Amazon Prime Free Trial:
How It Works, Cost, Benefits & Eligibility
Verified on October 1, 2026 by signing in to Amazon and walking through the signup and cancellation screens. Pricing and trial terms change frequently – always confirm the current offer on Amazon's official Prime page before signing up.
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Yes – Amazon currently offers a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime to eligible new members, and many returning members are offered a trial or a discounted reactivation too. During the trial you get the full Prime experience: free fast shipping, Prime Video, Amazon Music, Prime Gaming, Prime Reading, and access to member-only deals, including Prime Day. You won't be charged anything upfront, and you can cancel anytime before the trial ends to avoid being billed.
After the trial, standard Prime renews at $14.99/month or $139/year. Students and 18–24 year-olds qualify for a longer six-month trial, and people on government assistance can get a discounted rate. Below, we break down exactly how the trial works, who qualifies, what's included, whether Prime is worth keeping, and how to cancel cleanly so you're never surprised by a charge.
Amazon Prime Free Trial at a Glance
The trial gives eligible customers a full month of Prime with no upfront payment. It converts to a paid membership automatically when it ends, so the key is knowing your renewal date and cancelling first if you decide not to keep it.
| Trial length | 30 days for eligible members |
|---|---|
| Cost during trial | $0 – no charge unless you continue |
| Prime benefits included | Yes – full membership perks during the trial |
| Prime Video included | Yes, with full streaming access (ad-supported by default) |
| Cancellation policy | Cancel anytime; access runs until your trial end date |
A quick honesty note: not every account is offered a free trial. Amazon's signup page shows a "Start your free 30-day trial" button only if your account is eligible. If you don't see it, you can still join Prime at the regular rate.
→ Check what your account qualifies for
How to Sign Up for an Amazon Prime Free Trial
Signing up takes about two minutes. Here's the exact flow:
Go to amazon.com/prime.
Sign in or create an account. New customers can register with an email or phone number on the same page.
Look for the free-trial offer. Eligible accounts see a "Start your free 30-day trial" button. If you don't see it, your account may not qualify, but you can still join at the standard price.
Choose monthly or annual. You select your plan now, but you won't be charged during the trial.
Add a valid payment method. Amazon requires a current, valid credit card for the trial. Corporate lines of credit, checking accounts, and prepaid cards aren't accepted. You may see a small temporary authorization, not a full charge.
Activate the trial. You'll get immediate access to shipping perks, Prime Video, and the rest of Prime.
Tip: note your renewal date the moment you sign up. Setting a reminder a day or two before it ends is the simplest way to avoid an unwanted charge.
→ Activate your free trial now
Amazon Prime Pricing
Once your trial ends, Prime renews automatically at the plan you chose. Here's what each option costs as of June 2026.
Monthly plan
$14.99/month – the most flexible option and easiest to cancel month to month.
Annual plan
$139/year – works out to about $11.58/month, saving roughly $40 a year versus paying monthly.
Prime Student (and Young Adult, ages 18–24)
A six-month free trial, then a discounted $7.49/month or $69/year. You'll need a valid student email or proof of enrollment (or age verification for the Young Adult option). Sign up at amazon.com/joinstudent.
Government assistance discount (Prime Access)
If you receive SNAP/EBT, Medicaid, or certain other assistance, you qualify for Prime Access at $6.99/month. You can start with a 30-day trial and reverify eligibility every 12 months. Sign up at amazon.com/getprimeaccess.
PlanTrialPrice after trialStandard monthly30 days$14.99/monthStandard annual30 days$139/year (~$11.58/month)Prime Student / Young Adult6 months$7.49/month or $69/yearPrime Access (assistance)30 days$6.99/month
Remember: all plans renew automatically. Annual is the better value if you plan to keep Prime; monthly is safer if you mainly want it for a specific stretch, like Prime Day.
Everything you get during your free trial
- Prime Video streaming
- Fast, free shipping
- Prime Gaming
- Prime Reading
- Amazon Music
- Prime Day access
What's Included With Amazon Prime?
Prime is a bundle, and the value comes from how much it packs in beyond shipping. Here's what you actually get.
Prime Video
Stream thousands of movies, TV shows, and Amazon Originals, plus live sports and special events when available. Content is ad-supported by default; an ad-free upgrade costs an extra $2.99/month.
Free shipping
Fast, free delivery on millions of eligible items, with same-day or one-day delivery in many areas. For most members this is the single biggest reason to subscribe.
Prime Gaming
Free games you can keep, in-game content for popular titles, and a free monthly Twitch channel subscription.
Prime Reading
A rotating library of ebooks, magazines, and comics you can read at no extra cost on the Kindle app or device.
Amazon Music
Ad-free access to a large catalog of songs and playlists (shuffle-based listening), plus podcasts. Music Unlimited, with full on-demand control, is a separate paid tier.
Prime Day access
Membership – including an active trial – unlocks Prime Day, Amazon's biggest sale event, along with member-only Lightning Deals throughout the year.
Exclusive deals
Prime-only prices, early access to select sales, and discounts at Amazon-owned stores like Whole Foods.
→ Explore everything Prime includes
Prime Video Free Trial
Your Prime free trial includes full Prime Video streaming – there's no separate Prime Video trial to activate if you sign up for Prime itself. Here's what to expect:
Full catalog access during the trial, including Amazon Originals and licensed movies and shows.
Wide device compatibility: smart TVs, Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast/Google TV, game consoles (PS5, Xbox), plus iOS and Android apps and any web browser.
Streaming quality up to 4K Ultra HD with HDR on supported titles and devices, at no extra cost.
Offline downloads on the mobile app, so you can watch on a plane or commute.
Multiple profiles so household members keep separate watchlists and recommendations.
Live sports and events when available, such as Thursday Night Football and select live programming.
One thing to know: Prime Video shows ads by default. If ads bother you, the ad-free add-on is $2.99/month on top of your membership.
Prefer streaming only? Prime Video is also sold as a standalone subscription for $8.99/month – but that version skips the shipping, gaming, and other Prime perks.
Try Amazon Prime free for 30 days
Full access to Prime Video, fast free shipping, and member-only deals. No payment today, and you can cancel anytime before your trial ends.
Start your free trial $0 due today · Cancel anytimePros and Cons of Amazon Prime
Is Prime worth it? For most regular Amazon shoppers, yes – but it depends on how you'll use it. Here's a balanced look.
Pros
Shipping that pays for itself if you order even a couple of times a month.
A genuinely large streaming library plus music, games, and reading bundled in.
Prime Day and member-only deals that can offset the annual cost in a single event.
Everyday convenience – fast delivery, Whole Foods discounts, and easy returns.
Cons
The annual cost adds up if you rarely shop or stream.
Not everything is included – ad-free video, Music Unlimited, premium channels, and some new releases cost extra.
Regional limits mean delivery speeds and some benefits vary by location.
Auto-renewal can catch people off guard if they forget the renewal date.
Bottom line: If you shop on Amazon regularly or would use even two or three of the bundled perks, Prime is easy to justify. If you only want it for one sale or one show, sign up for the free trial, get what you came for, and cancel before it renews.
→ Try Prime free and decide for yourself
Canceling Before You're Charged
Cancelling is straightforward, though Amazon will show a few "are you sure?" prompts on the way out. To avoid any charge, cancel before your trial's end date.
Go to Account & Lists and open Prime Membership (or Manage Prime Membership).
Select Membership settings or Manage membership.
Choose End membership (sometimes labeled "Do not continue" or "End trial").
Confirm through the prompts until you see a cancellation confirmation.
A couple of things to know:
Your access usually continues until the trial's expiration date, so cancelling early doesn't cut your trial short – it just stops the auto-renewal.
Set a reminder a day or two before the renewal date if you're on the fence. That's the cleanest way to avoid an unwanted charge.
→ Manage or cancel your membership
Amazon Prime Customer Support
If you run into a billing question or a problem during your trial, Amazon offers several ways to get help.
Help Center: The fastest route for most issues – search your question or browse Prime-specific articles at Amazon's Customer Service hub.
Live chat: Available through the Help Center for quick, real-time answers on membership and billing.
Phone support: Amazon can call you back through the "Contact Us" flow rather than listing a general hotline, which cuts hold times.
Account assistance: Manage payment methods, renewal dates, and Household sharing directly in your account settings.
Billing questions: For unexpected charges, check your renewal date and order history first, then use chat or a callback to request a review if needed.
For trial-specific help, searching "Prime free trial" in the Help Center usually surfaces the exact article you need.
→ Get help with your Prime membership
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Amazon Prime still offer a free trial?
Yes. Amazon currently offers a 30-day free trial to eligible members. The signup page shows a "Start your free 30-day trial" button if your account qualifies; if not, you can still join at the regular price.
How long is the Amazon Prime free trial?
The standard trial is 30 days. Students and 18–24 year-olds get a longer six-month trial through Prime Student / Young Adult.
Can former members get another free trial?
Sometimes. Amazon may offer returning members another trial or a discounted reactivation, but it isn't guaranteed and depends on your account history. Sign in and visit the Prime signup page to see your specific offer.
Is Prime Video included in the free trial?
Yes. The free trial includes full Prime Video streaming, with access to Originals, movies, and shows. Video is ad-supported by default; ad-free is an optional $2.99/month upgrade.
Can I cancel before the trial ends?
Yes, and you should if you don't want to be billed. Cancel under Manage Prime Membership before the renewal date. Your benefits typically continue until the trial's expiration date.
What happens after the free trial expires?
Unless you cancel, your trial converts automatically to a paid membership – $14.99/month or $139/year for standard Prime – using the plan and payment method you selected at signup.
Do students get a longer free trial?
Yes. Prime Student offers a six-month free trial, then a discounted $7.49/month or $69/year. You'll need to verify your student status.
Is Prime Video available on smart TVs?
Yes. Prime Video works on most smart TVs, plus Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Google TV/Chromecast, game consoles, and mobile devices.
Can I share Prime benefits with family members?
Yes, through Amazon Household. You can share shipping benefits and some digital content, including Prime Video and Prime Reading, with eligible household members.
Is Amazon Prime worth the cost?
For regular Amazon shoppers, or anyone who'll use a few of the bundled perks, usually yes – the shipping and Prime Day savings alone can cover the fee. If you'd rarely use it, the free trial lets you test it risk-free first.
Pricing, trial length, and eligibility were verified on June 23, 2026 and are subject to change. Confirm the current offer on Amazon's official Prime page before signing up.