How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- DoorDash is fastest on average in most US comparisons, at roughly 26 to 37 minutes depending on the study, thanks to its large driver network.
- Grubhub is most likely to beat its own quoted delivery time, even though its average is slightly slower than DoorDash.
- Uber Eats is strongest in cities with a large Uber rideshare presence, but thinner in small markets.
- GoPuff wins for convenience items from its own warehouses, while Slice and ChowNow serve local pizza and independent restaurants better.
- Delivery speed depends more on restaurant prep time, distance and your area than on the app brand, so compare estimates for your own address.
Quick comparison
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The best food delivery apps for fast delivery times
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
DoorDash holds roughly two-thirds of the US food delivery market, and that scale is its speed advantage. More drivers in most markets means shorter waits for pickup, and its hotspot system pre-positions drivers near busy areas before demand spikes. Independent comparisons put its average delivery at about 26 to 37 minutes, with the spread reflecting different studies, cities and years.
The same comparisons note a weakness: DoorDash is the most likely of the big three to arrive later than its quoted time, at around 29 percent of orders in one study. DashPass, at $9.99 per month, removes delivery fees on qualifying orders and suits frequent users. For most US addresses, DoorDash is the fastest default choice.
What we like- Largest US driver network
- DashPass at $9.99 per month cuts fees
- Wide restaurant and grocery coverage
Watch out for- Most likely of the big three to miss its quoted time
- Fees add up without DashPass
- Dense-city parking delays
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Uber Eats benefits wherever Uber rideshare is strong, since the same driver pool serves both, and its app quality and order accuracy score well. Uber One, at $9.99 per month, adds free delivery on qualifying orders, cash back and ride discounts, which makes it the best subscription value for people who already use Uber for rides.
Speed is the trade. Comparisons put its average at about 34 to 38 minutes, and one study found it late against its estimate on 48 percent of orders, the highest of the big three. In major cities the gap narrows, but in small markets with fewer drivers it widens. For city dwellers who already live in the Uber ecosystem, it remains a strong pick.
What we like- Strong in cities with Uber rideshare
- Uber One at $9.99 per month adds ride discounts
- Grocery and pharmacy options
Watch out for- Slower average than DoorDash in most studies
- Thin driver pool in small markets
- Most likely to be late in one study
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Grubhub's average delivery time, at about 35 to 41 minutes in published comparisons, trails DoorDash, but its reliability against its own promises leads. In one consumer study, three-fourths of Grubhub deliveries arrived earlier than the quoted time, and 63 percent beat the post-order estimate, both better than its rivals. That makes Grubhub the app whose quoted time you can trust most.
Coverage is the limit. Grubhub is strongest in large northeast and midwest cities and thinner in suburbs and rural areas, where its smaller driver network shows. Grubhub+ costs $9.99 per month and suits Amazon Prime members, since it is included with Prime. For city users who value accurate estimates, Grubhub is a smart choice.
What we like- Most likely to beat its quoted and estimated times
- Strong in NYC, Boston and Chicago
- Grubhub+ at $9.99 per month
Watch out for- Slower average than DoorDash
- Weaker in suburban and rural markets
- Smaller driver network
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
GoPuff works differently from the big three, because it stocks its own local warehouses instead of collecting from restaurants. That model cuts prep time out of the equation, so snacks, drinks, household essentials and late-night items can arrive in well under 30 minutes in covered areas. Its flat delivery fee keeps costs predictable.
The menu is the limit. GoPuff cannot replace a restaurant order, since it sells convenience goods, not cooked meals from local kitchens. Coverage is also city-based, so check availability for your address. For a fast snack or essentials run, GoPuff is often quicker than any restaurant app.
What we like- Own warehouses near customers cut wait times
- Snacks, drinks and essentials in minutes
- Flat delivery fee model
Watch out for- Limited to convenience items, not full restaurant menus
- Coverage is city-based
- Alcohol rules vary by state
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Slice serves independent pizzerias, which are often the fastest local option for pizza night, since the shop is nearby and the order goes direct. Shops on Slice typically pay lower fees than on the big platforms, and the app's rewards programme encourages repeat orders. For a town with a good local pizzeria, Slice often beats a general app on both speed and price.
It is pizza only, so it cannot cover a general dinner order, and speed depends on the individual shop's staffing and distance. Check whether your favourite local shop lists on Slice before defaulting to a big platform, since the local option is frequently faster and cheaper.
What we like- Focused on independent pizzerias
- Lower fees for local shops
- Rewards for repeat orders
Watch out for- Pizza only, not a general food app
- Coverage depends on local shops
- Delivery speed varies by shop
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
ChowNow lets customers order direct from independent restaurants without the commission that big platforms charge, which keeps more money with the kitchen. Many local favourites list here, and ordering direct often means the restaurant treats the order as its own, with care for accuracy and timing.
Delivery speed varies, since ChowNow relies on restaurant drivers or delivery partners rather than a single large fleet. Coverage is also smaller than the big three. For supporting a local restaurant and getting a well-handled order, ChowNow is worth checking, but for guaranteed speed in a new area, DoorDash or Uber Eats usually wins.
What we like- Commission-free ordering for restaurants
- Direct restaurant relationships
- Local favourites well covered
Watch out for- Delivery handled by restaurants or partners, so speed varies
- Smaller coverage than the big three
- Fewer promotions
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Favor Delivery, a Texas-focused service, uses local runners to deliver restaurant food, groceries and essentials across Texas cities. Its local focus means driver density and restaurant relationships are strong inside its coverage area, which supports fast delivery in cities such as Austin, Dallas and Houston.
The limit is geography. Outside Texas, Favor does not operate, so it suits only Texas residents and visitors. Within Texas, it is a credible alternative to the national apps, especially for local restaurants that work closely with Favor runners.
What we like- Strong Texas coverage
- Restaurant and grocery delivery
- Local runner model suits Texas cities
Watch out for- Texas only
- Smaller national presence
- Fees vary by order
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Delivery Dudes is a Florida-focused delivery service built around local restaurants, with a smaller, more personal fleet than the national platforms. In its covered Florida cities, local knowledge and restaurant relationships can mean faster, more careful delivery than a national app juggling thousands of orders.
Coverage is the constraint, since it operates only in parts of Florida, and its app feature set is simpler than DoorDash or Uber Eats. For Florida residents near a covered city, it is worth comparing its estimate against the national apps for the same restaurant.
What we like- Florida-focused local coverage
- Personal service from a smaller fleet
- Local restaurant partnerships
Watch out for- Florida only
- Smaller app feature set
- Coverage varies by city
How we chose
We ranked apps on published delivery-time comparisons, market coverage and subscription value, using figures from independent tracking studies and consumer surveys. Averages differ between studies because cities, years and methods differ, so we reported ranges rather than a single precise number, and we flagged where studies disagree. Fees and subscription prices come from vendor pages, with DashPass, Uber One and Grubhub+ each at $9.99 per month. We did not claim hands-on testing. Speed for your own address depends on restaurant prep time, distance and driver density, so the app-level ranking is a starting point, not a promise.
Getting the fastest delivery from any app
The app matters less than the order. Choose a restaurant close to you, since distance drives most of the wait, and avoid peak hours of 6 to 8 pm when driver demand is highest. Check the quoted time on two apps for the same restaurant before ordering, since estimates differ by driver availability at that moment.
Order structure matters too. Simple orders with few customisations are prepared faster, and grouping items from one restaurant beats splitting across two. If speed is critical, pickup is almost always faster than delivery, and GoPuff-style warehouse delivery beats restaurant delivery for convenience items. Finally, a subscription only saves money if you order often enough to cover its monthly cost, which is roughly two to three orders per month for the big three.
Frequently asked questions
Which food delivery app is fastest overall?
DoorDash is fastest on average in most US comparisons, at roughly 26 to 37 minutes depending on the study. Grubhub is most likely to beat its quoted time, while Uber Eats is competitive in cities with strong Uber rideshare presence. Your area and the restaurant matter more than the brand.
Is DashPass, Uber One or Grubhub+ worth it?
Each costs $9.99 per month and removes delivery fees on qualifying orders, so break-even is roughly two to three orders per month. Uber One adds ride discounts and cash back, DashPass suits frequent DoorDash users, and Grubhub+ is included with Amazon Prime.
Why do delivery times vary so much between studies?
Studies use different cities, years and methods, and they measure different things, such as door-to-door time versus restaurant-to-door time. Restaurant prep time, distance and driver density also vary by order. Treat averages as guides and compare live estimates for your address.
What is the fastest option for snacks and essentials?
GoPuff is usually fastest for snacks, drinks and household essentials in covered cities, since it ships from its own nearby warehouses rather than restaurants. For cooked meals, DoorDash or Uber Eats from a nearby restaurant is the faster route.
Does ordering pickup beat delivery for speed?
Yes, almost always, since pickup removes driver assignment and travel time entirely. If the restaurant is close and you can collect, pickup is the fastest and cheapest option, with no delivery fee or tip.
How can I reduce delivery fees?
Use a subscription if you order often, look for pickup options, and compare the same restaurant across apps, since fees and promotions differ. Small-order fees apply on most apps, so grouping items into one larger order usually costs less per item.
Sources we checked (11)
- https://www.doordash.com
- https://www.ubereats.com
- https://www.grubhub.com
- https://gopuff.com
- https://slicelife.com
- https://www.chownow.com
- https://favordelivery.com
- https://deliverydudes.com
- https://shifttrackerapp.com/blog/doordash-vs-uber-eats-vs-grubhub-delivery-times-compared-2026
- https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/technology/which-restaurant-delivery-app-best-consumers-weigh
- https://takeout.ai/blog/best-food-delivery-apps-2026
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
DoorDash
Uber Eats
Grubhub
GoPuff
Slice
ChowNow
Favor Delivery
Delivery Dudes