Walmart vs Sam's Club vs Costco: Which App Is Cheaper?

Choosing between Walmart, Sam's Club, and Costco Wholesale apps isn't as simple as it seems. While they all promise savings and convenience, they operate on fundamentally different business models that dramatically affect your shopping experience.

Maybe you're wondering if a warehouse membership is worth the annual fee, or you're trying to figure out which app gives you the best value for your grocery budget. The truth is, each platform serves different shopping styles and household needs.

This Walmart vs Sam's Club vs Costco comparison will show you exactly what sets these retail giants apart and help you decide which app deserves space on your phone.

Quick Comparison: At a Glance

What All Three Apps Share

Before exploring what makes each app unique, let's look at the core features all three retailers provide:

• Mobile shopping and checkout with saved payment methods

• Digital coupons and deals clipped directly in the app

• Store locator and hours with real-time inventory checks

• Prescription management through in-app pharmacy features

• Shopping lists that sync across devices

• Order tracking for delivery and pickup orders

• Scan & Go technology for contactless checkout in stores

These baseline features are standard across modern retail apps. Now let's examine what truly differentiates each platform.

Deep Dive: Each App's Unique Strengths

Walmart: The Everyday Accessibility Champion

Walmart excels at making shopping accessible and convenient without any membership barriers. The app is free to use with no annual fees, giving you instant access to millions of products from groceries to electronics. With over 4,700 US stores, there's likely a Walmart within a few miles of your home.

What sets Walmart apart is its massive product variety in regular-sized packages. You're not forced to buy a 48-pack of paper towels—you can grab just what you need. The app offers curbside pickup (often within hours), home delivery, and even Express delivery in under 2 hours for urgent needs.

Ideal for: Budget-conscious shoppers, small households, people who prefer buying single items rather than bulk quantities, and anyone wanting flexibility without membership commitments.

Notable limitations: Unit prices are typically higher than warehouse clubs. Walmart+ subscription ($98/year) is needed for the best delivery perks. Product quality can be inconsistent, especially with Great Value store brands.

Download Walmart →

Sam's Club: The Tech-Forward Warehouse Experience

Sam's Club combines warehouse pricing with surprisingly advanced technology. The $50 annual membership (or $110 for Plus) unlocks bulk pricing that typically beats regular retail by 30-40%. Sam's Club operates around 600 US locations, offering a more intimate shopping experience than its parent company Walmart.

What makes Sam's Club unique in this comparison is its superior app technology and checkout innovation. The Scan & Go feature lets you scan items as you shop and pay through your phone, completely skipping checkout lines. Plus members get free shipping with no minimum order, free select prescriptions, and early shopping hours.

Ideal for: Tech-savvy shoppers, families who buy in bulk but want modern convenience, people who hate waiting in checkout lines, and households that can use the Plus membership perks.

Notable limitations: Smaller footprint means fewer locations than Walmart or Costco. Product selection is narrower than traditional stores. Membership fee is a barrier if you shop infrequently.

Download Sam's Club →

Costco Wholesale: The Quality & Value Leader

Costco dominates on product quality and customer loyalty. The $65 annual membership (or $130 for Executive with 2% cashback) provides access to over 580 warehouses. Costco is famously selective about what it stocks, carrying only about 3,700 SKUs compared to Walmart's 120,000+.

What sets Costco apart is its obsession with quality and member satisfaction. The Kirkland Signature private label is legendary for matching or exceeding name-brand quality at lower prices. Costco's return policy is the industry's most generous—you can return almost anything, anytime, with minimal questions asked.

Ideal for: Quality-focused families, bulk buyers who prioritize value over variety, people who want exceptional return policies, and households that can maximize Executive membership rewards.

Notable limitations: App features lag behind competitors (no Scan & Go yet). Limited product selection means you might need to shop elsewhere for specific items. Bulk sizes aren't ideal for singles or couples.

Download Costco Wholesale →

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Pricing Breakdown: The Real Cost of Shopping

Understanding the true cost of each platform goes beyond comparing item prices—you need to factor in membership fees, delivery costs, and shopping patterns.

Walmart charges zero membership fees, making it instantly accessible. However, Walmart+ at $98/year adds free delivery, fuel discounts, and mobile scan-and-go. Without Walmart+, you'll pay $35 minimum for free shipping or $7-10 delivery fees per order. For the Walmart vs Sam's Club comparison on accessibility, Walmart wins for casual shoppers who don't want commitments.

Sam's Club requires $50 annually ($110 for Plus). The Plus membership includes free shipping with no minimum, 2% cash back (up to $500), free select prescriptions, and early shopping hours. If you order online frequently, Plus typically pays for itself within 5-6 orders through shipping savings alone.

Costco charges $65 for standard membership or $130 for Executive (which includes 2% rewards up to $1,250 annually). The math is simple: if you spend $3,250+ yearly at Costco, the Executive membership pays for itself through cashback. Many families report that gas savings alone justify the membership cost, with typical discounts of 20-30 cents per gallon.