So you’ve decided to become a gig worker in the food delivery industry and are wondering what’s the difference between delivering for DoorDash vs Grubhub?
Food delivery driver gig work is exploding in popularity because it’s fast and flexible. People were getting their Uber Eats fix long before Covid, but that pandemic only accelerated the popularity of these services.
And it’s not just a fad. Amazon has us all trained to enjoy the comforts of home while waiting for their free delivery to arrive, whether it’s books, dog food, or a Chicago-style pizza.
Keep reading to find out more about how these two delivery apps stack up when you compare them side by side, because raw hourly earnings may not be what matters most.
DoorDash vs Grubhub: Overview
Both DoorDash and Grubhub are popular food delivery platforms.
Customers pay for their order via credit card, debit card, or PayPal, and then they pick up their order at the restaurant and bring it to their house or other designated address.
About DoorDash
Founded in 2013, DoorDash connects hungry consumers with local retailers — including fast food and national and regional restaurant chains — throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia, and over 20 other countries around the globe.
In total, you’ll find DoorDash in over 7,000 major cities and it’s still expanding.
Beyond restaurants, DoorDash also partners with area convenience stores and grocery stores for grocery delivery.
In the U.S., DoorDash is best known for meal delivery. Within that market, DoorDash has a 65% market share.
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About Grubhub
Grubhub is one of the OG or the first wave of food delivery companies.
In 2004, Grubhub was founded by two web developers looking for a better way to order takeout than poring over paper takeout menus from local restaurants. Bit by bit, a delivery app was born.
Earlier versions of the platform were a bit clunky before 2012. That’s when Grubhub evolved into a seamless, in-restaurant technology platform. The app streamlines the process for ordering at your favorite restaurants, tracking delivery time, and managing driver pay — including special perks and incentives and instant cash out.
Currently, Grubhub is a leading online food delivery service with over 365,000 restaurant partners in over 3,000 U.S. cities.
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DoorDash vs Grubhub: How the Process Works for Drivers
The two platforms are fairly similar: deliver food for extra money and work when you want to. Either app offers enough hours for full-time work, but many drivers do this gig more casually.
How the DoorDash App Works
Scheduling Work Hours
- Schedule work hours up to one week in advance.
- Or opt for Dash Now, which enables you to log in and look for on-demand deliveries. Typically, there are plenty of on-demand meal delivery orders — especially during lunch and dinner times.
Reviewing Orders
- Review the order – with the delivery fee and potential tip shown — to see if you want to accept it.
- You’ll also see the restaurant’s address, delivery address, distance, and estimated trip time.
- More order details are shown in the DoorDash interface than in Grubhub’s.
Accepting or Declining Orders
Taking a delivery order is a simple single-click process. You’ll have about 45 seconds to select “Accept” from the menu.
However, it takes more effort to decline an order in the DoorDash app. When you choose to decline an order, you’ll be prompted to click multiple options before proceeding with a new delivery order to accept.
Or you can let the timer run out and the app will auto-decline itself, giving your thumb a rest.
Delivery Directions and Order Instructions
If you need help finding the pickup and drop-off locations, DoorDash uses a third-party app to give directions. In addition, customers can give delivery instructions, which can also be viewed within the mobile app.
How the Grubhub App Works
Scheduling Work Hours
- Set your hours (schedule blocks) in advance or
- Log in when it’s convenient to make deliveries on-demand.
Reviewing Orders
- Grubhub will display the restaurant’s name and address and how much you may potentially earn.
- You cannot see the delivery address or location (not even an intersection) until after you’ve accepted the order.
Accepting or Declining Orders
It’s also simple to accept an order in the Grubhub app, just click the “Accept” button. If you don’t want to accept the order, you can easily click the “Reject” button. Then select a reason for declining the order.
Compared to DoorDash’s multi-step process, it’s much easier.
“Total payment is too low” is one of the most common reasons for rejection as many drivers use Grubhub as a primary source of income. (There are plenty of high-paying orders too.)
Delivery Directions and Order Instructions
To help you reach your destination, Grubhub offers turn-by-turn directions. In addition, the Grubhub app lets customers specify special delivery instructions.
DoorDash vs Grubhub: Location Availability
Both platforms have widespread availability in the U.S. DoorDash will have the larger market share and order volume to keep drivers busier.
As a tip, you can use both apps simultaneously to increase your order pool to screen for juicy payouts and shorter commutes.
Many new drivers sign up for both so they can max out on special offers like referral bonuses or peak pay.
DoorDash vs Grubhub: Driver Requirements
The requirements to drive for DoorDash or Grubhub are very easily met. While the requirements for both platforms are similar, there are a few minor differences.
DoorDash Driver Requirements
- 18 years or older
- Smartphone (iOS 11 or later or Android0 or later)
- Valid driver’s license
- Auto insurance
- No vehicle requirements (Some local laws allow scooters, motorcycles, bikes, or e-bikes)
- Clean driving record
- Social security number
- Background check
Grubhub Driver Requirements
- 18 years or older
- Smartphone (iOS 11 or later or Android0 or later)
- Valid driver’s license
- Auto insurance
- No vehicle requirements
- No previous delivery experience is required
DoorDash vs Grubhub: Getting Paid
DoorDash Payment Options
- Weekly: Every week, money will be deposited into your bank account as a direct deposit.
- Daily: Dashers can select Fast Pay to receive daily payouts for a small fee of $1.99. Fast Pay requires the usage of a debit card. This service is not available for prepaid cards. If you change or add a card on file, Fast Pay will be disabled for 7 days to prevent unauthorized charges to your account.
- Instantly: With DasherDirect Business PrePaid Visa card, get instant deposits for no fee, plus 2% cash back on gas.
Grubhub Payment Options
- Weekly: Every Thursday, money will be deposited into your bank account as a direct deposit.
- Daily or Instantly: You may withdraw cash to your bank account at any time, with no fee for Chase Bank customers and a $0.50 fee for all other bank customers. Or, withdraw cash directly to your debit card for a fee of $0.50 per transaction.
DoorDash vs Grubhub: Tips for Maximizing Earnings
1. Deliver During Peak Hours
The best time for peak hours is during lunch, dinner, holidays, and weekends. See if you can position yourself close to areas with multiple corporations or affluent neighborhoods.
2. Deliver During Inclement Weather
People will gladly pay the premium for the convenience to stay home and avoid going out in the rain or snow. So dress up for the situation and rack up the deliveries. Just remember to drive safely to prevent car accidents.
3. Turn and Burn
Complete as many deliveries as you can to get your order volume up. This is the same concept for servers at restaurants to turn tables as quickly as they can in order to serve more guests. You can’t earn more tips if your current table is camping out after the check is paid.
4. Accept and Reject Orders Selectively
When starting out as a driver, you may be tempted to take every order on the platform. However, you should focus on: driving at the best times of day, high-paying food deliveries, and driving efficiency.
You’ll want to be methodical with your driving because you’re using your own personal vehicle and putting wear and tear on it. Mentally prepare yourself for future vehicle expenses like new tires, oil changes, and brake pads.
Less driving also means fewer trips to the gas pump. The good rule of thumb in deciding to accept an order is if the pay-to-mileage ratio is at least $1.25 for each mile driven.
The $1.25 figure is used in this calculation because it is double the IRS standard mileage rate of 62.5 cents. You can even set your minimum to $2.00 per mile if you’re even more selective and want to stay ultra-profitable in this gig work.
5. Deliver During Sporting Events
Delivering during live sporting events is the perfect storm because large gatherings mean larger food orders and bigger tips.
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DoorDash vs Grubhub: How Earnings are Calculated
DoorDash Dasher Earnings
A dasher’s compensation includes a base salary, client tips, and bonus opportunities. Customers using the DoorDash app can tip you anytime you accept a delivery — and most deliveries include a tip to supplement the driver’s earnings. You’ll always receive the full 100% of the customer tips received by DoorDash.
But keep in mind that the IRS classifies tips as taxable income.
Grubhub Driver Earnings
The amount you earn per delivery is the total of your base pay, tips, and any applicable bonuses. Your base pay accounts for factors including mileage, delivery type, delivery duration, and your local market.
If you experience a slow day, then ‘Grubhub Contribution’ kicks in to make sure you earn a minimum guaranteed rate in your local market. Grubhub delivery partners can level up their earnings by completing missions by reaching time-limit goals.
You can also earn bonuses and special incentives too.
All of your compensation — for mileage, time, and any applicable promotions or bonuses — will be displayed as ‘Delivery Pay’ at the top of your payout summary in the app.
The earning varies depending on your market. Busier metro areas, like New York City or Seattle, may pay more than smaller towns.
DoorDash vs Grubhub: Employee or Independent Contractor?
DoorDash and Grubhub do not send out W2 tax forms since you are not an employee.
However, both Grubhub and DoorDash will send you a 1099-NEC tax form if you earn $600 or more for the year as an independent contractor. You’ll need this form to file your taxes to the IRS.
If you earn less than $600, then you will not receive the 1099 tax form. Consult with a tax professional for advice regarding your particular situation.
DoorDash vs Grubhub: Driver Support
When it comes to helping their customers and drivers, both DoorDash and Grubhub excel. Here’s an overview of the several ways that DoorDash and Grubhub support their drivers.
DoorDash Driver Support
In both the iOS and Android versions of its app, DoorDash includes a Dasher chat support system. There is also a phone helpline that is available 24/7. You can chat or call at any time of day, regardless of whether you are logged in and working or not.
- Drive Support can be reached at drive-support@doordash.com.
- For urgent delivery issues, drivers can call (855) 973-1040 for Grubhub customer service.
In addition, the DoorDash website is loaded with useful tools for drivers that can likely resolve your issues without you needing to call in.
It includes helpful Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to troubleshoot common topics.
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Grubhub Driver Support
You may access the 24/7 phone helpline that Grubhub provides for its drivers through the Grubhub app.
- Driver support can be reached by emailing deliverypartners@grubhub.com.
- For urgent delivery issues, drivers can call (312) 637-8458.
The Grubhub website also features a Help Center that consists of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and resource guides for drivers.
DoorDash vs Grubhub: Do Either Pay for Gas?
No. DoorDash and Grubhub don’t compensate their drivers for gas because the delivery drivers are not their direct employees.
As independent contractors, drivers are responsible for their own vehicle expenses, including repairs, maintenance, and gas. Due to the increasing cost of fuel, the IRS increased the standard mileage rates for calculating tax-deductible expenses.
Effective July 1, 2022, food delivery drivers can now claim 62.5 cents per mile (up from 58.5 cents) if their vehicle is used for business purposes. That’s a win for your taxes, but you’ll want to consult your own tax professional for advice.
DoorDash or Grubhub: Which Food Delivery App is Best For You?
DoorDash is the winner because it does a higher volume of business and has more locations throughout the country.
Do some research for the area where you live though to see which app will be the best fit for you. Reading reviews from other drivers in your area on forums, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor may give you the best read on what earning potential is for your zip code.
And finally, you can sign up for both apps and see which one you like the best.
