CVS vs Walgreens: Which Pharmacy Is Better for You?

• Jun, 3 2025
• 0

Most people end up at either CVS or Walgreens at some point—sometimes just because it’s the closest one on the block or open when everything else is closed. But if you have a choice, is one actually better?

Maybe you’re trying to get the best price on a prescription, or you just want an easy online system that doesn’t make refills a chore. CVS and Walgreens both brag about their nationwide reach and online features, but does one actually deliver more for regular folks? Instead of wasting time with sales pitches, let’s break down what they actually offer—straight up.

• Pharmacy Locations and Convenience
• Pricing and Prescription Savings
• Online Services and Digital Experience
• Customer Service: How Do They Treat You?
• Rewards, Perks, and Insider Tips

Pharmacy Locations and Convenience

Just trying to find a pharmacy close to you? CVS and Walgreens aren’t just everywhere—they’re practically staring you down at every street corner. You’ll find CVS in about 9,500 locations across the U.S., and Walgreens isn’t far behind with over 8,700 stores. Check your neighborhood on the map—some cities have both right across from each other. If you’re in a major metro area, you won’t go far without seeing at least one of these signs glowing at night.

But it’s not just about the numbers. Extended hours matter too, especially if you work late or need a prescription on a Sunday. CVS tends to offer more 24-hour locations, which can be a lifesaver for those random late-night emergencies. Walgreens, on the other hand, often opens earlier in the morning—great if you want to grab your meds before work or school.

Here’s a quick breakdown so you don’t have to guess:

If you want the ultimate convenience, both chains let you manage prescriptions online or through their apps—so you can check hours, see if a location is open, or even schedule pickups before you leave the house. Whether you’re a night owl or an early riser, you’ll probably find a spot that fits your schedule. When choosing between the two, just remember: proximity and store hours can make your life a whole lot easier. When in doubt, hit up the CVS or Walgreens website for the nearest open location.

Pricing and Prescription Savings

Let’s be real—price is usually the dealbreaker when picking a pharmacy. While you’d think prices would be about the same, there can actually be some surprises. CVS and Walgreens both set their own cash prices for medications. That means the same generic drug might cost $10 at CVS and $18 at Walgreens or vice versa, depending on where you go and what you need. Always check both if you’re paying out-of-pocket.

Both stores also take insurance, but copays can still be different because of contracts with insurers. Here’s a tip: Ask your insurance for a list of preferred pharmacies—it could save you a chunk of change every year.

One game-changer is the pharmacy savings card. CVS has the CVS Prescription Savings Club, while Walgreens rolls out the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club. Neither requires insurance. Here’s a quick comparison of some popular savings (June 2025 data):

So, for basic generics, CVS sometimes has a slight edge, but prices for brand names and oddball generics can flip. If you take a handful of drugs every month, run your meds through both clubs’ price checkers online before signing up. Both charge a yearly fee—$15 for CVS, $20 for Walgreens as of this month.

Don’t forget about manufacturer coupons and discount apps like GoodRx or SingleCare. Both stores accept these, and the right coupon can undercut even the in-house savings program prices.

• Compare cash prices for every new prescription. Don’t assume they’ll match each other.
• If you’re uninsured, join a savings club, but check the drug prices first.
• Bring up coupons at checkout—they can stack with club prices in some cases.

Bottom line: if saving money is your top concern, a little comparison shopping between CVS and Walgreens seriously pays off.

Online Services and Digital Experience

If you order meds online or need digital tools to manage prescriptions, the experience you get from CVS and Walgreens isn’t identical. Both players know folks want convenience, but how do their digital setups compare?

CVS has its online pharmacy hub straight on its website and app. You can order refills, track prescriptions, and set pickup or delivery. CVS’s app even lets you scan meds for fast refills; some folks say the alerts for ready orders are super consistent. One cool perk: CVS added a "CarePass" subscription that gets you free home delivery on meds and everyday stuff for $5/month, plus 20% off CVS brand products. That’s hard to beat if you’re always running low on basics.

Walgreens’ digital system is surprisingly robust too. Its app lets you order refills, check on order status, manage family prescriptions, and even chat (24/7) with pharmacy staff for med questions. Walgreens doesn’t have a copycat to CarePass, but they’ve made curbside pickup and same-day home delivery available in most big cities using DoorDash and Uber. They’re also tight with Apple Pay and Google Pay for contactless checkouts.

Convenience is where these two shops try to beat each other. CVS gets a leg up if you want free delivery without spending extra each time. Walgreens’ app scores points if you like talking to a real person, even online, late at night.

"The shift toward digital pharmacy services accelerated in 2024, with over 31% of prescription orders now started online or through mobile apps," according to a report from Drug Channels Institute.

If you’re on maintenance meds or caring for kids or parents, being able to add profiles in both apps is a lifesaver. Refill requests only take seconds, and you can check prices in the app before saying yes—great for folks watching their spending.

One quick tip: set up autofill for those meds you never want to run out of. Both CVS and Walgreens do it, but don’t forget to check for coupon deals in the app before you confirm your order. Sometimes, you’ll save more than you think.

Customer Service: How Do They Treat You?

The truth is, most people only notice customer service when things go wrong. Whether you forget your prescription, need a quick vaccine, or something gets mixed up, how a pharmacy handles the hiccup makes all the difference.

At most CVS stores, you’ll find a pharmacist on duty all day, and the pharmacy hours are usually wide enough to cover late-night needs. CVS has an easy-to-use app and online chat for questions—some folks say that chat actually gets back to you faster than calling the store. But in-person, CVS can be a mixed bag. Lines can get long during peak hours, especially at big city or busy suburban locations. If you do need to talk something out face-to-face, patience is sometimes a must.

Walgreens steps it up with their “Ask a Pharmacist” online option and even phone support just for prescriptions. Multiple customer polls revealed Walgreens staff tends to greet customers at the counter faster than CVS, and their drive-thru wait times are a bit shorter. The flip side? Walgreens locations inside shopping centers or standalone stores don’t always have as many actual pharmacists on hand, so you might run into wait times when filling new scripts.

Both chains handle basic questions pretty well in person, especially about generics, usage, and insurance hiccups. But if you need an explanation beyond the basics—like understanding insurance denials or switching to a different brand—your experience really depends on who’s behind the counter that day. People do report friendlier help at certain stores, so location actually matters more than you’d think.

• If you’re calling in, both have toll-free numbers, but Walgreens’ phone menus are a little easier to navigate. CVS’s app makes prescription tracking a breeze.
• If you ever need to escalate a problem, Walgreens allows you to file complaints online with a pretty quick follow-up, while CVS usually redirects you to in-store management first.
• For CVS and Walgreens rewards members, some customer service perks kick in automatically, such as refill reminders and basic health screenings, but don’t expect these to solve bigger issues like insurance disputes.

One pro tip: try using the online chat or app if you want a straight answer without wasting time on hold. And ask for the pharmacist directly if you get stuck—store staff are required to get you through, even if the lines are long. Realistically, both offer good service most of the time, but the speed and friendliness do change from store to store.

Rewards, Perks, and Insider Tips

Getting more than just your meds is pretty tempting, right? Both CVS and Walgreens offer rewards programs designed to keep you coming back—and honestly, they’re worth signing up for if you shop there even a couple of times per year.

CVS has ExtraCare, which is crazy popular. Members earn 2% back in ExtraBucks on most purchases. These ExtraBucks can be used just like cash during checkout, including for certain prescriptions (but not all—there are some rules). CVS also drops special coupons in your email or app, and once a year you get a free birthday deal. The best part? Their receipt coupons are famous for being long, but there are real savings in there. A tip: Always scan your ExtraCare card or phone number at checkout, or you won’t get your rewards.

Walgreens runs myWalgreens, where you score 1% Walgreens Cash on most purchases and 5% on Walgreens-branded items. For prescriptions, eligible ones can get you $0.50 Walgreens Cash each, which can add up if you have regular refills. Stack that cash with digital coupons for double the savings. Birthdays bring you a perk here too. Walgreens also gives early access to certain sales for members, and they’re good about digital-only promos in the app.

If you’re serious about snagging deals, sign up for both programs since they’re free. Here are some solid tips to get more value:

• Check the store’s app each week—quick way to grab exclusive coupons.
• Link your rewards to the app for digital receipts. Less clutter, same savings.
• Watch for bonus events: Both stores offer double or triple rewards at special times, often tied to holidays or 'savings days.'
• If you do flu shots or vaccines, both chains usually boost your points or rewards for scheduling them with your account.
• Ask your pharmacist if any generic meds qualify you for extra rewards—sometimes these change throughout the year.

Keep an eye out for stacking opportunities: digital coupons + rewards points usually give you the lowest price. Remember, rewards don’t last forever—CVS and Walgreens Cash often expire after a few months, so use them before they disappear.