Taking a Break From Amazon? Here Are 17 Online Stores to Browse Instead
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Amazon has become the go-to online shopping destination for many, and it’s no secret why. You can purchase anything and everything from groceries to tech gadgets to parenting products all from one place. And often, orders can be delivered the next day — or even in a matter of hours.
But while shopping the online megastore certainly has its perks, there are plenty of other alternatives to Amazon that offer similar products at affordable prices. If, for whatever reason, you’re planning to pause or cancel your Amazon Prime account, you may want to explore what other e-retailers have to offer.
Spanning online categories like groceries, household necessities, and gifts, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite online shopping destinations that are ideal alternatives to Amazon.
Beautycounter
For all of your clean makeup, skincare, and haircare needs, check out Beautycounter. This beauty brand is renowned for its “Never” list, which consists of over 2,800 ingredients that are never used in the formulations sold on its website.
Safety, quality, and sustainability are the retailer’s three brand pillars, so you can shop with more peace of mind.
B&H
Gadget heads in search of reputable, investment-worthy tech gifts should check out B&H. This New York City-based institution was founded in 1973 and originally specialized in photo and video equipment before expanding in the following decades to sell electronics of all kinds.
The store prides itself on exceptional customer service, training its in-store and online specialists on everything to know about its extensive tech product selection. No chatbots here!
Bookshop.org
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores worldwide. On the website, you can either pick a local bookstore to support or shop knowing that your purchase will ultimately contribute to the site’s profit-sharing pool that helps raise money for independent bookstores. If you choose the latter option, your purchase will be fulfilled by an independent distributor, and your books will be delivered right to your door.
Chewy
If you have a pet and you don’t know about Chewy, you should. It’s both a shop and pharmacy dedicated to keeping all fur babies healthy and happy. Its team of experts is available 24/7 via chat, email, and phone to answer all of your animal product-related questions, and their extensive array of pet essentials is impressively affordable.
Costco
Yes, Costco members can shop online and get their bulk goods, furniture, electronics, and even Squishmallows delivered! While the in-store experience may be far more extensive than the online inventory, those who shop through the website can still get major savings and 2-day delivery on specific items. Plus, Costco's annual $60 membership fee is much lower than Prime's $139 yearly membership.
eBay
The thrill of the hunt is alive and well on eBay. Shoppers looking for hard-to-find products, discontinued models, or refurbished pieces can create an eBay watchlist to monitor when these goods surface in the online marketplace. And in case the item you order isn't as described or never arrives, eBay offers a money-back guarantee, so making a purchase doesn't feel like a taking a risk.
Etsy
Etsy is a massive online e-retailer that allows independent artists to open their own shops within the platform. Its mission is to “keep human connection at the heart of commerce.” The global online marketplace has everything from gifts to home goods to clothing — some sellers even specialize in crafting custom wedding attire for brides and grooms!
Food52
No longer just a recipe site, Food52 is the alternative to Amazon geared toward home cooks of all levels. This one-stop e-retailer carries dozens of kitchen and dining-room essentials from workhorse cookware to gorgeous linens to chic serveware.
They also carry exclusive product collabs with brands like Dansk, GreenPan, and Staub that you definitely won't be able to find on Amazon!
iHerb
Searching for affordable supplements? iHerb.com went live in 1996 and has since grown in recognition as one of the top wellness e-retailers.
It currently ships to over 180 countries, sells over 40,000 products (such as herbs, vitamins, protein powders, beauty products, and more), and has over 10 million returning customers. Notably, shoppers do not need to sign up for a membership or pay for a subscription to score discounts.
Nuts.com
Another foodie-friendly alternative to Amazon is Nuts.com, only you won’t find kitchen appliances or accessories here. Rather, Nuts.com is an online hub for the avid snackers. The site is stocked with nuts, trail mixes, every kind of chocolate, dried fruits, candies, and even superfood powders in bulk.
Shop App
When you download Shopify's Shop app, you can search for a product and browse items across a vast network of indie, direct-to-consumer, and big-box brands. It's like one big superstore that allows you to compare products and prices at a glance without opening numerous tabs.
What's great is that you'll earn 1% Shop Cash every time you check out, which you can apply as a discount to future orders. Plus, the app will track your order and send you push notifications when your item ships and gets delivered.
Target
Surely, this one needs no introduction! Target is a great one-stop shop for affordable groceries, gifts, clothes, and decorative doodads. The brand recently rolled out a paid membership program called Target Circle 360, offering free 2-day shipping, same-day delivery for unlimited orders over $35, an extra 30 days to make returns, and plenty of exclusive discounts and perks.
Currently, the Target Circle 360 annual membership costs just $49, but it will increase to $99 after May 18.
thredUp
If being thrifty and shopping sustainably are your personal style goals, an alternative to Amazon worth considering is thredUp. It's an online consignment store that specializes in clothing for women and children and has given new life to millions of clothing items across hundreds of brands. Users can send in a bag of their old clothes, and, if it sells within a certain timeframe, they can receive credit to shop new styles at a steep discount.
ThriveMarket
ThriveMarket is a great e-retailer for groceries — it aims to make eco-conscious shopping more obtainable. Everything available on the website is organic or responsibly sourced, 100% non-GMO, free of over 500 ingredients (like artificial dyes and additives), and affordable. By shopping directly from ThriveMarket, the brand estimates that you can save up to 30% compared to traditional grocery store prices.
Uncommon Goods
Uncommon Goods is bound to be your new go-to for unique gifts. Whether you’re browsing for someone’s birthday, an upcoming holiday, or a special life event like a graduation, there’s something for everyone. Think interactive bracelets for long-distance loved ones, cheese boards in the shape of someone's home state, or murder-mystery puzzles for book (and puzzle) lovers.
On the website, you can browse by the gift occasion, recipient, or price point, and you’ll be met with dozens of interesting options you never knew existed.
Walmart
Walmart's paid membership has been a comparable Amazon Prime alternative since its 2020 launch. In addition to accessing the wide range of items that the megastore carries, Walmart+ offers subscribers perks such as free delivery with no minimum order amount, savings of about $.10 per gallon at certain gas stations, and a Paramount+ subscription. It's just $8.17 per month or $98 per year to become a member, and you're free to cancel at any time.
Wayfair
You might recognize Wayfair for its catchy jingle or its fun commercials with Kelly Clarkson, but it’s so much more than that. The home goods e-retailer is known for its enormous selection, but it's even more beloved for its prices. Whatever your reno budget, Wayfair has just what you need (see what we did there?).
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