Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Amazon and Walmart are two of the most popular big retailers consumers rely on for their everyday needs — so much so that buying into either of their membership services is often a smart way to save on all their spending.
But which do you choose? CNBC Select takes a look at Amazon Prime and Walmart+ to help you decide which is the better membership for your shopping. While both services offer free shipping, free same-day delivery and free grocery delivery, they differ in cost and added benefits.
And if you want a TLDR upfront, here's a quick side-by-side comparison of Amazon Prime and Walmart+:
Amazon Prime vs. Walmart+
| Amazon Prime | Walmart+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial period | 30 days | 30 days |
| Monthly cost | $14.99 per month | $12.95 per month |
| Yearly cost | $139 annually ($40.88 savings) | $98 annually ($57.40 savings) |
| Student discount | Yes | No |
| Free grocery delivery | Yes - $100 minimum | Yes - $35 minimum |
| Music and video streaming | Yes | Only video, not music |
| Clothing perks | Yes - Prime Try Before You Buy | No |
| Gas discounts | No | Yes |
| Scan to pay in store | Yes | Yes |
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Amazon Prime vs. Walmart+ price
Amazon Prime is the more expensive membership option. While both Amazon Prime and Walmart+ offer a free 30-day trial, Amazon Prime's monthly cost afterward is $14.99 per month and Walmart+ charges $12.95 per month.
If you opt for the annual plan instead, you save with either membership than if you were to pay month to month — Amazon Prime costs $139 annually while Walmart+ costs $98 annually. The annual membership savings is greater with Walmart+.
Amazon Prime also offers discounted memberships for students and those on government assistance programs such as EBT or Medicaid.
Amazon Prime vs. Walmart+ perks
Amazon Prime has been around longer than Walmart+, thus giving the company plenty of time to improve its service — and it shows in the suite of perks Prime members receive. You can benefit from member-only discounts on Amazon.com and at Whole Foods Market, a range of free shipping options, the ability to stream music and videos, books and gaming, plus access to try on eligible clothing before buying with Prime Try Before You Buy.
With Walmart+, members get a Paramount+ subscription included with their membership, plus discounts on fuel: save up to 10 cents per gallon at 14,000+ locations nationwide including Exxon, Mobil, Walmart & Murphy stations.
How to save on Amazon Prime and Walmart+
With both Amazon Prime and Walmart+, you can sign up for their respective credit card offerings to really maximize your shopping and membership overall.
Amazon Prime
For Amazon Prime, members can pair their Prime membership with the newly upgraded Prime Visa to boost their savings and get 5% cash back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, and at Whole Foods Market, 5% back on purchases made through Chase Travel, 2% back on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare) and 1% back on all other purchases. The best part is new cardholders automatically earn a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members.
Prime Visa
Rewards
Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), 10% back or more on a rotating selection of products and categories at Amazon.com, unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card (or more) instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
Annual fee
$0 (but Prime membership is required)
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
19.49% - 27.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Information about the Prime Visa has been collected independently by Select and have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication; if you purchase something through Select links, we may earn a commission.
Also, it's worth noting that those who receive qualifying government assistance can get a discounted Amazon Prime membership at $6.99 per month. Students can get Prime for $7.49 per month or $69 per year.
Walmart+
For Walmart+, members can sign up for the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®*, which offers 5% cash back on Walmart.com, including pickup and delivery, plus 2% cash back in Walmart stores, at fuel stations, at restaurants and on travel and 1% cash back everywhere else. The card also comes with no annual fee.
Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
Rewards
Earn 5% cash back at Walmart.com, including pickup and delivery; 2% cash back on purchases in Walmart® stores, Murphy USA and Walmart® fuel stations, at restaurants and on travel purchases; 1% cash back everywhere else Mastercard® is accepted
Welcome bonus
Earn 5% back on purchases in Walmart® stores for the first 12 months when you use your card with Walmart Pay
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
18.99% or 29.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
N/A
Credit needed
Good/Excellent
Terms apply.
Separately, cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees) can get Walmart+ membership for free. With the Amex Platinum, you'll get up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes and subject to auto-renewals) in statement credits each month to apply to your Walmart+ subscription. Terms apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Rewards
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Annual fee
$695
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Bottom line
You can't really go wrong with either the Amazon Prime or Walmart+ memberships — it ultimately boils down to which retailer you frequent more. If you’re a loyal Amazon customer, Prime is a must since you can benefit from fast shipping, member-only discounts and a variety of streaming features. If you prefer to shop at Walmart, the Walmart+ membership is a good deal so you can get your packages to your doorstep faster and cheaper, plus save on gas and get streaming for free.
If you’re not loyal to either big-name retailer, consider trying both services out with their free 30-day trials.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
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For rates and fees of the Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
* Information about the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
