Stores Like Staples: 12 Office Supply and Business Service Alternatives
Text
About Staples
Founded
1986
USA
Ships to
US, Canada
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 actually shops at a Staples store in person anymore? Increasingly, it's the person standing at the self-serve copy center at 4:45 p.m. because they need forty color flyers laminated before a morning meeting, plus a UPS drop-off, plus one specific mechanical pencil their kid's teacher demanded — the errands you can't easily bundle on Amazon.
That bundling was the whole trick. The print-and-marketing counter, the shipping desk, the aisle of Pendaflex folders and Post-its and toner cartridges under one roof, the rewards points that actually stacked up on ink refills. For a small business owner without a procurement department, Staples was the closest thing to a supply cabinet you could walk into.
The problem is math. Toner and printer paper cost visibly more here than on Amazon Business, and the store network keeps shrinking, so the location that made those in-person errands convenient may already be shuttered.
What's left is a chain caught between a defunct product category and a services pivot it hasn't fully sold anyone on. The list below sorts out where to send your office budget instead.
That bundling was the whole trick. The print-and-marketing counter, the shipping desk, the aisle of Pendaflex folders and Post-its and toner cartridges under one roof, the rewards points that actually stacked up on ink refills. For a small business owner without a procurement department, Staples was the closest thing to a supply cabinet you could walk into.
The problem is math. Toner and printer paper cost visibly more here than on Amazon Business, and the store network keeps shrinking, so the location that made those in-person errands convenient may already be shuttered.
What's left is a chain caught between a defunct product category and a services pivot it hasn't fully sold anyone on. The list below sorts out where to send your office budget instead.
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12 brands
The 12 Best Alternatives to Staples
1
Amazon Business
Est. 2015
Seattle, USA
$
cheaper
Offices that buy supplies repeatedly and want the lowest per-unit price
Covers the entire office-supply catalog Staples carries, usually cheaper, with business pricing tiers, tax-exempt purchasing, and multi-user accounts built for teams.
Pros
- Lowest prices on ink, toner, and paper
- Business pricing and quantity discounts
- Tax-exempt setup and approval workflows
- Huge catalog beyond office basics
Cons
- No print/ship counter
- No physical store for same-day pickup
- Third-party seller quality varies
2
Office Depot / OfficeMax
Est. 1986
Boca Raton, USA
≈
similar
People who need an in-person store with print and copy services
The most direct like-for-like: physical stores, print and copy services, tech, and the same office-supply aisles. If you want the Staples experience elsewhere, this is it.
Pros
- In-store print and copy services
- Physical locations for pickup
- Rewards program on ink and supplies
- Business accounts available
Cons
- Prices similar to Staples, not cheaper
- Store network also shrinking
- Upsell-heavy at checkout
3
Quill
Est. 1956
Lincolnshire, USA
$
cheaper
Recurring bulk office orders with a dedicated account rep
An online office-supply specialist (owned by Staples' parent, ironically) built for business ordering, with deep discounts on bulk supplies and dedicated account reps.
Pros
- Aggressive bulk and coupon pricing
- Dedicated business account reps
- Fast free shipping thresholds
- Loyalty rewards on reorders
Cons
- Online only, no stores
- Interface feels dated
- Deals require watching for promos
4
Costco Business Center
Est. 1983
Issaquah, USA
$
cheaper
Buying paper, breakroom, and cleaning supplies in bulk
Bulk office supplies, paper, breakroom stock, and janitorial goods at warehouse pricing, with business centers open early for owners restocking.
Pros
- Warehouse pricing on bulk goods
- Business delivery available
- Breakroom and janitorial in one trip
- Early business-center hours
Cons
- Requires membership
- Limited to bulk quantities
- No print/marketing services
5
Walmart Business
Est. 2023
Bentonville, USA
$
cheaper
Small businesses wanting low prices without a membership fee
A newer business-focused marketplace with office supplies, furniture, and breakroom goods at Walmart pricing, plus bulk ordering and spend management tools.
Pros
- Low prices, no membership required
- Bulk ordering and spend controls
- Pickup at Walmart stores
- Broad catalog beyond office
Cons
- Newer platform still maturing
- No dedicated print services
- Business catalog narrower than Amazon
6
Sam's Club
Est. 1983
Bentonville, USA
$
cheaper
Bulk supply runs plus occasional print jobs
Warehouse-club bulk supplies for businesses, with a print-and-copy service and Scan & Go for fast breakroom and office restocking.
Pros
- Bulk warehouse pricing
- Has a print and photo center
- Scan & Go skips checkout lines
- Business membership tier
Cons
- Membership required
- Bulk-only quantities
- Fewer locations than Walmart
Visit Sam's Club
Full guide: Stores Like Sam's Club
7
The UPS Store
Est. 1980
San Diego, USA
≈
similar
People who mostly used Staples for shipping and printing
Replaces the Staples shipping-and-print counter specifically: notarization, packing, printing, mailboxes, and returns without the retail aisles.
Pros
- Dense location network for shipping
- Notary and mailbox services
- Packing and printing on site
- Handles returns for major retailers
Cons
- Print prices run high
- No office supplies
- Franchise service quality varies
8
FedEx Office
Est. 1970
Plano, USA
≈
similar
Higher-volume or professional print and signage jobs
The strongest print-services replacement: professional printing, binding, signage, and shipping in storefronts, with online order-and-pickup for documents.
Pros
- Professional-grade print and binding
- Online upload and store pickup
- Signage and large-format printing
- Integrated FedEx shipping
Cons
- No general office supplies
- Pricier than DIY printing
- Busy locations have wait times
9
Vistaprint
Est. 1995
Waltham, USA
$
cheaper
Business cards, marketing materials, and branded merch
Handles the marketing-print side Staples pushes now — business cards, flyers, banners, branded goods — mailed to you, usually cheaper than in-store print counters.
Pros
- Cheap business cards and flyers
- Huge template library
- Branded merch and signage
- Frequent promo pricing
Cons
- Turnaround takes days, not minutes
- Upsell-heavy checkout
- Quality varies by product line
10
Uline
Est. 1980
Pleasant Prairie, USA
≈
similar
Shipping, packaging, and warehouse operations
The go-to for shipping and warehouse supplies Staples never really stocked deeply — boxes, tape, labels, packaging — with fast shipping and a legendary catalog.
Pros
- Deep shipping and packaging catalog
- Same-day or next-day shipping
- Bulk pricing on boxes and tape
- Reliable stock levels
Cons
- Focused on shipping, not office
- Bulk minimums on many items
- Marketing catalogs pile up
11
Grainger
Est. 1927
Lake Forest, USA
$$$
pricier
Facilities, safety, and janitorial supply for businesses
Industrial MRO supplier that overlaps with the facilities and janitorial goods Staples sells to businesses, with net-30 accounts and reliable fulfillment.
Pros
- Deep MRO and facilities catalog
- Net-30 business accounts
- Reliable next-day fulfillment
- Strong customer service
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Overkill for basic office needs
- Geared to larger operations
12
W.B. Mason
Est. 1898
Brockton, USA
≈
similar
Businesses wanting a real account rep and next-day delivery
A regional office-supply competitor with dedicated reps, next-day delivery, and the full supply catalog — the personal-service version of what Staples used to be.
Pros
- Personal account reps
- Reliable next-day delivery
- Full office-supply catalog
- Strong Northeast presence
Cons
- Limited geographic coverage
- No retail storefronts
- Pricing competitive but not lowest
Cheapest for recurring supply orders
If your Staples exit is purely about price, Amazon Business, Quill, and Walmart Business consistently undercut it on ink, toner, and paper. For bulk paper, breakroom, and janitorial goods, Costco Business Center and Sam's Club warehouse pricing beats everyone — just factor in the membership fee.
Replacing the print and shipping counter
Staples was half a store, half a services desk. For shipping, notary, and returns, The UPS Store has the densest network. For serious print, binding, and signage, FedEx Office is the professional pick. For mailed marketing materials like business cards and flyers, Vistaprint is far cheaper than any in-store counter.
Business accounts with a real rep
Small businesses that valued personal service should look at W.B. Mason and Quill, both of which assign dedicated account reps and do next-day delivery. For facilities, safety, and janitorial supply at scale, Grainger and Uline offer net-30 terms and fulfillment reliability Staples never matched.Which Alternative Is Right for You?
Pick by what you actually walked into Staples for. If it was cheap ink and paper you reorder constantly, go straight to Amazon Business or Quill — the savings compound fast. If you buy for a whole office and don't mind bulk, Costco Business Center or Sam's Club will cut your per-unit cost dramatically. If you mostly used the print or shipping desk, split it: FedEx Office for professional printing, The UPS Store for shipping and notary, Vistaprint for mailed marketing pieces. And if what you'll miss is a human who knows your account, W.B. Mason is the closest thing to the personal-service supplier Staples stopped being. Frequently Asked Questions
QIs Amazon Business actually cheaper than Staples for office supplies?
For ink, toner, and printer paper, yes — usually noticeably so, especially with business pricing tiers and quantity discounts. The trade-off is losing the in-store print and shipping counter, so it's the best swap for recurring supply orders but not for services.
QWhere can I get printing done now that my local Staples closed?
FedEx Office is the strongest replacement for professional print, binding, and signage, with online upload and store pickup. For simpler jobs, The UPS Store handles printing too. For business cards and flyers mailed to you, Vistaprint is cheaper than any in-store counter.
QWhat's the best Staples alternative for a small business account with delivery?
W.B. Mason and Quill both assign dedicated account reps and offer next-day delivery on the full office-supply catalog. Quill (owned by Staples' parent) leans on bulk discounts, while W.B. Mason is known for personal service in its coverage areas.
QDo I need a membership to shop the cheaper Staples alternatives?
Costco Business Center and Sam's Club require paid memberships to unlock warehouse pricing. Amazon Business has a free tier, and Walmart Business charges no membership fee at all, making them the easiest low-cost entry points.
QWhere should I buy shipping boxes and packaging instead of Staples?
Uline is the specialist here — a far deeper catalog of boxes, tape, labels, and packaging than Staples ever stocked, with same-day or next-day shipping. For occasional needs plus drop-off, The UPS Store covers both packing and shipping.
Our Verdict
The Best Staples Alternative For You
Pick by what you actually walked into Staples for. If it was cheap ink and paper you reorder constantly, go straight to Amazon Business or Quill — the savings compound fast. If you buy for a whole office and don't mind bulk, Costco Business Center or Sam's Club will cut your per-unit cost dramatically. If you mostly used the print or shipping desk, split it: FedEx Office for professional printing, The UPS Store for shipping and notary, Vistaprint for mailed marketing pieces. And if what you'll miss is a human who knows your account, W.B. Mason is the closest thing to the personal-service supplier Staples stopped being.