AmazonFresh vs. Amazon Pantry — here's the difference between Amazon's grocery delivery services

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• AmazonFresh and Amazon Pantry are two free benefits to Amazon Prime memberships.
• AmazonFresh is like a digital grocery store for Prime members with delivery right to your doorstep. Prices are low and depending on your zip code, orders over $35 get free shipping. Orders under the local minimum will cost $4.99 or $9.99 to ship.
• Amazon Pantry is where you can shop for single-serving pantry staples and household supplies, as well as bulk items without high minimums. Prime members get free shipping on orders of $35 or more, and there's a flat shipping fee of $5.99 for non-Prime members and for orders under $35 for Prime members.
• If you don't have an Amazon Prime account, sign up for a free 30-day trial here.

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AmazonFresh and Amazon Pantry are both free perks for Amazon Prime members in select areas, though they differ in what you can purchase from each service and fees.

What is AmazonFresh?

AmazonFresh is Amazon's free grocery delivery service for Prime members that lets you order fresh groceries (including perishables, produce, and Whole Foods' 365 brand products), everyday essentials, favorites from local shops, and more delivered within one hour. There's a $4.99-$9.99 shipping charge if you don't meet the local minimum, which ranges between $35-$50 depending on the area. You can start a free 30-day trial here.

What is Amazon Pantry?

Amazon Pantry is free for Prime members, and it's where you get shelf-stable pantry staples and household products in everyday package sizes — like a single box of cereal or a single-serving snack — that would otherwise cost double their price to ship or not qualify for free shipping individually, as well bulk items that may be typically expensive to ship and obnoxious to pick up in-store. The service has a flat $5.99 shipping fee, but Prime members get free delivery on orders over $35.

Your AmazonFresh cheat sheet

• Who can use it: Prime members in eligible cities.
• What you can buy: groceries (including perishables and produce), everyday essentials, favorites from local shops and restaurants
• Cost of service: Free.
• Delivery fee: Orders under the local minimum ($35-$50) have a $4.99-$9.99 shipping fee. Those that exceed the local minimum get free shipping automatically.
• Delivery options: Get groceries delivered to your doorstep/doorman or pick it up yourself. Pickup is available in select cities for free and without an order minimum.
  • Attended delivery: You choose a time slot when you'll be available to receive it in person. You can also leave instructions for how to leave your groceries with a doorman or security guard before you complete your order, too.
  • Doorstep delivery: You choose a two-three hour time slot when Amazon can leave your items on your doorstep or with your doorman in temperature-controlled totes. Only choose this option if the delivery person can access the necessary parts of your building like the lobby.
  • Pickup (only available in select cities): Pick up your order from your chosen pickup location within the time slot you chose as quickly as in the next 3o minutes — for free and without an order minimum.

  Main AmazonFresh perk: being able to order Whole Foods products, local favorites, and groceries (including fresh produce and perishables) to your door while paying competitive Amazon prices.

  Read my full review of AmazonFresh.

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  Your Amazon Pantry cheat sheet

  • Who can use it: Prime members and non-Prime members in select regions.
  • What you can buy: household items, pantry staples, and cleaning supplies in bulk or in personal sizes.
  • Cost of service: Free.
  • Delivery fee: Free for orders over $35 for Prime members, $5.99 flat shipping fee for non-Prime members or under-$35 orders for Prime members.
  • Delivery options: Depends. Amazon Pantry is delivered using ground shipping, so orders take anywhere from one to four days to arrive. You can track your order.

  Main Amazon Pantry perk: being able to buy affordable, individually sized products that would normally not qualify for cheap or free shipping on their own, plus bulk items that often are costly to ship, without having to meet a high shipping minimum.

  Read my full review of Amazon Pantry.

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  The bottom line

  In short, AmazonFresh is like a full grocery store online — complete with fresh fruits, local favorites, and Whole Foods products — that you can get delivered to your door. Amazon Pantry, like its name, is really more for pantry staples in both bulk and personal sizes.