Stores Like Office Depot: 12 Office Supply & Business Retailers Worth Switching To
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About Office Depot
Founded
1986
USA
Ships to
US, Puerto Rico
Editor-reviewed
Every recommendation read and refined by hand
Honest tradeoffs
Drawbacks listed, not hidden
No paid placements
Brands cannot pay to be ranked
Who does Office Depot actually serve now? The answer is narrower than it used to be: the person who needs a document printed and bound by Thursday, the small-office manager who still wants to touch a chair before buying it, and the loyalist chasing rewards points on toner. Everyone else has already priced the same box of Hammermill paper on Amazon and found it cheaper.
The merger with OfficeMax was supposed to make the combined company unbeatable in office retail. Instead it produced two brands under one roof, endless store closures, and a footprint that keeps shrinking while the aisles feel emptier every visit.
What still works is genuinely good — the CopyMax print counter, same-day pickup, the business rewards program, the ability to walk out with a label maker in twenty minutes.
But the core promise of "we have office stuff, come in and get it" competes against a Prime box that shows up tomorrow, often for less, without the drive. When your ink cartridge, your standing desk, and your banner print all live in different price universes, the question of where to buy becomes worth asking again — and there are more answers now than there were a decade ago.
The merger with OfficeMax was supposed to make the combined company unbeatable in office retail. Instead it produced two brands under one roof, endless store closures, and a footprint that keeps shrinking while the aisles feel emptier every visit.
What still works is genuinely good — the CopyMax print counter, same-day pickup, the business rewards program, the ability to walk out with a label maker in twenty minutes.
But the core promise of "we have office stuff, come in and get it" competes against a Prime box that shows up tomorrow, often for less, without the drive. When your ink cartridge, your standing desk, and your banner print all live in different price universes, the question of where to buy becomes worth asking again — and there are more answers now than there were a decade ago.
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12 brands
The 12 Best Alternatives to Office Depot
1
Staples
Est. 1986
Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
≈
similar
Anyone who wants the exact Office Depot experience with a store nearby and a print counter
The most direct mirror image — same office-supply aisles, same print and shipping counter, same rewards structure, and the same fight against Amazon for the small-business dollar.
Pros
- Nationwide print, ship, and shredding services
- Staples Rewards on ink and toner recycling
- Business accounts with net terms
Cons
- Prices routinely beat by Amazon
- Store network shrinking like Office Depot's
- Upselling at the register
Visit Staples
Full guide: Stores Like Staples
2
Amazon Business
Est. 2015
Seattle, Washington, USA
$
cheaper
Businesses that want the lowest per-item price and fast delivery without a store trip
The reason people leave Office Depot in the first place — office supplies, tech, and furniture with business pricing, quantity discounts, and next-day delivery.
Pros
- Business-only pricing and quantity breaks
- Multi-user accounts with approval workflows
- Massive catalog beyond office supplies
Cons
- No physical stores or print counter
- Third-party sellers vary in quality
- Customer service can be impersonal
3
Quill
Est. 1956
Lincolnshire, Illinois, USA
$
cheaper
Repeat-order small offices that want deals and free-gift promos on bulk supplies
A B2B office-supply specialist (owned by Staples) built entirely around small-business ordering, with loyalty perks and free-item promos that Office Depot buyers recognize.
Pros
- Aggressive bulk and reorder pricing
- Frequent free-gift and coupon promotions
- Dedicated business account reps
Cons
- Online-only, no stores
- Site feels dated
- Best value only on volume
4
Costco Business Center
Est. 1983
Issaquah, Washington, USA
$
cheaper
Offices that go through paper, coffee, and cleaning supplies in bulk
Bulk office supplies, paper, breakroom stock, and tech at warehouse pricing — where cost-conscious small businesses buy in quantity instead of by the ream.
Pros
- Warehouse pricing on bulk staples
- Business delivery available
- Strong quality on Kirkland items
Cons
- Membership required
- Bulk quantities only
- Limited specialty office items
5
Sam's Club
Est. 1983
Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
$
cheaper
Small businesses wanting warehouse pricing plus a Walmart-backed supply chain
Warehouse-club bulk buying for supplies, electronics, and breakroom goods, with business memberships aimed squarely at the same small-office buyer.
Pros
- Low bulk pricing with business membership
- Scan & Go skips the checkout line
- Broad electronics and breakroom selection
Cons
- Membership fee required
- Not supply-specialized
- Bulk-only on many items
Visit Sam's Club
Full guide: Stores Like Sam's Club
6
Walmart Business
Est. 2023
Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
$
cheaper
Budget-first offices already comfortable in the Walmart ecosystem
Walmart's business arm undercuts Office Depot on everyday supplies, tech, and furniture, with the same one-stop breadth and free shipping thresholds.
Pros
- Low everyday prices across categories
- Multi-user accounts and spend tools
- Wide store network for pickup
Cons
- Print services limited
- Quality varies by category
- Business features still maturing
7
W.B. Mason
Est. 1898
Brockton, Massachusetts, USA
≈
similar
Businesses that want a dedicated rep and reliable next-day office delivery
An independent office-supply dealer beloved for real delivery drivers and hands-on service — the human-scale antidote to Office Depot's shrinking stores.
Pros
- Own delivery fleet and drivers you know
- Strong personal account service
- Broad office and breakroom catalog
Cons
- Regional coverage, strongest in Northeast
- Not the cheapest option
- No consumer retail stores
8
Uline
Est. 1980
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, USA
≈
similar
Businesses that ship products and need packaging in real quantity
For the shipping, packaging, and warehouse side of office life — boxes, tape, labels, and material handling that Office Depot stocks thinly.
Pros
- Deep shipping and packaging catalog
- Same-day and next-day fulfillment
- Huge in-stock inventory
Cons
- Overkill for pure office supplies
- Bulk-oriented minimums
- Catalog spam is legendary
9
The UPS Store
Est. 1980
San Diego, California, USA
≈
similar
Anyone who mainly uses Office Depot for printing, shipping, and shredding
Covers the print, ship, notarize, and mailbox side of what people actually walk into Office Depot for — often with more locations still open.
Pros
- Widespread neighborhood locations
- Print, ship, notary, and mailbox services
- Small-business shipping accounts
Cons
- Franchise pricing varies
- No real office-supply aisles
- Per-page print costs add up
10
FedEx Office
Est. 1970
Plano, Texas, USA
≈
similar
Professional print jobs, presentations, and large-format work
The print-and-ship counter done at scale — large-format banners, binding, and business cards, matching CopyMax without the supply aisles.
Pros
- Strong large-format and professional printing
- Online order with in-store pickup
- Self-service and full-service options
Cons
- Pricey for casual copies
- Fewer locations than before
- Minimal supply selection
11
VistaPrint
Est. 1995
Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
$
cheaper
Small businesses ordering branded marketing materials online
Owns the custom-print niche — business cards, banners, branded stationery, and signage that Office Depot's print counter handles more expensively.
Pros
- Cheap custom business cards and marketing
- Easy online design tools and templates
- Frequent promotions
Cons
- Online-only, shipping wait
- Upsells at checkout
- Quality fine but not premium
12
Wayfair Professional
Est. 2016
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
≈
similar
Offices furnishing or refurnishing a workspace on a budget
For the furniture side — desks, chairs, filing, and office fit-out with trade pricing, where Office Depot's furniture selection is limited.
Pros
- Enormous office furniture selection
- Trade pricing and account perks
- Free shipping on many items
Cons
- Assembly usually required
- Quality varies by brand
- No supplies or print
Cheapest for everyday supplies
If price against Amazon is why you're leaving, the warehouse clubs and business arms win outright. Amazon Business and Walmart Business undercut per-item pricing with fast delivery, while Costco Business Center and Sam's Club crush it on bulk paper, ink, coffee, and breakroom stock. Quill rounds it out with reorder deals and free-gift promos for offices that buy the same list every month.
Best for print, ship, and shredding
A huge share of Office Depot foot traffic is really about the CopyMax counter. The UPS Store and FedEx Office cover printing, shipping, notary, and shredding — FedEx Office being the pick for large-format banners and professional binding. For branded business cards and marketing materials, VistaPrint does it cheaper online than any in-store print counter.
Personal service over shrinking stores
If the frustration is empty aisles and vanishing locations, W.B. Mason offers a dedicated rep and its own delivery drivers — the human touch big-box retail lost. Staples remains the closest full-service mirror with stores still open, and Uline is unmatched if your office is really a shipping operation needing boxes, tape, and labels fast.Which Alternative Is Right for You?
Buying mostly ink, paper, and everyday supplies and tired of Office Depot's prices? Amazon Business or Walmart Business will save you money immediately, and if you go through supplies in volume, Costco Business Center or Sam's Club go even lower. Want a real person answering your account questions and a reliable delivery van? W.B. Mason is the one to call, especially in the Northeast. If you mainly walk in to print, bind, or ship, skip supply retailers entirely — FedEx Office and The UPS Store handle that better, and VistaPrint beats any counter on custom business cards. Furnishing an office? Wayfair Professional has the desks and chairs Office Depot doesn't. And if you just want the same store experience with a nearby location, Staples is the straight swap. Frequently Asked Questions
QIs Amazon Business really cheaper than Office Depot for office supplies?
Usually yes on per-item pricing, especially with quantity discounts and business-only pricing. Amazon Business also delivers faster than a store trip. Office Depot still wins if you need something printed or want to buy in person the same day — but for restocking ink, paper, and pens, Amazon Business almost always costs less.
QWhat's the best alternative to Office Depot's print and copy services?
FedEx Office is strongest for professional and large-format printing like banners and binding. The UPS Store covers print, ship, notary, and shredding with more neighborhood locations. For branded business cards and marketing materials, VistaPrint is cheaper than any in-store counter.
QWhich office-supply store still has good in-person customer service?
W.B. Mason is the standout for personal service, with dedicated account reps and its own delivery drivers rather than a third-party carrier. Staples remains the closest big-box equivalent with staffed stores and a print counter, though it faces the same location cutbacks as Office Depot.
QIs it worth a Costco or Sam's Club membership just for office supplies?
If your office burns through paper, ink, coffee, and cleaning supplies, the bulk savings usually cover the membership fee within a few orders. Costco Business Center and Sam's Club both offer business delivery. It's less worthwhile if you only buy small quantities occasionally.
QWhere should I buy office furniture now that Office Depot's selection is limited?
Wayfair Professional has by far the widest range of desks, chairs, and filing with trade pricing and free shipping on many items. Just expect assembly on most pieces. For premium ergonomic chairs specifically, it's worth checking specialist retailers, but for a full office fit-out on a budget, Wayfair Professional is the practical choice.
Our Verdict
The Best Office Depot Alternative For You
Buying mostly ink, paper, and everyday supplies and tired of Office Depot's prices? Amazon Business or Walmart Business will save you money immediately, and if you go through supplies in volume, Costco Business Center or Sam's Club go even lower. Want a real person answering your account questions and a reliable delivery van? W.B. Mason is the one to call, especially in the Northeast. If you mainly walk in to print, bind, or ship, skip supply retailers entirely — FedEx Office and The UPS Store handle that better, and VistaPrint beats any counter on custom business cards. Furnishing an office? Wayfair Professional has the desks and chairs Office Depot doesn't. And if you just want the same store experience with a nearby location, Staples is the straight swap.