Here is a list of alternatives that we consider to be great substitutes for almost every perk offered by Amazon Prime. The price of an annual Amazon Prime membership has reached its highest point at $139 per year, and the monthly subscription now costs $15 instead of $13. Given the rising costs of various items and concerns surrounding Amazon’s ethical practices, it may be worthwhile to reassess whether or not you want to continue your subscription.
Amazon Prime offers a variety of benefits, and if you choose to subscribe to similar services from other companies, you might end up paying more than what you would pay Amazon. However, it is possible that you are not utilizing all the services that Prime provides. In this article, we have gathered some alternative options to Amazon Prime, including competitors that offer two-day shipping and other platforms for storing photos.
In today’s retail landscape, almost all significant stores that have physical stores offer a convenient method to receive free and speedy shipping. This can be achieved by either meeting a specific spending threshold or becoming a member of a rewards program. Additionally, the Covid-19 pandemic has greatly increased the popularity of purchasing online and picking up items in-store. It’s important to note that Amazon provides free two-day shipping on orders over $35 for individuals who are not Prime members.
Target provides free shipping on orders totaling $35 or more. Additionally, if you use a Target RedCard, you can enjoy free two-day shipping. Target also offers the convenience of curbside or in-store pickup, which can sometimes be available on the same day. The RedCard comes in two versions: a credit card and a debit card that is linked to a bank account. Both versions offer users a 5 percent discount and free two-day shipping. In addition to these benefits, there are other advantages such as exclusive deals and an extended period for returns. Target Circle, formerly known as Cartwheel, is a rewards program that is free to join. Members of Target Circle earn 1 percent back in store credit, receive a 5 percent off coupon on their birthdays, and have access to various other deals and offers. While some of the discounts may be more appealing than others, considering the program is free, it is definitely worth becoming a member.
One major advantage of being a Prime member is the opportunity to access exclusive and significant discounts during Amazon Prime Day, which typically takes place over two days in the summer. However, other prominent retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Best Buy have also been organizing their own major sales events during the same period, with prices often being similar across different stores.
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Second place: When you make orders worth $35 or more at Walmart, you can enjoy free shipping within two days. For certain items, you can even get free delivery the next day. If you prefer to pick up your items in-store, Walmart also offers free in-store pickup. Additionally, Walmart has a paid rewards program called W+ that allows members to receive free two-day or next-day shipping without having to meet a minimum purchase requirement. The membership costs $98 per year or $13 per month. To try it out, Walmart offers a free 30-day trial.
If you choose to shop for groceries through Amazon’s Whole Foods Market, you can conveniently replenish your essential items without having to physically go to the supermarket. By having a Prime membership, you can enjoy the benefit of free grocery delivery, along with other discounts, as long as you reach a certain order amount. However, there are alternative choices available as well.
Instacart Express is a
Instacart Express is a subscription service that provides free delivery of groceries and convenience store items on the same day. Subscribers can choose between an annual membership fee of $99 or a monthly fee of $10. By being a member, users can enjoy free delivery for orders over $35 and reduced service fees. Instacart also accepts EBT as a payment method for groceries and allows non-members to shop at stores like Costco without needing a membership. However, it’s important to note that prices may be higher compared to in-store purchases. The options of available retailers may vary depending on the location, so it’s recommended to check the website to see what is offered in your area.
Instacart offers a complimentary trial period of two weeks for their Instacart Express service, and they frequently provide promotional offers for credit card users who meet the eligibility criteria. Subscribing to Instacart is not mandatory, however, if you choose not to subscribe, there will be a delivery fee of $4 for same-day orders amounting to $35 or more. It is important to note that additional fees may be applicable, particularly if you order heavy items.
Amazon Prime Video offers the popular TV series “The
There is a vast array of options when it comes to streaming TV shows and movies, making it quite overwhelming. We have compiled a list of the top streaming services to help you narrow down your choices. If you are looking for completely free streaming options, we also have a list of the best free streaming services. However, if you are a fan of The Expanse and cannot bear to miss it, you can subscribe to Amazon Prime Video as a standalone service for $9 per month
Spotify and Apple Music are both
Amazon offers a free music streaming service, but it’s not very good unless you pay an extra $9 per month for Amazon Music Unlimited. Without a Prime membership, the price increases to $11 per month. While it does provide high-quality audio, the interface and music discovery tools are not up to par. There are better options available. One obvious choice is Spotify Premium, although it currently has some issues. Our second recommendation is Apple Music, which includes lossless audio, curated playlists, and a extensive library for $11 per month. It is also compatible with Android phones. For more information, check out our guide on the Best Music Streaming Apps.
Amazon Prime members enjoy several advantages when it comes to books. They have the option to select up to 10 titles from a vast collection of over 2,500 books, magazines, and comics to read using the Kindle app. Additionally, they have access to First Reads, which allows them to download two books each month for just $2 before they are available to the general public. Although these perks are appealing, the most cost-effective and enjoyable way to indulge in reading may still be through your local library. Alternatively, Amazon itself offers another excellent option.
After canceling your Prime membership, it may seem strange to pay for an Amazon service. However, Kindle Unlimited is significantly superior to Prime Reading. For a monthly fee of $12, subscribers have access to over a million free books and audiobooks, while Prime Reading only offers 2,500 titles. The best part is that you don’t need a specific ebook reader, as there are free apps available for iOS, Android, Mac, and PC.
Scribd is
The second-place contender is Scribd, a platform that combines elements from Audible and Kindle Unlimited but on a smaller scale. For a monthly fee of $12, subscribers can enjoy unlimited access to a wide range of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and podcasts. Additionally, users also receive access to other platforms such as MUBI and CuriosityStream. WIRED writer Simon Hill had a positive experience with Scribd Premium after deciding to end his subscription with Amazon. As an added bonus, there is a 30-day trial available for interested individuals.
The Prime Prescription Savings Card is accepted at both Amazon Pharmacy and other pharmacies. It can reduce the expenses or co-pays associated with certain prescribed medications, and these medications can also be conveniently delivered to your home. Fortunately, these types of savings programs are readily available and typically do not require any membership fees.
The company administering Amazon’s prescription savings program has its own savings card that you can sign up for without any cost. This savings card can be used at over 60,000 pharmacies across the country. While Inside Rx does not provide delivery services, your local pharmacy may offer this option.
GoodRx is a
Another well-known choice for saving on prescription costs is GoodRx. You can easily join for free and their card can be used at pharmacies throughout the entire country. Additionally, GoodRx Gold is a more advanced subscription that allows for home delivery of certain medications. While it is accepted at fewer pharmacies, there are still plenty of options available. The cost for an individual plan is $10 per month, while a family plan costs $20.
Prime members of Amazon can take advantage of free and unrestricted cloud storage for their photos, however, they are only provided with 5 gigabytes of storage for videos. Fortunately, there are numerous alternative options
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Initially, Google Photos was a service that was completely free of charge. However, it now provides users with up to 15 GB of storage space before they are required to pay. This storage is allocated among various Google services such as Google Drive and Gmail. As a result, users may eventually find it necessary to subscribe to Google One in order to increase their storage capacity. Along with more storage, a Google One subscription offers other benefits as well. The subscription starts at $2 per month and provides 100 GB of storage. Google Photos can be accessed through apps on iPhone, Android, and the web. Despite the availability of alternative options, it remains at the top of our list for the best alternative to Google Photos. For additional tips on storing your data, refer to our guide on How to Back Up Your Digital Life.
It is true to say that all of these individual options can be quite complex. Amazon Prime has both advantages and disadvantages – the convenience it provides might make it hard to imagine not having it. Ultimately, you are the one who can determine what is best for your specific circumstances. Generating a report of your Amazon expenses could assist you in determining whether the fees are worth it or if they might shock you into reconsidering.
Regrettably, there are specific conditions that need to be met in order to save money on Amazon Prime. Students who possess valid .edu email addresses can enroll in Prime Student, where they will be required to pay either $7 per month or $69 per year. Additionally, individuals who receive government assistance can also qualify for a discounted Amazon Prime membership at a monthly rate of $7. Although the recent changes in Prime membership prices have affected these rates, they still offer a more advantageous option for eligible individuals.
Amazon Household offers an alternative solution where two adults can share Prime benefits, along with a restricted number of teenagers and/or children. This option can be beneficial for individuals sharing a living space or for partners in a relationship. Additionally, it provides a safer method compared to password sharing, as it avoids the risk of sharing personal payment details.
