CVS vs. Walgreens vs. Rite Aid vs. Walmart Pharmacy: Which Drugstore is the Best?
Nowadays, with the appearance of online pharmacies, you don’t have to trudge to your local pharmacy to collect your prescription drugs or stock up on hay fever medications. These pharmacies (aka online medicine shops) are a highly convenient and effective way of getting your prescription refilled instead of doing it in person. Such as CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Walmart Pharmacy, each store has a pharmacy. But which is the best? We recently set out to compare prices, locations, shipping, and services at four drugstores. Let's check out which one is the best & cheapest.
1. CVS (www.cvs.com)
CVS Pharmacy, Inc. is an American retail corporation. A subsidiary of CVS Health, it is headquartered in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. It was founded in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1963. CVS Pharmacy is currently the largest pharmacy chain in the United States by number of locations (9,952 of 2025 ) and total prescription revenue. Its parent company ranks as the fifth largest U.S. corporation by FY2020 revenues in the Fortune 500. CVS sells prescription drugs and a wide assortment of general merchandise, including over-the-counter drugs, beauty products and cosmetics, film and photo finishing services, seasonal merchandise, greeting cards, and convenience foods through their CVS Pharmacy and Longs Drugs retail stores and online through CVS.com. It also provides healthcare services through its more than 1,100 MinuteClinic medical clinics as well as their Diabetes Care Centers. Most of these clinics are located within or outside CVS stores.
Services Offered
2. MinuteClinic
3. Flu shots
4. COVID-19 vaccine, booster and records
5. COVID-19 testingand results
Locations
There are 9,952 CVS Pharmacy locations in the United States as of November 09, 2025. The state with the most number of CVS Pharmacy locations in the US is California, with 1,176 locations, which is 11% of all CVS Pharmacy locations in America.
Top 10 cities with the most number of CVS Pharmacy locations in the US.
City | State/Territory | Number of Locations |
Miami | Florida | 94 |
Houston | Texas | 93 |
Chicago | Illinois | 71 |
Los Angeles | California | 66 |
New York | New York | 66 |
Washington | District of Columbia | 63 |
San Antonio | Texas | 60 |
Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 58 |
Dallas | Texas | 57 |
Indianapolis | Indiana | 51 |
Shipping
1 to 2 day delivery is available at almost all of CVS Pharmacy locations. Delivery within hours is currently available in most markets (called "on-demand delivery" at checkout). Options available in your area will be displayed during checkout.
If you select 1 to 2 day and place your order …
By 3 PM Monday through Thursday: delivery within 1 to 2 days
By 3 PM Friday: delivery by Monday
By 2 PM Saturday: delivery by Tuesday
After 2 PM Saturday through Sunday: delivery by Wednesday. No deliveries on Sunday or courier holidays.
If you select on-demand delivery within hours, you'll receive your delivery within four hours. Orders must be submitted four hours prior to store closing to receive delivery the same day as order placement.
For customers in Manhattan, orders must be placed by 11 AM for delivery by 4 PM and by 4 PM for delivery by 8 PM.
Delivery may not be available on certain courier holidays.
Click here to find more information about shipping.
Customers Services
1. Call 1-800-SHOP-CVS (1-800-746-7287)
For questions and comments including feedback about CVS stores, pharmacy, policies and in-store photo department;
For questions and comments including member updates, rewards card, program information and ExtraBucks Rewards.
Monday-Friday 8 AM - 10 PM ET, Sat. & Sun. 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM ET. Closed major holidays.
2. Call 1-888-607-4CVS (1-888-607-4287)
For questions or comments including user account, password issues, orders, prescription management and photo.
Sunday-Saturday 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM ET. Closed major holidays.
3. Call 1-866-389-ASAP (1-866-389-2727)
For questions and comments regarding CVS in-store clinics.
4. Or you can mail all inquiries to:
CVS Corporation
Customer Relations
One CVS Drive
Woonsocket, RI 02895
For FAQs and email support, visit the Customer Care page.
Promotions
1. $15 off $65 with code SAVE15. (Ends in 21/11);
2. Free 1 to 4 day shipping with $35 + orders;
3. Join CarePass for free shipping + $10 monthly promo reward + 20% off CVS Health brand products;
4. Shopping on CVS, don't forget to sign up at Extrabux (What is Extrabux?) , then you can get 2% super cashback from Extrabux! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus!
2. Walgreens (www.walgreens.com)
Walgreen is an American company that operates as the second-largest pharmacy store chain in the United States behind CVS Health. It specializes in filling prescriptions, health and wellness products, health information, and photo services.
As of August 31, 2020, the company operated 9021 stores in the United States. It was founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1901. The Walgreens headquarters office is in the Chicago suburb of Deerfield, Illinois.
Services Offered
4. Schedule Flu & COVID-19 vaccines
Locations
As of August 31, 2020, the company operated 9021 stores in the United States.
State/Territory | Number of Locations | State/Territory | Number of Locations |
Alabama | 151 | Maine | 79 |
Oklahoma | 116 | Alaska | 11 |
Maryland | 154 | Oregon | 73 |
Arizona | 234 | Massachusetts | 249 |
Pennsylvania | 115 | Arkansas | 79 |
Michigan | 232 | Rhode Island | 46 |
California | 586 | Minnesota | 153 |
South Carolina | 150 | Colorado | 169 |
Mississippi | 83 | South Dakota | 14 |
Connecticut | 116 | Missouri | 208 |
Tennessee | 271 | Delaware | 62 |
Montana | 13 | Texas | 701 |
Florida | 820 | Nebraska | 56 |
Utah | 56 | Georgia | 270 |
Nevada | 83 | Vermont | 32 |
Hawaii | 17 | New Hampshire | 35 |
Virginia | 204 | Idaho | 38 |
New Jersey | 280 | Washington | 135 |
Illinois | 574 | New Mexico | 70 |
West Virginia | 94 | Indiana | 188 |
New York | 564 | Wisconsin | 226 |
Iowa | 72 | North Carolina | 356 |
Wyoming | 10 | Kansas | 70 |
North Dakota | 1 | Washington D.C. | 14 |
Kentucky | 171 | Ohio | 242 |
Puerto Rico | 105 | Louisiana | 172 |
U.S. Virgin Islands | 1 |
Shipping
Same Day Rx Delivery is now available at more than 8,000 Walgreens stores. To use Same Day Rx Delivery or 1-2 business day delivery, you must be opted into Prescription Status Alerts. It will appear as an option if order is before that store's cutoff time for the day. Certain health plans do not cover, or participate in, Same Day Rx Delivery. Check with your health plan for further details. Excludes California.
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Customers Services
1. Phone
Choose one of the following phone numbers depending on the nature of your question:
Walgreens.com Inquiries: 1-877-250-5823;
Store Inquiries:1-800-WALGREENS or 1-800-925-4733;
Corporate Inquiries: 1-847-914-2500;
Customer Relations: 1-800-WALGREENS or 1-800-925-4733.
2. Live Chat
Yes, you can. Follow Your Account and click on the red "Need Help? Live Chat" button near the top of the page. Agents are available from 7 A.M. - 1 A.M. EST.
NOTE: If you do not see the "Need Help? Live Chat" button and it is between 7 A.M. - 1 A.M. EST, all agents are busy. Wait briefly, then refresh the page. You do not need to be logged in to your Walgreens account to chat - the chat button appears on the sign in page during the same hours.
3. Postal Mail
Mailing addressis:
Walgreen Co.
200 Wilmot Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
4. Email
In order to ensure the privacy, safety, and accurate delivery of your message, Walgreens.com uses electronic text submission forms. When you fill out and submit a Contact Us form, it is the same as sending an email.
Some issues cannot be resolved via email. If this is the case, the Contact Us category page will instruct you to call Customer Service at 1-877-250-5823.
Promotions
1. Extra 20% off $40+ health & wellness with code HEALTH20;
2. Buy 2 get 3rd FREE skin care;
3. 25% off contacts with code CYBER25;
4. FREE shipping at $35+;
5. FREE shipping on all prescription refills;
6. FREE Ship to Store;
7. FREE Same Day Delivery on $50+;
8. FREE Same Day Pickup on Prints, Photo Books and more;
9. Shopping on Walgreens.com through Extrabux, then you can get up to 6% super cashback.
3. Rite Aid (www.riteaid.com)
The Rite Aid Corporation is a well-known drugstore chain that operates in the United States. It has grown prolifically and has become the third largest retailer in its niche within the nation. They're known for offering reasonable prices on a variety of sundries which are sold in their stores.Since 1962, Rite Aid Corporation has been building a strong presence on both the East and West Coasts, making them one of the nation's leading drugstore chains. The company operated 2451 stores in the United States. Rite Aid pharmacy offers products and services to help you lead a healthy, happy life.
Services Offered
Locations
2451 Rite Aid Stores in the United States.
Click here to find out the number of locations of your state.
Shipping
You can choose from a variety of shipping options for your order.
Continental US Street and PO Box
Shipping Service | Estimated Delivery Time | Per Shipment |
Standard | 3-5 days | $6.95 or free w/$34.99 purchase |
Click here to read the full Shipping Policy.
Customers Services
If you need help , you can:
1. Chat online
3. Or call customer care (1-800-748-3243)
Customer Care Hours
Day | Hours |
Mon-Fri: | 8am - 8pm ET |
Saturday: | 9:30am - 6pm ET |
Sunday: | CLOSED |
Promotions
1. Join wellness+ rewards to get discounts & rewards;
2. Enter your zip code to find weekly deals;
3. Shopping on Rite Aid through Extrabux, then you can get 4% super cashback.
4. Walmart Pharmacy (www.walmart.com)
Walmart Pharmacy is an American pharmacy chain with locations spread across the country. You can use the online services to have a prescription filled or to transfer a prescription from another pharmacy. For refill prescriptions, you can either have your healthcare provider call in or directly drop same at Walmart pharmacy. Simply login to your account to obtain refills online. You can select up to 10 to be refilled at one time. Once signed in, you can click the refill now option to review current prescriptions and to order one using Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Besides web, you can also download the Walmart app for iOS and Android to refill your prescriptions.
When your prescription is ready for pickup, Walmart sends an email notification or text message. Low-cost prescriptions are available in packages starting with $4 giving a 30 day supply and $10 giving a 90 day supply. You can get supplies for allergies, antibiotic treatments, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, viruses and nutritional health. Additionally, Walmart also has speciality medications for rare and complex conditions like cancer, HIV, infertility, psoriasis and hepatitis. Other services you can find at Walmart Pharmacy include health packages and insurance plans. There are also Vision Centers for quality prescription glasses or contact lenses.
Services Offered
1. Refill Your RX
2. COVID-19 Testing
3. Schedule Flu Shots
4. Schedule COVID-19 vaccine
5. Vision center
Locations
Enter a location to find a nearby Walmart store. Enter ZIP code or city, state.
Shipping
Get convenient prescription delivery to your home or office, with free standard shipping on all orders with their mail order pharmacy service. Call 1-800 2REFILL to get started.
Customers Services
Contact Walmart Pharmacy: Find below customer service details of Walmart Pharmacy, including phone and email. Besides contact details, the page also offers a brief overview of the company.
Head Office
Walmart, Inc
702 S.W. 8th St.,
Bentonville, AK 72716
Customer Service
Phone: 1-800-WALMART
Phone: 1-800-925-6278
Email: specialty@walmart.com (speciality meds)
Promotions
1. Free standard shipping on all orders with mail order pharmacy service;
2. Shopping on Walmart Pharmacy through Extrabux, then you can get up to 4% super cashback.
Which Drugstore is the Best?
Each of these four pharmacies has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the price may not necessarily be the lowest, depending on the product. So if you need any product, you can compare it on the four websites and buy it at which one is the most cost-effective one.
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