5 Ways Sam's Club Beats Costco - And 5 Ways It Doesn't

For years, Costco has been the fan favorite in the warehouse club battle. Many shoppers viewed it as the gold standard for bulk buying, private-label products, and membership value. But in 2026, the competition looks much closer than it once did. Sam's Club has spent the last several years improving its technology, sharpening prices, and adding perks that appeal to busy households. In some categories, it now compares very favorably with Costco and occasionally comes out ahead.

At the same time, Costco continues to dominate in several areas that have helped build its loyal customer base. For shoppers deciding between memberships, or debating whether they need both, here are five areas that make a Sam's Club membership worth it and five where Costco still holds the edge.

Editor's note: Membership fees, rewards programs, and pricing are subject to change and may vary by location. Comparisons reflect widely reported 2026 pricing and program details.

1. Sam's Club wins: lower membership costs

For budget-conscious shoppers, Sam's Club starts with a small but noticeable advantage. A standard Sam's Club membership costs $60 per year, while Costco's Gold Star membership costs $65.

The gap continues at the premium tier. Sam's Club Plus costs $120 annually compared with Costco Executive's $130. The difference is not huge, but households looking to minimize annual expenses may appreciate paying slightly less for similar shopping.

2. Sam's Club wins: Scan & Go convenience

One of Sam's Club's biggest strengths is its technology. The retailer's Scan & Go feature allows members to scan items with their phones while shopping and pay without waiting in a checkout line.

Costco has experimented with similar technology, but Sam's Club is the more established leader in this category. For shoppers who value speed and convenience, avoiding long checkout lines could make a big difference in the overall shopping experience.

3. Sam's Club wins: everyday grocery pricing

While pricing varies by region and product selection, recent comparisons prove that Sam's Club competes aggressively on grocery staples.

A comparison conducted by The Kitchn found Sam's Club slightly cheaper across several common grocery categories. The savings may not be substantial on individual items, but households shopping weekly could notice the difference over time.

4. Sam's Club wins: better gas station cash-back flexibility

Frequent drivers will benefit from Sam's Club's credit card rewards structure. The Sam's Club Mastercard offers 5% cash back on gas purchases at eligible stations, not just at Sam's Club locations.

Costco's 5% at Costco stations and 4% at other eligible stations' gas rewards program is still good, but is slightly less rewarding when customers get gas away from Costco. For households that fill up wherever is most convenient, Sam's Club's wider flexibility could be more useful.

5. Sam's Club wins: household basics and paper products

Warehouse clubs need to have high-quality everyday essentials that shoppers buy repeatedly. Paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, trash bags, and similar products are a large portion of household spending.

Thanks in part to Walmart's extensive supply chain network, Sam's Club often prices these basics very competitively. Shoppers focused primarily on stretching their household budget may find Sam's Club better for these routine purchases.

1. Costco wins: Kirkland Signature quality

Costco's private-label brand is one of the strongest reasons many members renew each year. Kirkland Signature has built a reputation for quality across food, household products, clothing, health items, and seasonal merchandise.

While Sam's Club's Member's Mark line has improved considerably, Kirkland still enjoys more customer recognition and a deeper product lineup. Many shoppers specifically visit Costco because they trust the consistency of the brand.

2. Costco wins: higher annual cash-back potential

Reward-focused shoppers may prefer Costco's higher earning ceiling. Costco Executive members can earn up to $1,250 annually through the program's 2% reward structure.

By comparison, Sam's Club Plus rewards have a lower cap of $750. Most households never reach either limit, but large families, business owners, and high-volume shoppers may find Costco's higher ceiling more appealing.

3. Costco wins: premium and organic food selection

Costco has developed a strong reputation for premium grocery offerings. Organic produce, specialty meats, imported cheeses, seafood, and upscale prepared foods are all available in the warehouse store.

Sam's Club carries many similar products, but Costco tends to offer more of a selection in premium and organic categories. Shoppers who prioritize food quality over the absolute lowest prices may think that this is a better deal.

4. Costco wins: international and specialty products

Part of Costco's appeal comes from discovering products that are difficult to find elsewhere. Imported snacks, international pantry staples, specialty desserts, and unique seasonal items frequently appear throughout the warehouse.

Sam's Club carries specialty merchandise as well, but Costco often has a bigger selection of globally sourced and hard-to-find products. For adventurous shoppers, this variety may be worth the more expensive membership price.

5. Costco wins: food court and treasure-hunt shopping

Few retail food courts have achieved the favorite status of Costco's. The famous $1.50 hot dog and soda combo is one of the most recognizable bargains in retail, and the chain's return to Coca-Cola fountain products has pleased many longtime members.

Beyond the food court, Costco is also good at creating a treasure-hunt atmosphere. Unexpected seasonal deals, limited-time products, and rotating inventory help with that. Sam's Club offers convenience and efficiency, but Costco still delivers a shopping experience many members genuinely enjoy.

Bottom line

The gap between Sam's Club's deals and the best Costco hacks has narrowed considerably. Sam's Club is great for lower membership costs, stronger checkout technology, competitive grocery pricing, flexible gas rewards, and value-focused household essentials.

Costco, meanwhile, continues to shine through Kirkland Signature products, premium grocery offerings, higher reward caps, specialty merchandise, and its distinctive warehouse experience. One additional factor worth considering is store proximity. Even the best membership loses value if the nearest warehouse is a lengthy drive away. For most households, the smarter choice often comes down to which store matches more closely with everyday shopping habits rather than which retailer wins the most categories on paper.