don’t need Amazon Prime simply to shop on Amazon.
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explain what Amazon Prime is, how it works, how much it costs in the UK, what’s included, how the free trial works and how to cancel it.
Quick Answer: What Is Amazon Prime?
Amazon Prime is a paid Amazon membership that gives you extra benefits when you shop with or use Amazon services.
One of its best-known benefits is fast delivery at no additional delivery charge on millions of eligible Amazon products.
But Prime now includes considerably more than delivery.
Depending on the service and eligibility, benefits include:
- Fast delivery on millions of eligible products
- Prime Video films and TV programmes
- Amazon Music Prime
- Prime Reading
- Exclusive deals and shopping events
- Amazon Photos
- Games and other entertainment benefits
Amazon describes Prime as combining shopping, savings and entertainment within one membership.
Simple explanation: Think of Amazon Prime as an optional membership that unlocks extra Amazon benefits.
Do I Need Amazon Prime to Shop on Amazon?
No.
This is probably the most important thing for a beginner to understand.
You do not need Amazon Prime to buy things from Amazon.
You can have a normal Amazon account, search for products and place orders without becoming a Prime member.
Prime is an optional paid membership that provides additional benefits.
If Amazon asks whether you’d like to try Prime when you’re ordering something, you don’t have to accept the offer to complete an ordinary Amazon purchase.
How Much Is Amazon Prime in the UK?
As of September 2026, a standard Amazon Prime membership in the UK costs:
£8.99 per month
or
£95 per year if you pay annually.
If you kept the monthly membership for a full 12 months, that would cost:
£8.99 × 12 = £107.88
So paying £95 annually currently saves £12.88 over 12 months compared with paying monthly for the whole year.
However, monthly membership gives you more flexibility if you don’t want Prime throughout the year.
Amazon Prime price at a glance
| Membership | Current UK price |
|---|---|
| Monthly Prime | £8.99/month |
| Annual Prime | £95/year |
| Students & eligible 18–24s | £4.49/month |
| Students & eligible 18–24s annual | £47.49/year |
Amazon can change its prices and benefits, so check the current membership information before signing up.
What Do You Get With Amazon Prime?
Let’s look at the main benefits individually.
1. Fast Amazon Deliveries
This is probably the Prime benefit most people recognise.
Prime members can receive unlimited One-Day Delivery on millions of eligible products. Amazon also offers Same-Day Delivery on eligible products in many UK towns and cities, subject to availability and conditions.
However, this doesn’t mean every item sold on Amazon will arrive the next day.
Look at the delivery information shown on the individual product before ordering.
How Do I Know If an Item Is Included With Prime?
When browsing Amazon, look for the Prime symbol and check the delivery information shown alongside the product.
If a product is eligible, Amazon should show the available Prime delivery option before you complete your order.
Always check the estimated delivery date rather than assuming something will arrive the following day.
2. Prime Video
Amazon Prime membership also includes access to Prime Video.
Prime Video is Amazon’s video-streaming service. It lets you watch a selection of:
- Films
- TV programmes
- Amazon Originals
- Documentaries
- Some live sport and other programming
You can watch on compatible smart TVs, phones, tablets, computers, streaming devices and games consoles.
Is Everything on Prime Video Free With Prime?
No. This is an important distinction.
Having Prime doesn’t necessarily mean every film, programme or channel you see inside Prime Video is included at no additional cost.
Some content can require a separate rental, purchase or additional subscription.
Before watching something, check whether it says it is included with Prime or whether Amazon is asking you to pay.
Beginner tip: If you see a price beside a film, don’t assume it is included simply because you’re a Prime member.
Is Amazon Prime the Same as Prime Video?
No.
This causes a lot of confusion.
Amazon Prime is the broader membership that includes delivery and various other benefits.
Prime Video is Amazon’s video-streaming service.
Prime Video is included with the full Amazon Prime membership, but Amazon also offers Prime Video separately. Amazon currently lists the standalone Prime Video option at £7.99 per month in the UK.
So:
Amazon Prime = delivery + entertainment + other benefits
Prime Video = primarily the video-streaming service
If you already pay for full Amazon Prime, you don’t normally need to purchase the basic Prime Video service separately.
3. Amazon Music Prime
Prime membership also includes Amazon Music Prime.
This gives Prime members access to music and podcasts as part of their membership. Amazon distinguishes this from its separate Amazon Music Unlimited subscription, which offers a different music service and can involve an additional charge.
For beginners, the important point is:
Amazon Music Prime is a Prime benefit.
Amazon Music Unlimited is a separate service that may cost extra.
Check what Amazon is offering before agreeing to another subscription.
4. Prime Reading
Prime also includes Prime Reading.
This provides access to a changing selection of digital books, magazines, comics and other reading material as part of the membership.
You don’t necessarily need a Kindle e-reader to use digital reading services because compatible content can also be read using Amazon apps on supported devices.
5. Amazon Photos
Another useful benefit—particularly if you take lots of family photographs—is Amazon Photos.
Amazon currently lists unlimited full-resolution photo storage for Prime members, alongside an allowance for video storage.
Cloud photo storage means copies of your photographs can be kept online rather than existing only on your phone or computer.
We can cover Amazon Photos separately in a future Simple Tech Guide.
6. Prime-Only Deals
Amazon sometimes offers prices and promotions specifically for Prime members.
Prime members also receive access to major Amazon shopping events such as Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days.
Don’t assume something is a bargain simply because it says “Prime Deal”, though.
It’s still sensible to compare prices before buying expensive items.
How Does Amazon Prime Work?
The basic idea is straightforward.
Step 1: You have an Amazon account.
Step 2: You join Amazon Prime.
Step 3: You pay monthly or annually—or use an eligible free trial.
Step 4: Prime benefits are added to your Amazon account.
When you’re signed into that Amazon account, Amazon can recognise that you’re a Prime member.
You’ll then see Prime delivery options and be able to access eligible Prime services.
Does Amazon Prime Have a Free Trial?
Amazon currently offers eligible new UK members a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial.
During an eligible trial, you can use Prime benefits without paying the normal membership fee for the trial period.
But there’s something important to understand.
The Free Trial Can Turn Into a Paid Membership
Amazon states that the free trial automatically upgrades to a paid membership at the end of the trial period unless you cancel.
That means you shouldn’t start the trial and simply forget about it if you don’t want to pay for Prime afterwards.
Simple Tech Guide tip: Whenever you start a free trial for any service, make a note of the date it finishes.
How Do I Know If I Already Have Amazon Prime?
If you’re not sure whether you’re already paying for Prime, check your Amazon account rather than signing up again.
Sign into Amazon and look for your Prime membership information.
Your membership page should show your current membership status and allow you to manage it.
It’s also worth checking your bank or card statements if you’re unsure whether Amazon is charging you.
Common descriptions may contain Amazon or Prime, although the exact wording can vary.
How Do I Join Amazon Prime?
You need an Amazon account before joining Prime.
Amazon’s current process involves signing into your account, choosing the Prime membership you want and providing the required payment information.
You can start from Amazon’s official Prime page:
Important: You don’t need to join Prime from an email or unexpected text message.
If you want to join, go directly to Amazon yourself.
Can I Cancel Amazon Prime?
Yes.
Amazon allows you to cancel a paid Prime membership or stop a free trial from becoming a paid membership.
Amazon’s current instructions are to go to Your Amazon Prime Membership, select Manage, then Update, Cancel and More, and follow the instructions.
Be careful to read each screen because Amazon may show different membership options before the cancellation is completed.
What Happens If I Cancel a Prime Free Trial?
You can cancel the free trial so that it doesn’t automatically convert into a normal paid Prime membership.
The exact access available after cancellation can depend on the membership and cancellation option shown, so check the confirmation Amazon gives you.
Most importantly:
Don’t assume deleting the Amazon app cancels Prime.
Manage or cancel the membership through your Amazon Prime membership settings.
Is Amazon Prime Worth It?
There’s no single answer because it depends on how you use Amazon.
Rather than assuming Prime is worthwhile, ask yourself:
How often do I order from Amazon?
Would I actually use Prime Video?
Would I use any of the other included benefits?
Would I otherwise pay delivery charges?
Am I already paying for another streaming service that I prefer?
Someone who frequently orders eligible Amazon products and watches Prime Video may use several Prime benefits.
Someone who orders from Amazon only a few times each year and doesn’t watch Prime Video may use far fewer of them.
The useful comparison is therefore the membership cost against the benefits you personally expect to use.
Can My Family Use My Amazon Prime?
Amazon provides certain benefit-sharing arrangements through its family/household features, but not every Prime benefit necessarily works identically for every person.
Amazon states that eligible UK family members can share Prime delivery benefits, selected digital content and access to certain Prime deals, with conditions applying.
If you’re setting this up for a household, check Amazon’s current family-sharing rules rather than sharing your Amazon password with everybody.
Is There a Cheaper Amazon Prime Membership for Students?
Yes.
Amazon currently offers discounted Prime membership to eligible higher-education students and people aged 18–24.
The current UK price is:
£4.49 per month
or
£47.49 per year
after the applicable trial period. Eligible users can currently receive an initial six-month trial.
Eligibility and conditions apply.
Is Amazon Prime Safe?
Amazon Prime itself is a legitimate Amazon service.
The bigger risk for beginners is someone pretending to be Amazon.
Be cautious about unexpected emails, texts or phone calls claiming:
- Your Prime membership has expired
- Your payment has failed
- You’re due a Prime refund
- Your account will be closed
- You need to confirm your bank details
- You need to click a link urgently
Don’t give someone your password, card information or security codes simply because they claim to be from Amazon.
If you’re worried about your Prime account, the safest approach is usually to open Amazon yourself and check your account directly, rather than using a link in an unexpected message.
Amazon Prime vs a Normal Amazon Account
Here’s the simplest way to understand the difference:
| Normal Amazon account | Amazon Prime |
|---|---|
| Can shop on Amazon | Can shop on Amazon |
| No Prime membership fee | Paid membership |
| Standard available delivery options | Prime delivery on eligible products |
| Can buy/rent eligible digital content | Prime Video selection included |
| No Prime-only membership benefits | Additional Prime benefits |
The key point is:
Amazon Prime is optional.
You can continue using Amazon without paying for Prime.
Amazon Prime for Beginners: 5 Things to Remember
If you’re new to Prime, remember these five things:
1. You don’t need Prime to shop on Amazon.
2. Prime is a paid membership, not simply an Amazon account.
3. Prime includes more than fast delivery.
4. Not everything you see on Prime Video is necessarily included at no extra charge.
5. A free trial can become a paid membership if you don’t cancel it.
Those five points will prevent much of the confusion beginners experience with Amazon Prime.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Prime
What is Amazon Prime?
Amazon Prime is Amazon’s optional paid membership programme. It combines benefits including fast delivery on millions of eligible products, Prime Video, deals and other Amazon services.
How much is Amazon Prime in the UK?
As of September 2026, standard UK Prime costs £8.99 per month or £95 per year.
Do I need Amazon Prime to buy from Amazon?
No. You can use a normal Amazon account and buy products without joining Prime.
Is Amazon Prime free?
Amazon Prime is a paid membership, although eligible new customers may be offered a 30-day free trial.
Does Amazon Prime include Prime Video?
Yes. Full Amazon Prime membership includes Prime Video.
Is everything on Prime Video included with Amazon Prime?
No. Some content or additional subscriptions can cost extra, so check the information displayed before renting, buying or subscribing.
Can I cancel Amazon Prime?
Yes. Amazon allows members to manage and cancel Prime through their membership settings.
Will my Amazon Prime free trial automatically charge me?
Amazon says its free trial converts to a paid membership when the trial ends unless you cancel beforehand.
Is Amazon Prime cheaper if I pay yearly?
At the current UK prices, yes. Twelve monthly payments at £8.99 total £107.88, compared with £95 for the annual membership.
Is Prime Video the same as Amazon Prime?
No. Prime Video is Amazon’s video-streaming service. It is included in full Prime membership but can also be offered separately.
What Should I Learn Next?
If you’ve understood Amazon Prime, the natural next Simple Tech Guide articles would be:
→ What Is Prime Video and How Does It Work?
→ How to Check If You Have Amazon Prime
→ How to Spot a Fake Amazon Email or Text
Need More Help With Technology?
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