Is Walmart Plus Worth It in 2026? Our Honest Take
Walmart Plus offers free delivery from Walmart stores, fuel discounts at participating stations, and a Paramount Plus subscription for $98 per year. Walmart matches or beats many in-store prices for delivery unlike Instacart which marks up items. For Walmart shoppers who would otherwise pay delivery fees, the savings add up. Walmart collects detailed purchase data similar to Amazon but with less integration into a broader tech surveillance ecosystem. For existing Walmart shoppers, Plus provides decent value. For privacy, shopping in-store with cash remains the most private option.
What You Get
- Free same-day delivery from Walmart stores on orders over $35
- Fuel discounts of up to 10 cents per gallon at participating gas stations
- Paramount Plus Essential streaming subscription included
- Scan and Go mobile checkout for faster in-store shopping
- Free shipping on Walmart.com orders with no minimum order requirement
What is Missing
- Delivery availability depends on your proximity to a Walmart store and local delivery capacity
- Paramount Plus Essential tier includes ads, ad-free requires an upgrade payment
- Fuel discounts require using the Walmart app at participating stations
Privacy Concerns
- Walmart collects detailed purchase history and shopping behavior data across in-store and online purchases
- Scan and Go in-store tracking provides Walmart with detailed data about your physical shopping patterns
- Purchase data is used for targeted advertising and promotional recommendations within the Walmart ecosystem
The Delivery Value Proposition
Walmart Plus delivery uses actual Walmart store prices rather than marking them up like Instacart. This means your delivery groceries cost the same as walking into the store, plus you save the delivery fee with Plus membership. For shoppers who value Walmart pricing and order delivery twice or more per month, the $98 annual cost is recouped quickly through delivery fee savings. The same-day delivery window is convenient for groceries and household essentials.
Fuel Discounts Add Up for Drivers
The fuel discount of up to 10 cents per gallon at Walmart, Murphy USA, and Sam's Club stations saves money for regular drivers. If you fill up a 15-gallon tank weekly, that saves roughly $78 per year, nearly covering the membership cost alone. Combined with delivery savings, the total value proposition becomes strong for households that both shop at Walmart and buy gas at participating stations. However, the fuel discount requires using the Walmart app, adding another data collection touchpoint.
Paramount Plus Inclusion Is a Nice Bonus
The included Paramount Plus Essential subscription (with ads) normally costs $5.99 per month or $72 per year. This alone represents significant value within the $98 Walmart Plus membership. If you would watch Paramount Plus content anyway, the streaming inclusion effectively makes the delivery and fuel benefits nearly free. However, the Essential tier includes ads. Upgrading to ad-free Paramount Plus requires an additional payment.
Verdict: It Depends
Walmart Plus is worth it for regular Walmart shoppers who use delivery at least twice monthly and buy gas at participating stations. The store-price delivery, fuel discounts, and Paramount Plus inclusion combine to provide solid value for the $98 annual cost. For shoppers who prefer other grocery stores, do not live near participating gas stations, or prioritize privacy over convenience, the membership adds less value. The privacy trade-offs are similar to other retail loyalty programs: your purchase data is collected and used for advertising.
Better Options
Same Walmart prices without the membership fee, and paying with cash eliminates digital purchase tracking entirely
Better bulk pricing, gas station discounts, and a business model less dependent on data monetization than Walmart
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Walmart Plus better than Amazon Prime?
They serve different needs. Walmart Plus is better for grocery delivery at in-store prices, fuel discounts, and the Paramount Plus inclusion. Amazon Prime offers a broader product selection for non-grocery items, Prime Video, and the broader Amazon ecosystem. If grocery delivery is your primary use case, Walmart Plus may offer better value since Amazon Fresh prices can be higher. For general online shopping, Amazon Prime has a wider selection.
Does Walmart Plus delivery use in-store prices?
Yes, Walmart Plus delivery generally uses the same prices as your local Walmart store, unlike Instacart which allows stores to mark up prices for delivery. This is a significant value advantage. However, availability of specific items may differ between in-store and delivery, and substitutions for out-of-stock items are at the shopper's discretion unless you specify preferences.
Can I use Walmart Plus fuel discounts at any gas station?
No, fuel discounts are limited to participating stations including Walmart gas stations, Murphy USA, and Sam's Club fuel centers. Check the Walmart app for participating locations near you before counting on fuel savings. In areas without participating stations nearby, this benefit has zero value. The discount is applied through the Walmart app at the pump.