Walmart vs Target: Price Match Policy Compared

Quick Comparison Table

How Walmart’s Price Match Works

The Walmart price match policy applies only to in-store purchases. If you buy an item at a physical Walmart store, you can request that Walmart match the price of the same item if you find it advertised for less on Walmart.com.

Requirements and Restrictions

• The item must be identical in every way, including size, model, quantity, brand, and color
• The lower price must be currently advertised on Walmart.com at the time of your request
• The item must be in stock and available to purchase on Walmart.com
• You must inform a Walmart associate about the lower price before or at checkout
• Walmart reserves the right to limit quantities to one per customer
• The store manager on duty has final decision authority on any price match request

If supervisor approval is needed to verify the lower price, your transaction may take longer. Walmart does not price match items from Target, Amazon, or other competing retailers.

How Target’s Price Match Works

The Target price match policy differs from Walmart in that Target only matches its own internal prices. Target will not match prices from competing retailers as of 2026.

What Target Will Match

Target offers price matching in two main scenarios. First, if you bought an item in a Target store and find the same item for less on Target.com or the Target app, Target will match that lower price. Second, if you purchased on Target.com or the Target app and find the same item for less in a Target store, Target will also match it. You must request the match within 14 days of your original purchase.

Target will additionally match prices on Target Circle deals, which apply automatically when you identify yourself as a Target Circle member at checkout. For Target Plus Partner items, Target will match the price only if the lower price comes from the same Target Plus Partner on Target.com.

What Target Will Not Match

Target explicitly does not price match items from Walmart, Amazon, or other competing retailers. This is a significant shift from previous years and represents a more restrictive approach to price protection.

Where Each Retailer Wins

Walmart’s Advantage

Walmart wins for shoppers who discover a lower price on Walmart.com while shopping in a store. The ability to request a match at checkout without a time limit means you can go back days or weeks later if you think you paid too much. There is no stated expiration window on requesting price adjustments in Walmart stores.

Target’s Advantages

Target wins in two specific areas. First, Target shoppers can find lower prices in a Target store after buying online, then request a match in-store or through customer service. Walmart does not offer this reverse matching. Second, Target Circle members receive automatic price reductions on qualifying items just by identifying themselves at checkout, which bypasses the need to manually request a price match at all. The 14-day window for Target price matches is also customer-friendly, giving you two weeks to spot a better price and act on it.

Who Should Choose Which

Choose Walmart if you frequently shop in-store and want the option to match prices you find on Walmart.com without time pressure. Walmart’s manager discretion can sometimes work in your favor if the price difference is reasonable and the product is legitimately cheaper online. This is useful if you do online research before shopping but prefer the in-store experience.

Choose Target if you use Target Circle and value automatic savings without asking. Target’s approach works best if you shop across both online and in-store channels and want flexibility to match prices in either direction. The 14-day window is also generous enough for most shoppers to spot price differences and request adjustments. Target is the better choice if convenience and automatic deals matter more to you than matching competitor prices.

Neither retailer offers the broadest price protection available. Neither will match Amazon, Costco, or other major competitors. If matching a specific competitor price is your primary goal, check whether that competitor offers its own price match or price adjustment policy instead.