Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

Google's Same-Day Delivery Service Undercuts Amazon Prime by $4 The Mountain View, Calif.-based tech goliath is expanding its same-day delivery program and starting to charge for it.

By Catherine Clifford

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Google has stepped into the ring with Amazon to battle it out over delivery.

Today, Google announced that it would be expanding its same-day delivery service -- and begin charging for it.

Google Express, which was called Google Shopping Express before today, gives members unlimited same-day or overnight delivery on orders over $15. The service only applies to products from participating retailers. Membership costs $95 a year, or $10 a month.

The $95 membership comes in just under Amazon's $99-a-year service, Amazon Prime, which offers free two-day shipping and subscription to streaming content and e-books in Amazon's Kindle Owners' Lending Library.

Related: Price of Amazon Prime Jumps to $99

Google Express launched in beta in San Francisco in March of last year. At the end of September, it was made available to all San Francisco area residents with the option of a six-month free trial period. In May, Google extended the service to New York City and parts of Los Angeles with the same introductory offer.

As of today, the Google Express service is expanding to Chicago, Boston, and Washington, D.C. Also, Google has added 16 retailers to the list of approved stores that customers can order from as part of the service. Those new merchants include 1-800-Flowers, Barnes & Noble, Nine West, PetSmart and Vitamin Shoppe.

Related: UPS Ups Its Shipping Game

Orders are either fulfilled in the same day, in a window that the customer chooses, or in some cases, the next day. New customers are eligible for a free three-month trial period.

For delivery of orders under $15, Google Express charges members $3. Nonmembers can pay $4.99 for same-day delivery of any order over $15, and $7.99 for any order under $15.

Related: To Beat Ecommerce Rivals, Know Your Shipping Options

Catherine Clifford

Senior Entrepreneurship Writer at CNBC

Catherine Clifford is senior entrepreneurship writer at CNBC. She was formerly a senior writer at Entrepreneur.com, the small business reporter at CNNMoney and an assistant in the New York bureau for CNN. Clifford attended Columbia University where she earned a bachelor's degree. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can follow her on Twitter at @CatClifford.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

At 16, She Started a Side Hustle While 'Stuck at Home.' Now It's on Track to Earn Over $3.1 Million This Year.

Evangelina Petrakis, 21, was in high school when she posted on social media for fun — then realized a business opportunity.

Health & Wellness

I'm a CEO, Founder and Father of 2 — Here Are 3 Practices That Help Me Maintain My Sanity.

This is a combination of active practices that I've put together over a decade of my intense entrepreneurial journey.

Business News

Remote Work Enthusiast Kevin O'Leary Does TV Appearance Wearing Suit Jacket, Tie and Pajama Bottoms

"Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary looks all business—until you see the wide view.

Business News

Are Apple Smart Glasses in the Works? Apple Is Eyeing Meta's Ran-Ban Success Story, According to a New Report.

Meta has sold more than 700,000 pairs of smart glasses, with demand even ahead of supply at one point.

Money & Finance

The 'Richest' U.S. City Probably Isn't Where You Think It Is

It's not located in New York or California.

Business News

Hybrid Workers Were Put to the Test Against Fully In-Office Employees — Here's Who Came Out On Top

Productivity barely changed whether employees were in the office or not. However, hybrid workers reported better job satisfaction than in-office workers.