Last Tuesday, while I was revisiting Manchester by the Sea, a sudden, jarring advertisement for a laundry detergent broke the silence of a pivotal scene. It wasn't just an interruption. It was a reminder that the Prime Video subscription we once signed up for has fundamentally changed.
With the "stealth inflation" in streaming, we're paying the same (or more) for a diminished experience. This post will guide you through the different tiers of the Amazon Prime Video subscription, conduct a comprehensive analysis of the services, and share some tips to save money while getting the best value.
Quick Guide:
Price:
- $8.99/mo. for Prime Video only. (Students at $7.49/mo.) ➡️ Section 1
- Extra $2.99 monthly fee is required for an ad-free experience.
- Extra fee from $4.99 to $15.99 for other channels. ➡️ Section 2
Prime Video Channels: Pay more to enjoy content from other streaming services.
To cancel Prime Video subscription: ➡️ Section 3
My pro tip to enjoy ad-free viewing at less cost: Use KeepStreams ➡️ Section 4
Is the Amazon Prime Video Subscription Cost Worth It? ➡️ Section 5
Basic Info: Prime Video Subscription Price and Features
How much is an Amazon Prime Video subscription? The answer varies by your location. But one thing is sure: We need to pay more for offline viewing and 4K UHD videos.
- Standalone Price: $8.99/mo (Video only, with ads).
- Full Prime Membership: $14.99/month or $139/year.
- Ad-Free Upgrade: An additional $2.99/month is required to remove ads and unlock Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision.
- Core Features: All plans include 4K UHD streaming on supported titles and access to the full library, though ad-supported tiers feature mid-roll ads.
How Much is a Prime Video Subscription in 2026?
According to recent data from MarketWatch and Amazon's official posts, the pricing structure has stabilized following the broad rollout of the "ad-tier" model in early 2024:
| Price (USA) | Monthly Price | Yearly Price | Best For |
| Prime Video Standalone | $8.99 | No | Users who only want streaming |
| Amazon Prime | $14.99 | $139 ($11.58/mo) | Long-term savings |
| Prime Student | $7.49 | $69 | Verified students |
| Government Assistance | $6.99 | No | |
| For an ad-free experience, an extra $2.99/mo. should be added on top of the base plan. | |||
If you are looking to manage your Amazon Prime Video subscription cost, the annual plan remains the most logical choice for the wallet, though it requires a larger upfront commitment. Prime Video sets different prices for users in different regions.
The following table shows the different prices of Prime Video in various regions:
| Region | Prime Membership (/mo.) | Prime Membership (/yr.) | Standalone Video (/mo.) | Ad-Free Extra (/mo.) | Total USD for ad-free video (/mo.) |
| USA | $14.99 | $139 | $8.99 | +$2.99 | $11.98 |
| UK | £8.99 | £95 | £5.99 | +£2.99 | ~$11.41 |
| Germany | €8.99 | €89.90 | N/A | +€2.99 | ~$13.07* |
| Canada | $9.99 | $99 | N/A | +$2.99 | ~$9.62* |
| Australia | $9.99 | $79 | N/A | +$2.99 | ~$8.45* |
| Japan | ¥600 | ¥5,900 | N/A | +¥390 | ~$6.64* |
| India | ₹299 | ₹1,499 | N/A | +₹129 | ~$5.15* |
| Updated on January 20, 2026. *In markets where a "Standalone Video" subscription is not offered, the total is calculated using the standard Monthly Prime Membership fee. | |||||
The subscription plans in the USA and UK contain a standalone video one, which is suitable for users who don't need the shipping service of Amazon.
What Can We Get from a Prime Video Subscription?
Amazon Prime Video provides 2 types of subscription: Base (Ad-supported) and Ad-Free.
- 4K UHD streaming on certain titles
- With mid-roll advertisements
- Removes most ads
- Dolby Atmos & Dolby Vision (yes, Amazon quietly moved it behind the paywall in 2024)
If your goal is a high-fidelity, uninterrupted cinematic experience, the "Ad-Free" plan at $11.98 is the only choice. Furthermore, in 2026, Amazon began testing stricter device limits in certain regions—limiting concurrent streams on TVs to prevent password sharing, similar to Netflix's recent crackdowns.
Hidden Gems vs. Hidden Costs: Prime Video Channels
Have you ever found your monthly bill from Prime Video double what was expected? The answer usually lies in the Amazon Prime Video channel subscription model.
Prime Video Channels are additional, paid monthly subscriptions to third-party networks (like Max, Paramount+, or MGM+) that you can add to your base Prime membership. They offer the convenience of a single billing source and app interface, but come with separate monthly fees ranging from $4.99 to $15.99 per channel. It's convenient, yes, but has a price.
How to Manage or Cancel Your Prime Video Subscription
- Prime Video: Go to Account & Settings > Your Account > End Subscription/Membership.
- Channels: Go to Account & Settings > Channels > Cancel Channel.
- Devices: While the website version is most reliable, you can manage settings via the "Account" icon in the mobile app. (TV apps typically redirect you to the web)
It's important to check your Prime Video subscription from time to time.If you decide to turn to Netflix or Paramount+ for the moment or end the free trial, do not forget to cancel your Amazon Prime Video subscription.
How to Cancel Amazon Prime Video Subscription?
Depending on the devices, the process to cancel a subscription varies:
- Navigate to the Amazon website and log in.
- Hover over Accounts & Lists in the top right and select Membership & Subscriptions.
- Find "Prime" or "Prime Video" and click Manage Subscription.
- Follow the prompts. Amazon will likely ask you, "Are you sure?" at least three times—stay firm.
- Open the Prime Video app.
- Tap the Profile icon (top right) and click the Settings (gear) icon.
- Select Membership & Subscriptions, and tap "End Membership and Benefits".
- From there, tap "Continue to Cancel".
Most TV interfaces (like Roku, Fire TV Stick, or Apple TV) do not allow for direct cancellation due to payment processing rules. They will usually provide a QR code or a URL (amazon.com/mytv) directing you back to your smartphone or computer.
How to Cancel Amazon Prime Video Channel Subscription?
If your base bill is fine but those "add-ons" are draining your account, you need to target the channels specifically. Here's how you can manage your Prime Video channel subscription:
- Go to Account & Settings on the Prime Video website.
- Select the Channels tab from the top menu.
- Under Your Channels, you will see a list of everything from Max to Paramount+. Click the one you want to cancel.
- Click Cancel Subscription.
Noe: You will retain access until the end of the current billing cycle.
The Ultimate Pro Tip: Watch Prime Video Content Ad-Free with Basic Plan
The 2026 Prime Video subscription price is no longer a simple flat fee for a premium experience. Even if you pay for the $2.99 ad-free upgrade, you are still bound by the platform's DRM restrictions—expiring downloads, device limits, and the requirement of an active internet connection for "check-ins."
For those of us who value a permanent, high-fidelity media library, there is a more efficient way to manage your viewing experience: Use KeepStreams for Prime Video to enhance the Prime offline viewing experience.
KeepStreams can not only help us save the monthly $2.99 fee, but also enhance the offline viewing experience by saving Prime Video titles without expiration or other limits. With this tool, we can save content from Prime Video for forever offline viewing.
Based on the powerful built-in browser, KeepStreams is quite easy to use:
KeepStreams works by analyzing the videos you're playing in the built-in browser. It won't provide a DRM bypass service. Therefore, it's necessary to verify your access to the videos in advance (any subscription is fine if you can play the videos).
When you play the video you want to download, KeepStreams will automatically analyze it and prepare a settings window, where you can choose the video quality, audio, subtitles, and more.
Click "Download Now" to save videos without ads. To check the download progress and all downloaded videos, go to the "Downloads" tab. (The real download speed depends on your Internet connection)
⚠️ Note: KeepStreams is intended to help you download videos from Prime Video for personal use only, and downloading copy-protected content is not recommended. You should take full responsibility for your behavior and respect copyright.
Is the Amazon Prime Video Subscription Cost Worth It?
If you are a frequent shopper who utilizes the "Free One-Day Delivery," the $139 annual fee is a logical investment. However, if your interest is purely cinematic, the annual investment is not the best choice.
I recommend using the service strategically. Subscribe when there is a specific series you must see, use a reliable tool like KeepStreams to build your offline archive of favorite films, and don't be afraid to cancel Prime Video subscription during the "dry spells" of content.
FAQs
Q1. Can I get Prime Video for free?
A1. Only via a 30-day free trial for new members or through certain mobile carrier bundles (like Metro by T-Mobile or certain O2 plans in the UK). Always check if your ISP offers a "streaming credit."
Q2. Why am I still seeing ads after paying for the $2.99 upgrade?
A2. Even with a Prime Video premium subscription, Amazon still includes short "trailers" for its own original content at the start of videos. These are distinct from third-party commercials but can still be skipped manually. If you want a 100% ad-free experience, choose an extra tool like KeepStreams to download from Prime Video while removing all commercials.
Q3. Is KeepStreams legal to use?
A3. KeepStreams is designed for personal, fair-use offline viewing. As long as you are downloading content for your own private use and not for redistribution or commercial purposes, it serves as a sophisticated recording tool, much like the DVRs of the past.
Conclusion
Prime Video has been updating its subscription in recent years. But one thing is clear: Whether you are opting for the standalone Prime Video subscription price of $8.99 or committed to the full $14.99 monthly membership, the experience you receive depends on your tolerance for interruptions and your desire for high-fidelity audio and video.
My tip to better take advantage of your Prime Video subscription is: Use your membership to access the library, then use professional tools like KeepStreams to build a permanent, high-quality, ad-free offline archive that you truly own.

