Ulta Beauty
US beauty retailer selling makeup, skin care, hair care and fragrance, with in-store salons.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web, iOS, Android
Is Ulta Beauty free?
Yes, free to use
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All 4- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 4
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About Ulta Beauty
Ulta Beauty is a large US beauty chain that sells both drugstore and prestige brands of makeup, skin care, hair care, fragrance and tools, plus its own Ulta Beauty Collection line. Alongside its website and app, it runs physical stores across the country, most with a salon offering hair, brow, lash and makeup services, so you can book a cut and shop in the same place. Its free loyalty program, Ulta Beauty Rewards, earns points on products and services that turn into money off later purchases, with higher tiers for bigger spenders and birthday perks. Online orders can be shipped or picked up in store, often within hours. Shopping is free; you only pay for products and services. It suits US shoppers who want cheap and high-end brands under one roof and who use loyalty points. It only ships within the US, so it is not an option elsewhere.
Best for: US shoppers who buy both drugstore and prestige beauty brands and want loyalty points.
Ulta Beauty pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Each line is quoted from Ulta Beauty's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points earning | 1 point per $1 (more at higher tiers) | Nov 8, 2026 | ulta.com |
Pros and cons
What works
- 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
Why people leave
- 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
Ulta Beauty vs Target, Walmart and Amazon
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Ulta Beauty | Target | Walmart | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Verified price | — | $10.99/month or $99/year | $98 a year (Walmart+ annual) | $14.99 a month (Prime Monthly) |
| Free plan | Free app | 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 |
Top Ulta Beauty alternatives
See all 4- 1
Target54.4Cheaper everyday beauty brands in the same trip as groceries, with same-day pickup and delivery.
- 2
Walmart52.6Lowest prices on drugstore makeup and hair care, with Walmart+ delivery from local stores.
- 3
Amazon51.2Huge beauty range with fast Prime shipping and subscribe-and-save for everyday makeup and skincare restocks.
- 4
Nordstrom42.3Beauty plus clothing, shoes and designer brands, with in-store services and free rewards.
Why people left Ulta Beauty
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Ulta Beauty: common questions
What is Ulta Beauty?
Ulta Beauty: US beauty retailer selling makeup, skin care, hair care and fragrance, with in-store salons. Best for US shoppers who buy both drugstore and prestige beauty brands and want loyalty points. Available for Web, iOS and Android.
Is Ulta Beauty free?
Yes, Ulta Beauty is free to use.
How much does Ulta Beauty cost?
Ulta Beauty is free to use. Points earning: 1 point per $1 (more at higher tiers). Checked on Ulta Beauty's own site, November 2026.
Is Ulta Beauty open source?
No, Ulta Beauty is not open source.
What platforms does Ulta Beauty run on?
Ulta Beauty is available for Web, iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to Ulta Beauty?
The highest-ranked Ulta Beauty alternatives right now are Target, Walmart and Amazon. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Ulta Beauty vs Target: what's the difference?
Ulta Beauty is free to use; Target is free with paid plans. Both run on Web, iOS and Android.