When it comes to buying in bulk and saving money, two names often come up: Costco and Sam’s Club. These warehouse giants command loyalty from millions of shoppers across the United States. But which membership club is truly better?
With updated numbers from 2024–2025, shifting customer satisfaction scores, and rapid changes in technology and digital shopping, this question is more relevant than ever.
This guide dives deep into the latest membership costs, return policies, payment methods, perks, product variety, brand quality, real item pricing, customer ratings, services, store networks, tech features, and online experience.
Whether you’re a frugal family, a small business owner, or a deal hunter, understanding what sets these clubs apart will help you pick the best fit for your lifestyle and budget.
Company Overviews – Costco and Sam’s Club
Costco Company Overview
Costco Wholesale Corporation is the world’s third-largest retailer and the top warehouse club by sales. Founded in Seattle, Washington, in 1983, it now operates 914 warehouses worldwide, with 635 stores in the United States as of September 2025.
- Revenue (2025): $275.2 billion
- Total Members: 145.2 million cardholders
- US Locations: 635 warehouses in 49 states
- Employees: 333,000+
- Private Brand: Kirkland Signature, making up over $86 billion in annual sales
Costco’s business model is simple: charge an annual membership fee in exchange for limited but high-volume product selection, providing some of the lowest prices in retail. Costco is also famous for “treasure hunt” finds — high-quality products that rotate often.
Sam’s Club Company Overview
Sam’s Club is Walmart’s warehouse club brand, founded by Sam Walton in 1983. As of May 2025, there are 600 Sam’s Club locations in the US (plus international locations in Mexico, China, and Brazil).
- Revenue (2025): $90.2 billion
- Total Members (2022-2025 est.): 69 million+
- US Locations: 600 clubs across 44 states
- Employees: 100,000
- Private Brand: Member’s Mark, responsible for nearly 30% of sales
Sam’s Club focuses on exclusive member savings, higher SKU count (product variety), and deep integration with Walmart’s tech and supply chain. The past years have seen big investments in digital features and expansion plans, including up to 15 new US clubs per year.
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Membership Fees Comparison (2025)
| Club | Basic Membership (Annual) | Premium (Annual) | Premium Rewards | Free Family Card | Satisfaction Refund |
| Costco | $65 (Gold Star) | $130 (Executive) | 2% back (up to $1,250/yr) | Yes | Yes |
| Sam’s Club | $50 (Club) | $110 (Plus) | 2% back (up to $500/yr) | Yes | Yes |
Recent Changes
- Costco raised prices in September 2024 (first increase in 7 years)
- Sam’s Club last raised prices in October 2022 (first in 9 years)
- Both accept upgrades and offer satisfaction refunds at any time
Sam’s Club is more affordable for basic and premium memberships, making it an attractive choice for cost-conscious shoppers. However, Costco’s Executive membership has a much higher cash-back cap, meaning very high spenders (over $10,000/year) could benefit more.
If you haven’t activated your account yet, learn How to Activate Sam’s Club Membership in just a few steps.
Return Policies Comparison
| Club | General Merchandise | Electronics/Appliances | Other/Exceptions | Satisfaction Guarantee |
| Costco | Return almost any time | 90 days | Few non-returnables (e.g. alcohol, cigs) | Yes |
| Sam’s Club | Return almost any time | 90 days (30 for heavy equip.) | 14 days for cell phones | Yes |
Both clubs offer very generous return policies, especially compared to traditional retailers. Costco has a slightly shorter list of restricted items and is known for a hassle-free experience, including extended warranties on electronics and appliances.
Payment Methods Comparison
| Club | Credit Cards | Debit | EBT | Checks/Cash | Mobile Pay | Gift Cards |
| Costco | Visa only (including Costco Visa) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Apple/Google/Samsung | Costco Shop Card |
| Sam’s Club | Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, Walmart | Yes | Yes | Yes | Apple/Google/Samsung | Sam’s Club, Walmart |
Key Points
- Costco only takes Visa for credit in-store (MasterCard possible online or pharmacy), while Sam’s Club takes all major credit cards.
- Sam’s Club is more flexible for card payments—especially important for those whose main bank is not Visa-based.
Credit Card Perks Comparison
| Club | Co-branded Card | Gas Rewards | In-Club Rewards | Other Notable Perks |
| Costco | Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi | 5% gas (Costco), 4% EV charging | 2% back at Costco/Costco.com | 3% travel/restaurants |
| Sam’s Club | Sam’s Club MasterCard | 5% gas (all stations), 3% dining | 3% at Sam’s (Plus), 1% at Club | 1% all other |
Both cards are strong for gas, but Costco’s card offers a higher in-store cash back (2% vs. 1% at Sam’s for basic members), making it better for heavy Costco shoppers; Sam’s Club Plus members get a higher 3% back at Sam’s Club purchases.
Product Assortment and SKU Counts
| Club | In-Store SKU Count | Online SKU Count | Strategy |
| Costco | 3,700-4,000 | 9,000–10,000 | Limited, curated |
| Sam’s Club | 6,000–7,000 | 15,000+ | Higher variety |
Sam’s Club carries more brands and SKUs, offering shoppers more selection, especially in packaged and household goods. Costco’s limited assortment enables deeper discounts and higher average quality, but fewer choices.
Private Label Brand Quality – Kirkland vs Member’s Mark
| Club | Private Brand | % of Sales | Quality/Reputation |
| Costco | Kirkland Signature | 31% | High—often beats national brands |
| Sam’s Club | Member’s Mark | 30% | Strong, but less universal acclaim |
- Kirkland Signature is legendary for matching or beating national brands at a lower price—wine, batteries, diapers, and food all score highly with customers and reviewers.
- Member’s Mark is also expanding and highly rated, but doesn’t yet have the same “cult status” or across-the-board consistency as Kirkland.
Price Comparison on Common Bulk Items (2025)
| Item | Costco Price | Sam’s Club Price | Winner |
| Bath Tissue (toilet paper) | $20.49/1,425 sq.ft | $22.98/1,254 sq.ft | Costco (cheaper/cf) |
| Disposable Spoons (500 vs 300) | $12.99/500 | $14.98/300 | Costco |
| Olay Face Cream | $45.99/2-pack | $47.98/2-pack | Costco |
| Venus Razors (handle+11 ref.) | $24.59 | $35.98 | Costco |
| Baby wipes (900 vs 1,152 ct) | $19.99/900 | $21.74/1,152 | Sam’s (per wipe) |
| Paper Towels | $20.49/1,026 sq.ft | $19.98/1,031 sq.ft | Sam’s (slightly) |
| Kitchen Trash Bags (200 ct) | $17.99 | $16.98 | Sam’s |
| Clorox Wipes (5-pack) | $18.70 | $18.78 | Costco (by cents) |
| Sensodyne Toothpaste (4-pk) | $25.99 | $25.86 | Sam’s (by cents) |
There is no runaway winner—Costco wins on some staples, Sam’s Club on others (especially wipes, towels, and certain personal care items). Small differences can add up, but both beat grocery/drug store prices by a wide margin.
Customer Satisfaction Ratings (2025)
The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) 2025 has delivered some surprises
| Retailer | 2024 ACSI | 2025 ACSI | % Change | Category |
| Sam’s Club | 81 | 85 | +5% | Gen. Merchandise |
| Costco | 82 | 82 | 0% | Gen. Merchandise |
- Sam’s Club is now ranked #1 among general merchandise retailers (not just clubs), reflecting major gains in checkout speed, digital features, and convenience. Both clubs are tied at 82 in the Supermarkets category.
- Regionally, Sam’s Club dominates the Midwest (score: 84), while Costco leads in the West (score: 82)
In short Sam’s Club has closed the loyalty gap and now pulls ahead for customer satisfaction, driven by rapid tech upgrades and digital-first experiences—especially among young shoppers.
Digital Services and Technology Features
Costco
- Has a mobile app with a shopping list, digital membership card, and ability to check in-store inventory.
- Online ordering covers thousands more SKUs, especially via CostcoGrocery or Instacart partners.
- Online experience is good for essentials, but app scores slightly below Sam’s Club in 2025 ACSI.
- No contactless receipt exit yet; checkout experience traditional.
Sam’s Club
- Scan & Go: Skip checkout lines by scanning items via app, then pay and walk out. Used by 1 in 3 members.
- AI-powered receipt checks: Nationwide rollout for even quicker exit lines.
- Advanced apps receive higher ratings for reliability and speed.
- Tech investments drive above-market satisfaction, especially for young consumers and busy families.
Sam’s Club’s digital prowess is a standout, offering more convenient, tech-forward options for modern shopping.
Store Locations and Density
Costco
- 635 locations in the US (Sept 2025)
- Highest density in California (143 stores)
- Present in 49 states
Sam’s Club
- 600 US locations (May 2025) and growing
- Adding up to 15 new clubs per year in aggressive expansion
- Present in 44 states; not available in certain states like Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Alaska
Both clubs have nationwide reach, but Costco is slightly more widespread (more states covered, more stores overall). Location convenience depends on the individual zip code.
Operation Hours and Member Benefits
Costco Basic Hours
- Weekdays: 10am–8:30pm
- Saturday: 9:30am–6pm
- Sunday: 10am–6pm
- New for 2025: Early hours at select locations for Executive members as an extra perk
Sam’s Club Hours
- Weekdays/Saturday/Sunday: 9am–8pm (Plus gets 8am–9am early access)
- Fuel center and curbside pickup start as early as 6am (fuel); café/food 10am–8pm
- Longer open hours than Costco on weekends and with Plus membership
Sam’s Club offers greater flexibility, especially for early risers, thanks to more widespread early morning hours for Plus members. Costco’s exclusive early access is limited geographically.
Additional Services (Pharmacy, Gas Stations, Optical, Tire)
Both clubs provide
- In-store pharmacy, optical, hearing, tire, and battery centers
- Discounted fuel/gas stations (members only)
- Travel bookings and extras (delivery, rental cars, and cruises via Costco Travel)
Unique Perks
- Costco’s food court is legendary for its $1.50 hot dog-and-soda combo, and inexpensive pizza, with ~99% of locations offering a food court.
- Sam’s Club offers many of the same services, but with a focus on rapid digital prescription management, curbside pickup, and more direct integration with Walmart’s health and wellness platform (e.g., Walmart Health clinics).
Besides differences in prepared food, services are quite similar. Costco’s food court is iconic and draws member loyalty.
Food Court and Prepared Foods
Costco Staples (2025)
- $1.50 hot dog + soda
- Cheese and pepperoni pizza ($1.99/slice, $9.95/whole)
- Chicken bake, Caesar salad, Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie, ice cream sundaes, smoothies, and more
Sam’s Club Café
- $1.38 slice (16 in pizza), $1.38 hot dog + drink (prices may vary by location)
- Larger variety of ice cream treats, pretzels, and member-exclusive meals
Both offer great value and fill up hungry shoppers. Costco’s food court has cult status, but Sam’s Club is competitive on variety and price.
Online Shopping Experience
Costco
- Large but limited compared to Amazon or Walmart; non-members can order online with a 5% surcharge.
- Instacart partnership for same-day delivery.
- Growing e-commerce: 7% of total sales in 2024, online sales growth of 16% that year.
Sam’s Club
- Deeper online SKU selection, faster shipping, and more aggressive curbside and ship-from-store tech.
- Free shipping key perk for Plus members on most online orders.
- Online orders now make up nearly 12% of sales, indicating rapid digital adoption.
Sam’s Club has better shipping benefits for premium members and a more user-friendly digital shopping platform, closely linked to Walmart’s fulfillment network.
Final Thoughts – Costco or Sam’s Club — Which is Better in 2025?
Costco is still the leader for brand trust, quality, and simple shopping — with the best-value private brands (Kirkland), legendary returns, and an unbeatable food court. Hardcore bulk buyers and top spenders maximize their benefit with the Executive card.
Sam’s Club has surged ahead on price, digital innovation, convenience, and customer satisfaction. If you value early shopping, more payment flexibility, or live in a region with lots of Sam’s Clubs and want smaller annual fees, they’re the top pick — especially for tech-savvy or younger families.
Quick Recap Table
| Category | Costco | Sam’s Club |
| Membership Cost | ✔ Lower | |
| In-Store Selection | Quality/Fewer SKUs | ✔ More SKUs |
| Private Label | ✔ Kirkland | ✔Member’s Mark |
| Brand Variety | ✔ More brands | |
| Payment Options | ✔ More flexible | |
| Digital Services | ✔ App, Scan & Go | |
| Return Policy | ✔ Easiest | |
| Food Court | ✔ Most iconic | |
| Gas Pricing | ✔ Both competitive | ✔ Both competitive |
| Customer Satisfaction | ✔ #1 ACSI 2025 | |
| Online Shopping | ✔ More flexible | |
| Operating Hours | ✔ Early for Plus | |
| Store Locations | ✔ More US states |
The best choice comes down to your needs.
- For pure price, tech, and shopping options, Sam’s Club is the 2025 standout.
- For premium quality, return peace of mind, and food-court nostalgia, Costco wins.