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 and Uber Eats cover the widest restaurant choice for cooked meals, while Grubhub suits readers who prefer scheduled dinner orders.
- Instacart and Shipt are the best grocery delivery services, with full-service shoppers who pick items and handle replacements.
- Amazon Fresh and Walmart Grocery suit households that already shop with those retailers and want low fees or free delivery with a membership.
- Gopuff suits late-night convenience orders, with short trips from local hubs rather than restaurant or grocery store runs.
- Delivery fees, service fees and tips vary by order, so compare the final checkout total, not just the menu price.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 DoorDash | Widest restaurant choice | See website | No |
 Uber Eats | Restaurant plus grocery | See website | No |
 Grubhub | Scheduled dinner orders | See website | No |
 Instacart | Grocery delivery | See website | No |
 Shipt | Target and grocery orders | See website | No |
 Amazon Fresh | Prime grocery delivery | See website | No |
 Walmart Grocery | Everyday low prices | See website | No |
 Gopuff | Convenience delivery | See website | No |
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The best home food delivery services
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
DoorDash is the default food delivery service for most US readers because it covers the most restaurants. Local favorites, national chains, grocery stores and retail shops all appear in one app, so a household can order dinner, snacks and household items without switching services. Delivery is usually fast in cities, and the app shows order progress from preparation to doorstep. For a reader who wants the widest choice with the least friction, DoorDash is the easiest pick.
Cost is the drawback. Delivery fees, service fees and tips can lift a small order by a large share, and some menu prices run above in-store prices. DashPass, a monthly subscription, cuts fees for frequent users, but it only pays off if you order often. For occasional orders, compare the final checkout total across apps before you commit.
What we like- Largest restaurant selection in most US cities
- Grocery and retail delivery too
- DashPass lowers fees for frequent users
Watch out for- Fees and markups add up on small orders
- Restaurant prices often exceed in-store prices
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Uber Eats suits a reader who already uses Uber for rides or who wants grocery and restaurant delivery in one app. Restaurant coverage is strong in cities, grocery delivery covers major chains, and the app design makes browsing, tracking and reordering simple. Uber One membership lowers delivery fees and adds discounts for frequent users, which helps a household that orders several times a week. The app also integrates with Uber accounts, so payment and address details carry over.
Fees vary by restaurant, distance and demand, so two orders on the same night can cost very different amounts in fees. Coverage also trails DoorDash in some suburbs and smaller towns. For a city reader who wants one app for rides, restaurants and groceries, Uber Eats is a strong choice.
What we like- Strong restaurant and grocery coverage
- Good app design
- Uber One membership lowers fees
Watch out for- Fees vary by restaurant and time
- Some areas have thinner coverage than DoorDash
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Grubhub works well for a reader who plans dinner in advance. Scheduled ordering lets you place an order for a set dinner time, which helps families and groups who want food ready at a specific hour. Dinner restaurant coverage is strong, and the app handles group orders and office orders well. Grubhub Plus, a subscription, lowers delivery fees for frequent users and adds perks.
Overall selection is smaller than DoorDash in many cities, and grocery delivery is thinner. A reader in a small town may find fewer restaurants on Grubhub than on DoorDash. For planned dinner orders in a city with good Grubhub coverage, it remains a reliable choice.
What we like- Scheduled ordering for dinner
- Strong dinner restaurant coverage
- Grubhub Plus lowers fees
Watch out for- Smaller overall selection than DoorDash in many cities
- Grocery coverage is thinner
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Instacart is the best grocery delivery service for most households. Full-service shoppers pick items, message about replacements and deliver within a chosen window, which saves a weekly shopping trip. Coverage includes major grocery chains, wholesale clubs and specialty stores in most cities, and same-day delivery is standard. For a busy family, Instacart turns a two-hour errand into a short app session.
Prices deserve attention. Item prices on Instacart often run above in-store prices, and service fees plus tips add to the total. Instacart Plus, a membership, lowers fees for frequent users, but it only pays off with regular orders. For grocery delivery with a human shopper handling replacements well, Instacart leads the field.
What we like- Full-service shoppers pick and replace items
- Many grocery chains covered
- Same-day delivery in most cities
Watch out for- Item prices often exceed in-store prices
- Service fees and tips add to the grocery bill
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Shipt suits a household that shops mainly at Target and nearby grocery stores. Shoppers pick and deliver orders, and repeat customers can choose a preferred shopper, which builds trust over time as the shopper learns your preferences. Target orders, including household goods beyond food, make Shipt useful for more than groceries. Shoppers keep their tips in full, which helps service quality.
Coverage varies by region, and Shipt is stronger in some areas than others. Membership pricing suits frequent users best, while an occasional user may pay more per order. For a Target-heavy household in a strong Shipt market, it is an excellent grocery service.
What we like- Strong Target partnership
- Preferred shopper option for repeat orders
- Shoppers keep tips in full
Watch out for- Coverage is uneven by region
- Membership cost suits frequent users best
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Amazon Fresh suits a Prime member who wants groceries alongside Amazon orders. Fresh stores and partner grocers supply produce, meat, pantry goods and household items, with delivery windows that fit around work. In many areas, delivery is free above a minimum order for Prime members, which makes a weekly shop affordable. The product range covers everyday groceries well, and the app integrates with Amazon accounts and payment methods.
Availability varies by city, and popular delivery windows fill up at peak times, so planning ahead helps. Fresh produce quality can also vary, although replacements and refunds are handled in the app. For a Prime household that already shops on Amazon, Fresh is a convenient grocery option.
What we like- Grocery delivery for Prime members
- Low fees or free delivery above a threshold in many areas
- Wide product range
Watch out for- Availability varies by city
- Delivery windows can fill up at peak times
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Walmart Grocery suits a household that prioritizes low prices. Grocery pickup is free in most areas, and delivery covers a wide range of stores with everyday low pricing that often beats app-only grocers. Walmart+ membership adds free delivery and other perks for frequent users, which can make weekly delivery affordable. The range covers food, household goods and pharmacy items in one order.
Produce quality varies by store and picker, so a shopper who is picky about fresh items should check substitutions carefully. Delivery slots can also be limited during peak times. For a budget household that already shops at Walmart, grocery delivery through Walmart offers strong value.
What we like- Low grocery prices
- Pickup and delivery options
- Walmart+ membership adds free delivery benefits
Watch out for- Produce quality varies by store
- Delivery slots can be limited in busy areas
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Gopuff suits late-night and last-minute needs. Local hubs stock snacks, drinks, ice cream, household essentials and some groceries, and drivers deliver quickly because trips are short. The app is simple, prices are clear, and late-night hours cover times when restaurants and grocery stores are closed. For a reader who forgot milk, needs snacks for guests or wants a midnight treat, Gopuff is the fastest option.
Gopuff is not a full grocery or restaurant service, and it only operates where it has hubs. A household that needs a weekly shop should use Instacart, Shipt or Walmart instead. For quick convenience orders, Gopuff fills a gap no other service in this list covers as well.
What we like- Fast convenience delivery from local hubs
- Late-night availability
- Snacks, drinks and household essentials
Watch out for- Limited to hub areas
- Not a full grocery or restaurant service
How we chose
We compared vendor pages, coverage, fees, membership options and public reviews for food delivery services serving US readers. We looked for restaurant and grocery selection, delivery speed, fee transparency, membership value and shopper quality for grocery services. We did not claim hands-on testing, and we used "See website" for fees, since delivery and service fees vary by order, distance and membership.
How to lower your food delivery bill
Start by comparing the final checkout total, not the menu price. Fees, markups and tips differ across apps, and the cheapest menu can become the most expensive order after fees. A membership such as DashPass, Uber One, Instacart Plus or Walmart+ only saves money if you order often enough to cover its monthly cost, so count your orders before subscribing.
Next, use pickup when you can. Many restaurants and grocery stores offer free or cheaper pickup, which removes delivery fees and tips. Finally, order in larger, less frequent batches for groceries, and keep a list of pantry staples to avoid small, fee-heavy top-up orders. A little planning cuts delivery costs more than any single app choice. Keep a backup plan for delivery failures, such as a nearby store that stays open late.
Frequently asked questions
Which food delivery service is cheapest?
It depends on your order and location. Walmart Grocery and Amazon Fresh often cost least for groceries, while DoorDash and Uber Eats vary by restaurant and fees. Compare the final checkout total, including fees and tips, before choosing.
Is a delivery membership worth it?
It depends on frequency. DashPass, Uber One, Instacart Plus and Walmart+ lower fees for members, so a household that orders several times a week usually saves money, while an occasional user may lose money on the monthly cost.
How do grocery shoppers handle out-of-stock items?
Instacart and Shipt shoppers message you about replacements and let you approve or refuse them in the app. Set replacement preferences in advance, such as a specific brand or a refund, to avoid unwanted substitutes.
Can I get food delivered late at night?
Yes, in many cities. Gopuff operates late hours for convenience items, and DoorDash and Uber Eats cover many late-night restaurants. Coverage varies by city, so check the app for your area after midnight.
Are menu prices on delivery apps higher than in store?
Often yes. Some restaurants raise menu prices on delivery apps to cover commission fees, and service fees and tips add further cost. Compare the in-store price with the app total if cost matters more than convenience.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.doordash.com
- https://www.ubereats.com
- https://www.grubhub.com
- https://www.instacart.com
- https://www.shipt.com
- https://www.amazon.com
- https://www.walmart.com
- https://www.gopuff.com
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.