10 apps and jobs like Instacart

Paid disclosure

When you click on a link to the companies on this site and sign up with them, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs include the Uber affiliate program. 

Instacart is a delivery app offering grocery delivery services and is one of the most renowned delivery gigs favored by gig workers. The company offers an excellent opportunity to make fast money while working independently on a flexible schedule as a delivery driver.

Gig jobs have been significantly growing in popularity in recent times. Instacart is only one example of reputable delivery apps that can help you pursue your delivery business career.

Below, we have collected 10 of the most in-demand apps like Instacart, offering grocery and food delivery gigs. Read on and pick the one that suits you best. 

Being a gig worker 

The gig economy has recently become a popular trend, and it’s due to several factors. The most significant is that today’s workforce has become more mobile, so many job positions are based on working remotely via digital platforms. 

As a result, jobs and locations don’t necessarily have to go together anymore. Such gig workers are freelancers, project-based workers, independent contractors, or part-time employees who can take a job without needing to be bound to a specific area. 

Being a gig worker comes with many benefits, including freedom and flexibility of work shifts, an attractive salary that is considerably higher than the minimum wage, and the ability to work for more than one company simultaneously.

Gig workers also have numerous responsibilities that come with effectively leading their own business, such as paying taxes. Overall, having a gig job is an excellent way to build a professional profile that can lead to a successful career.

Apps like Instacart to make money

If you’re ready to start earning money as your own boss, there are many jobs like Instacart which allow you to work according to your preferred schedule. As an independent contractor, you can deliver groceries or food using your own vehicle at times and in the areas that are convenient for you. 

Shipt, a grocery delivery service

Shipt is a grocery delivery service that allows its members to order online from local stores for same-day delivery right to their door. Customers can pay for groceries and other everyday essentials directly from the app with their bank cards. 

If you’re searching for a job as a personal shopper like Instacart, Shipt is an excellent opportunity to earn money on a flexible schedule. Whether you’re after a full-time or part-time job or simply want to make some extra cash on weekends, Shipt might be just what you’re looking for. 

As a Shipt delivery driver, you will need to schedule delivery shifts, and your primary job duties will include:

• Logging on to the Shopper app. 
• Accepting order requests.
• Claiming available orders.
• Navigating to the store.
• Doing the grocery shopping.
• Delivering the goods to the customer.

The hourly pay at Shipt is within the range of $15 to $25. However, most Shipt Shoppers earn between $17 – $19 per hour. 

Amazon Fresh, Amazon’s grocery delivery service

Amazon’s grocery delivery service allows its Prime members to order groceries and household items via the delivery app and receive the order on the same day at no extra cost. 

Unlike Instacart full-service delivery drivers or Shipt in-store shoppers, at Amazon Fresh, you won’t be required to grocery shop for customers yourself. Your role will be only to take care of the ready packages and transport them from one place to another using a reliable vehicle. Therefore, you must reach the minimum driving age and have a valid driver’s license as well as good driving skills. As an additional requirement, you must pass an Amazon Flex background check.

Among the main duties of an Amazon’s Fresh delivery driver you will find:

• Loading and unloading your car with orders.
• Driving in your area following the GPS instructions in the driving app. 
• Ensuring outstanding customer service.
• Handling food with care.
• Scanning packages with your smartphone.

As an independent contractor at Amazon, your taxable earnings can vary between $18 – $25 per hour. 

Gopuff, to order all kind of delivery services

Gopuff is another one of the popular apps like Instacart, which enables its users to order delivery services for food and snacks, home essentials, as well as tobacco, medicines, and alcohol which is available in select markets. With a flat delivery fee of just $1.95, Gopuff operates on a 24-hour on-demand delivery system, and its services are available to customers all day until 4:30 am in most stores. 

Due to the continuous expansion of the gig market, the company offers numerous delivery driver jobs. Working as a personal shopper at Gopuff is an excellent opportunity for independent contractors who would like to work their own hours. It gives you the possibility to decide on the time you want to start and finish your shift, as well as how many times you want to work per day. You can adjust your schedule as you wish to achieve a better work/life balance.

One of the most significant advantages of Gopuff is that, unlike many other delivery services, the delivery drivers pick up the customers’ orders directly from Gopuff’s warehouses. Thanks to such a system, your job is easier, and you can save a lot of time. Besides, the customers can get their orders delivered in a timely manner as your work schedule won’t be affected by locating hotspots in your area or driving during peak hours. 

Depending on whether you want to work at Gopuff on a part-time or full-time basis, the pay might vary. The drivers’ average hourly pay is estimated at $15.56, excluding delivery fees related to taxes, gas, or car maintenance. You also earn 100% of the tips.

When it comes to the payment schedule, it’s important to note that at Gopuff you get paid weekly with no possibility for daily cash-outs, which may be different from what many other delivery services offer.

Walmart Delivery, a grocery delivery service 

Walmart offers its customers a grocery delivery service and is looking for new hires for the delivery driver position. 

Unlike Instacart, Walmart’s delivery service is more localized, so as a delivery driver, you get assigned to one of the local stores in your area. 

Walmart operates on a Spark Driver app which connects independent delivery drivers with real-time available order opportunities. As a Spark Driver, you get full flexibility when it comes to the times when you want to drive. Walmart’s app also features a map where you can see the volume of orders and their localization so you can plan your shift accordingly. 

The company belongs to the highest-paying businesses. The pay is considered to be per hour or per mile higher than what other delivery jobs offer. At Walmart, the national average wage of a delivery driver is $18.88 per hour. 

Although the hourly pay is attractive, it is impossible to boost your earnings by referring friends at Walmart as they don’t operate on the referral system. However, they do offer valuable incentives that can help you earn more money on your deliveries using the app.

Dumpling: full-time grocery delivery

If you want to take on some new delivery challenges and earn money delivering groceries as an in-store shopper, Dumpling could be your next gig to do on a full-time basis, or in your free time. 

This popular delivery app allows its users to stock up with all the necessary groceries and everyday essentials with the help of a Dumpling personal shopper. 

The first step to becoming a full-service shopper at Dumpling is setting up your profile on the app, enabling you to connect with customers. You can also get a pro subscription that provides members with custom URLs and advanced profile features to enhance the profiles’ quality. 

Just like an Instacart shopper, your role as a Dumpling deliverer is to do grocery shopping for your customers at local grocery stores. Shoppers can work according to their preferred schedule by listing their availability and the stores they usually shop at to connect with their ideal customers. 

Dumpling’s full-service shoppers can earn even up to $32 per order and keep 100% of their tips. What’s more, you have the opportunity to set up a minimum personal tip on your profile. 

Postmates: gig for flexible workers

Postmates is among the best Instacart alternatives, which allows you to make money delivering food, groceries, and many more. It’s a fantastic gig for drivers looking for a flexible job as independent workers. 

In December 2020 Uber announced that it has acquired Postmates in an all-stock transaction and that the two companies have begun integrating their national operations.

At Postmates, you can deliver orders from restaurants, merchant partners, or local businesses. It’s one of the jobs you can do on foot, however, you can still use a car or a scooter.

The requirements for the delivery driver position at Postmates are relatively simple. You have to be 18 years old and pass a background check. If you want to use a vehicle for your job, you need to have a valid driving license as well as a scooter or car insurance best-paying depending on the kind of vehicle you own. 

Postmates is one of the most popular gigs and is also among the best-paying delivery apps. As a delivery driver, you can earn even up to $25 if you maximize your earnings by, for example, working during peak hours or in the busiest areas.

DoorDash for food delivery gig on a flexible schedule

In terms of delivery apps similar to Instacart, DoorDash is the fastest growing and one of the pioneering food delivery service apps. It’s also one of the best platforms for delivering alcohol if you’re a customer. 

If you’re looking for a food delivery gig where you can work as an independent contractor on a flexible schedule, DoorDash is another great opportunity for you. As a Dasher, you can be your own boss and work according to your own schedule. 

At DoorDash, there’s no rule on the type of vehicle you need to use for work. You can use either a car or a bike. If the distance between your pick-up point and delivery destination is short, you can even deliver on foot. 

The earnings of a DoorDash delivery driver vary depending on the location you’re in and the days and times you work. Normally, you get paid weekly, but you also have the opportunity to cash out your earnings daily if required. 

Top tip: If you want to earn more money as a DoorDash deliverer, you can always take advantage of difficult weather conditions, which can maximize your delivery orders. Rainy or snowy days are when your competition would rather stay indoors, allowing you to sign up for more deliveries. Get the most out of this opportunity while it lasts. 

Apart from attractive earnings, DoorDash also offers comprehensive incentive packages designed to motivate drivers. You can benefit from such programs as DoorDash Challenges or DoorDash Peak Pay, which feature favorable reward schemes.

Uber Eats: make money as a delivery driver

One of the most renowned apps to make money as a delivery driver is Uber Eats. It’s an on-demand food delivery platform that allows customers to order and pay directly from the Uber Eats app, making the delivery process simple and quick.

Uber Eats is an excellent opportunity to deliver food and earn money as an independent contractor. With a fully flexible schedule, you can work as much as you want. You can use your car for the deliveries without needing a vehicle inspection, or if you want to save money, you can use a bike. 

Your pay as an Uber Eats deliverer will depend on several factors, including the time and days you work. Although drivers typically get paid on a weekly basis, Uber Eats gives you the opportunity to cash out your earnings daily with Uber instant pay.  

Like other popular delivery jobs, Uber Eats offers many incentives for drivers to maximize their earnings. You can benefit from extra cash when your delivery shifts are scheduled around peak times and busy locations.

GrubHub, a top-rated food delivery company

This top-rated food delivery company is designed for customers who enjoy having meals from the local cuisine delivered to their door. The customers can pay via the app, however, GrubHub also accepts cash payments for most food orders.

Being a delivery driver at GrubHub is one of the best jobs like Instacart, which allows you to earn extra money delivering food according to your own schedule. Depending on your preference, you can use any type of vehicle for meal delivery.

If you want to become a GrubHub deliverer, you need to meet some requirements that include:

• You must reach the minimum driving age.
• You must have at least 2 years of driving experience.
• You must pass a background check.
• You must have a bank account so you can get paid weekly via direct deposit.

At GrubHub, drivers earn around $12-$15 per hour, however, the more proficient you become at delivery, the more money you can earn. 

Waitr, an excellent food delivery app

Waitr is another excellent food delivery app that collaborates with many local restaurants and takeaways to suit every customer’s needs. 

If you’re searching for a delivery job as an independent driver to earn extra cash in your spare time, getting a delivery driver’s gig at Waitr might be a great opportunity for you. However, one of the significant requirements of a delivery driver at the company is that you must be able to work a minimum of 20 hours a week, so make sure you can fit them into your schedule.

You can deliver meals to customers using your own car or other vehicles such as a scooter or bike. You must have a valid driver’s license and car insurance if you’re using your car.

As a Waitr delivery driver, you can earn $13-$17 per hour, and like in other food delivery jobs, you can cash out your earnings daily.

Summary

With the development of digital platforms, the job market has become mobile, and more and more people are turning to working remotely. They also more often search for jobs where localization is a matter of personal preference. 

Such opportunity is increasingly being guaranteed by gig jobs where a person works as an independent contractor benefiting from multiple advantages of such a working system. The perks include scheduling flexibility, freedom of work, and a higher salary. 

Independent workers increasingly search for jobs like delivering for Instacart, which offers grocery delivery driver gigs. There are many Instacart alternatives currently hiring grocery or food deliverers. Depending on your preferred work location and hours, you can choose your ideal gig job and make some extra money while being your own boss.