Are you looking for the best place to get your photos printed? Walgreens and CVS, two national drugstore chains, both offer photo printing services that allow you to order prints online or in-store. With a wide range of print sizes and product options, choosing between the two can be a bit overwhelming. In this blog post, we will compare Walgreens and CVS in various aspects, such as pricing, variety, print quality, photo editing features, storage and sharing options, ease of access, printing methods, customer reviews, delivery time, extra features, pickup options, availability, and mobile apps. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which option is the best fit for your photo printing needs. Let’s dive in and find out which one comes out on top: Walgreens or CVS!
Why Do you Need instant Photo Delivery Service
Ordering an instant photo delivery service, such as Walgreens or CVS, offers several advantages over printing photos at home or using a traditional photo lab. Here are the key reasons why it is beneficial:
- Convenience: By uploading your pictures from your computer or phone, you can easily order prints and pick them up at your local store, often within an hour.
- Cost-effectiveness: Drugstores like Walgreens and CVS typically offer lower prices compared to professional photo labs, making it a more affordable option.
- Extensive Product Options: Instant photo delivery services provide a wide range of product options, including enlargements, collages, and photo books, allowing you to create personalized and unique photo projects.
Factors To Consider While Comparing Walgreens And CVC Photo Services
When comparing Walgreens and CVS as national drugstore chains that offer photo printing services, there are several criteria to consider. Here is an organized breakdown of the key factors to help you decide which option is best for your needs:
- Pricing: Compare the pricing structures of Walgreens and CVS for their photo printing services.
- Variety: Assess the range of print sizes and product options available at both Walgreens and CVS.
- Print Quality: Evaluate the quality of prints provided by each company.
- Photo Editing Features: Consider the availability and capabilities of photo editing features offered by Walgreens and CVS.
- Storage and Sharing: Look into the storage and sharing options provided by both chains.
- Ease of Access: Evaluate how easily accessible the photo printing services are at Walgreens and CVS.
- Printing Method: Compare the printing methods used by both companies.
- Reviews: Consider customer reviews and ratings for the photo printing services of Walgreens and CVS.
- Delivery Time: Assess the turnaround time for receiving printed photos from each company.
- Extra Features: Look for any additional features or services offered beyond basic photo printing.
- Pickup Options: Evaluate the pickup options available for printed photos at Walgreens and CVS.
- Availability: Consider the presence and accessibility of Walgreens and CVS locations near you.
- Mobile App: Assess the functionality and user-friendliness of the mobile apps provided by both companies.
By considering these criteria, you can make an informed decision on whether Walgreens or CVS is the better choice for your specific photo printing needs.
Printing Service
| Criteria | Walgreens | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Printing Services | In-store and online | In-store and online |
| Print Sizes | 2″ x 3″ to 8″ x 10″ | 2″ x 3″ to 8″ x 10″ |
| Pricing | Starts at $0.29 per print for standard images | Starts at $0.29 per print for standard images |
| Bulk Discounts | Available | Available |
| Additional Products | Enlargements, collages, photo books, and more | Enlargements, collages, photo books, and more |
| Same Day Pickup | Available | Not available after 7 PM |
By comparing these criteria, you can determine which option, Walgreens or CVS, aligns better with your specific photo printing needs.
Pricing
| Print Size | Walgreens Pricing per Print | CVS Pricing per Print |
|---|---|---|
| 4″ x 6″ | $0.19 | $0.29 |
- Walgreens charges $0.19 per print for 4″ x 6″ images.
- CVS charges $0.29 per print for 4″ x 6″ images.
- CVS offers discounts for larger print quantities, making it more cost-effective for printing larger orders.
For example, a bundle of 104 4″ x 6″ photos would cost $21.99 at Walgreens, while the same order would cost $13.99 at CVS. Therefore, if you require prints for your business or larger quantities, CVS could be a more affordable choice.
Variety
| Photo Products | Walgreens | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Prints | Available | Available |
| Photo Books | Available | Available |
| Cards | Not specified | Available |
| Calendars | Not specified | Available |
| Enlargements | Available | Available |
| Additional Items | Games | Not specified |
- Both Walgreens and CVS offer prints and photo books.
- CVS provides a broader range of products, including cards, calendars, and enlargements.
- The availability of games as an additional item is specified only for Walgreens.
Print Quality
- Walgreens and CVS utilize high-quality printers and paper for their printing services, ensuring good print quality.
- CVS offers more printing options, including the ability to adjust color, brightness, and contrast before printing, giving users more control over the final result.
- Walgreens and CVS provide basic photo editing features such as cropping and red-eye removal.
- CVS offers additional advanced editing features like filters, effects, and the creation of collages, providing more options for enhancing and customizing your photos.
Editing Software
- Alternative editing software like Adobe, InShot, Beauty Plus, and Snapseed are available and often considered better than the default editor at CVS.
- Both Walgreens and CVS offer online storage for photos, allowing access from any device.
- CVS allows sharing of pictures via email and social media, while this feature is not specified for Walgreens.
- CVS offers the option to have photos delivered directly to Google Drive or OneDrive, although additional fees may apply for digital storage.
Printing Method
| Criteria | Walgreens | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Printing Method | Inkjet | Dye sublimation |
| Print Quality | High quality | High quality |
| Process | Spraying paint onto the base through electromagnetic ink | Transferring image onto paper through heat |
Both methods are capable of producing high-quality prints, but dye sublimation is generally considered superior.
Reviews
Both Walgreens and CVS receive positive customer reviews for their photo printing services. However, CVS is often regarded as the better option due to several factors. CVS offers lower prices, a wider range of product options, and higher quality prints. Additionally, CVS has an advantage in terms of availability, as they have stores located in both rural and remote areas, while Walgreens primarily operates in urban and commercial areas. This accessibility in various locations makes CVS more convenient for customers. Furthermore, CVS stores require less space compared to Walgreens, which offers a broader range of services beyond being a pharmacy. Overall, considering customer reviews and these factors, CVS emerges as the preferred choice for photo printing services.
Delivery Time
- Walgreens typically delivers photo prints within 7-10 days, while CVS delivers them within 5-7 days.
- Same-day delivery is available for both Walgreens and CVS, but the order must be placed before 7 PM local time.
- Walgreens offers 24-hour same-day pickup, while CVS provides a wider range of pickup options, including same day, next day, and 1-hour in-store pickup.
Availability
Both Walgreens and CVS have a significant presence in the United States. Walgreens operates over 8,000 locations, while CVS has an extensive network of over 9,932 stores. It is important to note that the availability of their services is limited to the areas where their stores are located within the USA. Unfortunately, neither company extends their services outside of the US territory. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that in rural areas, such as villages and farms, access to their services might be limited or not available. Therefore, when considering availability, it is crucial to consider the location and proximity of their stores for easy access to their respective services.
Mobile App
CVS provides a user-friendly mobile app that allows seamless printing of photos directly from your phone. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices, offering convenience and accessibility. On the other hand, while Walgreens also offers a mobile app, it functions as a redirection to the web version of the Walgreens photo service. This may result in a slightly less streamlined experience compared to the dedicated mobile app provided by CVS.
Conclusion
In conclusion, CVS is generally the better option for photo printing services. CVS offers discounts on large print orders, a wider range of product options, and advanced photo editing features. However, if you prioritize quick printing and convenient pickup, Walgreens is the preferable choice due to their in-store pickup availability and extended service hours. Consider your specific needs and preferences to make the best decision between CVS and Walgreens for your photo printing requirements.
