There’s something oddly thrilling about buying 144 rolls of toilet paper and a block of cheese the size of a toddler. But in 2025, the warehouse club showdown has gotten spicy. For years, Costco has been the undisputed champ of bulk shopping, with its cult-like following and iconic rotisserie chicken. But lately? Sam’s Club has been sneaking up like the quiet kid in class who suddenly starts acing every test—and looking really good doing it.
If you haven’t peeked inside a Sam’s Club lately, you might be sleeping on some serious glow-up energy. From sleek tech upgrades to better booze and less chaos in the aisles, Sam’s is out here making moves—and some of them are low-key genius. So if you’ve been repping Costco like it’s your favorite band, it might be time to give Sam’s a second look. Here are 12 ways Sam’s Club is straight-up outshining Costco in 2025.
1. Sam’s Scan & Go Still Leaves Costco in the Dust
Costco might offer oversized muffins and existential dread in the checkout line, but Sam’s Club has mastered the art of breezing out the door. Their Scan & Go app lets you scan items as you shop, pay on your phone, and walk straight out like the VIP you are. Meanwhile, Costco still insists you queue like it’s airport security, receipt check and all.
What’s wild is that Sam’s Club has had this tech for years—and it keeps getting smoother. As of 2025, it even syncs with digital coupons and customizes deals mid-shop. According to TechCrunch, Sam’s Club has also begun rolling out AI enhancements to make shopping even faster and more personalized. Costco? Still stuck on slow-mo mode with carts full of regret. If you’ve got zero patience for lines and love a good life hack, Scan & Go is reason enough to switch allegiances.
2. Better Gas Deals—and More of Them
In 2025, Sam’s Club isn’t just pumping gas, it’s pumping savings. While both Sam’s and Costco offer discounted fuel, Sam’s has been expanding its fuel centers faster—and with less chaos. Some Sam’s gas stations now offer premium fuel options and accept contactless pay, making it more Tesla-era friendly.
And it’s not just about having gas—it’s about having it where you need it. Sam’s Club has been strategically placing fuel centers in more suburban and semi-rural zones, outpacing Costco’s more urban-heavy footprint. Per Fox Business, Sam’s members in several regions are saving more per gallon compared to their Costco counterparts. Add that to shorter lines, and your tank—and your temper—stay full. Costco might still win on rotisserie chickens, but in the battle of the pump? Sam’s Club is leaving them in the fumes.
3. Membership Prices Are (Still) Lower
If you’re price-sensitive (read: a human being in 2025), Sam’s Club wins big in the membership game. The basic Sam’s membership still clocks in at $50 a year, while Costco hiked its price to $60. That might not sound like much, but it adds up—especially when you start factoring in premium tiers.
Sam’s Plus, which costs $110, includes free shipping, earlier store access, and 2% cashback on most purchases. Costco’s Executive membership, at $120, also includes 2% back—but without the added perks. And in this economy, every perk counts. As Eating Well points out, Sam’s pricing strategy is clearly aimed at nabbing value hunters who don’t want to compromise. It’s like choosing between two all-you-can-eat buffets—but one includes dessert and the other charges extra for napkins.
4. Digital Coupons and Instant Savings Are Way Easier
Costco has coupons, sure—but they’re kind of like finding Easter eggs in a 300-page catalog. Sam’s Club, on the other hand, rolls out digital “Instant Savings” offers directly to your app, and they’re auto-applied at checkout. No clipping, no guessing, just sweet discounts that actually show up on your receipt.
In 2025, this feature has gotten even slicker with AI-curated suggestions based on your buying habits. Think: smart grocery savings without you lifting a finger. According to The Krazy Coupon Lady, Sam’s is leaning hard into personalized discounts, giving Costco’s blanket offers a run for their money. Plus, you can stack deals with cashback credit cards or Sam’s Plus benefits. For anyone who wants their bulk bacon and a deal, Sam’s is clearly speaking your language.
5. Sam’s Club Is Winning the Booze Game
Costco’s Kirkland wine and liquor has its fans (no shade), but Sam’s Club has been quietly building a curated alcohol section that’s leveling up in 2025. With everything from award-winning wines to craft cocktails in a can, it feels more boutique than bulk. And yes, they do have a private-label line—Member’s Mark—but they’re also carrying indie distillers and globally sourced gems.
In many states, you don’t even need a membership to buy alcohol at Sam’s. That means you can stock up for a party without playing membership roulette. As reported by The Sun, Sam’s is also leaning into exclusive drops and limited-edition collabs—Costco just hasn’t kept pace. Want jalapeño margarita mix that doesn’t taste like regret? Sam’s has you.
6. Curbside Pickup That Actually Works
Let’s be honest: curbside pickup used to be the Wild West of retail. But in 2025, Sam’s Club has turned it into a thing of beauty. You order in the app, choose a time, pull up, and boom—your cart magically appears in your trunk like a fairy godmother of bulk snacks. Costco? Still acting like curbside is a passing trend or something from a sci-fi movie.
Sam’s Club has nailed the process so well it feels like cheating. You don’t even have to unbuckle your seatbelt. And yes, you can order perishables, produce, and even meat—because convenience shouldn’t stop at canned goods. When you’re juggling toddlers, texts, and your third caffeine crash of the day, the ability to not go inside a warehouse is priceless. Costco’s still got great stuff, but Sam’s is meeting you where you’re at: in your car, probably scrolling TikTok.
7. Way Better App Experience
Costco’s app feels like your uncle just discovered the internet. Sam’s Club? They’ve got a slick, intuitive interface that makes bulk shopping feel surprisingly modern. You can scan products, track savings, check your receipts, and reorder past items all from one clean dashboard. Plus, their app is fully integrated with Scan & Go and curbside pickup—everything just works.
Sam’s app has even started using push notifications for real-time deal drops and restock alerts. It’s like having a little savings assistant in your pocket who actually knows your snack preferences. Meanwhile, Costco’s app is more like a digital flyer with commitment issues. If you’re the kind of person who orders everything from your phone—including coffee and casual life advice—Sam’s digital ecosystem just makes more sense. Shopping should be easy, not a tech scavenger hunt.
8. Bakery Game = Underrated and Overdelivering
Costco gets all the love for its sheet cakes and muffins the size of your head, but Sam’s Club’s bakery is lowkey elite. Their cookies are dangerously addictive, and the croissants? Flakier than your ex. Sam’s has been stepping up its bakery offerings with seasonal treats, custom cake orders, and pastries that somehow taste fancier than they should for a club store.
The real kicker? Their prices are often lower and their items are ready to grab—no waiting for that one dude to bring out a tray of samples like it’s an Olympic sport. If you’re entertaining or just mainlining carbs through a tough week, the Sam’s bakery hits that sweet spot. And yes, you can order ahead online and have cakes customized. In a time when everything is either overpriced or underwhelming, the Sam’s bakery is neither. It’s a doughy little win, and we’ll take it.
9. Free Shipping on More Than You’d Expect
Here’s a plot twist: Sam’s Club Plus members get free shipping on a ton of items—and not just tiny things that weigh less than a squirrel. We’re talking furniture, appliances, bulk paper towels, and everything in between. And unlike Costco, which sometimes adds sneaky delivery fees or limits what can ship for free, Sam’s goes all in.
This means you can buy giant things like a 6-person inflatable hot tub or 40 lbs. of protein bars without even stepping inside a warehouse. For parents, WFH warriors, or anyone living that “why go outside?” lifestyle, this is a huge win. You basically get Prime-like perks for warehouse prices, and it hits different. It’s one of the most slept-on advantages of Sam’s Club—until you experience it. Then suddenly, you’re telling all your friends you “don’t even need to go in anymore,” like you’ve achieved some kind of enlightenment.
10. Sam’s Club Travel Perks Are Sneaky Good
Sam’s Club isn’t just about toilet paper towers and bulk cheese. They have a surprisingly solid travel portal with deals on hotels, rental cars, cruises, and more. In 2025, they’ve leveled it up with exclusive discounts that sometimes beat the big-name aggregators. Plus, if you’re a Plus member, you get even deeper savings and bonus extras like room upgrades or resort credits.
It’s like someone handed you a budget travel hack and wrapped it in a 10-pack of sunscreen. Costco also offers travel deals, but Sam’s interface is easier to navigate and refreshes more frequently with new flash sales. This perk is especially golden if you’re booking group trips, family vacations, or anything that involves spending a lot to save a lot. It’s kind of like discovering your go-to grocery store also sells discount first-class tickets—random, but also…kind of incredible?
11. Fewer Crowds, More Chill Vibes
Have you been to a Costco on a Sunday afternoon? It’s chaos. Children crying, carts clashing, and sample stations causing full-blown traffic jams. Sam’s Club, though? Much calmer. Their stores tend to be less crowded, more spread out, and easier to navigate—no angry line-cutters or apocalyptic energy.
The layout is cleaner and there’s less fighting over the last $10 rotisserie chicken. If you’re introverted, neurodivergent, or just someone who prefers not to body-check strangers over snacks, this matters. Sam’s Club stores are also experimenting with AI inventory systems to reduce out-of-stock frustration. In a world where peace and quiet are rarer than affordable rent, Sam’s is delivering a smoother shopping experience. You might not get as many samples, but you’ll keep your sanity—and that’s worth way more.
12. Surprising Selection of Stylish Home Goods
Let’s be real—warehouse clubs aren’t where you usually go to feel stylish. But Sam’s Club is quietly serving some surprisingly chic home goods in 2025. Think West Elm–adjacent furniture, minimalistic kitchenware, and seasonal décor that looks like it belongs on your favorite influencer’s grid. Their Member’s Mark line has been seriously upgraded, blending quality with aesthetics that don’t scream “bulk bin.”
You’ll find modern sectionals, clean-lined media consoles, and even cute patio sets that don’t cost a mortgage payment. Costco still carries solid basics, but the style bar is lower—and the inventory turns slower. If you’re trying to upgrade your space without making six trips to IKEA, Sam’s is stepping up as the dark horse. It’s giving “elevated Target run”—but in bulk and for less. And yes, you can still buy a giant box of Goldfish crackers on the way out.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Consult a financial professional before making investment or other financial decisions. The author and publisher make no warranties of any kind.
