Brandwave

Costco vs Walmart Pharmacy:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Walmart Pharmacy had more branded searches than Costco among pharmacies in the United States. Walmart Pharmacy had about 2.7 million branded searches, while Costco had 823,000. Walmart Pharmacy made up 5.4% of all pharmacy searches we track, and Costco accounted for 1.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pharmacies, Costco appeared in all three answers and Walmart Pharmacy in two. Costco was mentioned before Walmart Pharmacy in every answer.

Among pharmacies in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Walmart Pharmacy, about 3 searches for every 1 for Costco

Walmart Pharmacy 2.7M searchesCostco 823K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Costco, mentioned in every answer we collected

Costco in 3 of 3Walmart Pharmacy in 2 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Costco, named ahead of Walmart Pharmacy in every answer

Costco first in 3Walmart Pharmacy never first

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Top pharmacies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Costco appeared in all three answers. Walmart Pharmacy was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Costco was listed before Walmart Pharmacy in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Costco1st
  2. CVS Pharmacy2nd
  3. Walmart Pharmacy3rd
  4. Walgreens4th
  5. Amazon Pharmacy5th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

See every answer about pharmacies

3 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.

Is Costco or Walmart Pharmacy more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Costco and Walmart Pharmacy by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five pharmacies we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

Costco and Walmart Pharmacy among pharmacies in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Walmart Pharmacy, Costco. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthCVS PharmacyWalgreensWalmart PharmacyCostcoAmazon Pharmacy
Oct 202552.4%40.3%5.4%1.6%0.33%
Nov 202547.8%45.1%5%1.8%0.3%
Dec 202548.1%45.2%5%1.5%0.3%
Jan 202647.6%45%4.9%1.8%0.66%
Feb 202652.3%40.2%5.4%1.6%0.49%
Mar 202653%40.8%4.5%1.3%0.4%
Apr 202648.5%43.5%5.8%1.8%0.43%
May 202652.3%40.2%5.4%1.6%0.4%
Jun 202648.5%43.5%5.8%1.8%0.43%
Jul 202648.5%43.5%5.8%1.8%0.43%
Aug 202652.1%40.1%5.4%2%0.4%
Sep 202652.3%40.2%5.4%1.6%0.4%

How has the Costco and Walmart Pharmacy comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for United States pharmacies in September 2026?

0 changes

Neither Costco nor Walmart Pharmacy moved beyond provider rounding among pharmacies in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Costco’s and Walmart Pharmacy’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Costco

1 branded search term

  • costco pharmacy

Walmart Pharmacy

1 branded search term

  • walmart pharmacy

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among pharmacies

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