OTTGuide / Prime Video / Plans and pricing
Updated July 27, 2026Prime Video Plans and Prices in 2026: What Is the Cheapest Way to Subscribe?
Prime Video-only costs $8.99 per month in the United States, while a full Amazon Prime membership costs $14.99 monthly or $139 annually. Here is the smartest option for your budget.
If you only want the streaming library, the $8.99-per-month Prime Video-only membership is the cheapest standard option. If you regularly order from Amazon and value Prime’s delivery and other benefits, the $139 annual Prime membership is usually the better overall value than paying $14.99 every month.
Quick recommendation
Buy Prime Video-only for the lowest normal streaming price. Buy annual Amazon Prime if you will use delivery and other Prime benefits for most of the year. Add Prime Video Ultra only if ad-free viewing and its enhanced features are worth the extra cost to you.
Prime Video and Amazon Prime prices
Amazon offers more than one route to Prime Video. The important difference is whether you want streaming alone or the wider Amazon Prime membership.
| Option | Price | Calculated yearly cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Video-onlyCheapest standard option | $8.99/mo | $107.88 | Viewers who only want Prime Video |
| Amazon Prime monthly | $14.99/mo | $179.88 | Short-term flexibility plus full Prime benefits |
| Amazon Prime annual | $139/yr | $139.00 | Regular Amazon shoppers and year-round members |
| Prime Video Ultra add-on | $4.99/mo | $59.88 extra | Members wanting ad-free viewing and Ultra features |
Prime Video Ultra requires an eligible Prime or Prime Video subscription. Most live programming and some promotional content can still contain ads. Calculated yearly costs exclude tax and do not imply that every option has annual billing.
Which option should you choose?
Prime Video-only
$8.99/monthBest for streaming on a budget. Choose this when you want included Prime Video movies and shows but do not need Amazon Prime shipping, shopping events or the other full-membership benefits. At unchanged pricing, it calculates to $107.88 for 12 months.
Amazon Prime annual
$139/yearBest full-membership value. The annual plan is equivalent to about $11.58 per month and saves $40.88 compared with paying $14.99 for 12 consecutive months. It makes sense only if you will use enough of the wider Prime membership.
Amazon Prime monthly
$14.99/monthBest for flexibility, not long-term price. Choose monthly if you need Prime for only a short period or are unsure whether you will keep it. If you remain subscribed for a full year, annual Prime costs less.
Prime Video Ultra
+$4.99/monthOptional upgrade. Ultra is not a standalone replacement for Prime Video. Amazon says it adds ad-free viewing for most content, exclusive 4K/UHD and Dolby Atmos access, more concurrent streams and a larger download allowance. Add it only if those features justify the extra recurring charge.
Seven legitimate ways to pay less
Choose Prime Video-only
If you do not use Amazon delivery benefits, avoid paying $14.99 for full Prime. The $8.99 streaming-only membership is $6 less each month.
Pay annually for full Prime
If you know you will keep Amazon Prime all year, $139 annually saves $40.88 versus 12 monthly payments at the current price.
Check Prime for Young Adults eligibility
Eligible higher-education students and adults ages 18–24 can currently get Prime for $7.49 monthly or $69 annually after an eligible six-month $0 trial. Verification is required.
Check Prime Access eligibility
Qualifying government-assistance recipients and income-verified customers can get full Prime for $6.99 per month after an eligible trial. Apply only through Amazon’s official Prime Access page.
Skip Ultra unless you need it
Standard Prime Video includes limited advertisements. Staying with the included experience avoids another $4.99 monthly charge.
Cancel unused Channels
Paramount+, STARZ, Max and other Prime Video Channels are separate paid subscriptions. Free trials can renew on different dates, so check Memberships & Subscriptions regularly.
Rotate streaming subscriptions
Subscribe while watching a particular Prime Original, cancel when finished, and return later. Set a calendar reminder before renewal.
What is the cheapest possible eligible option?
For the general public who only wants streaming, Prime Video-only at $8.99 per month is the lowest normal choice. But eligible customers may pay less for the complete Prime membership: Prime Access is currently $6.99 per month, while annual Prime for Young Adults is $69—equivalent to $5.75 per month before tax.
Those discounted memberships require eligibility and verification. Do not pay another person to “verify” an account for you, and do not upload identity documents anywhere except an official Amazon page.
How much does ad-free Prime Video cost?
Prime Video Ultra costs an additional $4.99 per month and requires Prime or a Prime Video subscription. That means Prime Video-only plus monthly Ultra totals $13.98 per month before tax. Monthly Amazon Prime plus Ultra totals $19.98 per month.
Amazon also says annual Prime members can choose an annual Ultra option for $45.99. When available and appropriate, this saves $13.89 compared with paying $4.99 for 12 months.
Watch for charges that are not included with Prime
Prime Video also sells rentals, movie purchases and third-party Channel subscriptions. A title shown inside the Prime Video app is not automatically included with your membership. Look for the “Included with Prime” label and review the price before confirming. Avoid discounted account sellers, shared-password marketplaces and fake-country pricing tricks; access may disappear and payment information may be compromised.
How to decide in 30 seconds
- You only want streaming: Prime Video-only at $8.99 monthly.
- You use Amazon delivery all year: Amazon Prime annual at $139.
- You only need Prime briefly: Amazon Prime monthly at $14.99, then cancel.
- You qualify for a discount: Compare Prime Access and Prime for Young Adults.
- You dislike advertisements: Add Ultra after deciding whether $4.99 extra is worthwhile.
- You see an additional price on a movie: It may be a rental, purchase or Channel title rather than Included with Prime.
Compare the official membership options
Confirm eligibility, current pricing and trial terms directly with Amazon before subscribing.
View official Amazon fees ↗Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest Prime Video plan in the USA?
For a normally eligible customer who wants streaming only, Prime Video-only costs $8.99 per month before tax. Eligible Prime Access or Prime for Young Adults members may receive the complete Prime membership for less.
Is Prime Video included with Amazon Prime?
Yes. An eligible Amazon Prime membership includes a selection of Included with Prime titles. Rentals, purchases and third-party Channel subscriptions can cost extra.
Is annual Amazon Prime cheaper than monthly?
Yes, if you keep it for 12 months at current prices. Twelve monthly payments total $179.88, while annual Prime costs $139—a difference of $40.88 before tax.
Does Prime Video have advertisements?
The standard Prime Video experience includes limited advertisements. The optional Prime Video Ultra subscription removes ads from most titles, although Amazon notes that live programming and some promotional content may still include them.
Why do some movies cost extra on Prime Video?
Prime Video combines included titles with rentals, purchases and add-on Channels. Content that is not marked Included with Prime may create a separate charge.
Can I cancel Prime Video anytime?
Amazon memberships and digital subscriptions can be managed through the account’s Memberships & Subscriptions area. Review renewal and refund terms before canceling, especially if a third party bills you.
Sources and methodology: U.S. prices were checked against official Amazon Customer Service and About Amazon pages on July 27, 2026. Annual equivalents and savings are arithmetic based on the listed prices. OTTGuide does not sell Prime or Prime Video subscriptions.
Amazon, Prime and Prime Video marks belong to Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. This independent article is informational and is not sponsored or endorsed by Amazon.
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