I’m trying to find alternative apps to Instacart Shopper for earning extra cash. Instacart isn’t working well for me, and I need other options. Any recommendations on platforms offering similar gig opportunities?
- Shipt Shopper
- Homepage Link: https://www.shipt.com
- Pros & Cons:
Pros: Flexible gig work, high earning potential in specific areas, great community and support from their team.
Cons: Limited availability in smaller towns, competition among shoppers can be tough during peak hours. - Features:
- Pay includes both a base rate and tips.
- Offers scheduled deliveries and on-demand requests.
- Lets you preview delivery orders before accepting them.
- User Reviews: Many users report better customer support than Instacart and stable earnings when choosing high-demand areas, but some say payout transparency could improve.
- Verdict: If you’re in a city Shipt operates in, it can rival or even outperform Instacart in terms of earning potential. A solid pick.
- DoorDash (Dasher)
- Homepage Link: https://www.doordash.com/dasher/signup
- Pros & Cons:
Pros: Fast sign-up process, flexibility to pick when you work, light grocery orders mixed with food deliveries.
Cons: Gig availability varies widely across regions; delivery times can sometimes take longer due to restaurant wait times. - Features:
- Primarily food delivery, but some grocery and convenience store delivery options exist.
- “Dash Now” lets you log in anytime there’s demand.
- Clear maps and payout listings for deliveries.
- User Reviews: Dashers appreciate the app’s organization and maps, though base pay per delivery is lower unless stacked with tips.
- Verdict: A great side hustle for mix-and-match delivery gigs, though food orders dominate. If you’re open to that, DoorDash works like a charm.
- Uber Eats Driver
- Homepage Link: https://www.uber.com/us/en/drive/delivery/
- Pros & Cons:
Pros: Uber’s wide reach means consistent orders in most locations, access to both food and retail delivery options.
Cons: High fees taken out by Uber per delivery, reliance on customer tips for solid earnings. - Features:
- Includes restaurant, grocery, and package deliveries.
- “Quest and Boost” bonuses for extra cash during busy times.
- Integrated with Uber ride-sharing for flexible earning streams.
- User Reviews: Shoppers love its reliability in big cities but feel payouts can be disappointing due to service fees.
- Verdict: Good as a consistent gig in urban or suburban areas, but not as lucrative for rural regions or low tip customers.
- Postmates (Now Part of Uber Eats)
- Homepage Link: https://www.uber.com/us/en/drive/delivery/
- Pros & Cons:
Pros: Offers an “anything delivery” system (food, small groceries, etc.), decent surge pricing in busy hours.
Cons: Competitive with other gig apps under Uber’s umbrella, smaller payouts compared to Instacart or Shipt. - Features:
- Flexible hours and locations.
- Delivers retail or groceries alongside meals.
- Minimal face-to-face interaction for introverted gig workers.
- User Reviews: Users mention this is better for food delivery than groceries specifically, but the flexibility is a plus point.
- Verdict: Solid but secondary to Uber Eats for those looking for steady gig income.
- Amazon Flex
- Homepage Link: https://flex.amazon.com
- Pros & Cons:
Pros: Predictable income with fixed delivery blocks, reasonable compensation for time spent.
Cons: Limited availability in smaller markets, strict delivery deadlines compared to grocery apps. - Features:
- Pays a flat rate per delivery block.
- Mix of package and grocery delivery (via Amazon Fresh).
- Earnings start around $18–$25 per hour.
- User Reviews: Favorites among drivers who like organized batching of tasks, though less flexible compared to app-based gigs.
- Verdict: Slightly more structured, making it ideal for people who want consistent income but don’t mind handling Amazon packages alongside groceries.
- Spark Driver by Walmart
- Homepage Link: https://drive4spark.walmart.com
- Pros & Cons:
Pros: Walmart-exclusive orders mean steady grocery delivery tasks, direct partnership results in better support than independent services.
Cons: Requires additional app downloads to fully use the platform, limited shopper-driven schedule control. - Features:
- Handles same-day Walmart order deliveries.
- Transparent order payments including tips upfront.
- Allows batch orders to increase profit per trip.
- User Reviews: Many users find the balance between effort and payoff worth it, but they note slow customer support responses.
- Verdict: Exceptional for areas with busy Walmart locations, but the app itself could use upgrades.
- Gopuff Driver
- Homepage Link: https://www.gopuff.com
- Pros & Cons:
Pros: Focuses on convenience store deliveries, centralized warehouse pickups simplify routes.
Cons: Lower base pay compared to large grocery apps, niche inventory limits customer pool. - Features:
- Prepackaged orders allow for faster pickups.
- Consistent demand during evenings and weekends.
- Easy onboarding process for new drivers.
- User Reviews: Positive feedback on structured routes but mixed reviews on earnings potential for those in smaller markets.
- Verdict: Best for late-night or secondary gig income, especially in bigger metros.
- TaskRabbit (For Personal Shopper Gigs)
- Homepage Link: https://www.taskrabbit.com
- Pros & Cons:
Pros: Allows setting your own rates, broader gig types beyond shopping.
Cons: Requires building a client list, commissions taken from earnings. - Features:
- Shopper-specific tasks like running errands or grocery delivery.
- Total control over schedule and pricing.
- Provides customer communication directly within the platform.
- User Reviews: Mixed; pros love it for building business-like income streams, while beginners struggle with profile visibility and competition.
- Verdict: Fantastic for hustlers who can create a brand presence, less accessible than instant-assign apps.
- Favor Delivery
- Homepage Link: https://favordelivery.com
- Pros & Cons:
Pros: Pays both a delivery fee and customer tips, strong presence in Texas.
Cons: Limited to specific states, mostly Texas-focused. - Features:
- Allows task variety beyond food, including personal shopper requests.
- Fast payouts to drivers.
- User Reviews: Rave reviews from Texas users, limited mention outside their core regions.
- Verdict: Great if you’re in their territory, but you’ll probably need another app elsewhere.
- Roadie
- Homepage Link: https://www.roadie.com
- Pros & Cons:
Pros: Offers long-distance and unusual package deliveries; pay can be quite high in niche routes.
Cons: Rare gigs compared to grocery delivery mingled with less predictability day-to-day. - Features:
- Accepts bulky and unique delivery types.
- Payouts vary by distance and difficulty rather than just demand.
- User Reviews: Many users like the novelty and payout opportunities, but consistency is an issue and demand can be erratic.
- Verdict: A wildcard option for those seeking variety, but not a main hustle due to its inconsistency.
Overall Recommendation: If grocery delivery is your bread and butter, Shipt Shopper and Spark Driver are your closest bets to Instacart (both pay reliably and let you see order details upfront). For a more diversified gig portfolio, throw in DoorDash or Uber Eats to round out your delivery options. Want something unique? Roadie and TaskRabbit can help you break out of just grocery-focused gigs.