Quick Comparison
Target and Walmart each offer paid membership programs designed to compete with Amazon Prime. Despite both being retail loyalty programs, they serve different shopping styles and offer different primary benefits.
| Feature | Target Circle 360 | Walmart+ |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | $49 | $98 |
| Monthly option | $10.99/month | $12.95/month |
| Free shipping minimum | No minimum | $35 |
| Same-day delivery | Free (via Shipt, $35+) | Free ($35+) |
| Grocery delivery | Via Shipt | Direct Walmart |
| Streaming included | No | Paramount+ Essential |
| Gas discount | No | 10¢/gal (Exxon/Mobil/Walmart) |
| In-store checkout | Standard | Mobile Scan & Go |
| Store count | ~1,900 | ~4,700 |
Bottom line: Target Circle 360 costs half as much and excels at same-day delivery. Walmart+ offers more perks including gas savings and streaming. Choose based on which store you prefer and your delivery needs.
Understanding the Programs
Target’s Loyalty Ecosystem
Target offers multiple interconnected programs:
| Program | Cost | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Target Circle | Free | 1% earnings, birthday reward, member deals |
| Target Circle Card | Free (credit/debit) | 5% off everything + free shipping |
| Target Circle 360 | $49/year | Unlimited Shipt delivery + shipping |
All three stack together. A complete Target loyalist gets:
- 5% off (Circle Card)
- Member deals (Circle free program)
- Free unlimited delivery (Circle 360)
Walmart’s Membership
Walmart has a simpler structure:
| Program | Cost | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart+ | $98/year | Delivery, gas, streaming, Scan & Go |
Walmart offers additional credit cards (Capital One) but they’re separate from Walmart+ membership.
Membership Pricing
Annual vs Monthly
| Plan | Target Circle 360 | Walmart+ |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | $49 | $98 |
| Monthly | $10.99 ($132/year) | $12.95 ($155/year) |
| Savings (annual over monthly) | $83 (63%) | $57 (37%) |
Both programs heavily penalize monthly subscribers. If you’ll use either year-round, pay annually.
Price Difference Impact
| Cost Factor | Target Circle 360 | Walmart+ |
|---|---|---|
| Annual membership | $49 | $98 |
| Difference | $49 more for Walmart+ | |
| Break-even (gas at 10¢/gal) | — | 490 gallons (~14,700 miles) |
| Break-even (Paramount at $96/yr) | — | Almost covers difference |
Walmart+ costs $49 more, but includes streaming worth ~$96/year and gas savings, potentially justifying the difference.
Free Shipping Comparison
Target Circle 360 Shipping
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 2-day shipping | Free, no minimum |
| Same-day (Shipt) | Free on $35+ orders |
| Small orders | $5 item ships free |
| Product coverage | Most Target.com items |
Walmart+ Shipping
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 2-day shipping | Free on $35+ orders |
| Same-day delivery | Free on $35+ orders (where available) |
| No-minimum shipping | Many items, not all |
| Product coverage | Most Walmart.com items |
Shipping Winner: Target Circle 360
Target’s no-minimum free shipping is a meaningful advantage for small orders. Both offer robust same-day delivery.
Same-Day Delivery Deep Dive
Same-day delivery is often the real reason people join these programs.
Target Same-Day (via Shipt)
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Powered by | Shipt (Target-owned) |
| Minimum order | $35 |
| Delivery windows | 1-hour windows |
| Coverage | Most Target stores |
| Alcohol/pharmacy | Available in some areas |
| Starbucks at Target | Not included |
Walmart+ Same-Day
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Powered by | Walmart logistics + partners |
| Minimum order | $35 |
| Delivery windows | 1-hour windows |
| Coverage | 4,700+ stores |
| Express delivery | $10 extra for 2-hour rush |
| Specialty items | Some restrictions |
Geographic Coverage
| Area | Target/Shipt | Walmart |
|---|---|---|
| Total stores | ~1,900 | ~4,700 |
| Delivery coverage | Good in suburbs/urban | Excellent everywhere |
| Rural availability | Limited | Better |
Walmart’s massive store network gives it better same-day delivery coverage, especially outside major metros.
Grocery Delivery Comparison
Target Grocery (via Shipt)
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Selection | Target grocery section |
| Fresh produce | Yes |
| Meat/seafood | Limited |
| Organic options | Good Selection |
| Pricing | Target everyday prices |
| Brand variety | Moderate |
Target grocery is improving but remains smaller than a full supermarket.
Walmart Grocery
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Selection | Full supermarket |
| Fresh produce | Extensive |
| Meat/seafood | Full butcher/seafood counter |
| Organic options | Good |
| Pricing | Usually lowest |
| Brand variety | Extensive |
Grocery Winner: Walmart+
Walmart operates full supermarkets. Target stores have groceries but aren’t designed as grocery destinations. For serious grocery delivery, Walmart+ is superior.
Weekly Grocery Cost Comparison
| Basket Size | Target Price | Walmart Price | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic staples ($100 list) | $105 | $95 | Walmart $10 less |
| Family weekly ($200 list) | $210 | $190 | Walmart $20 less |
| Monthly groceries ($800) | $840 | $760 | Walmart $80 less |
Gas Savings (Walmart+ Only)
Target Circle 360 offers no gas benefits. Walmart+ includes meaningful fuel savings.
Walmart+ Gas Discount
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Discount amount | 10¢ per gallon |
| Station networks | Exxon, Mobil, Walmart, Murphy USA |
| Total stations | 14,000+ |
| How it works | Link in Walmart app |
Annual Gas Value
| Annual Miles | Gallons (30 mpg) | Walmart+ Gas Savings |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | 333 | $33 |
| 12,000 | 400 | $40 |
| 15,000 | 500 | $50 |
| 20,000 | 667 | $67 |
For a two-car household driving 24,000 miles/year combined: $80 in gas savings.
Streaming (Walmart+ Only)
Another Walmart+ exclusive benefit.
Paramount+ Essential Included
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Service | Paramount+ Essential (with ads) |
| Standalone value | $7.99/month ($96/year) |
| Content | Star Trek, Yellowstone spinoffs, NFL games |
| Simultaneous streams | 3 |
| 4K content | Yes |
Target Circle 360 includes no streaming benefits.
Is Paramount+ Worth It?
| If You… | Streaming Value |
|---|---|
| Would subscribe anyway | $96/year saved |
| Want some streaming option | Meaningful benefit |
| Already have Netflix/Hulu/Prime | Incremental value |
| Don’t watch streaming | $0 value |
In-Store Experience
Target In-Store
| Feature | Target Circle | Target Circle 360 |
|---|---|---|
| Circle deals | Yes | Yes |
| Drive Up | Free | Free |
| Order Pickup | Free | Free |
| Checkout | Standard | Standard |
| Starbucks discount | With Circle Card | With Circle Card |
Walmart In-Store
| Feature | No Membership | Walmart+ |
|---|---|---|
| Scan & Go | No | Yes (skip checkout) |
| Curbside pickup | Free | Free |
| Express pickup | Extra fee | Free |
| Mobile payment | Standard | Integrated |
In-Store Winner: Walmart+
Walmart+’s Scan & Go lets you scan items as you shop and skip checkout entirely—a meaningful time-saver excluded from Target’s offering.
The Target RedCard/Circle Card Advantage
Target’s credit/debit card adds significant value that Walmart can’t match.
Target Circle Card Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Discount | 5% off every purchase |
| Free shipping | On Target.com |
| Extended returns | Extra 30 days |
| Starbucks | 5% off in-store Starbucks |
5% Back Math
| Monthly Target Spending | Annual Spending | 5% Savings |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | $1,200 | $60 |
| $200 | $2,400 | $120 |
| $300 | $3,600 | $180 |
| $400 | $4,800 | $240 |
The Target Circle Card alone can exceed Walmart+’s total membership cost in savings.
Target Full Stack
| Component | Cost | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Target Circle (free) | $0 | Member deals + 1% back |
| Target Circle Card | $0 | 5% off everything |
| Target Circle 360 | $49 | Free delivery |
| Total cost | $49 | 5% off + free delivery |
Cost Comparison: Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Occasional Shopper ($150/month)
| Factor | Target Circle 360 | Walmart+ |
|---|---|---|
| Membership | $49 | $98 |
| Annual purchases | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| 5% Circle Card savings | $90 | — |
| Streaming value used | $0 | $50 (partial use) |
| Gas savings | $0 | $40 |
| Net membership value | $90 - $49 = $41 | $90 - $98 = -$8 |
Target wins for occasional shoppers, especially with Circle Card.
Scenario 2: Family, Weekly Grocery Delivery
| Factor | Target Circle 360 | Walmart+ |
|---|---|---|
| Membership | $49 | $98 |
| Monthly groceries | $600 | $540 (10% lower) |
| Annual groceries | $7,200 | $6,480 |
| 5% Circle Card savings | $360 | — |
| Streaming | $0 | $96 |
| Gas savings (15k miles) | $0 | $50 |
| Total annual cost | $6,889 | $6,432 |
Walmart+ saves $457 for this grocery-focused family, despite higher membership cost.
Scenario 3: Urban Professional, Convenience Focus
| Factor | Target Circle 360 | Walmart+ |
|---|---|---|
| Membership | $49 | $98 |
| Monthly spending | $200 | $200 |
| Annual spending | $2,400 | $2,400 |
| 5% Circle Card | $120 | — |
| Same-day delivery value | $150 (estimate) | $150 |
| Small order shipping | $50 (valuable) | $20 |
| Streaming | $0 | $96 |
| Net value over cost | $271 | $168 |
Target Circle 360 wins for urban convenience shoppers, especially those making small frequent orders.
Who Should Choose What
Choose Target Circle 360 If:
| Profile | Why Target |
|---|---|
| Urban dwellers | Strong Target presence |
| Small order shoppers | No shipping minimum |
| Target Circle Card holders | Stack 5% savings |
| Non-drivers | No gas benefit needed |
| Don’t need streaming | Save $49 on membership |
| Budget-conscious | $49 vs $98 |
Choose Walmart+ If:
| Profile | Why Walmart |
|---|---|
| Grocery-focused families | Full supermarket selection |
| Regular drivers | Gas savings valuable |
| Streamers | Paramount+ included |
| Rural/suburban | Better Walmart coverage |
| In-store shoppers | Scan & Go convenience |
| Lowest price seekers | Walmart beats Target pricing |
Consider Both If:
Some households benefit from dual membership:
| Situation | Use Target For | Use Walmart For |
|---|---|---|
| Different product strengths | Home décor, apparel, beauty | Groceries, household basics |
| Coverage gaps | Areas near Target | Areas near Walmart |
| Personal preference | Shopper A prefers Target | Shopper B prefers Walmart |
Combined cost: $147/year for both programs.
Alternative: Free Options
Before paying for either, consider free alternatives.
Target Circle (Free)
| Included Free | Details |
|---|---|
| 1% back on purchases | As Target Circle earnings |
| Birthday 5% off | One-time annual discount |
| Member deals | Rotating discounts |
| Curbside/Drive Up | Always free |
| In-store pickup | Always free |
Walmart Free Pickup
| Included Free | Details |
|---|---|
| Free curbside pickup | On $35+ orders |
| Free in-store pickup | On any order |
| Walmart app | Full shopping functionality |
Free May Be Enough If:
- You don’t value delivery
- You shop infrequently
- You can pick up orders in-store
- You don’t need shipping for small items
Head-to-Head Value
Feature-by-Feature Winner
| Feature | Winner |
|---|---|
| Membership cost | Target Circle 360 ($49) |
| No-minimum shipping | Target Circle 360 |
| Same-day delivery coverage | Walmart+ |
| Grocery selection | Walmart+ |
| Gas savings | Walmart+ |
| Streaming | Walmart+ |
| In-store checkout | Walmart+ (Scan & Go) |
| Stackable savings (5% card) | Target Circle |
| Store experience | Tie (preference) |
Total Value Comparison
| Category | Target Circle 360 | Walmart+ |
|---|---|---|
| Membership cost | -$49 | -$98 |
| Shipping value | +$100 | +$70 |
| Same-day delivery | +$75 | +$100 |
| 5% Circle Card (if used) | +$120 (on $2,400) | — |
| Streaming | — | +$96 |
| Gas savings | — | +$50 |
| Net value | +$246 | +$218 |
Values assume moderate usage. Your results vary based on shopping patterns.
Verdict
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Budget-conscious | Target Circle 360 ($49 is half the price) |
| Grocery delivery focus | Walmart+ (full supermarket) |
| Target Circle Card holder | Target Circle 360 (stacks with 5%) |
| Regular driver | Walmart+ (gas savings) |
| Streamer | Walmart+ (Paramount+ included) |
| Small/frequent orders | Target Circle 360 (no minimum) |
| Rural/suburban | Walmart+ (better coverage) |
| Urban | Target Circle 360 (Target stores abundant) |
Our Recommendation
Choose Target Circle 360 if: You prefer Target’s product selection, want to stack the 5% Circle Card discount, make frequent small orders, or simply want the cheaper option at $49.
Choose Walmart+ if: You prioritize grocery delivery, want gas savings, need Paramount+ streaming, live in an area with better Walmart coverage, or want the Scan & Go checkout feature.
The key insight: These programs reflect the stores themselves. Target is more curated and urban-friendly; Walmart offers broader selection and better coverage, especially for groceries. Choose the program for the store you prefer shopping at.
Related: Amazon Prime vs Walmart Plus | Target Circle Worth It? | Costco vs Sam’s Club | Instacart vs Amazon Fresh
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