shopping guide
Walmart's Amazon Prime competitor is a great way to save on everyday purchases —for the right shoppers
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Amazon Prime isn’t the only worthwhile membership program on the block. The other major membership program is Walmart Plus, which might be the better retailer subscription service for some shoppers.
At a Glance: Walmart Plus Benefits & Price
- $98 per year or $12.95 per month, after 30-day free trial
- Free shipping on deliveries from local stores and Walmart.com
- Free Paramount Plus and Pluto TV
- 10¢ off per gallon at over 14,000 fuel stations
Like Prime, Walmart Plus membership offers free, fast shipping on many items (as well as same-day grocery delivery), access to special deals, and a host of other benefits like free Paramount+, discounts at gas stations, and scan-and-go shopping in Walmart storefronts.
For many shoppers, it’s a great way to not only save money on everyday items but also save time getting them to your doorstep. If you’re considering getting Walmart Plus, read on. Below is a full Walmart Plus explainer where we’ll run over its price and key benefits, letting you decide if it’s right for you.
NOTE: Walmart Plus Week is happening now through June 23, offering thousands of steep discounts to Walmart Plus members. If you’re considering trying Walmart Plus, now is the best time to do so.
Walmart Plus Price
First, let’s talk price. Walmart Plus costs $12.95 for a monthly subscription, or $98 a year if you pay annually (so, you’re saving about $56 a year with the annual play compared to a year of monthly payments). No matter which plan you’re considering, be sure to take advantage of the Walmart Plus 30-day free trial to test out the service.
Compared to similar membership programs, Walmart Plus is the cheapest option. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, and Target Circle 360 costs $99 a year.
Walmart Plus Free Shipping & Returns
One of the biggest benefits with Walmart Plus is its free shipping perk. Almost all shipping is free with Walmart Plus, and many products (including most popular items) can be delivered in one to three days. This free shipping also extends to same-day grocery delivery from nearby locations, and, recently Walmart removed the minimum order amount on free shipping for groceries. That means you can get as few or as many groceries delivered to your doorstep in hours without paying extra for shipping.
Another spot where Walmart Plus shines is returns. Instead of making you drop your return package somewhere, Walmart will pick up the item from your home. No need for re-packing, labeling, and adding another errand to your schedule to drop it off.
Walmart Plus Deals
Walmart has a huge deal section that anyone can access, but Walmart Plus members get access to better savings — and more of them.
Walmart runs its own branded sale event, Walmart Plus Week, which is happening now. Similar to Amazon’s Prime Day event, Walmart Plus Week offers subscribers access to a bevy of exclusive deals. Check out all of them here.
But perhaps our favorite deals benefit from Walmart Plus is that members get early access to discounts during big sales events like Black Friday. Walmart typically delivers big savings for those kinds of events, and many products sell out, making this a very nice perk.
Walmart Plus Other Benefits
Shipping and deals are the core, money-saving value behind Walmart Plus, but there are a few other attractive benefits that help make membership even better.
The first is free access to Paramount+. The streaming service, which normally costs $5.99 a month, includes hit on-demand content like 1883, Top Gun: Maverick, and Survivor. Paramount+ also gets you access to live events like Champions League soccer.
Another added benefit that Walmart Plus members get is 10¢ off at over 14,000 fuel stations including Walmart, Sam’s Club, Murphy USA, Murphy Express, Exxon, and Mobil locations. You also get free flat tire repair and a road hazard warranty through Walmart Auto Care Centers.
Bottom Line: Is Walmart Plus Worth It?
So, is Walmart Plus worth the price? For most shoppers, we think it is. It’s more affordable than the competition but offers excellent perks that will likely save you money in the long run. Walmart Plus is especially good for anyone who already does their shopping (or part of it) at Walmart because you’ll likely start to see savings on your everyday shopping.
Sign up for a 30-day free trial to Walmart Plus here.
