Walmart Plus vs Amazon Prime: What’s the Difference?

Subscription-based business models have experienced a surge in importance in recent years, offering a plethora of advantages for both companies and consumers. At the core of these models is the concept of customers paying recurring fees at regular intervals, often on a monthly or annual basis, in exchange for access to specific products or services like “Walmart Plus vs Amazon Prime.”

For sellers on Amazon and Walmart, two prominent online marketplaces, understanding the differences between the Amazon Seller Program and the Walmart Marketplace Seller Program is crucial. In this article, we will delve into a comprehensive Amazon Seller Program vs. Walmart Marketplace Seller Program comparison to help you determine which platform aligns best with your preferences and needs as an e-commerce seller.

Walmart Plus (Walmart+) and Amazon Prime, two prominent subscription-based loyalty programs offered by major retailers, share similarities while also displaying key differences in benefits, pricing structures, and features. In this article, we will also see a comprehensive Walmart Plus vs. Amazon Prime comparison to help you determine which subscription service aligns best with your preferences and needs.

Walmart vs. Amazon (The Basics)

Walmart vs. Amazon, two retail giants, exhibit significant disparities across multiple dimensions within the realm of online selling. Walmart Plus vs. Amazon Prime distinctions encompass diverse aspects such as fees, customer reach, fulfillment options, advertising opportunities, and seller support. In this detailed comparison, we will explore these major differences, shedding light on the varying approaches each company employs to cater to the needs and preferences of its third-party sellers.

Amazon Prime Benefits

Vast Customer Base

Amazon boasts a massive customer base with millions of active shoppers, providing sellers with access to a wide audience.

Fulfillment Options

Amazon offers Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), a service where Amazon handles storage, packing, and shipping, simplifying the fulfillment process for sellers.

Advertising Opportunities

Sellers can utilize Amazon’s advertising platform to promote their products and gain visibility.

Prime Eligibility

FBA sellers often qualify for Amazon Prime, allowing their products to be eligible for Prime 2-day shipping.

Global Reach

Amazon operates in numerous countries, offering international selling opportunities to sellers.

Customer Reviews

Sellers can benefit from customer reviews, which can boost product credibility and sales.

Walmart Plus Benefits

Growing Audience

Walmart’s online marketplace is growing, providing sellers with access to an expanding customer base.

Competitive Fees

Walmart often offers lower referral fees compared to Amazon, allowing sellers to retain a larger share of their revenue.

Fulfillment Choices

Sellers can choose to fulfill orders themselves or opt for Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) for a fee.

Advertising Opportunities

Walmart offers advertising solutions to help sellers promote their products within the marketplace.

High-Quality Products

Walmart emphasizes quality and may require sellers to meet certain product standards.

Customer Trust

Sellers can leverage Walmart’s reputation for quality and reliability to build trust with customers.

Amazon Prime Membership

Amazon Prime membership comes with a wide array of benefits, including:

• Free two-day or one-day shipping on eligible items.
• Access to Amazon Prime Video for streaming movies, TV shows, and Amazon Originals.
• Amazon Prime Music for music streaming.
• Early access to Lightning Deals and exclusive promotions.
• Amazon First Reads and Kindle Owners’ Lending Library for eBooks.
• Twitch Prime benefits for gamers.
• Access to Amazon Fresh and Amazon Pantry (in some regions) for grocery and household item delivery.
• Unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos.
• Exclusive discounts and benefits at Whole Foods Market.

Walmart Plus Membership

Walmart Plus membership also serves various benefits that primarily revolve around shopping and in-store experiences, including:

• Free same-day or next-day delivery on eligible items with a minimum order threshold.
• Member prices on fuel at Walmart and Murphy USA gas stations.
• Mobile scan-and-go feature for in-store shopping convenience.
• Mobile express returns for faster in-store returns.
• Access to special member pricing on certain items.
• Discounts on prescription medications through the Walmart+ Rx for Less program.

Amazon Prime Cost

Amazon Prime membership varies depending on the type of seller account:

Individual Seller

This account type has no monthly fee but charges a per-item fee on each sale (usually $0.99 per item).

Professional Seller

This account type has a monthly subscription fee of $39.99 but doesn’t charge per-item fees. Additional fees may apply, such as referral fees, fulfillment fees (for FBA), and advertising fees.

Walmart Plus Cost

Walmart Plus membership is not actually there. Walmart charges referral fees for each product sold, which vary by category. Unlike Amazon, Walmart does not charge a monthly subscription fee to sell on their platform.

Amazon Prime Customer Service

Amazon provides a range of seller support options, including:

Seller Central

A comprehensive online platform with resources, performance metrics, and order management tools.

Seller Support

Email and phone support for seller inquiries and issues.

Fulfillment Support

Assistance with FBA and fulfillment-related questions.

Amazon Advertising Support

Guidance on using Amazon’s advertising tools.

Community Forums

Access to forums where sellers can seek advice from peers.

Walmart Plus Customer Service

Walmart offers seller support through:

Seller Center

An online portal with resources, order management tools, and performance metrics.

Seller Support

Email and phone support for seller inquiries.

Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) Support

Assistance with WFS-related questions.

Advertising Support

Guidance on using Walmart’s advertising solutions.

Community Forums

Forums where sellers can engage with other sellers and seek advice.

Amazon Prime Free Delivery

Free Two-Day Shipping

Amazon Prime members had access to free two-day shipping on eligible items. This benefit allowed members to receive their orders within two business days at no additional cost.

Free One-Day or Same-Day Delivery (in some areas)

Depending on the region and item availability, Amazon Prime offers free one-day or same-day delivery on certain eligible items.

Amazon Fresh and Amazon Pantry

Amazon Prime members in select areas could access free delivery for their grocery and household item orders through Amazon Fresh and Amazon Pantry.

Free Release-Date Delivery

For eligible pre-order items, Amazon Prime members could receive them on their release date with free delivery.

Prime Now (in select cities)

In some major metropolitan areas, Amazon Prime members could enjoy free two-hour delivery on a selection of products through the Prime Now service.

Walmart Plus Free Delivery

Free Same-Day or Next-Day Delivery

Walmart Plus members typically had access to free same-day or next-day delivery on eligible items. The specific availability and delivery windows may vary based on the member’s location.

Minimum Order Threshold

To qualify for free delivery, Walmart Plus members usually had to meet a minimum order threshold, which could vary by region.

Grocery Delivery

Walmart Plus often included free grocery delivery as part of its free delivery options, allowing members to order groceries and have them delivered to their doorstep without additional delivery fees.

Delivery from Local Stores

In addition to products from Walmart’s inventory, Walmart Plus could also provide free delivery from local stores for a wide range of items.

Amazon Prime Streaming

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime members had access to Amazon Prime Video, a streaming platform that offered a vast library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content known as ‘’Amazon Originals.’’ Subscribers could stream this content on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and computers.

Amazon Channels

Amazon Prime members could also subscribe to additional premium channels (such as HBO, Showtime, and Starz) through Amazon Channels for an extra fee. These channels provided access to a wide range of additional content.

Amazon Prime Music

While not primarily a streaming service for video content, Amazon Prime members also had access to Amazon Prime Music, which allowed them to stream a selection of songs and albums for free. Amazon also offered Amazon Music Unlimited as a separate music streaming service for an additional fee.

Walmart Plus Streaming

Introduction to Paramount+

In an exciting development for entertainment enthusiasts, Walmart+ has just upped the ante by including a Paramount+ subscription as part of its membership package. This means that Walmart+ members now gain access to an extensive library of content that spans over 40,000 episodes, blockbuster movies, thrilling live sports coverage, and so much more.

Paramount+, the Walmart Plus Streaming platform that has been making waves in the entertainment world, offers an unparalleled array of entertainment options. From binge-worthy TV series to the latest hit movies, and live sports events to exclusive original programming, Paramount+ has it all.

Walmart Plus vs Amazon Prime (Additional Differences)

While both of these services share the common goal of providing added value to their customers, it is essential to recognize that they diverge significantly when it comes to a multitude of factors including the benefits they offer, their pricing structures, and the array of features at their disposal. In this comprehensive exploration, we will delve into some additional distinctions in Walmart Plus vs. Amazon Prime, offering a nuanced perspective on the unique attributes that set them apart in the competitive landscape of subscription-based shopping experiences.

While both platforms aim to provide selling opportunities, they differ significantly in various aspects that impact sellers:

Fulfillment Services

Amazon offers FBA, handling storage, packing, and shipping.

Walmart provides the option for sellers to fulfill orders themselves or use WFS.

Referral Fees

Amazon’s referral fees can vary widely by category.

Walmart typically offers lower referral fees compared to Amazon.

Advertising

Amazon’s advertising platform is well-established, allowing for detailed targeting.

Walmart’s advertising solutions are growing but may have less reach compared to Amazon.

Customer Base

Amazon has a larger customer base, offering more potential buyers.

Walmart’s customer base is expanding but may not match Amazon’s size.

Global Presence

Amazon operates in numerous countries, facilitating international selling.

Walmart’s marketplace is primarily focused on the U.S., with limited international reach.

Product Quality

Walmart places a strong emphasis on product quality and may have stricter requirements.

Product Reviews

Amazon’s review system plays a significant role in product credibility.

Walmart’s review system is also influential but may have different dynamics.

Returns

Amazon has a well-defined return policy that may impact sellers.

Walmart’s return process is designed to align with its commitment to quality.

Platform Experience

The seller interface and tools on Amazon and Walmart differ, affecting the seller experience.

Customer Expectations

Customer expectations and behaviors on Amazon and Walmart may vary, influencing how products are presented and marketed.

Walmart Plus vs Amazon Prime: Bottom Line

In conclusion, both the Amazon Seller Program and the Walmart Marketplace Seller Program offer opportunities for e-commerce sellers, but they have notable differences in terms of fees, fulfillment options, advertising, customer base, and platform experience. The choice between the two largely depends on individual preferences, product categories, target audience, and business strategies while drawing Walmart Plus vs. Amazon Prime comparisons. To make an informed decision, it’s advisable for sellers to explore each platform’s official websites and engage with their respective seller support resources for the latest information and guidance.