Amazon Prime is one of the most popular subscription services in the world, with over 200 million members as of 2022. For a monthly or annual fee, Prime members get access to a range of benefits, such as fast and free shipping, video and music streaming, exclusive deals, and more.
But is Amazon Prime really worth the cost? How often do you use the services it offers? And are there any drawbacks or alternatives to consider? In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of Amazon Prime and help you decide if it’s right for you.
The pros of Amazon Prime
✅ Free one-day or two-day shipping
On millions of items, with no minimum purchase required. This is especially convenient if you need something urgently or want to save on delivery fees. You can also get free same-day or one-hour delivery on select items in eligible areas, including groceries from Whole Foods Market.
✅ Prime Video with exclusive content
Gives you access to thousands of movies and TV shows, including exclusive Amazon Originals. You can watch on your TV, computer, or mobile device, or download titles for offline viewing. You can also get discounts on Prime Video Channels, which let you add subscriptions to premium networks like HBO, Showtime, and Starz.
✅ Prime Music for ad-free streaming
Lets you stream over 2 million songs and podcasts ad-free. You can also create your own playlists, download songs for offline listening, and access curated stations. If you want more music options, you can get discounts on Amazon Music Unlimited, which offers over 70 million songs and thousands of playlists and stations.
✅ Prime Reading with unlimited access to ebooks and more
Offers unlimited access to hundreds of ebooks, magazines, comics, and more. You can read on your Kindle device or app, or use the Kindle Cloud Reader on your browser. You can also borrow books from the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library and get early access to new releases from Amazon First Reads.
✅ Amazon Photos for unlimited photo storage
Provides unlimited full-resolution photo storage and 5 GB of video storage. You can also share your photos and videos with up to five people, create albums and prints, and access your photos on your devices with the Amazon Photos app.
✅ Prime Gaming with free games and in-game content
Gives you free games, in-game content, and a free Twitch channel subscription every month. You can also enjoy Amazon’s new cloud gaming platform Luna, which lets you play high-quality games on your devices without downloads or updates.
✅ Exclusive deals and discounts
On various products and services, such as Whole Foods Market, Amazon Fresh, Prime Day, Prime Wardrobe, and more. You can save money on groceries, clothing, electronics, household items, and more. You can also get early access to Lightning Deals and other special offers.
✅ Rx savings on prescriptions
Allow you to save on prescriptions at 60,000 pharmacies, including Walgreens, CVS, and Amazon Pharmacy. You can compare prices, get free two-day delivery, and manage your medications online or with the Amazon Pharmacy app.
✅ One year of free Grubhub+
Offers unlimited free delivery and 10% cashback on orders from thousands of restaurants. You can also enjoy perks like priority support and exclusive rewards. After the first year, you’ll pay $9.99 per month for Grubhub+.
The cons of Amazon Prime
❌ The cost
Amazon Prime is not cheap. It costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year for regular members, $7.49 per month or $69 per year for students, and $6.99 per month for those who qualify for government assistance. If you don’t use the services frequently enough or find cheaper alternatives elsewhere, you may not get your money’s worth.
❌ Availability limitations
Not all items are eligible for free or fast shipping with Amazon Prime. Some products may have longer delivery times or additional fees depending on the seller or location. Likewise, not all areas are eligible for same-day or one-hour delivery or Whole Foods delivery. And not all content is available for streaming or downloading with Prime Video or Prime Music.
❌ Varying content quality
While Amazon Prime offers a lot of content options for video and music streaming, they may not always match your preferences or expectations. Some titles may have low ratings or reviews, limited availability, or poor resolution. You may also find better selections or features on other streaming platforms like Netflix or Spotify.
❌ Privacy concerns
By using Amazon Prime services, you are sharing a lot of personal information with Amazon and its partners. This includes your browsing and shopping history, your location, your device data, your photos and videos, your voice recordings, and more. Amazon may use this information to personalize your experience, target ads, or improve its products, but it may also share it with third parties or face security breaches.
❌ Ethical considerations
Amazon has faced criticism for its environmental and social impact, such as its carbon footprint, its labor practices, its tax avoidance, its market dominance, and its influence on politics and culture. Some people may not feel comfortable supporting a company that has been accused of harming the planet, workers, consumers, competitors, or communities.
The verdict
👍 Amazon Prime is great for frequent online shoppers and entertainment enthusiasts. However, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Consider your needs, preferences, budget, and values before deciding. Try the free trial to assess its benefits and compare with other services. Get the most out of your online experience!
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