Walmart+ vs Amazon Prime vs Costco: Which Memberships Actually Save You Money in 2026?
Side-by-side comparison of Walmart+ ($98/yr), Amazon Prime ($139/yr), and Costco ($65/yr). We break down which membership saves the most based on your shopping habits.
Americans spend an average of $219/month on subscriptions — and retail memberships are some of the most common recurring charges that people keep without auditing. If you're paying for more than one of these, you're likely overspending.
Here's the honest comparison based on 2026 pricing and real-world value.
The Price Comparison
| Feature | Walmart+ | Amazon Prime | Costco (Gold Star) | Sam's Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | $98/yr ($12.95/mo) | $139/yr ($14.99/mo) | $65/yr | $60/yr (as of May 2026) |
| Free delivery | Grocery $35+ same-day | 1-2 day on most items | Via Instacart (fee) | Club pickup free |
| Streaming | Paramount+ or Peacock | Prime Video | None | None |
| Fuel savings | $0.10/gal at Walmart, Murphy USA | None | Costco gas (typically cheapest) | Sam's Club fuel centers |
| Grocery strength | Walmart stores + delivery | Whole Foods + Amazon Fresh ($10/mo extra) | Bulk only, in-store | Bulk only, in-store |
| Discount tier | Walmart+ Assist: $49/yr | Prime Student: $7.49/mo | Executive: $130/yr (2% cashback) | Plus: $120/yr (cashback) |
Who Should Keep What
Keep Walmart+ if: You order groceries for delivery regularly, live near a Walmart, and value the fuel savings. The included streaming (Paramount+ or Peacock) adds ~$6/mo in value. Best for suburban families who shop Walmart weekly.
Keep Amazon Prime if: You order diverse products online frequently and value 1-2 day shipping on everything. Prime Video has the strongest content library. Best for heavy online shoppers.
Keep Costco if: You buy in bulk monthly, love Kirkland brand products, and use Costco gas stations (typically the cheapest fuel available). Best for families who do large monthly stock-up trips.
Keep Sam's Club if: You want the cheapest warehouse option and love the Scan & Go mobile checkout. Plus members can earn enough cashback to offset the membership cost.
The Overlap Problem
Many households pay for two or three of these simultaneously. The most common wasteful combo:
- Walmart+ AND Amazon Prime ($237/yr combined) — Unless you genuinely split shopping between both, pick one.
- Costco AND Sam's Club ($125/yr combined) — These serve the same purpose. Audit where you spend more and drop the other.
- All three (Walmart+ + Prime + Costco = $302/yr) — Almost never justified. The bulk of your savings comes from one primary membership.
The Math: When Each Membership Pays for Itself
Walmart+ ($98/yr): Pays for itself with 13 grocery deliveries/year ($7.95 delivery fee saved each time) OR saving $0.10/gal across 980 gallons/year (~75 fill-ups).
Amazon Prime ($139/yr): Pays for itself if you'd otherwise pay shipping on 28 orders/year ($4.99 each) OR value Prime Video at $11.59/mo.
Costco ($65/yr): Pays for itself if you save $5.42/mo through bulk pricing vs retail — most regular Costco shoppers save far more than this.
Our Recommendation
For most households: Pick ONE primary membership based on where you actually shop most. Use the LowerMySubs audit tool to track what you're paying across all memberships and subscriptions.
The best single membership for 2026: Walmart+ if you prioritize grocery delivery. Amazon Prime if you prioritize online shopping. Costco if you prioritize bulk value and cheap gas.
How Much Would You Save?
How many lines do you need?
$0.00/mo
$0/year
$0.00/mo
$0/year
With 1 line, you'd save
$0/year
That's $0.00/mo back in your pocket