--- title: "Ace Hardware Alternatives and Competitors (2026)" description: "Ace Hardware alternatives and competitors for 2026: Home Depot, Lowe's and Do it Best compared on returns, rewards, store pickup, delivery and shipping." author: "Mohamed Zaki" date: "2026-07-14T16:05:01+00:00" lastmod: "2026-10-29T14:12:18+00:00" url: "https://couponsscout.com/comparisons/ace-hardware-alternatives-competitors/" language: "en-US" type: "post" image: "https://couponsscout.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ace-hardware-alternatives-competitors-2026.webp" taxonomies: {"category":["Comparisons"]} --- # Ace Hardware Alternatives and Competitors (2026) [Home](https://couponsscout.com/) › [Comparisons](https://couponsscout.com/comparisons/) › Ace Hardware Alternatives and Competitors By [Mohamed Zaki](https://couponsscout.com/about-mohamed-zaki/) · Researched and updated October 28, 2026 · Coupons Scout may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. [Affiliate disclosure](https://couponsscout.com/affiliate-disclosure/). DEAL**Ace Hardware: free store pickup on in-stock items** plus current codes and offers on our coupon page.[Get Ace Hardware Coupons](https://couponsscout.com/store/ace-hardware/) Looking for **Ace Hardware alternatives and competitors**? Ace Hardware is a retailer-owned network of local hardware stores with an online shop, a free rewards program and member delivery. The Home Depot, Lowe’s and Do it Best are strong options too, each with its own strengths. We compared all four on returns, rewards, store pickup, delivery and shipping, using each company’s own pages and search excerpts of them, read on October 28, 2026. If Ace fits you best, check our [Ace Hardware coupon page](https://couponsscout.com/store/ace-hardware/) before you shop. **Quick Answer** For most homeowners who value a nearby store and simple savings, Ace Hardware is the best all-round pick: Ace Rewards is free, every 2,500 points becomes a $5 reward and members get free next-day store delivery on $50+ in-stock orders. Choose The Home Depot or Lowe’s for 90-day returns, or Do it Best for building supplies and free ship-to-store. **Best for:** Ace Hardware suits shoppers who want local service, a free rewards program and quick pickup or delivery from a nearby store. [See Ace Hardware Coupons](https://couponsscout.com/store/ace-hardware/) [Shop Ace Hardware](https://acehardware.fxo.co/g/1567994/161558/DxGPTgc) ## Key Takeaways - As of October 2026, the main Ace Hardware alternatives and competitors in the US are The Home Depot, Lowe’s and Do it Best. - Ace Rewards is free to join, earns 10 points per $1 on qualifying purchases and turns every 2,500 points into a $5 reward, as of October 2026. - Ace Rewards members get free next-day delivery from a store on in-stock online orders of $50 or more, while The Home Depot says it offers free same-day delivery on orders of $25 or more placed by 4 p.m. - Most Ace Hardware items can be returned within 30 days with the original receipt, compared with 90 days for most items at The Home Depot and Lowe’s and 30 days for Do it Best website orders. ## Ace Hardware Alternatives and Competitors at a Glance | Store | Best for | Standard returns | Rewards | Our score | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Ace Hardware** | Local stores, pickup and member delivery | 30 days with receipt (most items) | Ace Rewards: $5 per 2,500 points | 4.4/5 | | The Home Depot | Big-box range and same-day delivery | 90 days with proof of purchase (most items) | Not covered here | 4.3/5 | | Lowe’s | Big-box range and rewards | 90 days with receipt (most new, unused items) | MyLowe’s Rewards | 4.3/5 | | Do it Best | Building supplies, free ship-to-store | 30 days for website orders | Best Rewards | 4.1/5 | From each company’s own pages or search excerpts of them, October 28, 2026. Our scores are editorial. ## Winners by Category - **Best overall for local shopping:** Ace Hardware, with free rewards, free store pickup and free member delivery on $50+ in-stock orders. - **Best for long return windows:** The Home Depot and Lowe’s, with 90 days on most items. - **Best for same-day delivery:** The Home Depot, with free same-day delivery from $25 when you order by 4 p.m. - **Best for lumber and building supplies:** Do it Best, with free Ship-to-Store on web orders. DEAL**Ready to shop Ace Hardware?** Join Ace Rewards for free and check our coupon page for current codes.[See Ace Hardware Deals](https://couponsscout.com/store/ace-hardware/) ## What to Look for in an Ace Hardware Alternative ### Do You Prefer a Local Store or a Big-Box Store? Ace Hardware and Do it Best work through locally owned stores. Ace says its store owners are shareholders who share in annual profits, and Do it Best says each store is independently owned and operated. The Home Depot and Lowe’s are big-box chains with large stores and a central online catalog. ### How Much Time Do You Need for Returns? If you often buy parts that might not fit, return windows matter. The Home Depot and Lowe’s give 90 days on most items, and Home Depot extends that to 365 days for credit card and Pro Xtra purchases. [Ace Hardware’s returns page](https://www.acehardware.com/customer-service-center/returns) gives 30 days on most items with the receipt, and Do it Best gives 30 days on web orders. ### How Fast Do You Need Your Order? Free store pickup at Ace is the quickest choice when an item is in stock. Ace Rewards members also get free next-day delivery from a store on in-stock online orders of $50 or more, where the store takes part. The Home Depot’s free same-day delivery starts at $25 for orders placed by 4 p.m. ## Feature Comparison | Feature | Ace Hardware | The Home Depot | Lowe’s | Do it Best | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Store model | Retailer-owned local stores | Big-box chain | Big-box chain | Independently owned local stores | | Free store pickup | Yes, in-stock items | Not covered here | Not covered here | Free Ship-to-Store | | Free delivery | Next-day from a store for members on $50+ in-stock orders | Same-day on $25+ orders by 4 p.m. | Free shipping on qualifying orders | Not stated | | Ship to home | Cost by weight; ground, second-day, next-day | Available | Available | Charges shown in the cart | | Standard returns | 30 days | 90 days | 90 days | 30 days (web orders) | | Rewards | Ace Rewards (free) | Pro Xtra account (365-day returns) | MyLowe’s Rewards | Best Rewards | From each company’s own pages or search excerpts of them, October 28, 2026. ## Price Comparison: Delivery and Rewards Costs Shelf prices change by store and region, so we compare what it costs to get your order and what you earn back. The Home Depot’s free same-day delivery starts at $25, while Ace’s member delivery starts at $50 but adds rewards on top. | Store | Free delivery or pickup | Rewards value | Membership cost | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Ace Hardware | Free pickup; free next-day store delivery on $50+ (members) | $5 per 2,500 points (10 points per $1) | Free | | The Home Depot | Free same-day delivery on $25+ by 4 p.m. | Not covered here | Not covered here | | Lowe’s | Free shipping on qualifying orders | Not stated on pages we read | Not stated on pages we read | | Do it Best | Free Ship-to-Store | Not stated on pages we read | Not stated on pages we read | From each company’s own pages or search excerpts of them, October 28, 2026. Prices in US dollars. To pay less at Ace, join Ace Rewards before your first purchase, combine items to reach $50 for free member delivery, then check our [Ace Hardware coupons](https://couponsscout.com/store/ace-hardware/) for current codes. [Get Ace Hardware Promo Codes](https://couponsscout.com/store/ace-hardware/) [Visit Ace Hardware](https://acehardware.fxo.co/g/1567994/161558/DxGPTgc) Our top pick for local hardware shopping and free rewards. ## Ace Hardware vs Each Competitor: Head-to-Head ### Ace Hardware vs Home Depot: Which Is Better? Ace Hardware is better if you want a nearby store, free rewards and member delivery. The Home Depot is better for long returns (90 days on most items) and free same-day delivery from $25. ### Ace Hardware vs Lowe’s: Which Is Better for Rewards? Ace Rewards has clear, published terms: free to join, 10 points per $1 and $5 per 2,500 points. Lowe’s has MyLowe’s Rewards and a longer 90-day return window, so it suits shoppers who value return time over a simple rewards formula. ### Ace Hardware vs Do it Best: Which Local Store Wins? Both are built on local owners. Ace adds free member delivery and big grill and outdoor brands, while Do it Best puts lumber and building materials front and center, with free Ship-to-Store on web orders. ## Ace Hardware: Best for Local Stores, Rewards and Member Delivery **Best for:** homeowners and DIYers who want a nearby store, a free rewards program and free member delivery on $50+ in-stock orders · **Starting price:** Ace Rewards free to join; $5 reward per 2,500 points; free next-day store delivery for members on $50+ in-stock orders · **Our score:** 4.4/5 Ace Hardware was founded in 1924 by a small group of Chicago hardware store owners, and [its about page](https://www.acehardware.com/about-us) says the company is still owned solely by its local Ace retail entrepreneurs. It sells tools, paint, grills, lawn and garden gear and home supplies, with brands such as Weber, Traeger, Craftsman, Yeti, Toro and Scotts. As of October 2026, [Ace Rewards](https://www.acehardware.com/ace-rewards) is free to join, earns 10 points per $1 on qualifying purchases and gives a $5 reward for every 2,500 points. Members get free next-day delivery from a store on in-stock online orders of $50 or more, store pickup is free, and most items can be returned within 30 days with the receipt. Read our full [Ace Hardware review](https://couponsscout.com/reviews/ace-hardware-review/). **✅ What We Like** - Free Ace Rewards program with $5 rewards per 2,500 points - Free next-day store delivery for members on $50+ in-stock orders - Free store pickup on in-stock items - Big brands such as Weber, Traeger, Craftsman and Yeti **💡 Things to Consider** - 30-day return window, shorter than Home Depot or Lowe’s; keep receipts and packaging - Delivery areas and some rules vary by local store, so check your store page first [Get Ace Hardware Coupons](https://couponsscout.com/store/ace-hardware/) [Visit Ace Hardware](https://acehardware.fxo.co/g/1567994/161558/DxGPTgc) ## The Home Depot: Best for Long Returns and Same-Day Delivery **Best for:** shoppers who want big-box selection, a 90-day return window on most items and free same-day delivery on $25+ orders · **Starting price:** Free same-day delivery on orders of $25+ placed by 4 p.m. (per its August 2026 release) · **Our score:** 4.3/5 The Home Depot is a big-box home improvement chain. In an [August 18, 2026 release](https://ir.homedepot.com/news-releases/2026/08-18-2026-130244681), it says more than 2,000 US stores act as fulfillment hubs and that it offers free same-day delivery on orders of $25 or more placed by 4 p.m. According to its returns policy, most items can be returned within 90 days with proof of purchase. Some categories have shorter windows, such as 48 hours for major appliances, and purchases on a Home Depot credit card or Pro Xtra account can get 365 days. **✅ What We Like** - 90-day returns on most items - Free same-day delivery on $25+ orders placed by 4 p.m. - 365-day returns with a Home Depot credit card or Pro Xtra **💡 Things to Consider** - Major appliances have a 48-hour return window; inspect them on delivery - Its website blocked our requests, so confirm details on the product page [Visit The Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/) ## Lowe’s: Best for 90-Day Returns and a Rewards Program **Best for:** shoppers who want a big-box range, a 90-day return window and the MyLowe’s Rewards program · **Starting price:** Free shipping on qualifying orders; threshold varies by source, check at checkout · **Our score:** 4.3/5 Lowe’s is the other big-box option here. Its returns policy says most new, unused merchandise with a receipt can be refunded or exchanged within 90 days of the original purchase. Lowe’s runs the MyLowe’s Rewards program. The free-shipping threshold we found differed between its help page and an older release, so check the amount in your cart before you check out. **✅ What We Like** - 90-day returns on most new, unused items with a receipt - MyLowe’s Rewards program - Large stores and an online catalog - Free shipping on qualifying orders **💡 Things to Consider** - Free-shipping threshold differs between pages; confirm it at checkout - Its website blocked our requests, so check the policy page directly [Visit Lowe’s](https://www.lowes.com/) ## Do it Best: Best for Building Supplies and Free Ship-to-Store **Best for:** DIYers and builders who want hardware, lumber and building supplies with free ship-to-store at an independent local store · **Starting price:** Ship-to-Store free; ship-to-home charges shown in the cart · **Our score:** 4.1/5 Do it Best sells hardware, lumber and building supplies online and through independently owned and operated local stores, from building materials and electrical to lawn and garden, workwear and The Color Bar for paint. According to [its shipping page](https://www.doitbest.com/global/shipping/), Ship-to-Store orders ship free and are typically available on the next store delivery. [Its FAQ](https://www.doitbest.com/returns) gives 30 days from purchase for website returns, and Best Rewards works at participating stores and online. **✅ What We Like** - Free Ship-to-Store on web orders - Building materials and lumber alongside hardware - Best Rewards at participating stores and online - Prepaid return label for damaged or defective items **💡 Things to Consider** - Some items may carry a 20% restocking fee; read the product page first - In-store prices can differ from online prices because stores are independent [Visit Do it Best](https://www.doitbest.com/) ## Which One Should You Choose? - **Choose Ace Hardware if** you want a local store, a free rewards program and free member delivery on $50+ in-stock orders. - **Choose The Home Depot if** you want 90-day returns and free same-day delivery from $25. - **Choose Lowe’s if** you want a big-box range, 90-day returns and MyLowe’s Rewards. - **Choose Do it Best if** you need lumber or building supplies and like free Ship-to-Store. Still deciding? Our [Ace Hardware review](https://couponsscout.com/reviews/ace-hardware-review/) covers Ace’s rewards and policies in depth, and our [shopping guides](https://couponsscout.com/guides/) cover more home and garden stores. ## How We Compared These Hardware Stores We read each company’s pages on October 28, 2026. The Ace Hardware, Home Depot and Lowe’s websites blocked our requests, so for those we used search excerpts of their own pages, the Ace newsroom and a Home Depot investor release. Scores reflect this research, not store visits, and no company paid for its position. [See Ace Hardware Coupons](https://couponsscout.com/store/ace-hardware/) [Shop Ace Hardware](https://acehardware.fxo.co/g/1567994/161558/DxGPTgc) Check current offers before you shop. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What are the best Ace Hardware alternatives? As of October 2026, the main Ace Hardware alternatives are The Home Depot and Lowe’s for big-box selection and 90-day returns, and Do it Best for locally owned stores with lumber, building supplies and free Ship-to-Store. ### Is Ace Hardware better than Home Depot? It depends on how you shop. Ace Hardware offers local stores, free Ace Rewards and free member delivery on $50+ in-stock orders, while The Home Depot offers 90-day returns on most items and free same-day delivery on $25+ orders placed by 4 p.m. ### How does Ace Rewards work? Ace Rewards is free to join and earns 10 points per $1 on qualifying purchases. Every 2,500 points becomes a $5 reward, and members get free next-day store delivery on in-stock online orders of $50 or more, as of October 2026. ### What is the Ace Hardware return policy? Most Ace Hardware items can be returned within 30 days of purchase with the original receipt if they are unused, uninstalled and in original packaging. Clearance items and gift cards are final sale, and each store may set its own rules. ### Are there Ace Hardware promo codes? Our [Ace Hardware coupon page](https://couponsscout.com/store/ace-hardware/) lists current codes and offers. Click Get Code on the page so the discount is applied at checkout. **About the author:** [Mohamed Zaki](https://couponsscout.com/about-mohamed-zaki/), Founder & Chief MarTech Strategist, Coupons Scout. Mohamed Zaki is the founder of Coupons Scout and leads how the team finds deals and researches the software behind them. He focuses on marketing technology, automation tools and ways to pay less for them. Editorial note: this article is based on research of brand product pages, help centers and policies, last checked October 28, 2026. Scores are our editorial opinion. Coupons Scout may earn a commission from some links, which never changes our rankings. ## Sources Brand pages we used for this article, checked October 28, 2026. Prices and plans can change, so confirm on the brand’s own website before you buy. 1. [Ace Hardware returns](https://www.acehardware.com/customer-service-center/returns) 2. [Ace Rewards](https://www.acehardware.com/ace-rewards) 3. [Ace Hardware pickup, delivery and shipping](https://www.acehardware.com/pickup-delivery-shipping) 4. [Ace Hardware About us](https://www.acehardware.com/about-us) 5. [Ace Hardware brands](https://www.acehardware.com/brands) 6. [Ace Hardware newsroom](https://newsroom.acehardware.com/) 7. [The Home Depot return policy](https://www.homedepot.com/c/Return_Policy) 8. [The Home Depot investor release, Aug. 18, 2026](https://ir.homedepot.com/news-releases/2026/08-18-2026-130244681) 9. [Lowe’s returns policy](https://www.lowes.com/l/help/returns-policy) 10. [Do it Best homepage](https://www.doitbest.com/) 11. [Do it Best shipping](https://www.doitbest.com/global/shipping/) 12. [Do it Best FAQ and returns](https://www.doitbest.com/returns)