How these grocery delivery services compare when it comes to cost, benefits and more.
By Zoe Malin
People prioritize two things when it comes to grocery shopping: Convenience and great prices. Grocery delivery services Amazon Fresh (available through Amazon Prime) and Walmart Plus offer users same-day and next-day delivery and discounts and sales on groceries with just a few clicks.
But recently, Amazon announced that beginning on Feb. 28, it will start charging Amazon Fresh users delivery fees on grocery orders under $150 (in addition to the $139 annual Prime membership fee). Previously, Amazon only required users to spend $35 to qualify for free delivery (or $50 in New York City). Walmart Plus, comparatively, costs $98 a year and users only need to spend $35 to qualify for free delivery.
As food prices remain high due to inflation, you may be wondering which one of these grocery delivery services, if either, is right for you: Amazon Fresh or Walmart Plus. Below, we break down what both services include, how much they cost and what you should consider when deciding which to invest in. And if you’re wondering how warehouse clubs like BJ’s or Costco, compare, you can read more in our guide here.
- Membership requirement: Amazon Prime membership required.
- Membership fee: $139 a year, discounted memberships available for students and those on certain types of government assistance.
- Delivery cost: Beginning Feb. 28, there will be a $9.95 delivery fee for orders under $50; a $6.95 delivery fee for orders between $50 and $100; and a $3.95 delivery fee for orders between $100 and $150. Orders $150 and up qualify for free delivery. Previously, Amazon only required users to spend $35 to qualify for free delivery (or $50 in New York City).
- Associated credit card: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card, which offers Prime members 5% back on Amazon Fresh orders.
- SNAP/EBT eligibility: You can pay for eligible products with a SNAP/EBT card when shopping through Amazon Fresh, but your SNAP/EBT card cannot be used to pay for the shipping fee if you do not meet the $150 order minimum. In that case, you will need to provide an alternate form of payment.
Only Amazon Prime members can order groceries and household essentials through Amazon Fresh. You’re able to choose an available window for your order to be delivered day-of or schedule deliveries ahead of time. Prime members also have exclusive access to Whole Foods grocery delivery and pickup, but Amazon Fresh has a larger variety of items to choose from since you’re not limited to what one specific supermarket carries. And if you order specific items consistently, you can opt to make them Repeat Items, which means Amazon Fresh will automatically add them to your cart based on a schedule you set so they’re waiting for you before you begin shopping. You also have the option to set up Subscribe & Save for items that offer it — Amazon will automatically ship these items to you after a designated number of weeks or months for up to 15% off.