Subscription services everywhere you look these days and Amazon Prime and Walmart+ are two of the biggest players fighting for your monthly budget. Both promise to make your life easier and save you money, but which one actually delivers on that promise depends on how you shop and your lifestyle.

The Price Breakdown

Let’s talk numbers first. Amazon Prime costs $139 per year or $14.99 monthly, while Walmart+ comes in cheaper at $98 annually or $12.95 monthly. Both let you try before you buy with 30-day free trials.

Amazon does better on discounts though. Students pay just $69 per year and get six months free to start. If you’re on government assistance (EBT or Medicaid), Prime drops to $6.99 monthly. Walmart+ offers students a break at $49 yearly, but that’s the extent of their special pricing.

What You Actually Get

Amazon Prime is like getting an entertainment library with your shipping perks. 

📦 The shipping benefit alone is substantial – you get free two-day delivery on millions of items with no minimum order, plus same-day or one-day delivery in many areas for qualifying purchases. 

📺 Prime Video comes loaded with thousands of movies and TV shows or streaming, including original series like “The Boys” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” plus you can rent or buy newer releases. 

🎶 Amazon Music gives you access to over 100 million songs ad-free, though the full catalog requires Music Unlimited for an additional fee ($10.99 a month). 

📖 You also get Prime Reading with free books and magazines, plus early access to Lightning Deals during major sales events. 

It’s trying to be your everything subscription.

Walmart+ keeps things simpler and more practical. 

🚚 Free shipping kicks in with no minimum order requirement, though delivery times are typically 2-3 days rather than Amazon’s faster options. 

🛒 The grocery delivery is where Walmart+ really shines – you get unlimited free delivery from your local Walmart store with orders over $35, and there’s no markup on grocery prices. If your order is under $35, there’s a $9.95 delivery fee.

⛽️ You also get discounts on gas (currently up to 10 cents per gallon) at Walmart and Murphy stations, and you can use your phone to scan items and pay through the app while shopping in stores. 

No streaming services, but also no extras you might not use.

Who Benefits Most?

Senior Couple: Walmart+ offers fantastic conveniences that enhance independence and comfort. Grocery delivery transforms weekly shopping into a simple online experience. The gas discounts provide real savings that add up over time, especially for those on fixed incomes. At $98 annually, it’s budget-friendly while delivering practical benefits that make daily life easier. The streamlined features mean you’re paying for exactly what you’ll use.

Family of Four: Amazon Prime becomes incredibly valuable when shared across multiple family members. Everyone can enjoy Prime Video’s extensive library of movies, shows, and original content, while Amazon Music is an added bonus. The free shipping pays for itself quickly with frequent orders. Amazon’s vast marketplace means you can find products for every family member and age group, making it a one-stop solution for busy parents.

Young Professional or College Graduate: Amazon Prime often provides the best value for this demographic. The convenience of fast, free shipping supports a busy lifestyle where time matters more than driving to multiple stores to save money. Prime Video offers entertainment after long work days, and Amazon Music provides a soundtrack for commutes and workouts. The higher annual cost becomes worthwhile when you factor in the time savings and entertainment value, plus this age group is already comfortable with digital-first shopping experiences.

The Real-World Factor

Where you live matters a lot. If you’ve got Walmart stores and gas stations everywhere, Walmart+ delivers more immediate benefits. Amazon Prime works well anywhere you can get deliveries, but you won’t see those gas discounts.

Your shopping habits matter too. If you’re constantly buying groceries and filling up your car, Walmart+ can pay for itself quickly. If you’re ordering everyday items and big purchases online, and binge-watching shows on weekends, Prime is probably worth the extra cost. 

The Bottom Line

Neither membership is an automatic winner. It all depends on whether you’ll actually use what you’re paying for. The smartest move is to track your shopping and entertainment spending for a month, then see which membership would have saved you more money. Don’t pay for convenience you won’t use or entertainment you won’t watch.

The best subscription is the one that fits your actual lifestyle, not the one with the most features on paper.