Amazon Prime vs Costco Membership: price, plans, and which to keep
Current US prices, price history, trial terms, and cancellation friction side by side, built from our service guides. Last reviewed August 26, 2026.
The short answer
Prime costs $139 a year, or $179.88 if you pay monthly; Costco Gold Star is $65 and Executive is $130 with a 2% annual reward. They do different jobs, delivery and video versus bulk in-store shopping, so the real question is whether you need both. Costco's Executive tier only beats Gold Star once you spend more than $3,250 a year in the warehouse, the point where 2% covers the extra $65. Costco has the most generous refund policy in retail; Amazon is refund-friendly on unused renewals.
Costco Membership is cheaper by $74 a year on its entry plan.
At a glance
| Amazon Prime | Costco Membership | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest standard plan | Annual: $139/yr | Gold Star (annual): $65/yr |
| Cheapest plan per year | $139 | $65 |
| Most expensive plan | Monthly: $14.99/mo | Executive (annual): $130/yr |
| Price changes since 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| Latest price change | January 2024 | September 2024 |
| Free trial | 30-day free trial for new members; students get 6 months. | No free trial, but covered by a 100% risk-free money-back satisfaction guarantee. |
| Cancellation | 4 steps | 3 steps · app-store or partner billing caveat |
Cheapest and most expensive plans exclude add-ons, student, bundle, and per-seat plans. Price changes are counted from January 2023. US list prices, last reviewed August 26, 2026.
Which one should you pick?
Choose Amazon Prime if…
Pick Amazon Prime if you order online several times a month or use Prime Video regularly. Pay annually: monthly billing costs $40 more for the same membership.
Choose Costco Membership if…
Pick Costco if you shop in bulk and have a warehouse nearby. Start with Gold Star at $65; upgrade to Executive only when your annual spend clears $3,250, and remember Costco will refund the difference if the 2% reward falls short.
Every current plan
Amazon Prime plans
| Plan | Current price |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $14.99/mo |
| Annual | $139/yr |
| Prime Video ad-free add-onPrime Video shows ads unless you pay this extra. | $2.99/mo |
Costco Membership plans
| Plan | Current price |
|---|---|
| Gold Star (annual) | $65/yr |
| Executive (annual) | $130/yr |
| Business (annual) | $65/yr |
US list prices; taxes, promotions, and app-store billing may differ. Last reviewed August 26, 2026.
Price history, both services
September 2024 · Costco Membership
Gold Star increased from $60 to $65/yr; Executive increased from $120 to $130/yr (first increase in 7 years).
January 2024 · Amazon Prime
Ads arrived on Prime Video; ad-free now costs $2.99/month extra.
February 2022 · Amazon Prime
Annual price rose $119 → $139; monthly $12.99 → $14.99.
How to run both without paying for both
Both are annual memberships, so audit them once a year on the renewal date. Cancel Prime right after a renewal you did not use for a likely refund, and remember Costco refunds the full fee at any point in the year if you stop going.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Amazon Prime or Costco Membership?
Costco Membership. Its cheapest standard plan works out to $5.42 a month ($65 a year) versus $11.58 a month ($139 a year) for Amazon Prime, a difference of $74 a year. Bundles, promotions, and app-store billing can change the final price.
Is Costco or Amazon Prime cheaper per year?
Costco. Gold Star is $65 a year against $139 for annual Prime. Costco Executive at $130 is still cheaper than Prime and pays part of itself back through the 2% reward.
Can I cancel Costco or Prime and get my money back?
Costco refunds the full annual fee at any time under its satisfaction guarantee. Amazon usually refunds a Prime renewal if you cancel shortly after being charged and have not used the benefits.
Full guides
Amazon Prime price & cancellation guide
Amazon Prime remains $14.99 per month or $139 per year, and removing Prime Video ads costs another $2.99 per month.
View guideCostco Membership price & cancellation guide
Costco costs $65/yr for Gold Star or $130/yr for Executive with 2% annual reward on warehouse purchases.
View guideMore comparisons
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