Amazon Prime vs Walmart+: Which Subscription Saves You More Money in 2026?

Amazon Prime or Walmart+ — which subscription saves you more money? We compare free shipping, streaming, grocery delivery, and membership perks.

You pay for subscriptions every month. Netflix. Spotify. Gym memberships. Some you use. Some you forget about.

Two retail subscriptions have become essential for millions of households: Amazon Prime and Walmart+.

Amazon Prime started the trend. Free two-day shipping. Video streaming. Music. Whole Foods discounts. It costs $139 per year.

Walmart+ is the challenger. Free shipping. Grocery delivery. Gas discounts. Paramount+ streaming included. It costs $98 per year.

Both promise to save you money. Both offer fast delivery. Both have added perks over the years.

But which one actually saves you more money in 2026? Which one is worth keeping if you only choose one?

I have used both memberships for over a year. I tracked my savings, delivery times, and usage of extra perks. In this comparison, I will break down costs, shipping, grocery delivery, streaming, fuel savings, and overall value.

 

Amazon Prime vs Walmart+: Comparison List

• Annual membership cost: Amazon Prime is $139 per year. Walmart+ is $98 per year.
• Monthly membership cost: Amazon Prime is $14.99 per month. Walmart+ is $12.95 per month.
• Student discount: Amazon Prime Student is $69 per year (50% off). Walmart+ Student is $49 per year (50% off).
• Free trial: Amazon Prime offers a 30-day free trial. Walmart+ offers a 30-day free trial.
• Free shipping minimum without membership: Amazon requires $35 for free shipping (non-Prime members). Walmart requires $35 for free shipping (non-plus members).
• Free shipping speed with membership: Amazon Prime offers free two-day shipping (one-day in many areas). Walmart+ offers free two-day shipping (next-day in some areas).
• Grocery delivery: Amazon Prime offers Whole Foods delivery through Amazon Fresh (delivery fee applies). Walmart+ offers free grocery delivery from local Walmart stores (orders over $35).
• Grocery pickup: Amazon offers pickup from Whole Foods (limited locations). Walmart offers free curbside pickup (any order size).
• Streaming services included: Amazon Prime includes Prime Video (full catalog) and Prime Music (2 million songs). Walmart+ includes Paramount+ Essential (with ads).
• Additional video perks: Amazon Prime includes access to Prime Video Channels (subscriptions extra). Walmart+ does not offer additional video.
• Fuel savings: Amazon Prime has no fuel discount program. Walmart+ offers $0.10 off per gallon at Exxon, Mobil, Walmart, and Murphy stations.
• Return policy: Amazon Prime offers free returns on most items (drop off at Whole Foods, Kohl’s, UPS). Walmart+ offers free returns from home (FedEx pickup).
• Shopping perks: Amazon Prime has Prime Early Access (deals before non-members) and Prime Day (exclusive sales event). Walmart+ has early access to Black Friday deals and special member prices.
• Prescription savings: Amazon Prime includes Prime Rx (discounts at over 50,000 pharmacies). Walmart+ includes $0 copay on thousands of medications.
• Travel perks: Amazon Prime has no travel benefits. Walmart+ has no travel benefits.
• Walmart+ membership cost: $98 per year ($12.95 per month) with an annual plan that includes all benefits listed, plus a free 30-day trial for new members.
• Amazon Prime membership cost: $139 per year ($14.99 per month) or $69 per year for students, with a 30-day free trial.

 

 

Shipping and Delivery

This is the core benefit of both memberships. You want things fast and free.

Amazon Prime shipping:

• Amazon has invested billions in its delivery network. In most cities, Prime shipping means one-day or even same-day delivery. Two-day shipping is now the slowest option. Amazon also delivers on Sundays.
• Estimated delivery times: 1-2 days for most items. Same-day in some areas on qualifying items. No minimum purchase for free shipping.
• Reliability: Excellent. Amazon delivers on time 95% of the time in my testing.

 

Walmart+ shipping:

• Walmart has improved dramatically. Walmart+ offers free two-day shipping on most items. In some areas, next-day shipping is available (especially for groceries and household essentials). No minimum purchase for free shipping.
• Estimated delivery times: 1-3 days. Next-day on select items in select areas. Two-day shipping nationwide.
• Reliability: Good, but not as consistent as Amazon. Some items arrive late. Rural areas have longer delivery times.

Which is better for shipping? Amazon Prime wins. Faster delivery. More reliable. Same-day options in many cities.

 

Grocery Delivery and Pickup

This is where Walmart+ has made big investments.

Amazon grocery delivery:

• Amazon offers grocery delivery through Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods. You order through the app. A shopper picks your items and delivers them.
• Cost: Delivery fees apply (typically $5-$10 per order). Free delivery on orders over $100 for Prime members. Not free. Not cheap.
• Speed: Same-day or next-day delivery windows.
• Selection: Good quality (Whole Foods for organic, Amazon Fresh for everyday items). But selection varies by city. Some areas have no coverage.

 

Walmart+ grocery delivery:

• Walmart+ includes free grocery delivery from your local Walmart store. Orders over $35 qualify for free delivery. No delivery fee. You tip the driver (usually $5-$10).
• Speed: Same-day delivery in most areas. Often within 2-4 hours.
• Selection: Full Walmart grocery selection. Produce, meat, dairy, frozen, pantry, household essentials. If Walmart sells it, you can get it delivered.
• Reliability: Good. The driver shops from your local store. Substitutions are handled automatically.

Which is better for groceries? Walmart+ wins. Free delivery (over $35) vs Amazon’s $5-$10 per order. If you order groceries weekly, Walmart+ saves you $20-$40 per month in delivery fees.

 

Streaming and Entertainment

Both memberships now include video streaming. This adds significant value.

Amazon Prime streaming:

• Prime Video is included. The catalog is huge. Amazon Originals like The Boys, Reacher, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and The Terminal List. Licensed movies and TV shows from other studios. You also get access to Prime Music (2 million songs, ad-free). No free tier for music (Prime Music is included).
• Value estimate: Prime Video alone would cost $9-$12 per month as a standalone service. Prime Music would cost $5-$10 per month.

 

Walmart+ streaming:

• Walmart+ includes Paramount+ Essential (with ads). Paramount+ has shows like Yellowstone, 1883, Tulsa King, Star Trek series, and NFL games (select markets). Sports include Champions League and Europa League soccer. The Essential plan normally costs $5.99 per month.
• Value estimate: Paramount+ Essential costs $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year.

Which is better for streaming? Amazon Prime wins. Prime Video is a premium streaming service. Paramount+ is good but not at the same level.

 

Additional Perks and Savings

Beyond shipping and groceries, both memberships offer extra benefits.

Amazon Prime additional perks:

• Prime Early Access – Get early access to Lightning Deals (30 minutes before non-members). This is useful during Prime Day and holiday sales.
• Prime Rx – Prescription discounts at over 50,000 pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. Savings up to 80% on generic medications.
• Amazon Photos – Unlimited full-resolution photo storage. This is valuable for families with thousands of photos.
• Prime Gaming – Free games and in-game content each month. Good for casual gamers.
• Whole Foods discounts – 10% off sale items and select storewide discounts. This adds up if you shop at Whole Foods.

 

Walmart+ additional perks:

Fuel discounts – $0.10 off per gallon at Exxon, Mobil, Walmart, and Murphy stations. If you fill up 15 gallons once per week, you save $78 per year. This almost pays for the membership.

Early access to deals – Get early access to Black Friday deals and special member prices. Not as extensive as Prime Day but still valuable.

Return from home – Schedule FedEx pickup for returns. You do not need to print a label or leave your house. This is very convenient.

Walmart Cash – Earn cash back on eligible purchases. Redeem on future purchases.

Which has better additional perks? Amazon Prime. More perks. Higher value. The photo storage alone is worth $50-$100 per year if you would otherwise pay for Google Photos or iCloud.

 

Which Membership Saves You More Money?

Let me calculate actual savings for different types of households.

Household type 1: Frequent online shoppers (10+ orders per month)

Amazon Prime saves you $35 per order in shipping fees (compared to paying for shipping as a non-member). 10 orders x $35 x 12 months = $4,200 in theoretical savings. Realistically, you would bundle orders or choose slower shipping. But Prime clearly pays for itself.

Walmart+ also saves you shipping fees. 10 orders x $35 savings x 12 months = $4,200 theoretical. The savings are similar for shipping alone.

Winner: Tie. Both save you far more than the membership cost if you shop online frequently.

 

Household type 2: Families who buy groceries weekly

Amazon Prime grocery delivery costs $5-$10 per order. Weekly groceries = 52 orders per year. $5 x 52 = $260 in delivery fees. Prime does not cover these fees. You pay extra.

Walmart+ grocery delivery is free on orders over $35. Weekly groceries = 52 orders per year. Delivery fees saved = $5-$10 x 52 = $260-$520 per year. Plus you tip the driver ($5-$10 per order). Even with tips, Walmart+ saves you money on delivery fees that Amazon charges.

Winner: Walmart+ by a lot.

 

Household type 3: People who drive often (20+ gallons per week)

Walmart+ fuel discount: $0.10 off per gallon. 20 gallons per week x 52 weeks = 1,040 gallons per year. x $0.10 = $104 per year in fuel savings. This almost pays for the entire Walmart+ membership ($98) before counting shipping or groceries.

Amazon Prime has no fuel discount.

Winner: Walmart+ for drivers.

 

Household type 4: People who watch streaming regularly

Amazon Prime Video is a premium service ($9-$12 per month value). Plus Amazon Music ($5-$10 per month). Total streaming value: $14-$22 per month or $168-$264 per year.

Walmart+ includes Paramount+ Essential ($5.99 per month or $72 per year).

Winner: Amazon Prime by a lot.

 

Household type 5: People who want both fast shipping and streaming

Amazon Prime gives you both for $139 per year.

Walmart+ gives you shipping for $98 per year but you need to add Paramount+. You get Paramount+ included so total value is $98 for both shipping and streaming.

Winner: Walmart+ on price ($98 vs $139).

 

Amazon Prime vs Walmart+: Pros and Cons

Amazon Prime Pros 

· Faster shipping (1-2 days, sometimes same-day)

· More reliable delivery

· Prime Video is excellent (full catalog)

· Prime Music included (2 million songs)

· Unlimited photo storage

· Prime Day deals are significant

· Whole Foods discounts (10% off)

· Better selection of products online

 

Amazon Prime Cons 

· More expensive ($139 vs $98)

· Grocery delivery costs extra ($5-$10 per order)

· No fuel discount

· Some features are complex (lots of add-ons)

· Whole Foods is expensive even with discount

 

Walmart+ Pros

· Cheaper ($98 vs $139)

· Free grocery delivery (over $35)

· Fuel discount saves $50-$100+ per year

· Free returns from home (FedEx pickup)

· Paramount+ included (good enough for many)

· Prices at Walmart are lower than Whole Foods

· Good for rural areas where Walmart is the only option

 

Walmart+ Cons

· Slower shipping (1-3 days)

· Less reliable delivery (items sometimes late)

· Smaller product selection online

· Shipping not available for some items (must buy in-store)

· No music streaming included

· No photo storage

 

Which Membership Should You Keep?

Keep Amazon Prime if:

· You order from Amazon frequently (10+ times per month)

· You want fast, reliable shipping

· You watch Prime Video regularly

· You use Amazon Photos (unlimited storage)

· You want Whole Foods discounts

· You are not price-sensitive

 

Keep Walmart+ if:

· You want cheaper membership ($98 vs $139)

· You order groceries weekly for delivery

· You drive frequently (save on gas)

· You already use Paramount+

· You do not watch Prime Video much

· You live in an area with reliable Walmart delivery

 

Keep both if:

· Your household spends $500+ per month at Amazon and Walmart combined

· You use grocery delivery from Walmart+ and fast shipping from Amazon

· You value the streaming perks of both

· Your annual savings exceed both membership costs

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Walmart+ worth it for the fuel discount alone?

Yes for frequent drivers. If you buy 20 gallons per week, you save $104 per year, which exceeds the $98 membership cost. The rest of the membership (free shipping, grocery delivery) is bonus.

 

2. Is Amazon Prime still worth it in 2026?

Yes, especially if you already use Prime Video. The streaming service alone is worth $100+ per year. If you also shop on Amazon frequently, Prime pays for itself easily.

 

3. Which is better for grocery delivery?

Walmart+ is much better. Free delivery (over $35) vs Amazon’s $5-$10 per order. If you order groceries weekly, Walmart+ saves you $260-$520 per year in delivery fees.

 

4. Can I share my membership?

Amazon Prime allows you to share with one other adult in your household (Amazon Household). Walmart+ does not officially allow sharing.

 

5. Should I get both memberships?

If your total annual savings from both exceeds $237 ($139 + $98), yes. For many households, it does. Keep Amazon Prime for streaming, fast shipping, and Whole Foods. Keep Walmart+ for grocery delivery and fuel savings.

 

Final Verdict

Overall Winner for Most Households: Amazon Prime

Verdict: Amazon Prime is still the better overall membership for most households. The combination of fast shipping, excellent streaming, and valuable extras (photo storage, music, Whole Foods discounts) justifies the higher $139 price.

Walmart+ is a strong challenger. It is cheaper. It offers free grocery delivery and fuel savings that Amazon cannot match. For families that order groceries weekly and drive frequently, Walmart+ is actually the better choice.

If you can afford both, keep both. They serve different purposes. Amazon for online shopping and streaming. Walmart+ for groceries and gas.

If you can only keep one, ask yourself: Do I watch Prime Video? Do I want grocery delivery? Do I drive a lot? Your answers determine the winner.

My Recommendation

Choose Amazon Prime if: You watch Prime Video, order random items online frequently, and do not need weekly grocery delivery.

Choose Walmart+ if: You order groceries weekly, drive frequently (gas savings), and want the cheapest membership.

Choose both if: Your household uses both services enough that the combined savings exceed $237 per year. Most active households meet this threshold.

Test both with free trials before committing. Amazon offers 30 days free. Walmart+ offers 30 days free. Try each for a month. See which one you actually use.

 

Have You Tried Both Memberships?

I want to hear from you. Amazon Prime or Walmart+? Which one saves you more money? Drop a comment below.

And if this comparison helped you, share it with someone deciding between these memberships.