11+ Best Delivery Apps To Work For in 2023

With all of the different food delivery apps out there, it can be hard to figure out which is the best food delivery service to work for.

Which app pays the best? Which one’s the easiest to sign up for? Well, we did the digging so you don’t have to.

Our list of the best delivery apps to work for is based on 3 criteria, pay, flexibility, and tips. These are the three things that delivery drivers care about the most.

Below, you’ll find our list of the best apps to work for, all vetted by full-time drivers.

11+ Best Food Delivery Services To Work For in 2023

Here are the best food delivery services to work for now:

1. DoorDash
2. Uber Eats
3. Instacart
4. Caviar
5. Shipt
6. Grubhub
7. Eaze
8. Amazon Flex
9. GoPuff
10. Point Pickup
11. Saucey
12. Favor
13. Bite Squad

1. DoorDash

• Availability: DoorDash is available nationwide.

DoorDash is a delivery app where you pick up restaurant orders and deliver them to the customers who placed the orders. How much you can earn as a DoorDash driver depends on your market, and what time you’re available for deliveries.

As a Dasher, you’ll likely have more jobs available during lunch and dinner than early morning or mid-afternoon. DoorDash will sometimes give you bonus periods where you can earn more for being out-delivering during that time period. Use these bonus opportunities to earn more.

You can also get stacked orders, or orders added to your current job. This will help you earn more and be more efficient. You’d be picking up more than one order from the same restaurant and delivering it to multiple customers.

DoorDash Requirements:

• 18 or older
• Access to a car, scooter, or bicycle (in some markets)
• Valid driver’s license, insurance, and clean driving record
• iPhone or Android smartphone
• Background check

DoorDash

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DoorDash is one of the best delivery apps because it pays a minimum rate per delivery (DoorDash will make up the difference if your pay per delivery is below their threshold!), and encourages generous tips that you keep fully.

Start Driving For DoorDash

2. Uber Eats / Postmates

• Availability: Uber Eats is available nationwide.

Uber Eats is most definitely one of the best food delivery services to work for. When I’m out delivering, I treat Uber Eats as a separate animal, and it’s definitely one of the best delivery apps to work for.

Uber Eats is one of the best food delivery apps to work for because it’s one of the best-paying delivery jobs. The best earnings opportunities I’ve found while being an Uber Eats driver are through pursuing incentives like Quest and Boost.

Whether you’re already driving for Uber or not, if you’re looking to diversify your income, Uber Eats can help with your strategy, since there may be some times during the day when fewer people are requesting trips and more people are ordering food from local restaurants.

Uber Eats acquired Postmates in 2020 for $2.65 billion. In 2021, they began transitioning their drivers from Postmates to Uber Eats.

Uber Eats Driver Requirements:

Car Delivery

• Meet the minimum age to drive in your city
• Have a 2-door or 4-door car
• Have a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance under your name
• Have at least one year of driving experience

Scooter delivery

• Be at least 19 years old
• Have a motorized scooter under 50cc
• Have a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance under your name
• When signing up, be sure to choose to Deliver with a Scooter under the transportation method

Bike delivery

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a government-issued ID
• When signing up, be sure to choose to Deliver with a Bike under the transportation method

Uber Eats

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Taking advantage of incentives like Quest and Boost can make Uber Eats one of the best paying delivery jobs available.

Sign Up For Uber Eats

3. Instacart

• Availability: Instacart is available nationwide

As an Instacart shopper, you purchase and deliver groceries to customers in your area.

In some markets, you can sign up as just an in-store shopper, just a deliverer, or as a full-service shopper where you deliver the food after you shop for it. The faster and more efficiently you can shop, the better your earnings can be.

To accept Instacart requests, you need to schedule your shifts through the app and be online during your shift. You can accept or reject requests as they come through.

Some drivers recommend sticking to a handful of stores that you know really well when you first start out. This will allow you to get the hang of things while being efficient.

Instacart is a great way to make $100 fast, which is why it’s one of the best food delivery services to work for.

Instacart Driver Requirements:

• At least 18 years old
• Eligible to work in the United States
• Consistent access to a vehicle
• Consistent access to and be able to effectively use a recent smartphone (iPhone 6s / Android 5.0 or newer)
• Ability to lift 50 lbs with or without accommodation

Instacart

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Since you shop and deliver orders, each order will take longer – but this also means you’ll earn more per order! Plus, you may be able to take advantage of Instacart's guaranteed earnings promotions that rotates through regions.

Start Delivering For Instacart

4. Caviar

• Availability: Caviar is available in major metropolitan areas nationwide. If you’re in a smaller city, you’ll be sent delivery opportunities for DoorDash.

Caviar started out as an exclusive app designed to deliver food from upscale restaurants. That meant higher pay than other delivery apps, but it also meant there was limited availability and lower demand.

However since DoorDash acquired the business in 2019, Caviar has had widespread availability. Instead of being limited to a small selection of high-end restaurants, Caviar drivers can make deliveries for DoorDash orders, too, which opens up the market to fast food restaurants.

Caviar’s payment structure looks a lot like DoorDash’s—you see your estimated earnings before accepting a pickup, including the base pay, tip, and any bonuses you’re eligible for.

Caviar Delivery Driver Requirements:

• 18 years of age or older
• Any car, scooter, or bicycle in select cities
• Driver’s license number
• Social Security Number (in the US)
• Consent to a background check

Caviar (owned by DoorDash)

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Now that Caviar is owned by DoorDash, drivers in most major metropolitan areas will see a steady stream of requests – from both upscale restaurants as well as fast food.

Sign Up For Caviar

5. Shipt

• Availability: Shipt is available nationwide

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Shipt, it’s a shopping app. Similar to Instacart, you get paid to shop for customers (usually groceries) and then deliver the order to their house/apartment.

The Shipt app makes all of this easy, showing you exactly what items to buy and routing you to the delivery address.

Shipt was acquired by Target in 2017, so a lot of shopping will take place at Target stores. They’ve also partnered with a number of other grocery chains, which adds some variation to the shopping experience.

View our article on Shipt pay here. Drivers we’ve interviewed say Shipt pays $15-17 an hour, with veteran Shipt shoppers earning $22/hour.

Shipt Shopper Requirements:

• At least 18 years old
• Valid current mailing address
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and auto insurance
• A reliable vehicle (1997 or newer)
• Knowledge of produce selection
• Ability to lift 45 pounds
• Smartphone – iPhone (iOS 10 or newer) or Android (5.1 or newer)

Shipt

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Owned by Target and available in 5,000+ cities nationwide, Shipt lets you accept and shop for multiple orders simultaneously, meaning you make more money in less time.

Sign Up For Shipt

6. Grubhub

• Availability: Grubhub is available nationwide

From talking to Grubhub couriers, we’ve found Grubhub drivers make on average around $11 an hour.

On occasion, Grubhub offers an hourly guarantee for drivers during certain times of the day. Being on the schedule guarantees minimum hourly earnings (only $11 in L.A.) but requires an 85% acceptance rate for the day.

You can deliver with a car or a bike, and GrubHub is generally big on pushing drivers to schedule their shifts in advance, even though you can still drive whenever it’s convenient for you.

You’ll also be restricted to a delivery zone set when you register. The zone I work in is huge, so it hasn’t been a big problem for me. But there have been times when I found myself outside the zone and wish I could deliver.

Grubhub Driver Requirements:

• Car (or bike in select areas)
• Valid driver’s license and auto insurance for drivers
• Valid state I.D. or driver’s license for bike riders
• Smartphone

7. Eaze

• Availability: Eaze is only available in California

If you live in California or Michigan and you want a slightly less conventional delivery job, take a look at Eaze. The app helps people buy weed and have it delivered to their door.

As a (fully legal) marijuana deliverer, you get paid for the deliveries you make. But you also get reimbursed for mileage, a major expense that most delivery services don’t cover.

Between the hourly rate and reimbursement, you can make more driving for Eaze than with most of the delivery apps in this review.

Deliveries run from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and drivers work directly with dispensaries to get the job done.

Eaze Driver Requirements:

• Drivers are hired and employed by independent licensed retailers.  In order to use Eaze’s driver app, retailer drivers need an iPhone 5 (or newer) or an Android (3 years old or newer).
• Regulations require that all retailer drivers be 21+ years of age, and have a valid driver’s license, registration, and auto insurance.

8. Amazon Flex

• Availability: Amazon Flex is available in over 50 cities nationwide

Right now, it’s an absolute must to try to sign up for Amazon Flex. In our review of driving for Amazon Flex, we found drivers could make $18 to 25 per hour with Amazon Flex. That’s incredible – and chances are there is plenty of work to go around right now!

Judging by how busy Amazon is, there should be plenty of ongoing opportunities but they do have a wait list as well.

Amazon.com orders are picked up from a delivery station and then delivered directly to the customer’s home. Drivers typically have a 3-6 hour delivery block.

Delivering for Amazon restaurants and Amazon Fresh are also options as well. Drivers can expect to earn around $18 – $25 per hour.

Amazon Flex Driver Requirements:

• Live in a city where Flex operates
• Be 21 or older
• Have a valid US driver’s license and Social Security Number
• Mid-size or larger vehicle
• Have an iPhone or Android smartphone

9. GoPuff

• Availability: GoPuff is available nationwide

GoPuff hires driver-partners to deliver items like snacks, medicine, drinks, and more. Think of GoPuff as basically a mobile convenience store.

GoPuff drivers can make around $14 per hour but there are also bonuses available for longer shifts. While you do have to lock in shifts with GoPuff, operation hours are basically 24/7, so in most markets, you can choose a shift at any time of the day.

How it works is you’ll report to your local GoPuff warehouse location and wait for orders to be delivered. Customers must sign off when you deliver their order so no leaving items at the door like with Amazon Flex.

GoPuff Delivery Requirements:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Have a valid U.S. driver’s license
• Vehicle insurance and registration
• Own a smartphone
• Be willing and able to pass a pre-paid alcohol delivery training course (where applicable)

10. Point Pickup

• Availability: Point Pickup is available in all 50 states

Point Pickup is a delivery system on the East Coast that allows for same-day delivery of items ordered by customers. It’s similar to Instacart, but you can schedule a shift and also start driving whenever you want.

The majority of delivery requests involve picking up orders from Walmart or delivering items that have been ordered online.

Point Pickup Driver Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license
• Be 18 years of age
• Bank account
• Social security number
• Vehicle year 2000 or newer

11. Saucey

• Availability: Select Cities in the US

Saucey is an alcohol delivery service that can bring liquor straight to your door. The app is available for both Android and Apple devices.

Saucey is the DoorDash of alcohol delivery apps and one of the most popular options available to anyone looking to drink responsibly at home.

According to Indeed, Saucey drivers make $15 per hour delivering with Saucey, although according to the LA Times, drivers in Los Angeles make less (around $7 an hour).

Saucey Courier Requirements:

• 21 and up (you’re delivering alcohol!)
• Valid driver’s license
• No DUIs in the past 5 years
• Smartphone

12. Favor

• Availability: Only available in Texas

Favor is a delivery app that offers deliveries for almost anything, including food, groceries, dry cleaning, etc. They call themselves “personal assistants”, not delivery drivers. If you want to deliver more than food, the company’s wide selection of delivery options might appeal to you.

They earn around $12 per hour, so you will want to combine Favor with other delivery apps listed here in order to boost your hourly pay. But if you’re already driving for one of the other food or grocery delivery service apps, this app can be a great resource for making some extra money.

Drivers get to keep one-third of the delivery fee and all of their tips.

Favor Delivery App Requirements:

• 18 years old
• Clean record
• Smartphone

13. Bite Squad

Bite Squad operates pretty similarly to DoorDash and the other restaurant delivery apps in this review. You can schedule times when you’re available, pick and choose which orders you want to take, and then get paid for deliveries.

Bite Squad’s biggest drawback is that it’s only available in 14 states—Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.

But if you live in one of these states, you can enjoy solid pay, flexibility, and discounts from retailers like Verizon, Jiffy Lube, Good Year, and O’Reilly Auto Parts. The company pays out by direct deposit every two weeks and lets you cash out instantly at any time in the app.

Bite Squad Requirements

• 18 years or older
• Reliable vehicle with auto insurance
• Valid driver’s license
• Smartphone
• Background check and MVR report

How To Maximize Your Delivery App Job Earnings

Want to earn extra money as a delivery driver? Here are some tips to boost your bank account, whether you want to deliver as a part-time side hustle or a full-time venture:

• Choose apps wisely: If you want to deliver takeout from restaurants, partner with one of the best food delivery apps. Read reviews, compare average pay, and choose an app that will allow you to make the most of your time.
• Be a customer: Try having food delivered yourself to see what the experience is like. Note anything your driver does that stands out (good or bad) and incorporate it into your own business approach.
• Double-check your orders: Review the customer’s order and the items you’re delivering to ensure no items are missing or prepared wrong.
• Provide a great customer experience: Top-notch customer service will take you far in the gig economy. When you make deliveries, be kind and friendly to customers. It could pay off in your tips and customer reviews.
• Keep communication open: If a restaurant is running late on your customer’s order and you’re a few minutes behind, don’t leave them hanging. Keeping your customers in the loop with a quick text is an easy step that could pay off at tip time.
• Choose your hours strategically: Most delivery apps let you set your own schedule and choose your own hours. Take advantage by driving at peak times when you’re likely to pick up the most orders. You may be able to get higher pay at those times, too, since some apps offer surge pricing.
• Know your routes: To maximize your time (and avoid headaches on the road), get familiar with your area, factor in traffic, and choose the fastest routes for your deliveries. Set up traffic alerts so you can avoid accidents and construction work.

Pros And Cons of Delivery Service Jobs

While it seems great to not have to interact with passengers or even deliver food, there are some cons to driving non-food delivery gigs. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Pros

• Pay: These gigs typically pay well for your time and effort, as long as you know what you’re doing. If you’re new to the concept of delivering items, you might want to research tips and tricks on how to be more efficient at it before you get started.
• Reliability: For the most part, these jobs allow you to work whenever is best for you, but there is some planning ahead involved in most of them. Make sure if you need to sign up for a schedule that you’re able to stick to it. With these kinds of jobs, you’ll know that you’ll keep busy and get paid for your efforts in the end.
• Ease of use: These apps are easy to use and the concept of delivering items is pretty straightforward. Even if you don’t have the greatest people skills, you should be able to handle these delivery jobs with minimal issues.

Cons

• Lack of flexibility: There is some flexibility inherent in these jobs, but not as much as drivers are used to with Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Grubhub. It’s not typically a job where you can just log on and be ready to receive requests. You have to have some kind of prior planning to do most of these delivery jobs, so be sure to think ahead.
• Wear and tear on your car: Like all delivery app jobs, there’s going to be wear and tear on your vehicle. You just need to make sure you’re tracking your mileage to ensure you get the deduction you deserve when tax time rolls around.
• Wear and tear on your body: It almost goes without saying that delivery app jobs will require you to lift things, carry things, and most likely go up some stairs. If you’re capable and willing to do this, it’s a good chance to get some exercise. But be aware, some of these deliveries can be heavy, so if you have back or knee issues, this might not be a great option for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pays more, GrubHub or DoorDash?

On average, we’ve found that DoorDash pays slightly higher than Grubhub, but Grubhub and DoorDash have similar pay ranges and let their drivers keep 100% of their tips.

Which delivery app pays the most?

If you live in California or Michigan, Eaze is the highest-paying delivery app. If you live elsewhere in the country, DoorDash, Amazon Flex, InstaCart, and UberEats have the highest average pay.

Does DoorDash pay for gas?

Unfortunately, DoorDash does not pay for its delivery drivers’ gas. In fact, most rideshare apps don’t cover this cost. In our review, Eaze was the only delivery company that reimburses drivers for mileage.

Can you drive for multiple delivery apps?

Most delivery apps consider their drivers to be independent contractors. That means you can drive for multiple delivery apps at once.

Just be sure to plan properly so you don’t take on an unrealistic amount of deliveries and consider how it might increase expenses like mileage and car maintenance.

Which Food Delivery Service Should You Work For?

Now is a great time to get started as a delivery driver. There’s no need to have any other person in your car (unless you want or need to take along a family member or friend), and the whole process is pretty straightforward.

Yes, you may run into some tricky apartment buildings or have to wait for a slow restaurant, but in general, delivering is a simple and easy way to make quick extra cash.