Amazon Prime is a subscription service that many people have—but not everyone truly benefits from it. For $14.99 a month or $139 a year, Prime offers perks like free two-day shipping, access to Prime Video, and exclusive deals during events such as Prime Day. It’s designed to provide convenience, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Looking closer, the value isn’t always clear-cut. Unless you frequently shop or stream, the annual fee can feel expensive, especially when compared to alternatives like Walmart+. If you don’t regularly order from Amazon, binge-watch Prime Video, or use its grocery delivery services, you might not be getting your money’s worth.
How Much Usage Justifies the Cost?
To justify the subscription, you’d need to place roughly two orders a month—about 24 orders annually. Below that usage, skipping the renewal and saving the money might make more sense.
The True Appeal: Fast, “Free” Shipping
At its core, Amazon Prime is about convenience, with the biggest attraction being fast, “free” shipping. Members enjoy unlimited same-day, one-day, or two-day delivery on millions of items, often without a minimum order. For frequent shoppers, this speed is a significant advantage.
But Prime extends beyond shipping. Subscribers gain access to Prime Video, Amazon Music, and exclusive discounts at Whole Foods and Grubhub. There are also niche perks such as prescription deals, savings at gas stations, and early access to major sales like Prime Day, where many deals are member-exclusive.
Discounts for Eligible Users
Amazon offers discounted memberships for qualifying individuals:
- Prime Access: $7/month for customers receiving government assistance (e.g., SNAP, Medicaid)
- Prime Student: $7.50/month for students and young adults aged 18–24
Is Prime Worth It for You?
Even discounting streaming and grocery perks, the main question is whether the shipping benefit alone justifies the $139 annual fee.
Meredith Dietz from Lifehacker estimates that typical shipping costs without Prime are around $6 per order. That means making at least two Amazon purchases per month (24 annually) is necessary to offset the subscription cost. After that point, the convenience turns into genuine savings.
However, consider these important details:
- Non-members can obtain free standard shipping on orders over $25–$35.
- Not all products qualify for Prime delivery, especially those sold by third-party sellers.
- Delivery speed varies depending on item availability and location; same-day or one-day shipping is limited to
select regions and products.
If you often shop for household essentials, tech gadgets, or even those late-night impulse purchases, Prime likely offers good value. But if your ordering frequency is low—just a few times every few months—you might be paying $139 a year simply for faster checkout.
