The Best Delivery Apps to Make Money, Which Should You Choose? (2024)

Delivery apps have given a whole new meaning to the term ‘gig economy’. With these apps, anyone with a vehicle and a smartphone can become a delivery driver and earn money on their own schedule.

There are a lot of different delivery apps out there, but which one is the best for making money? To help you make the right choice, we’ve put together a list of the best delivery apps to make money, based on factors like pay rate, ease of use, and availability of work.

Doordash

Doordash is one of the best-known delivery apps and is above the 50% mark when it comes to delivery app market share. The company started in 2013 and originated in San Francisco.

What makes Doordash so special? Below we will go over multiple factors when it comes to why Doordash is one of our top picks.

What Are The Requirements To Become a Doordash Driver?

The first thing you need to become a Doordash driver is to be at least 18 years old. You will also need to have a valid driver’s license, insurance, and access to a vehicle that is eligible for the service. Lastly, you need to have a smartphone that is compatible with the app.

How Much Does Doordash Pay?

DoorDash pays its Dashers a base rate per order, which can range from $2-10+ depending on the estimated time and distance needed for individual delivery. The longer the distance that is required in deliveries means that payment will be higher than less glamorous ones. If a customer leaves a tip, the base pay will stay the same and not be affected by the tip.

On top of this Doordash also has an incentives program where dashers can earn more for areas that are in high demand for deliveries. This can be a great way to make more money, but it should be noted that these areas are not always available.

Sometimes they pay as high as $10 extra per delivery for a certain amount of time to get drivers in the area, but in most cases, you’ll see incentives ranging from $1-$5.

How Do Doordash Drivers Get Paid?

Doordash pays its drivers once a week via direct deposit. The company also offers an instant pay option that allows you to cash out your earnings daily for a small fee of $1.99.

How Much Do Doordash Drivers Get Paid?

On average it is said that Doordash earns drivers over the minimum wage. It’s impossible to give an exact number for how much you will earn because every market is different. Also, if you use a car you’ll earn more than if you use a scooter or a bike (in most cases).

If you want to put a number to it, Indeed states the average pay for Doordash is $16.17 per hour with the low being $7.25 and the high being $35.05.

Is DoorDash Easy To Sign Up For?

Doordash is actually very easy to get hired on with. The sign-up process is pretty straightforward and if you have all the required documents, you could be making deliveries within a couple of days.

The only thing that might hold some people back is the background check, but in most cases it usually gets accepted almost right away. Depending on your criminal history, this could take a little longer to get cleared. But as long as you don’t have any serious offenses on your record, you should be fine.

Do You Have To Wait For Your Activation Kit To Get Started?

You actually don’t even need to wait for your activation kit to get started with Doordash. Once you pass your background check and complete the sign-up process, you can start accepting orders right away.

The activation kit comes with a heat-sealed bag and a welcome pamphlet, but it’s not necessary to start deliveries.

What Are The Pros and Cons Of Working For Doordash?

Now that we’ve gone over the basics of Doordash, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of working for them.

Pros:

  • One of the first pros of Doordash is flexibility. The app allows you to set your own schedule and work as much or as little as you want.
  • The second is higher pay than minimum wage. The fact that you can earn higher than minimum wage at any time you want is a big perk.
  • Lastly, when you get tipped on Doordash you get to keep 100% of the tips which is a great way to increase your earnings.

Cons:

  • The first con is that you have to pay for your own gas. This can obviously eat into your earnings, so it’s important to factor that in when you’re deciding whether or not to take a job.
  • The second is that the work can be unpredictable. There might be times when there are no orders available or you might get a bunch of orders all at once. This can obviously be frustrating, but it’s something you have to deal with when working for a delivery app.
  • The third is that you might have to deliver to unsafe areas. This is obviously a big concern for many people and it’s something you should definitely consider before signing up to be a Dasher.

Is DoorDash worth driving?

All in all, Doordash is a great way to make some extra money. The pros definitely outweigh the cons and as long as you’re aware of the potential risks, we think it’s a great gig for anyone looking for some flexibility in their work schedule.

Instacart

Instacart is a bit different from Doordash, in that you’re not actually delivering the food yourself. Instead, you’re picking up groceries from the store and then delivering them to the customer’s house.

If you’re someone who enjoys going grocery shopping, then this might be the gig for you.

What Are The Requirements To Become an Instacart Worker?

You need to be able to work in the United States. The second requirement is that you need to be at least 18 years of age. You need a reliable vehicle. A newer smartphone so you can have compatibility with the app. Last but not least you need to be able to lift 50 pounds of weight yourself.

Is It Easy To Become an Instacart Shopper?

The sign up process is very similar and quick just like most of the other food delivery apps. You’ll need to enter in your personal information such as your name, email, phone number, and address. They will do a background check on you and when the background check clears you will be good to go and can start shopping for orders.

What Is The Pay Model For Instacart?

Shoppers get paid per batch that they complete and you’re guaranteed to get at least $10 per batch. It is said that the average per batch is around $15-$20 per batch.

How Much Do Instacart Shoppers Make?

According to Indeed, the average hourly rate for an Instacart delivery driver is $19.29 per hour which is very good.

What Are Some of The Pros and Cons Of Instacart?

Pros :

  • Flexible schedules are the number one perk for people who choose to work for Instacart. You can set your own hours and work around your own schedule which is great for those who have other commitments such as school or another job. Just make sure you set good hours, being grocery shopping peaks during the early mornings till about 2 pm, and then again from 5 pm to 8 pm.
  • A second perk is that you don’t drive as much as other delivery drivers. Since you’re picking up the groceries from the store and then delivering them to the customer’s house, you don’t have to worry about driving around as much which can save on gas.
  • Once you get to know the stores you can get really efficient and make money much faster.
  • Lastly, you can get to know foods a little bit better which can benefit you at home.

Cons :

  • Customer support is hard to get a hold of. If you have any problems with the app or a customer, it can be difficult to get in touch with someone who can help you.
  • The job is very physically demanding. You have to be able to lift 50 pounds by yourself and walk around the store for long periods of time. This can be difficult for some people, especially if you have any physical limitations.
  • The job can be very stressful at times. If you’re not efficient, you can end up taking a long time to complete a batch which can lead to lower ratings and less money.

Is Instacart Worth It?

We think so! Overall, we think Instacart is a great gig for anyone looking for some flexibility in their schedule. The pay is good and the hours are flexible, so you can work around your other commitments. Just be aware of the potential stressors that come with the job and make sure you’re physically able to do it.

UberEats

Obviously a part of Uber, UberEats is one of the most popular food delivery apps. It’s available in many, many cities around the world and it’s continuing to grow. The best part? You can make great money with it.

If you’re already an Uber driver the good part is you can seamlessly start delivering for UberEats as well, making it a great way to boost your earnings.

What Are The Requirements To Become an UberEats Driver?

The first thing is you must be 19 years older. This is one year older than most other food delivery apps.

If you want to use a bike you just have to be 18. Keep in mind a bike should only be used in select cities where it makes sense.

You need to have a valid driver’s license. You also need to be insured under the vehicle you will be used to make deliveries.

They have a 30-pound rule where you need to be able to handle deliveries of up to 30 pounds.

Any major traffic violations or felonies could potentially keep you from becoming an UberEats driver. In order to prove all of this, you will need to pass a background check.

Is It Easy To Become an UberEats Delivery Driver?

Once you go through the easy sign-up process and are approved you will get access to the driver app.

From there it is pretty straightforward to start picking up deliveries and getting paid for them.

If you are already an Uber Driver as stated above it is even easier since you will already have the app and be familiar with it.

How Much Do UberEats Drivers Make?

According to Indeed UberEats drivers make $19.56 per hour with the low being $7.25 and the high being $42.00.

What Are The Pros and Cons Of UberEats?

Pros

  • The first pro which is the same as most delivery services is flexibility. You can log in and out whenever you want and there are no set hours. You just deliver when you want to deliver.
  • The second one is that you will be able to keep 100% of all tips given to you by customers. This is a great way to increase your earnings.
  • Lastly, there are many incentives when it comes to working for UberEats. They are always looking for ways to keep their drivers happy and motivated.

Cons

  • Waiting times for UberEats seem to be a little bit longer than other delivery apps.
  • The next con is that you won’t know your destination until you get there. This can make you feel vulnerable especially if you’re in an unfamiliar area.
  • Lastly, vehicle expenses can also add up. If you’re using your own car you have to worry about things like gas and maintenance.

Is UberEats Worth It?

UberEats is definitely worth it if you’re looking to make some extra money. It’s a great way to boost your earnings, especially if you’re already an Uber driver. The pay is good and it’s a pretty easy gig.

Of course, there are downsides like with anything else. You are essentially working for yourself so there are no set hours. This can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. You also have to deal with the elements if you’re doing it by bike which can be tough in some cities.

All in all, UberEats is a great way to make some extra money. If you’re looking for a gig that is pretty easy and pays well, this is definitely it.

Grubhub

Grubhub is one of the most popular food delivery apps and for good reason. It’s easy to use, it’s available in many cities, and it’s a great way to make money.

What Are The Requirements To Become a Grubhub Driver?

The first thing you need is to be 21 years or older. You also need to have a valid driver’s license and insurance.

You will need to pass a background check as well. Major traffic violations or felonies could disqualify you from becoming a driver.

Is It Easy To Become a Grubhub Driver?

Signing up is pretty easy and once you’re approved you will have access to the driver app.

The app is pretty straightforward and easy to use. You will be able to see all of the available orders in your area and you can choose which ones you want to deliver.

How Much Do Grubhub Drivers Make?

According to Indeed Grubhub drivers make $17.72 per hour with a low of $7.70 and a high of $31.70.

What Are The Pros and Cons Of Grubhub?

Pros

  • The payment info isn’t just an estimate. It tells you everything you need to know up front.
  • You can go on and start delivering whenever you want
  • There are a lot of different driver incentives. You can move up to a pro driver and lastly you can move up to premier where you will get more opportunities and make more money.

Cons

  • When you first start, being you are only at the partner level, you will not have access to the same number of orders as a pro driver. So when you’re starting it’s actually better to be a Doordash or UberEats driver.
  • In order to move up you need to have a good acceptance rate. If you don’t accept certain deliveries you will have a problem moving up and getting more deliveries.
  • It doesn’t show the exact mileage that you’re driving for each order, it just shows the pay.
  • Customer support may be difficult to reach.

Is Grubhub Worth it?

Grubhub is a great way to make some extra money. It’s flexible and you can work whenever you want. The pay is good and if you move up to pro or premier driver you will have access to more orders and make even more money.

Grubhub just like the other apps are constantly changing and adding new features which is a good thing because they are always improving.

Which Is The Best App To Make Money?

Although certain apps make more per hour on average than others. There’s much more to take into consideration when it comes to which ones are the best to make money for you!

The biggest thing you need to take into consideration is your market. If you live in a rural area it might be hard to make good money with any of these apps. The reason being is there just aren’t that many people and delivery opportunities.

On the other hand, if you live in a city or close to one the best thing for you to do is try each one and see which one you do the best with.

Don’t Always Make It About The Money

In most cases, all of these apps will be similar in how much you make per hour. This is why you shouldn’t base everything on that. Instead, take a look at the other factors such as how easy it is to use the app, customer service, and more.

Which Delivery App Is the Easiest To Use?

With all apps being pretty similar in pay and getting started with, let’s go over which one is the best and easiest to use.

At this time it seems as if the user interface for drivers is the best on Grubhub. Doordash is simple but has common glitches and UberEats can be difficult to navigate.

Lastly, Instacart has the biggest learning curve because you need to learn how to replace items, deal with customer service, and more.

You also need to learn how to check out and this can be difficult for some people when they’re first getting started.

Can You Use Two Apps At The Same Time?

If you’re looking to make the most money possible you can use two apps at the same time.

This can really help to boost your earnings, especially during busy times when there are a lot of delivery requests.

Of course, this isn’t for everyone and can be difficult to coordinate. But if you’re up for the challenge it’s definitely worth it!

Tips To Using Two Delivery Apps At The Same Time

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have two separate devices. This can be a smartphone and a tablet or two smartphones.

If you’re using two smartphones it’s important to have one that is on the larger side. This will make it easier to juggle both apps and manage your deliveries.

Another thing to keep in mind is that not all delivery apps are available in every city. So you’ll need to do your research to see which ones are available where you live.

When you receive a delivery request on one app, you’ll want to quickly check the other app to see if there are any requests in the same area. If there are, you can choose to do both deliveries and make more money!

If there isn’t you need to shut off the second app for the time being while you complete the first delivery.

Remember to stay focused and not to bite off more than you can chew. It’s important to complete each delivery on time so you have a good rating.

Conclusion

We hope this blog post gives you everything you need to know about the best delivery apps to make money. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below!

Also if you have any experience with using delivery apps tell us which one you like the best.

The Best Delivery Apps to Make Money, Which Should You Choose? (2024)

FAQs

What delivery apps are worth it? ›

Best Food Delivery Apps: Top 10 Food Delivery Apps (2023)
  • Toast TakeOut.
  • Uber Eats.
  • DoorDash.
  • ChowNow.
  • Grub Hub.
  • Caviar.
  • Seamless.
  • Postmates.

What pays more Uber Eats or DoorDash? ›

The short answer is that DoorDash drivers average $15-$25/hour on while Uber Eats drivers make around $10-$17/hour. Those numbers come from actual driver reviews, and it's important to understand that neither service pays a flat hourly rate.

Which app pays more Grubhub or DoorDash? ›

GrubHub Driver Pay

The average hourly pay tends to be less than DoorDash as the app is less busy in certain cities, although many exceptions apply. The platform has a more transparent earning model that can make it easier to estimate your hourly rate: $0.22 per mile driven to the pickup location and the destination.

What delivery makes the most money? ›

The food delivery service that pays the most is Instacart, with drivers reporting earning as much as $30 an hour. Before you quit your day job to deliver food, you need to consider the responsibilities of a delivery job.

What mobile delivery app pays the most? ›

Top 10 Food Delivery Services That Pay The Most
  • ‍Instacart. Hands down, Instacart is the best food delivery app for its drivers, which easily puts it at number one on our list. ...
  • Amazon Flex. ...
  • Shipt. ...
  • Favor. ...
  • GoPuff. ...
  • DoorDash. ...
  • Grubhub. ...
  • Caviar.
Jan 16, 2023

Which is better Grubhub or DoorDash? ›

For all three orders under $20, DoorDash had the cheapest total cost, sometimes by a significant margin. In total, DoorDash was nearly $10 cheaper than Grubhub and about $6 cheaper than Uber Eats.

What's better to drive for Uber Eats or DoorDash? ›

According to ZipRecruiter, Uber Eats drivers earn an average of $41,175 per year compared to DoorDash drivers' $36,565. Whereas the 25th percentile for both services earn $27,000, the 75th percentile earn $44,500 and $41,500 with Uber Eats and DoorDash, respectively. Here is how the pay works.

Does DoorDash pay for gas? ›

Unfortunately, DoorDash has never paid gas fares for its drivers, and it will continue this policy in 2023. Despite the nationwide rises in gasoline prices since the year began, dashers must cover the cost independently of their employment.

Which is better to work for DoorDash or Instacart? ›

DoorDash is likely the easier gig. You don't have to do any of the shopping that Instacart shoppers sometimes have to do. Also, DoorDash provides Peak Pay incentives that Instacart doesn't. So, there may be more earning potential with DoorDash.

What pays better than DoorDash? ›

  • DoorDash. Earning potential: $20 to $25/hour. ...
  • Instacart. Earning potential: $15 to $20/hour. ...
  • Shipt. Earning potential: $15 to $20/hour. ...
  • Uber Eats/Postmates. Earning potential: $15 to $20/hour. ...
  • GrubHub. Earning potential: $12 to $15/hour. ...
  • Amazon Flex. Earning potential: $18 to $25/hour. ...
  • Caviar. ...
  • Favor.
6 days ago

Who pays better Uber or Grubhub? ›

According to Indeed salary reviews, Uber Eats pays drivers $14.97 per hour on average. This is over $1 more on average than Grubhub, and from the drivers I have interviewed, most drivers say Uber Eats pay more than most driving gigs.

Does Instacart pay well? ›

Our stats show that the national average of hourly earnings for Instacart drivers was between $15 and $16 in the first three months of 2022. Notice that being a full-service shopper puts you ahead of in-store shoppers, as their actual average hourly pay is more like $14, and can be much lower than that.

Does DoorDash pay daily? ›

Drivers delivering with DoorDash are paid weekly via a secured direct deposit to their personal bank account — or via no-fee daily deposits with DasherDirect (U.S. Only). Dashers in the U.S. and Canada can withdraw their earnings once daily with Fast Pay ($1.99 per transfer).

Is Instacart worth it? ›

With an Instacart Express membership, you get free delivery on orders over $35 and can waive the service fees. This makes Instacart Express well worth the up-front cost if online shopping is the primary method you have of getting groceries.

What app pays the most the fastest? ›

The Highest Paying Apps to Make Money Online
  • Swagbucks ($5 signup bonus) ...
  • Public.com (free stock worth up to $300) ...
  • Webull (free stock worth up to $30,000+) ...
  • Moomoo (free stock worth up to $30,000) ...
  • InboxDollars ($5 signup bonus) ...
  • Rakuten Insight. ...
  • MyPoints ($10 signup bonus) ...
  • Fetch.
Feb 7, 2023

Does Grubhub pay well? ›

The average salary for Delivery Driver at Grubhub in California is $17.34 per hour, which is 5% above the national average.

Is Grubhub driver worth it? ›

Grubhub is an excellent way to make extra money on the side. Some drivers prefer to drive full-time and others would rather work part-time. It's all up to you. If you just want to pick up some hours on the side, a Grubhub paycheck is a great side hustle that can supplement your income.

Does DoorDash pay for waiting? ›

Base pay will be calculated using the guaranteed hourly rate and your total time spent on the delivery— from when you accept an order to when you complete it (or it's canceled), including the wait time at the merchant.

How do you get the most money on DoorDash? ›

How To Make More Money With DoorDash? Our Best Tips
  1. Dash During the Best Times of the Day.
  2. Provide Excellent Customer Service.
  3. Get to Know Your Delivery Area.
  4. Maximize Your Tax Deductions.
  5. Don't Be a Fair Weather Driver.
  6. Maintain a Good Acceptance Rate.
  7. Accept DoorDash Challenges.
  8. Become a Top Dasher.
Oct 20, 2022

Does DoorDash charge a monthly fee? ›

The subscription is currently $9.99/month or $96 annually, and you can cancel anytime prior to the renewal date with no strings attached. We also offer a DashPass for Students program, giving eligible students membership to DashPass at a discounted charge of $4.99 a month or $48 annually.

Do you make more with Uber or Uber Eats? ›

Though Uber Eats drivers earn more per hour, overall earnings are fairly consistent across the major food delivery apps. If you're deciding between Uber Eats and another service like rideshare or package delivery, it's worth noting that food delivery pays the lowest per hour.

Do you make more money with Uber or Lyft? ›

If you're simply looking at which company's drivers make more, Lyft's hourly average of $17.50 is higher than Uber's average of $15.68. Lyft also boasts better driver satisfaction.

Do you make more money with DoorDash or Instacart? ›

Does Instacart Or DoorDash Pay More? Instacart generally pays more than DoorDash per delivery. However, an Instacart batch can easily take an hour or longer, so you complete more DoorDash deliveries per hour. This means most drivers make more with DoorDash than Instacart since orders are steadier.

How much can you make with DoorDash in 3 hours? ›

The average income for most DoorDash drivers ranges between $15 and $25 per hour. You may also earn more than this if you get plenty of additional income from tips for your orders.

Does DoorDash give 100 of tips to drivers? ›

Yes! Dashers receive 100% of all customer tips that DoorDash receives, including those earned on DoorDash Drive orders. Many customers tip as they place an order during order checkout, and you will see these tips listed immediately in your earnings.

Does DoorDash take taxes out? ›

One of the most common questions Dashers have is, “Does DoorDash take taxes out of my paycheck?” The answer is no. As an independent contractor, the responsibility to pay your taxes falls on your shoulders.

Is it better to work for Grubhub or Uber Eats? ›

According to Indeed salary reviews, Uber Eats pays drivers $14.97 per hour on average. This is over $1 more on average than Grubhub, and from the drivers I have interviewed, most drivers say Uber Eats pay more than most driving gigs.

Is Uber Eats or DoorDash cheaper? ›

You should now know that DoorDash usually has lower fees than Uber Eats. Both restaurants and customers can get cheaper deals through DoorDash than via the Uber Eats online platform or mobile app. Sometimes, you may see lower delivery fees at Uber Eats. But, overall, DoorDash is the cheaper option.

Do you make more money with Grubhub? ›

Grubhub driver pay and the company's future

At the beginning of 2022, Grubhub led the pack when it came to earnings per trip. At an average of $10.28 per trip, Grubhub paid better than either DoorDash or Uber Eats.

Do you make more with Grubhub or Postmates? ›

Winner: Make a comparison Grubhub vs Postmates drivers can seem difficult. But if money is important for you, you should know that! According to Indeed a GrubHub driver earns an average of $19.60 per hour, and a Postmates courier earns an average of $24.95 per hour.

Is it better to work for Uber Eats or DoorDash? ›

While both delivery services have a lot going for them, DoorDash comes out on top. Uber Eats is simple and user-friendly, but DoorDash has more flexible features, such as scheduling and fewer delivery vehicle restrictions, and higher average pay.

Is working for DoorDash better than Uber? ›

DoorDash is most highly rated for Work/life balance and Uber is most highly rated for Work/life balance.
...
Overall Rating.
Overall Rating3.33.6
Work/life balance4.03.7
Compensation and benefits2.53.1
Job security and advancement2.62.9
Management2.73.1
1 more row

Should I do Uber Eats or DoorDash? ›

While both apps charge a small order fee if your subtotal falls below a specific minimum, DoorDash often has a lower order minimum than Uber Eats, meaning the small order fee is typically excluded if you're only ordering a single item. So, DoorDash tends to be the cheaper option for small orders.

Can you make 200 a day with Grubhub? ›

Does Grubhub pay Drivers daily? Drivers are able to cash their earnings out up to $500 a day using the Instant Cash Out feature, which is free for Chase Bank customers and $. 50 each for all other bank customers.

How much does Grubhub pay for mileage? ›

Instead of paying drivers a flat delivery rate, Grubhub bases pay on time and distance. Drivers receive approximately 13 cents per minute and 22 cents per mile.

What is the downside of Instacart? ›

More Expensive. If you are on a mission to save money, Instacart is not a good option because you have to pay not only delivery fees but also the tip for the shopper and a service fee.

Is Instacart or DoorDash better? ›

DoorDash is likely the easier gig. You don't have to do any of the shopping that Instacart shoppers sometimes have to do. Also, DoorDash provides Peak Pay incentives that Instacart doesn't. So, there may be more earning potential with DoorDash.

Do Instacart Shoppers get paid well? ›

You can expect to be paid between $5 to $10 per delivery, for an average of $17 per hour including tips. Instacart pays weekly as long as you have made at least $5. The limit is $3,000 per day, so it is possible to earn a lot of money with Instacart.

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