Preserving memories with printed photos remains highly popular in the digital age. With convenient online ordering and quick turnaround times, services like Walgreens and CVS make the process smooth and hassle-free. But which major drugstore chain should you choose for your photo printing needs this year?
Key Factors to Compare Walgreens vs CVS Photo Services
When deciding between Walgreens and CVS, here are the most important factors to consider:
- Pricing
- Product variety
- Print quality
- Editing capabilities
- Sharing and storage options
- Store accessibility
- Printing technology
- Customer satisfaction
- Order and delivery speed
Pricing – CVS Offers More Bulk Order Discounts
Both chains offer competitively priced 4×6 prints starting at $0.19 each at Walgreens and $0.29 at CVS. However, CVS rewards bulk orders above 100 prints with lower rates down to $0.13 per print, making it more budget-friendly for events, businesses, or prolific photographers.
Product Variety – More Options at CVS
CVS allows shoppers to order an extensive range of products beyond standard prints, including photo books, cards, calendars, enlargements, gifts like mugs and keychains, and square and poster prints. Walgreens focuses primarily on prints and books only.
Print Quality – Slight Edge to CVS
Reviews praise both for using high-end gear and paper to produce vivid, accurate prints. CVS gains a small advantage with its dye-sublimation printers and user-adjustable color, brightness, and contrast controls before printing.
Editing Features – More Advanced Options at CVS
Both offer essential editing like cropping and redeye removal. But CVS provides more advanced features including filters, effects, and easy collage creation. However, robust third-party apps usually surpass the tools of both services.
Sharing and Storage – CVS Syncs with Cloud Accounts
CVS lets users share photos via email and social media and sync directly with Google Drive or OneDrive accounts for convenient cloud storage and management. Walgreens currently lacks sharing and storage integration.
Store Accessibility – CVS in More Rural Areas
With nearly 10,000 locations coast to coast including rural spots, CVS stores are more accessible overall than Walgreen’s 8,000+ urban-focused outlets.
Printing Methods – CVS Uses Superior Dye-Sublimation
CVS relies on top-rated dye-sublimation printing technology. Walgreens uses traditional inkjet printers, which can deliver good quality and quick 24-hour service but fall short of dye-sublimation.
Customer Reviews – Slight Preference Toward CVS
Both receive positive feedback, but CVS garners higher satisfaction ratings based on lower costs, more products and editing features, and better print quality according to reviewers.
Order and Delivery Speed – Advantage Walgreens
Standard delivery runs 5-10 days at both chains. However, Walgreens provides 24-hour in-store pickup while CVS pickup requires next-day advance ordering. Walgreens also offers same-day printing for urgent requests.
The Better Choice Depends On Your Needs
Ultimately, choosing between the two photo printing giants requires identifying your top priorities. CVS is ideal for lower bulk order prices, more diverse products, advanced editing, and storing photos in the cloud. Walgreens excels when fast 24-hour pickup or same-day printing is essential.
