Magazine Luiza has held its place in Brazilian retail by stapling a physical store network to a marketplace app. But buyers report a marketplace that feels narrower than Mercado Livre on niche items, pricing that drifts above Amazon and Casas Bahia on the same SKUs, and customer service that leans heavily on store-pickup routing. If the trade-offs are pushing you to look around, Brazil has clear alternatives for each of Magalu’s strengths.
This guide compares 7 Magalu alternatives that handle different parts of what people buy on the SuperApp. We split picks by use case so you can match the right tool to the purchase.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Strength | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casas Bahia | Appliances and big electronics | Long Crediário installments | Smaller marketplace |
| Amazon Shopping | Books, electronics, returns | Prime delivery and A-to-z Guarantee | Catalog narrower on niches |
| Americanas | Familiar brands and cashback | Ame digital wallet | Service consistency varies |
| Mercado Livre | Broadest national catalog | Mercado Livre Full and Mercado Pago | Ad-heavy feed |
| Shopee | Cheap fashion and accessories | Free shipping coupons | Seller variance |
| Havan | Affordable broad-line retail | Heavy promotional cycles | Smaller online catalog |
| Submarino | Books, geek and tech | Familiar brand and niche depth | Volume thinner than competitors |
Why people leave Magalu
Magalu still works for most shoppers, but specific complaints show up across reviews and forums.
- Marketplace gaps. Magalu’s marketplace section is smaller than Mercado Livre’s, especially in fashion, beauty, and long-tail electronics.
- Pricing creep. Magalu prices on commodity electronics have crept above Casas Bahia and Amazon on the same SKUs.
- Magalu Card fit. The 2 percent cashback is real, but only matters if you commit to the card. Without it, Magalu’s pricing edge thins.
- Pickup routing. Some online orders default to store pickup even when home delivery exists, which adds friction in cities with limited Magalu store coverage.
- Service consistency. Returns work, but Reddit threads list waits of one to two weeks for refunds on disputed shipments.
Which app should you choose?
- Casas Bahia if you are buying an appliance or big electronics.
- Amazon Shopping if you want predictable delivery and clean returns.
- Americanas if you already use Ame cashback.
- Mercado Livre if you want the broadest catalog.
- Shopee if you want the cheapest fashion and accessories.
- Havan if you want affordable broad-line retail.
- Submarino if you want books, tech, and geek-friendly stock.
1. Casas Bahia — best for appliances and financing
Casas Bahia is the closest direct comparison to Magalu, with arguably deeper stock on appliances, financing options, and a physical store network. Crediário Digital installments stretch to 24 months, and the in-store pickup option works in most cities. Same-SKU pricing on TVs and refrigerators frequently beats Magalu.
Where it falls short: Marketplace section thinner than Magalu. Long installments add interest.
Pricing: Free to download. Crediário Digital extends installments with interest. Casas Bahia Card offers internal discounts.
Casas Bahia vs Magalu: Casas Bahia wins on appliance pricing and longer installments. Magalu wins on the SuperApp ecosystem and Magalu Card cashback.
Bottom line: Pick Casas Bahia for appliances, especially if you need long-term installments.
2. Amazon Shopping — best for trusted delivery
Amazon Brasil leads on returns clarity, Prime delivery in major capitals, and the broader Kindle and Prime Video ecosystem. Books, electronics, and household categories have grown to match or beat Magalu’s depth on the same items.
Where it falls short: Third-party seller pool narrower than Mercado Livre. Prime delivery slows outside capitals.
Pricing: Free to download. Prime adds free shipping at a modest monthly fee.
Amazon vs Magalu: Amazon wins on returns and Prime perks. Magalu wins on in-store pickup network and Brazilian financing.
Bottom line: Pick Amazon when delivery speed and return simplicity matter more than financing terms.
3. Americanas — best for Ame cashback users
Americanas remains a familiar Brazilian brand with the Ame digital wallet paying cashback on partner purchases. Toys, beauty, books, and household basics cover the core. After the restructuring, the catalog narrowed but the Ame stack still rewards regular buyers.
Where it falls short: Service consistency dipped after the restructuring. Catalog depth fell behind Magalu and Mercado Livre.
Pricing: Free to download. Ame cashback varies by category.
Americanas vs Magalu: Americanas wins on Ame cashback stacks for routine buys. Magalu wins on appliance and electronics depth.
Bottom line: Pick Americanas if you have an Ame balance and shop familiar Brazilian brands.
4. Mercado Livre — best for catalog breadth
Mercado Livre still owns the deepest Brazilian catalog. Mercado Livre Full ships from Mercado Livre’s own warehouses with same-day or next-day delivery in major capitals. Mercado Pago handles checkout with installments without interest on partner cards.
Where it falls short: Sponsored listings dominate search. Seller reputation can be gamed.
Pricing: Free to download. Free shipping on most Full orders above R$79.
Mercado Livre vs Magalu: Mercado Livre wins on long-tail catalog and faster Full delivery. Magalu wins on physical-store touchpoints and Magalu Card cashback.
Bottom line: Pick Mercado Livre when you need the broadest selection in one app.
5. Shopee — best for cheap fashion and small items
Shopee covers the fashion, accessories, and small-electronics tier Magalu doesn’t lead on. Frete Grátis coupons, ShopeePay, and local-warehouse shipping make small-basket buying cheap and fast.
Where it falls short: Seller quality varies. Big-ticket purchases lack Magalu’s logistics reliability.
Pricing: Free to download. Monthly free shipping coupons. ShopeePay speeds checkout.
Shopee vs Magalu: Shopee wins on the cheapest commodity goods and Frete Grátis. Magalu wins on appliances and warranty support.
Bottom line: Pick Shopee when most of your basket is small, cheap, and fashion-adjacent.
6. Havan — best for affordable broad-line retail
Havan, the broad-line Brazilian retailer with over 170 stores, runs constant promotional cycles on home, fashion, electronics, beauty, and household basics. The app handles online orders, in-store pickup, the Havan Card, and product price scanning for in-store comparison.
Where it falls short: Online catalog narrower than Magalu. Less mature marketplace section.
Pricing: Free to download. Havan Card offers protections and internal promotions.
Havan vs Magalu: Havan wins on broad promotional cycles and the in-store experience. Magalu wins on app polish and SuperApp tools.
Bottom line: Pick Havan if you live near a Havan store and shop promotions actively.
7. Submarino — best for books, tech, and geek-friendly stock
Submarino keeps a niche identity as the place for books, games, mobile phones, IT, and geek-friendly products. Part of the same Americanas group, the app shares the Ame wallet integration and pulls in exclusive launches in select categories.
Where it falls short: Catalog volume thinner than Magalu or Mercado Livre. Service consistency follows Americanas’ broader pattern.
Pricing: Free to download. Ame cashback applies on partner purchases.
Submarino vs Magalu: Submarino wins on niche tech and book selection. Magalu wins on appliances and broader retail.
Bottom line: Pick Submarino when you want books, games, or a specific tech category Magalu doesn’t lead on.
How to choose
For appliances and big electronics, Casas Bahia beats Magalu on pricing and financing terms more often than not. If you have a Magalu Card and value the 2 percent cashback, Magalu still works.
For general delivery and returns, Amazon Shopping wins on consistency. For the broadest catalog including long-tail items, Mercado Livre is the cleaner choice.
If your basket is mostly small items, fashion, or accessories, Shopee handles that tier better. For routine buys with familiar Brazilian brands, Americanas plus Ame cashback covers the ground.
Stay on Magalu when the SuperApp ecosystem fits your routine: the Magalu Card cashback, in-store pickup at a Magalu near you, and the marketplace handling enough of your basket to make it the default. The app is well-polished, and the loyalty program does add up if you commit to it.
FAQ
Is Casas Bahia cheaper than Magalu for appliances? On same-SKU comparisons, often yes. Casas Bahia’s Crediário Digital also stretches installments longer than Magalu Card terms.
What is the broadest Magalu alternative for catalog? Mercado Livre. Its third-party seller pool is the largest in Brazil and covers more niches than Magalu.
Can I use the Magalu Card at other retailers? No. The Magalu Card is a private-label card good only at Magazine Luiza and partner stores.
Is Amazon Brasil bigger than Magalu? On catalog depth, no. On returns clarity and Prime delivery, yes in major capitals.
What do Brazilians use for appliances besides Magalu? Casas Bahia, Havan, and the Magalu group itself dominate. Mercado Livre and Amazon also list third-party stock for specific models.