Best Delivery Apps To Make Money [2024]: Get Paid to Drive

If you want to make extra cash and set your own hours, then delivery gigs through apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Instacart are good options.

Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or a full-time gig, we’ll go over 8 of the best delivery apps to make money, like the ever-popular DoorDash and other jobs like DoorDash.

How we evaluate products

When delivery apps, we looked at several factors to determine which companies excel in pay, driver treatment, and opportunity reach. To further refine our selection, additional criteria focusing on drivers' financial and work-life balance were integrated into the evaluation process. Emphasis was placed on three key factors: earning potential, driver requirements, and flexibility.

• Earning potential: This factor was critical in assessing which delivery apps offer the best pay opportunities for drivers. We researched each company’s base pay, incentives, and bonus structures, along with the availability of high-demand orders that could increase earnings. Companies that did not offer bonuses or stacked earning opportunities were ranked lower.
• Driver requirements: We also considered driver requirements, including age restrictions, insurance needs, and vehicle needs. For example, Instacart ranked higher than Gopuff because workers need to be 18 rather than 21, and there are work options available that don’t require a car and insurance.
• Flexibility: We counted flexibility as an important factor for drivers because we recognize our readers could be using this side hustle as a full-time income or a job between classes or another job. We ranked companies higher if they had more opportunities nationwide and if they had a larger working window time.

1. Uber Eats

Uber Eats is the second-largest food delivery service in the U.S. Uber Eats driver wages consist of a base pay for each trip, tips, bonuses, and incentives.

As an Uber Eats driver, you’ll earn a flat fee for every order you drop off, plus a per-mile rate for the distance between the restaurant and the customer's location. Drivers in some cities may also be paid a per-minute rate based on the time it takes to complete the trip, including wait time.

Typically payment is via weekly direct deposits to your bank account. You can also cash out with Instant Pay right after a delivery is paid. However, there is a $0.85 fee for each cashout, and you’re limited to six cashouts per day. This fee can be avoided if you have an Uber Pro Card, which gives you free automatic payouts on every trip.

What we love most about Uber Eats: Free college tuition

We recommend Uber Eat Pro if you are interested in the extra perks, such as full tuition coverage from Arizona State University Online and up to seven cents per gallon back when you refuel.

Visit Uber Eats | Read our full Uber Eats review

2. Instacart

Some people hate grocery shopping or just don’t have time for it. As an Instacart shopper, you could get paid to the grocery store for them. Instacart offers two different shopper opportunities: full-service shoppers and in-store shoppers.

Full-service shoppers are independent contractors who select the items on a grocery list and then deliver them to the customer. As a full-service shopper, you can set your own hours and pick up which batches you want to shop. You’re paid a base amount per “batch” order based on the order size, driving distance, and amount of time the order requires for shopping and delivery.

Since full-service shoppers are also delivering the groceries, you’ll need a vehicle and insurance coverage. Unfortunately, Instacart dramatically cut its minimum base pay rates for shoppers from $7 to $4 in 2023 according to Supermarket News, so working for them may not seem worthwhile considering the other required expenses.

What we love most about Instacart: Non-driver options available

In-store shoppers are part-time employees of Instacart who work in designated stores to shop and stage orders. In-store shoppers don’t deliver the groceries, so you don’t need a car to do this job. As an in-store shopper, you earn an hourly wage and have some flexibility in selecting the scheduled shifts you work.

Visit Instacart | Read our full Instacart review

3. DoorDash

DoorDash is like a combination of Uber Eats and Instacart, with many Dashers averaging $20 per hour according to Glassdoor. You may earn more or less if you try this option, of course. While the company is mainly known as a restaurant delivery service, it also offers a Shop & Deliver service, where Dashers shop for and deliver groceries to customers.

When you sign up to be a Dasher, the delivery options for restaurants or Shop & Deliver grocery orders are all available in the app. So, if there’s a lull in restaurant orders between lunch and dinner hours, you can still make money by picking up a grocery order.

DoorDash pay consists of a base pay, tips, and promotions like Peak Pay and Challenges that can help you make more.³ Payments are made weekly through direct deposit. DoorDash does offer a Fast Pay option for you to get paid in daily cashouts but fees apply. You can forgo the fees and get instant access to your pay after each order when you sign up for the DasherDirect prepaid debit card.

What we love most about DoorDash: Lots of perks

DoorDash also offers its Dashers perks and discounts through partnerships with different companies. For example, Dashers can get discounts off TurboTax Self-Employed services, credits for car maintenance with CarAdvise, or access to dental and vision plans through Stride. If you sign up for DasherDirect, you’ll also get Wellness Perks by Avibra, which includes free accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) and life insurance coverage as well as 24/7 access to well-being advisors.

Visit DoorDash | Read our full DoorDash review

4. Shipt

Shipt is a membership-based grocery delivery service that hires independent contractors to shop and deliver customer orders from retailers like Target, CVS, Walgreens, or HyVee. To become a Shipt shopper, you must be at least 18, be able to lift 50 pounds, and have a valid mailing address, U.S. driver’s license, auto insurance, and a reliable four-door vehicle.

The company guarantees on its website that every job offered through the Shipt app will pay at least $16 per hour. The amount you earn with each Shipt job includes a base or offer pay, tips, and applicable bonuses. Payments are directly deposited every Friday, but you can access Instant Pay through Stripe. However, Stripe charges a fee of 1% for each Instant Payout.

Though the pay average is higher than other delivery companies, delivery areas aren’t as widely available as its competitors. Consider if Shipt will be a good opportunity for you if you don’t live in a highly-populated area.

What we love most about Shipt: Supportive community

Working as an independent contractor can be lonely because you don’t really have coworkers. As a Shipt shopper, you can join an online community of other Shipt shoppers who share their experiences, customer stories, tips, and tricks.

Shipt also offers its shoppers perks and discounts on things like tax preparation services, auto insurance, gas savings programs, healthcare, well-being programs, and pet insurance. Plus, you get a free Shipt membership so someone else can deliver your groceries when you’re off the clock.

Visit Shipt | Read our full Shipt review

5. Grubhub

Grubhub holds less of the food delivery market than Uber Eats and DoorDash, but it still handles over 715,000 daily orders. As a driver for Grubhub, there are no minimum lifting requirements. You just need a car, a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and a smartphone to get started.

The best way to make more money with Grubhub is to sign up for scheduled blocks of time to work. Deliveries are given to scheduled block drivers first before they’re offered to non-scheduled drivers. Plus, if things are running slow on a day that you’ve picked up a scheduled block, Grubhub will pay you a guaranteed minimum rate for the area you’re working in.

There’s an instant cashout option for drivers that costs a small fee of $0.50 unless you’re using a Chase checking or savings account. Grubhub also offers various discounts drivers can take advantage of and awards several $10,000 grants to drivers annually.

What we love most about Grubhub: Milestone recognition

Grubhub pays you a set amount for each delivery plus bonuses and 100% of any tips you earn. Drivers for Grubhub can also move up in the ranks of three levels — Partner, Pro, and Premier — to earn more money. Additionally, your milestones, such as 50 or 100 deliveries completed, earn you recognition and delivery gear or gift cards.

Visit Grubhub

6. Amazon Flex

With Amazon Flex, you can deliver packages for Amazon on your own schedule. Amazon Flex drivers deliver Amazon.com orders, Amazon store orders, grocery and household items orders from Prime Now or Amazon Fresh, and instant offers in some locations.

According to the official website, Amazon Flex pays between $18 and $25 per hour, depending on the location, length of deliveries, tips, and other factors. For programs with no tips, the amount listed is your guaranteed pay, no matter how short or long the block lasts. If there is a range, the lower cost is the guaranteed pay from Amazon. For example, if a two-hour block has a pay range of $36 to $50, Amazon will pay you $36, but you can earn more through tips.

However, Amazon Flex currently only hires drivers in about 100 cities nationwide. If it’s not in your city, you can still download the Amazon Flex app and create an account to be notified when the services are available.

While you’ll need personal auto insurance to be an Amazon Flex driver, drivers are also covered under Amazon’s Commercial Auto Insurance Policy at no cost. However, note that if you bring a human or pet passenger, they will not be covered under the insurance policy if something happens.

What we love most about Amazon Flex: Block scheduling

With other delivery apps, you are at the mercy of the flux of order demands. You earn based on how many opportunities are available at any given moment, and if it is a slow day or you are competing with other drivers, it can be hard to get the hours you need. However, what we love about Amazon Flex is that you can schedule a block that fits your needs, making it easier to work more hours consistently.

Visit Amazon Flex

7. Postmates

Founded in 2011, Postmates was purchased by Uber in 2020. Uber Eats drivers now make the deliveries for the service, so if you want to deliver for Postmates, you’ll have to sign up with Uber Eats.

Besides earning a flat fee for every order you pick up, Postmates/Uber Eats drivers also receive a per-mile rate for the distance between the restaurant and the customer location. Drivers in some cities may also be paid a per-minute rate based on the time that’s expected for you to complete the trip, including wait time.

What we love most about Postmates: More opportunities

To qualify as a Postmates/Uber Eats driver, you must be at least 19 years old, have a reliable car and valid driver’s license, and pass a background screening. The benefit of driving for Postmates is you may have access to more deliveries because you would be working for both Postmates and Uber Eats.

Visit Postmates | Read our full Postmates review

8. Gopuff

Gopuff delivery drivers have to jump through a few more hoops than with other companies, but it is a good choice for those who prefer a smaller delivery window and want an uncomplicated pick up location. Since Gopuff is available 24/7, there are many delivery opportunities to fit in your schedule. Gopuff drivers earn an average of $18 per hour according to ZipRecruiter, but unlike other delivery apps, there is no mention of bonuses or guaranteed pay. And your results will vary. 

Gopuff drivers must be 21 years or older and complete and pass an alcohol delivery training course paid for by Gopuff. You must also pass a motor vehicle record and criminal background check.

As a Gopuff driver, you can either pick up on-demand deliveries or deliver during a scheduled block of time. Scheduled block drivers are compensated with a per-minute Wait Pay for their time waiting at the Gopuff facility for an order. Gopuff also partners with Stride to provide optional healthcare coverage for drivers.

What we love most about Gopuff: One pick up location

If you don't like the idea of driving to numerous restaurants to pick up orders, consider delivering for Gopuff. All the groceries, alcohol, home essentials, and other items you’ll deliver for Gopuff come from a micro-fulfillment center centrally located in the area it serves. Gopuff works in small delivery zones, so there isn’t much driving around required.

Visit Gopuff

Delivery apps that didn’t make our list

While we included many popular delivery apps on our list, there were a few that didn’t quite make the cut. One company being Delivery.com, which is known for fast food and laundry deliveries. It is often criticized for its limited availability in certain regions, which can restrict access for many potential users. We didn’t like that their site had no information for drivers; it only had an application form. We recommend choosing a delivery app company that has clear driver expectations listed up front, as well as benefits and perks.

Another company that didn’t make the list is EatStreet for similar reasons. The delivery app is not as big as Uber Eats or DoorDash, which means local customers do not rely on it. Like Delivery.com, we couldn’t locate delivery job information on their website, which leads us to believe there is low delivery driver support and little to zero perks.

How to choose the best delivery apps to make money

When researching how to make money from delivery apps, you’ll notice that delivery services have commonalities to how drivers are paid and the incentives they receive. Most delivery services offer flexible scheduling, weekly pay, and incentives for you to earn more money. Plus, they all let you keep 100% of your tips.

But there are some differences. Here are a few factors where delivery apps may differ that you should pay attention to:

• Fees for instant cash outs: Most delivery apps enable you to instantly cash out your earnings right after you earn them. But fees are usually involved — they range from $0.50 to $1.99 per transaction.
• Requirements for training or background checks: Some delivery apps require you to take and pass specific training courses. They may also require a driving record and criminal background check before you are eligible to drive for them.
• Insurance coverage: As independent contractors, drivers are responsible for their own health insurance, so it's an added perk when companies like DoorDash provide options for healthcare coverage for their drivers.
• Discounts available: Some delivery apps offer discounts on gas and car maintenance, which can be beneficial because drivers are responsible for those expenses.

FAQs

Bottom line

Delivery apps are one of the best side hustles to make money on your own schedule. You can choose to deliver restaurant orders for customers or shop and deliver groceries.

However, the best delivery apps to make money are those that enable you to pick up both restaurant and grocery orders, like DoorDash and Grubhub.

The delivery app that will make you the most money in your area depends on your area. Are you close to a college? DoorDash and UberEats might be profitable for you. However, if you are in a family-centered suburb, Amazon Flex might be a better choice.