5 BEST DELIVERY APPS TO MAKE MONEY IN 2024

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If you’re interested in being a delivery driver, I’m sure you’ve wondered what are the best delivery apps to make money. 

Well, same here. I’m always finding new ways to earn extra income, and the delivery niche is extremely popular these days! The convenience of delivery services means more customers and more drivers.

But let’s face it: not all delivery apps are created equal. That’s why I wrote this blog post about the best delivery apps to make money.

Sure, setting your own schedule is great, but at the end of the day, what really matters is how much money you can bring in to support yourself or your family.

5 BEST DELIVERY APPS TO MAKE MONEY

In this roundup, each delivery app offers flexible scheduling so you can work whenever you want. They all pay weekly; however, options are available to get you paid immediately. I can’t tell you how much this has helped me personally. Haha

They all provide upfront details about each delivery, including the estimated pay, distance, and expected time commitment.

Let’s get into it!

1. DOORDASH

According to Bloomberg Second Measure, Doordash currently controls 67% of the US food delivery market, serving over 75 million customers nationwide. This puts them above all other food delivery apps. For delivery drivers, known as Dashers, this translates to unmatched earning potential.

With so many Doordash customers, orders will always be available for you to deliver and make money.

Dashers enjoy attractive pay packages, including 100% of their tips and attractive bonuses. Whether you’re aiming to make $200 or $600 fast, it’s achievable with Doordash.

What I’m saying is money can be made but you have to put in the effort. Over-achievers earn up to $29 an hour with Doordash, so it is possible for you too.

As a Dasher, you can work full-time, part-time, or one day a week. You can even schedule your shifts days in advance, ensuring you secure orders even in competitive areas.

Pros:

Busy Areas: With DoorDash’s Heat Map feature, you can identify high-demand areas and target those orders. I recommend scheduling your shift in advance if you work in these areas. Doordash won’t allow too many Dashers to work at the same time in one region.

Fast Payments: DoorDash offers fast and reliable payment processing, ensuring you get your earnings quickly. You even have the option to get your pay immediately using the Fast Pay feature for a fee of $1.99.

Cons:
Competition: With a large pool of drivers, competition for deliveries can be intense, especially during peak hours.

Limited Driver Support: DoorDash primarily offers driver support through chat, which may not always be as responsive or helpful as phone-based support. Sometimes, it might take a while to get the help you need.

Need to schedule shifts: While being able to schedule shifts in advance can be great for securing orders, it may also limit flexibility if you prefer to work spontaneously.

Driver Requirements

To become a DoorDash driver, you must meet certain criteria, including:

Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
Vehicle: You can use a car, bike, scooter, or even walk, depending on your location.
Driver’s License and Insurance: A valid driver’s license and insurance are required for car deliveries.

Smartphone: You’ll need a smartphone to access the DoorDash app and accept delivery requests.
Background Check: DoorDash conducts a background check to ensure your eligibility and safety as a driver. Truth be told, most drivers can start working within the first 24 hours of signing up!

Doordash Incentives

Peak Pay:  When it’s super busy, like during lunch or dinner, Doordash gives you extra cash for delivering food. However, this depends on whether enough drivers are in the area to meet the demand for orders.  You can find more details about Peak Pay here.

Completion Bonuses: If you complete a set number of deliveries within a specified time frame, you can qualify for a completion bonus.

Referral Bonuses: Dashers can earn referral bonuses by referring new drivers to the platform. When a referred driver completes a certain number of deliveries within a specified time period, both the referring Dasher and the new driver receive a bonus.

Challenge Bonuses: Doordash occasionally runs challenges or contests that allow Dashers to earn additional bonuses based on meeting specific goals or milestones. These challenges can range from completing a certain number of deliveries in a week to achieving high customer ratings.

2. UBEREATS

Here’s why UberEats made it to my list of best delivery apps to make money.

UberEats is available nationwide and has many partner restaurants, so you’re less likely to wait around for orders.

Like Doordash, you get to call the shots on when you work. This can even help you make more money if you deliver for both Doordash and UberEats. There’s no schedule conflict, and you get to choose the highest-paying orders to fulfill. Why work for one when you can make money from two of the best delivery apps!

Pros:
Wide Availability: UberEats operates in numerous cities and regions worldwide, providing drivers with plenty of opportunities to pick up deliveries. Unlike Doordash’s Heat Map that has zones, UberEats has a simple map.

Instant Pay: UberEats offers Instant Pay, which allows you to cash out your earnings up to five times a day. The money goes directly to your debit card.

If you’re in a tough spot for cash, this is definitely one way to get some fast. Keep in mind that each cashout has a fee of $1.25. Still, it’s worth it if you ask me!

Cons:
No Insulated Bag: Obviously, hot food needs to be kept hot, and cold food needs to be kept cold. Unfortunately, UberEats doesn’t provide an insulated bag, so you must get one.

App Layout: UberEats shares the same app as Uber, so it can initially be a bit confusing. It won’t prevent you from making money, but it’s no Doordash.

Driver Requirements

To become an UberEats driver, you must meet certain criteria, including:

Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
Vehicle: Depending on your location, you can use a car, bike, scooter, or even just your feet for deliveries.
Driver’s License and Insurance: A valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance are required, if applicable.
Background Check: Uber conducts a background check to ensure your eligibility and safety as a driver.

Uber Eats has different requirements depending on whether you deliver by car, scooter, or foot. Here’s a breakdown of the requirements for each mode of delivery:

Car Delivery

Vehicle Requirements: Your car must meet UberEats’ vehicle requirements, which typically include being a certain age (usually 20 years or newer), having four doors, and being in good condition.
Driver’s License and Insurance: You’ll need a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance.
Background Check: UberEats conducts a background check to ensure your eligibility and safety as a driver.

Scooter Delivery

Scooter Requirements: You’ll need a motorized scooter that meets UberEats’ specifications, including maximum engine displacement and age requirements.

Driver’s License and Insurance: A valid driver’s license and insurance may still be required, depending on local regulations.

Background Check: Like car delivery, UberEats conducts a background check for scooter delivery.

Smartphone: You’ll need a smartphone for navigation and to accept delivery requests.

On Foot Delivery

No Vehicle Needed: Since you’re delivering on foot, you won’t need a vehicle. Duh!
Background Check: UberEats will still conduct a background check for on-foot delivery.
Smartphone: You’ll need a smartphone for the UberEats app to receive delivery requests and navigate to the customer’s location.

3. INSTACART

Instacart is a great food delivery app to make money partly due to it’s market reach. It is available in thousands of cities in the US and partnered to more than 500 grocery stores and retailers.

With Instacart, you can work as a full-service shopper, which involves taking orders, shopping for groceries, and delivering them to customers’ doorsteps. Alternatively, you can opt to be an in-store shopper, where you fulfill orders within the store for pick-up.

Pros:
Varied Tasks: You can be an in-store or full-service shopper.
Low Fee: With Instant Cashout, Instacart shoppers can get paid immediately to their bank account for a fee of only $0.50.

No Vehicle Required: Instacart shoppers can fulfill orders using a car, bike, scooter, or even on foot, providing flexibility for Shoppers with different modes of transportation.

Cons:
Heavy Workload: Shopping for multiple orders at once or fulfilling large orders can be physically demanding, especially during busy times.
Dependence on Customer Ratings: Instacart shoppers are often rated by customers, and low ratings can impact opportunities for future orders or bonuses.

Shopper Requirements

To become an Instacart shopper, individuals must meet certain requirements, including:
Age: Shoppers must be at least 18 years old.
Reliable Transportation: While a vehicle is not required, shoppers must have reliable transportation to fulfill orders.
Smartphone: The Instacart shopper app is used to receive and fulfill orders, so a smartphone is essential.
Physical Ability: Shoppers should be able to lift and carry groceries, as well as navigate stores efficiently.

4. GRUBHUB

Grubhub stands out as a top choice for earning some extra cash on your own terms. With access to a massive network of over 225,000 restaurants spread across more than 4,000 cities, there’s no shortage of delivery opportunities.

But the perks don’t stop there. Grubhub provides live phone-based support for drivers across the U.S. Plus, they’ve got your back when it comes to tips, with a default tip rate of 15% to make sure that even a slow day is a good day.

Pros:
Large Selection of Restaurants: Grubhub partners with a wide range of restaurants, offering drivers a diverse selection of delivery options.

Driver Incentives: Grubhub may offer bonuses or incentives for completing a certain number of deliveries or working during peak hours.

Cons: 

While Grubhub does offer live phone-based support for drivers, the incentives and bonuses may not be as enticing as what you’d find with other platforms.

Driver Requirements

To become a Grubhub driver, individuals must meet certain requirements, including:

Age: Drivers must be at least 19 years old.
Vehicle: Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle for making deliveries.
Smartphone: The Grubhub driver app is used to receive and fulfill orders, so a smartphone is essential.
Background Check: Grubhub conducts a background check to ensure the safety and eligibility of its drivers.

5. POSTMATES

Postmates goes beyond traditional food delivery, offering a wide range of delivery options, from groceries to gadgets and everything in between.

What really sets Postmates apart is Blitz Pricing which can boost your earnings during peak hours. With no need to schedule shifts in advance, you can fit delivery work around your existing commitments.

Pros:
Diverse Delivery Options: Postmates offers delivery services for a wide range of items, including food, groceries, alcohol, and more, providing drivers with diverse earning opportunities.
Flexible Schedule: Drivers have the freedom to set their own schedules and work when it’s most convenient for them. So, unlike Doordash, you don’t need to schedule your hours beforehand.
No Vehicle Required: Postmates allows drivers to make deliveries on foot, by bike, scooter, or car.

Cons:
Dependence on Customer Ratings: Postmates drivers are often rated by customers, and low ratings can impact opportunities for future deliveries or bonuses. This sucks because sometimes, no matter how hard you try, not every customer will be satisfied.

Payment Frequency: Postmates drivers are typically paid weekly, on Mondays. It can take between 1-3 days for your money to hit your bank account. That being said, you can get instant cash out for only $0.50. 

Driver Requirements

Here are the requirements you need to meet to become a Postmates driver:

Age: Drivers must be at least 18 years old.
Vehicle or Mode of Transportation: Depending on the delivery mode chosen, drivers may need access to a car, bike, scooter, or the ability to make deliveries on foot.
Smartphone: The Postmates driver app is used to receive and fulfill orders, so a smartphone is essential.
Background Check: Postmates conducts a background check to ensure the safety and eligibility of its drivers.

TIPS WHEN USING THE BEST DELIVERY APPS TO MAKE MONEY

Alright, now that you’ve got the lowdown on the best delivery apps to make money, it’s time to talk strategy. Here are a few tips and tricks for maximizing your earnings:

Peak Times: Keep an eye out for peak delivery times, like lunch and dinner rushes, when demand—and tips—are at their highest.
Multi-App: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Sign up for multiple delivery apps to increase your earning potential and keep those deliveries rolling in.

Customer Service: A friendly smile and a quick delivery can go a long way. Be prompt, polite, and professional, and you’ll be sure to earn those coveted five-star ratings. Customers are more likely to request drivers that have high ratings.
Stay Safe: Always prioritize your safety while out on deliveries. Stick to well-lit areas, lock your car doors, and trust your instincts if something feels off.
Track Your Expenses: Don’t forget to track your mileage and expenses for tax purposes. Every penny counts when it comes to maximizing your earnings.

So, there you have it! The best delivery apps to make money are right at your fingertips. Whether you’re looking for flexibility in your schedule, instant payouts, or a wide range of delivery options, these platforms have got you covered.

From Doordash to Uber Eats, Instacart to Grubhub, and Postmates, each app offers its unique perks and opportunities for earning extra cash.

Now, it’s your turn to get out there and start delivering! But why stop there? Share this article with your friends and family who might be interested in becoming delivery drivers too.

And don’t forget to leave a comment below sharing your thoughts or experiences with these delivery apps. Your feedback could help others make the most of their delivery gig.