Want to know the main differences between Costco and Sam’s Club are? Both are membership-based warehouse clubs known for offering huge discounts on bulk items, but each has its own unique features that set it apart. While they share many similarities, the shopping experience at each store can differ in many ways. I’m going to break down some of the biggest differences between Costco and Sam’s Club, based on my personal experience as a member of both.
Markdowns Are More Obvious at Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club makes it clear when something is on sale. They provide clear signage on their price tags, showing both the original price and the discounted price on yellow tags. It’s easy to spot a deal. On the other hand, Costco’s markdowns aren’t as obvious. Some items have sale signage, but many, especially clearance items, are not marked clearly.
For example, if you see a price ending in .97 at Costco, that means it’s on clearance, but for regular shoppers who don’t visit frequently, this might not be immediately obvious. It’s only frequent shoppers like me, who visit weekly, that will notice these price reductions. Costco seems to maintain a premium vibe, and they don’t always emphasize discounts. While Sam’s Club embraces a more bargain-friendly approach, making sales more visible.
Costco has a Better Selection of Vitamins and Supplements
When it comes to vitamins and supplements, Costco clearly beats Sam’s Club. Their selection is noticeably larger, offering a mix of Kirkland Signature products and well-known national brands. For example, if you’re looking for Vitamin D, you’ll find at least three options at Costco: Kirkland Signature, Nature’s Bounty, and Nature Made. Sam’s Club simply doesn’t match this level of variety.
Sam’s Club has Smaller Non-Bulk Items
Costco’s bulk sizes can sometimes be too bulky, especially for smaller households. For example, their shredded Mexican cheese comes in two 2.5 lb bags—a size that’s impractical for smaller households. It’s tough to finish before it spoils! While Sam’s Club sells a more manageable option with two 1 lb. bags, making it easier to use up before it spoils.
The same goes for bagged salads. Costco typically sells them in two-packs, while Sam’s Club sells single bags, which are better suited for smaller families who need smaller portions. If you’re shopping for a smaller household, Sam’s Club has more practical sizes without the overwhelming bulk. Check out 23 Costco Items that are a Total Waste of Money for Small Households
Sam’s Club Has a More Impressive Bakery Selection
Sam’s Club has a more impressive bakery selection, easily surpassing Costco in variety. From cakes and pastries to breads, there are more choices at Sam’s Club. For example, Sam’s Club doesn’t just sell large club-sized croissants—they also have mini croissants. When it comes to cakes and cupcakes, Sam’s Club wins in variety.
One item that Costco doesn’t carry is the Carlo’s Bakery showstopper dessert—a massive 5-pound vanilla confetti cupcake topped with rich buttercream icing. But the real surprise? It’s stuffed with M&M candies and colorful sprinkles that spill out when you slice it! The price is amazingly low, at just $18.74, you get a cake that serves 16 to 20 people.
Sam’s Club Has Scan and Go for Faster Shopping
Checking out at Sam’s Club is easy, thanks to their Scan & Go feature. This app-based self-checkout lets you scan items as you shop, pay through the app, and skip the checkout line altogether. Plus, Sam’s Club incentivizes Scan & Go users with special lower prices and even rewards—like the $10 coupon I received just for using it!
Once you’re done shopping, you simply walk out while an associate does a quick spot check of a few items in your cart. No long lines, no hassle—just a faster, easier way to shop.
Costco Has More Non-Food Items
Maybe it’s just me, but Costco seems to have a much wider selection of non-food items compared to Sam’s Club. They sell more small kitchen appliances, toys, home decor, dinnerware sets, massagers, and other household essentials. While Sam’s Club has a noticeably smaller selection in these categories. While this observation isn’t based on hard data, it’s something I’ve consistently noticed while shopping at both stores. Check out 28 Things I Always Buy at Costco
Sam’s Club Has a Better Online Ordering System
While Sam’s Club may have fewer in-store products, their online selection is much broader. Their website has a better variety of items at competitive prices, and members get free shipping on orders over $50.
Costco, on the other hand, falls short in this area. Their online selection is more limited, and they rely heavily on Instacart for delivery, which often comes with extra fees. If you prefer shopping online, Sam’s Club provides a better experience with more convenience and savings. Check out 24 Best Healthy Foods that I Only Buy at Costco Because It’s Cheaper
Rock Bottom Prices on Clothing and Shoes
Sam’s Club tends to have cheaper clothing and shoe prices than Costco. They frequently mark items down, and every time I go to Sam’s Club there are always new amazing deals on apparel and shoes. It’s not uncommon to find brand-name bargains, like Converse shoes for just $15! Check out 10 Costco Shopping Mistakes that Waste Money for Couples and Small Families
Sam’s Club has Sushi and Chinese Food
When it comes to the prepared foods section, Sam’s Club and Costco offer many of the same staples. Both sell rotisserie chicken for a rock bottom price of $4.99, along with popular ready-made items like Caesar salad, chicken salad, shrimp cocktail, chicken pot pie, and Alfredo pasta casserole.
The key difference? Sam’s Club has an entire section dedicated to sushi and Chinese food. You can buy fresh sushi for a quick meal or even order party platters for larger gatherings. They also sell popular Chinese dishes, like orange chicken over rice, making their prepared food section feel a bit more diverse. Check out 24 Best Costco Asian Food that You Need to Try
Gift Cards Are More Affordable at Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club has a better selection of gift cards with lower denominations, making them more accessible and affordable for shoppers. You’ll find plenty of options, including $25 gift cards. On the other hand, Costco has fewer gift card options, and they are generally priced higher, with most cards costing around $79.99 for $100 worth. While this offers solid savings, it requires you to spend more upfront to get the deal. Check out 25 Easy Costco Frozen Food Staples for Quick Dinners
Food Court Menu
Costco and Sam’s Club have similar food courts, both featuring the popular $1.50 hot dog and unlimited drink combo and affordable $9 pizzas (though Costco’s pizza is slightly more expensive at $9.95).
The biggest differences come down to variety. Costco is known for its signature chicken bake, while its sweet snack selection includes giant chocolate chip cookies. Sam’s Club sells soft pretzels instead of cookies. Sam’s Club also sells ICEE drinks for just $0.89, while Costco sells smoothies.
One main difference at Sam’s Club is its refrigerated grab-and-go section, where shoppers can pick up pre-packaged sushi, chicken salad croissant sandwiches, and bottled or canned drinks—a convenience Costco doesn’t offer. Check out 17 Costco Meals Cheaper than Restaurant Take Out to Save You Money
Sam’s Club Membership Fee is Cheaper
Sam’s Club membership fee is cheaper. That’s because they frequently run promotions to attract new members so you never have to pay the full price of $50. They often have deals where you can sign up for as low as $20 per year—60% off the regular price. While Costco’s lowest membership tier, the Gold Star, costs $65 per year, and membership discounts are virtually unheard of. Check out 26 Things I Never Pay Full Price at Costco
Costco Travel is Better
When it comes to travel services, Costco Travel is far more extensive than Sam’s Club. Sam’s Club offers discounts on hotels, rental cars, theme park tickets, movie tickets, and Broadway show tickets, Costco Travel goes beyond that with full vacation packages that include flights, hotels, and car rentals.
Costco also sells cruise vacations, making it a great option for travelers looking for all-in-one deals. If you’re planning a trip and want a more comprehensive travel service, Costco Travel is the clear winner. Check out 21 Best Bulk Buys from Costco that Will Last You All Year (and Save You Money)
Kirkland Brand Feels Premium
For me, Kirkland Signature isn’t just Costco’s store brand—it’s a premium brand in its own right. On the other hand, Sam’s Club’s private label, Member’s Mark doesn’t have the same reputation for quality and prestige in my mind. Somehow, with the Kirkland brand, I feel confident that when I buy it, I’m getting a high-quality product at an excellent price.
While I don’t have the same level of confidence in Member’s Mark as I do with Kirkland. When I’m faced with a choice between Member’s Mark and a national brand, I almost always go with the national brand because I trust it more. However, at Costco, I often find myself reaching for Kirkland products because I trust them just as much as I do well-known national brands. This might just be a personal preference, but for me, Kirkland has a premium feel that Member’s Mark doesn’t quite have. Check out 24 Best Kirkland Products I Always Buy at Costco