Is Walmart+ worth paying $98 a year?

Are you Team Walmart or Team Amazon when it comes to the retail giant's subscription services?
Walmart+ is the retail giant's subscription service that offers free shipping, gas discounts, and more. Compared to Amazon Prime's $139 annual fee, Walmart+ offers a more affordable choice of fast shipping and other membership benefits. Walmart+ offers some attractive perks and benefits, but are they enough to justify its cost? Let's break it down.
How much does Walmart+ cost?
Walmart+ costs $98 a year or $12.95 a month ($155.40 a year if paid monthly). In comparison, Amazon Prime costs $139 a year or $14.99 a month ($179.88 a year if paid monthly). Both services have a 30-day free trial.
What does a Walmart+ membership include?
Free and unlimited delivery
One of the biggest draws of Walmart+ is the free, unlimited delivery service offered at Walmart stores. This includes free same-day delivery of groceries and other essentials to your local Walmart store. If you frequently order online from Walmart, this benefit can easily pay for the membership fee.
Fuel Discounts
Walmart+ members can get 10 cents off per gallon at ExxonMobil gas stations, up to 10 cents off at select Walmart and Murphy gas stations, and member rates at Sam's Club gas stations. For the average driver who fills up once a week, this discount can save you about $100 per year on fuel.
Scan & Go
Save a ton of time by scanning items with your phone and quickly paying through the Walmart app compared to waiting in line at the checkout counter. It's a convenient benefit that's similar to the Amazon shopping experience.
Early Access Offers
Walmart+ members get early access to special offers, product launches, and Black Friday events before they're available to the public. This can help secure more expensive purchases.
Walmart+ vs. Amazon Prime
Free shipping may be the most prominent benefit of Amazon Prime, but the membership service also includes other benefits that Walmart+ doesn't currently offer. Each plan offers free delivery on more items through Amazon Prime (without Walmart's $35 minimum order), as well as free access to Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Photos, and Prime Locker Room.
Walmart+, on the other hand, is cheaper at $41 per year. While Walmart+ requires a $35 minimum order for free delivery, you may find that Walmart's grocery prices are lower overall.
Is Walmart+ worth it?
The value proposition depends on how often you order and visit Walmart stores. If you shop at Walmart weekly and frequently fill up your car, Walmart+ could easily pay for itself through delivery and gas savings alone. Occasional shoppers must weigh the convenience against the $98 annual fee.
Compared to Amazon Prime's $139 annual fee, Walmart+ offers a more affordable option for fast shipping and other membership benefits. But it remains to be seen whether Walmart+ can truly compete with Amazon in terms of product selection and delivery speeds. Only you can decide whether the savings and benefits outweigh the annual membership fee based on your typical purchasing habits.