A TikTok grocery comparison wanted to know which of two grocery store giants would come out on top on cost for one haul built around staples, produce, and meat.
To test that, creator Kawaii Cosmic Kitten (@kawaiicosmickitten) matched an Aldi shopping trip against a Walmart app cart instead of going by general impressions at checkout.
Here's what to know
In the TikTok video, the creator revealed they spent $91.28 on a cart that included breakfast foods, dairy, produce, frozen items, and meats such as turkey, beef, chicken, meatballs, and bacon. Next, they rebuilt the same purchase in Walmart's app.
@kawaiicosmickitten Replying to @Treena Aldi vs Walmart #aldi #walmart #frugal #groceryhaul #budgeting ♬ original sound - Kawaii Cosmic Kitten
As part of the comparison, the creator showed the Aldi receipt and said the only purchase not included in the Walmart cart was the paper bags bought at checkout. After adding the matching groceries, the creator revealed the Walmart total was $101.63.
"I actually saved about $10 and some cents by shopping at Aldi today," they reacted.
More background
The haul covered refrigerated basics, fresh produce, frozen foods, and several meat items.
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Not every product lined up perfectly between the two stores. The creator noted for Walmart, "They don't have the same exact meatballs that Aldi did."
That kind of mismatch is common in grocery comparisons because store brands, package sizes, and product availability do not always match exactly. It's not necessarily true that everyone's grocery bill will be affected the same.
The video did not claim that every single item is always cheaper at Aldi or that Walmart could never come out ahead on a particular product. Instead, it showed that for one grocery run, the Aldi total beat the Walmart equivalent.
"So I guess when it really comes down to it, it is much cheaper to shop at Aldi because I would rather save $10 than go over by $10," the creator concluded.
What's being done
Comparison shopping can be a smart way to make sure you're landing the best deal on items you'll buy consistently throughout the year. Ten bucks is no small amount when it could represent a weekly or bi-weekly savings.
With online shopping and apps, it's never been faster or easier to check how much stores charge for identical or similar items. Other factors might also come to mind for shoppers.
"I love Aldi but I have to do Walmart pickup," a commenter wrote. "If I go into a store, I am spending way more than I wanted to."
Some users did point them to the store's app. Other factors sparked debate in the comments, like product quality at both locations, which is a major consideration for shoppers. While many commenters praised Aldi's quality, others claimed Walmart had better produce.
Where can I learn more?
If you're trying to stretch your grocery budget, other factors can change what you pay.
• One shopper used Albertsons' app discounts to cut a $260 grocery haul to $88.
• Martie built an online surplus grocery outlet that offers lower-cost pantry staples.
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