TORONTO -- Amazon is keeping the cost of an annual Prime membership in Canada steady even as it moves to raise the cost in the United States.

The online retailer says the price of an annual membership will remain at $79 even as it increases 20 per cent in the U.S. starting next month.

The company said Thursday that Prime members in the U.S. will now pay US$119 a year, up from US$99, starting May 11 for new members.

The new price will apply to renewals of existing U.S. memberships starting on June 16.

An Amazon Prime membership gives customers free two-day shipping as well as access to its video and music streaming services and other benefits.

The online retailer recently disclosed for the first time that it has more than 100 million Prime members worldwide