Amazon Prime South Africa Price
Is it worth it for South African shoppers?
Amazon officially launched in South Africa in May 2024, bringing Prime membership to local shoppers. But what does it cost, and is it worth the price?
In this guide, we break down the Amazon Prime South Africa price, what benefits you get, and how it compares to other streaming and shopping services.
Amazon Prime SA Pricing
Monthly Plan
R79
per month
Cancel anytime
Annual Plan
R749
per year
Save R199 (21% off)
Both plans include a 30-day free trial for new members.
What's Included in Amazon Prime SA?
Prime Video
Stream thousands of movies, TV shows, and Amazon Originals like The Boys, Reacher, The Rings of Power, and Fallout. Includes live sports content.
Free & Fast Delivery
Free delivery on eligible items from Amazon.co.za. Prime members get priority delivery and access to exclusive deals.
Amazon Music Prime
Access to millions of songs ad-free in shuffle mode. Note: This is the basic tier, not Amazon Music Unlimited.
Prime Reading
Borrow eBooks, magazines, and comics from the Prime Reading catalogue on Kindle or the Kindle app.
Prime Gaming
Free games, in-game loot, and a free Twitch channel subscription every month for gamers.
Prime Day & Exclusive Deals
Early access to Lightning Deals and exclusive savings during Prime Day sales events.
How Does It Compare?
| Service | Monthly Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime | R79 | Video, Music, Delivery, Reading, Gaming |
| Netflix (Basic) | R99 | Video streaming only |
| Netflix (Standard) | R179 | Video streaming (HD, 2 screens) |
| Showmax | R99 | Video streaming + live sport |
| Disney+ | R119 | Video streaming only |
| Spotify Premium | R79.99 | Music streaming only |
* Prices as of December 2024. Subject to change.
Is Amazon Prime Worth It in South Africa?
Worth it if you:
- • Shop regularly on Amazon.co.za
- • Want Prime Video shows (The Boys, Reacher, etc.)
- • Use multiple Prime benefits (video + music + gaming)
- • Want to save on delivery fees
- • Are a gamer who uses Twitch
Maybe skip it if you:
- • Don't plan to shop on Amazon
- • Already pay for Netflix/Showmax and are happy
- • Only want music (Spotify is better for that)
- • Prefer local retailers like Takealot
- • Have limited internet/data
What's NOT Included (Yet)
Some Prime benefits available in the US/UK aren't available in South Africa yet:
- Amazon Fresh / Grocery delivery - Not available in SA
- Same-day delivery - Limited availability in major cities
- Prime Wardrobe - Try before you buy not available
- Whole Foods discounts - Not applicable in SA
How to Sign Up for Amazon Prime SA
Go to Amazon.co.za
Visit amazon.co.za and create an account or sign in.
Click on Prime
Look for "Prime" in the menu or go to amazon.co.za/prime.
Start Your Free Trial
New members get 30 days free. You'll need to add a payment method.
Choose Monthly or Annual
Select R79/month or R749/year. Annual saves you R199.
How to Cancel Amazon Prime
You can cancel anytime. If you haven't used any Prime benefits, you may get a full refund:
- Go to Account & Lists → Your Prime Membership
- Click Manage Membership
- Select End Membership
- Follow the prompts to confirm cancellation
Pro tip: Set a reminder before your free trial ends if you're just testing it out.
Pro Tips for South African Prime Members
Download for Offline
Download Prime Video content on WiFi to watch later without using mobile data.
Share with Household
You can share some Prime benefits with one other adult in your household.
Check Prime Eligibility
Not all items qualify for free Prime delivery. Look for the "Prime" badge when shopping.
Use Prime Gaming
Claim free games and loot every month - many people forget this benefit exists!
Watch Out For
- • Auto-renewal: Your card will be charged automatically after the free trial ends
- • International shipping: Items from Amazon US/UK aren't covered by SA Prime - you'll pay extra shipping
- • Data usage: Streaming in HD uses a lot of data. Consider this if you have a capped connection
- • Currency: All prices are in South African Rand (ZAR) on amazon.co.za
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my US/UK Amazon Prime account in South Africa?
Prime Video works globally with your existing account, but shopping benefits don't transfer. You'd need a separate amazon.co.za Prime membership for local delivery benefits.
Is Amazon Prime Video the same as Prime membership?
Prime Video is included with Prime membership. You can also subscribe to Prime Video separately (without shopping benefits) but the full Prime membership offers better value.
How fast is Amazon delivery in South Africa?
Delivery times vary by location. Major cities typically get items in 2-5 business days. Prime members get priority on eligible items.
Can I pay with EFT or cash?
Amazon Prime requires a credit/debit card for the subscription. For purchases, Amazon.co.za accepts cards and some alternative payment methods.
Is Amazon cheaper than Takealot?
Prices vary by product. Compare both before buying. Amazon may have better prices on some items, while Takealot wins on others. Consider delivery costs too.
Our Verdict
At R79/month, Amazon Prime SA offers solid value - especially if you use multiple benefits. The combination of Prime Video, free delivery, and gaming perks makes it competitive.
Best strategy: Start with the 30-day free trial. If you find yourself using Prime Video regularly and shopping on Amazon, the annual plan at R749/year is a good deal.