Walgreens Photo vs CVS: Which One Is Better for Your Prints?

Walgreens Photo vs CVS – When it comes to printing your favorite memories, two major pharmacy chains often come to mind: Walgreens Photo vs CVS Photo. Both offer similar services like photo prints, canvas prints, photo books, and same-day pickup options. But which one should you choose?

In this guide, we’ll compare Walgreens Photo and CVS Photo in terms of pricing, quality, turnaround time, ease of use, and overall value — so you can decide which one works best for your photo printing needs.

Overview: Walgreens Photo and CVS Photo

Both Walgreens and CVS have long been trusted names in the retail and pharmacy space, and their photo departments are convenient add-ons to their everyday services.

What They Both Offer

• Photo prints in various sizes

• Canvas and poster prints

• Photo books, calendars, cards

• Same-day pickup at thousands of locations

• Online ordering and mobile apps

• Frequent discounts and promo codes

So how do they differ? Let’s break it down category by category.

Print Quality Comparison

When it comes to photo printing, print quality is king — and even small differences can make a big impact.

Walgreens Photo Quality

Walgreens is known for producing sharp, vibrant images with true-to-life colors. Their prints tend to have deeper contrast and more natural tones, which is great for portraits and scenery shots. Many users find Walgreens’ canvas prints and enlargements to be especially well-done.

CVS Photo Quality

CVS Photo also delivers decent print quality, but customer feedback often points to slightly less vibrant results compared to Walgreens. Some users report occasional color inconsistencies or softer image sharpness, though this can vary by location and photo resolution.

Verdict: Walgreens usually takes the lead in quality, especially for high-resolution photos and canvas prints.

Price and Deals

Walgreens Pricing

• 4×6 prints start at around $0.35 each (often discounted)

• Canvas prints and other products are competitively priced

• Promo codes are often available on the Walgreens Photo homepage

CVS Pricing

• 4×6 prints start at around $0.33 each

• Canvas prints are similarly priced, sometimes slightly cheaper than Walgreens

• CVS also frequently offers discounts, especially through their app

Verdict: CVS has a slight edge on base prices, but both stores offer regular promos, so pricing is often a tie depending on the deal you find.

Ease of Use: Website and App Experience

Walgreens Photo Interface

Walgreens has a user-friendly website and a mobile app with a clean layout. Uploading photos is easy, and editing tools are available for cropping, brightness adjustments, and layout previews.

CVS Photo Interface

CVS Photo’s site is also functional but sometimes feels a bit less modern or intuitive compared to Walgreens. Upload speed and navigation may vary, and some users find the mobile experience slightly clunky.

Verdict: Walgreens provides a smoother, more modern ordering experience.

Turnaround Time and Pickup

Both services offer same-day pickup, but Walgreens tends to have a wider selection of same-day products, including:

• Photo books (same-day at some locations)

• More canvas sizes available same-day

CVS offers same-day for prints and some gifts, but the selection is more limited.

Verdict: Walgreens wins for faster service and more same-day options.

Final Thoughts: Walgreens Photo vs CVS — Which Should You Choose?

So, Walgreens Photo vs CVS Photo — what’s the final verdict?

If print quality, speed, and ease of ordering matter most to you, Walgreens Photo is the better choice. If you’re looking to save a few extra cents and don’t mind a more basic interface, CVS Photo still offers solid value — especially when deals are active.