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
- Amazon Flex offers the clearest pay picture, with most drivers earning $18 to $25 an hour and earnings shown upfront.
- DoorDash is the best all-round food delivery app, with the largest order volume in the US.
- Uber Eats suits drivers who already use Uber, with combined ride and delivery opportunities.
- Instacart and Shipt pay for shopping as well as delivery, which suits careful shoppers.
- Spark Driver, Roadie, and Grubhub add variety, from Walmart orders to larger same-day deliveries.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 DoorDash | Drivers who want the most food delivery orders available | Free to join | Yes |
 Uber Eats | Drivers who want food delivery alongside Uber rides | Free to join | Yes |
 Instacart | Shoppers who want grocery delivery with tips | Free to join | Yes |
 Grubhub | Food delivery drivers who want to keep 100 percent of tips | Free to join | Yes |
 Amazon Flex | Drivers who want scheduled blocks with upfront earnings | Free to join | Yes |
 Shipt | Personal shoppers who enjoy grocery and household delivery | Free to join | Yes |
 Roadie | Drivers with larger vehicles who want same-day, bigger deliveries | Free to join | Yes |
 Spark Driver | Drivers who want Walmart, grocery, and retail delivery offers | Free to join | Yes |
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The best paying delivery apps
#1
DoorDash
Best for: Drivers who want the most food delivery orders available
Visit doordash.com
Starting priceFree to join
Free planYes
DoorDash is the largest food delivery platform in the US, and its driver app, for Dashers, reflects that scale. You sign up in minutes, choose when to dash, and pick up food, grocery, convenience, retail, beauty, flower, and even alcohol orders, depending on your market and eligibility. That variety means more chances to stay busy than on smaller platforms.
Pay comes from base pay, promotions, and tips, and it varies by market, time of day, and order. Peak pay and challenges add bonuses during busy periods, and Dashers can see order details before accepting. Because DoorDash has the most orders in most cities, drivers spend less time waiting between deliveries, which is often what separates a good hourly rate from a poor one.
The trade-offs are the usual gig costs: fuel, maintenance, and vehicle wear come out of your pocket, and slow periods pay less. Still, for most drivers starting delivery work, DoorDash's volume makes it the best first app, and it pairs well with a second app for slow times.
What we like- Largest food delivery volume in the US, flexible schedule, food plus grocery plus retail orders, sign up in minutes
Watch out for- Pay varies by market and time, wear on your vehicle, peak pay depends on demand
#2
Uber Eats
Best for: Drivers who want food delivery alongside Uber rides
Visit ubereats.com
Starting priceFree to join
Free planYes
Uber Eats is Uber's food and grocery delivery service, and it suits drivers who already drive for Uber or want one app for both rides and deliveries. You order delivery near you through the same Uber ecosystem, and drivers can switch between passenger trips and food orders depending on demand and preference.
The platform's scale is its strength. Uber Eats operates in cities across the US and worldwide, with food and grocery orders that keep drivers busy through lunch and dinner peaks. Pay combines delivery fees, tips, and promotions, and it varies by market and time, as with every app here.
The limitations mirror DoorDash's: vehicle costs fall on you, and pay depends on demand. Uber Eats also shares Uber's driver requirements and background checks. For drivers who like the Uber app and want delivery as an option alongside rides, Uber Eats is the natural choice.
What we like- Large order volume, works with the Uber driver app, grocery and food orders, flexible schedule
Watch out for- Pay varies by market, vehicle costs are yours, promotions change often
Starting priceFree to join
Free planYes
Instacart is the leading grocery delivery platform in the US, connecting shoppers with customers who order from major grocery retailers. As a shopper, you pick items in-store, communicate about replacements, and deliver, earning from order pay plus customer tips. Full-service shoppers handle both shopping and delivery, while delivery-only roles suit drivers who prefer to skip the store.
Grocery orders often pay more per order than a single restaurant delivery, because baskets are larger and tips scale with order size. That makes Instacart attractive for careful shoppers who enjoy picking produce and finding substitutes. The schedule is flexible, and you can work in most US cities.
The caveats are time and verification. Shopping a large order takes longer than dropping off a restaurant meal, so hourly pay depends on how fast you shop. Our homepage check for Instacart was blocked by policy, so this listing rests on its well-established official address rather than a fresh page read. For shoppers who like grocery work, Instacart remains a top-paying option.
What we like- Grocery orders with tips, shopper and delivery roles, large grocery retailer coverage, flexible schedule
Watch out for- Homepage check was blocked by policy so listing rests on its established address, pay varies by order size and market, shopping takes longer than food delivery
#4
Grubhub
Best for: Food delivery drivers who want to keep 100 percent of tips
Visit grubhub.com
Starting priceFree to join
Free planYes
Grubhub is a long-running food delivery platform with more than 400,000 restaurants nationwide, and its driver pitch is straightforward: you keep 100 percent of the tips you earn and all your delivery fees, with weekly pay for your work. That clarity appeals to drivers who want to know exactly what they keep.
The platform covers restaurant takeout and delivery across the US, with a guarantee that orders arrive correctly or Grubhub makes it right. Drivers work a flexible schedule and can choose delivery blocks or work on demand, depending on their market.
The trade-off is volume. Grubhub's order flow is smaller than DoorDash's in many cities, so drivers may wait longer between orders. Its app is also simpler than some rivals. As a second app alongside DoorDash, or as a primary app in markets where Grubhub is strong, it is a solid, tip-friendly choice.
What we like- Keep 100 percent of tips plus all delivery fees, weekly pay, 400,000 plus restaurants, flexible schedule
Watch out for- Order volume smaller than DoorDash in many markets, pay varies by area, app features are simpler
Starting priceFree to join
Free planYes
Amazon Flex lets you use your own vehicle to deliver Amazon packages on your own schedule, and it offers the clearest pay picture on this list: most drivers earn $18 to $25 an hour, with actual earnings varying by location, tips, delivery time, and other factors. You see potential earnings upfront before accepting a delivery block, so there are fewer surprises.
The workflow is block-based. You download the app, set up your account, reserve delivery blocks, make deliveries, and start earning, with rewards and cash back on top. Delivering packages rather than food means no restaurant waits and no hot-food handling, and safety is a stated priority for the program.
Requirements are stricter than food apps: you must be 21 or older with a valid license, a qualifying vehicle, and a smartphone. Blocks can also be competitive in popular areas. For drivers who prefer scheduled, predictable work with upfront pay, Amazon Flex is the best option here.
What we like- Most drivers earn $18 to $25 an hour, earnings shown upfront, flexible blocks, packages not people, rewards program
Watch out for- Requires age 21 plus and a qualifying vehicle, blocks can be competitive, no tips on most package deliveries
#6
Shipt
Best for: Personal shoppers who enjoy grocery and household delivery
Visit shipt.com
Starting priceFree to join
Free planYes
Shipt is a same-day delivery service available in more than 5,000 US cities, where personal shoppers fill and deliver groceries, household essentials, pet supplies, and more from local stores. Customers order through the app or website, and shoppers pick, pack, and deliver, with the option to tip after delivery for excellent service.
The shopper role suits people who enjoy grocery work and take pride in picking good produce and finding the right substitutes. Shipt's prices run slightly above in-store prices to cover picking and processing, and shoppers are prompted for tips after delivery, which adds meaningfully to pay on larger orders.
The limitations are market variation and ratings. Pay varies by market and order, and shopper ratings depend on accuracy and communication, so careless picking hurts future orders. For shoppers who like the personal touch of grocery delivery, Shipt is a strong alternative to Instacart.
What we like- Same-day delivery in more than 5,000 US cities, personal shopper role, tips after delivery, flexible schedule
Watch out for- Shopper pay varies by market, membership model affects order flow, shopping quality affects ratings
#7
Roadie
Best for: Drivers with larger vehicles who want same-day, bigger deliveries
Visit roadie.com
Starting priceFree to join
Free planYes
Roadie is a same-day last-mile delivery network that reaches 97 percent of US households, serving retail, auto parts, pharmacy, industrial, airline baggage, and e-commerce deliveries. Its independent drivers handle everything from apparel and electronics to tires, prescriptions, and building materials, which sets Roadie apart from food-only apps.
The advantage is trip size. Larger deliveries often pay more per trip than a restaurant order, and drivers with SUVs, trucks, or vans can use their vehicle capacity well. Pharmacy gig-certified drivers handle sensitive deliveries with care, and the network's breadth means varied work rather than the same food runs.
The trade-offs are vehicle needs and availability. Small-car drivers will find fewer suitable gigs, and gig flow varies by area and industry demand. For drivers with a larger vehicle who want variety and bigger payouts per trip, Roadie is a smart addition to a delivery lineup.
What we like- Delivers to 97 percent of US households, retail, auto parts, pharmacy, and industrial deliveries, bigger items mean bigger pay per trip, flexible gigs
Watch out for- Larger items need suitable vehicles, gig availability varies by area, less suited to small-car drivers
Starting priceFree to join
Free planYes
Spark Driver is Walmart's delivery driver app, offering delivery, shopping, and returns offers that drivers can choose from. You pick the offers you want, earn through the app, and watch for incentives and promotions that add to base pay. A rewards program with tiers unlocks perks such as cellular discounts and a free month-long Walmart+ membership.
Walmart's scale is the appeal. With stores across the US, Spark Driver offers steady grocery and retail orders in many markets, and the mix of delivery-only and shopping offers lets drivers choose work that fits their preference and vehicle.
Requirements include being 18 or older, authorized to work as an independent contractor in the US, with valid auto insurance, a REAL ID-compliant or state driver's license, and a background check including motor vehicle records. Pay varies by offer and market. For drivers near a busy Walmart, Spark Driver is a strong, steady option.
What we like- Delivery, shopping, and returns offers in one app, choose which offers to accept, rewards program with tiers, Walmart scale
Watch out for- Requires age 18 plus, insurance, and background check, pay varies by offer and market, availability varies by area
How we chose
We compared delivery apps genuinely available to US drivers in 2026, with real driver programs, not just customer ordering apps. We checked each vendor homepage to confirm the driver program exists and matches its description, and we used published pay figures where the vendor shows them. Where a vendor does not publish pay, we described the pay structure rather than guessing a rate. One homepage, Instacart, was blocked by policy during our check, so its listing rests on its established official address rather than a fresh page read. One candidate domain, sparkdriver.com, was checked and rejected because it belongs to an unrelated web development company, not the Walmart driver program, whose correct address is drive4spark.walmart.com. Apps were kept only if they are actively offered to drivers, not just similar in name.
Pick by how you want to earn
If you want the most orders, start with DoorDash, and add Uber Eats or Grubhub for slow times. If you like grocery shopping, Instacart and Shipt pay for that skill. If you prefer scheduled blocks with upfront pay, Amazon Flex is the clearest choice. If you have a larger vehicle, Roadie opens bigger, better-paying trips, and if you live near a busy Walmart, Spark Driver offers steady retail work. Most full-time delivery drivers run two or three apps at once, track their real hourly pay after fuel and wear, and focus on the busy lunch and dinner peaks. Earnings vary widely by market, so test apps in your own area before committing to one.
Frequently asked questions
Which delivery app pays the most?
It depends on your market, vehicle, and hours. Amazon Flex publishes the clearest figure, with most drivers earning $18 to $25 an hour. DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, and others pay through base pay, tips, and promotions that vary by order and demand, so your real hourly rate depends on where and when you drive.
Can I drive for more than one delivery app?
Yes. Most drivers run two or three apps at once, switching to whichever has the best order available. Just be careful not to accept overlapping orders you cannot complete on time, since late deliveries hurt ratings on every platform.
Do I need a car to deliver?
Most apps require a car, though some allow scooters or bikes in dense cities, and Amazon Flex requires a qualifying vehicle. Check each app's vehicle rules for your market, and remember that fuel, insurance, and maintenance come out of your earnings.
How and when do delivery drivers get paid?
Pay schedules vary. Grubhub pays weekly, Amazon Flex pays per block, and most apps offer instant or fast payout options for a small fee. Tips are usually included in your earnings, and some apps let customers tip after delivery.
Is delivery driving worth it after expenses?
It can be, if you track real costs. Fuel, maintenance, tires, insurance, and depreciation all reduce your hourly rate, and taxes are your responsibility as an independent contractor. Drivers who track expenses, work peak hours, and choose high-tip orders tend to earn the most.
What do I need to sign up as a delivery driver?
Most apps require you to be 18 or older, 21 or older for Amazon Flex, with a valid driver's license, auto insurance, a smartphone, and a background check. Some apps also require a vehicle inspection or specific vehicle type, depending on the delivery category.
Sources we checked (0)
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.