Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

JCPenney vs Amazon Shopping

JCPenney 4.7★ · Free to download 45
Winner Amazon Shopping
Amazon Shopping 4.8★ · Free + IAP 70

Amazon Shopping generally offers a more reliable and convenient online shopping experience with faster shipping, despite recent issues with AI integration, while JCPenney struggles with app functionality, order fulfillment, and customer service.

Full reviews: JCPenney · Amazon Shopping

Amazon Shopping, with its vast selection and generally efficient delivery, maintains a strong lead, though recent AI search changes have frustrated some users. JCPenney, while appreciated for its in-store experience and sales, faces significant challenges with its app's reliability, order accuracy, and customer support, leading to frequent user frustration.

Head to head

App Functionality & Ease of Use edge: Amazon ShoppingR9R15R22R32
JCPenney JCPenney's app is frequently criticized for being glitchy, crashing, and difficult to navigate, with users reporting issues like being kicked out after updates, losing their place when browsing, and login problems R9R15R22R32. The app also has issues with displaying in-store stock accurately and applying coupons automatically .
Amazon Shopping Amazon Shopping is generally praised for being easy to use and reliable . However, recent updates forcing AI search results and chatbots have made the app frustrating and less helpful for many users, leading to complaints about slow performance, crashes, and difficulty finding desired items R61R67R70R88. Some users also report the app draining battery and heating up their phone .
Order Fulfillment & Delivery edge: Amazon ShoppingR13R16R18R19
JCPenney JCPenney users report significant problems with online order fulfillment, including missing items, incorrect items, cancelled orders, and prolonged shipping delays R13R16R18R19. The in-store pickup process can also be problematic, with long waits and system update failures .
Amazon Shopping Amazon Shopping is often praised for quick and reliable delivery . However, a growing number of users, including Prime members, report issues with packages being delayed, not delivered on time, or even going missing . Some also note packages being delivered to the wrong address or tampered with R61.
Customer Service & Returns tieR13R27R29R34
JCPenney JCPenney's customer service receives numerous complaints regarding unhelpful representatives, rude interactions, and difficulty resolving issues like missing orders or refunds R13R27R29R34. The return process is also criticized, with users being charged for shipping on mislabeled items or losing rewards points on returns, and slow refund processing R3R24R60.
Amazon Shopping Amazon Shopping's customer service is increasingly criticized, particularly due to reliance on AI chatbots that are described as useless and frustrating, making it difficult to get problems resolved R61. Users report issues with refunds for faulty products or missing packages, and a lack of free return options, sometimes requiring long drives to specific drop-off locations or incurring fees R109.
Value & Selection edge: Amazon ShoppingR2R14R17R20
JCPenney JCPenney is praised for offering great sales, coupons, and good value on clothing and other items, with users appreciating the ability to find items for the entire family R2R14R17R20. Some users, however, find the clothing selection for large women to be plain and unexciting .
Amazon Shopping Amazon Shopping is highly regarded for its vast selection of merchandise, competitive pricing, and frequent deals . Prime membership is seen as enhancing value with benefits like free returns and faster shipping .
In-Store vs. Online Experience edge: Amazon ShoppingR5R8R11R14
JCPenney Many JCPenney users appreciate the in-store shopping experience, citing helpful staff, good service in departments like jewelry and salons, and the ability to find what they need R5R8R11R14. However, the online experience is frequently described as frustrating and unreliable R15.
Amazon Shopping Amazon Shopping is primarily an online experience, with users valuing its convenience for quick purchases and broad selection . There are no direct in-store comparisons, but some users express a preference for shopping in person or using other retailers due to Amazon's recent app issues or customer service frustrations R67.
Pick JCPenney if

You primarily value the in-store shopping experience and customer service, especially in specific departments like jewelry, and appreciate traditional department store sales and coupons R5R11R14.

Pick Amazon Shopping if

You prioritize a vast selection of products, generally fast shipping, and the convenience of online shopping, and are willing to navigate occasional app glitches or AI search frustrations .

Evidence note: JCPenney's reviews frequently highlight issues with its app and online ordering, contrasting with positive in-store experiences. Amazon's recent negative reviews are heavily skewed by user frustration with new AI search features and declining customer service, despite its overall high lifetime rating and historical reliability.

Frequently asked

Is the JCPenney app reliable for online shopping?
No, the JCPenney app is frequently reported as unreliable, with users experiencing issues like being kicked out, login problems, glitches, and difficulty navigating R9R15R22R32.
Does Amazon Shopping's app use AI?
Yes, Amazon Shopping's app has recently integrated AI-powered search results and chatbots, which many users find unhelpful, frustrating, and difficult to opt out of R61R67R70R88.
Are returns free with JCPenney and Amazon?
For JCPenney, returns can be problematic, with users sometimes losing rewards points or being charged an $8 fee for mail returns if they don't have a local store R3R24R60. For Amazon, while advertised as free, returns are no longer always free and may require driving long distances to specific drop-off locations or paying a fee R109.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R9] JCPenney 3/5 · US App not friendly: I get kicked out every time you do an update. I’m often not home so I can’t sign back in.
  2. [R15] JCPenney 3/5 · US Jcp app: IMO Jcp app is extremely frustrating to navigate when browsing to shop in general. Jcp has always been my favorite store! When using the app, not so much. Even with freq updates it’s very glitchy when scrolling items. Constantly shutting off & goes black every time ya try to do anything. Also frequently losing the pg & item your on. Hitting the back arrow never takes you back to your spot
  3. [R22] JCPenney 1/5 · US Impossible log in: It’s almost constant that the app doesn’t recognize my name and password. Reset and it still can’t connect. Easier to go elsewhere. Now it won’t accept my nickname to review. LOL.
  4. [R32] JCPenney 1/5 · US Nothing works on online app: I can’t find my order. JCP asks its customer to rate them but you can’t. This app hasn’t changed in 20 years. JCP really needs to get with the 21st century. It’s not a pleasant experience to shop on line with this company. I haven’t shopped here for years and now I remember why!
  5. [R13] JCPenney 1/5 · US No Merchandise and no Refund: I ordered some blinds on 3/20/26 and still have not received them and have been given the runaround trying to get my refund. I’ve talked to over 12 people including a supervisor and as of 1:20pm today they’re still giving me this unprofessional service. I’ve even been sent to the store and they still didn’t give me a refund and today they say go back to the store. Thi
  6. [R16] JCPenney 2/5 · US Shipping: I love JCP but shipping has been horribly inconsistent. Do NOT order if you need an item by a specific date.
  7. [R18] JCPenney 3/5 · US Too many canceled orders: I have been a dedicated customer for over 15 years, I am very disappointed with the service, my orders keep getting cancelled for no reason given.
  8. [R19] JCPenney 1/5 · US Did not get my order: I opened my package and it was not the items I ordered. I called customer service and they explained to me that I have to take the items back to the store to return them. Or I can mail back the items. I have to do all this for items I paid for and did not get! Someone else out there will have to do the same thing. Now it will cost me money to return things I did not order. Ca
  9. [R27] JCPenney 3/5 · US JCPENNY: I placed an order around Christmas time and I have not received it yet. Now it’s January 21, 2026. I contacted them to see what was going on. They refunded my credit card and I placed the order again. The representative was quite rude trying to end our conversation before I finished my questions for him. I have always loved jcpenny and I am surprised that I was treated in such a rude ma
  10. [R29] JCPenney 5/5 · US Store with worst customer service: Do not take your business to jcpenny. The cs with the roosters on the background and people who can’t really speak in English will definitely “help”you. They ll not even try to assist you on solving problems that they cause but tell to you to do extra steps. Jcpenny is definitely my no to go list, cancelling all my orders and pickups that I have at the moment.
  11. [R34] JCPenney 1/5 · US Update and recovering login information.: Live chat no help. Link not working. Upgrade not upgrading. Want let me shop online.
  12. [R2] JCPenney 5/5 · US Been shopping there all my life.: Great sales
  13. [R14] JCPenney 5/5 · US Recommend JCPenny: Been shopping here for many years. Have items for entire family. Always have excellent sales, coupons, & customer service. = )
  14. [R17] JCPenney 5/5 · US Shopping/everything: You can always find what you’re looking for in any department of JCPenneys
  15. [R20] JCPenney 5/5 · US Best Value: I find the clothes which really meet my budget and elegance, thank you for last, 40+ years of your commitment with me.
  16. [R5] JCPenney 5/5 · US Easy 5!!: Easy to give JCP a 5. All clothes, materials and personnel.
  17. [R8] JCPenney 5/5 · US Mrs Claus: I love that JCPenney still exists! I don’t get there much because it’s a 40 mile trip for me. It’s one of my favorite stores and I always find something when I do go there. Thanks for staying around.
  18. [R11] JCPenney 5/5 · US Kevin in Jewelry: I recently had my wedding set resized, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. Kevin at the Cedar Rapids location is truly excellent at what he does. He took the time to properly size my finger, sent my rings in, and they came back absolutely perfect. Kevin is knowledgeable, personable, and genuinely cares about his customers and making sure they’re happy with the end res
  19. [R61] Amazon Shopping 2/5 · US Customer service keeps getting worse: These AI chatbots are useless and frustrating and more and more packages are delivered to the wrong address.
  20. [R67] Amazon Shopping 1/5 · US Forced AI search results aren’t helpful with no opt out.: There’s no way to opt out of the AI powered search and it can’t find what I’m looking for. It also keeps repeating a handful of unhelpful results. It now takes me twice as long to find anything and I get better results just clicking a link from a separate search engine on my PC. Please give us an opt out at the very least. At this point I’d
  21. [R70] Amazon Shopping 1/5 · US Ai slop: The new update forces you to run every search through ai.
  22. [R88] Amazon Shopping 1/5 · US Alexa ai slop now forced.: I am not going to support Ai slop. All I want to do is look at results of a search not be forced to chat with a stupid ai. The app is cumbersome, sloppy and freezes often now after the update. Hey alexa, you’re horrible.
  23. [R3] JCPenney 3/5 · US Disappointed: I recently bought a Mens Shirt recently online/pickup at Store. Thought it would be more convenient. I used my “saved” Rewards Points. I picked it up went hone after we were done with errands. Tried it on and was not happy with the fabric used to make the shirt. I went to return it to see if I could get something more to my liking. I was informed yes I could return but I would lose a
  24. [R24] JCPenney 3/5 · US Feed: I don’t think it’s right for you to charge an eight dollar fee to those of us who do not have a local store to actually return to. I shouldn’t have to drive over 30 miles to return it to a store without getting charged.
  25. [R60] JCPenney 1/5 · US Refund Process needs update: JC Penny’s refund process is archaic. After realizing the online order I processed was the incorrect size I called in to cancel the order. I was told I was passed the 30 minute window. I was also told I could return the items at a local JC Penny store or pay $8 for a UPS label. I chose the store. Returned my incorrect order on the 18th and here we are the 29th and stil
  26. [R109] Amazon Shopping 2/5 · US Returns not free: You advertise free refunds and replacements but returns are not longer free, I must either drive over 30 miles out of my way to a Staples in another city or pay to return items now. When there is a UPS drop and FedEx drop right here. You want to charge me 6.99 even when I print and attach label and package for shipping myself.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store