Pick the right tool, fast
← All comparisons
warehouse club subscriptions · Tool Face-Off

Costco Gold Star Membership vs Sam's Club Membership

Quick answer

Both warehouse clubs offer bulk savings that dwarf their annual fees, but Costco edges out Sam's Club on product quality and brand prestige, while Sam's Club wins on tech perks and lower entry price.

Our pick
Costco Gold Star Membership
The king of bulk — premium goods, iconic food court, cult following.
4.2★
VS
Sam's Club Membership
Walmart's bulk cousin — tech-forward, cheaper entry, surprisingly solid.
4.1★
Annual Fee (base tier)
$65/year
$50/year
Premium Tier
Executive: $130/year (2% cashback, max $1,000)
Plus: $110/year (2% cashback, max $500)
Number of U.S. Locations
~590 locations
~600 locations
Scan-and-Go App Checkout
No (not available at most U.S. locations)
Yes — skip the checkout line entirely
Pharmacy Discount Program
Yes, Costco Pharmacy (competitive pricing)
Yes, plus free Rx for select generics
Kirkland / House Brand
Kirkland Signature — widely beloved, often beats name brands
Member's Mark — solid but less iconic
Food Court Hot Dog Price
$1.50 (frozen since 1985, legendary)
$1.38 — cheaper, but lacks the mythos
Same-Day Delivery
Via Instacart (fee applies)
Via Instacart + free delivery for Plus members
Gas Stations
Yes, typically among cheapest in area
Yes, competitive pricing
Return Policy
Virtually unlimited on most items
Generous but slightly more category restrictions
Travel & Auto Buying Perks
Costco Travel — strong deals on rental cars, vacations
Auto buying program via TrueCar
Optical & Hearing Centers
Yes, both available in-store
Optical yes; hearing limited

Costco Gold Star Membership

Pricing★★★½☆
Perks & Extras★★★★½
Product Quality★★★★★
Value for Money★★★★½
Store Experience★★★★½
Digital & App Features★★★☆☆

Sam's Club Membership

Pricing★★★★½
Perks & Extras★★★★☆
Product Quality★★★½☆
Value for Money★★★★☆
Store Experience★★★½☆
Digital & App Features★★★★★

Worth knowing

Costco sells so much wine annually that if it were a standalone winery, it would be one of the largest in the United States — cheers to bulk savings.

If you want

You want the best product quality and legendary return policy

Kirkland Signature is genuinely elite, and Costco's near-unlimited returns make every purchase feel risk-free.

→ Pick Costco Gold Star Membership
If you want

You hate waiting in checkout lines and want tech-forward shopping

Sam's Club Scan & Go is a genuine game-changer — walk in, scan, and walk out like a warehouse wizard.

→ Pick Sam's Club Membership
If you want

You're on a tight budget and want the cheapest entry point

At $50/year, Sam's Club costs $15 less and still delivers most of the same bulk-buying benefits.

→ Pick Sam's Club Membership
If you want

You want to book travel or buy a car through your membership

Costco Travel is consistently rated one of the best travel deal platforms, full stop.

→ Pick Costco Gold Star Membership
Costco Gold Star MembershipVSBJ's Wholesale Club Membership
Retail Memberships
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.