In 2025, Amazon continues to refine its services, and its subscription models are no exception. With the introduction of Amazon Prime Lite, many consumers are faced with the question: Which plan should they choose? The standard Amazon Prime or the more affordable Amazon Prime Lite?
Both plans offer unique benefits, but they cater to different types of customers. Let’s break down what each plan offers, the pros and cons, and which one might be right for you.
What’s the Difference?
Amazon Prime has always been synonymous with premium service, offering a range of benefits from fast shipping to exclusive streaming content. With the new Amazon Prime Lite, customers can get access to some features at a lower price, but there are some key trade-offs.
Amazon Prime (2025 Features)
For those who are used to Amazon Prime, the full version in 2025 includes:
- Free Two-Day Shipping: Get fast and free delivery on millions of items.
- Prime Video: Access to the full library of Amazon Originals, movies, TV shows, documentaries, and live sports events.
- Prime Music and Amazon Music Unlimited: Unlimited access to over 2 million songs with Prime Music, or the entire catalog of over 70 million songs with Amazon Music Unlimited (available as an add-on).
- Prime Reading: Borrow books, audiobooks, magazines, and more.
- Twitch Prime: Enjoy free in-game loot, monthly channel subscriptions, and more if you’re a gamer.
- Prime Early Access: Early access to Lightning Deals and exclusive promotions.
- Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Discounts: Shop for groceries with discounts at Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods, where available.
- Amazon Photos: Store an unlimited number of photos with Amazon Photos.
- Additional Perks: Discounts on select items like Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods.
Amazon Prime Pricing
- Monthly: Around $14.99/month.
- Yearly: Around $139/year (savings compared to the monthly plan).
Amazon Prime Lite (2025 Features)
On the other hand, Amazon Prime Lite gives you access to some, but not all, of the benefits of the full version. Here’s what you get:
- Free Standard Shipping: Free delivery within 5-7 business days, but no two-day shipping.
- Prime Video (Limited): Access to Prime Video, but with fewer titles available. You might have to pay extra for some content or access it with ads.
- Prime Music (Limited): Limited access to music, typically only a subset of Amazon’s music library, but without the ability to play specific songs or albums on-demand.
- Prime Reading: Borrow a limited selection of books and audiobooks.
- Fewer Exclusive Deals: Limited access to Prime Day and other special promotions.
Amazon Prime Lite Pricing
- Monthly: Around $7.99/month.
- Yearly: Around $79/year.
What Are the Key Differences?
1. Shipping Speed and Access
- Amazon Prime offers free two-day shipping on millions of items, while Prime Lite only provides standard shipping, which can take up to 5-7 days. If you’re someone who needs fast shipping for work, school, or personal needs, the full Prime might be a better fit.
2. Video Streaming
- Prime Video on the full Amazon Prime plan gives you access to a vast library of movies, shows, and exclusive content like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or The Boys. However, with Prime Lite, your video selection is more limited, and some content may require additional rental or purchase fees.
3. Music Access
- With Amazon Prime, you get access to Prime Music (2 million songs), but for full music streaming, you would need to subscribe to Amazon Music Unlimited. On the other hand, Prime Lite restricts you to the limited free version of Prime Music, making it less ideal for music lovers who need a wider library.
4. Extras (Prime Early Access, Whole Foods Discounts, etc.)
- The full Amazon Prime plan comes with perks such as early access to Lightning Deals, discounts at Whole Foods, and exclusive gaming deals. These bonuses are missing from Prime Lite, which means less incentive for deal hunters or shoppers who frequent Amazon for discounts.
Pros and Cons of Amazon Prime vs. Prime Lite
Amazon Prime
Pros:
- Fast shipping (free two-day shipping)
- Full access to Prime Video (including exclusive titles)
- Unlimited music with Amazon Music Unlimited (with subscription)
- Access to exclusive deals and early access
- Discounts on groceries and other items
- Tons of additional benefits, including Prime Reading and Twitch Prime
Cons:
- Higher cost ($14.99/month or $139/year)
- Might be overkill for casual shoppers who don’t need all the perks
Amazon Prime Lite
Pros:
- Lower monthly/yearly cost (cheaper than full Prime)
- Access to Prime Video and Prime Music (albeit limited)
- Still offers some shipping benefits, albeit slower
- Cheaper option for those on a budget
Cons:
- Slower shipping times (5-7 business days)
- Limited access to content on Prime Video and Prime Music
- Fewer perks (no early access, no discounts at Whole Foods, etc.)
Which One Should You Choose?
The decision between Amazon Prime and Amazon Prime Lite boils down to your personal needs and how much value you place on the full range of benefits.
- Go for Amazon Prime if:
- You want fast shipping and often rely on two-day delivery.
- You’re a frequent shopper on Amazon and want exclusive discounts and early access to deals.
- You love streaming, and Amazon’s video and music services are important to you.
- You shop for groceries at Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods and want to save on those purchases.
- Go for Amazon Prime Lite if:
- You want a budget-friendly option that gives you some benefits of Prime without the cost.
- You don’t mind waiting a few extra days for your shipments.
- You’re mainly interested in occasional video streaming or casual music listening.
- You’re not someone who would use all the exclusive perks or bonuses.