Many people think Alexa is free-after all, you just buy the device and it works right out of the box. But here’s the truth: Alexa doesn’t charge a monthly fee to use its core features. That’s the big misunderstanding. If you’re wondering whether you’ll get a bill every month just for having Alexa respond to your voice, the answer is no. You don’t pay Amazon a recurring charge just to ask for the weather or play music.
What You Actually Pay For
The only cost upfront is the device itself. Amazon sells Echo speakers in a range of prices. The Echo Dot (5th Gen) starts at $49.99. The Echo Show 8, which adds a screen, costs $129.99. The full-sized Echo (4th Gen) runs $149.99. These are one-time purchases. No contracts. No automatic renewals.
But here’s where things get tricky. While Alexa itself is free, some of the things you might want to do with it aren’t. You’re not paying for Alexa-you’re paying for the services you connect to it.
Music Streaming: The Biggest Hidden Cost
If you want to stream music with Alexa, you’ll need a music service. Amazon’s own Amazon Music Unlimited costs $10.99 per month for non-Prime members. Prime members get it for $9.99. That’s not a fee for Alexa-it’s a fee for the music. You could also use Spotify Premium ($10.99/month), Apple Music ($10.99/month), or YouTube Music ($10.99/month). None of these are Alexa charges. They’re just apps you link to your device.
Here’s the catch: if you’re already a Prime member, you get Amazon Music Prime included for free. That means you can ask Alexa to play songs without paying extra. But if you want access to millions more songs, you’ll need to upgrade to Amazon Music Unlimited. That’s where the monthly cost creeps in-not because of Alexa, but because of the music.
Smart Home Subscriptions: Not All Devices Are Free
Alexa doesn’t charge you to control your lights, locks, or thermostats. But some smart home devices require their own subscriptions. For example:
- Ring doorbells and cameras need a Ring Protect plan ($4/month or $40/year) if you want to save video history.
- Arlo cameras require an Arlo Smart subscription ($11.99/month) for motion alerts and AI detection.
- Some smart locks like August or Yale offer cloud-based access logs for $3-$5/month.
These are not Alexa fees. They’re device-specific subscriptions. You can still control them through Alexa without paying anything extra-unless you want the advanced features like video storage or facial recognition.
Skills and Third-Party Services
Alexa has over 100,000 skills-voice apps that add new functions. Most are free. You can ask Alexa to order pizza, check your bank balance, or control your TV-all without paying a dime.
But some skills charge. For example:
- A smart thermostat skill from Ecobee might require a premium subscription for advanced scheduling.
- A voice-controlled gardening app might charge $2/month for weather-based watering tips.
- Some fitness coaches or meditation guides offer monthly plans.
These are rare. Most users never pay for a skill. Amazon makes it clear before you sign up: if a skill costs money, it says so upfront. You have to opt in. No surprise charges.
Do You Need Alexa Guard or Alexa Guard Plus?
Alexa Guard is a free feature that listens for sounds like smoke alarms or glass breaking when you’re away. It sends you an alert. It works with any Echo device and doesn’t cost anything.
Alexa Guard Plus is a paid upgrade at $9.99/month or $99/year. It adds:
- Professional monitoring (they call you or emergency services if something’s wrong)
- Integration with ADT and other security systems
- Extended sound detection (like footsteps or voices)
Most people don’t need Guard Plus. The free version works fine for basic alerts. Guard Plus is only worth it if you want 24/7 professional monitoring-like a security company watching your home. It’s not a requirement. It’s an option.
What You Don’t Pay For
Let’s clear up a few myths:
- No monthly fee for Alexa voice recognition-it’s built into the device.
- No fee for setting routines-you can say "Good morning" and have lights turn on, news play, and coffee start brewing-all free.
- No charge for calling or messaging-you can call other Alexa users or send voice messages without paying.
- No subscription for weather, news, or traffic-Alexa pulls this data for free.
The only time you pay is if you choose to add a paid service on top of Alexa. Think of it like a TV. The TV itself costs money. The channels you watch might cost extra. But the TV doesn’t bill you just because it’s on.
Real-World Example: A Typical Alexa Setup
Here’s what a typical household might spend:
- Echo Dot (5th Gen): $49.99 (one-time)
- Amazon Prime membership: $14.99/month (includes free music, video, shipping)
- Ring Video Doorbell: $99.99 (one-time)
- Ring Protect Basic: $3.99/month (for one camera)
- Smart lights (Philips Hue): $120 (one-time)
Total monthly cost: $7.98 (just the Ring plan)
Without Ring Protect, the monthly cost is $0. You’re still using Alexa to turn on lights, play music, and check the time. All free.
Bottom Line: Alexa Doesn’t Charge Monthly
There is no monthly fee for Alexa itself. The device works without a subscription. You pay for the hardware. You pay for extras-music, security, smart home features-if you want them. But Alexa? It’s free to use.
If you’re considering Alexa, don’t worry about a hidden bill. Just pick the device you like, connect it to your Wi-Fi, and start asking questions. The monthly cost? Zero-unless you decide to add something extra.
Is there a monthly fee for using Alexa?
No, there is no monthly fee to use Alexa. You only pay for the Echo device upfront. You can use voice commands, set alarms, play music (if you have a free music service), and control smart home devices without paying anything recurring.
Do I need to pay for Amazon Prime to use Alexa?
No, you don’t need Amazon Prime to use Alexa. But if you want free music streaming, faster shipping, or access to Prime Video, then Prime is worth it. Without Prime, you can still use Alexa with free services like Spotify or YouTube Music.
Why do some Alexa skills cost money?
Some third-party developers charge for advanced features in their Alexa skills-like personalized coaching, detailed reports, or premium content. These are optional. Most skills are free, and you’ll always see a price before you subscribe.
Does Alexa Guard Plus really cost $9.99/month?
Yes, Alexa Guard Plus costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year. It adds professional monitoring and integration with security systems. But the free version of Alexa Guard still detects smoke alarms and glass breaking and sends alerts to your phone-no fee required.
Can I use Alexa without any internet connection?
No, Alexa needs Wi-Fi to work. It relies on Amazon’s servers to process voice commands, answer questions, and stream music. Without internet, it can’t respond to most requests. Basic functions like setting alarms or timers won’t work either, since they require syncing with the cloud.
