Walmart is the default app for cheap groceries, household essentials, and one-stop shopping across the US. The app counts more than 129 million installs and a 4.7 rating, and Walmart+ membership unlocks free shipping, grocery delivery, and Sam’s Club-style fuel savings. Yet the same complaints repeat across reviews: price tags inching up over the past two years, delivery surcharges that erode the perceived savings, store stock that disagrees with what the app shows, and Walmart+ membership perks that work better in some zip codes than others. These Walmart alternatives target those frictions, from grocery-specific apps with cleaner delivery to wholesale clubs that cut per-unit prices.
We compared seven shopping apps that compete with Walmart on Android. The mix covers direct big-box rivals (Target, Amazon Shopping), warehouse clubs that beat Walmart on bulk staples (Costco, Sam’s Club), grocery-first chains with tight delivery integrations (Kroger, Aldi), and aggregator apps that pull from local stores Walmart cannot match (Instacart).
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free delivery | Membership cost | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target | Cleaner aisles, Circle rewards | $35+ orders | Target Circle 360 around $99/yr | Drive-up pickup is the fastest in retail |
| Amazon Shopping | Massive catalog plus same-day | Prime members | Prime around $14.99/mo | Same-day delivery in most US metros |
| Costco | Bulk staples at lowest per-unit price | Threshold-based | $65/yr Gold Star | Generous return policy on most categories |
| Sam’s Club | Walmart-owned bulk shopping | Plus members | $50-$110/yr | Scan & Go skips checkout entirely |
| Kroger | Pharmacy plus full grocery | $35+ for Boost members | Boost around $99/yr | Fuel rewards stack with grocery purchases |
| Aldi | Lowest US grocery prices | Through Instacart partner | Free | Shorter SKU list, faster shopping |
| Instacart | Aggregated delivery from local stores | $35+ for Express members | Express around $99/yr | Same-hour delivery from any participating store |
Why people leave Walmart
The complaints are consistent across reviews and the Walmart subreddit. Pricing inched up across staples: tracking from grocery cost researchers shows that Walmart’s price advantage over Aldi narrowed through 2024 and into 2025, especially on private-label basics. Delivery surcharges chip at the savings: even Walmart+ members hit “high demand” or “small order” fees on Express delivery, which pushes the effective per-trip cost above what a normal in-store run would be. Store inventory and the app disagree: the app says an item is in stock, the shelf is empty, and the store associates cannot help. Walmart+ benefits vary by zip code: same-day delivery, fuel discounts at participating stations, and Scan & Go availability are all uneven across the country.
A fifth complaint: the in-store experience is busy. Walmart’s footprint is big, peak-hour checkouts are slow, and self-checkout limits have created friction in stores that lean on it heavily.
Which Walmart alternative should you pick
- Target for cleaner stores and faster pickup.
- Amazon Shopping when same-day delivery and catalog breadth matter most.
- Costco for the lowest per-unit prices on bulk staples.
- Sam’s Club for Walmart-owned bulk shopping with Scan & Go.
- Kroger when groceries and pharmacy under one roof matter most.
- Aldi for the lowest US grocery prices on a smaller SKU list.
- Instacart for same-hour delivery from any participating store.
Stay on Walmart when the closest store is a Walmart Supercenter, you actively use Walmart+ for fuel and Scan & Go, and the bundled grocery and general-merchandise selection saves you a separate trip.
1. Target, cleaner aisles and Circle rewards
Target’s app pairs a slightly more curated catalog with the fastest pickup experience in big-box retail. Drive Up orders are typically ready in under an hour and brought to the car in minutes after arrival. Target Circle membership offers a base free tier with personalized deals, and Target Circle 360 layers same-day delivery from local stores. Pricing on staples is generally on par with Walmart, with edge cases above or below depending on the SKU.
Walmart vs Target: Walmart wins on absolute price floor and grocery range outside dense metros. Target wins on store experience, Drive Up speed, and apparel and home goods curation.
Where it falls short: Target’s grocery selection is narrower than a Walmart Supercenter, especially in produce and bulk goods. Same-day delivery via Shipt is cheaper for members but still costs a per-order fee for non-members.
Pricing:
- Free to install and use.
- Target Circle is free; Circle 360 unlocks same-day delivery for an annual fee.
Migrating from Walmart: download Target, link a payment method, and try Drive Up at the nearest store. The pickup speed alone is the most noticeable improvement.
Bottom line: the right pick for shoppers who want a cleaner store experience and the fastest pickup in retail.
2. Amazon Shopping, same-day delivery at scale
Amazon Shopping has by far the largest product catalog of any retail app on Android, with more than a billion installs globally and a 4.4 rating. Prime membership unlocks free two-day shipping nationwide and same-day delivery in most US metros, often in under five hours for eligible items. Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market integration covers groceries in many cities, with delivery windows that compete directly with Walmart’s.
Walmart vs Amazon: Walmart wins on in-store grocery shopping and consistent low prices on staples. Amazon wins on catalog breadth, same-day delivery speed, and the Prime ecosystem of streaming and other benefits.
Where it falls short: counterfeits and quality variability are a documented issue across third-party listings. Amazon Fresh is not yet available in every US zip code.
Pricing:
- Free to install and use.
- Prime membership runs around $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
Migrating from Walmart: install Amazon, run a price comparison on your last grocery list, and check Prime same-day delivery availability for your address.
Bottom line: the right pick when catalog breadth and same-day delivery beat in-store grocery savings.
3. Costco, lowest per-unit prices on bulk staples
Costco beats Walmart on per-unit cost across most bulk staples, including paper goods, pantry basics, frozen meat, and household cleaners. The Costco app handles in-warehouse savings, online ordering with delivery to your door, gas prices at participating stations, and Costco Pharmacy refills. Membership pays for itself within months for households shopping for more than two people. The Costco return policy is among the most generous in retail.
Walmart vs Costco: Walmart wins on small-pack convenience and weekly grocery runs. Costco wins on bulk pricing, gas savings, and a curated catalog where the SKUs they carry are usually the best in their category.
Where it falls short: the membership fee is real, the closest warehouse may be miles away, and the bulk format only saves money if the household actually uses what it buys.
Pricing:
- Free to install and use.
- Gold Star membership runs $65 per year, Executive runs $130 per year with 2% rewards.
Migrating from Walmart: start by comparing per-unit prices on the staples you buy most. If three or four items pay off the membership, the rest is upside.
Bottom line: the right pick for households big enough to clear bulk pack sizes before they expire.
4. Sam’s Club, Walmart-owned bulk with Scan & Go
Sam’s Club is Walmart’s warehouse format and the closest direct competitor to Costco. The app’s Scan & Go feature lets you scan items as you shop and pay through the phone, skipping the checkout line entirely. Pricing is generally a hair below Costco on certain SKUs and above on others, and Plus membership unlocks free shipping on most orders plus 2% Sam’s Cash rewards.
Walmart vs Sam’s Club: Walmart is the smaller-pack, lower-membership-cost option. Sam’s Club is the bulk-pack, no-checkout option for households that already buy in volume.
Where it falls short: Sam’s Club has fewer warehouses than Costco in many regions. The catalog overlaps significantly with Walmart, so the savings only materialize on bulk packs.
Pricing:
- Free to install and use.
- Club membership $50 per year, Plus membership $110 per year.
Migrating from Walmart: if you already shop Walmart for groceries, Sam’s Club is the natural step up for bulk pricing without leaving the same parent company.
Bottom line: the right pick for households that want bulk savings without learning a new ecosystem.
5. Kroger, groceries plus pharmacy under one roof
Kroger and its banner stores (Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Harris Teeter, and others) cover most of the US with full grocery, pharmacy, and fuel rewards in one app. The Boost membership unlocks free delivery on orders above $35 and doubles the fuel rewards earned on grocery spend. Pricing on staples is competitive with Walmart in markets where both operate, and the digital coupon system stacks discounts before checkout.
Walmart vs Kroger: Walmart wins on lowest absolute grocery prices in many markets and broader general-merchandise range. Kroger wins on pharmacy integration, fuel rewards depth, and a more grocery-first store layout.
Where it falls short: Kroger does not operate in every US state, and the price advantage over Walmart is narrower than it used to be. The app feels slower than newer competitors during peak hours.
Pricing:
- Free to install and use.
- Boost membership runs around $59-$99 per year depending on tier.
Migrating from Walmart: check whether your nearest grocery is a Kroger banner. If so, the Boost tier pays for itself within months on a regular grocery and fuel routine.
Bottom line: the right pick for households that want grocery, pharmacy, and fuel rewards in one consolidated app.
6. Aldi, lowest US grocery prices on a smaller SKU list
Aldi consistently posts the lowest grocery prices in the US on a curated set of around 1,500 SKUs, mostly private-label brands that match name-brand quality at materially lower prices. The app handles the weekly ad, online ordering, and delivery via Instacart partnership. The shorter SKU list means a faster shopping trip with fewer choices to make, which is part of the appeal.
Walmart vs Aldi: Walmart wins on selection, brand variety, and one-stop shopping. Aldi wins on absolute price on staples, fresh produce quality at the price point, and a faster store experience.
Where it falls short: Aldi’s catalog is narrow, so households that want specific name brands or specialty items still need a second store. Delivery runs through Instacart with the standard third-party fees and markups.
Pricing:
- Free to install and use.
- No membership required for in-store; delivery requires Instacart and adds typical third-party fees.
Migrating from Walmart: swap your weekly grocery run to Aldi for staples and produce. Keep Walmart or another store for the few SKUs Aldi does not carry.
Bottom line: the right pick when grocery prices matter more than brand variety.
7. Instacart, same-hour delivery from any local store
Instacart aggregates delivery from hundreds of grocery, pharmacy, hardware, and pet stores across the US. Place an order, an Instacart shopper picks it up from the local store, and it arrives at your door, often within an hour. Instacart Express (now Instacart+) waives delivery fees on orders above a threshold and reduces service fees. The app’s killer feature is breadth: it covers stores Walmart cannot, including local Aldi, Costco, Wegmans, Publix, and many independents.
Walmart vs Instacart: Walmart’s app delivers from Walmart only. Instacart delivers from whichever local store has the items you actually want, including specialty stores Walmart does not carry.
Where it falls short: in-app prices are generally marked up versus the in-store shelf price, plus the delivery and service fees, plus the shopper tip. The total cost of an Instacart order is materially above the same basket bought in person.
Pricing:
- Free to install and use.
- Instacart+ membership runs around $99 per year.
Migrating from Walmart: install Instacart, link a credit card, and use it for the runs where you actually want a specific store rather than Walmart.
Bottom line: the right pick for same-hour delivery from local stores Walmart cannot match.
How to choose
Pick Target if you want a cleaner store experience and the fastest pickup. Pick Amazon Shopping when catalog breadth and Prime same-day delivery beat grocery savings. Pick Costco for the lowest per-unit prices on bulk staples and the most generous return policy. Pick Sam’s Club for Walmart-owned bulk shopping with the Scan & Go convenience. Pick Kroger when grocery and pharmacy under one app matter most. Pick Aldi for the lowest US grocery prices on a curated SKU list. Pick Instacart when you want same-hour delivery from a specific local store.
Stay on Walmart when a Supercenter is your closest big-box store, Walmart+ delivery and fuel benefits work in your area, and the combined grocery and general-merchandise catalog saves you a second trip.
FAQ
Is Target cheaper than Walmart? On most staples, Walmart still posts a slightly lower price than Target. Target wins on store experience, pickup speed, and Circle rewards, but absolute price-per-item on groceries usually goes to Walmart.
What is the cheapest grocery store in America? Aldi consistently ranks lowest on staples and private-label basics in side-by-side studies. Walmart is usually second, with Costco beating both on per-unit cost for bulk packs.
Is Walmart+ worth it? Worth it for households that order groceries for delivery weekly or use Scan & Go regularly. Less compelling if you mostly shop in person and your closest gas station is not a participating fuel partner.
What app delivers from multiple grocery stores? Instacart aggregates delivery from hundreds of local grocery, pharmacy, and specialty stores. Amazon Fresh covers Whole Foods and select grocery in many US metros.
Is Sam’s Club cheaper than Costco? On bulk staples, the two trade wins. Sam’s Club tends to be slightly cheaper on certain household items, Costco on others. Costco’s return policy is generally more generous and the in-warehouse experience is rated higher.
What can I buy at Walmart that I cannot get at Target? Walmart carries a wider grocery range, more bulk-format household items, and a deeper auto and tire department. Target carries more curated apparel and home goods.
