9 Apps Similar To Doordash [& Why They’re Great]

Are you a DoorDash driver but unsatisfied with the service? Are you searching for alternate delivery apps to make a living delivering orders? Look no further!

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore apps similar to DoorDash that provide delivery services.

Join us as we compare the features, pros, and cons of the most popular delivery apps currently available.

An Overview of Apps Similar to DoorDash

DoorDash is one of the most popular food delivery apps in the world.

The service was established in 2013 and has gained popularity since then, expanding its services across the USA, Canada, and Australia.

It has surpassed a global total of 32 million users, with most of them based in the US.

DoorDash allows users to conveniently order food from a wide range of restaurants, all from the comfort of their homes.

As a delivery driver, it’s crucial to be aware of apps like DoorDash as they provide opportunities to earn money by delivering orders.

What Is an App Similar to DoorDash?

Apps like DoorDash are applications that function in a similar way to DoorDash, allowing users to order meals and groceries.

These applications work by reaching out to local eateries and hiring independent contractors like yourself to deliver orders to customers.

Why Are Apps Similar to DoorDash Important?

These apps provide you with the opportunity to work as a delivery person by delivering food and groceries to customers.

Additionally, the existence of similar applications generally leads to competition among companies. This healthy competition benefits end users, including yourself.

With multiple apps of a similar nature available, companies strive to provide better salaries and benefits to their riders to grow their workforce and expand their operations.

Do I Need an App Similar to DoorDash?

There are certain situations where you’d need an application like DoorDash.

For instance, if DoorDash is unavailable in your area, you’d require an alternative app to deliver food.

Similarly, if you feel DoorDash doesn’t meet your standards or align with your personal preferences, you may want to explore other food delivery services.

The Best Apps Similar to DoorDash at a Glance

Let’s quickly explore the best overall alternative to DoorDash.

What Is the Best App Similar to DoorDash?

The best app similar to DoorDash is Instacart.

Instacart offers excellent features and benefits to its drivers, a user-friendly interface, and is widely used by customers.

What Is the Most Popular App Similar to Doordash?

The most popular app next to DoorDash is Uber Eats.

With a user count of over 81 million worldwide, Uber Eats has achieved an impressive feat, making it the most popular food delivery service globally.

Features to Look For in Apps Similar to DoorDash

Here’s a list of features to consider when selecting an alternative food delivery service to work for.

It’s important to ensure that these features are available and compare them before making your decision.

• Navigation System: The delivery app should include a built-in navigation system that’s accurate and displays the fastest route to deliver orders. This feature will enable you to maximize efficiency.
• Order Management: An order management system should be implemented that allows you to accept orders from customers, track your activity, and provides a clear listing of pick-up and drop-off times.
• Easy-to-Use Interface: Ensure that your chosen application has a clean and seamless user interface. It should be easy to use, navigate, and accessible to users of all types.
• Flexible Schedule: The app should provide you with flexibility in choosing your working hours, allowing you to set and adjust your schedule based on your availability.
• Earning Information: The app’s pay structure should be transparently outlined, featuring the base pay, tips, and any other factors that contribute to earnings. This will enable you to calculate and manage your finances effectively.
• Easy Cash Out: Make sure the app provides a convenient method for cashing out your earnings through direct bank deposit. This enables you to easily access your income whenever you need it.
• Communication With Customer: Look for apps that include a communication channel between customers and delivery drivers. This ensures that in the event of any issues along the way, you can provide updates to the customer.
• In-App Support: In-app support for drivers is essential in case you encounter a challenging situation and need assistance.
• Incentives: Some apps offer additional rewards and benefits to their riders as incentives to motivate them to perform better.

Best Apps Similar to DoorDash: Our Top 3 Options [Ranked & Reviewed]

Let’s get to the exciting part you’ve been waiting for: our top three choices for apps like DoorDash.

1. Instacart: Our Pick

Instacart is an on-demand delivery service that allows users to conveniently order household goods and groceries from local stores and have them delivered to their doorstep with just a few taps.

With more than 13.7 million active users recorded in 2022 and an estimated 600,000 “shoppers” or delivery personnel, Instacart stands as one of the biggest competitors to DoorDash in the United States.

Key Features of Instacart

Here are the key features offered by Instacart:

• Fast Cash Outs: Instacart allows its shoppers to cash out after just two hours of delivering an order.
• Tip Protection: If a customer doesn’t tip after you deliver their order, and no issues have been reported against you, Instacart will cover the amount of the tip up to a maximum of $10.
• Cart Star Rewards: Instacart has introduced a rewards program for its consistently performing shoppers. This entitles them to premium rewards such as gas incentives and priority access to batches.
• Peak Earning Days: The peak earning tab within the app enables you to view the base batch earnings for each day of the week in advance. This allows you to plan your schedule ahead of time and maximize your earnings.
• In-Store Navigation: The Instacart application has a helpful in-store navigation feature, allowing shoppers to find items with ease.

Pros of Instacart

The benefits of working for Instacart include, but are not limited to:

• Flexible Schedule: As an Instacart shopper, you can set your working hours and work as much or as little as you desire. This flexibility will allow you to make time for personal commitments.
• Choose Your Orders: Instacart allows its shoppers to choose which orders they wish to deliver and which orders they wish to decline. If an order isn’t to your liking or the delivery is too far, you can decline it.
• Tips: Like other similar food delivery apps, Instacart shoppers have the opportunity to receive tips and compliments from customers. If you deliver an order promptly and follow the customer’s instructions accurately, you can expect to receive a generous tip.

Cons of Instacart

Here are some drawbacks to keep in mind when deciding to use Instacart:

• Physical Labor: Delivering orders often involves lifting heavy packages, which can be tiring and physically demanding. Instacart requires its shoppers to be capable of lifting 40 pounds.
• Lack of Job Security: As working for Instacart is a gig economy job, there’s no job security.
• Heavy Workload: During peak hours, you may need to handle multiple orders simultaneously, which can be challenging.

Instacart Income

According to Indeed, Instacart shoppers earn an average hourly wage of $21.15. However, this amount depends on the number of orders you complete and the size of each order.

Our Take: Should You Choose Instacart?

Instacart is an excellent delivery service with impressive features and benefits that make it a worthwhile option to consider.

The features, reliability, and competitive hourly pay it offers its shoppers place it at the top of our list and make it one of the best food delivery apps.

2. Uber Eats: Runner Up

Uber Eats is a food delivery app that allows users to order dishes from their favorite restaurants and have them delivered to their location.

The service was launched by Uber in 2014 and has since grown, accumulating a user base of over 81 million worldwide.

In 2021 alone, Uber Eats delivered an astonishing 1.7 billion orders, making it the most popular delivery app in the world.

Key Features of Uber Eats

These features set Uber Eats apart from the numerous apps delivering food available:

• Track Your Earnings: Uber Eats allows drivers to access their earnings within the app, enabling you to view your progress and summarize your earnings.
• Busy Area Alerts: The app alerts you to active areas near your location, enabling you to plan your delivery route accordingly.
• 24/7 Support: Uber Eats offers drivers round-the-clock support, ensuring they receive assistance if they ever find themselves in a difficult situation.
• Order Tracking: The Uber Eats application includes a real-time order tracking system. This clearly displays the delivery location and the approximate time of delivery.

Pros of Uber Eats

Uber Eats offers a plethora of benefits to its drivers, with the following two being the most prominent.

• Instant Cash Out: With Uber Eats, you have the flexibility to withdraw your earnings through multiple methods. You can either opt for a weekly bank deposit or choose to cash out whenever you wish using Instant Pay. This feature enables you to cash out up to five times a day as long as your earnings exceed $1.
• Easy Work: Becoming a delivery driver for Uber Eats is easy. If you have a smartphone and know how to use a navigation app, you’ll be able to learn how to work in just a few hours.

Cons of Uber Eats

Let’s take a look at some downsides to work for Uber Eats.

• Lack of Orders: On some days or during specific hours, there may be a lack of orders from customers. If this occurs frequently, try working during peak hours of the day.
• Not Receiving Tips: At times, customers may refuse to tip you for your food delivery services. This can be frustrating, especially if you have done everything correctly and delivered the order within the allotted time frame.

Uber Eats Income

Statistics from ZipRecruiter show that Uber Eats drivers earn an average of $19 per hour or $39,063 per year.

Our Take: Should You Choose Uber Eats?

Uber Eats is a solid option to consider if you’re looking for a reliable company that offers decent pay to its drivers.

The instant cash-out feature is also useful for those who require daily cash, and with the abundance of orders on the app every day and the high earning rates during peak hours, you’ll be able to earn money effortlessly.

3. Grubhub: Also Great

Grubhub is one of the popular food delivery apps that’s accessible through both mobile and website. It aims to connect users with local restaurants.

According to research, Grubhub has around 28.3 million active users who utilize the platform at least once a month to order food.

The service has partnered with over 300,000 restaurants across 4,000 cities.

Key Features of Grubhub

The key features of Grubhub include:

• Seamless Interface: Both the website and the application provide a smooth user experience, allowing drivers to view delivery requests and locations.
• Driver Rewards: By partnering with Grubhub, you become eligible for exclusive discounts and perks. Claiming these rewards is a breeze; you’ll only provide your email address to enjoy the benefits.
• Guaranteed Minimum: With Grubhub, you’re guaranteed to earn a minimum hourly wage, even if you don’t have any orders to deliver. This feature is useful during slow hours when there’s a lack of incoming orders.
• Instant Cash Out: The instant cash-out feature allows you to transfer your earnings directly to your bank account or debit card whenever you wish, providing you with the convenience of withdrawing your earnings effortlessly.
• Schedule Blocks: Grubhub drivers can reserve blocks, which increases their flexibility. If they’re unable to reserve blocks, Grubhub also allows them to deliver without scheduling.

Pros of Grubhub

Grubhub drivers gain the following benefits:

• No Car Requirements: Grubhub doesn’t require its drivers to have a car to be eligible for delivery. Unlike many similar apps, it allows the use of a bike to deliver orders, making it more inclusive and accommodating for drivers.
• Keep All Tips: Unlike other food delivery apps, Grubhub allows drivers to keep all the tips they receive from customers.

Cons of Grubhub

Every delivery application has its drawbacks, and Grubhub is no exception.

• Low Pay Rates: Some customer reviews have complained about Grubhub paying low rates to their drivers, even for distant orders. This can be frustrating and have a negative impact.
• Penalties: Grubhub strives to maintain a reliable reputation for its drivers, which is why they impose penalties on drivers who miss their shifts or drop an order. These penalties result in a decrease in your driver score, ultimately leading to fewer order assignments.

Grubhub Income

How much you earn depends on the base delivery pay, Grubhub contribution, and special offers. Tips are an additional bonus.

According to Indeed, independent contractors for Grubhub earn an average of $15.82 per hour.

Our Take: Should You Choose Grubhub?

The answer to this question depends on your wants and preferences. If you like getting promos and enjoying the convenience, Grubhub can be worth considering.

However, it’s equally important to consider the delivery fees and occasional issues that may arise during your food delivery experience.

Notable Mentions: Other Apps Like DoorDash to Check Out

Here are other delivery applications like DoorDash to consider:

4. Amazon Flex: Best Flexibility

Amazon Flex is a delivery program launched by Amazon in 2015 and currently operates in 100 cities in the US.

Amazon hires delivery drivers to deliver packages to customers at their doorsteps. There are five main types of delivery options available, including the option to order from local restaurants.

Why Is Amazon Flex a Great Option?

Amazon Flex allows its drivers to reserve delivery blocks ahead of time. If you like planning your day beforehand, you’ll find this feature useful.

Additionally, the amount you’ll be able to earn from the block will be visible before you choose to reserve it.

Drawbacks to Amazon Flex

The main drawback of Amazon Flex is its limited availability. The application isn’t yet operational in all cities, so if your city isn’t listed, you’re out of luck.

With hundreds of other drivers working, the job can be highly competitive, and you may face difficulties in reserving blocks.

If you miss a block or fail to forfeit it 45 minutes before the scheduled time, you’ll face penalties. Continuous penalization will lead to job termination.

Amazon Flex doesn’t provide any incentives to its drivers, and you’ll be responsible for covering gas and parking fees.

Amazon Flex Income

Amazon delivery personnel earn between $18 and $25 per hour. According to ZipRecruiter, the average earnings for Amazon delivery persons are $20 per hour.

5. Postmates: On-Demand Delivery

Postmates is another on-demand delivery service that allows users to purchase food, groceries, and similar items.

Launched in 2011, Postmates marketed itself as the new Craigslist in town. The service originally catered to small businesses but eventually expanded its operations to deliver to customers as well.

Postmates hires independent contractors to deliver orders to these customers.

Why Is Postmates a Great Option?

Postmates allows customers to order both food and groceries, providing more delivery opportunities compared to other apps that only focus on a single category of items.

It also offers a signup bonus to new riders who enter a referral code during the signup process.

Additionally, any tips you receive from customers are entirely yours to keep.

Drawbacks to Postmates

As an independent contractor, gas and vehicle maintenance costs will come out of your pocket.

Postmates offers a waiting time fee of only $0.10 per minute, which is considerably lower compared to its competitors.

This, combined with the inconsistent pay structure of a gig economy job, makes drivers hesitant to choose Postmates.

Postmates Income

How much you earn depends on the order pick-up rate, drop-off rate, per-minute rate, and per-mile rate.

As a Postmates driver, your average earnings will amount to $19 per hour.

6. Caviar: Best for Premium Restaurants

Founded in 2012, Caviar is a food delivery platform that focuses on connecting users with a wide range of premium restaurants.

Why Is Caviar a Great Option?

Since Caviar exclusively partners with premium restaurants and caters to high-end clients, you have the potential to earn higher revenue through tips.

Customers are unable to rate delivery personnel, which can be advantageous compared to other services, where negative customer reviews can create difficulties for drivers.

Caviar also provides exceptional in-app support to drivers, ensuring that issues are promptly resolved through live support.

Drawbacks to Caviar

Caviar is only available in select cities, so work opportunities are limited, and demand is less. It may not be the optimal choice for everyone.

Additionally, it has strict signup requirements for its drivers. You’ll need to pass a background check and have auto insurance to be eligible, which can be quite a hassle.

Caviar Income

Caviar states that its drivers can earn up to $25 per hour.

According to Indeed, the average pay rate for Caviar drivers is around $24.78 per hour or $59,557 per year.

7. Shipt: Get Paid Per Order

Shipt lets users order groceries and other household items for delivery. It was launched in 2014 and has become popular as a time-saving online grocery delivery service.

You can either choose to work as a shopper, driver, or both.

Why Is Shipt a Great Option?

Unlike some of its competitors, Shipt has a straightforward payment structure that allows you to calculate your earnings due to its predictability.

There’s added flexibility as Shipt allows you to schedule your work in advance, and you’re paid per order rather than per hour.

Drawbacks to Shipt

While Shipt pays a consistent wage per order, certain shops on the platform offer low pay to shoppers and drivers.

Before accepting an order on Shipt, you’re unable to see the items included in the order. This means you may end up having to carry heavy items while shopping and delivering.

Shipt Income

According to data from Glassdoor, both Shipt shoppers and drivers earn an average of $18 per hour.

8. Gopuff: No Third-Party Interaction

Gopuff specializes in delivering everyday essentials. Launched in 2013, it caters to customers seeking a convenient and fast delivery experience.

Why Is Gopuff a Great Option?

Gopuff operates its strategically located convenience stores.

These stores stock up to 4,000 items, and as a driver for Gopuff, you’ll be responsible for shopping directly from these stores without involving any third-party stores.

It also guarantees its drivers a minimum rate, ensuring they can earn even during periods of lower demand.

Drawbacks to Gopuff

Gopuff has a high minimum age requirement of 21, which makes it inconvenient for teens seeking to earn extra cash by delivering groceries.

You may also experience a significant waiting period if Gopuff isn’t currently hiring in your area.

Gopuff Income

According to Indeed, delivery drivers at Gopuff earn an average hourly salary of $14.84.

9. Saucey: Best for Alcohol Delivery

Saucey is a delivery platform that offers alcohol delivery services to its customers and has expanded its offerings to tobacco products.

Established in 2013, Saucey operates in most major cities across the US.

Why Is Saucey a Great Option?

Saucey offers a flexible job schedule, allowing you to choose when to deliver orders.

Its staff is helpful and provides support to drivers through its application.

Drawbacks to Saucey

Since Saucey exclusively caters to alcohol delivery, drivers must be above the age of 21. Additionally, not all cities in the US are supported by the service, resulting in fewer opportunities.

As an independent contractor working for Saucey, you’ll be responsible for paying your taxes and reporting your earnings.

Saucey Income

According to data gathered by Indeed, Saucey delivery drivers earn an average hourly pay of $18.

Other Options Relevant to Apps Similar to DoorDash

You may also find these guides helpful:

• The 9 Best Apps for Udemy Teachers: Are you a teacher uploading courses on Udemy? Check out our guide on the best apps to improve your earnings and attain success.
• 9+ Best Apps to Make Money: Explore the nine best apps to earn extra cash and diversify your revenue stream today.
• 9+ Best Passive Income Apps: Short on time and seeking to generate passive income? Our comprehensive guide will teach you everything there’s to know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping Up

There are several excellent delivery apps like DoorDash, each offering great features and benefits.

However, Instacart stands as the best delivery app due to the exceptional benefits it offers, including tip protection, instant cash-outs, and peak earning days.

Still, each app is different and offers something unique, so the choice of which app to use depends on your preferences and needs.

We hope this article helped you reach a conclusion about your next delivery application.

Feel free to share your thoughts about these apps in the comments box below. If you found this guide useful, consider sharing it with your friends and family so they can benefit from it as well.