BarkBox Alternatives: 5 Cheaper Ways to Treat Your Dog in 2026

BarkBox is the most popular dog subscription box in America — but at $23-45/month ($276-540/year), it's also one of the pricier recurring pet expenses. Here are alternatives that deliver similar joy at a lower cost.

BarkBox Pricing Breakdown (2026)

Each Classic box contains: 2 toys, 2 treat bags, 1 chew. Retail value: ~$60-80.

5 Cheaper Alternatives

1. Chewy Goody Box ($15-25, one-time)

What it is: A curated box of toys and treats from Chewy, available as a one-time purchase (not a subscription). Theme boxes available for puppies, small dogs, large dogs, and holidays.

Why it's better for some dogs: No commitment. Buy one when you want to treat your dog, skip months when you don't. You're not locked into a recurring payment you might forget about.

Cost comparison: One Chewy Goody Box every other month = $90-150/year vs BarkBox at $276-540/year.

2. Bullymake ($26-33/month)

What it is: Subscription box specifically designed for power chewers. All toys are rubber, nylon, or ballistic nylon — no plush toys that get destroyed immediately.

Why it's better for some dogs: If your dog destroys BarkBox toys within minutes, Bullymake toys last significantly longer. Better value per toy for heavy chewers.

Cost comparison: $26/mo (12-month) vs Super Chewer at $29/mo (12-month) — saves $36/year with arguably tougher toys.

3. DIY with Chewy Autoship (custom, ~$15-30/month)

What it is: Build your own monthly "subscription" by setting up Autoship on specific toys and treats you know your dog loves. 5% recurring discount on everything, 35% off first order.

Why it's better for some dogs: You choose exactly what your dog gets — no wasted toys they ignore. No surprises, no commitment, cancel any item anytime.

Cost comparison: A bag of premium treats ($8-12) + one durable toy ($8-15) on Autoship = $16-27/month with 5% off. Less waste, more value.

4. PupBox ($29-39/month)

What it is: Monthly subscription box with age-appropriate toys, treats, and training guides. Particularly good for puppies — items are matched to your dog's developmental stage.

Why it's better for some dogs: The training content and age-appropriate items make it more useful than BarkBox for puppies and young dogs. Includes a training guide each month.

Cost comparison: $29/mo for puppies (comparable to BarkBox 12-month pricing) but with training materials BarkBox doesn't include.

5. The "Treat Yourself" Strategy ($0/month)

What it is: Cancel the subscription entirely. Instead, buy 2-3 toys and a bag of treats during pet store sales (Black Friday, Amazon Prime Day, Chewy seasonal sales). Most dogs have 2-3 favorite toy types — buy those specifically.

Why it's better: Dogs don't know the difference between a curated box and a toy from the clearance bin. The excitement is about the new item, not the packaging.

Cost comparison: $100-150/year on strategic purchases vs $276-540/year on BarkBox. Savings: $130-400/year.

If You Keep BarkBox: How to Save

1. Always choose the 12-month plan — saves 34% vs monthly ($23 vs $35)
2. Check the cancel flow — BarkBox offers retention discounts (free toys, discounted months)
3. Use the double deluxe upgrade — new subscribers frequently get a free upgrade on their first box
4. Pause instead of canceling if you're on a multi-month plan — you can't cancel early, but you can pause

The Bottom Line

BarkBox is a good product at a premium price. If your dog genuinely enjoys the toys and you like the convenience, the 12-month plan ($23/mo) is reasonable. But if you're paying $35-45/month on a monthly plan, you're overspending for what you get.

The smartest move: build a Chewy Autoship with your dog's specific favorites ($15-25/mo, 5% off, zero commitment). You get exactly what your dog loves, nothing wasted.