AppBreakup

Nordstrom alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll fashion and beauty shopping apps

Top picks

  • Ulta Beauty logo

    Best overall

    Ulta Beauty

    Free

  • Amazon logo

    Best free option

    Amazon

    Starting price: $14.99 a month (Prime Monthly)

Common reasons people leave Nordstrom: mainly serves the US, with limited reach elsewhere, and prices are higher than mass-market retailers. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Nordstrom, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Ulta Beauty currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Ulta Beauty logoUlta BeautyFree—NoWeb, iOS, Android5 of 568.8
2Amazon logoAmazonFree plan + paid$14.99 a month (Prime Monthly)NoWeb, Android, iOS7 of 754.4
3Target logoTargetFree plan + paid$10.99/month or $99/yearNoWeb, Android, iOS5 of 552.6
  1. Ulta Beauty logo

    1. Ulta BeautyTop pick

    Best for: US shoppers who buy both drugstore and prestige beauty brands and want loyalty points

    FreeWeb, iOS, Android

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Nordstrom

    A better pick if you mostly buy beauty at Nordstrom, with a bigger makeup and skincare range and its own rewards.

    Pros

    • Drugstore and luxury brands in one store and one basket
    • Free rewards program with points on products and salon services
    • Order online and pick up in store, often within two hours

    Cons

    • US only; it does not ship internationally
    • Free shipping thresholds are higher for basic members than for top tiers
    • Points expire for entry-level members unless you keep shopping
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Ulta Beauty a good Nordstrom alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Loyalty program
    Ulta Beauty Rewards, free to join
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ulta.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Points earning
    1 point per $1 (more at higher tiers)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ulta.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Rewards members
    46 million+
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ulta.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Store pickup
    In 2 hours or less
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ulta.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Salon services
    Hair, brow, lash and makeup
    Checked Nov 8, 2026ulta.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Amazon logo

    2. Amazon

    Best for: Shoppers who want the widest selection and fast delivery, especially Prime members

    Free plan + paidWeb, Android, iOS

    54.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Nordstrom

    Huge fashion and beauty selection with fast shipping, at the cost of the curated, service-led feel.

    Pros

    • Largest selection of almost any online store
    • Fast free delivery on eligible items with Prime
    • Easy returns on most items sold or shipped by Amazon
    • Prime bundles video, music and photo storage

    Cons

    • Search results are crowded with sponsored listings and lookalike brands
    • Marketplace seller quality is uneven
    • Prime is a fairly expensive yearly subscription
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.352
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Amazon a good Nordstrom alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Photo storage
    Unlimited with Prime
    Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Used goods
    Amazon Resale
    Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $14.99 a month (Prime Monthly)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Prime Annual plan
    $139 a year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Prime for Young Adults plan
    $7.49 a month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Prime Access plan
    $6.99 a month for eligible government assistance recipients
    Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Target logo

    3. Target

    Best for: US shoppers who like Target's own brands and want quick pickup or same-day delivery

    Free plan + paidWeb, Android, iOS

    52.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Nordstrom

    Cheaper everyday clothing, shoes and beauty, with app ordering and same-day store pickup across the US.

    Pros

    • Drive-up and in-store pickup are quick and free
    • Target-only home, kids and clothing brands
    • Free loyalty program with regular personalised deals
    • Circle 360 adds an extra 30 days to return items

    Cons

    • Smaller catalogue than Amazon or Walmart
    • Same-day delivery through Circle 360 only at select stores
    • US only
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.346
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Target a good Nordstrom alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Target Circle
    Free to join
    Checked Nov 8, 2026target.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Circle 360 price
    $10.99/month or $99/year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026target.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Circle 360 returns
    Extra 30 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026target.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Stores
    More than 2,000 in the US
    Checked Nov 8, 2026corporate.target.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner of
    Shipt and Roundel
    Checked Nov 8, 2026corporate.target.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Nordstrom alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Ulta Beauty logo

Best Nordstrom alternative for most people

Ulta Beauty

A better pick if you mostly buy beauty at Nordstrom, with a bigger makeup and skincare range and its own rewards.

Ulta Beauty logo

Best Nordstrom alternative for a free option

Ulta Beauty

A better pick if you mostly buy beauty at Nordstrom, with a bigger makeup and skincare range and its own rewards.

Amazon logo

Best Nordstrom alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Amazon

Huge fashion and beauty selection with fast shipping, at the cost of the curated, service-led feel.

Target logo

Best Nordstrom alternative for iPhone and Android

Target

Cheaper everyday clothing, shoes and beauty, with app ordering and same-day store pickup across the US.

Ulta Beauty logo

Best Nordstrom alternative for working in the browser

Ulta Beauty

A better pick if you mostly buy beauty at Nordstrom, with a bigger makeup and skincare range and its own rewards.

Nordstrom alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Nordstrom?

Ulta Beauty ranks first right now. A better pick if you mostly buy beauty at Nordstrom, with a bigger makeup and skincare range and its own rewards. Amazon and Target follow it in our ranking.

Nordstrom vs Ulta Beauty: what's the difference?

Both Nordstrom and Ulta Beauty are free to use. Both run on iOS, Android and Web.

Is Nordstrom free?

Nordstrom is free to use. Off-price stores: Nordstrom Rack. Checked on Nordstrom's own site, November 2026.

How much do Nordstrom alternatives cost?

Verified prices for the top-ranked Nordstrom alternatives: Amazon, $14.99 a month (Prime Monthly); Target, $10.99/month or $99/year. Each price was checked on the app's own site; see each card below for the date and source.

Is there a free alternative to Nordstrom?

Yes. Ulta Beauty (free), Amazon (free plan + paid) and Target (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Nordstrom?

None of the 3 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from Nordstrom?

The complaints we hear most: mainly serves the US, with limited reach elsewhere; prices are higher than mass-market retailers; best loyalty perks are tied to its credit card.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Nordstrom, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.