AppBreakup

Target vs Walmart

Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial

Target logo

Target

US retailer's online store and app with same-day delivery, drive-up pickup and a free loyalty program.

Free plan + paid
Walmart logo

Walmart

US retailer's online store and app for groceries, household goods, electronics and pickup or delivery.

Free plan + paid

The short answer

Target and Walmart both sell groceries and general merchandise online with store pickup and same-day delivery in the US. Walmart has the bigger catalogue, a third-party marketplace and a cheaper paid membership. Target leans on its own brands, quick drive-up pickup and a free loyalty program. Pick Walmart for low-price essentials; pick Target for its exclusive brands and pickup convenience.

Target or Walmart: our take

Both apps mirror their US stores and let you choose shipping, in-store pickup or same-day delivery. Walmart is the larger retailer, and alongside its own stock it runs a third-party marketplace, so the selection is wider but some listings come from outside sellers with their own shipping and return terms. Target carries fewer marketplace sellers and a smaller catalogue, but it has a strong line of Target-only home, kids and clothing brands, and its drive-up and in-store pickup are quick and free. Target also owns Shipt, which handles its same-day delivery.

The paid memberships differ. Walmart+ costs $98 per year, with a 30-day trial for $1 and $49 per year for students; discounted plans also exist for people on government assistance. It adds free grocery delivery on orders above $35, free shipping without a minimum on Walmart-sold items, fuel discounts and a choice of streaming service. Target Circle 360 costs $10.99/month or $99/year, with lower prices for Target Circle Card holders, teachers, students and military members. It adds free fast shipping, unlimited same-day delivery on larger orders, an extra 30 days for returns and monthly freebies, though same-day delivery is only at select stores. Target Circle, the free tier, gives personalised deals to anyone who joins.

Store networks matter for pickup and returns. Target has more than 2,000 US stores, while Walmart has more than 10,900 stores across 19 countries, although Walmart.com and Walmart+ serve only US customers. Both stores are US-only online.

For weekly groceries and household basics at low prices, especially outside big cities, Walmart is usually the practical pick. For shoppers who like Target's own brands, want a free loyalty program and value easy drive-up pickup, Target is the better fit.

Which should you pick?

Choose Target if…

  • US shoppers who like Target's own brands and want quick pickup or same-day delivery
  • Drive-up and in-store pickup are quick and free
  • Target-only home, kids and clothing brands

Choose Walmart if…

  • US households who want low-price groceries and essentials delivered or ready for pickup
  • Groceries and general merchandise in one order, with store pickup
  • Walmart+ costs less per year than Amazon Prime

About each app

What is Target?

Target.com and the Target app sell the same range as Target's US stores: home goods, clothing, beauty, toys, electronics and groceries, with a strong line of Target-only brands. Orders can be shipped, picked up in store, collected through drive-up without leaving the car, or delivered the same day through Shipt, which Target owns. Target Circle, the free loyalty program, gives personalised deals and member-only offers. The paid Target Circle 360 membership adds free fast shipping, unlimited same-day delivery on larger orders, an extra 30 days for returns and monthly freebies, at a lower price for Target Circle Card holders, teachers, students and military members. It runs on the web and in Android and iOS apps. Target trades only in the US, and its catalogue is smaller than Amazon's or Walmart's because it carries fewer marketplace sellers.

What is Walmart?

Walmart.com and the Walmart app are the online side of the largest retailer in the US. You can order groceries and household basics for same-day delivery or store pickup, or have general merchandise shipped, from TVs and toys to clothing and furniture. Alongside Walmart's own stock there is a third-party marketplace, so some listings come from outside sellers with their own shipping and return terms. Shopping is free; the optional Walmart+ membership adds free grocery delivery above an order minimum, free shipping without a minimum on Walmart-sold items, fuel discounts and a choice of streaming service, and it is the most direct alternative to Amazon Prime. Discounted Walmart+ plans exist for students and people on government assistance. It works on the web and in Android and iOS apps; the US store and Walmart+ serve US customers, while Walmart runs separate sites in other countries.

Side by side

AttributeTargetWalmart
PricingFree plan + paidFree plan + paid
Open sourceNoNo
Self-hostableNoNo
PlatformsWeb, Android, iOSWeb, Android, iOS
Best forUS shoppers who like Target's own brands and want quick pickup or same-day deliveryUS households who want low-price groceries and essentials delivered or ready for pickup
StatusActiveActive

Verified facts, compared

Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.

Target vs Walmart pricing

Target: free plan + paid

  • Circle 360 price: $10.99/month or $99/year source

Walmart: free plan + paid

  • Walmart+ price: $98 per year source
  • Walmart+ trial: 30 days for $1 source
  • Free delivery minimum: $35 with Walmart+ source
  • Student price: $49 per year source
  • Starting price: $98 a year (Walmart+ annual) source
  • Free trial: 30 days for $1 source
Walmart pricing page

Platforms

PlatformTargetWalmart
Web
iOS
Android

Target facts

5 of 5 verified
Target Circle
Free to join
Checked Nov 8, 2026target.com(opens source in a new tab)
“Join free to save even more”
Circle 360 price
$10.99/month or $99/year
Checked Nov 8, 2026target.com(opens source in a new tab)
“regular price of $10.99/month or $99/year.”
Circle 360 returns
Extra 30 days
Checked Nov 8, 2026target.com(opens source in a new tab)
“No rush returns Get an extra 30 days to return your items.”
Stores
More than 2,000 in the US
Checked Nov 8, 2026corporate.target.com(opens source in a new tab)
“Explore section Our Locations Learn more about the more than 2,000 stores we operate, plus our supply chain facilities and headquarters locations.”
Owner of
Shipt and Roundel
Checked Nov 8, 2026corporate.target.com(opens source in a new tab)
“Target Corporation also owns Shipt and Roundel.”

Walmart facts

8 of 8 verified
Walmart+ price
$98 per year
Checked Nov 8, 2026walmart.com(opens source in a new tab)
“Savings exclude the $98 annual membership fee.”
Walmart+ trial
30 days for $1
Checked Nov 8, 2026walmart.com(opens source in a new tab)
“Try 30 days of Walmart+ for just $1”
Free delivery minimum
$35 with Walmart+
Checked Nov 8, 2026walmart.com(opens source in a new tab)
“Free Delivery ($35 min.)”
Student price
$49 per year
Checked Nov 8, 2026walmart.com(opens source in a new tab)
“college students can join for just $49/year or $6.47/month.”
Stores
More than 10,900 in 19 countries
Checked Nov 8, 2026corporate.walmart.com(opens source in a new tab)
“Each week, approximately 280 million customers and members visit our more than 10,900 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries.”
Starting price
$98 a year (Walmart+ annual)
Checked Nov 8, 2026walmart.com(opens source in a new tab)
“Savings exclude the $98 annual membership fee.”
Free trial
30 days for $1
Checked Nov 8, 2026walmart.com(opens source in a new tab)
“Try 30 days of Walmart+ for just $1”
Student discount
$49 a year or $6.47 a month
Checked Nov 8, 2026walmart.com(opens source in a new tab)
“college students can join for just $49/year or $6.47/month.”

Pros and cons of Target

  • 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
  • Smaller catalogue than Amazon or Walmart
  • Same-day delivery through Circle 360 only at select stores
  • US only
More Target alternatives

Pros and cons of Walmart

  • Groceries and general merchandise in one order, with store pickup
  • Walmart+ costs less per year than Amazon Prime
  • Thousands of US stores for pickup and in-person returns
  • Half-price Walmart+ for students and government assistance recipients
  • Free grocery delivery needs a $35 minimum even with Walmart+
  • Marketplace sellers mixed with Walmart's own stock make shipping and returns uneven
  • Walmart.com and Walmart+ serve only US customers
More Walmart alternatives

Other apps to consider

  • Amazon logo
    Amazon

    Instead of Target

    Far larger selection and Prime shipping on almost everything.

  • Etsy logo
    Etsy

    Instead of Target

    Handmade and personalised gifts and decor instead of mass-market products.

  • eBay logo
    eBay

    Instead of Target

    Good for discounted, used or discontinued items Target no longer stocks.

  • Costco logo
    Costco

    Instead of Walmart

    Bulk buying at low markups for households willing to pay an annual membership.

  • Wayfair logo
    Wayfair

    Instead of Walmart

    Wider range of furniture and home decor across budget and premium sister brands.

  • Ulta Beauty logo
    Ulta Beauty

    Instead of Walmart

    More prestige beauty brands plus salon services and loyalty points.

Target vs Walmart: common questions

Is Target better than Walmart?

Target and Walmart both sell groceries and general merchandise online with store pickup and same-day delivery in the US. Walmart has the bigger catalogue, a third-party marketplace and a cheaper paid membership. Target leans on its own brands, quick drive-up pickup and a free loyalty program. Pick Walmart for low-price essentials; pick Target for its exclusive brands and pickup convenience.

Is Target free?

Target has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.

Is Walmart free?

Walmart has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.

Is Target or Walmart open source?

Neither is open source.

Which platforms do Target and Walmart support?

Target: Web, Android and iOS. Walmart: Web, Android and iOS.