Food delivery services have seen a major spike in popularity over the recent years thanks to their convenience and ease of use, as well as their potential for job opportunities.
If you’re thinking of starting to drive for a food delivery service, you might be wondering which is the best food delivery service to work for.
This article will compare the four major players of Doordash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Postmates to help you gain clarity and reach a decision on your quest for your next side hustle!
The Best Food Delivery Service to Work For (An Overview)
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding which is the best food delivery service to work for:
What is the Best Food Delivery Service to Work For?
What the best food delivery service to work for depends entirely on you and your personal needs.
Each one offers unique perks and benefits which can cater to all kinds of desires and lifestyles.
However, it is a well-known industry secret that DoorDash drivers have a high rate of employee satisfaction.
What Food Delivery Service Pays the Most Money?
As it currently stands, Uber Eats is the service that pays the most money, with an average hourly rate of $19.77 an hour.
However, this is an average, so not all drivers can expect to earn this wage!
While some may earn more, others will earn less – especially if they are in a less densely populated area.
Who Pays More – Uber Eats or DoorDash?
Uber Eats pays around $19.77 an hour on average, while DoorDash only pays $15.
However, these are average sand therefore the exact pay rates vary from city to city and fluctuate based on numerous factors!
Overview of Major Food Delivery Services
While there are many different food delivery service options out there, a select few rise to the top as the major players!
Here is an overview of the biggest and most popular food services out there:
DoorDash
DoorDash is the largest food delivery service in the United States and has quickly become many people’s go-to way to order takeout and meals at home!
Founded in 2012, the platform offers food delivery and food ordering services.
Due to its immense popularity and user base, DoorDash can be found not only in the United States but also in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Germany.
Uber Eats
What started as a ride-sharing service called Uber has expanded into an empire that offers so much more!
Uber Eats is a subsidiary of the parent company Uber and allows users to order their favorite restaurant meals right to their door.
Uber Eats is one of the most widely available platforms, servicing over 6,000 cities in 45 countries (including the United States).
It is often considered DoorDash’s main competitor due to the popularity it has gained over the last decade.
GrubHub
Whether you’re looking to order from your favorite chain, or want to support local and try that new Italian place down the street, GrubHub has got you covered!
The platform (which was created back in 2004) is one of the most popular ways those in the United States order their favorite meals to their homes.
While not as big as some of the other platforms, Grubhub has still amassed over 29 million users and operates in all 50 states.
Postmates
Founded in 2012, Postmates is another major player in the food delivery industry!
The platform is actually owned by Uber, but it operates as its own entity. Users can order restaurant-prepared meals and other goods to a destination of their choice on demand using the platform.
They partner with over 600,000 retailers, grocers, and restaurants, which means users are spoilt for choice – and with availability in over 2,900 cities across the US, Postmates makes it all too easy to eat well!
Pay Structure Comparison
One of the key features of all the above food delivery apps is that they are also gig-working apps!
This means that delivery drivers are not paid a salary or a set value and instead earn as they go based on a number of values. Here is a breakdown of each platform’s pay structure:
DoorDash
The calculation for how much DoorDash pays is relatively simple.
It is made up of a base pay rate that varies depending on the time, distance, and difficulty of the order, promotions (which could be anything from challenge rewards to extra cash for driving during busy times), and tips.
All this together means the average DoorDash driver earns about $15 an hour, though this varies from city to city.
Uber Eats
Much like DoorDash, Uber Eats pays drivers based on several factors that are combined together.
These are the base fare, a trip supplement fare that is added or increased if a trip is long or particularly difficult, Uber delivery promotions such as surge pricing, and then any tips that the customer decides to pay the driver.
It is thought that the average Uber Eats driver makes around $19.77 per hour.
GrubHub
The GrubHub pay structure is based on base pay, which varies based on the mileage, length, and type of delivery, as well as the local market.
On top of this, Grubhub offers extra pay for missions and special offers which can be anything from delivering during a certain time to completing a certain number of orders in a specified time frame.
Plus, GrubHub drivers keep 100% of all tips earned on the job – which leads to an average pay rate of about $15 an hour!
Postmates
Postmates takes a few more factors into account when deciding its pay structure compared to some of the other platforms.
These factors include how long the driver waits at the pickup and drop-off points, a per-minute rate, a per-mile rate, bonuses (for things such as rush hour delivery and special promotions), and customer tips.
This means that Postmates drivers usually earn about $18.78 per hour.
Flexibility and Work Hours
One of the best parts about driving and delivering for a food delivery platform is how flexible the work hours are!
All platforms work around the clock, so you can technically clock on or off whenever you like.
There is no minimum or maximum of hours you can work; whether you want to work 12 or 50 hours a week, you can! You can make this your main gig, or a side hustle – the options are truly up to you.
However, the work may not be consistent depending on what time of day it is.
Peak hours are usually lunch (between 11 am-2 pm) and dinner time (5 pm-8 pm).
You can also expect the early hours of the morning to be busy on the weekends as people need to get their post-party food fix!
While your work schedule is technically flexible, you will need to try to drive during these peak periods if you want to make a decent amount of cash.
Additionally, the more popular platforms (Uber Eats and Post Mates) will be busier than others as they have a wider customer and restaurant base.
This means that while the work is flexible in terms of hours and platforms, most drivers try to work around specific times and on specific apps to maximize their income.
This is something to keep in mind if you are thinking about beginning to drive for a food delivery platform.
Geographic Suitability
While Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, and Grubhub all offer the same basic service, they have some key differences between them.
One of the key differences is the geographic suitability of each platform. Where you want to drive will dictate which platform is right for you, as not all offer the same geographic options.
If you are looking for a delivery gig with lots of available orders but short driving times, you are best suited to driving in a big city.
This is because most of the restaurants operate within the city itself, so delivery of food to residents isn’t too much and the higher population means a higher number of orders.
Doordash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Postmates all operate in major cities, so you will have no problem finding enough work.
However, if you are looking for a more laid-back, relaxed gig, then driving in a more urban or rural area is likely the better option for you due to the lower number of restaurants and people to place the orders.
As the two biggest services, Doordash and Uber Eats are more likely to service these areas – making them the better platforms to choose when picking which one to start driving for.
Doordash in particular is the most likely to be found in smaller, quieter towns, so keep this in mind if this is the kind of gig you are looking for!
Driver Requirements and Onboarding Process
Doordash
To onboard and begin driving with DoorDash, you need to be 18 years or older and have a smartphone in order to complete the sign-up form.
The signup form includes a background check where the company will check your criminal and any other necessary records.
There are no specific car requirements; you simply need a clean and full license and insurance!
Uber Eats
The UberEats onboarding process requires you to be at least 19 years old.
You need to have a 2-door or 4-door car, as well as a full, clean driver’s license that is in your name.
You will also need to submit your social security number and pass Uber’s background checks and screenings before you are permitted to drive.
GrubHub
The GrubHub requirements are a little more comprehensive than others.
You need to be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license, as well as an iPhone with iOS 11 or higher or an Android with 5.0 or higher with a data plan.
You also need a valid social security number, and will be required to pass
extensive background checks. Finally, you must have auto insurance on your car.
Postmates
The Postmates vehicle requirements simply require you to have a working vehicle and auto insurance.
However, you are required to have a smartphone that runs on at least Android 5.0 or iOS 11!
Drivers must have a valid license, a social security number, and be at least 18 years old. Drivers also must pass the background and criminal record checks that are a part of the onboarding process.
Pros and Cons of Each Service
Nothing is perfect, and these food delivery services have their pros and cons. Here are some of the most important pros and cons of each to keep in mind when choosing a platform to begin driving with.
DoorDash
As the dominating force in the food delivery industry, DoorDash offers a massive advantage in the fact that it always has plenty of gigs available!
No matter the time of day, it is likely people are ordering on DoorDash and thus need drivers.
However, a major downside of driving for DoorDash is that many deliveries require you to interact with the customer.
This can be a major turn-off for people who want an independent and laid-back job without dealing with potentially grumpy or rude customers.
Uber Eats
As it currently stands, Uber Eats is one of the highest-paying delivery services – which is an important upside to driving for the service!
You can expect to make a reasonable amount of money driving for Uber Eats, provided you work during peak hours.
However, a flaw often talked about by drivers is the faulty navigation system on the app.
Many drivers complain that the navigation system regularly leads them astray, which can make delivery times lengthy and customers unhappy.
GrubHub
One of Grubhub’s biggest pros is its guaranteed minimum pay, which ensures all drivers earn a certain amount that is over minimum wage as long as they are clocked into the app.
This sets the platform apart from the rest and is an attractive offer for drivers.
However, GrubHub’s main con is that it is notorious for surge and fluctuating pricing, which also means that driver pay can oscillate a lot.
This makes it difficult if you are trying to make a set amount and want to have a good idea of how much you’ll earn in a week before you even start!
Postmates
Postmates offers something called Blitz Pricing, which is an increase in pay during busy periods.
This is a major pro, as it allows drivers to earn some serious cash on top of their base pay and other pay contributors.
However, Postmates doesn’t require their customers to tip. This can cause a serious hit to driver earnings, as a good chunk of the pay relies on tips from the customers.
Case Scenarios: Which Service Fits Best?
Food delivery services are not a one-size-fits-all matter, and some platforms are better than others in certain scenarios.
For example, if you live in a major city and want to make food delivery driving your full-time gig, Uber Eats and DoorDash are your best options.
These apps are larger than the others and partner with more restaurants, which increases the number of potential orders and customers available.
In particular, Doordash is the best option for those looking for full-time work as it takes up over half of the market share and dominates the industry – offering plenty of work and gig opportunities.
However, if you want a more part-time job – perhaps you are a student, or someone looking for a side hustle – then GrubHub is likely the better option for you.
GrubHub does not have as many partner restaurants; however, it still operates in many cities across the country which makes it a viable option for many potential drivers.
The flexibility offered by Grubhub is great for those working the gig around another commitment, but it still offers enough work and pay thanks to its minimum earnings guarantee!
People who love variety and want to do something different every day will appreciate driving for Postmates.
Postmates deliveries aren’t limited to just takeout and restaurant food and offer everything from grocery to package delivery services.
Postmates is ideal for those who are looking for a change and want to ensure every day at work brings a new challenge.
However, regardless of any specifics, any of the four options listed above will be a great choice if you are looking for a way to earn some extra cash on the side.
Provided that the platform of your choice is in your city or area and you pass the requirements and relevant checks, delivery driving can be a fantastic way for you to boost your income!
Wrapping Up
DoorDash, Uber Eats, Postmates, and GrubHub are all fantastic food delivery services to work for!
While major players like DoorDash and Uber Eats offer many gig opportunities and competitive pay rates, GrubHub, and Postmates are fantastic options for part-timers or casual drivers.
Ultimately, the best food delivery service to work for will depend on your circumstances and preferences, and you should closely evaluate what you’re looking to get out of delivery driving before deciding which platform is best.
