Costco
Membership warehouse club selling groceries and goods in bulk, in stores and online.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web, iOS, Android
Is Costco free?
No, it's a paid product
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About Costco
Costco is a membership warehouse club with stores across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Members pay an annual fee to shop its warehouses, which sell groceries, household goods, electronics, appliances and its Kirkland Signature own brand in bulk at low markups. Costco.com and the app sell a wider online range, including furniture and big-ticket items; non-members can buy some items online but pay more. The app also holds a digital membership card, shows warehouse hours and gas prices, and links to same-day grocery delivery through Instacart. Two consumer tiers exist: the basic Gold Star membership, and Executive, which costs more and returns an annual 2% reward on most purchases. Membership also unlocks Costco Travel, the pharmacy, optical and tyre services. Costco suits households and small businesses that buy in quantity and live near a warehouse. People who shop for one or two, or rarely visit a store, often get better value from a free retailer like Walmart, Target or Amazon.
Best for: Households and small businesses near a warehouse that buy groceries and essentials in bulk.
Costco pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Each line is quoted from Costco's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive membership | $130 a year | Nov 8, 2026 | costco.com |
| Executive reward | 2%, up to $1,250 a year | Nov 8, 2026 | costco.com |
Pros and cons
What works
- Low prices on bulk groceries, household goods and Kirkland Signature products
- Executive members earn a 2% annual reward on most purchases
- Membership card works at Costco warehouses worldwide
Why people leave
- Annual membership fee needed to shop in warehouses
- Non-members pay 5% more on the items they can buy online
- Bulk pack sizes don't suit small households
Costco vs Walmart, Amazon and Target
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Costco | Walmart | Amazon | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Verified price | — | $98 a year (Walmart+ annual) | $14.99 a month (Prime Monthly) | $10.99/month or $99/year |
| Free plan | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | No | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, Android, iOS | Web, Android, iOS | Web, Android, iOS |
Full Costco vs Walmart comparisonFull Costco vs Amazon comparisonFull Costco vs Target comparison
Top Costco alternatives
See all 5- 1
Walmart68.8No membership needed for low everyday prices, and Walmart+ adds free delivery if you want it.
- 2
Amazon64.8Far bigger online range with fast Prime delivery, better for people who rarely visit a store.
- 3
Target61.8No fee and smaller pack sizes, with same-day pickup and delivery from local stores.
- 4
Best Buy57.2A better fit if you mainly went to Costco for TVs, laptops and appliances, with more models and expert help.
- 5
Instacart47.8Same-day delivery from Costco and other stores, and you can order Costco items without holding a membership, at marked-up prices.
Why people left Costco
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Costco: common questions
What is Costco?
Costco: Membership warehouse club selling groceries and goods in bulk, in stores and online. Best for households and small businesses near a warehouse that buy groceries and essentials in bulk. Available for Web, iOS and Android.
Is Costco free?
No, Costco is a paid product.
How much does Costco cost?
Costco is a paid product. Executive membership: $130 a year; Executive reward: 2%, up to $1,250 a year. Checked on Costco's own site, November 2026.
Is Costco open source?
No, Costco is not open source.
What platforms does Costco run on?
Costco is available for Web, iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to Costco?
The highest-ranked Costco alternatives right now are Walmart, Amazon and Target. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Costco vs Walmart: what's the difference?
Costco is a paid product; Walmart is free with paid plans. Both run on Web, iOS and Android.