9 Best Delivery Services to Work For: Ranked and Reviewed

Are you looking for a part-time or seasonal gig that earns you an extra buck while allowing you freedom and autonomy?

Delivery service jobs boast flexibility, ease of entry, and the promise of a fair wage.

You can become a delivery service driver today by only checking off a few easy boxes, which include having a reliable vehicle or bike, a smartphone, and a valid driver’s license.

When you have these prerequisites in order, you just have to choose which company to work for. So, read on to discover the nine best food delivery services out there.

An Overview of the Best Delivery Services to Work For

Service delivery is a fast-growing industry. In 2023, couriers and local delivery services in the USA are responsible for a 5.4% employment growth rate.

This brings the number of employees in this industry to 1,199,750 in the USA in 2023, which is a significant increase from 1,074,410 employees in 2021.

What Is a Delivery Service?

A delivery service is an online app or platform with a network of drivers (mostly independent contractors) to deliver food, groceries, packages, or other products.

As a delivery service driver, you’re responsible for picking up these items from businesses and transporting them to customers who ordered them.

Why Are Delivery Services Important?

Deliver services are a high-income generator in the gig economy. They allow people to earn a few extra bucks whenever they have time to spare.

The convenience of having groceries, food, and other packages delivered to one’s doorstep has increased the demand for these services, which makes it a side hustle many people can rely on.

Why Do I Need to Work For Delivery Service?

Jobs in the delivery service industry are diverse, and you get to choose the type of gig that aligns with your skills, interests, and preferences.

Since these jobs are either short-term or freelance and allow you to work according to your schedule, you can become a delivery service provider even if you work a full-time job.

The Best Delivery Services to Work for at a Glance

The best delivery service to work for should offer guaranteed minimum pay, transparent pay structures, flexible scheduling, efficient order assignment, and reliable customer and driver support.

What Is the Best Delivery Service to Work For?

Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been a gig worker for some time, Uber Eats is the best food delivery service you can work for.

Being one of the most popular delivery apps, Uber Eats has a huge customer base, which translates into more earning opportunities for you.

The app also comes with a user-friendly interface that supports real-time tracking of your earnings and easy in-app navigation.

Which Delivery Service Offers The Best Compensation?

Instacart is one of the highest-paying delivery services on our list.

As a full-service shopper, you can earn between $9 and $16 per hour. This depends on the tips, store location, quantity, weight of items, number of items in orders, and delivery distance.

Features to Look For in the Best Delivery Platforms to Work For

Below are the top five features you must consider before choosing the best delivery service to work for:

Basic Entry Requirements

While delivery driver jobs have low entry barriers, there are various criteria and skills you should meet and a few documents that you’ll need to be accepted as a driver on the platforms.

To start working as a delivery driver, you’ll need the following:

• A reliable vehicle, which could be a car, motorcycle, bicycle, or a scooter
• A valid driver’s license if you’re using a car or motorcycle
• Proof of valid auto insurance coverage (this depends on individual apps)
• A background check that reviews your driving record and criminal history

Fair Compensation

The best food or grocery delivery apps have clear and transparent pay structures. This includes information about the following:

• Base pay
• Bonuses
• Incentives
• Driver reward programs

It should also be clear when and how you’ll receive payments, as well as any targets you must hit before you receive your money.

Reliable Driver and Customer Support

Reliable support is non-negotiable when choosing a delivery app to work for. You need it to:

• Troubleshoot issues with the payment process
• Address technical issues relating to vehicles, equipment, or the delivery app
• Elaborate updates on company policies, procedures, or training
• Resolve customer disputes or complaints

Flexibility

When taking on food delivery service jobs, you must be sure that the delivery service you choose to work for offers sufficient flexibility in terms of working hours.

Take note of the peak hours because these signal the high-income hours of your day, and evaluate how these fit into your current schedule.

Job Expectations

Before signing up with any delivery company, you must be sure you understand the scope of your job and the exact duties you’re expected to perform.

Start by confirming the nature of the products you’ll be delivering, whether it’s food, groceries, alcohol, or other types of packages.

Then substantiate whether delivery drivers grab and go or you’ll be expected to shop for the clients, so you’re not caught off guard.

Best Delivery Services to Work For: Our Top 3 Options [Ranked & Reviewed]

Here’s the part you’ve been waiting for: our top delivery services review.

1. Uber Eats: Best Overall

Uber Eats is a highly-rated online food delivery service that serves over 500 cities in the USA, partners with more than 800,00 merchants globally, and has over 131 million users.

Going by the numbers, there’s a consistent workflow for Uber Eats drivers.

As one of the best food delivery apps you can work for, Uber Eats guarantees low entry barriers, competitive pay, flexible scheduling, and access to a large customer base.

Key Features of Uber Eats

Below are some of the key features that make Uber Eats a desirable gig:

• Automatic Payments: Your earnings, including tips, promotions, peak pay, and bonuses, are automatically deposited on your debit card.
• Transparent Pay Structure: On the Uber Eats app, drivers can see an estimate of their fee before accepting, ignoring, or declining an order request. The service charge is also included to ensure 100% transparency.
• Back-to-Back Deliveries: When working for Uber Eats, you can accept your next delivery request as you finish up with your current one and slow down when you need a breather.
• Enjoy 24-Hour Driver Support: Uber Eats drivers are guaranteed help if they have questions or need to report any issues. You can get fast answers to your questions by opening the FAQ section on the app or submitting your questions to the Uber Eats support page.
• Receive Ratings and Feedback: Merchants and customers can rate your service with up to five stars on the app and leave feedback that could help you improve next time. Your overall rating on Uber Eats is based on your last 100 ratings.

Pros of Uber Eats

Below are some advantages Uber Eats delivery drivers enjoy:

• Ease of Entry: Unlike other food delivery services, Uber Eats has low barriers to entry. For instance, you can do deliveries with a car, bike, scooter, or on foot.
• Enjoy Flexible Scheduling: You don’t need to block out your working hours; just hop onto the app when you have spare time and start making deliveries.
• Minimal Restrictions: You can deliver with Uber Eats and while also working with other rideshare and food or grocery delivery apps, like Uber, Lyft, and Postmates.

Cons of Uber Eats

Some of the disadvantages of Uber Eats include:

• Heavy Competition: Because of the popularity of Uber Eats, many people sign up as drivers, resulting in high competition, especially during peak hours.
• No Guaranteed Minimum Pay: Unlike other food delivery apps, like Instacart, Uber Eats doesn’t offer a minimum hourly pay. Your earnings depend on the distance traveled, time spent, and your location.
• Strict Security Measures: Uber Eats may require you to verify your identity periodically through facial recognition.

Income

As an Uber Eats delivery driver, you can expect to earn an average of $3.50 per delivery or $11 to $18 per hour.

This rate is determined by where you’re driving, the per-mile/minute rate, and the tips you receive from customers.

You can also earn more with promotions that are applied during peak hours.

Conclusion: Should You Choose Uber Eats?

Uber Eats should be your first choice if you’re looking to make money as a gig worker. The entry barriers are low, and you can make the deliveries on foot or using a car, bike, or scooter.

The freedom and flexibility are also an added bonus because you get to set your hours and show up for work only when your schedule allows it.

2. Instacart: Runner Up

Coming in a close second is Instacart, which is marketed as the largest online grocery delivery service globally.

It’s available in all 50 states in the USA, and thanks to its large customer base, delivery drivers have a consistent workflow.

The high demand for personal shoppers on Instacart makes this a reliable side gig.

Key Features of Instacart

The best features of Instacart for drivers include the following:

• Two Shopper Options: With Instacart, delivery drivers who double as personal shoppers are considered independent contractors. You can also be an in-store Instacart employee who shops groceries for customers and prepares the orders for curbside pick up or delivery.
• Flexible Hours: Instacart requires in-store shoppers to block out up to 29 hours per week for shifts, while full-service shoppers can work whenever they’re available.
• High Earning Potential: Instacart is among the highest-paying delivery apps to work for, with ads saying you can make up to $25 hourly. Your take-home income is determined by the amount of time you work, the number of orders you complete, the distance you drive, and the nature of orders you deliver.
• Reliable Support: You’re fully prepared for the job through onboarding training and constant shopper support. When processing orders, you can also chat with customers to confirm any changes.
• Instant Cash Out: Full-service shoppers can cash out their earnings every two hours after completing a minimum of five batches.

Pros of Instacart

Some of the merits of working for Instacart include:

• Receive Personalized Rewards: The Cart Star Program allows shoppers to earn points with every order. You can then redeem the points for gas cash back.
• No Vehicle Needed: You can opt to be an in-store shopper if you don’t have a vehicle yet.
• Payment Transparency: Know the expected payment for each batch before accepting the delivery job and pocket 100% of your tips.

Cons of Instacart

Many drivers may be discouraged from signing up to Instacart for the following reasons:

• Nobody Can Ride With You During Deliveries: It’s against Instacart’s policies to ride with someone else, even a pet, when you’re performing your duties as a delivery partner.
• Specific Working Hours: When working in-store, you must be available for up to 29 hours a week.
• Strength Requirements: In addition to the regular requirements, Instacart shoppers are also expected to be capable of lifting 40 lb with or without accommodation.

Income

The hourly rate for full-service shoppers ranges between $9 and $16.

This rate depends on the per-mile rate, store location, quantity, weight of items, number of items in orders, delivery distance, batch earnings, and tips.

You can also earn more through boosts when there aren’t enough shoppers in an area to meet demand. Higher pay for particularly heavy items, promotions, and tips will also help to maximize your earnings.

Conclusion: Should You Choose Instacart?

Instacart is an ideal option for people looking for entry-level, weekend, or seasonal work.

As an in-store shopper, you’re expected to block out your schedule and show up within those hours. However, full-service shoppers enjoy more freedom and autonomy.

3. DoorDash: Also Great

DoorDash is among the best drinks and food delivery apps to work for.

It partners with top-rated restaurants and convenience stores in the USA, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia to deliver meals and groceries to over 15 million subscribers.

You can join the two million plus Dashers worldwide to work when and how much you want while earning competitive pay.

Key Features of DoorDash

Below are the top reasons that make DoorDash one among the best delivery apps to work for:

• Always Earn Base Pay: As a Dasher, you get to earn a minimum amount based on the distance traveled, estimated time taken, and order demand.
• Numerous Earning Opportunities: You can earn more money delivering food on DoorDash through tips and promotions like Challenges and Peak Pay. You can easily track earning opportunities around you through the Dasher app.
• Flexibility: Besides choosing your schedule, you can also decide the mode of transportation you’ll use. Most Dashers use bikes or cars, but you could use electric vehicles or scooters to save on costs and reduce your carbon footprint.
• Enhanced Safety and Security: You can always be at peace when completing deliveries thanks to the Dasher safety toolkit, which keeps you connected to emergency services.

Pros of DoorDash

When working for the DoorDash, drivers get to enjoy the following perks:

• Many Ways to Maximize Your Earnings: Earn more by planning your deliveries around peak times such as weekends, mealtimes, late nights, and sporting events.
• Flexible Payments: Receive direct deposits paid weekly or choose daily cash outs through Fast Pay at a small fee ($1.99 per transfer).
• Leverage Cash Back Opportunities: The DasherDirect app has a Perks section that allows you to claim grocery, restaurant, or gas cash backs at eligible merchant locations.

Cons of DoorDash

There are drawbacks to working for DoorDash. These may include:

• Scheduling Limitations: You can’t schedule Dashes for later, especially when there are many drivers in an area and few orders.
• Long Waiting List: Being accepted as a Dasher may take longer than expected because there are lots of drivers already signed up.
• You May Double as a Shopper: Sometimes, Dashers are required to shop for clients, which may not be ideal for people only looking to make deliveries.

Income

Dashers earn at least $2 base pay per order and up to 100% of the customer’s tip.

You may earn less for smaller orders, but this can increase if you have to travel a long distance and spend a lot of time completing the order.

Conclusion: Should You Choose DoorDash?

DoorDash is a good food and grocery delivery service if you like to work whenever you want.

Notable Mentions: Other Delivery Services to Check Out

Below are other delivery services you can consider working for that boast various perks and considerate pay.

4. Postmates: Offers Multiple Delivery Options

Postmates is a food delivery app that has diversified into delivering not only restaurant food but also alcohol, groceries, dry cleaning, and more in over 100 metropolitan areas across the major cities in the USA.

Why Is This a Great Option?

Delivery drivers at Postmates get to choose a schedule that works best for them as well as the type of commodities they’d like to deliver.

The app promises to deliver groceries and commodities in less than one hour, so you can try to do as many deliveries as possible and maximize your earnings.

Drawbacks to Working for Postmates

The size of your vehicle can affect the jobs you can accept. Also, some orders are small, and this may negatively affect your pay.

Income

You can make an average of $20 to $25 an hour when working as a Postmates delivery driver. This delivery app typically pays you for your drive time, the time you wait at a restaurant, and your promptness.

5. Amazon Flex: Best for Amazon Deliveries

Amazon Flex is a delivery service that hires independent contractors to deliver packages for Amazon.

As an Amazon Flex delivery driver, you can deliver packages from Amazon.com, groceries and household items from Amazon Fresh, or pick up orders from local stores near you.

Why Is This a Great Option?

Being an independent contractor at Amazon Flex gives you schedule flexibility by blocking it out on the app every day.

You can also see how much you can earn per order and how long it’ll take to complete each delivery.

Amazon Flex pays an hourly rate that’s transferred to you via direct bank deposits on weekdays of your choice when the orders are complete.

Drawbacks to Amazon Flex

The major limitation is that most Amazon Flex deliveries require a 4-door vehicle, such as a car or a van.

Two-door vehicles, trucks with open beds, motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters don’t qualify.

Income

Most Amazon Flex delivery drivers earn between $18 and $25 an hour. This rate is affected by your location, the time it takes to complete deliveries, and tips from customers.

6. Grubhub: High Traffic in Urban Areas

Grubhub is a food delivery service that delivers food from local restaurants.

As a food delivery driver for Grubhub, you can do deliveries using a car or bike, and the company sends you free gear, warming bags, and car decals for branding and enhanced food safety.

Why Is This a Great Option?

It makes it to the list of the best food delivery app jobs because you earn competitive pay that includes 100% tips.

You can also bundle your orders when they’re from restaurants that are close to each other, which saves you time and results in higher earnings.

With Grubhub, you schedule your work ahead so you can also make other plans accordingly.

Drawbacks to Grubhub

Grubhub has stricter entry barriers compared to most other food delivery services. It looks at your communication skills as well as punctuality before it can admit you as a Grubhub driver.

Income

Grubhub drivers earn an average pay of $15 – $20 hourly, which is a combination of base pay and any bonuses. You also keep 100% of tips given by customers.

7. Caviar: Offers the Best Tips

Caviar is a food delivery app that serves customers ordering from four-and five-star restaurants.

It operates in all 50 states in the USA and was acquired by DoorDash in 2019, so it uses a similar business model, including the pay structure.

Why Is This a Great Option?

Delivery drivers on this high-end food delivery service earn more per order compared to other food delivery drivers because they handle more expensive orders and often get bigger tips.

Drawbacks to Caviar

The earnings and payments display may sometimes oversell your expected earnings, which results in you making less.

The orders are normally also limited to dinner hours, meaning you must plan your schedule around these hours.

Income

Caviar delivery drivers earn as much as $25 per hour plus 100% tips. They can also earn more during peak hours or by completing challenges.

8. Saucey: Best for Alcohol Delivery

Not up to delivering food and groceries? Why don’t you sign up for Saucey, where you’ll be delivering alcohol, vapes, snacks, supplies, ice, and tobacco?

Why Is This a Great Option?

You can have your morning to yourself, as normal delivery hours on Saucey are between 12 p.m. and 1 a.m. on the weekends and up to 11 p.m. on weeknights.

Saucey drivers decide the area they want to operate in and must keep their orders within a 3-5 mile radius of this location. The app offers competitive hourly rates with big tips.

Drawbacks to Saucey

The entry barriers are strict on Saucey. For example, to deliver booze and tobacco for Saucey, you must be over 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and have no past driving under the influence charges (DUIs) from the last five years.

Income

Saucey guarantees drivers $350 for at least 50 orders. The delivery fee amounts to about $7 per delivery and can be typically completed in less than 30 minutes.

There’s also guaranteed minimum pay for delivery drivers who choose to work during core blocks.

9. GoPuff: All-In-One Delivery App

GoPuff is a service delivery app that boasts impressive diversity in the type of items it delivers. These range from food, groceries, medication, cleaning supplies, alcohol, and more.

Why Is This a Great Option?

The biggest perk of delivering groceries with GoPuff is that the app has a centralized pickup location (normally select warehouses) that drivers go to for all their orders.

The radius of delivery zones is limited to 30 miles of the houses, ensuring you save on gas and reduce vehicle wear and tear.

Drawbacks to GoPuff

GoPuff pays less than most other food delivery services. Other than that, your contract can be terminated if you don’t show up for your shift, or the number of shifts you can work may be reduced, which affects your earning potential.

Income

With GoPuff, you’re guaranteed minimum pay that ranges between $10 and $15 per hour.

Delivery drivers can earn more through tips, weekly bonuses they get when they complete a set number of deliveries, or boosts that are available when demand spikes.

Other Options Relevant to the Best Delivery Services to Work For

To diversify your remote work opportunities, you can also check out other gigs:

• Become a Housesitter: Travel the world on a shoestring budget and enjoy free accommodation as a house sitter. Your tasks will include performing routine maintenance for your host.
• Be an Airbnb Host: Check out our guide on how to rent out a spare room or your holiday home for some extra income.
• Become a TaskRabbit Tasker: Learn how to make extra money by doing odd jobs for other people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping Up

Delivery service apps offer gig workers a reliable income and the flexibility they desire.

You can sign up for any of these nine food delivery service apps to work when and how you want. As you’re starting, aim high by signing up for one of the top three options, which include Uber Eats, Instacart, or DoorDash.

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