Amazon Music review
Music and podcasts free with ads, or ad-free with Prime
- Amazon
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, Web
4.7 from 3.4M App Store ratings 100M+ Google Play downloads #8 in Music on the US App Store
Does it deserve #9?
Is Amazon Music worth it?
For most people, yes. Amazon Music scores 8.1/10 and ranks #9 in Music & Podcasts. It's best for prime members and Alexa households who want music without another big bill. Skip it if you don't use Prime or Alexa and want an app focused only on music. Price: Free with ads; Unlimited is $12.99 a month, $11.99 with Prime; family $21.99.
The verdict
Amazon Music makes the most sense if you already pay for Prime. Prime gets you ad-free music and top podcasts in shuffle mode, and Unlimited adds 100 million songs on demand, HD and spatial audio, offline listening and one Audible audiobook a month, for a dollar less than non-members pay. There's a free tier with ads too. The app mixes music, podcasts and audiobooks, so it can feel busier than Spotify.
- 100 million songs on Unlimited
- HD and spatial audio included
- One Audible audiobook a month
- Ad-free shuffle play with Prime
- Free tier with ads
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Mar 2026Unlimited prices went up, and the family plan is now $21.99 a month
- Nov 2025Alexa+ arrived in the app in beta for Alexa+ Early Access members
Privacy 6.8/10
App Store label: no tracking, but purchases, location, contact info, your content, searches, identifiers, usage and diagnostics may be linked to you.
What we like
- Prime members get ad-free music at no extra cost
- HD and spatial audio at no extra charge
- Unlimited includes an Audible audiobook each month
What could be better
- Prime's music is shuffle play, not full on-demand
- Lots of data is linked to your Amazon account
- Busy app that mixes music, podcasts and books
Prime members and Alexa households who want music without another big bill
you don't use Prime or Alexa and want an app focused only on music
Questions about Amazon Music
Is Amazon Music worth it in 2026?
For most people, yes. Amazon Music scores 8.1/10 and ranks #9 in Music & Podcasts. It's best for prime members and Alexa households who want music without another big bill. Skip it if you don't use Prime or Alexa and want an app focused only on music. Price: Free with ads; Unlimited is $12.99 a month, $11.99 with Prime; family $21.99.
How much does Amazon Music cost?
The free tier has ads. Unlimited is $12.99 a month, or $11.99 for Prime members, and the family plan for up to six people is $21.99 a month.
Is Amazon Music free with Prime?
Prime includes ad-free music and top podcasts, mostly in shuffle mode. Playing any song you pick, on demand, needs Unlimited.
What are the best alternatives to Amazon Music?
The closest alternatives are Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music. See all of them ranked on our Amazon Music alternatives page.
Where does Amazon Music rank?
Amazon Music ranks #9 of 11 in our Music & Podcasts ranking, with an overall score of 8.1 out of 10.