Walmart+ Adds Free Apple Music & Xbox Game Pass to Membership

Carlos Rodríguez · 2026-02-27

Walmart just made its Walmart+ membership a whole lot more tempting. If you've been on the fence about signing up, this might be the push you need. They're rolling out some serious new perks, and they're focused on entertainment and value. Let's talk about what's new. The headline grabbers are free subscriptions to Apple Music and Xbox Game Pass. That's not just a trial, either. It's included as long as you're a paying Walmart+ member. For a lot of folks, that alone could cover the cost of the membership. ### What You Get with the New Walmart+ Perks So, what's actually in the box? Here's a breakdown of the key new benefits: - **Free Apple Music Individual Plan:** Stream over 100 million songs ad-free. This plan normally costs $10.99 per month. - **Free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate:** Get access to hundreds of high-quality games on your console, PC, and even via cloud gaming on your phone. This subscription is typically $16.99 per month. - **Enhanced Paramount+ Essential Plan:** Walmart+ members already got this, but it's worth mentioning as part of the entertainment bundle. That's another $5.99 per month value. When you add it up, you're looking at nearly $34 in monthly subscription value, just from these three services. The Walmart+ membership itself costs $12.95 per month or $98 per year. The math starts to look pretty compelling, doesn't it?  ### Is the Walmart+ Membership Worth It Now? This is the real question. Before these perks, Walmart+ was mainly about convenience: free shipping with no minimum order, free delivery from your local store, and member prices on fuel. Solid benefits, especially for frequent shoppers. Now, they've added a layer of pure entertainment value. It's a smart move. They're not just selling you a shopping membership anymore; they're offering a lifestyle bundle. One industry analyst put it well: "They're transforming the membership from a utility into an experience. It becomes a central part of your monthly budget for both needs and wants." Think about your own subscriptions. If you're already paying for a music service or a gaming pass, switching those costs over to Walmart+ could make it essentially free. Even if you only use one of the new perks, you're coming out ahead. ### How to Get These New Benefits Getting these perks is straightforward. If you're a new member, you sign up for Walmart+ and then link your accounts through the Walmart app or website. Existing members should see prompts to activate the new benefits in their account section. There are no extra steps or hidden fees. Once linked, the subscriptions are managed through your Walmart+ membership. If you ever cancel Walmart+, you'll lose access to these free tiers, of course. It's a clever bundling strategy that makes customer retention much stronger. Why would you leave if you're getting three popular services for what feels like free? ### The Bottom Line for Savvy Shoppers Walmart is clearly aiming for the Amazon Prime customer. They're building a competitive bundle that goes beyond just fast shipping. For the U.S. shopper who values both convenience and entertainment, this new offer is a significant upgrade. Before, you might have weighed Walmart+ against the cost of gas savings and delivery fees. Now, you have to factor in your entire entertainment budget. It changes the calculation entirely. If you shop at Walmart regularly, even just once a month, and you use any of these streaming services, the membership now pays for itself almost instantly. It's one of those rare deals where the value proposition is immediately clear and surprisingly generous. It's worth taking a closer look to see if it fits your life.