Are you thinking of working in the delivery industry to earn money? With numerous platforms offering a flexible and potentially profitable side hustle, you probably wonder: what are the best delivery apps to work for?
The current trend toward on-demand delivery service farmed out to independent contractors, which created a huge demand for new drivers. Being in the delivery industry might be good for people who want to earn extra income and looking for ways to make more money.
This article will guide you by reviewing the best delivery companies to work for, their requirements, income possibilities, and pros and cons. Read on.
Top 15 Delivery Apps You Can Work For
1. DoorDash
DoorDash is one of the best delivery apps to make money. As a DoorDash driver (known as Dasher), you get paid to deliver restaurant meals to homes and offices.
The Dashers can deliver food via car, scooter, or bicycle.
Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license (if driving).
- Own a smartphone.
- Pass a background check.
Income Prospects:
Dashers receive at least $2 per delivery and 100% of the customer tip. A Dasher can make between $15-$25 per hour or up to $500 a week, depending on the skills and expertise of the driver.
DoorDash pays its drivers weekly, though early cash out is possible by signing up to Fast Pay. Fast Pay is only available upon completion of 25 orders.
Pros:
- Challenges and incentives to increase earnings.
- Widely tipped.
Cons:
- Only chat support is available for drivers.
2. Postmates
As a Postmates delivery driver, you’ll be expected to deliver everything from cooked restaurant meals to groceries and liquor store orders.
The company operates widely across cities in the US.
Both Postmates and DoorDash are very popular to use. See the differences between DoorDash and Postmates to see which company fits you best.
Requirements:
- You have to be 18 years of age or older.
- Own a qualified delivery vehicle for your city (car, bicycle, scooter).
- Valid driver’s license and insurance.
- Own a current smartphone.
- Agree to a background check.
Income Prospects:
Delivery drivers indicate that you can make an average of $20 per hour. The payments are made weekly and can be drawn any time of the day as long as there’s a minimum balance of $5.
Pros:
- The app pays for waiting on orders.
- Incentives and challenges to increase earnings.
Cons:
- Limited support for riders.
3. Instacart
Instacart is an online grocery delivery service that operates in over 5,500 cities across USA and Canada. As an Instacart Mobile Shopper, your job is to buy and deliver freshly picked groceries to people’s doorsteps.
Requirements:
To become an Instacart shopper, an individual must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be eligible to work in the United States.
- Have consistent access to a registered vehicle.
- Have a valid driving license.
- Own a smartphone.
- Be able to lift 30+ lbs with or without accommodation.
- Pass a background check.
Income Prospects:
According to most Instacart shoppers, you can earn between $10-$49 per hour. However, you can expect an average of $30 per hour working as an Instacart Shopper.
Pros:
- Shoppers keep 100% of the tips earned.
- You can see estimated earnings before accepting an order.
Cons:
- You have to carry heavy loads of groceries.
- You must have access to a car.
4. Uber Eats
Uber Eats is an online food delivery service offering a more flexible working schedule than most traditional restaurant delivery services. You get to decide for yourself whether you want to work over weekends, after school, or full-time.
Uber Eats also allows you to work through its platform even if you’re associated with other delivery or courier services.
It partners with over 825,000 restaurants to deliver food and is available in 6,000+ cities across the USA. Find out if the Uber Eats delivery service is available in your city.
Requirements:
You must fulfill a few requirements to become an Uber Eats driver. We’ve listed it down for you:
- You must be at least 19 or older (18 years to deliver by bicycle or foot).
- You must have a 2-door or 4-door car (or an under 50cc motorized scooter).
- You must possess a valid driver’s license.
- Submit your Social Security Number (SSN) to run a background check.
- Have a government-issued ID (for bicycle and foot delivery).
Income Prospects:
Your income through Uber Eats largely varies with your location, skill to find work in boost zones, and peak hours. According to Zip Recruiter, an Uber Eats delivery driver makes about $19.2 per hour.
However, it is crucial to take note that income greatly varies from day to day.
Pros:
- You can work simultaneously for Uber rideshare and Uber delivery.
- Allows flexible delivery modes (car, scooter, bicycle, walk).
- Allows cash withdrawal up to 5x a day with InstantPay.
Cons:
- The car model must be newer than 1999.
- Pay can be confusing.
- Difficult to analyze payment for each delivery.
5. Burpy
Burpy is a grocery delivery service and is one of the best-paying delivery apps on our list.
With Burpy, you shop on behalf of customers, drop off their orders at their doorstep, and get paid to deliver through Burpy’s mobile app.
Requirements:
The requisites to sign-up as a Burpy Shopper are as follows:
- Must be at least 18 years.
- Have a 1997 or newer vehicle.
- Be able to lift 40 pounds.
- Have a valid US driver’s license and insurance.
- Own an iPhone (iOS 10 or later) or Android (5.1 or later).
- Pass a background check.
Income Prospects:
A Burpy Shopper can earn between $15-$25 per hour, including customer tips. The earnings, however, vary depending on the number of orders you complete and the number of tips you receive.
Pros:
- You get to keep 100% of your tips.
- Estimated earnings are shown on the mobile app before accepting an order.
Cons:
- You have to lift heavy weights.
- Burpy doesn’t reimburse for your mileage.
6. Caviar
Caviar is a small-scale but rapidly growing delivery service. It is mainly available on the East Coast, in some cities in the Midwest, and in California.
The app allows you to plan your schedule like other delivery apps.
Requirements:
Just like other apps, Caviar holds some requirements to become a courier:
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Have access to a vehicle (car, motorcycle, scooter).
- Have a valid driver’s license and insurance.
- Have a recent smartphone.
- Pass a background check.
Income Prospects:
DoorDash recently acquired Caviar to deliver gourmet foods. Therefore, it is among the best-paying delivery apps around.
The company claims you can earn up to $25 per hour with tips.
Pros:
- Live phone support for drivers.
- Estimated pay is visible for every order.
- Instant payment for every order.
Cons:
- Not available in most places.
- The driver selection process is slower.
7. Grubhub
Grubhub is a prepared food delivery service that generally deals in fast food. It is one of the pioneer apps in the food delivery app space.
Requirements:
To become a Grubhub driver, you must:
- Be 19 years or older.
- Have access to a car (motorcycle in some cities).
- Have a driver’s license and insurance.
- Have a smartphone.
Income Prospects:
Grubhub is one of the best delivery apps to work for in terms of compensation. It pays a base pay of $3.25 per and $0.5 for every mile driven. Grubhub’s average hourly pay is $19.
Pros:
- App has a tip rate of 15%.
- Phone support is available.
Cons:
- Drivers must sign-up for specific delivery areas.
- Fewer incentives than in other apps.
8. Amazon Flex
Delivering packages for Amazon Flex is a great way to earn some extra cash. You need to sign up with the app, reserve your block as an Amazon Flex driver, and start working on your schedule.
You must also be in cities where Amazon Flex works to start delivering.
Requirements:
To work as an Amazon Flex driver, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Have a valid license and Social Security number.
- Have mid-sized or larger vehicles.
- Have an Android or iPhone smartphone.
Income Prospects:
The Amazon Flex website claims you can earn $18-$25 per hour with them. However, your earnings depend on location, tips, and other factors.
Pros:
- Driver’s phone support is available.
Cons:
- Larger-sized vehicles are required.
- The age limit is higher than for other delivery services.
9. GoPuff
GoPuff is a delivery service providing groceries, alcohol, health items, ice cream, pet supplies, and more. It is available in over 1,000 cities nationwide.
Requirements:
To work as a GoPuff driver, you must:
- Be 21+ years old (for delivering age-restricted products).
- Have a valid driver’s license.
- Have passed a criminal background check.
- Complete an alcohol certification course (if applicable).
Income Prospects:
GoPuff pays its drivers a base pay that varies depending on location and peak hours. On average, a GoPuff driver earns upwards of $20 an hour.
Pros:
- Convenient parking spaces.
- One pick-up spot.
Cons:
- Locations are limited compared to other big apps.
10. Point Pickup
Point Pickup is a delivery service that lets you choose work hours and routes, allowing you to earn extra cash without compromising your daily routine.
Requirements:
Here are the requirements you need to fulfill to become a Point Pickup delivery driver:
- Be 18 or older.
- Have a valid driver’s license.
- Social Security number.
- Pass a background check.
Income Prospects:
Point Pickup pays via direct deposit into your bank account 48 hours post delivery. The hourly rate for the delivery driver at Pickup Point is $14.71, according to Indeed.com.
Pros:
- Single pick-up point
- No driving in search of gigs
- Delivery locations close to the store
Cons:
- The hourly rate is lower than some other apps.
11. Saucey
Saucey delivers alcoholic beverages to customers’ doorstep within a relatively narrow window of time. So, you’d have lesser time to complete the order than most other apps.
You can also choose the neighborhood you want to work in, as the company operates in relatively larger cities.
Requirements:
To become a Saucey driver, you need to:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Have a valid California driver’s license.
- Have a clean driving record.
- Have a car.
- Proof of car insurance.
Income Prospects:
According to Indeed, the average Saucey delivery driver’s pay in the United States is $18 per hour.
Pros:
- Generous tips from customers.
Cons:
- Service is available in limited cities.
- 21 years of age restriction.
12. Favor
Favor is a service that delivers everything from tacos and pizzas to groceries and dry cleaning. They call themselves personal assistants.
Requirements:
Here are the prerequisites to becoming a Favor driver:
- 18 years or older.
- Valid driver’s license and insurance.
- Agree to a background check.
- Have a current smartphone.
- Access to a vehicle.
Income Prospects:
Favor delivery app gives weekly payouts to its drivers. The runners can earn anywhere between $10 – $18 per hour.
Pros:
- Offers incentives to increase earnings.
- Bike delivery is offered in some cities.
- Cash rewards for app referrals.
Cons:
- Service isn’t available in Texas.
13. Shipt Shopper
Shipt Shopper is among the best delivery apps to work for. Shipt Shopper pays you to buy groceries from local retailers and deliver them to the customers.
Requirements:
To become a Shipt Shop delivery driver, you must:
- Be 18 years or older.
- Have a valid driver’s license and insurance.
- Agree to a background check.
- Have a current smartphone.
- Have access to a vehicle.
- Can lift up to 40 pounds.
Income Prospects:
Shipt Shopper offers a base pay higher than most other apps at about $5 per order. In addition, you receive 7.50% of the total order value.
Riders’ earnings can go up to $22 per hour or more.
Pros:
- View estimated earnings before taking an order.
- Shoppers receive a Shipt membership.
Cons:
- The app is not as widely available.
14. Delivery.com
Delivery.com allows drivers to work on their schedule and at their convenience. The riders are expected to deliver food, liquor, groceries, and catering for orders.
The company provides growth opportunities to suitable candidates.
Requirements:
To work with Delivery.com, you need to have the following:
- Reliable vehicle.
- Current valid driver’s license.
- Proof of auto insurance.
- Current smartphone.
Income Prospects:
You can earn up to $17.92 per hour as a delivery driver with Delivery.com.
Pros:
- Call support is available for drivers.
- Service is widely available.
Cons:
- No incentives to increase earnings.
15. Bite Squad
Bite Squad offers restaurant food deliveries to its customers. You can work with Bite Squad to make decent money as an independent contractor.
Requirements:
To become a Bite Squad Driver, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance.
- Own a vehicle and smartphone.
- Have at least 2 years of driving experience with a clean driving record.
- Pass background check.
Income Prospects:
According to Indeed, a delivery driver’s average Bite Squad hourly pay rate is $18.00.
Pros:
- Freedom to choose work hours.
- Decent pay.
Cons:
- Available only in some major cities.
- No bonuses or incentives.
Important Considerations In Working For A Delivery App
Working as a delivery driver comes with a sense of independence, but the job has its own challenges. If you’re trying to become a delivery driver, know that you’d require the following set of skills to carry out your job effectively:
- Time management
- Task prioritization
- Miles per hour and miles per gallon calculations
- Route distance calculations
- Simple addition and subtraction
Moreover, there are specific safety rules you need to follow as your job involves being on the road most of the time.
- Knowledge of road rules for your area
- Excellent eyesight, especially at night and during bad weather
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Best Delivery Apps To Work For
Which Delivery App Pays the Best?
Of the delivery apps mentioned in our list, Instacart offers the best pay rate, averaging $30 per hour.
Besides Instacart, DoorDash and Postmates also offer good pay.
What Is the Best Delivery Service to Work For?
Based on our assessment, Shipt Shopper is the best delivery service to work for. It allows you to accept and shop for more than one order simultaneously.
Can I Make a Living Working For a Delivery App?
You can work as a delivery driver full-time, but most of the time, you won’t be able to make as much as a full-time job. Therefore, we recommend you work as a delivery driver part-time to earn extra cash in your free time.
Conclusion – Best Delivery Apps To Work For
Aside from the paycheck, you should consider proximity to your location, schedule flexibility, delivery volume, and platform popularity. With these in mind, you can have a lucrative earning opportunity that won’t tie you down to a 9-to-5 grind.
We hope this article gave a helpful overview of this delivery-driving gig. To make the smartest choice, check other drivers’ reviews and customer feedback to better understand the company and industry you are planning to join.
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Marjolein is a financial consultant who has built over €4,000 monthly passive income and saves over 70% of her income. Read Radicals’ inspiring story, from stuck in the 9-to-5 to loving life. Feel free to send Radical a message at the bottom of this page