Grubhub vs DoorDash - which app is better?
Ordering food via an app may seem pretty straightforward. And it indeed is – as soon as you decide on a specific app. The continuing need for on-demand services results in the growing number of food delivery apps, with Uber Eats being the most widely-spread but certainly not the only one worth attention. Though it may sound a bit trivial, it’s worth doing some research beforehand, as the apps may differ in many very important aspects.
It is even more critical when you are not only a customer, but you would also like to make some money on the side by providing food delivery service to others.
To make digging for information a bit easier for you, in this article, we will compare different aspects of the two of the most popular food delivery service providers – GrubHub and DoorDash.
GrubHub vs DoorDash at first glance
GrubHub was first launched in 2004, so it’s no wonder that it has gained so much popularity since. It is a well-established company in the food delivery market, with a broad network of partnerships and a variety of deals and special offers.
DoorDash was founded in 2013, making it significantly younger than GrubHub. Still, it managed to gain a wide group of customers and become one of the most popular companies providing food delivery services. In 2019, it even overtook the competition and won the title of the top on-demand food delivery service.
Availability
Both DoorDash and GrubHub are available in all major US cities, so if you live in any of them, you won’t have any problems with placing orders through these apps or start driving for them. GrubHub can be used in over 4,000 cities all over the US and in London, UK, while DoorDash in a similar number of places, but in the US, Australia and Canada combined.
However, it may not be this easy if you live in a smaller city, town, or village; especially DoorDash is not as widely available. In this case, you have a bigger chance to get food delivery or start driving for GrubHub.
Qualities & ease of use
Both DoorDash and GrubHub designed their apps to be available for all mobile devices, on iOS and Android, so there’s no problem with accessibility, no matter if you’re a customer or a driver.
It is worth noting that DoorDash is more frequently praised for its neatly-organized app, user-friendly interface, and smooth interactions. Everything is clear and visible as soon as you open the app. However, most people also don’t have any significant problems with GrubHub, even if you have to scroll a little more to find some information. Both applications are intuitive and rather straightforward.
Customers
DoorDash has some useful features – the app allows you to place group orders. As long as your friend has DoorDash downloaded on their device, you can share delivery and get it together, making the details readily available for everyone participating in the process. Additionally, DoorDash provides not only food delivery services; you can also order items for grocery and convenience stores.
Both apps always present you with the estimated delivery time and give the final amount of money to pay before deciding to place an order. There are also no issues with payment methods, whether you use a credit or debit card or prefer more modern ways, like Apple Pay and Venmo.
What’s interesting is that both apps have the same rating on Google Play Store (4.5), but the Apple users prefer GrubHub (4.8) over DoorDash (4.3).
Drivers
GrubHub supports deliveries made mainly in cars and on motorcycles, while DoorDash allows you also to use a bike or a scooter.
If you want to drive for GrubHub, you need to apply it via their website and answer some questions concerning driver requirements and eligibility. Then, you complete your driver’s profile by providing your driver’s license, insurance details, and checking account. You also must pass a background check. Approval can take up to a week; next, you are onboarded, and you have to download the GrubHub drivers app. Then, you are eligible to start delivering orders.
When you want to provide a delivery service for DoorDash, you have to submit your application along with the zip code of the city you wish to work in. Then, you complete a driver orientation and pass a driver screening process. Approval can take up to 10 days; after that, all you need to do is download your Dasher app and start delivering food.
Apart from the standard rate that is quite similar in both cases, DoorDash offers more special occasions for its drivers to earn more money.
Both these apps enable you to schedule your working hours in advance, which is especially useful if you don’t have such a flexible schedule, and you can only work on specific days.
However, GrubHub may restrict your rescheduling to three days before your scheduled work to avoid you dropping out at the last minute. DoorDash is more flexible in this aspect.
Scheduling can help you make a plan and, therefore, work more efficiently and earn more money. But don’t worry, you can still work spontaneously and see if there are any orders available at any given time.
Delivery fees & costs
Customers
A service fee, a delivery fee, a tip, sometimes even packaging… Additional costs are the biggest downside of food delivery services, but this is still the price you usually need to pay for comfort. The rates and fees vary significantly, depending on a restaurant, but you will always see the costs first before you place your order.
DoorDash is more likely to charge a service fee twice – once for the restaurant, and once for themselves. They have some promotions, though; usually, you get free delivery for your first order or all orders over $10.
On the other hand, GrubHub may not require you to pay for service at all, but there will typically be a minimum amount of money you have to spend to place an order. It can only be problematic if you only want food for one person. GrubHub also offers more special promotions (such as free delivery) due to the larger number of national partnerships and better prices.
Both GrubHub and DoorDash offer subscription services, offering, for example, free delivery or cashbacks. Either GrubHub+ or DashPass will cost you $9.99 a month.
Drivers
When you’re a driver for either of these companies, you are in charge of maintaining and insuring your vehicle as well as paying for gas, in case you’re using a car. These are the most significant costs related to providing food delivery services.
DoorDash vs GrubHub – Which pays their drivers more?
GrubHub
Your standard rate with GrubHub depends on the mileage (the pick-up and the drop-off), total distance, and the time you spent driving and waiting for the orders. It’s hard to predict how much you will make, as it is based solely on demand. And 100% of the tips are yours.
DoorDash
Dashers also get to keep all of their tips. Their pay model includes base pay (depends on the time, distance and earnings), tips, and promotions. Promotions refer to various ways in which DoorDash allows their driver to make more money; these include Peak Pay (for driving during busy hours) or challenges (e.g., completing a certain number of deliveries in a specific amount of time).
Customer service
High-quality and responsive customer service is vital to the success of any company these days. Due to the digitalization and automatization of many processes, people have become less patient; when they have a problem, they expect it to be solved immediately. It is not uncommon for businesses to lose customers only because of their poor support. And food delivery services are no different here.
GrubHub leads the way when it comes to customer service, as they have a visible phone number to call as well as a live chat; both are available 24/7.
In the case of DoorDash, they provide you with a support email address. Not only is it less convenient and slower, but the address itself is also more difficult to find on their website. They offer a chat, too, but in a limited version.
GrubHub vs DoorDash – which is better?
GrubHub vs DoorDash that is the question. And it really is impossible to answer in a short, straightforward way. GrubHub is more accessible from these two apps, so you may not have this choice at all if you don’t live in any of the major US cities. Due to the popularity, GrubHub may have a bit wider offer of partnerships and promotions, but DoorDash experts are doing their best to match them; and they are doing a pretty good job.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to say which app is better. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is for you to decide which of them are more relevant to you personally.
What is great is that no matter if you’re a client or a driver, you are free to use both apps. When it comes to drivers, both GrubHub and DoorDash even encourage them to provide multiple delivery services simultaneously to increase their earnings.
Disclaimer
Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries completed, time of day, location, and expenses. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90 day period and includes compensation from peak pay, tips, and other incentives.
