Amazon Prime vs. Walmart+: Which Is Better for You?

Here's what you need to know about these popular services.

The pandemic has caused a shift in the way a lot of consumers shop. These days, more and more people are ordering items online for home delivery, and not surprisingly, they're seeking out ways to save money on shipping.

There's Amazon Prime, which offers unlimited two-day shipping for members with no order minimum. But there's a newer player in the game -- Walmart+, which also offers free shipping without an order minimum.

While both of these services could make it easy and convenient to order online goods, you probably don't need to spend your money on both. And so the question is -- which one is better for you?

Comparing Amazon Prime and Walmart+

Though Amazon Prime costs more than Walmart+ -- annual memberships are going up to $139, as opposed to Walmart's more competitive $98 price point -- it offers a wider range of services. Amazon Prime members get to enjoy free content via Prime Instant Videos and Amazon Music, which are features Walmart+ doesn't offer. Prime members even get access to free books every month.

If you're looking for a service that not only offers free shipping but also entertainment, then it pays to look at Amazon Prime, provided its higher price point works for your budget. But if you don't care about having access to content, or you have enough content via the different streaming services you already pay for, then you may not have a need for Amazon Prime. In that case, you may find that Walmart+ is a suitable alternative that's easier on your bank account.

Of course, there are other features offered by both programs that may appeal to you, like savings on medications and the option to try on clothing at home without having to commit to buying anything (that's an Amazon perk). Check out this table to compare the benefits and costs at hand.

What's the right call?

Choosing between Amazon Prime and Walmart+ may not be easy, so your best bet may be to think about which service you'll ultimately get the most use from. And if you think you'll benefit equally from both, you may want to favor Walmart+ due to its lower price point.

That said, if you're a student, you can now sign up for Amazon Prime and get your first six months of membership for free. From there, your cost is just $6.49 a month. So for your first year, you're looking at roughly $39 for Amazon Prime versus $98 for Walmart+.

If you're still on the fence between the two services, talk to people who use them already and gather feedback. You may also want to read online reviews. You could even decide to try both out for a brief period of time and see which better suits your needs, as both programs offer a limited free trial for new members.