The holidays are coming up and you’re in the market for a new gadget. You’ve heard that Amazon Prime is great. But, did you know that it’s not your only option?
Many love Amazon Prime, and truth be told, it’s a great service. The company offers free 2-day shipping and a ton of other benefits for $119 per year. However, if you’re not in the U.S. or just aren’t interested in what Amazon has to offer, then you might be wondering what your alternatives are to Amazon Prime!
Lucky for you, there are plenty of good options out there that will save you money on shipping and give you access to services that Amazon doesn’t have. Let’s take a look at some alternatives to Amazon Prime that you might want to consider!
Reasons to Ditch Amazon Prime
Amazon’s great, but if you’re thinking about ditching it, you’re not alone. After all, that annual fee is hefty – at more than $100, it doesn’t make sense to keep paying for it if you aren’t actually using it.
Consider tracking how much you have spent and what you’ve bought – this will give you an idea of whether your investment is worth it. It’s important to look at not just how much you are buying but also which of those purchases are true necessities and which are impulse buys.
It’s not the only retail membership for you to consider if you like the benefits touted by the service, either. We’ll walk you through some of your other options below – but know that there are plenty of others.
A lot of people think that Amazon Prime is a necessity because of the free shipping, but that’s no longer the case. Lots of retailers now offer this – and many of them offer free same-day pick-up or delivery, too!
Not only that, but you don’t always need a membership to get free shipping. Spend over $25 and the Prime membership is not necessary – you’ll get free shipping regardless!
Last but not least, there are plenty of other better streaming and reading services out there than Amazon Prime. From Netflix to the local library system, you have lots of other options.
Best Alternatives to Amazon Prime
Ready to ditch Prime for good? Here are some of the best alternatives to Amazon Prime that you really ought to consider.
1. Target – Best for Online and Grocery Purchases
Target might be a bit more expensive than some of the other Amazon Prime alternatives on this list, but you’ll also find some higher-quality goods here.
You’ll get free two-day shipping on orders of more than $35 along with superb seasonal deals. And if you decide that you don’t want to wait to have the products shipped to you, you can always have them sent to a nearby Target store for pick-up instead.
Click Here To Get Started2. WikiBuy – Best Browser Extension
WikiBuy is less of a shopping website and more of a plug-in, but it’s worth mentioning it as an alternative to Amazon Prime regardless.
This unique plugin will look for better prices as you browse Amazon and other websites, helping you to find lower prices at least 50% of the time (depending on what you’re shopping for). It will also search for coupons on a variety of shopping sites and best of all, is absolutely free.
Click Here To Get Started3. WalMart – Best For Same Day Delivery
Looking to get same-day delivery of your favorite products? If so, you will want to consider shopping on WalMart.
WalMart offers free same-day delivery and two-day shipping on millions of items. As one of the largest companies in the world, it’s got a huge selection of products, too.
Click Here To Get Started4. Rakuten – Best Cash Back
Rakuten operates differently than many of the other websites on this list. It doesn’t have its own inventory of products but instead connects customers to businesses directly. You’ll get points back for your purchases so you can get access to coupons along with cashback.
Click Here To Get Started5. QVC.com – Best Video Explanations
Yes, you read that correctly! The famous television station also has a website where you can shop. You’ll be able to access daily deals, payment plans, and even videos of people using products in real life – you can see things in action!
Click Here To Get Started6. Best Buy – Best for Free Two Day Shipping
Best Buy offers excellent deals on electronics, like laptops, televisions, and more. They often offer small-window sales along with access to the Geek Squad, a team of tech professionals who can help you fix your electronics and provide helpful warranties.
Plus, Best Buy’s website is a great place to shop if you want free two-day shipping. Many times, there’s no minimum purchase – and you can even reserve items when they’re in stock and then pick them up at your local store when you’re free to do so.
Click Here To Get Started7. Barnes & Noble – Best for Books
So many people rely on Amazon Prime for books – but there’s no reason to when you have Barnes and Noble! This website focuses on book sales with free shipping on orders of $25 or more. You’ll get free shipping on any order and exclusive online discounts if you join the membership program and with more than six million books in stock, you’ll have plenty to choose from.
So long, Prime!
Click Here To Get Started8. Etsy – Best for Artisans
A major complaint that many people have about Amazon Prime is that it caters to the big box stores – and not to small business owners.
Etsy is the perfect alternative. This website offers personable, handcrafted goods that come from the heart. You’ll get quality goods that aren’t mass-produced and the customer service is excellent.
You’ll find all kinds of artisan goods on Etsy, including vintage accessories, jewelry, clothing, furniture, and more.
Click Here To Get Started9. Overstock – Most Philanthropic
If you’re shopping for things like furniture, Overstock is the way to go. You can get free shipping if you join the Club-O-Gold rewards program (along with 5% back from each order!) and you can hit up Oversotck’s deals page so you can view what’s on sale right away.
This company is a lot more community-oriented than Amazon and is known for hosting a variety of programs like the Best Friends Animal Society and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.
A seller of surplus goods, Overstock has both used and new items along with a unique program named Worldstock that sells handmade crafts from artisans all over the globe.
Click Here To Get Started10. Zazzle – Best 30 Day Free Trial
Zazzle offers a superb 30-day free trial on shipping. It has a little bit of everything, from trendy tees to customized greeting cards. As a Zazzle Black member, you’ll get free standard shipping for less than $10 per year or two-day shipping for $39.95 per year.
Click Here To Get Started11. eBay – Best for Bidding
With eBay, arguably Amazon’s biggest competitor, you’ll get what you get – if it’s not listed at the time, check back later, because there’s a good chance it will be later. You can find just about anything for sale on eBay and with both bidding and buy it now features, you can choose whether you want to make an instant purchase or wait for a potentially better deal.
Click Here To Get Started12. AliExpress – Best Under $5
AliExpress offers some of the lowest prices on the widest selection of items. You’ll get factory-direct prices along with guarantees to help keep you safe from scams. You’ll cut out the middleman and work directly with the retailer, with expanded offerings and lower prices than you’ll find anywhere else (many items are priced under $5, in fact!).
Click Here To Get Started13. ShopRunner.com – Best for PayPal Users
With ShopRunner, you’ll not only enjoy free two-day shipping and free returns at more than 100 member stores, but you’ll also benefit from a membership plan that’s free for Mastercard and AmEx holders. The same goes for PayPal members and Yahoo users!
You can search all kinds of member stores to find deeply discounted goods – a major win!
Click Here To Get Started14. Zappos – Best for Shoes and Accessories
If you’re still buying your shoes and accessories on Amazon Prime, it’s time to call that relationship quits. Zappos is actually a subsidiary website of Amazon’s that specializes in clothing, shoes, and accessories.
You can get expedited shipping – and often free shipping and returns – and you’ll get better deals than you will on Amazon. Plus, this company offers returns for up to one year after the purchase date!
Click Here To Get Started15. Biblio – Best for Ethical Books
While Barnes and Noble is one of the best alternatives to Amazon Prime if you’re interested in buying books, Biblio is by far one of the most ethical.
With Biblio, you’ll get the best prices on used and new books and eBooks alike – just like Barnes and Noble. However, this ethically sound company is known for its commitment to building libraries in the developing world.
Click Here To Get Started16. Blaisdell’s Business Products – Best for Office Products
If you’re in the market for office products, Blaisdell’s is the way to go. This alternative to Prime sells office products along with electronics and furniture, plus offers things like toner and e-waste recycling. The company also donates a percentage of its profits to community organizations of your choosing – there’s even free next-day delivery to the same places!
Click Here To Get Started17. Newegg – Best for Tech
Unless you’re an experienced online shopper, there’s a good chance that you haven’t heard of Newegg before. This online marketplace specializes in electronic goods such as laptops, desktop computers, television, cameras, and more.
It offers quick delivery (three days or less!) on all items and offers daily deals in electronics that will make Amazon seem like child’s play.
Click Here To Get Started18. Tidal – Best for Music
An artist-owned music streaming service, Tidal is a great alternative to Amazon Prime’s music options. You’ll get music videos, exclusive ticket access, and a focus on lesser-known artists. Plus, Tidal pays artists much better than most others. You’ll pay just $10 per month with a 30-day free trial.
Click Here To Get StartedFinal Thoughts: Alternatives to Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime is a great service for those who are looking to get free shipping, access to movies and TV shows, or just want an all-around convenient way of getting what they need. But it’s not the only option out there!
There are many ways you can still enjoy convenience without having to pay the higher monthly fee that comes with Amazon Prime. Consider some of the Amazon alternatives we described above for guaranteed satisfaction – no matter what it is you are looking for.
FAQ: Amazon Prime Alternatives
What app is better than Amazon?
Amazon Prime is one of the most popular websites out there – but its app leaves a bit to be desired. Some great apps to consider instead of Amazon Prime include eBay, Target, and Zappos.
Which websites are as reliable as Amazon for delivery?
When you order something, you want to know that it will get to you in one piece – ideally, without your bank account information being compromised! Some other reliable websites include Newegg (free shipping plus two-day delivery windows – yes please!) and Zappos. Although Zappos orders can take up to five days to get to you, you are guaranteed on-time shipment.
Which websites offer the lowest prices?
When it comes to affordability, Amazon is the name to know. However, it’s not the only affordable e-commerce site out there. AliExpress cuts out the middleman for low prices, while eBay allows you to bid to get the same (or lower!) low prices.
What is an ethical alternative to Amazon?
Amazon Prime has been slammed in the past for its less-than-ethical policies and principles. Some good alternatives include Uncommon Goods, Thrive Market, Package Free, and Etsy, all of which offer more sustainable shipping policies and procedures as well as better terms when it comes to handling and working with employees.
Which Amazon competitors offer free shipping?
Although many Amazon competitors offer free shipping, that’s obviously not always the case. Websites that are similar to Amazon and offer free shipping include Zappos, NewEgg, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, and several others – just keep in mind that not all of these websites offer free two-day shipping and many do not offer free shipping at any price (you’ll have to spend a minimum dollar amount first).
Which sites offer services like Amazon Prime?
Amazon Prime isn’t beloved just for its free shipping – it’s also amassed quite a name for itself because it offers things like discounts on orders, two-day delivery windows, extra bargains, and access to Amazon Prime Video and Music.
However, with sites like Google Express, ShopRunner, FreeShipping.org, and NewEgg Premier, you can get many of the same benefits. FreeShipping.org, for instance, is a website that collects free shipping promo codes in one place so you can get deep shipping discounts on the websites you frequent the most.
