6 Alternatives in 2025 to Costco Pharmacy: Where to Get Affordable Prescriptions Now
Posted on Apr 23, 2025 by Aiden Beauchamp
Prescription costs always seem to creep up, and while Costco Pharmacy’s low prices have pulled lots of loyal customers, you’ve got way more options for 2025. Maybe your local Costco closed, maybe the lines got out of hand, or maybe you just want a simpler refill process. No matter your reason, there’s no need to stress—pharmacies and discount services are fighting harder than ever for your business, which means real benefits for your wallet.
Some alternatives offer cheaper generics without a membership. Others come loaded with digital tools that make refills almost automatic and wait times shrink. You can even order meds online and skip in-store pickups entirely. The trick? Knowing which pharmacy fits your needs—and spotting the hidden fees or catches before you commit. Let’s break down where you can actually get high-value prescriptions, what the experience is like, and how each option compares directly to the old Costco Pharmacy playbook.
Walmart Pharmacy
Walmart Pharmacy is on speed dial for lots of folks who want something a bit like Costco Pharmacy alternatives—minus the need for a membership card. Across 2025, Walmart keeps pushing out affordable ways to get your meds and makes filling a prescription almost as easy as grabbing your groceries. You can walk into any Walmart, get your prescription filled, use mail-order for long-term meds, or manage pretty much everything online with their app.
The big headline here: Walmart’s $4 prescription program. For way more drugs than most people expect, a one-month supply costs just $4 and a 90-day supply only $10. This covers many generic meds for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and even some mental health conditions. You also get access to bigger bottles (90-day supplies) for most generics, which means fewer trips to the pharmacy and fewer headaches.
Walmart really leans into convenience. Their integration with the rest of the store is huge—so you can grab pet meds, household essentials, and your prescriptions in one run. Refilling online is simple, and if you have meds for pets, they’ll even offer discounts so you don’t have to pay out the nose at the vet.
Pros
- No membership required—just walk in and save
- Famous $4 generic list can cut most common prescriptions down to loose-change prices
- Online refill system and easy mail order
- Grab all your essentials (including pet meds) in one trip
- Good for families with lots of routine prescriptions
Cons
- Sometimes you’ll hit long lines—especially on weekends
- Some specialty meds are hard to get or need to be special ordered
- Prices on less-common meds can be all over the place depending on location
- Service can be hit or miss based on the store
If you’re all about convenience, Walmart Pharmacy fills the gap that Costco Pharmacy alternatives might leave behind. With locations everywhere, extra savings for pets, and the $4 generic program still running strong, it’s worth checking if your meds make the list before you overpay anywhere else.
| Service | Walmart Pharmacy |
|---|---|
| Generic Prescription Cost | $4/month, $10/90 days (most meds) |
| Mail-Order | Available |
| Membership Required | No |
| Pet Medications | Discounts available |
CVS Pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy is everywhere—over 9,000 stores across the U.S. That makes it one of the most convenient alternatives if you’re missing the Costco Pharmacy savings but still want to grab your meds during a late-night snack run. CVS lets you manage prescriptions online, set up auto-refills, and track them with their app—so you don’t have to remember anything except when to show up. They also accept a huge range of insurance plans, so you’re not stuck paying cash unless you want to.
If you or someone in your family takes multiple meds, CVS’s "ReadyFill" program can bundle refills so there are fewer pharmacy runs and less waiting. CVS is also big on wellness perks—like flu shots, travel vaccines, and even health screenings—right near the front of the store, no appointment needed. Got a sudden cough? You can chat with a pharmacist or use their MinuteClinic walk-in clinics in select locations.
Pros
- Neighborhood convenience—locations in most towns and cities
- Easy prescription management via app or online account
- Wide insurance compatibility and competitive generic prices
- Health and wellness extras like vaccines and clinics
- 24-hour pharmacies in many cities
- CarePass program offers free delivery and discounts for a small monthly fee
Cons
- Brand-name prescriptions are often pricey without insurance
- Possible long wait times during peak hours
- Not as many bulk purchase discounts as Costco Pharmacy
- Some discount programs require a membership (CarePass is $5 per month)
CVS always runs membership deals—like CarePass, which usually pays for itself if you need regular deliveries or discounts on household items. When you compare straight generic pricing, they're often close to Costco Pharmacy (sometimes even beating them for certain meds if you use in-app coupons). One practical tip: If you’re paying cash or using coupons, shop around online or call ahead because prices jump around a lot depending on store, even within the same city.
| Service | CVS Pharmacy |
|---|---|
| Free Delivery | Yes (with CarePass) |
| Generic 30-day Fill Price | From $4 (varies by medication) |
| In-store Clinics | Yes (MinuteClinic in select locations) |
| Online/App Refills | Yes |
Walgreens
Walgreens is basically everywhere—in fact, there’s one within five miles of 78% of the U.S. population. This huge retail pharmacy chain runs over 8,600 stores, so odds are you can find a location close to home or work. What makes Walgreens stand out as a Costco Pharmacy alternative? Convenience. You get drive-thru pick-ups, extended hours (with many locations open late or 24/7), and a user-friendly mobile app that lets you manage refills, check prescription status, and even schedule vaccine appointments.
Unlike Costco, you don’t need a membership or special card, and Walgreens accepts most major insurance plans. Their Prescription Savings Club requires a yearly fee (about $20 per person or $35 per family), but in return, you get discounts on hundreds of generics—including popular meds for blood pressure, cholesterol, and antibiotics. With the right insurance or club membership, your out-of-pocket costs might rival or even beat the famous Costco Pharmacy deals.
For frequent travelers or snowbirds, Walgreens lets you transfer prescriptions between stores nationwide—no need to worry about running out on a trip. The company also offers specialty pharmacies and direct support for complex or chronic conditions, something Costco doesn’t always match.
Pros
- Thousands of locations, including many open 24/7
- Easy online and app management for refills, reminders, and vaccine appointments
- No membership needed, and accepts most major insurance
- Prescription Savings Club for extra generic discounts
- Nationwide prescription transfers—handy for travel
- Wide range of health services (immunizations, urgent care clinics, and more)
Cons
- In-store waits can be unpredictable, especially at busy times
- Cash prices for meds sometimes higher than bargain clubs or discount services
- Savings Club requires a fee (not free like GoodRx deals or some Costco prices)
- Customer service gets mixed reviews—depends a lot on the individual store
Here’s a quick look at Walgreens' Prescription Savings Club compared to out-of-pocket costs at typical stores in 2025:
| Generic Drug | Typical Cash Price | Walgreens Savings Club Price |
|---|---|---|
| Amlodipine (blood pressure) | $12 | $7.50 |
| Simvastatin (cholesterol) | $15 | $8.50 |
| Amoxicillin (antibiotic) | $16 | $10 |
If you want a mix of convenience, a robust digital platform, and broad pharmacy services, Walgreens is worth considering alongside other Costco Pharmacy alternatives in 2025.
Amazon Pharmacy
When it comes to Costco Pharmacy alternatives, Amazon Pharmacy has really changed the game in 2025. Imagine never dealing with long pharmacy lines again—you can order prescriptions right from your couch, and they’ll deliver straight to your door, usually in two days if you’re a Prime member. There’s no club membership needed, and Amazon’s prices are upfront, so it’s easy to compare with what you paid at Costco or anywhere else.
One of the concrete tricks Amazon Pharmacy offers is the Amazon Prime prescription savings benefit. If you have Prime, you get up to 80% off generics and up to 40% off brand-name meds. Just search the med you need, pick your pharmacy (yep, even compare local ones if you want), and hit order. Amazon will even transfer your prescription from your current pharmacy if you ask.
Navigating insurance hassles? Amazon Pharmacy accepts most insurance plans and also tells you if their cash price is lower than your insurance co-pay. No more guessing. Their app tracks refills, sends reminders, and even offers 24/7 live chat with real pharmacists.
Here’s a quick look at how Amazon Pharmacy compares to other options for 2025:
| Feature | Amazon Pharmacy | Traditional Pharmacy |
|---|---|---|
| Home Delivery | Same or next-day (Prime) | Rarely, usually extra cost |
| Cash Pricing | Transparent, often lower | Variable, not always listed |
| Insurance Accepted | Most major plans | Most major plans |
| Pharmacist Access | 24/7 online | Limited by store hours |
| Prescription Transfers | Handled directly by Amazon | Manual, may require calls |
A tip: Check Amazon Pharmacy prices even if you have great insurance. Lots of people find the Amazon price is sometimes lower than their co-pay, especially on popular generics. If you’re a pet owner, Amazon even launched a pet med delivery option—not bad if you want one-stop for every prescription in your house.
Amazon Pharmacy is best for people who want the convenience of online refills, home delivery, and transparent prices. Just make sure your medicine isn’t super time-sensitive, since even fast shipping can’t beat urgent pickups for things like antibiotics. But for everyday chronic meds? It might be the smoothest switch from Costco Pharmacy you can make.
Pros
- No club membership needed, transparent cash prices
- Prime savings: up to 80% off generics
- Fast home delivery, often next- or even same-day
- Easy prescription transfers handled for you
- 24/7 pharmacist support online
Cons
- Not every medication is cheaper, especially rare brands
- Shipping delays may happen—no instant pickup for urgent meds
- Requires basic tech skills for online buys and messaging
- Insurance plans may not always sync correctly at checkout
Kroger Pharmacy
Kroger Pharmacy has become a go-to spot for folks looking for deals without a membership, especially if you’re used to snagging Costco Pharmacy alternatives. You’ll find Kroger Pharmacies tucked right inside the supermarket—super handy if you like to pair picking up groceries with grabbing your prescriptions.
One of Kroger’s biggest draws is its Rx Savings Club. For a flat yearly fee (usually about $36 for individuals or $72 for a whole family), you get access to super-discounted generic meds—sometimes less than what you’d pay with insurance. The club includes popular drugs for cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, mental health, and even tends to throw in a few antibiotics and prenatal vitamins for free or close to it.
Kroger doesn’t just offer good prices. Their online portal and app make handling refills painless—set up automatic reminders, track your scripts, and even get refills delivered right to your door in some areas. It’s all about convenience, especially compared to waiting around at a warehouse pharmacy line.
If you have pets, Kroger also fills lots of animal prescriptions, which is a real money-saver for pet owners dodging pricey vet pharmacies. And unlike some chains, they’re open longer hours, including weekends, making last-minute pickups way less of a headache.
Here’s a quick look at some actual Rx Savings Club prices:
| Medication | 30-Day Supply | 90-Day Supply |
|---|---|---|
| Lisinopril (blood pressure) | $3 | $6 |
| Metformin (diabetes) | $3 | $6 |
| Amlodipine (hypertension) | $3 | $6 |
| Sertraline (antidepressant) | $6 | $12 |
Of course, Kroger Pharmacy isn’t perfect. Some locations can get busy around peak times, and while their selection is solid, they may not have every rare or specialty drug on hand. Still, the mix of low prices, convenience, and solid tech tools puts Kroger right up there with the best pharmacy savings 2025 options.
Pros
- No membership needed—anyone can use Kroger Pharmacy
- Affordable Rx Savings Club (huge savings on generics)
- Online tools for refills, reminders, home delivery
- Longer pharmacy hours than many competitors
- Pet prescription options for both cats and dogs
Cons
- Some locations get busy during grocery rush hours
- Yearly fee for Rx Savings Club might not be worth it for everyone
- Less choice for rare or specialty meds compared to big warehouse chains
GoodRx
GoodRx is a lifesaver if you want to ditch high prescription prices. It’s not a pharmacy itself—think of it as a price-comparison tool that shows you where your meds are cheapest, whether it’s the corner store or a big chain. People use GoodRx to snag discount coupons, which you hand over at the pharmacy and watch the price drop. No membership needed. Just search, print or text yourself a coupon, and you’re set.
One standout fact: GoodRx claims the average user saves up to 70% on prescriptions. Pharmacies accept these discounts without a fuss. You can even use GoodRx at big stores like CVS, Walmart, and Walgreens. The company launched GoodRx Gold, a paid upgrade that gives even steeper discounts and covers family or pets. It’s monthly, so you can cancel whenever.
If you’re comparing Costco Pharmacy alternatives, GoodRx is the wild card—sometimes it’ll beat even those warehouse club prices. And if your doctor prescribes a pricey medication, you can quickly see if there’s a less expensive pharmacy nearby. Here’s how the savings can look at a glance:
| Pharmacy | Generic Lipitor (90 tablets) | Coupon Price w/ GoodRx |
|---|---|---|
| CVS | $124.00 | $12.60 |
| Walmart | $98.77 | $10.83 |
| Walgreens | $135.50 | $14.27 |
The catch? Not every pharmacy participates, and sometimes insurance can be cheaper. GoodRx doesn’t work with insurance—you use either the coupon or your coverage, not both. Also, privacy-wise, GoodRx collects some prescription data, so read the fine print if that’s a concern.
Pros
- Works at thousands of pharmacies, including chains and small independents
- Rarely any sign-up required for basic coupons
- Major savings on generics and brand-name drugs
- Mobile app for quick price checks
- GoodRx Gold gives even deeper discounts
Cons
- Can’t use with insurance or Medicare
- Not every drug or pharmacy is included
- Your data may be tracked for marketing
- Cheapest prices can change quickly
- Pharmacists sometimes need to match the right coupon code manually
If you don’t want the hassle of price hunting every month, there are automatic refill options at regular pharmacies, but for pure savings, GoodRx is hard to beat for millions of people hunting down prescription deals in 2025.
Conclusion
If you’re rethinking your pharmacy options outside Costco Pharmacy alternatives, you’ve got solid choices for 2025. Each alternative comes with its own style—Walmart leans in on everyday low prices, CVS and Walgreens bombard you with deals and loyalty perks, Amazon makes everything digital and stress-free, and Kroger works best for folks already loyal to their grocery rewards. GoodRx? It can slash prices no matter where you fill your script. You just have to know what fits your routine and budget best.
Prescription prices shift, but digital tools and savings programs are at their best right now. For example, Walmart still has many $4 generics in rotation, and Amazon Prime subscribers can lock in decent discounts on common meds. CVS tops the convenience charts if you want a pharmacy everywhere you turn, but Walgreens isn’t far behind and sometimes beats CVS on special discounts or 24-hour service. GoodRx can sometimes undercut all the big chains for quick savings, especially if you don’t mind hunting for a coupon on your phone.
Want it simplified? Here’s a quick breakdown on the major pharmacy savings 2025 and where each option shines. Compare for yourself and match it to what matters most to you:
| Pharmacy | Best For | Lowest Price Strength | Digital Tools | Extra Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | Budget hunters, 90-day refills | $4 generics | Online refills | Pet meds, basic savings club |
| CVS | Everywhere access, loyalty points | Good, plus frequent sales | App, drive-thru | MinuteClinic, ExtraCare rewards |
| Walgreens | 24-hour stores, convenience | Competitive on some generics | App, curbside pickup | Balance Rewards, travel vaccines |
| Amazon Pharmacy | Home deliveries, tech-savvy users | Prime Rx savings | Online, auto-refill | Discreet shipping, no lines |
| Kroger Pharmacy | Grocery shoppers, local feel | Member prices, grocery rewards | App, reminders | Fuel points for scripts |
| GoodRx | Bargain finders, uninsured | Lowest coupon price at many pharmacies | Coupon app/website | Works with most pharmacies |
The bottom line? No need to settle. Try a few places, compare your own meds, and ask about discount programs. Pharmacies compete hard for your business in 2025, so your loyalty is worth real money. Keep an eye on regular prices, grab those coupons, and don’t be afraid to switch for a better deal the next time you fill. Pharmacy comparison has never saved you more.