Apps like DoorDash: 5 Alternatives to DoorDash to Make Money (2024)

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We’ll also take a deep dive into the inner workings of DoorDash itself so you can decide whether or not it’s superior to the companies like DoorDash that we cover.

There’s a lot to talk about, so let’s get started.

Apps Like DoorDash to Make Money: The Bottom Line

DoorDashhas established itself as an attractive option for gig workers, with flexibility both in terms of schedule and in the ability to choose which orders you accept.

Plus, it’s fast and easy to get started — you can sign up in minutes, and once you’re approved, you can start cashing out almost immediately.

However, becoming a Dasher has its pitfalls — like high fees that you don’t see and sometimes low order demand.

We find that Uber Eats is a tie for the best app like DoorDash to make money. However, the best option for you may differ depending on factors like your schedule, personal goals, and which app is more popular in your specific area.

Be sure to consider factors like pay rate, availability of orders, and flexibility of schedule when choosing a DoorDash alternative.

Understanding DoorDash

Before we explore apps like DoorDash, let’s get to know DoorDashitselfso you understand the point of comparison.

DoorDash is one of the most popular food apps out there, with millions of active users — and millions of active Dashers (the term for DoorDash delivery people).

• According to a 2022 survey(where I found the screenshot below), over 6.3 million dashers globally had earned income the previous year by delivering food, groceries, and other items.
• In the U.S., Dashers contributed more than $18.7 billion to the U.S. GDP and supported 293K+ full-time equivalent jobs — about the population of St. Louis, MO.

Here’s how the app works:

1. Customers place orders through the DoorDash app or website.
2. DoorDash sends the order to a nearby restaurant.
3. A DoorDash driver (known as a “Dasher”) picks up the order from the restaurant and delivers it to the customer.

As a Dasher, you receive notifications on your phone when there’s an order available in your area; you can choose to accept or decline the order.

If you accept, you’ll be given the details of the order, including the restaurant and the customer’s address. From there, you make your delivery and then get paid.

DoorDash Pay Model: How it Works

Here’s how you get paid as a Dasher:

• Base pay: You get a set amount per order that you accept. On the app, you can see this amount before you accept the order. This is a set amount that does not change. According to DoorDash, this is between $2-$10+ per delivery depending on the estimated duration, distance, and desirability of the order.
• Promotion pay: Various factors, including Peak Time, may nab you a higher rate — up to $1-4 over the base pay per order.
• Challenges: Meeting certain requirements — such as exceeding a certain number of orders in a set time period — can earn you even more bonuses.
• Tips: You get to keep the customer tips.

One complaint that Dashers have about the service revolves around payout frequency, which is once per week. To get faster payouts, you need to pay an extra fee of $1.99 or sign up for the company’s DasherDirect prepaid Visa Business card, where you can receive instant earnings after each delivery.

Another complaint? The high service fees that DoorDash charges, which Dashers don’t get a piece of. Some say that it reduces the amount people are willing to leave for tips.

Benefits of Working For DoorDash

Let’s talk about the good stuff DoorDash has to offer:

• You don’t really need special equipment other than a mode of transport (car, bike, scooter, or motorcycle).
• It’s easy to get started: Go to their website, find the “Become a Dasher” page, and fill out a short form.
• Start making money fast: It only takes a few days to get approved, and once you are, you can start making deliveries right away.
• Base fee: As noted earlier, DoorDash pays drivers a base fee for each delivery, plus any tips that the customer leaves. The exact amount you’ll earn depends on a variety of factors, including the distance you have to travel and the time of day, but you can rely on a base fee for every order.

Why Look for Alternatives to DoorDash?

So far, we’ve focused on the benefits of DoorDash — which admittedly are plenty. But just because they’re a big player doesn’t mean they’re the best player.

One of the biggest criticisms DoorDash faces surrounds its pay policies.

A few years ago, the company got in hot water when it was accused of using tips to supplement the drivers’ base pay — rather than adding them to the base amount. Happily, DoorDash responded to the backlash.

But while DoorDash has since changed its policies, this has left a bad taste in many a Dasher’s mouth.

Additionally, you need to consider the investments you’ll have to make. While as a Dasher you might make $25 an hour, that doesn’t factor in your expenses — taxes, car insurance, gas, etc. Of course, this will be the case with most other services, too.

See the below feedback on Reddit — as evidenced by an anecdotal share on Reddit:

Another reason you might be “hungry” for alternatives? DoorDash isn’t available everywhere. If you live in a smaller town or rural area, it might not be the best way to make money in your area. Even if you do live in a city, it can be market-specific depending on the neighborhood.

Additionally, the app may be straightforward, but it doesn’t have the same advanced features that some other apps like Uber do.

Finally, due diligence is always key. It’s always worth shopping around to make sure you’re investing your time and energy in the right pursuit.

Top Alternatives to DoorDash

If you’re looking for other food delivery apps to make money, there are several alternatives to DoorDash. Here are some of the top options:

Uber Eats

Uber Eatsis the food delivery arm of the popular Uber ridesharing app. It operates in 500+ cities worldwide. From the outset, it’s pretty similar to DoorDash — you earn money by delivering food from local restaurants to customers.

But they’re not identical.

One advantage? More ways to deliver. If you’re in a busy urban area, you have the option to deliver on foot. (I wouldn’t recommend this if you live in a rural area.)

Uber Eats also has a feature called “Instant Pay,” which allows you to cash out your earnings up to five times per day. DoorDash requires that you pay an extra fee to get paid daily, but defaults to paying out 1 time per week.

Finally, when you’re a driver with Uber Eats, you also have the option to drive for Uber, so depending on your mood, you can switch gears and deliver people to their desired destinations in addition to delivering food — simply toggle between both in the app.

Here’s how the Uber Eats pay model works:

• Base pay: You receive a base amount, which is calculated based on the order size, distance, and other factors.
• Trip supplement: UberEats factors in things like distance and time, and supplements certain trips to make them worth your while.
• Promotions: Uber Eats has plenty of promotions that will automatically turn on during times of high demand (nights, weekends, etc).
• Tips: You get to keep 100% of your tips.

Grubhub

Grubhubis another popular food delivery app that operates in over 4,000 cities in the United States.

Until recently, Grubhub had a transparent pricing model: You were paid about 0.22 per mile, and 0.13 per minute as your base pay.

Unfortunately (and this leads to drivers’ big complaints about the service) they’ve switched it up and now they have a complicated structure that considers delivery amount, Grubhub’s contribution, tips, and incentives.

• The Delivery portion of the pay includes a base amount plus any bonuses — but what the bonuses are isn’t always clear.
• GrubHub contribution is new — a service designed to help drivers earn a guaranteed rate in their local market. To qualify, you need to schedule your shifts and meet other criteria.
• Promotions: Grubhub has “missions” and special offers that can help give your pay a boost.
• Tips: You get 100% of the tips.

Postmates

Postmatesis a delivery app that allows you to deliver not only food but also groceries, alcohol, and other stuff.

While it remains a “free-standing” service with its own website, Postmates was acquired by Uber — so in terms of the payouts and pricing, the structure is quite similar. As an Uber Eats driver, you may even get some restaurant orders that are from Postmates. If what we had to say about Uber sounded good to you but you’re interested in deliveries that aren’t just food from restaurants, consider checking out Postmates.

Instacart

Instacartisn’t just a hot new IPO— it’s one of the biggest players in the gig worker circuit. It’s currently in over 5,500 cities in the U.S. and Canada.

Instacart isn’t a restaurant delivery app — it’s groceries.

It lets you earn money by shopping for and delivering groceries to customers. As an Instacart shopper, you’ll have the opportunity to earn money by selecting and delivering groceries from local stores to customers.

One advantage of Instacart is that it allows you to set your own schedule and work as much or as little as you want. Instacart also offers a feature called “Peak Boost,” which allows you to earn more money during busy times.

Working for Instacart, you’ll have two choices in your role — but you can only choose one:

• Full-service shopper: In this independent contractor role, you’ll be both shopping and delivering the order — so consider if you’re comfortable squeezing produce for other people before you choose this option.
• In-store shopper: As an in-store shopper, you just need to do the shopping and packaging part. You’re considered a part-time Instacart employee, so you’ll need to schedule shifts. As an in-store shopper, you’ll receive an hourly wage — how much depends on where you’re working.

The in-store shopper payment structure is easy enough to understand; a little more complicated for the full-service shopper.

You get paid by “batches,” or groups of orders (a batch might be 1-3 orders depending on various factors). The batch price is calculated based on the order size, driving distance, and overall estimated effort.

In some markets, Instacart offers guaranteed earnings for Instacart drivers — for instance, in Philadelphia, you get $1,150 for 48 batches (or $24/batch), on top of what else you make.

You always get to keep 100% of your tips.

Drizly

Drizly is a delivery service that focuses on alcohol delivery. As a driver, you might be delivering beer, wine, or spirits — so keep that in mind if you live in an area with bumpy roads where you might jostle the precious cargo!

One of the key things that sets Drizly apart is that drivers only work at certain hours, so there’s no FOMO after your shift is over. Plus, drivers report that Drizly feels less competitive than some of the other apps we’ve talked about.

Because alcohol prices can add up quickly, tips can be considerable on Drizly. However, the set shifts and limited availability in all markets make it less appealing for some.

Additionally, Drizly doesn’t offer independent contractor jobs directly. Rather, you become a Drizly driver by making a direct arrangement with a liquor store that partners with Drizly.

While the company maintains a job board so you can see what’s available in your area, it’s a lot harder to get started than some of the other easy-to-use apps.

How to Make Money with Food Delivery Apps

Whether you choose to go with DoorDash, Uber Eats, or another app, your goal is probably to make money as a side hustle.

I already explained how to get started with DoorDash above. The process will generally be similar with all of the DoorDash alternatives, and will involve the same basic steps (with minor variations from platform to platform):

Sign Up and Get Approved

The first step to making money with food delivery apps is to sign up and get approved as a driver. Each app has its own requirements and application process, but in general, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 18 years old (some apps require drivers to be 21 or older)
• Have a valid driver’s license and insurance
• Have access to a reliable vehicle or bicycle
• Pass a background check

Once you’ve been approved as a driver, you can start accepting delivery requests and earning money.

Tips for Maximizing Your Income on Food Delivery Apps

1. Choose Your Hours Wisely

One of the benefits of working as a food delivery driver is the flexibility it offers. You work as much or as little as you want, depending on your schedule and availability.

But keep in mind that the best orders will probably be available during key “peak” times when people order food: at regular mealtimes and on the weekends. Being able to work during these peak times can help you make more money.

2. Be Efficient and Safe

As a food delivery driver, your goal is to get food to customers as quickly and safely as possible. To do this, you’ll need to be efficient and safe on the road. Here are a few tips:

• Plan your route ahead of time to avoid traffic and delays.
• Always wear your seatbelt. Duh.
• Use a phone mount or hands-free device — don’t toggle on the app while you drive!
• Always double-check orders before leaving the restaurant to avoid mistakes. You don’t wanna deal with “hangry” customers.
• Always be polite and professional when interacting with customers.

3. Keep Track of Your Expenses

As an independent contractor, you’ll be responsible for keeping track of your own expenses and paying taxes on your earnings. It’s important to keep accurate records of your mileage, gas expenses, and other costs associated with driving for food delivery apps.

You may also be able to deduct some of these expenses on your taxes, so it’s important to keep track of everything throughout the year.

Choosing the Best DoorDash Alternative

Do apps like DoorDash to make money sound like just the ticket? As you’ve seen, there are plenty of options. But how do you choose the best one for you? Here are some factors to consider when evaluating DoorDash alternatives:

1. Delivery Fees and Commission Rates

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a DoorDash alternative is the delivery fees and commission rates. Make sure to compare the rates of different platforms to see which one offers the best deal for you.

2. Availability in Your Area

Before signing up for any DoorDash alternative, make sure to check if it’s available in your area. Some platforms only operate in certain cities or regions, so you’ll want to make sure you can actually use it before investing your time and effort.

3. Order Volume

Another important factor to consider is the platform’s order volume. If there aren’t many orders available, you won’t be able to make as much money. Look for a platform that has a steady stream of orders in your area to ensure regular income.

4. Payment Methods

Different DoorDash alternatives have different payment methods. Some pay weekly, while others pay daily or even instantly. Make sure to choose a platform that offers a payment method that works for you.

5. Customer Support

Lastly, consider what types of resources the company offers. If you run into any issues or have questions, you’ll want to be able to get in touch with someone quickly and easily.

Look for a platform that offers responsive customer support to ensure a smooth experience.

Final Word: Apps Like DoorDash to Make Money

Delivering for DoorDash or a DoorDash alternative like Uber Eats can be a great way to make some extra money, and the flexibility to work when you want and choose which orders to accept makes it extra appealing.

However, the right delivery app for you will depend on various factors, such as earning potential, payout frequency, availability in your area, and more. Be sure to consider which platform is the best fit before committing.

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