At $17.50 an hour in average pay, Instacart is one of the higher-paying side hustles out there. And odds are good you or someone you know uses this service – but if people are flooding to work for Instacart – are there other jobs like Instacart where you can make money too?
Yes, Instacart is just about everywhere, but it’s not the only food delivery service you can drive for.
There have been rumblings from shoppers that it’s getting more competitive to secure orders. It may not be possible to nab the most lucrative deliveries in your area or get enough hours for full-time work.
In this article, we’ll dive more into detail about other jobs like Instacart to consider.
11 Best Jobs Like Instacart
Here’s a rundown on other jobs like Instacart you could deliver for:
1. DoorDash
You’ll find DoorDash drivers, called dashers, just about everywhere. Dashers deliver restaurant meals to hungry diners who prefer to sup at home.
Meal delivery apps are more in demand than ever, and DoorDash leads the pack in jobs like Instacart. It commands a 65% market share for all meal delivery apps in the U.S. Uber Eats and Grubhub come in a distant second and third, with 23% and 9% of market share.
With hungry eaters at any hour of the day and myriad 24-hour restaurants, you can work just about any hour you want. For many, DoorDash is a great night owl or early-bird gig. However, you’ll earn the most when demand is highest — on weekday evenings and weekends.
Requirements
The requirements to work for DoorDash are fairly minimal and similar to other delivery gigs.
- Transportation: any car, a scooter, or bicycle (although bicycle delivery is not available in all cities)
- Minimum age requirement: 18 years or older
- Documentation: Valid driver’s license number and social security number
- Screening: DoorDash requires a background check. You don’t have to pay for it, just consent to its completion
Pros
- Flexible hours so you can set your own schedule
- Daily cashout with Fast Pay
- Choose the deliveries and coverage area you want to take
Cons
- You cannot deliver by bicycle in all cities
- Only one cash-out per day
2. Uber Eats
Uber Eats is another well-known food delivery service app. After DoorDash, Uber Eats is the second most popular meal delivery service in the U.S.
Uber rideshare launched first in 2009 and its eponymous food delivery service followed six years later in 2015.
In 2020, Uber Eats, acquired its competitor, Postmates, solidifying its position as a major player in the food delivery game.
Many Uber drivers drive for both Uber and Uber Eats. Side gig enthusiasts praise Uber Eats as being one of the best-paying delivery jobs you’ll find anywhere with a flexible schedule and loads of bonus ways to earn.
You could deliver for Uber Eats forty hours a week, or part-time.
Requirements
The requirements to drive for Uber Eats depend on your mode of transportation. Passing a background check is required for any delivery method.
Car Delivery
- Vehicle has 2 or 4 doors.
- At least one year of driving experience.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Valid car insurance under your name.
- Meet the minimum age to drive in your city or area.
Scooter delivery
- Minimum age requirement: 19 years old
- Must select “Scooter” under the transportation method when you sign up to deliver
- Must have a motorized scooter under 50cc
- Valid driver’s license
- Valid vehicle insurance under your name
Bike delivery
- Minimum age requirement: 18 years old
- Documentation: Valid driver’s license or government-issued ID
- Must select “Bike” under the transportation method when you sign up to deliver
Pros
- Less restrictive age requirements
- Cash-out up to five times per day
- Excellent bonuses or promotions
Cons
- Quests are not available in every city
- Out-of-state deliveries are not available for drivers in CA, MS, or PA
3. Roadie
Roadie is a genius way to send just about anything — food, meals, luggage — from Point A to Point B. Their premise is “Deliver packages, not people.”
Founded in 2014, Roadie is both a business logistics and crowdsourced delivery app. Roadie helps businesses of all sizes send same-day or next-day deliveries of all kinds. Roadie has a fleet of drivers, all contractors, who cover a massive same-day delivery footprint. Their drivers deliver across more than 20,000 zip codes, the largest, local same-day delivery area in the nation.
Acquired by UPS in 2022, business is booming. There’s an explosion of packages being sent through the mail and major driver shortages. Roadie helps UPS solve its final-mile delivery challenges – a headache for eCommerce companies and couriers everywhere.
This means opportunities are practically limitless for a Roadie driver. You can earn cash virtually anywhere in the U.S. through Roadie, with delivery runs crisscrossing the country.
It’s a similar job like Instacart where you’re picking up and dropping off items for customers. But as a Roadie driver, just about anything goes. You could find yourself delivering a cup of coffee, oil paintings, a bundle of napkins, or factory machine parts.
Like Instacart, there’s no set schedule or hours. When you want to pick up work, log in and search for available deliveries.
Requirements
- Minimum age requirement: 18 years or older
- Valid U.S. driver’s license
- Valid social security number
- Pass a background check (Roadie pays for it)
- Watch the tutorial training video
- Maintain a 4-star average community rating
- A specific type of vehicle (i.e., truck or van) may be preferred or required for some deliveries. (Register with any and all vehicles you could potentially use.)
Pros
- Flexible hours
- Deliver packages, not people
- Variety of goods delivered
Cons
- Limited support for drivers
- No daily payments
4. Caviar
As the name implies, Caviar is a premium restaurant delivery app. It’s all about tasty gourmet dining to your doorstep.
In addition to more refined menu offerings, Caviar also offers a first-in-class user experience. The app boasts a photo of every menu item, for every featured restaurant in the app.
This San Francisco-based company was founded in 2012. It’s since spread from the bay area to other cities: Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Manhattan, Philadelphia, Portland, Queens New York, Sacramento, and Washington D.C.
In 2019, DoorDash acquired Caviar for $410 million. DoorDash purchased Caviar via Square. Square had previously purchased Caviar in a $44 million deal in 2014.
Since its acquisition by DoorDash, Caviar has expanded its menu offerings. Caviar app users can now order from any restaurant featured on DoorDash. And for drivers, the structure is the same as with DoorDash: accept the orders you want to take, based on distance and potential earnings.
Requirements
- Minimum age requirement: 18 years or older
- Valid driver’s license (where applicable) or government-issued ID
- Valid social security number
- Vehicle requirements: car, scooter, or bicycle (Bicycle option is limited to select cities)
- Pass a background check (Caviar pays for screening)
Pros
- Flexible side hustle
- Instant payout option
- Earn extra pay during high-demand times
Cons
- Earning estimates aren’t always accurate
- Delivery addresses are sometimes inaccurate
5. Shipt
Among the Instacart alternative gigs we’ve shared, Shipt is the most similar delivery service. Shipt shoppers get paid to shop for customers at local stores and retailers, usually grocery stores, and then deliver the order to the customer address.
Acquired by Target in 2017, a lot of shopping activity takes place at Target stores. Many Shipt gig workers shop and deliver exclusively through Target.
This has been a major win for Target, Shipt shoppers, and customers. Target has a fleet of shoppers to fulfill their home orders. Shipt shoppers get paid to shop at Target (the second happiest place on earth), and they have dedicated checkout stations. And customers get expert shoppers who know the ins and outs (and often stockroom floors) of their local Target, finding items not easily located on store shelves.
Requirements
- Minimum age requirement: 18 years old
- U.S. resident with a current address
- Reliable vehicle (1997 or newer)
- Valid U.S. driver’s license and car insurance
- Knowledgeable in fresh produce selection
- Heavy-lifting: the ability to lift up to 45 pounds
- Smartphone device: iPhone (iOS 10 or newer) or Android (5.1 or newer) with minimum operating systems regularly updated
Pros
- Generous signup or referral bonuses offered in select areas
- Increase your earnings by combining multiple orders into one shopping trip batch
- Cash out instantly up to five times per day
Cons
- Hourly pay is lower than some food delivery
- Can be difficult to reach customers during store trip
6. Grubhub
Grubhub is a popular food delivery app that’s been around since 2004. After DoorDash and UberEats, it has the third highest market share in the U.S., or 9% of the market.
Nine percent might seem small, but don’t be fooled. Every month, Grubhub serves approximately 32 million customers from a network of 365,000 participating restaurants. With this vast coverage area, you’ll find Grubhub in over 4,000 cities across all 50 states.
Grubhub offers a similar selection of restaurants as other delivery apps but categorizes them a bit differently. Diners can choose from categories like “Don’t Break the Bank,” “30 Minutes or Less,” or “Support Local Eateries.”
Grubhub offers a variety of foods from chain restaurants, fast food places, local eateries, and convenience stores.
For delivery drivers, Grubhub works like Uber Eats or DoorDash. Pick up food at local restaurants and drop it off at the customer’s address. Your earnings are based on the total order amount and any tips. In some areas, Grubhub offers a guaranteed minimum wage.
Requirements
- Minimum age requirement: 18 years or older to deliver by bike or 19 years or older to deliver by car (21 years or older in Las Vegas)
- Screening: pass a background check (Grubhub pays this fee)
- Have a car or bike for deliveries (Bicycle delivery is only available in limited areas)
- Auto insurance is required for drivers
- Valid identification: driver’s license for drivers or state I.D. for bicyclists
Pros
- Generous hourly rate
- Very detailed information comes with order requests
- Customers are prompted to tip very generously when placing orders
Cons
- Grubhub drivers must be at least 19 years old
- Limited delivery zones
7. Eaze
Only available in California, Eaze may eventually expand to other states. Eaze is a marijuana delivery app. That’s right; you can get paid to deliver weed — the legal way.
Using Eaze, you’re neither a contractor nor a direct employee. You agree to this specifically when signing up to drive for Eaze, with their terms stating,
“You acknowledge and agree that you are not an employee or independent contractor of Eaze and that you are solely a licensee of the Driver Platform.”
And while not direct employees, all Eaze drivers have W-2 employee status and receive training on how to safely deliver marijuana from stores to the stores’ customers.
Somehow, the marijuana geniuses at Eaze have found a brilliant workaround. They hire the drivers to be W-2 employees of dispensaries in their network. Eaze connects stores that need drivers with gig workers who want to get paid to schlep weed.
Requirements
- Minimum age requirement: 21 years old
- Drivers License: Must have a valid driver’s license
- Documentation: Must have valid vehicle registration and insurance
- Video call interview: that can take 5-10 minutes. Drivers are hired through Eaze and directly employed by independent retailers using Eaze’s platform
- Smartphone: iPhone 5 or newer or an Android device that’s 3 years old or newer
Pros
- Definitely a unique, niche delivery hustle
- Earn mileage reimbursement for your deliveries every two weeks
- Potential to do Eaze in tandem with Amazon Fresh, DoorDash, or other food delivery
Cons
- Available only in California
- Must be 21 years or older
- No instant payout
8. Amazon Flex
Amazon Flex is a great way to make extra money on your own schedule — as a full-time or a part-time job. You can deliver packages, groceries, or restaurant orders locally.
Pick up orders at local delivery stations and deliver them directly to customers. Delivery stations consist of Whole Foods stores or Amazon fulfillment hubs. Shifts, which Amazon refers to as delivery blocks, are typically 3-6 hours in length.
As a Flex driver, you can also make deliveries for Prime Now and Amazon Fresh. Here, you pick up grocery or supermarket orders at local stations and then deliver the items to customers. It’s similar work, but delivery blocks are shorter — typically 2-4 hours in length.
There is also the option to pick up orders from local stores and deliver to customers. These delivery blocks are also 2-4 hours in length. You’ll typically make deliveries from local shops, not large competing chains like Walmart or Costco.
Presently, Amazon Flex is available in over 100 cities and towns throughout the United States. You can view current cities where Amazon Flex is recruiting.
Requirements
- Minimum age requirement: 21 years old
- U.S. work eligibility (green card or citizen)
- Valid driver’s license
- Vehicle: mid-size or larger. The vehicle must have 4 doors. Any truck bed must be covered
- Valid car insurance
- Screening: pass a background check (Amazon pays for)
- Watch training videos to learn best practices for delivering packages
- Select the service area where you want to collect and deliver orders
Pros
- Flexible way to earn extra cash as a spare-time gig or full-time
- Get paid up to 5 days per week
- Earn Flex Rewards
Cons
- Must be 21 years old or older when many other delivery apps are open to drivers age 18
- Limited coverage area
9. GoPuff
GoPuff has been referred to as a convenience store on wheels. The company hires delivery drivers to deliver convenience store wares like donuts, toothpaste, liquor, Windex, and more.
GoPuff drivers pick up their orders at local distribution centers. They report to the station and wait for orders to come in.
Currently, GoPuff has hundreds of distribution centers in over 1,000 cities in 40 states and Washington D.C. It also has operations in England and Wales and is still expanding throughout the United States and abroad.
As a driver, you can sign up for shifts. You can request the delivery block(s) you would like. You can also pick up ad hoc work for shifts lasting 45 minutes or longer — just log in and look for on-demand orders.
Overall, GoPuff drivers are attracted to the company’s pledge of “No restaurants. No riders. No headaches.”
Requirements
- Minimum age requirement: 21 years old
- Valid U.S. driver’s license
- Vehicle (automobile) to make deliveries
- Vehicle insurance and registration
- Screening: must pass a background check (GoPuff pays for)
- Ability to pass a pre-paid alcohol delivery training course (where required by law)
- Smartphone with the most up-to-date operating system
Pros
- Flexible hours — work when it’s convenient for you
- No waiting around for food orders or for customers
- No picking and packing orders
Cons
- Limited coverage
- You don’t always get the delivery blocks you want
- Stripe is required for instant cash out
10. Point Pickup
Point Pickup is a same-day delivery app that’s a very similar job like Instacart. Drivers can schedule shifts or start picking up orders and drivers whenever they want to.
Other reviews state that Point Pickup is for East Coast residents, but on the Point Pickup website the company states they offer “Same-day fulfillment & delivery in all 50 states.” Additionally, you can find hourly wage data for Point Pickup drivers in all 50 states on ZipRecruiter.
Orders are picked up at a network of participating stores. Walmart is perhaps the most popular retailer, but others include Albertsons, Publix, Giant Eagle, Fareway, GameStop, Wakefern, Woodman’s, Sam’s Club, Home Depot, and more.
Deliveries could also include takeout or dry cleaning; just about anything goes.
Unlike many other delivery apps, Point Pickup is focused on providing a best-in-class experience for its drivers, retail partners, and at-home customers.
The goal of Point Pickup’s CEO is to woo workers by making a gig economy job as appealing and worthwhile as a regular job with perks.
Requirements
- Minimum age requirement: 18 years old
- Vehicle: 2000 model or newer
- Valid vehicle registration and insurance
- Valid driver’s license
- Social security number
- Bank account for payments
- Screening: drivers must pass a background check (Point Pickup pays for)
- In the state of Ohio, special certification is required to deliver alcohol
Pros
- Detailed training videos
- Set your driving zones and limit the distance you want to drive
- No in-store picking and packing required
Cons
- Customers are discouraged from tipping
- You may have to wait up to 15 minutes for an order to be prepared after arriving at the store
- No instant cash payout
11. Drizly
Drizly is a liquor delivery service app that brings alcoholic beverages to your doorstep. They guarantee your liquor store order will be there in 60 minutes or less.
Founded in 2012, Drizly has been delivering wine, beer, spirits, and mixers to thirsty customers for over a decade. Drizly partners with local retailers in its coverage areas. You can order a 6-pack for your backyard barbeque, or a larger order for a company outing or dinner party.
In 2021, Drizly was acquired by Uber, vastly expanding its market reach. Currently, Drizly offers alcohol delivery service to customers in over 1,500 cities across 31 states.
Driver work hours are dictated by when partner liquor stores are open. Many states, counties, or cities within Drizly’s coverage area have restrictions in place so alcohol cannot be sold 24/7.
Requirements
According to this Drizly help center article, Drizly drivers are hired through partner liquor stores. For work, they recommend reaching out directly to any liquor stores in your area that use the app.
There is also an online job board to be a Drizly driver. You answer a short series of questions (name, age, location, availability) and upload a resume. After, you’re told you will be contacted via email if there are any matching openings at local stores.
Other requirements include:
- A clean driving record.
- Car insurance.
- A suitable vehicle.
- Passing a background check.
- Minimum age: 21 years old.
Pros
- No waiting on dinner orders or hauling other people around town
- Flexible hours
- High demand for Drizly’s goods
- 10% tip is built-in to all Drizly orders
Cons
- Not a great job for night owls or early birds
- Can require major heavy lifting
- A pick-up truck may be required to pick up some of the larger orders, like keg drums
Why Should I Deliver Food with Jobs Like Instacart?
Delivering food is a convenient way to earn extra money when it’s convenient for you. Choose the orders you want to deliver and how far you’re willing to drive or bike.
There’s a potential to earn generous tips, and with almost all delivery apps you can cash out daily.
Additionally, there’s plenty of work available. Most delivery drivers can pick up enough hours to make it a full-time gig. In terms of pay, drivers can expect to earn a wage of up to $20 to $25 per hour. There are even food delivery apps that offer health, vision, and dental insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about delivery app jobs like Instacart.
Which jobs like Instacart should you work for?
It’s really a matter of personal decision — what do you want to haul and how far are you willing to drive? Or do you want to nix the car and make deliveries by bike or scooter?
- Best Pay: Point Pickup, Caviar
- Delivering Alcohol: Drizly
- Delivering Anything: From luggage to cookie platters: Roadie
- Getting your Target fix: Shipt
- Working the Most Hours: DoorDash, Uber Eats
- Getting Insurance Benefits: Point Pickup
- Ability to Pick-Up Orders or Passengers through the Same App: Uber Eats
- Delivering Marijuana: Eaze
- Delivering by Bicycle: Uber Eats (DoorDash, Caviar, and Grubhub do allow bicycle deliveries in limited areas)
- Under age 18: Uber Eats (for drivers with 1 year of driving experience and a clean driving record)
How can I maximize my earnings using Instacart and other food delivery apps?
There are several ways to maximize your earnings using Instacart and other food delivery apps:
- Sign up when there’s a generous referral
- Take advantage of the extra ways to earn: peak hours, extra points for being on time, or promotional earnings to get bonuses for making a minimum number of deliveries within a set timeframe.
- Share your referral code with others.
- Pick your deliveries strategically to maximize earnings and limit your drive time.
- Sign up for more than one app so you can earn with the other when there’s a lull in food orders.
What are other jobs like Instacart that don’t involve delivering food?
- Walk dogs for Rover or Wag.
- Do lawn care, home organization, or furniture assembly for TaskRabbit.
- Find transcriptionist work on Freelancer or Fiverr.
- Become a personal trainer or teach fitness.
- Participate in focus groups and take online surveys
- Test websites and apps.
Which Jobs Like Instacart Are Best for You?
Gig apps are booming with no sign of slowing down. In addition to Instacart, there are plenty of other ways to earn money by transporting food, liquor, business goods, or even weed.
We’ve shared some great Instacart alternatives with you, with hourly wages ranging from $15.75 to $22.75 per hour. Among these options, you’re bound to find the perfect delivery side hustle for you.
