Walmart+ is the retail giant's subscription service that offers free shipping, fuel discounts, and more. Compared to Amazon Prime's $139 annual cost, Walmart+ does provide a more affordable option for quick delivery and other membership perks. Walmart+ offers some enticing perks and benefits, but are they valuable enough to justify the cost? Let's break it down.
How much does Walmart+ cost?
Walmart+ has a price tag of $98 per year or $12.95 per month ($155.40 per year if you were to pay monthly). For comparison, Amazon Prime charges $139 per year or $14.99 per month ($179.88 per year if you were to pay monthly). Both services have a 30-day free trial.
What does a Walmart+ membership include?
Free unlimited delivery
One of the biggest draws of Walmart+ is free unlimited delivery from Walmart stores. This includes same-day delivery on groceries and other essentials from your local Walmart store with no per-delivery fees. If you frequently order online from Walmart, this perk could easily cover the cost of membership.
Fuel discounts
Walmart+ members get 10¢ off per gallon at Exxon & Mobil stations, up to 10¢ off at select Walmart & Murphy stations, and member prices at Sam's Club fuel centers. For the average driver who fills up once a week, this discount could lead to around $100 in annual fuel savings.
Mobile Scan & Go
The ability to scan items with your phone as you shop and pay quickly through the Walmart app can save you significant time versus waiting in checkout lines. It's a convenient perk akin to Amazon's shopping experience.
Early access to deals
Walmart+ members get early access to special promotions, product releases, and Black Friday events before they're available to the public. This could help secure hot-ticket items.
How Walmart+ compares to Amazon Prime
Free delivery may be Amazon Prime’s standout perk, but the membership service does include other benefits that Walmart+ doesn’t currently offer. As each program stands, you may have access to free delivery on more items—without Walmart's $35 minimum order—through Amazon Prime, and Amazon Prime offers free access to Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Photos, and Prime Wardrobe.
On the other hand, Walmart+ offers membership for $41 cheaper per year. And although Walmart+ requires a $35 minimum order for free grocery delivery, you may see lower grocery prices in general from Walmart.
Is Walmart+ worth it for you?
The value proposition comes down to how frequently you order from and visit Walmart stores. If you're a weekly Walmart shopper who also regularly fills up on gas, Walmart+ could easily pay for itself through delivery and fuel savings alone. Occasional shoppers will have to weigh the convenience against the $98 annual fee.
Compared to Amazon Prime's $139 annual cost, Walmart+ does provide a more affordable option for quick delivery and other membership perks. But it remains to be seen if Walmart+ can truly compete with Amazon on merchandise selection and shipping speeds. Only you can decide if the savings and perks outweigh the annual membership fee based on your typical shopping habits.