The Journal
ComparisonApril 25, 2026

Instacart vs Amazon Fresh vs Walmart, priced

Same 12-item list, four delivery services. Real prices, real fees, real markups. Here's who actually wins.

6 min read

I priced the same 12-item grocery list across the four big delivery services in April 2026. The differences aren't subtle. One service marks up the food by 30% on top of fees. Another delivers in 90 minutes for under $10 in fees. Here's the actual comparison.

The list

  • 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 lb ground beef (85/15)
  • 1 dozen large eggs
  • 1 gallon whole milk
  • 8 oz block of sharp cheddar
  • 1 lb spaghetti
  • 1 jar marinara sauce (24 oz)
  • 2 yellow onions
  • 1 head garlic
  • 1 lb baby carrots
  • 1 bag spring mix salad (5 oz)
  • 1 loaf sandwich bread

Same 12 items, NYC zip code, Tuesday 2 PM delivery window.

The numbers

Instacart (Whole Foods)

Item subtotal$58.74
Service fee (5%)$2.94
Delivery fee$3.99
Driver tip (10%)$5.87
Total$71.54

Instacart (Aldi)

Item subtotal$34.18
Service fee (5%)$1.71
Delivery fee$5.99
Driver tip (10%)$3.42
Total$45.30

Amazon Fresh

Item subtotal$48.92
Delivery fee (under $100 order)$9.95
Total$58.87
(Prime member, no tip option)

Walmart Grocery

Item subtotal$39.40
Delivery fee$7.95
Driver tip (optional, 10%)$3.94
Total$51.29

Where each one wins

Instacart-Aldi: Cheapest, full stop

If you live in an Aldi delivery zone, this is the answer. Same delivery infrastructure as Instacart-Whole Foods at half the food markup. The catch: Aldi's selection is smaller, so you may not find specific brands you want.

Walmart Grocery: Best for bulk

Walmart wins when your basket gets bigger ($75+) because the delivery fee scales differently and the underlying prices are low. For weekly grocery hauls for a family of 4, Walmart usually beats both Instacart options.

Amazon Fresh: Best if you have Prime and don't tip

Amazon doesn't have a tip system, which feels nice but means you're shifting the cost to the driver. The grocery markup is moderate. The interface is the worst of the four, and selection is hit-or-miss outside Amazon-branded items.

Instacart-Whole Foods: Quality for a price

You're paying for Whole Foods quality plus Instacart fees. Worth it if you're buying produce you actually care about (good olive oil, real Parmesan, specific fish). Not worth it for the basic 12-item list above.

What we recommend

For most weeknight cooking, Instacart-Aldi hits the price-to-quality sweet spot. If you're cooking a special meal or buying ingredients you want to be great (specific cheese, fresh herbs, quality fish), spring for Whole Foods on those items and stay at Aldi for the rest.

Either way, the work isn't picking the store — it's building the right list. Weeknight Win builds your weekly grocery list from your meal plan automatically, sorted by aisle, ready to send to whichever store you prefer.

Prices: April 2026, NYC zip code 10025. Fees and item prices vary by region; the relative ranking is consistent across major US metros.

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