7 Brew vs Starbucks: Price, Size, Speed and Menu
7 Brew vs Starbucks is a battle between a fast drive-thru stand and the biggest coffee chain in America. Starbucks has cafes, seating and a huge food menu. 7 Brew has drive-thru lanes, sweet custom drinks and lower prices. This guide compares cup sizes, prices, speed, menus and rewards so you know which stop fits your morning best.
$4.75
7 Brew Medium iced latte
$6.55
Starbucks 24 oz iced latte
8.7 min
Average 7 Brew visit
13.8 min
Average Starbucks visit
Quick answer
Is 7 Brew Better Than Starbucks?
Quick answer: 7 Brew is usually cheaper and faster, and most add-ins are free. Starbucks is better if you want to sit inside, eat a full breakfast or find a store in almost any town.
7 Brew and Starbucks sell many of the same drinks, like lattes, mochas, cold brew and iced tea. The big difference is how you buy them. Starbucks is mostly a cafe where you can sit, work and use Wi-Fi. 7 Brew is a drive-thru stand with no seating, built to get you in and out fast. That one difference changes the price, the speed and the whole experience.
Taste is a personal choice, but the style is different too. Starbucks drinks lean toward bold espresso and seasonal flavors. 7 Brew drinks are sweeter and very easy to customize with syrups, sauces and cold foam. Many 7 Brew fans say the drinks taste more like a dessert. If you love sweet coffee, 7 Brew may win you over.
Side by side
7 Brew vs Starbucks Comparison Table
This 7 Brew vs Starbucks table shows the main facts side by side. Prices come from an AP news report in May 2026 that checked stores in San Antonio. Visit times come from Placer.ai data in the same report. Store counts are rounded and grow every year. Your local prices may be a little higher or lower.
| Feature | 7 Brew | Starbucks |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 in Rogers, Arkansas | 1971 in Seattle, Washington |
| U.S. locations | About 775+ stands in 38 states | More than 16,000 stores |
| Store style | Drive-thru and walk-up only | Cafes, drive-thrus and pickup |
| Iced latte price | From $4.75 (Medium) | About $6.55 (24 oz) |
| Average visit time | About 8.7 minutes | About 13.8 minutes |
| Free add-ins | Most flavors, milks, whip and drizzle | Extra syrups and some toppings cost more |
| Food | Muffin Tops only | Full breakfast, lunch and bakery menu |
| Seating and Wi-Fi | No | Yes, at most cafes |
Prices
Is 7 Brew Cheaper Than Starbucks?
Yes, in most cases 7 Brew is cheaper than Starbucks. The AP report found a Medium iced latte at 7 Brew for as little as $4.75. A 24-ounce iced latte at a nearby Starbucks cost $6.55. That is a gap of almost $2 for one drink. If you buy coffee five days a week, the savings can add up to about $40 a month.
The free add-ins make the gap even bigger. At 7 Brew, most flavor shots, milk swaps, whipped cream and drizzles do not cost extra. At Starbucks, extra syrup pumps, cold foam and some toppings add to the price. So a sweet custom drink often costs a lot more at Starbucks. Check our 7 Brew prices guide for every drink and size.
| Order | 7 Brew | Starbucks |
|---|---|---|
| Iced latte | From $4.75 | About $6.55 |
| Add a flavor | Free | Extra charge |
| Add whipped cream or drizzle | Free | Often free, varies |
| Switch to oat milk | Free | Free since late 2024 |
Sizes
7 Brew Sizes vs Starbucks Sizes
Cup size is a big part of the 7 Brew vs Starbucks value test. According to 7 Brew, a Medium iced latte is the same size as the largest Starbucks iced coffee. That means a 7 Brew Medium gives you about as much drink as a Starbucks Venti iced. Starbucks uses the names Tall, Grande and Venti, while 7 Brew uses Small, Medium and Large. 7 Brew also has a Kids size on some drinks.
If you want the most drink for your money, compare a 7 Brew Medium to a Starbucks Venti. In most towns, the 7 Brew cup will cost less for the same amount. A 7 Brew Large is even bigger, which is great for long drives. Just remember that a bigger cup also means more caffeine and more sugar. Our 7 Brew sizes guide shows the ounces and caffeine for every cup.
Menu
7 Brew Menu vs Starbucks Menu
Both menus have hot and iced coffee, but the style is not the same. 7 Brew splits its menu into 7 Originals, 7 Classics, 7 Energy, 7 Fizz sodas, teas, lemonades, smoothies and shakes. Starbucks has espresso drinks, Frappuccinos, Refreshers, teas and a big food menu. 7 Brew says it offers more than 20,000 drink combos. Starbucks is known for seasonal drinks like its fall pumpkin lattes.
Only at Starbucks
- Frappuccino blended drinks
- Refreshers fruit drinks
- Hot breakfast sandwiches
- Cafe seating and free Wi-Fi
- Whole bean coffee to take home
If you want an energy drink or an Italian soda, 7 Brew is the clear pick. Starbucks does not sell 7 Energy style drinks or Fizz sodas. If you want a Frappuccino or a hot sandwich, Starbucks is the better stop. For a sweet breve, both work, but many fans say the 7 Brew Blondie is hard to beat. See our best 7 Brew drinks list for top picks.
Speed and rewards
Speed, Seating and Rewards
Speed
7 Brew is built for speed. Placer.ai data showed the average 7 Brew visit took about 8.7 minutes, while a Starbucks visit took about 13.8 minutes. 7 Brew staff walk out to cars with tablets, so the line moves quickly. Starbucks drive-thrus can slow down during the morning rush. If you are late for work, 7 Brew is usually the faster choice.
Seating
Starbucks wins if you want to sit down. Most Starbucks cafes have tables, outlets and free Wi-Fi for work or study. 7 Brew stands are tiny and have no indoor seating at all. Some news reports point out that 7 Brew is not a hangout spot like a cafe. It is made for grabbing a drink and driving away.
Rewards
Both chains have free rewards apps. The 7 Brew Rewards app lets you earn points on every drink and trade them for free drinks. Starbucks Rewards uses Stars that you can trade for drinks, food and add-ins. Starbucks also lets you order ahead in its app, which can save time. Pick the app for the chain you visit most.
Where to go
Which One Should You Choose?
After this 7 Brew vs Starbucks review, the choice comes down to your morning. Choose 7 Brew if you want a cheaper, bigger, sweeter drink and a fast drive-thru. Choose Starbucks if you want a seat, Wi-Fi, a hot sandwich or a Frappuccino. Many people use both, depending on the day. Try your favorite drink at each place and see which one you like best.
| If you want… | Go to |
|---|---|
| The lowest price | 7 Brew |
| The fastest drive-thru | 7 Brew |
| Energy drinks or Italian sodas | 7 Brew |
| A place to sit and work | Starbucks |
| A hot breakfast sandwich | Starbucks |
| A store in almost every town | Starbucks |
Want to plan your first 7 Brew order? Print our free 7 Brew menu PDF and pick a drink before you get in line. You can also use our 7 Brew locations guide to find a stand near you. If you are new, our how to order at 7 Brew guide walks you through each step. It only takes a minute to read.
FAQ
7 Brew vs Starbucks FAQs
Is 7 Brew cheaper than Starbucks?
Yes, usually. A Medium iced latte at 7 Brew starts at about $4.75, while a 24 oz iced latte at Starbucks costs about $6.55.
Is a 7 Brew Medium the same as a Starbucks Venti?
Close to it. 7 Brew says its Medium iced latte is the same size as the largest Starbucks iced coffee.
Does 7 Brew have Frappuccinos?
No. 7 Brew does not sell Frappuccinos, but you can turn many drinks into a frozen Chiller, which is similar.
Is 7 Brew faster than Starbucks?
Yes. Placer.ai data shows an average visit of about 8.7 minutes at 7 Brew and about 13.8 minutes at Starbucks.
Does 7 Brew have seating like Starbucks?
No. 7 Brew stands are drive-thru and walk-up only, with no indoor seating or Wi-Fi.
Which has more locations, 7 Brew or Starbucks?
Starbucks has far more, with more than 16,000 U.S. stores. 7 Brew has about 775 stands, but it is opening new ones quickly.
Keep exploring
More 7 Brew Guides
Sources and How We Checked
We compared 7 Brew and Starbucks in October 2026 using news reports, company statements and both official menus. Prices and store counts change often, so we update this page when new numbers come out.
- Official 7 Brew menu
- AP via East Idaho News: 7 Brew prices and speed (May 2026)
- 7 Brew on Wikipedia
- Starbucks on Wikipedia
Note: 7 Brew Menu is an independent fan guide. We are not owned by or connected to 7 Brew Coffee. Prices and drinks can change by location.
