Amazon vs Best Buy
Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
Amazon
The world's largest online store, selling almost everything with fast Prime delivery.
Best Buy
US and Canadian electronics retailer's online store and app, with store pickup and Geek Squad support.
The short answer
Amazon suits shoppers who want the widest selection of almost any product with fast delivery, especially Prime members. Best Buy suits US and Canadian shoppers buying electronics or appliances who want to see products in a store, pick up the same day, or get Geek Squad setup and repairs. The main difference is breadth and delivery versus a specialist range with in-person service.
Amazon or Best Buy: our take
Amazon sells nearly every category, from books and groceries to electronics and car parts, both from its own stock and from a large marketplace of third-party sellers. Best Buy focuses on technology and appliances: laptops, phones, TVs, games and smart home gear. For electronics the two overlap heavily, but Amazon's range is far wider while Best Buy's is narrower and more curated. Amazon's downsides are search results crowded with sponsored listings and lookalike brands, and uneven quality from some marketplace sellers.
The bigger difference is how you get help and the product itself. Best Buy has more than 1,000 stores where you can try products before buying, collect orders, often the same day, and return items in person. Its Geek Squad staff handle repairs, setup and in-home installation, which matters for TVs and appliances. Amazon relies on delivery and an easy return process on most items sold or shipped by Amazon.
Shopping on both is free. Amazon's Prime membership adds fast free shipping on eligible items plus Prime Video, music and unlimited photo storage; in the US it starts at $14.99 a month or $139 a year, with a 30-day free trial and cheaper plans for young adults and eligible government assistance recipients. Best Buy's paid My Best Buy memberships add extended return windows, protection plans and member pricing. Amazon operates many country stores worldwide; Best Buy only serves the United States and Canada.
Choose Amazon for general shopping, accessories and anything outside electronics, especially if you already pay for Prime. Choose Best Buy for larger tech purchases where seeing the item first, same-day pickup or professional installation is worth more than the widest choice. Many shoppers compare prices on both before buying a TV or laptop.
Which should you pick?
Choose Amazon if…
- Shoppers who want the widest selection and fast delivery, especially Prime members
- Largest selection of almost any online store
- Fast free delivery on eligible items with Prime
Choose Best Buy if…
- US and Canadian shoppers buying electronics or appliances who want in-store pickup and setup help
- More than 1,000 stores for same-day pickup and in-person returns
- Geek Squad repairs, setup and in-home installation
About each app
What is Amazon?
Amazon is the biggest online retailer in the US and many other countries, with separate stores such as amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.de and amazon.in. It sells almost every category of goods, from books, where it started, to electronics, groceries, clothing, household supplies and car parts, both from its own stock and from a large marketplace of third-party sellers, many of whom use Amazon's warehouses and delivery network. Shopping is free; Prime is the paid membership that adds fast free shipping on eligible items, Prime Video, music, photo storage and other perks, and its price differs by country. Amazon is known for quick delivery, an easy return process on most items and a very large review base. Downsides include search results crowded with sponsored listings and lookalike products, and uneven quality from some marketplace sellers. It runs on the web and in Android and iOS apps.
What is Best Buy?
Best Buy is the largest specialist consumer electronics chain in the US, and its website and app sell laptops, phones, TVs, appliances, games, smart home gear and accessories. Orders can be shipped or collected from a nearby store, often the same day, and returns can be made in person. What sets it apart from general marketplaces is the service side: Geek Squad staff handle repairs, setup and in-home installation, and stores let you see products before buying. Shopping is free, and paid My Best Buy memberships add perks such as extended return windows, protection plans and member pricing. It operates in the United States and Canada, with separate sites for each country. Prices are usually close to other big retailers, and it runs regular sales around holidays and product launches. The range is narrower than Amazon or Walmart because it focuses on technology and appliances.
Side by side
| Attribute | Amazon | Best Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, Android, iOS | Web, iOS, Android |
| Best for | Shoppers who want the widest selection and fast delivery, especially Prime members | US and Canadian shoppers buying electronics or appliances who want in-store pickup and setup help |
| Status | Active | Active |
Amazon vs Best Buy pricing
Amazon: free plan + paid
- Starting price: $14.99 a month (Prime Monthly) source
- Prime for Young Adults plan: $7.49 a month source
- Prime Access plan: $6.99 a month for eligible government assistance recipients source
- Free trial: 30 days source
- Prime Annual plan: $139 a year source
Best Buy: free plan + paid
We couldn't verify Best Buy's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
Platforms
| Platform | Amazon | Best Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Web | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android |
Amazon facts
7 of 7 verified- Starting price
- $14.99 a month (Prime Monthly)
- Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Prime Monthly $14.99 per month”
- Photo storage
- Unlimited with Prime
- Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime”
- Used goods
- Amazon Resale
- Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Amazon Resale Great Deals on Quality Used Products Whole Foods Market America’s Healthiest Grocery Store Woot!”
- Prime for Young Adults plan
- $7.49 a month
- Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Prime for Young Adults $7.49 per month”
- Prime Access plan
- $6.99 a month for eligible government assistance recipients
- Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Prime Access $6.99 per month after trial Start your free 30-day trial Enjoy your free 30-day trial of Prime.”
- Free trial
- 30 days
- Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Choose your plan Enjoy your free 30-day trial of Prime.”
- Prime Annual plan
- $139 a year
- Checked Nov 8, 2026amazon.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Prime Monthly $14.99 per month after trial Prime Annual $139 per year after trial Prime for Young Adults $7.49 per month after trial Prime Access $6.”
Best Buy facts
3 of 3 verified- Stores
- More than 1,000
- Checked Nov 8, 2026corporate.bestbuy.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “We have more than 1,000 stores and more than 85,000 employees in the United States and Canada.”
- Countries
- United States and Canada
- Checked Nov 8, 2026corporate.bestbuy.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “We have more than 1,000 stores and more than 85,000 employees in the United States and Canada.”
- Employees
- More than 85,000
- Checked Nov 8, 2026corporate.bestbuy.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “We have more than 1,000 stores and more than 85,000 employees in the United States and Canada.”
Pros and cons of Amazon
- 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
- Search results are crowded with sponsored listings and lookalike brands
- Marketplace seller quality is uneven
- Prime is a fairly expensive yearly subscription
Pros and cons of Best Buy
- More than 1,000 stores for same-day pickup and in-person returns
- Geek Squad repairs, setup and in-home installation
- Can see and try many products in store before buying
- Only serves the United States and Canada
- Narrower range than general marketplaces
- Best perks need a paid membership
Other apps to consider
Amazon vs Best Buy: common questions
Is Amazon better than Best Buy?
Amazon suits shoppers who want the widest selection of almost any product with fast delivery, especially Prime members. Best Buy suits US and Canadian shoppers buying electronics or appliances who want to see products in a store, pick up the same day, or get Geek Squad setup and repairs. The main difference is breadth and delivery versus a specialist range with in-person service.
Is Amazon free?
Amazon has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.
Is Best Buy free?
Best Buy has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.
Is Amazon or Best Buy open source?
Neither is open source.
Which platforms do Amazon and Best Buy support?
Amazon: Web, Android and iOS. Best Buy: Web, iOS and Android.