Aldi vs Lidl: which is the better discount supermarket?

Aldi and Lidl are widely recognized for their budget-friendly groceries and the eclectic, rotating selection found in their middle aisles.

Both German discount chains provide no-frills shopping environments and low prices, yet they differ in several key areas. Determining which one is the superior choice depends on your personal preferences.

We have analyzed how Aldi and Lidl compare based on extensive research, covering everything from pricing and the in-store experience to taste test results and animal welfare standards.

Is Aldi or Lidl cheaper?

Every month, we track the cost of a basket of common grocery items at major supermarkets using an independent pricing database.

Aldi has held the title of the cheapest supermarket every month since November 2023 and was also the overall most affordable retailer throughout last year.

However, Lidl consistently remains a close competitor, ranking as the second-cheapest supermarket each month. Across 2024, Lidl was on average £1.99 more expensive than Aldi. Even when factoring in the Lidl Plus loyalty app, our research indicates that Aldi remains the more cost-effective option.

Does Lidl or Aldi make tastier food?

We regularly conduct blind taste tests, pitting budget own-label products against major brands to identify the best-tasting supermarket food and drink.

Our consumer panel favored the balanced flavor of Aldi’s Nordpak Spreadable Slightly Salted butter. While Lidl’s version was acceptable, it lacked the same depth of flavor. Tea bags from both retailers were well-received, with Lidl’s Knightsbridge Red Label tea bags proving to be the most affordable option in our test.

Here’s how the discounters compared in three recent Which? taste tests in 2025:

Taste test
Aldi
Lidl
Highest scorer

Spreadable butter
Best Buy & Great Value: Nordpak Spreadable Slightly Salted – 75%
Danpak Spreadable Slightly Salted – 66%
Aldi

Tea bags
Diplomat Red Label – 70%
Knightsbridge Red Label Tea Bags – 69%
Aldi

Instant coffee
Great Value: Alcafé Gold Roast Coffee – 64%
Bellarom Gold Instant Coffee – 57%
Aldi

Table notes: We’ve only included results where both discounters were included in the test. Member-only results have been excluded, as have results where products are no longer available.

Aldi also secured Best Buy and Great Value recommendations for its Bramwells Baked Beans, alongside a Great Value badge for its hot cross buns. Lidl was not featured in these specific taste tests, so they were omitted from the table.

Does Aldi or Lidl reward loyalty?

Lidl is the only one of the two discounters to offer a loyalty program. The recently updated Lidl Plus app provides members with reduced prices on specific items—known as Lidl Plus Offers—as well as personalized coupons.

During our check on 16 April, there were 10 active offers, including 20% off own-label coffee sachets and a pack of vanilla ice cream cones priced at £1.69, down from the £1.99 non-member price.

When Lidl first introduced member-only pricing, we reviewed the history of several offers and found that most represented genuine savings.

Shoppers are also rewarded for reaching certain spending milestones. For instance, spending £10 in a month earns a free bakery item, while a £250 monthly spend triggers a 10% discount coupon. Additionally, app users receive personalized coupons tailored to their shopping habits.

Discounts are applied by scanning the Lidl Plus app at the checkout, as physical loyalty cards are not provided.

Are Aldi or Lidl stores nicer to shop in?

In our most recent survey of in-store supermarkets conducted between October and November 2024, Aldi and Lidl earned identical star ratings. The customer scores were also very close, though Aldi (72%) narrowly outperformed Lidl (69%).

While both retailers scored highly for value, they struggled in other categories, receiving only two out of five stars for most metrics. Customers expressed dissatisfaction with store aesthetics, service levels, and checkout wait times, while also noting issues with stock availability, product range, and quality.

Overall customer score
Value for money
Overall customer service
Staff availability and helpfulness
Store appearance
Queuing time at the checkout
Self-service/self-scanning
Stock availability
Range of products
Overall quality of own-label and fresh products

Both chains maintain a basic store layout, featuring products stacked on cardboard pallets and a middle aisle stocked with non-grocery items, marketed as Aldi Specialbuys and the Middle of Lidl.

M&S and Waitrose achieved the highest ratings for store appearance, checkout efficiency, self-service facilities, and customer service.

A primary difference is that Lidl operates in-store bakeries, whereas Aldi only provides this feature in 25 of its more than 1,000 locations. Lidl’s bakery strategy has proven successful, as it now sells more baked goods than any other supermarket, averaging 122 croissants every minute.

Aldi shoppers may notice that products often feature multiple barcodes or packaging-wrapped codes. This design allows staff to process items at the till more rapidly, reducing the need for extra personnel, and simplifies the process for customers using self-service checkouts.

How many stores do Aldi and Lidl have?

According to market analyst Kantar, Aldi is the fourth-largest supermarket chain in the UK, trailing only Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda. It operates over 1,000 stores and has announced plans to invest £650m in 2025, which includes refurbishing existing sites and spending £55m to launch nine new London locations this year.

Lidl manages more than 970 stores and is preparing for further expansion following the opening of nine new branches in February.

What about online shopping?

Neither retailer provides online grocery shopping or home delivery services.

Aldi previously operated a click-and-collect service, which was introduced in 2020 during national lockdowns, but the company discontinued it in August 2024 following a period of regular review.

How do their ranges compare?

Both discounters carry a significantly smaller product range than traditional supermarket chains. This strategy helps maintain low prices by requiring smaller warehouses, fewer employees, and lower overall operating costs.

Items are frequently displayed in their original cardboard shipping boxes on pallets, which speeds up the restocking process.

The vast majority of inventory at both Aldi and Lidl consists of own-label goods. This allows them to exert greater control over manufacturing and supplier expenses, further keeping prices down. However, both stores do stock a limited selection of major brands, such as Cadbury, Heinz, Kellogg’s, McVitie’s, Nestlé, Walkers, and Warburtons.

Aldi and Lidl are as well-known for the sometimes unusual items in their middle aisles as they are for their low prices. The Middle of Lidl and Aldi’s Specialbuys rotate frequently, meaning you might find anything from air fryers and camping gear to cycling equipment and beach inflatables.

How do Aldi and Lidl compare on animal welfare?

Neither discounter currently leads the industry in this area. Both the Schwartz Group—Lidl’s parent company—and Aldi received the lowest possible rating in the most recent Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare, which evaluates the welfare policies of major food companies.

On a positive note, Lidl announced last year that its own-label fresh chickens would have 20% more living space starting in early 2025. Aldi followed this move, confirming that chicken stocking density would be reduced to 30kg per square metre by November, a standard that is now applied to all chicken sold at the store. Both retailers also provide free-range, higher-welfare fresh chicken options, which can be identified by the RSPCA Assured logo.

Furthermore, both Aldi and Lidl have pledged to transition to using only cage-free eggs in the near future.

So which is really better: Aldi or Lidl?

The choice between the two may come down to whether you prefer the loyalty-based discounts offered by Lidl or the straightforward, app-free pricing at Aldi.

Aldi is consistently the most affordable supermarket in our monthly price tracking, though Lidl remains a very close runner-up.

While our basket of groceries has remained more expensive at Lidl even when accounting for Lidl Plus discounts, our analysis does not include personalized coupons. If you are a loyal shopper at one store and are willing to use the Lidl Plus app, you may be able to reduce your total bill or secure free items through those personalized offers.

Both Aldi and Lidl provide high-quality, good-value own-brand products and generally perform well in our consumer taste tests. If you prioritize fresh croissants and baguettes, Lidl holds the advantage due to its popular in-store bakeries.

While both chains are making progress, there is still room for improvement regarding their general farm animal welfare standards.

Ultimately, both are excellent options for your weekly shop if you prioritize low prices over a wide selection or a premium store experience.