Which supermarkets does Grocero track?

Coles and Woolworths are fully supported at launch. Aldi is coming soon, and we're expanding to more stores — including IGA, Harris Farm Markets, and others — as the app grows.

Yes — completely free. Grocero is independent and not affiliated with any supermarket, so we have no incentive to show you anything other than the real price. Core features will always be free.

When does Grocero launch?

Grocero is launching mid-2026 on iOS and Android. Join the waitlist at grocero.com.au and you'll be first to know when it's ready — including early access before the public release.

How does Grocero compare grocery prices?

Add the products you normally buy to your basket. Grocero looks up live prices at each supermarket and calculates your total at every store — so you can see exactly which one is cheapest for your specific shop, not just for individual items. Prices are updated daily.

Is Grocero affiliated with Coles or Woolworths?

No — Grocero is fully independent. We're not owned by, funded by, or affiliated with any supermarket. That means our only job is to show you accurate, unbiased prices so you can make the best decision for your family.

Aldi vs Coles vs Woolworths: Who's Cheapest in 2026?

Compare Aldi, Coles, and Woolworths prices with real basket data and honest analysis. Find out where your grocery dollar goes furthest in Australia.

Walk into Aldi and you’ll almost always spend less. For a standard weekly shop, Australians pay 15-25% less at Aldi than at Coles or Woolworths — and that gap holds even after you factor in competitor specials. Coles and Woolworths can win on the occasional half-price deal, but their shelf prices are consistently higher. If you want steady savings without having to chase catalogues, Aldi is hard to beat.

Quick Comparison Table

How Each Supermarket Sets Its Prices

Australia’s three biggest supermarkets take very different approaches to pricing — and understanding that difference is what puts money back in your pocket.

Aldi runs on an everyday low price model. Fewer products (around 1,500 items, mostly own-brand), lower overheads, and lower prices all the time. No need to track a catalogue or wait for a sale. What’s on the shelf is already the best price.

Coles and Woolworths operate on a "high-low" model: regular shelf prices are higher, but they run aggressive weekly specials — often 50% off — to pull you in. A half-price item at Coles can absolutely beat Aldi on that one product. The trick is that most of your basket won’t be on special this week.

When you compare full baskets rather than cherry-picked items, Aldi consistently comes out ahead. A March 2026 CHOICE survey put Aldi’s 20-item basket at $72.41, compared to $98.98 at Woolworths and $100.04 at Coles. That’s a $26-28 difference — every single week.

What most shoppers care about comes down to four things: overall basket cost, product availability, produce freshness, and how convenient the shop actually is. We’ll work through all of them.

Aldi, Coles, and Woolworths: What Each Store Is Actually Good At

Each supermarket has a distinct personality. Here’s what you actually get at each one.

Option 1: Aldi

Aldi, the German discount store, has grown fast in Australia by keeping things simple and cheap. It uses an "everyday low price" model, so most items cost less all the time, no sales needed [3].

Key strengths:
Consistently lower prices: Aldi’s basket runs 15-25% cheaper than Coles and Woolworths for similar items. A 2026 CHOICE survey found Aldi’s 20-item basket at $72.41 — significantly less than Woolworths ($98.98) and Coles ($100.04).
Excellent value on staples: Big savings on dry goods, dairy, and pantry items. A 2L full cream milk at Aldi is often $2.49, while rivals charge $2.90.
Faster, simpler shops: Around 1,500 items versus 20,000+ at Coles or Woolworths. Less browsing, less decision fatigue, quicker checkout.
Quality own-brand products: Many shoppers find Aldi’s private labels taste as good as or better than the name brands they replaced.
Best for: Budget-conscious households buying pantry basics, dairy, frozen foods, and fresh staples. Aldi works brilliantly as your main shop, with a top-up at Coles or Woolworths for specific brands.
Does Aldi always have the cheapest basket, even with competitor specials? Yes — the March 2026 CHOICE survey showed Aldi came out ahead even when specials were counted. A half-price item at Coles or Woolworths might be cheaper on that single product, but Aldi’s total basket cost stays lower. The big win is that you don’t have to track anything.

Option 2: Coles

Coles is a long-time favorite in Australia. It stocks many national brands, fresh food, and runs strong weekly deals. It tries to match Woolworths on price and sale depth.

Key strengths:
Wide product range: Big choice of name brands for all tastes and diets.
Aggressive weekly specials: Coles uses "half price" and deep cuts to draw in shoppers. These can beat Aldi on select items [Community Insight].
Flybuys loyalty program: Earn points when you shop. Turn them into discounts or rewards, which can help close the price gap over time.
Online shopping and delivery: Easy way to shop from home.
Best for: Those after a specific brand, shoppers who plan around sales, and families needing many items. Also good for those who like loyalty perks.
How do Coles and Woolworths fight Aldi’s low prices? They lean into deep discounts — often 50% off popular name brands and own-label products — to pull shoppers in. They also use loyalty programs like Flybuys to build switching costs and offer personalised deals. And they grow their own store-brand ranges to compete with Aldi’s pricing on key categories, while emphasising fresh produce and meat quality where Aldi’s range feels more limited.

Option 3: Woolworths

Woolworths, often called "Woolies," is a top player in Australia, much like Coles. It focuses on fresh food, wide choice, and strong online tools.

Key strengths:
Extensive product selection: Like Coles, Woolworths has a full mix of name brands and store brands.
Competitive weekly specials: Frequent sales, often the same as or better than Coles.
Everyday Rewards loyalty program: Earn points that turn into discounts or Qantas Frequent Flyer points. Loyal shoppers get real value.
Focus on fresh produce: Promotes fresh fruit, veggies, and meat. Aims to seem higher quality.
Best for: Shoppers who want lots of choices, easy store access, and those who use the Everyday Rewards plan. Also a top pick for online orders.
Why are Coles and Woolworths prices so close? It’s not a coincidence — it’s "duopoly pricing." Both retailers monitor each other closely and routinely match deals to avoid losing customers. Their real battle isn’t beating each other on price; it’s staying roughly level while jointly defending against Aldi. For shoppers, that means you rarely get a meaningful edge by choosing one over the other on regular shelf prices.

Beyond Price: How the Three Stores Actually Compare

Choosing where to shop isn't just about the receipt total. The shopping experience, product range, and convenience all factor in. Here's how Aldi, Coles, and Woolworths stack up on the things that matter day-to-day.

Product Range, Convenience, and the Shopping Experience

Product Range: This is where the biggest difference shows.

Aldi: Around 1,500 core items, mostly own-brand. The focused range makes shopping fast but means you’ll miss specific brands or niche products.
Coles & Woolworths: Both carry 20,000+ products including national brands, specialty ranges, and diet-specific options. If you need it, they almost certainly stock it.
Grocero’s role: While Grocero doesn’t change what’s in stock, it helps you quickly see whether Aldi’s version of an item is cheaper — or whether a national brand at Coles or Woolworths is currently on sale. That removes the guesswork before you decide which store to visit.

Online shopping and convenience:

Aldi: In-store only for most Australians. The quick store layout works well for basics, but there's no click-and-collect or home delivery in most areas, which rules it out if you prefer to shop online.
Coles & Woolworths: Both have strong online platforms with home delivery and click-and-collect across most of Australia. Their apps include digital catalogues, shopping lists, and loyalty dashboards — handy if you like to plan ahead.
Grocero's role: Grocero is a free, independent price comparison tool that works before you shop anywhere. Check your list, see where each item is cheapest, then shop in-store at Aldi or place an online order at Coles or Woolworths — whichever makes sense that week.

In-store experience:

Aldi: Built for speed. Fewer choices mean less time deliberating. Stores are small and straightforward to navigate. The one thing to know going in: bring a gold coin for the trolley and plan to pack your own bags.
Coles & Woolworths: The familiar big-supermarket experience — wide aisles, clear signage, deli and bakery counters, self-checkouts. The range can be overwhelming, but for most Australians, it feels like second nature.
Grocero's role: Grocero makes the decision easy before you even leave the house. Real-time price comparisons cut through the noise of specials and regular prices — so you already know where your money goes furthest before you grab your keys.

Big shop vs. quick top-up:

Aldi: Excellent for a regular low-cost weekly shop on staples. Less suited to specific cereal brands, a wide range of deli items, or specialty ingredients — you'll likely need a second stop for those.
Coles & Woolworths: Handles everything from a single loaf of bread to a full family trolley. Their online tools make bulk ordering and reordering past items genuinely easy.

The Extras Worth Knowing About

Aldi: The "Special Buys" aisle is genuinely popular — a rotating range of non-food items (electronics, home goods, garden tools, ski gear in winter) at very low prices. Stock sells out fast, which is part of the appeal.
Coles & Woolworths: Strong loyalty programs (Flybuys and Everyday Rewards) with personalised deals, member-only prices, and points that convert to discounts or Qantas miles. In-house butchers, bakeries, and deli counters at larger stores round out a full-service experience.
Grocero's role: Grocero is a free tool that sits above all three stores and shows you exactly where your money goes furthest right now — cutting through the noise of hundreds of rotating specials to surface the deals that actually matter for your list.

How Grocero Fits In

Grocero doesn’t replace any of these supermarkets — it helps you use them smarter. By giving you real-time price comparisons across Aldi, Coles, and Woolworths, it removes the guesswork from deciding where to shop each week. You can see exactly how much you’d spend at each store for your specific list, spot which specials are genuinely good value, and make a confident decision before you leave home.

The Real Cost of Shopping at Each Supermarket

The receipt total is only part of the picture. Here's how the pricing models actually work — and what the hidden costs can be.

Pricing Models

How much will you actually spend? It depends heavily on your shopping habits.

Aldi (everyday low prices): What you see is what you get. No loyalty program required, no catalogue to track — just consistently low prices on everything, all the time. A 2026 CHOICE survey found Aldi’s 20-item basket at $72.41, compared to Woolworths at $98.98 and Coles at $100.04. The only "cost" is the occasional need for a second stop if you need a specific brand Aldi doesn’t carry.
Coles & Woolworths (high-low pricing): Regular shelf prices are higher, but weekly specials — often 50% off — can bring individual items well below Aldi’s price. The catch is you need to actively manage your shopping around those specials to see the savings.
Loyalty programs (Flybuys, Everyday Rewards): Free to join. You earn points on spending and unlock personalised deals. The real cost is the time spent tracking rewards, and the risk of impulse buying things just because they’re discounted. Used well though, they can meaningfully reduce your bill.
Online delivery and click-and-collect: Delivery often has a minimum spend for free shipping, or a subscription fee for unlimited deliveries. Worth calculating if you shop online regularly.
True cost of ownership: Beyond the receipt, factor in the time spent checking catalogues, potentially driving to multiple stores, and the psychology of "but it’s half price" purchases.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

Aldi: The hidden costs are minimal. Maybe an extra trip if you need something Aldi doesn’t stock. For a standard basket, it’s the most straightforward option with consistent savings week to week.
Coles & Woolworths: The hidden costs add up if you’re not actively managing your shop: time spent reading catalogues, extra fuel for store runs, delivery fees if you shop online, and the ever-present temptation to buy things you didn’t need just because they’re 50% off. Used well, their loyalty programs offset a lot of this. Used passively, you’re probably overpaying.

What Each Store Is Really Promising You

Aldi: Low prices, all the time, no strings attached. That’s the whole pitch — and it delivers.
Coles & Woolworths: Variety, freshness, loyalty rewards, and the convenience of online shopping. They compete on the full package rather than just price — and they use weekly specials to stay relevant on cost.
Grocero: Independent price comparisons across all three, updated in real time. Grocero helps you capture Aldi’s everyday savings where they apply, and spot the genuine Coles and Woolworths specials worth chasing — without having to cross-check three catalogues yourself.

Which Store Wins for Your Situation?

Most shopping decisions aren’t about "which supermarket is best in general" — they’re about what you actually need this week. Here’s how each store performs for common scenarios.

Scenario 1: The Big Weekly Shop for a Family on a Budget

Direct application description: You need to buy a lot of groceries. Think pantry staples, dairy, meat, and fresh produce. Your main goal is to keep the total bill low.

Best option: Aldi wins here. Everyday low prices on milk, bread, eggs, pasta, rice, tinned goods, and frozen foods mean your basket will almost always cost the least. A standard family doing $400 a week at Coles or Woolworths can typically shave $80-120 off that total by switching the bulk of their shop to Aldi. A 2L full cream milk at Aldi runs around $2.49 versus $2.90 at the big two — small gaps that compound fast across a full trolley.
Grocero tip: Before you head out, check your list on Grocero to confirm Aldi is cheapest for your staples, and to flag any Coles or Woolworths specials worth a top-up trip.

Scenario 2: Stocking Up on Specific National Brands or Specialty Items

Direct application description: You need a certain brand of coffee, gluten-free pasta, gourmet cheese, or a range of fresh deli meats. Price matters, but brand or diet needs come first.

Best option: Coles or Woolworths. Aldi’s 1,500-item range simply won’t have your specific coffee brand, gluten-free pasta, or gourmet cheese. The big two carry thousands of national and international brands, and popular items regularly hit 50% off.
Grocero tip: This is where Grocero earns its keep. For national brands, it instantly shows which store has your item on sale and by how much — so you can confirm “yes, Coles half-price is actually cheaper than Aldi’s equivalent” before making the trip.

Scenario 3: Quick Top-Up or Emergency Shop

Direct application description: You ran out of milk, bread, or dinner fixings and need them now. Speed and ease are key.

Best option: Whatever’s closest with the hours you need. Coles and Woolworths have more locations and longer trading hours, which matters when you need something urgently. For a couple of items, a few cents’ price difference isn’t worth an extra drive.
Grocero tip: Even for a quick top-up, a 30-second check on Grocero can save you paying full price. If Aldi is close and has milk for $2.49 versus $2.90, it might be worth the detour.

Scenario 4: Planning Around Weekly Specials

Direct application description: You love a bargain and will plan meals around sales. You want to save big by buying when prices are lowest.

Best option: Coles and Woolworths were built for this. Weekly catalogues with genuine 50% cuts on popular items, and “high-low” pricing that can push individual items below even Aldi’s everyday price — especially on meat, snacks, and packaged goods.
Grocero tip: Grocero cuts through the catalogue noise instantly. Rather than checking three different flyers, you can see in one place whether a “half price” item at Coles is genuinely cheaper than Aldi’s equivalent — or whether Aldi still wins despite the discount.

Using Category Knowledge to Shop Smarter

Understanding where each store genuinely leads — by category, not just overall — is what separates a good shopper from a great one.

Aldi consistently wins on dairy, dry goods, and pantry basics: buy those there first. Coles and Woolworths tend to lead on specific national snack brands and can have strong deals on fresh meat when it's on promotion. Some shoppers find Aldi's lamb and fish particularly good value, while beef mince is worth comparing before committing.

Grocero makes these category gaps visible and actionable — so instead of a vague sense that “Aldi is cheaper,” you can see exactly which items on your list are cheapest where, and plan your shop accordingly.

Getting Started With a Multi-Store Strategy

Switching to a smarter shopping approach doesn’t require a big effort. Here’s how easy it actually is.

Getting Started at Each Store

Aldi: Just walk in. No app, no loyalty card, no account — bring a gold coin for the trolley and your own bags, and you’re done. The learning curve is genuinely minimal.
Coles & Woolworths: In-store is as familiar as it gets. Setting up for online shopping takes maybe 10 minutes — create an account, add a card, and you’re ordering. Both have solid apps with digital catalogues and list tools.
Grocero: Free, no signup required, works in your browser. Search for items, build a list, see prices across all three stores in one place. There’s nothing to configure.

How Each Fits Into Your Routine

Aldi: No app integrations — it’s purely an in-store experience. That simplicity is part of the model.
Coles & Woolworths: Native apps with list tools, deal tracking, and loyalty dashboards. Both integrate with popular payment platforms and delivery apps.
Grocero: Works as a pre-shop research tool — check prices across all three stores, decide where to shop that week, then head in-store or online. Simple and effective.

Pros, Cons & Limitations Section

Every supermarket has its strengths and weaknesses. Knowing them helps you pick the right store for each item. This cuts frustration and boosts your savings.

Strengths: What Each Does Exceptionally Well

Aldi:
Unbeatable baseline prices: Always the cheapest for basic groceries. Think milk, bread, eggs, and pantry items [4, 7].
Efficient shopping experience: Small stores and fewer choices mean faster trips. Less stress, less time.
Quality private labels: Many find Aldi’s own-brand goods to be high quality and great value.
"Special Buys": Fresh non-food deals each week. Fun finds at low prices.

Coles:
Extensive product range: Huge pick of national brands. Fits every taste and diet.
Aggressive weekly specials: Deep cuts, often 50% off. Big wins if you plan right.
Strong loyalty program (Flybuys): Earn points and get custom deals. Save more over time.
Convenient online shopping: Solid click and collect. Home delivery works well.

Woolworths:
Broad selection: Like Coles, full shelves of big brands and store labels.
Competitive promotions: Weekly deals match Coles. Often strong and clear.
Valuable loyalty program (Everyday Rewards): Points turn into store credit or Qantas miles.
Focus on fresh produce: Puts effort into fresh fruit, veggies, and meat.

Limitations: Where Each Falls Short

Aldi:
Limited product range: Around 1,500 items means you won’t find every brand or specialty product. A second stop is sometimes unavoidable.
No online shopping or delivery for most Australians: If you prefer to shop from home, Aldi isn’t an option in most areas.
Minimal in-store services: No dedicated deli counter, butcher, or bakery. Staff are helpful but lean.
Trolley coin and self-packing: Minor adjustment if you’re used to Coles or Woolworths.

Coles & Woolworths:
Higher everyday shelf prices: If you’re not buying on special, you’re paying a premium compared to Aldi.
Variable meat quality: Some shoppers find the fresh meat wetter and less consistent than expected — worth comparing per item.
Choice overload: 20,000+ products and rotating specials can make a simple shop feel exhausting.
Loyalty program maintenance: You need to actively engage with Flybuys or Everyday Rewards to see meaningful savings. Passive members don’t benefit much.

The Common Frustrations (and How to Solve Them)

Most Australians know they could probably be saving more at the supermarket — they just don’t know by how much, or where to start. The usual traps:

Overspending without realising: Paying full price for items that are regularly on special elsewhere.
Time down the rabbit hole: Manually checking three catalogues to find who’s cheapest this week. Not worth it.
Special fatigue: So many “deals” that it becomes impossible to tell what’s actually a bargain.
Brand vs. budget tension: You want the specific product you like, but you also don’t want to overpay for it.

Grocero is built to solve exactly this. Rather than checking each store manually, you search your list once and see prices across Aldi, Coles, and Woolworths in real time. No catalogue-chasing, no guesswork — just a clear answer on where to shop this week.

The Bottom Line

For most Australians, Aldi wins on price — consistently 15-25% cheaper for a standard basket of staples. Coles and Woolworths cost more day-to-day, but they’re not without merit: a wider range, strong loyalty programs, and genuine weekly specials on name brands all have real value depending on what you’re buying.

The smartest approach for most households:

Aldi first — staples, dairy, dry goods, frozen foods. Lock in the base savings without having to think about it.
Top up at Coles or Woolworths — for the brands you won’t compromise on, or when something is genuinely on deep special.

And before any shop, a quick check on Grocero tells you exactly which items are cheapest where, so you’re not guessing. It’s free, it takes 30 seconds, and over a year of weekly shops it adds up to serious money back in your pocket.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the benefits of comparing Aldi, Coles, and Woolworths prices?

The main benefit is straightforward: you stop paying more than you need to. A family spending $400 a week on groceries can save $80-120 by routing the bulk of their shop through Aldi and topping up selectively at Coles or Woolworths. Over a year, that’s $4,000-6,000 that stays in your pocket — not a rounding error. Comparing prices also removes the stress of wondering whether you’re getting a fair deal.

Is shopping at Aldi always cheaper?

For a standard basket of groceries, yes — Aldi is consistently cheaper, even accounting for competitor specials. A March 2026 CHOICE survey confirmed this: Aldi’s 20-item basket came in at $72.41 versus $98.98 at Woolworths and $100.04 at Coles. Individual items at Coles or Woolworths can beat Aldi when they’re on deep discount, particularly name brands and fresh meat on promotion. But your total trolley will almost always be lower at Aldi.

Do loyalty programs like Flybuys and Everyday Rewards close the price gap with Aldi?

They help, but they don’t close it entirely. Both Flybuys and Everyday Rewards can deliver real savings if you actively use personalised offers and redeem points regularly. Active members often unlock member-only prices that meaningfully reduce their bill. That said, it takes consistent engagement — you need to track offers and make redemptions work for you. For shoppers who don’t want to think about it, Aldi’s everyday low prices are still the simpler, more reliable path to savings.

How can I best implement a strategy to save money across all three supermarkets?

The hybrid approach works best:

List your core staples — milk, bread, eggs, pasta, rice, tinned goods, frozen items. These are the items you buy every week without fail.
Buy those staples at Aldi — they’re almost always cheapest there, no catalogue-checking required.
Check specials before topping up — use Grocero to see whether a national brand or fresh meat item is on genuine deep discount at Coles or Woolworths. If it is, add it to your next top-up trip.
Sign up for Flybuys or Everyday Rewards if you shop at either of the big two regularly — the personalised offers can meaningfully reduce your bill on those visits.

Done consistently, this approach can save a typical family $100+ a week without requiring hours of catalogue research.

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