Not so long ago, there were once only one or two gig services. There are now dozens, each with a unique app, model, and customer base. With the flood of new apps and services, we wanted to evaluate some of the top options to see which are the best delivery services to work for.
In this review, we’ll take a look at 6 major delivery services. We’ll explore how you can get started with each, discuss how to boost your earnings and dig into what experience is like for drivers.
Best Delivery Services to Work For
Perhaps you’re looking for some flexibility in your work schedule, or maybe you just want to earn a little extra money on the side. Each delivery app offers a slightly different service and/or model, but all of them can help you achieve your income goals.
- Amazon Flex –
Best for guaranteed earnings - Instacart – Best easy-to-meet driver requirements
- Shipt – Best for simple bonuses & promotions
- Grubhub – Best for transparency in pay
- DoorDash – Best for cashing out earnings
- Uber Eats – Best for versatility/flexibility
Now, let’s take a deep dive into each of these 6 services and explore the pros, cons, potential pay, and driver reviews.
1. Amazon Flex
Best For Guaranteed Earnings
Amazon uses programs like Amazon Flex to help complete timely deliveries. As an independent contractor for Flex, you’ll have the opportunity to deliver Amazon packages as well as grocery orders through Whole Foods.
You can schedule delivery blocks at rates starting as low as $15/hr. But these rates can go much higher, and certain blocks, like grocery deliveries, come with the opportunity to earn tips in addition to the hourly rate.
This high-earning potential makes Flex the best package delivery app for earning a decent income that is not dependent on tips.
Pros:
- Free supplemental car insurance.
- Minimum hourly guarantee.
- Schedule availability ahead of time.
Cons:
- Requires a larger vehicle.
- Can’t view route mileage ahead of time.
- You must be able to lift heavy packages.
- You are limited to 8 hrs a day.
| Driver Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 years old |
| Location | Available in over 100 cities in the U.S. but only actively recruiting in a few. |
| Vehicle | Mid-size sedans or larger for standard deliveries, all cars eligible for Prime Now. |
| License & Insurance | Valid driver’s license and minimum state-mandated personal coverage. |
| Smartphone | Android operating system 7.0 or higher, iOS 14 or higher (6s or newer). |
| Other | Amazon account (can create one during sign-up) and reflective vest (free at Amazon warehouse). |
Flex Driver Sign-Up Steps
- Download the Amazon Flex app and log in with your existing Amazon account or create one.
- Fill out the application, specifying how many hours you want to deliver per week. If your city is not currently open to new drivers, you’ll get a Join List option instead of being able to submit an application.
- Provide Amazon Flex with your tax information and necessary documents (i.e., current photo, driver’s license, etc.).
- Once your account is approved, begin adding delivery blocks to your schedule. Blocks can be scheduled up to a week in advance.
How to Increase Your Earnings
How Are Earnings Calculated?
Standard Amazon delivery blocks start at $18/hr, with Prime and Whole Foods blocks starting at $15/hr plus tips.
For all blocks, you get paid the hourly rate for the preset duration of the block. For instance, a 3-hour block at $18/hr will pay $54. You will get this $54 even if you finish in less than 3 hours. You can request an earnings adjustment if your block takes longer.
Tips are added in after hourly pay.
It is also worth noting that the size of your vehicle influences block availability. The bigger your car, the more blocks are available.
Bonuses & Promotions
Reserve offers are blocks offered directly to you for a limited time. You have first dibs on accepting or declining these blocks.
Instant offers are blocks that start soon and need a driver ASAP. Rates on these blocks can easily exceed $20/hr. You’ll need to turn on Available Now in the app to see these offers.
How Are Earnings Paid?
When you sign up for Amazon Flex, you can choose to be paid out weekly or once a day. Payments are made via direct deposit to your checking account.
If you select daily, just be aware that tips often take a few days to post.
Driver Reviews
Amazon Flex has mixed driver reviews. Most of the positive reviews cite reasonable pay rates and flexible schedules.
The two biggest complaints that crop up are block availability and route mileage.
This Reddit post shows a screen capture of a 150+ mile route. And another Reddit post complains about the lack of surged (higher rate) blocks.
Personal Note: I spent 2 years as a Flex driver. I frequently saw blocks that paid more than the minimum, including rare $30+/hr blocks. But traffic and route mileage were major downsides.
2. Instacart
Best For Easy-to-Meet Driver Requirements
Instacart is a service that lets people order groceries and have them delivered. As a driver for Instacart, you’ll be expected to shop for these groceries and then deliver them to the customer.
As a full-service shopper, you can use the app to select batches. Batches consist of one or more deliveries. Multi-order batches can have you deliver to multiple customers and/or shop multiple stores.
Among all the delivery services, Instacart has some of the easiest requirements. You only need to be 18, and the app works on most smartphones, including older operating systems. There are zero vehicle restrictions. You can even be an in-store shopper without a vehicle.
Pros:
- Low driver requirements.
- Available in most US cities.
Cons:
- Shop for groceries yourself.
- Batch pay can be low.
| Driver Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years old. |
| Location | Available in all 50 states. |
| Vehicle | A dependable vehicle. No requirement for in-store shoppers. |
| License & Insurance | Valid driver’s license and minimum state-mandated personal coverage. |
| Smartphone | Android operating system 5.0 or higher, iOS 9 or higher (6s or newer). |
| Other | Insulated bags and/or cooler. |
Instacart Shopper Sign-Up Steps
- Download the Instacart shopper app and start your application.
- Select whether you want to be an in-store shopper or a full-service shopper. In-store shoppers are paid hourly via W2, while full-service shoppers are independent contractors.
- Complete the signup process for your shopper type.
- Wait for your shopper card to arrive and activate it. Then select your first batch to start shopping.
How to Increase Your Earnings
How Are Earnings Calculated?
Instacart earnings consist of batch pay (base pay), promotions, and tips.
Instacart does not readily advertise batch pay breakdowns, as it’s dependent on the size of the order, the effort needed, the distance you drive, and more.
A single batch can consist of one or multiple orders. Picking up multi-order batches lowers individual order base pay but can potentially increase your tips.
Bonuses & Promotions
Instacart occasionally offers promotions and bumps. Promotions are usually bonuses for completing a set number of deliveries in a fixed time frame. I.E., complete X orders in your first 30 days.
Bumps can be offered for various situations, such as shopping for heavy items, if a customer cancels, or simply because demand surges.
How Are Earnings Paid?
Instacart pays shoppers weekly via direct deposit for the previous week’s earnings.
Once you’ve completed at least 5 batches, you can request instant cashout, which transfers earnings to your checking account in as little as 2 hours after completing a batch. Instant cashout comes with a fee.
Driver Reviews
On Glassdoor, Intstacart has mixed reviews, with many being overwhelmingly good or bad.
Many of the good reviews cite the ease and flexibility of being an Instacart shopper.
Even though Instacart is one of the best grocery delivery services to work for, negative reviews often reference poor pay.
On Reddit, the two most frequent complaints regarding pay are batching and tip baiting. Tip baiting is where a customer inflates their tip to try to get their delivery ASAP and then lowers it significantly (sometimes to zero) after delivery.
Personal Note: I signed up to be a full-service shopper, and the process was straightforward. Unfortunately, I got put on the waiting list without insight into when a position might open up.
3. Shipt
Best for Simple Bonuses & Promotions
Similar to Instacart’s model, Shipt allows customers to order their groceries and have them delivered. As a driver for Shipt, you’ll do the shopping yourself before delivering the order to the customer.
And just like Instacart, Shipt uses the batch system to group orders together. Orders can come from grocery stores, gas stations, pet stores, etc.
Unlike many other gig services, Shipt offers limited and simplified bonuses and promos. While this can decrease overall earnings, it also means you aren’t constantly jumping through hoops to meet bonus terms. This can give you more schedule flexibility and consistency in pay.
Pros:
- Free membership to Shipt.
- Transparent payment model.
Cons:
- Requires an interview.
- Has vehicle requirements.
- Not as widely available as other delivery services.
| Driver Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Location | Any vehicle 1997 or newer. 2-door sedans are not acceptable. |
| Vehicle | Any vehicle 1997 or newer. 2-door sedans not acceptable. |
| License & Insurance | Valid driver’s license and minimum state-mandated personal coverage. |
| Smartphone | Android operating system 7.0 or higher, iOS 10 or higher. |
| Other | Interview required. |
Shipt Shopper Sign-Up Steps
- Start your application on Shipt’s website.
- Once your application is completed, you must complete an interview. This requires you to record your answers to a limited set of questions and submit the recording to Shipt for review.
- After your application has been approved, download the driver app and begin setting up your driver schedule.
How to Increase Your Earnings
How Are Earnings Calculated?
Shipt recently restructured its earnings schedule, making the pay less transparent. Each order pays a base of $5 plus an additional unspecified amount that factors in the size of the order, distance traveled, etc.
Any tips and promos are added to earnings after base pay.
Bonuses & Promotions
Shipt does offer a handful of promotions. Like similar apps, they may extend you a referral bonus when you sign up. So, shop X number of orders and get a bonus.
Shipt can also puts bounties on orders that need to be filled asap. These bounties will be a set amount on top of the regular order commission and tips.
How Are Earnings Paid?
Shipt pays drivers every Friday for the previous Monday through Sunday shopping period. Payments are made via direct deposit.
For those wanting quick access to earnings, Shipt offers an instant pay option for a $0.49 fee per cashout. Note: it is Stripe, their payment partner, that charges this fee.
Driver Reviews
Glassdoor reviews for Shipt are mixed, with many newer shopper reviews trending down.
The positive reviews point to benefits that many gig services offer, such as flexibility.
The negative reviews often cite issues like delivery availability and low pay.
On Reddit, recent reviews are even more concerning. There is much chatter about the service/app going downhill (oversaturated, ratings dependent, etc.) and several reports of great shoppers being randomly deactivated for no reason.
4. Grubhub
Best for Transparency in Pay
Starting as a service that allowed customers to order from restaurants and have food delivered, Grubhub has expanded its model to include taking orders from pharmacies, convenience stores, and more.
As a driver for Grubhub, you can schedule yourself for delivery blocks within a set geographical area.
Grubhub is very upfront with how much you can make and how pay breaks down. You’ll get to see precisely how much of your earnings are base pay, promotions, tips, etc. This transparency can be very useful in helping you determine how to increase your earnings.
Pros:
- Transparent earnings breakdown.
- Opportunity for high-paying catering orders.
Cons:
- You can be penalized for dropping blocks.
- You need to be at least 19 or older.
- Limited to deliveries only in your pre-set area.
| Driver Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | Any vehicle, including scooters and bikes. |
| Location | Available in all 50 states. |
| Vehicle | Any vehicle, including scooters and bikes. |
| License & Insurance | Valid driver’s license and minimum state-mandated personal coverage. |
| Smartphone | Android 5.0 or higher, iOS 11 or higher. |
| Other | Insulated bag (1 provided free) and completion of a safety training course. |
Grubhub Driver Sign-Up Steps
- Submit an application through the Grubhub website or driver app.
- Upload any requested documents to complete your application. I.E., a copy of your driver’s license.
- Once your application is approved, complete the onboarding process, which includes optional training courses.
- Use the app to begin scheduling delivery blocks or set yourself to Taking Offers to view on-demand orders.
- After completing your first delivery, your Grubhub driver card and insulated bag are mailed to you.
How to Increase Your Earnings
How Are Earnings Calculated?
Grubhub earnings are built from 4 factors: your base pay, Grubhub contribution, applicable bonuses, and tips.
The base pay is what Grubhub pays you for mileage, time spent, etc.
The additional Grubhub contribution is to help your pay hit the minimum for your area. To be eligible for this contribution, you must deliver during a scheduled block and have a high order acceptance rate.
Bonuses & Promotions
Promotions, which Grubhub calls missions, are earnings for completing a set number of deliveries in a set amount of time.
In addition to bonuses, your status with Grubhub can make a huge difference in your pay. Grubhub offers three driver tiers, Partner, Pro, and Premier. Status is earned through order acceptance and block attendance.
The highest tier, Premier, gives you access to higher-dollar orders and the first choice on schedules.
How Are Earnings Paid?
Grubhub pays drivers every Thursday for orders completed the previous Monday through Sunday. Payment is via direct deposit.
For those who want access to earnings faster, Grubhub offers an Instant Cashout feature for $0.50 a transfer.
Driver Reviews
While the reviews from Grubhub drivers on Glassdoor are mixed, with an average of 3.5 stars, many of the newer reviews are still positive.
Reviews like the one below commend the flexibility and pay of driving for Grubhub.
Many of the negative reviews Grubhub garners revolve around wait time at restaurants and concerns with how the system operates. For instance, this Reddit post goes into detail on the inefficiency of wait times at restaurants.
5. DoorDash
Best for Cashing Out Earnings
Much like GrubHub, DoorDash is a service that primarily offers the delivery of restaurant takeout. They have also expanded to include orders for groceries, pet stores, and more.
There are 3 key areas where DoorDash differs from Grubhub: scheduling model, service area, and cash-out options.
Instead of scheduling, DoorDash orders are issued on-demand, and there is no pre-set area. You can deliver in any area. Plus, with DoorDash being the largest food delivery service, they offer more delivery opportunities.
The cashout options are where DoorDash really beats out the competition. In addition to the weekly pay option and fee-based instant cashout, DoorDash also supports a fee-free prepaid Dasher card.
Pros:
- Provides supplemental commercial insurance.
- Offers multiple bonuses and earning models.
Cons:
- Lack of transparency in earnings.
- Decreasing base pay.
| Driver Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years old. |
| Location | Available in all 50 states. |
| Vehicle | Any vehicle, including scooters and bikes. |
| License & Insurance | Valid driver’s license and minimum state-mandated personal coverage (unless you are delivering via bike). |
| Smartphone | Android or iPhone. |
| Other | Insulated bag (free after first delivery). |
Dasher Sign-Up Steps
- Start an application on the DoorDash website by filling out your information (i.e., name, date of birth, car details).
- Upload any needed documents, like a copy of your driver’s license, and agree to a background check.
- After you’ve passed your background check, choose how you want to get paid and enter any necessary banking info.
- Download the Dasher driving app and select your first order.
- After completing your first order, choose the address to which you would like your Red Card and the insulated bag shipped.
How to Increase Your Earnings
How Are Earnings Calculated?
On every order from DoorDash, there will be base pay. According to DoorDash, this can range from $2 – $10 based on time spent and distance traveled. The rest of a Dasher’s pay comes from tips and promotions.
Bonuses & Promotions
The two most common types of promotions are Peak Pay and Challenges.
Peak Pay is a bonus you get for completing deliveries during busy hours, i.e., look for red zone areas on the Dasher map.
Challenges are bonuses for completing a set number of hours in a set time frame. For instance, an extra $20 for completing 15 deliveries.
In limited situations, DoorDash also offers guaranteed earnings. This is a fixed minimum pay for completing X deliveries. “Earn at least $500 in total earnings for 50 deliveries in the next week.” is the example used on DoorDash’s website.
DoorDash has recently started to roll out an hourly pay model, where you can earn a set amount per hour. This can be a helpful way to combat long wait times at restaurants.
How Are Earnings Paid?
DoorDash pays drivers every Wednesday for the previous Monday thru Sunday delivery period. Payment is through direct deposit.
For those who want their pay faster, DoorDash offers Fast Pay for $1.99, which transfers earnings directly to your linked debit card, or you can signup for the DasherDirect prepaid card to automatically cash out earnings instantly, for free.
Driver Reviews
The reviews on Glassdoor for DoorDash seem very dependent on individual driver experience. Some drivers have great experiences with orders and tips.
The less-than-positive reviews, though, repeatedly discuss unreliable earnings.
Unfortunately, the pay concerns don’t stop there. Many Dashers on Reddit have started to complain about unannounced decreases in base pay and the lack of transparency with earnings.
6. Uber Eats
Best for Versatility/Flexibility
The Uber company is a juggernaut. Starting as a rideshare service, they now offer food delivery through Uber Eats and are now the second largest food delivery service in the US (DoorDash is the largest).
This marriage of rideshare and deliveries provides Uber Eats drivers with a high level of versatility. As an Uber Eats driver, you can choose from restaurant takeout deliveries, convenience store orders, grocery shopping, alcohol, and more.
Plus, if your vehicle meets the requirements, you can even switch over to the rideshare service. This versatility makes Uber Eats one of the best food delivery services to work for.
Pros:
- Available nationwide.
- Drive passengers or deliver packages.
- Free debit card.
Cons:
- Higher minimum age requirement.
- Cancellation penalty.
- App issues/complaints.
| Driver Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 19 years old (18 for bike deliveries). |
| Location | Available in 6000 cities worldwide. |
| Vehicle | 2-door car or larger (separate restrictions for rideshare). |
| License & Insurance | Valid driver’s license and minimum state-mandated personal coverage. |
| Smartphone | Android or iPhone. |
| Other | N/A |
Uber Eats Driver Sign-Up Steps
- Start the signup process from the website or app. If you already drive for Uber, you can sign up through the driver app.
- Download the driver app to complete your signup process, i.e., uploading vehicle insurance.
- Once approved, open the app to view and select your first delivery. If you signed up for an Uber Plus Card, this will be shipped to you.
How to Increase Your Earnings
How Are Earnings Calculated?
Uber Eats is very vague on how they calculate earnings and what exactly makes up base pay. The only information they have released is that earnings are made up of base pay, promotions, and tips.
Bonuses & Promotions
Quests are one of the most common promotions. These are bonuses for completing a set number of deliveries in a set amount of time. Similarly, Uber also offers Streaks which are bonuses for completing X number of deliveries in a row.
Other Uber Eats promotions deal with increased demand. Boosts are preset base fare multipliers for completing deliveries during usual busy times. Surges are a fixed extra dollar amount for delivery and can appear whenever there is more demand than drivers.
For a quick comparison, let’s say you have a delivery with a $10 base pay. A 1.5X boost would be $10 X 1.5 = $15. Whereas a surge might offer you an extra $6 for completing a delivery, for a total of $16.
Uber Eats also occasionally offers guarantees. These are bonuses issued if your earnings don’t meet the minimum for a set number of deliveries. I.E., if you are offered $2500 for completing 200 deliveries but only make $2200, you’ll receive a $300 bonus to get you up to $2500.
How Are Earnings Paid?
Uber pays out earnings every Thursday for the previous week’s deliveries.
If you want immediate access to your earnings, you can either use Uber’s instant pay feature (for a fee) or sign up for the free Uber Pro Card debit card, which automatically cashes out earnings after each delivery.
Driver Reviews
Like many other services on this list, Uber Eats has mixed Glassdoor reviews.
The positive reviews point towards flexibility and the opportunity to earn extra cash.
The negative reviews often reference issues with the app and inconsistent pay for mileage driven or time spent.
The most concerning reviews for Uber Eats raise concerns about decreasing base pay and lack of pay transparency. This has led to several drivers on Reddit wondering whether Uber may be stealing driver tips.
Note: Uber purchased Postmates back in 2020, and all drivers were moved over to the Uber platform. New drivers looking to sign up will be redirected to Uber Eats.
Comparing the 6 Best Delivery Services to Work For
Below is a quick comparison of the key requirements and earnings opportunities each of the above 6 delivery services offer.
| Minimum Age | Vehicle Limitations? | Guaranteed Earnings? | Hourly Pay* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Flex | 21 | Yes | Yes | $16 – $22 |
| Instacart | 18 | No | No | $15 – $21 |
| Shipt | 18 | Yes | No | $14 – $22 |
| Grubhub | 19 (21 in Vegas) | No | Yes | $17 – $24 |
| DoorDash | 18 | No | Yes | $17 – $22 |
| Uber Eats | 19 (18 for bike) | No (unless you do rideshare) | Yes | $17 – $24 |
*Based on real driver reviews posted on Glassdoor.
Only the differences are highlighted above. Certain requirements, like needing a smartphone or agreeing to a background check, are shared by all 6 delivery services.
Choosing the Best Delivery Service to Work For
When evaluating which delivery service is the best for you, there is one vital question to consider. What kind of income are you looking for?
If you are just looking to earn extra cash or part-time work, then picking only one or two delivery apps might be best.
Try to focus on services that utilize your skills. For instance, a grocery delivery service might be a good choice if you are a quick shopper. Or, if you have great navigation skills, a package delivery service might be the better choice.
If you are looking at using courier apps to help you earn a full-time income, then your focus will be more on finding the best-paying delivery apps. This is best done by checking out the reviews for each delivery app in your market. Reddit and Facebook groups can be great resources for this information.
How to Optimize Your Earnings
Once you choose a delivery service, or services, to work for, then you’ll want to try to maximize your earnings and minimize your expenses. Below are a few suggestions.
Increasing Your Earnings:
- Utilize multiple delivery apps.
- Follow surges, bonuses, and promos.
- Practice good customer service to increase tips.
- Cherry-pick high-paying deliveries.
- Shop stores in your spare time to learn the layout and reduce shopping time.
- Be open to delivering in poor weather or during holidays.
Reducing Expenses:
- Avoid tollways and traffic.
- Track mileage and expenses (i.e., internet, phone, etc.) for tax deductions.
- Utilize delivery app benefits like free memberships, insurance discounts, etc.
- Avoid delivering/shopping during off-peak hours.
- Never pay for an instant cashout.
When trying to improve your earnings, there are a few practices you may want to avoid. This includes:
- Operating multiple accounts with the same courier. This could get you deactivated and make you ineligible for driver insurance. Plus, it annoys your fellow delivery drivers.
- Using bots and other 3rd party apps. Navigation apps and expense-tracking apps are fine. Avoid 3rd party apps (or bots) that promise to help improve your stats, accept more deliveries, or increase your earnings.
- Taking passengers with you on deliveries. Some apps allow this, while others don’t. Driver insurance will not cover passengers even if the delivery service doesn’t strictly prohibit this.
There are many pro tips for delivery drivers, and learning them will help you maximize your earnings
Additional Opportunities
In addition to big-name delivery services, there are a lot of smaller companies and local delivery services that you can look into.
For instance, those in Texas looking to deliver food can check out the Favor app. And those interested in delivering weed might find a good fit with the Eaze app (only available in Michigan and California).
You can also check out other local gig-type opportunities, like returning people’s luggage, assembling furniture, driving passengers to medical appointments, etc.
The post 6 Best Delivery Services to Work For in 2023 appeared first on FinMasters.
