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Wal-Mart vs Netflix
09/03/04
Netflix has been the reigning king of online rentals but with the giant Wal-Mart corporation throwing its hat into the ring, will it be able to compete?
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Price/Plan Comparison
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Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart DVD Double Feature Plan $15.54/mo.
(first 30 days free) 2 movies at a time/Unlimited rentals
Wal-Mart DVD Standard Plan $18.76
3 movies at a time/Unlimited rentals
Wal-Mart DVD Plus Plan
$21.94
4 movies at a time/Unlimited rentals
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Netflix
2-at-a-time (4 rentals a month) for $14.99
3-at-a-time for $21.99/Unlimited rentals
5-at-a-time for $33.99/Unlimited rentals
8-at-a-time for $49.99/Unlimited rentals
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By just looking at the price chart, Wal-Mart is way ahead. Their most expensive plan is better and
cheaper (by 5 cents) than Netflix, but is it as good? Wal-Mart's service has just started so their
selection can't compare. Netflix has more special interest, documentaries, and independent movies. Also Netflix has the superior search engine and the their recommendation page and menu are
leagues above Wal-Mart. But you can expect Wal-Mart to be adding more movies and improving their user interface in the near future.
Bottom Line: Wal-Mart offers better prices but Netflix (for now) has a better user interface, more
movies and a great track record. However, if you know what movies you want and you're into the latest releases, Wal-Mart is the better choice. Netflix is the superior choice for people looking for
obscure movies and also for browsing for movies that you've never heard of.
10/02/04
Update: Well, I've been trying Wal-Mart's service and I'm pretty disappointed. The delivery is
slow and most titles have a long wait. Netflix has nothing to worry about for quite a while. Netflix
on the other hand has been adding tons of movies and I rarely ever encounter anything where I have to wait.
11/01/04
Update: Netflix has lowered their price to only $17.99! Netflix is now
easily the best online movie rental business out there. Now if only they'd add XBox games...
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