Amazon Prime vs Walmart+ Membership: Which Is Worth It for Students

For international students in the U.S., choosing between Amazon Prime and Walmart+ can mean saving $50–$100 per year on essentials, textbooks, and groceries. As of 2025, Amazon Prime Student costs $7.49 per month (or $69 annually), while Walmart+ Student is $4.48 per month (or $49 annually) — both roughly half the price of their standard plans. According to a 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the average U.S. college student spends $1,200–$1,500 per year on textbooks and supplies, and another $2,500 on food at home. With delivery fees and shipping minimums adding up, a membership can pay for itself within two months. But the “better” choice depends on your campus location, shopping habits, and whether you need streaming perks or grocery delivery. This guide breaks down the exact costs, key benefits, and state-by-state differences (e.g., Amazon Prime’s Whole Foods delivery is available in 48 states, while Walmart+ covers 4,900+ stores nationwide) so you can decide which membership actually saves you money as an international student on a budget.

Membership Pricing and Student Eligibility

Both Amazon and Walmart offer verified student discounts that require a valid .edu email address or enrollment verification through a third-party service like SheerID. Amazon Prime Student costs $7.49/month or $69/year — a 50% discount off the standard $139/year Prime membership. Walmart+ Student costs $4.48/month or $49/year — a 50% discount off the standard $98/year Walmart+ plan.

Verification Requirements

Amazon accepts .edu emails from accredited U.S. institutions and offers a 6-month free trial for new student members. Walmart requires verification through SheerID, which accepts most U.S. colleges and universities, including community colleges and trade schools. Both programs require re-verification every 12 months.

Annual vs Monthly Billing

If you commit to annual billing, Amazon Prime Student costs $69 upfront (saving $20.88 vs monthly), while Walmart+ Student costs $49 upfront (saving $4.76 vs monthly). For international students on a tight semester budget, the annual plan often makes more sense — you pay once and forget it.

Shipping and Delivery Benefits

The core value of both memberships lies in free, fast shipping with no minimum order size. Amazon Prime Student offers free two-day shipping on over 100 million items, with same-day or one-day delivery available in 90+ U.S. metro areas. Walmart+ Student provides free next-day and two-day shipping on orders over $35, with no minimum on grocery orders.

Grocery Delivery Comparison

This is where the biggest difference emerges. Walmart+ includes free grocery delivery from 4,900+ stores nationwide, with no markup on in-store prices and a $35 minimum. Amazon Prime Student does not include free Whole Foods delivery by default — you need the standard Prime membership ($139/year) for that perk. However, Amazon Fresh delivery is available in select cities for Prime Student members, though availability varies widely.

Campus Proximity Factor

If your campus is within 10 miles of a Walmart Supercenter, Walmart+ grocery delivery can replace weekly trips to the store. If you’re in a dense urban area with Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods nearby, Prime Student’s shipping speed wins. Check your zip code on each service’s website before committing.

Streaming and Entertainment Perks

Amazon Prime Student includes all the streaming benefits of standard Prime: Prime Video (with thousands of movies and shows), Amazon Music Prime (2 million songs ad-free), Prime Gaming (free monthly games and in-game loot), and Grubhub+ Student (free delivery on orders over $12 for one year). Walmart+ Student offers Paramount+ Essential (with ads) at no extra cost, plus Pluto TV access and ExxonMobil fuel discounts of 10 cents per gallon.

Value Comparison for Students

The streaming bundle alone makes Amazon Prime Student a stronger entertainment value. Prime Video’s catalog includes original series like The Boys and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, while Paramount+ offers CBS shows, NFL games, and movies. For international students who use streaming to stay connected with U.S. culture, Amazon’s broader library is a clear advantage.

Music and Gaming

Amazon Music Prime’s 2-million-song library is limited compared to Spotify or Apple Music, but it’s included. Prime Gaming gives you free games each month — titles like Fall Guys or Overcooked — which can save you $30–$60 per year if you’d otherwise buy them. Walmart+ offers no music or gaming perks.

Additional Student-Specific Discounts

Both memberships offer exclusive student deals beyond the core benefits. Amazon Prime Student provides 6 months of free Amazon Music Unlimited (normally $10.99/month), 6 months of free Audible Plus (normally $7.95/month), and 20% off diapers and baby food via Amazon Family. Walmart+ Student includes free delivery from Murphy USA gas stations and 5 cents off per gallon at ExxonMobil stations.

Textbook and Supply Savings

Amazon offers a Textbook Rental program with free two-day shipping on rentals, and Trade-In where you can get up to 80% back on used textbooks. Walmart does not have a dedicated textbook program, though you can buy books from third-party sellers on Walmart Marketplace. For international students taking STEM courses, where textbooks often cost $150–$300 each, Amazon’s rental program can save $200–$500 per semester.

Travel and Lifestyle Perks

Amazon Prime Student includes Grubhub+ Student (free delivery for one year, saving $9.99/month) and Amazon Photos (unlimited photo storage). Walmart+ Student offers Pluto TV and free roadside assistance (up to 4 service calls per year) — a useful perk for students with older cars.

State-by-State Availability and Limitations

Not all benefits are available everywhere. Amazon Prime Student offers same-day delivery in 90+ metro areas including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Miami, but rural areas may only get two-day shipping. Walmart+ Student grocery delivery covers 4,900+ stores across all 50 states, but availability depends on store proximity — some rural zip codes have no delivery option.

International Student Considerations

If you’re an international student on an F-1 visa, both memberships work with U.S. billing addresses and credit cards. However, Amazon Prime Student requires a U.S. payment method (credit card or debit card issued by a U.S. bank). Walmart+ accepts international credit cards as long as they have a U.S. billing address. Neither service ships to international addresses, so plan accordingly if you’re returning home after graduation.

Campus-Specific Restrictions

Some university dormitories and apartments have package rooms that only accept deliveries from certain carriers. Amazon uses its own delivery network (Amazon Logistics) plus UPS and USPS, while Walmart+ primarily uses FedEx and UPS. Check with your housing office about carrier restrictions before choosing.

Which Membership Should You Choose?

The decision comes down to your shopping patterns and location. Choose Amazon Prime Student if you: buy textbooks and electronics online, stream shows and movies regularly, live in a city with same-day delivery, and want music and gaming perks. Choose Walmart+ Student if you: buy groceries weekly from Walmart, drive a car and want fuel discounts, live near a Walmart Supercenter, and prefer a lower annual fee.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

For a typical international student spending $200/month on Amazon (textbooks, supplies, household items), Prime Student saves $15–$25 per month in shipping fees alone — making the $69/year membership pay for itself in 3–4 months. For a student spending $150/month on Walmart groceries, Walmart+ saves $10–$15 per month in delivery fees, paying for the $49/year membership in 4–5 months.

Hybrid Approach

Some students maintain both memberships, using Amazon for textbooks and electronics and Walmart for weekly groceries. The combined cost of $118/year ($69 + $49) is still less than a standard Prime membership ($139/year) and covers all essentials. If your budget allows, this dual approach maximizes savings.

FAQ

Q1: How long does the free trial last for Amazon Prime Student?

Amazon Prime Student offers a 6-month free trial for first-time student members. After the trial ends, it automatically converts to a paid membership at $7.49/month or $69/year. You can cancel anytime during the trial with no charge. Walmart+ Student does not offer a free trial — you pay $4.48/month from day one, though you can cancel within 30 days for a full refund.

Q2: Can I share my student membership with family members?

Amazon Prime Student allows you to add one adult household member to your account for free, giving them access to shipping benefits and Prime Video. Walmart+ Student allows you to share your membership with one additional household member (same address) for free. Both services require the secondary member to live at the same address and be added through your account settings.

Q3: Do these memberships work for international students without a Social Security Number?

Yes. Amazon Prime Student requires a valid .edu email address and a U.S. payment method (credit card or debit card). Walmart+ Student requires verification through SheerID (which accepts international student IDs) and a U.S. billing address. Neither service requires a Social Security Number to sign up. For cross-border tuition payments, some international families use channels like Airwallex global account to settle fees without high conversion costs.

References

• Amazon.com, Inc. 2025. Amazon Prime Student Membership Terms and Pricing. Official Amazon Student Page.
• Walmart, Inc. 2025. Walmart+ Student Membership Benefits and Pricing. Official Walmart+ Page.
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2024. Consumer Expenditure Survey — Average Annual Expenditures of College Students, 2022–2023.
• SheerID. 2025. Student Verification Services for Walmart+ and Amazon Prime. SheerID Partner Documentation.
• National Association of College Stores. 2024. Student Watch Report — Textbook and Course Material Spending Trends.