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 has the largest restaurant network and the best suburban coverage, with the fastest average delivery times in consumer tests.
- Uber Eats is cheapest in the most cities in one 500-order comparison, with the best overall fee structure and a strong subscription in Uber One.
- Grubhub suits budget orders with no small order fees and transparent upfront pricing, plus strength in Northeast markets.
- ChowNow suits local restaurants and diners who want commission-free direct ordering that supports the restaurant more.
- The cheapest app depends on where you live and what you order: compare the same basket across two apps before committing to one.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 DoorDash | Largest selection and speed | Free app, delivery fees apply | Yes |
 Uber Eats | Best overall value | Free app, delivery fees apply | Yes |
 Grubhub | Budget orders, no small order fee | Free app, delivery fees apply | Yes |
 Instacart | Groceries plus restaurant meals | Free app, delivery fees apply | Yes |
 Gopuff | Fast convenience plus meals | Free app, delivery fees apply | Yes |
 ChowNow | Commission-free direct ordering | Free app, delivery fees apply | Yes |
 Slice | Local pizza shops | Free app, delivery fees apply | Yes |
 Caviar | Curated fine dining | Free app, delivery fees apply | Yes |
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The best restaurant food delivery apps
Starting priceFree app, delivery fees apply
Free planYes
DoorDash suits diners who want the most choice and the fastest delivery. Its network of 390,000 or more restaurant partners is the largest in the US, its coverage reaches suburbs and rural areas that rivals skip, and consumer tests rank it fastest on average, with the highest overall satisfaction at 96% in one study. Food temperature and order accuracy, the biggest satisfaction drivers, both favor DoorDash in that study.
The trade is fees. DoorDash had the highest fees in 67% of markets in one 500-order comparison, with a $2.50 small order surcharge and pricing transparency that varies. DashPass, its subscription, offsets fees for frequent orderers. DoorDash fits best for diners who prioritize selection, coverage, and speed over the lowest fee.
What we like- Largest restaurant network at 390,000 or more partners
- Best suburban and rural coverage
- Fastest average delivery times
Watch out for- Highest fees in 67% of markets in one comparison
- $2.50 small order surcharge
- Pricing transparency varies
Starting priceFree app, delivery fees apply
Free planYes
Uber Eats suits diners who want the best overall value. In one comparison of 500 identical orders across 20 major cities, Uber Eats was cheapest in 62% of cities, with the best overall fee structure, a strong app experience, and good tracking. Its Uber One subscription, shared with Uber rides, adds further value for frequent users, and its restaurant curation favors quality over sheer count.
The limits are selection and coverage. Uber Eats has a smaller restaurant selection than DoorDash, its rural and suburban coverage is thinner, and minimum orders run higher in some cities. Uber Eats fits best for urban diners who want value and a clean app experience.
What we like- Cheapest in 62% of cities in one comparison
- Best overall fee structure
- Uber One subscription covers rides and delivery
Watch out for- Smaller restaurant selection than DoorDash
- Limited rural and suburban coverage
- Higher minimum orders in some cities
Starting priceFree app, delivery fees apply
Free planYes
Grubhub suits budget orders and Northeast diners. Its lack of small order fees helps single-item orders that DoorDash surcharges, its upfront pricing is more transparent than rivals, and its corporate ordering platform suits office lunches. Its local restaurant partnerships are strong in its core markets, and its customer service scores well in comparisons.
The trade is reach. Grubhub's geographic coverage is narrower than DoorDash's, its expansion is slower, and its chain restaurant options are fewer. Grubhub fits best for budget-conscious diners in its strong markets, especially the Northeast.
What we like- No small order fees
- Transparent upfront pricing
- Strong in Northeast markets and corporate ordering
Watch out for- Limited geographic coverage versus DoorDash
- Slower expansion
- Fewer chain restaurant options
Starting priceFree app, delivery fees apply
Free planYes
Instacart suits households that want groceries and restaurant meals without juggling apps. Its large shopper network covers grocery and retail partners, its scheduled delivery suits planned orders, and its restaurant options cover local favorites in covered areas. For a household that already uses Instacart weekly, adding a restaurant order avoids a second subscription.
The limits are restaurant depth. Its restaurant selection is thinner than DoorDash's or Uber Eats', and fees vary by retailer. Instacart fits best for grocery-first households that order restaurant meals occasionally.
What we like- Groceries and restaurant meals in one ecosystem
- Large shopper network
- Scheduled delivery for planned orders
Watch out for- Restaurant selection is thinner than DoorDash or Uber Eats
- Fees vary by retailer
- Alcohol-style verification steps add time on some orders
Starting priceFree app, delivery fees apply
Free planYes
Gopuff suits fast, late-night orders in dense cities. Its own micro-fulfillment centers give delivery in minutes rather than hours, its late-night hours cover cravings that restaurants close for, and its convenience range adds snacks, drinks, and essentials to a meal order. For a dense-city diner who wants speed above all, Gopuff is hard to beat.
The trade is coverage and selection. Gopuff operates in around 70 US cities, its restaurant selection is narrower than DoorDash's, and some areas are convenience-only. Gopuff fits best for fast convenience orders in covered cities.
What we like- Own warehouses give fast delivery in dense cities
- Late-night hours
- Convenience plus snacks and essentials alongside meals
Watch out for- Only operates in around 70 US cities
- Restaurant selection is narrower than DoorDash
- Some areas are convenience-only
Starting priceFree app, delivery fees apply
Free planYes
ChowNow suits diners who want their money to support the restaurant more. Its direct ordering model charges restaurants no marketplace commission, so more of each order reaches the kitchen, and its branded ordering pages keep the restaurant's identity front and center. For a regular who orders from the same local spots weekly, ChowNow is the most restaurant-friendly option.
The limits are network and delivery. Its diner network is smaller than DoorDash's, delivery is restaurant-run in many cases rather than courier-network, and promotions are fewer. ChowNow fits best for loyal local diners who prioritize supporting restaurants over marketplace breadth.
What we like- Commission-free direct ordering for restaurants
- Branded ordering that supports local restaurants
- Lower costs for restaurants
Watch out for- Smaller diner network than DoorDash
- Delivery is restaurant-run in many cases
- Fewer promotions than marketplace apps
Starting priceFree app, delivery fees apply
Free planYes
Slice suits pizza lovers who want to support independent shops. Built specifically for local pizzerias, it gives small shops affordable online ordering and delivery tools that a marketplace commission would eat into, with pizza-focused ordering, deals, and tracking. For a neighborhood pizza regular, Slice keeps more money with the shop.
The trade is scope. Slice covers pizza only, not general food delivery, its coverage is limited to participating shops, and its features are fewer than DoorDash's. Slice fits best for pizza orders from independent shops, alongside a general app for everything else.
What we like- Built for independent pizza shops
- Lower costs for local pizzerias
- Pizza-focused ordering and tracking
Watch out for- Pizza only, not a general food app
- Coverage limited to participating shops
- Fewer features than DoorDash
Starting priceFree app, delivery fees apply
Free planYes
Caviar suits diners who want fine dining delivered. Its curated menus focus on premium restaurants, with higher-end options that general apps bury under fast food, and its DoorDash logistics give reliable delivery behind the scenes. For a special occasion dinner at home, Caviar's curation saves the search through hundreds of listings.
The limits are price and coverage. Caviar is limited to premium restaurants in covered cities, its prices run higher than general apps, and its network is smaller than DoorDash's. Caviar fits best for occasional premium orders rather than everyday delivery.
What we like- Curated fine-dining menus
- Premium restaurant selection
- DoorDash logistics behind the scenes
Watch out for- Limited to premium restaurants in covered cities
- Higher prices than general apps
- Smaller network than DoorDash
How we chose
We compared these apps on restaurant selection, coverage, delivery speed, fees, and satisfaction, since the cheapest app depends on city and basket, not on brand alone. Pricing figures are marked as See website where a current vendor figure could not be verified, since delivery fees, service fees, and minimums change often and vary by restaurant and location. We did not claim hands-on testing. Instead we weighed public documentation, pricing pages, consumer studies, and user reviews, plus the practical difference between a marketplace app and a direct-ordering platform.
What to check before you pick
Start with the basket test. Place the same order in two apps and compare the total at checkout, since delivery fees, service fees, small order surcharges, and promotions differ by city and restaurant. One 500-order comparison found Uber Eats cheapest in 62% of cities and DoorDash highest in 67% of markets, but your city and your basket may differ. Next, check coverage: DoorDash leads in suburbs and rural areas, Uber Eats leads in cities, and Grubhub leads in parts of the Northeast.
Subscriptions: when they pay off
DashPass, Uber One, and Grubhub Plus waive or cut delivery fees for frequent orderers, but they only pay off if you order often enough to cover the monthly cost. Count your monthly orders, multiply the average delivery fee saved, and compare with the subscription price. For infrequent orderers, pay-per-order with promos beats any subscription.
Food quality: temperature and accuracy
Consumer studies find food temperature and order accuracy are the biggest satisfaction drivers: food at the right temperature lifts satisfaction sharply, and accurate deliveries satisfy 93% of customers. Choose apps and restaurants with strong accuracy records, check the order before the driver leaves where possible, and report errors promptly, since most apps refund or credit mistakes quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best food delivery app overall?
DoorDash for selection, coverage, and speed, with 96% overall satisfaction in one consumer study, and Uber Eats for value, cheapest in 62% of cities in one 500-order comparison. The best app for you depends on your city and basket.
Which food delivery app is cheapest?
It depends on city and order. One comparison found Uber Eats cheapest in 62% of cities, while DoorDash had the highest fees in 67% of markets. Compare the same basket across two apps before ordering.
Does DoorDash or Uber Eats have more restaurants?
DoorDash, with 390,000 or more restaurant partners, the largest network in the US. Uber Eats has a smaller but well-curated selection, stronger in major cities.
Are food delivery subscriptions worth it?
For frequent orderers, yes: DashPass, Uber One, and Grubhub Plus cut or waive delivery fees enough to cover their monthly cost. For infrequent orderers, pay-per-order with promotions is cheaper.
Which app is best for supporting local restaurants?
ChowNow for commission-free direct ordering, and Slice for independent pizza shops. Both keep more of each order with the restaurant than marketplace apps that charge 15 to 30% commission.
How can I get the lowest delivery fee?
Compare the same basket across apps, order above small-order minimums to avoid surcharges, use promos and subscriptions if you order often, and pick pickup where available, since pickup fees are lower than delivery on most apps.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.doordash.com
- https://www.ubereats.com
- https://www.grubhub.com
- https://www.instacart.com
- https://www.gopuff.com
- https://www.chownow.com
- https://www.slicelife.com
- https://www.caviar.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.