All buyer's guides
Grocery Delivery · Buyer's guide

Amazon Fresh vs Instacart vs Shipt vs Walmart+: which should you pick?

A side-by-side look at price, features, quality and value across the leading grocery delivery options — so you can choose the right one in minutes.

Visit amazon.com/fresh
The verdict
Editor's pick
Amazon Fresh

Free w/ Prime

Best value
Amazon Fresh

Free w/ Prime $139/yr — lowest sticker price in this comparison.

Best for power users
Instacart

Prime metros only

Feature & price comparison
Feature
Amazon Freshfeatured
Grocery Delivery
Instacart
Alternative
Shipt
Alternative
Walmart+
Alternative
Speed
1-2 hr Prime
30 min
Same-day windows
Same/next-day
Pricing
Free w/ Prime $139/yr
Item markup + $3.99+
$10.99/mo or $99/yr
$98/yr
Stores
Whole Foods + AF
1,500+
~120
Walmart only
Coverage
Prime metros only
95%+ zips
~80% zips
85% zips
Best for
Prime members
Multi-store
Target loyalists
Walmart fans
Why shoppers pick Amazon Fresh
  • Free w/ Prime
  • Whole Foods catalog
  • Trusted logistics
When to consider an alternative
  • Prime metros only
  • Smaller selection
The short answer

Amazon Fresh is a grocery delivery option built for prime metros starting at Free w/ Prime $139/yr. Shoppers pick it for free w/ prime, but it's worth comparing against Instacart, Shipt, Walmart+ if prime metros only.

Which one should you pick?
Pick if…
Amazon Fresh

Free w/ Prime. Pricing: Free w/ Prime $139/yr.

Pick if…
Instacart

Best when you need multi-store. Pricing: Item markup + $3.99+.

Pick if…
Shipt

Best when you need target loyalists. Pricing: $10.99/mo or $99/yr.

Pick if…
Walmart+

Best when you need walmart fans. Pricing: $98/yr.

How to choose
Match the tool to your scale

Amazon Fresh is positioned for prime members. If your team or volume is materially larger or smaller, one of Instacart / Shipt / Walmart+ may be cheaper or more capable.

Use the free tier to validate

At least one option in this comparison has a free tier — run a 1–2 week pilot before paying. Confirm the must-have feature actually works on free, not just trial.

Price spread is wide — buy on outcome, not sticker

Look past the headline price: add seats, add-ons, integration fees and transaction fees. The cheapest option rarely stays cheapest at scale.

Stress-test the weakness

Known trade-off with Amazon Fresh: Prime metros only. Confirm it isn't a deal-breaker for your specific use case before signing.

What to watch out for
  • Prime metros only
    Confirm this isn't a deal-breaker for your team before signing — it's the most common reason shoppers switch from Amazon Fresh to Instacart.
  • Smaller selection
    Confirm this isn't a deal-breaker for your team before signing — it's the most common reason shoppers switch from Amazon Fresh to Instacart.
Frequently asked
Is Amazon Fresh worth it in 2026?

For prime members, yes — Free w/ Prime. For very different use cases, compare against Instacart, Shipt, Walmart+.

How much does Amazon Fresh cost?

Amazon Fresh pricing is Free w/ Prime $139/yr. Competitors in this comparison range from Item markup + $3.99+ / $10.99/mo or $99/yr / $98/yr.

What's the biggest downside of Amazon Fresh?

Prime metros only. Most teams work around it, but verify it isn't a deal-breaker for you first.

Amazon Fresh vs Instacart — which should I pick?

Pick Amazon Fresh if you want free w/ prime. Pick Instacart if you need a broader / cheaper / more established alternative — see the comparison table above for the side-by-side.

More buyer's guides in Grocery Delivery

Ready to try Amazon Fresh?

See current pricing and plans on their site.

Visit Amazon Fresh