I’ve been using DoorDash Driver for a while to make extra money, but I’m looking for similar delivery or gig economy apps to explore other options. Any suggestions for apps that work in a similar way to DoorDash?
- Uber Eats Driver
Homepage: https://www.uber.com/us/en/deliver/- Pros:
- High availability in most cities and suburbs.
- Prime integration with Uber’s ridesharing app, giving you options to switch between driving people or delivering food.
- Flexible payout using Instant Pay.
- Decent promotions and surge pricing during busy hours.
- Cons:
- Can be competitive during slow periods, limiting delivery opportunities in areas with more drivers.
- Service fees can be higher than other platforms.
- Features:
- Instant Pay gives you access to your earnings up to five times per day.
- Detailed trip/delivery tracking.
- Opportunities to earn bonuses for completing quests or working during high-demand times.
- User Reviews: Many drivers praise its flexibility and reliability but mention occasional technical glitches with the app. Earnings can fluctuate drastically depending on market demand.
- Verdict: A solid choice if you’re already familiar with DoorDash, as it offers comparable delivery infrastructure but with more frequent payouts.
- Pros:
- Instacart Shopper
Homepage: https://www.instacart.com/shoppers- Pros:
- Deliver groceries instead of takeout, so it’s a good option if you prefer less interaction with food containers.
- Usually higher payouts per gig compared to food delivery apps.
- Option for full-service shopping (shop & deliver) or in-store shopper roles (no driving).
- Cons:
- Requires physical shopping in stores, adding time to orders.
- Not well-suited for people without reliable transport or access to larger vehicles.
- Features:
- Peak time bonuses.
- Allows you to preview batch pay before accepting an order.
- Includes mileage reimbursements in pay breakdowns.
- User Reviews: Many find it rewarding, particularly for larger grocery orders, but some complain about item unavailability and customer-related issues.
- Verdict: Best for those looking to diversify beyond restaurant delivery, though adjusting to grocery shopping complexity may take time.
- Pros:
- Grubhub For Drivers
Homepage: https://driver.grubhub.com/- Pros:
- Great for densely populated urban and suburban areas due to wide network reach.
- Pre-tip visibility lets you pick and choose better-paying gigs.
- Frequent order availability in well-serviced locations.
- Cons:
- Setting up your account and activating can be slower compared to its competitors.
- Payment processing can lag compared to platforms with daily payout systems like Uber Eats.
- Features:
- Access to local driver support.
- Perks like gas card discounts or access to mission bonuses during peak demand.
- User Reviews: Grubhub undeniably has its fans but others report issues with the app, especially around order cancellations or payment balances.
- Verdict: Definitely worth trying, especially if Grubhub has high penetration in your city.
- Pros:
- Amazon Flex
Homepage: https://flex.amazon.com/- Pros:
- Deliver packages rather than cooked food or perishable goods.
- Well-paying blocks for longer shifts/deliveries.
- Rigid structure that lets you plan in 3-6 hour blocks.
- Cons:
- Limited openings based on location; signing up can involve waiting.
- Delivering “Amazon Fresh” items can be inconvenient without proper temperature-controlled storage in your vehicle.
- Features:
- “Reserve Delivery Blocks” feature provides predictability for multi-day planning.
- Detailed delivery maps and app instructions make processes smooth.
- User Reviews: Drives appreciate the transparent block pay system, but competitive shifts fill up quickly. Customer support gets mixed reviews.
- Verdict: If you like the idea of delivering packages rather than meals—this is a fantastic alternative.
- Pros:
- Shipt Shopper
Homepage: https://www.shipt.com/- Pros:
- Higher pay potential compared to DoorDash for premium grocery deliveries.
- Repeat customers allow you to build rapport and collect personal tips over time.
- Cons:
- Limited availability in cities compared to larger services.
- Shopping for specialty/unique items can consume a lot of time.
- Features:
- Attractive bonuses during holiday seasons.
- Customer communication tools for replacing or adding items.
- User Reviews: Positive for targeted demographic areas but can get tedious due to the precision demanded by fussy customers.
- Verdict: If you’re open to grocery delivery and live in a very Shipt-heavy area, give it a go.
- Pros:
- Postmates (Now Part of Uber Eats)
Homepage: https://www.uber.com/us/en/deliver/- Pros:
- Offers non-food delivery, unlike Uber Eats and DoorDash alone.
- Well-suited for cities where odd-hour deliveries for convenience store goods are high in demand.
- Cons:
- Limited differentiation now that it’s part of Uber Eats.
- Ride volume depends heavily on proximity to retail-heavy or nightlife locations.
- Features:
- Same app integration with Uber Eats.
- Covers a broad geography.
- User Reviews: While Postmates was unique when standalone, now integrated with Uber Eats, users feel it’s less distinct.
- Verdict: If you’re already signed up with Uber Eats, this fits seamlessly due to shared app interfaces.
- Pros:
- Gopuff Driver
Homepage: https://www.gopuff.com/go/driver-resources- Pros:
- Focused on delivering convenience store items, not cooked food.
- Orders originate from central warehouses, so you avoid restaurant pickup issues.
- Cons:
- Restricted service market—mostly urban hubs.
- Pay rates and gig availability can feel underwhelming during off-times.
- Features:
- Centralized pickups.
- Available bonuses for drivers completing higher-order volumes.
- User Reviews: Positive for ease of logistics but some dislike warehouse-only reliance leading to parking congestion.
- Verdict: A good backup option if it operates near you.
- Pros:
- TaskRabbit
Homepage: https://www.taskrabbit.com/- Pros:
- Diverse options—furniture assembly, grocery shopping, home repairs.
- Favorable pay for specialized skills (e.g., handyman work).
- Cons:
- TaskRabbit isn’t strictly a delivery app, so finding consistent gigs might be tricky.
- Features:
- Set your own schedule and rates for specialty services.
- User Reviews: Flexible platform loved for paying higher than most gig-based apps. Drawbacks include sporadic local availability.
- Verdict: A niche alternative if you’ve got hands-on experience/preferred skills.
- Pros:
- Roadie
Homepage: https://www.roadie.com/- Pros:
- Great for shipping packages or oversized items.
- Big gigs pay extraordinarily better vs food delivery apps.
- Cons:
- Highly specific use case—mostly for long-distance couriers.
- Features:
- Pair personal drives with package delivery for efficient side hustling.
- User Reviews: Ideal for rural drivers or folks heading out-of-town frequently. Less viable for inner-city workers though.
- Verdict: A perfect secondary app if trips align with their order offerings.
- Pros:
- Caviar Courier
Homepage: https://trycaviar.com/courier
- Pros:
- Higher-end customers benefit couriers through solid tip culture.
- Often shorter distances between delivery pickup/drop-off locations.
- Cons:
- Not available nationwide.
- More selective applicant process eliminates casual prospects.
- Features:
- Request tracking consistency and premium tools.
- User Reviews: A prestige-laden app with stability concerns across newer/test market zones.
- Verdict: Amazing side-gig potential where available! Competition entry can be unnecessarily selective.