Top 5 Alternatives to Amazon Prime

Amazon’s Prime membership program has emerged as a very popular scheme that saw great levels of adoption among the online shoppers. For a flat fee of $12.99 per month, or $119 per year, the program offers a number of benefits. It includes fast, free two-day shipping with flexible delivery options on over 100 million items including two-hour or one-hour delivery in select locations for household items, access to stream or download Prime media content covering thousands of popular songs, movies and TV shows, games and audio programs, shopping benefits and rewards including 5% back for members with Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card, Alexa-assisted shopping, and early access to exclusive brands and deals, free subscription to thousands of top Kindle books and magazines, and early access to next month's new releases before the official publication date, and free, unlimited storage for photos. (See also, Amazon Prime Adoption in US May Have Peaked: RBC.)

But competitors are not far behind in offering similar schemes. Here's a list of top alternative programs to Amazon Prime.

The leading online retailer that sells appliances, baby supplies, books, clothing, electronics, furniture, household items, groceries, audio-video, office supplies, personal care products, and pet supplies offers free membership for its Target REDCard subscribers. REDcard holders receive a 5% discount on purchases and early access to new product releases. One can avail same-day delivery through the Shipt app, and free two-day delivery on minimum purchase of $35 through REDCard shopping. Target allows a longer 90-day return policy on select, unopened items, though electronics and entertainment items must be returned within 30 days, and mobiles within 14 days of purchase. The drive-up pick-up option provisions for a Target team member to load the car's trunk of the subscriber. (See also, Target Begins Rollout of Same-Day Delivery.)

The leading retail giant offers free membership. It offers free two-day shipping on qualifying items on minimum bill of $35, and up to five-day shipping on other orders. Bulky or heavy orders qualify for freight shipping. While returns are available up to a period of 90 days of purchase, the return policy varies by the department. Walmart credit cardholders can earn up to 3% back on online and grocery purchases. Purchases made through Walmart grocery app allows the subscriber to schedule a pick-up time, and a Walmart team member will help load groceries in the trunk.

The Hoboken, New Jersey-headquartered American e-commerce company offers its membership program free of cost. On eligible items with minimum purchase worth $35, Jet.com offers free two-day shipping, and free five day shipping on other items. The program also offers 30-day return policy, which the customers can swap with an offer to receive an additional discount on their purchases. In the latter case, a charge of $5.99 shipping fee plus 5% of the item price will be levied for returns. The program includes one- and two-day delivery options under the Jet Fresh grocery delivery service which ships grocery items all days a week.

The leading online retailer of apparel, appliances, computer hardware consumer electronics and other household items offers a membership program called Newegg Premier at $49.99 per annum. Other variants also exist with $29.99 for six-months and $19.99 for three-months, in addition to a student membership for $30 per year. The program offers free three-day (or sooner) shipping, free returns within 30-days, and zero restocking fees. Subscriber can add up to four friends/family-members to their account extending the Newegg Premier benefits to them at no extra cost. Program supports free Rush Processing, which expedites the fulfillment of order that has at least one qualifying item so it can be packed, shipped and on the road the same business day it is placed. Members also get early access to site-wide sales and exclusive discounts, and a dedicated customer service line.

With offers of a variety of products from apparel to jewelry from more than 100 brands, ShopRunner offers free membership to PayPal members, Mastercard World and World Elite cardholders and American Express U.S. Consumer and Small Business cardholders. Others are required to pay a fee of $79, though shoppers can avail a free one-month long trial membership. The program offers free two-day shipping with no minimum purchase amount at its 100-plus participating stores. Subscribers can return the items for free. (See also, Amazon Prime Becoming Popular in Low-Income Households.)