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For years, I was an Amazon Prime member. It felt like the “must-have” subscription everyone needed with fast shipping, streaming shows, easy shopping. But somewhere along the way, Prime became less about convenience and more about rising prices, slower shipping, and perks I barely used.
Eventually I switched to Walmart+, and after a full year of testing it, the results honestly surprised me. Now we have the choice to pick Walmart+ or Amazon Prime.
Here’s the real breakdown of what I saved, what I didn’t, and which membership actually gave me the better deal.
Why I Left Amazon Prime After 3–4 Years
Prime used to feel like the obvious choice. But over time, a few things pushed me away:
1. The price kept increasing with limited added value
I was paying around $120/year back then (now higher), and the benefits weren’t improving at the same pace.
2. Two-day shipping wasn’t two-day anymore
Toward the end of my membership, I noticed Prime deliveries slipping:
- “Two day” became three or four
- Weekend deliveries were unpredictable
- Some items stayed in “preparing for shipment” for days
It felt like Prime was coasting on its reputation.
3. Amazon slowed shipping for non-Prime shoppers
This was a big one for me. It took my choice away of using both platforms, turning it into Walmart+ or Amazon Prime only.
If you don’t pay for Prime, Amazon deliberately delays shipping on many items, even when they’re in stock nearby.
It’s a pressure tactic to push memberships, and to me, it felt like a bad business practice. Whether I had Prime or not, they’ve always been known for their wide selection of products, and now it was behind a pay wall.
4. Prime Video content didn’t appeal anymore
Not only did the shows feel less compelling, but many of the good ones were simply becoming rinse and repeat, instead of original interesting ideas.
The selection has slowed down, and new shows are a hit or miss for me.
5. Whole Foods and Prime Pantry didn’t save me money
Whole Foods pricing was rarely competitive with local grocery stores, and Prime Pantry always felt limited in selection.
6. “Savings” felt inflated
Over 3–4 years, Prime told me I “saved” $2,343.
The problem?
Nearly all of that came from their own calculations of shipping value, not actual discounts I could see. This became especially true as more companies offered free shipping.
It’s hard to call something a “saving” when the price of a membership keeps climbing and delivery speeds fluctuate often.
Why Walmart+ Has Been a Better Value for Me
After switching to Walmart+, my experience felt refreshingly different.
1. Walmart+ actually saved me real money
I tracked an entire year of use and saved:
$890.30 in Walmart+ member benefits. This wasn’t “imaginary shipping savings.”
These were actual groceries delivered, member discounts, and perks I used regularly.
2. Free Paramount+ or Peacock included
Prime Video has been trending toward paywalled content, or shows not as interesting to my personal preferences.
Walmart+ gives you a free streaming service (Paramount+ or Peacock), with the option to alternate after a certain period.
Even if the library is smaller, it’s a real included bonus and not a platform full of upsells.
3. Grocery delivery makes Walmart+ worth it alone
While Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods left a lot to be desired for me, Walmart’s grocery delivery is:
- Fast
- Affordable
- Consistent
Most of the $890.30 I saved came from:
- Delivery fees waived
- Fuel discounts
- Member-only deals
- Time saved not going to the store (about 2 hours every other week)
4. Walmart One Pay credit card gives 3% cashback
If you hold the Walmart credit card (One Pay version), you get:
- 3% back on Walmart.com
- Extra rewards on select categories
- Stronger cash-back promotions for Walmart+ members
This added real money back and not credits or points buried in a system.
5. Walmart doesn’t punish non-members
Unlike Amazon, Walmart doesn’t artificially slow shipping for non-members to force upgrades.
If an item is available, they deliver it at a reasonable pace, membership or not.
6. Walmart+ is cheaper
At $98/year, Walmart+ costs less than Prime, even before considering savings. But I imagine this will also increase over time…
Shipping Reality: Amazon vs Walmart+
Picking Walmart+ or Amazon Prime, here’s where the two memberships differ most.
Amazon Prime Pros
✔ Huge 3rd-party marketplace
✔ Imports from overseas often ship quickly
✔ Best for niche items or rapid replenishment
Amazon Prime Cons
✘ Shipping isn’t as fast as advertised anymore
✘ Non-members get forced slow shipping
✘ Many “Prime” items have variable shipping speeds
✘ Inflated “savings” numbers
Walmart+ Pros
✔ Groceries delivered reliably
✔ Household essentials arrive fast
✔ No artificial delays for non-members
✔ Fees waived for delivery
✔ Membership fuel discounts
✔ Better real-world savings
Walmart+ Cons
✘ Fewer 3rd-party sellers overall
✘ Some items arrive slower (especially long-distance imports)
✘ Not as many niche categories as Amazon
Walmart+ or Amazon Prime: Which One Saved Me More?
Here’s the real bottom line:
Amazon Prime
- Around $120/year when I used it (now $139+ depending on tax)
- Most “savings” came from inflated shipping value
- Streaming value dropped over time
- Grocery perks minimal or overpriced
Walmart+
- $98/year
- $890.30 real savings last year
- Streaming bonuses included (Paramount+ or Peacock)
- Grocery delivery
- Fuel savings
- Member-only discounts
- 3% cashback with Walmart card
For actual money saved, not imaginary estimates, Walmart+ wins by a decent margin for me.
Final Verdict: Is Walmart+ Better Than Amazon Prime?
For me and my household the answer is yes, Walmart+ is significantly better value.
Amazon still wins for:
- Wide product variety
- Fast delivery on imported items
- Marketplace depth
But Walmart+ wins on:
- Real savings
- Grocery delivery
- Included streaming
- Lower membership cost
- Not punishing non-members
- Fuel and household discounts
- Cash-back advantage
If your primary shopping is groceries, household items, kids’ supplies, and essentials, Walmart+ simply delivers more value per dollar.
If you mostly shop niche Amazon marketplaces, Prime may still fit your lifestyle, but it no longer beats Walmart+ on value.
FAQ: Walmart+ vs Amazon Prime
Q: Which membership saved you more?
Walmart+ I saved $890.30 in 12 months, compared to Amazon Prime’s “savings” almost entirely tied to shipping estimates. Walmart+ easily beat it.
Q: Is Walmart+ cheaper than Prime?
Yes. Walmart+ is $98/year, while Prime runs $139+ depending on tax and location.
Q: Does Walmart+ include streaming?
Yes. Walmart+ includes Paramount+ or Peacock, and you can alternate after a set period.
Q: Is Amazon still faster shipping?
For 3rd-party and imported items, yes. But Amazon often slows shipping for non-Prime customers.
Q: Which service is better for groceries?
Walmart+. Their delivery system and pricing beat Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods in real-world use.
Q: Does Walmart+ offer cash-back perks?
Yes. With the Walmart One Pay credit card, you get 3% cashback on Walmart.com purchases, plus periodic member bonuses.