As the on-demand food delivery industry continues to grow, more people are choosing this convenient and time-saving side hustle. This increased demand has created a need for new drivers, who can meet the high standards set by these companies.

There are a variety of legitimate ways to make money in 2022, all of which are flexible and easy to use.

This article looks at the best delivery apps for use in 2022. You’ll learn what kinds of things you can deliver, driver requirements, how much drivers can expect to make, and the pros and cons of each company.

Best Food Delivery Service to Work For

DoorDash has become a popular service that delivers food from local restaurants and chain stores, such as CVS.

Dashers – the DoorDash delivery drivers – can schedule their hours in advance. There are no minimum hours to drive, which is the same as the rest of the food delivery services on this list.

• Must be 18 years old or older
• Access to a car, scooter, or bike in some markets
• A valid driver’s license number
• Auto insurance

DoorDash announced that it had acquired Caviar, a high-end food delivery service, in 2019. Caviar is known for its curated list of restaurants and its customer service that is seen as above average.

Caviar is still operational, but it’s begun to operate under DoorDash’s branding. New users sign up through the Dashers sign-up process.

Drivers on DoorDash average $15-25/hour.

DoorDash Disclaimer: 

The pay an Uber driver receives varies depending on factors like how many deliveries they complete in a given hour, the time of day, and location. Drivers are paid based on their average hourly payout over a 90-day period which includes compensation from peak pay, tips, and other incentives.

• DoorDash has several driver incentives, including Peak Pay (higher pay when you drive during busier hours) and Challenges (completing a certain number of deliveries in a set amount of time)
• DoorDash has a default tip amount of 15% to encourage tipping
• You can choose which orders you turn down and accept

• You have to schedule your hours in advance, meaning you can’t just log in to the app and drive if you happen to unexpectedly have a couple of extra hours
• Driver support only operates via chat

Since its launch in 2012, Instacart has become one of the most popular grocery delivery services around. This is due to the company’s two options for working: as a full-service worker who does everything from picking and packing orders to fulfilling them, or as an in-store shopper who takes care of tasks like scanning receipts and bagging groceries.

Shoppers who work for full-service stores take customer orders and then complete the purchase for the customer. This type of worker has a lot of flexibility because they can pick their days and times, as well as how often they work.

In-store shoppers use an app to take orders, shop for items, and then arrange them for pick-up. These workers are limited to 29 hours a week or less and are considered part-time employees, not independent contractors like full-service shoppers.

• Access to a car, valid driver’s license, and car insurance
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be eligible to work in the U.S.
• Able to lift 50 lbs

Customers who use the Instacart app to shop are paid based on how large and difficult an order is, as well as how busy the app is at the time. Shoppers can see their estimated earnings before deciding if an order is worth their time.

Full-service Instacart shoppers can make up to $20/hour during busy times and average $12/hour.

• Instacart shoppers have two options for work: full-service and in-store shoppers (who don’t need a car to work)
• You can schedule your hours in advance to plan out your week
• You can see estimated earnings before accepting orders

• Scheduling hours in advance means you can’t just open the app and start working
• You may have to carry heavy bags because you’re delivering groceries

Postmates is a delivery service known for its “anything, anytime, anywhere” slogan. They have partnerships with major retailers and can deliver anything from food to large items such as furniture.

When postmates says “anything,” they mean it. This company is known for some bizarre orders, including a drum set, $1,000 worth of Taco Bell, and ping pong balls.

Since it was founded in 2011, Postmates has continued to grow and now operates in over 350 cities around the world. In 2020, Uber Eats acquired Postmates, but the company still maintains its own branding.

These are the requirements to sign up as a Postmates driver:

• You must be 18 years old
• Access to a reliable vehicle, scooter, or bike
• Car insurance if delivering by car
• A valid driver’s license if using a vehicle

Postmates offers a variety of delivery methods, which means that it is accessible to more people. This service is great because there are so many options for couriers.

Postmates uses a formula to calculate how much drivers make per delivery. Rates for each vary by location.

Postmates earnings can vary greatly depending on the location, amount of time spent driving, and the amount of deliveries made.

• Lots of incentives for drivers to earn more: Bonuses, Crushers, and inviting new drivers and/or customers
• New Postmates drivers get a Starter Guarantee – this guarantees you’ll make a certain amount in a set number of weeks (varies by location)
• The amount of time you spend waiting to pick up orders is factored into your pay
  
• You can open the app and find deliveries at any time of the day

• Support is lacking a little for both drivers and customers
• Because people can order anything on the app, drivers can get low-value orders that don’t pay well (like drug store orders or one cup of coffee), but you can always pass over those orders

• Meet the minimum age to drive in your city
• Have at least one year of licensed driving experience (if you’re under 23 years old, you need 3 years of experience driving)
• A valid U.S. driver’s license
• Eligible vehicle (this varies by city, but you can expect requirements for a 4-door vehicle that is at least a 1998 model or newer)
• Provide proof of residency in your city or state
• Have vehicle insurance

Uber Eats delivery drivers earn a base fare for every delivery, plus pay for pick-up, drop off time, and distance. Additionally, UberEats has introduced a new earnings component called a trip supplement to account for both time and distance.

One of the benefits of using Uber Eats is that you can have a passenger in the car with you while you’re delivering. This is not common in the food delivery industry, which may make it an even more appealing service to some customers.

Deliveries for Uber Eats are paid weekly, but if you sign up for an Uber Eats Visa debit card, you can instantly cash out your earnings. Normally, cashing out earnings costs $0.50.

UberEats earnings can vary greatly depending on the location, amount of time spent driving, and the amount of deliveries made.

• Integrates well with the Uber app if you’re interested in rideshare driving too
• As long as you’re not driving for Uber at the same time, Uber Eats drivers can have someone else in the car while they deliver
  
• Offers incentives for drivers to earn more, like Quest (reaching certain trip goals), Boost (multipliers during busy times), and elevated pricing during busy times.

• One of the incentive programs, Quest, is being phased out in some cities
• Uber has been known to refigure driver pay, which can be confusing once you start driving

Uber, Lyft, and Amazon Flex have all launched programs to help drivers save money on gas. DoorDash, Instacart, and Grubhub also have programs to help drivers save money on food.

Shipt is a grocery delivery service that started in 2014. It now reaches over 260 stores nationwide. While membership is still an option, you no longer need to be a member to order from Shipt. This opens it up to more users, meaning more jobs for Shipt shoppers.

Shoppers are expected to wear a Shipt shirt when they work at the store in order for employees to easily identify them.

• Must be 18 years old or older
• Have a valid driver’s license and insurance
• Have a reliable vehicle – 1997 model or newer
• Capable of lifting 40 lbs or more
• Have insulated cooler bags

Shipt allows its customers to accept and shop for more than one order at a time, which can be a more efficient use of your time.

Drivers are paid based on their commission, which is $5 plus 7.5% of the order amount. This amount is displayed in the app before taking an order.

Shipt shoppers can expect to make around $15-$20/hour.

• Shipt Shoppers get a free Shipt membership
• You can see how much you’ll make (minus tips) before accepting orders
• Shoppers can shop for more than one order at a time

• You must shop alone

• Not as widely available as some of these other best food delivery services

GrubHub is one of the most popular food delivery services in the United States. It was founded in 2004 and now serves more than 4,000 U.S. cities. GrubHub partners with more than 225,000 restaurants across the country.

The on-demand delivery service, which is mainly used by restaurants, has begun to deliver for convenience stores in some markets.

Grubhub drivers are encouraged to schedule their shifts in advance, but they can also open the app and drive whenever they have extra time.

• Be at least 19 years old (at least 21 in Chicago and Las Vegas)
• Have a valid driver’s license and car insurance
• Have a cell phone with a data plan (iOS 11 or higher or Android 5.0 or higher)

Grubhub uses a pay model that varies by market, but it clearly explains how your pay is determined. Your pay is based on the number of orders you place and the quality of those orders. The more orders you place, the higher your pay will be. Grubhub also takes into account customer feedback and ratings to determine whether or not you receive bonus payments for excellent service.

• GrubHub has live phone-based support for delivery drivers in the U.S.
• Customers are encouraged to tip generously – default tips are set at 15%
• You see very detailed information about orders in the app before taking orders, including total payout (minus tip), pickup location, and drop off location

• Not as many incentives as other restaurant-based deliver services
• Drivers are required to sign up for certain delivery locations

Amazon Flex is an Amazon service that provides drivers for Prime Now, AmazonFresh, and Amazon Restaurant Delivery. Because it outsources delivery tasks from other food delivery services, it’s a unique option compared to the others on this list.

Drivers can choose when they work, but they must drive for 3-6 hour blocks. They should bring insulated bags or coolers to keep food and drinks cold or frozen.

• Be at least 21 years old
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Drive a 4-door, mid-sized or larger vehicle
• Have car insurance

The Amazon Flex drivers are paid based on the number of orders they complete. The more orders they complete, the more money they make.

Amazon Flex drivers average $18-$25/hour.

• Payouts are twice weekly, instead of once a week like most of the other services on this list
• One of the higher hourly pays
• You earn the same amount even if you complete your deliveries early

• A limited number of openings available
• You will probably have to lift heavier packages

Since DoorDash acquired Caviar in 2019, the app has expanded its food delivery offerings to include a more diverse selection of meals and snacks.

Caviar couriers are contracted by DoorDash, and when you sign up with them, they will be brought through the DoorDash sign-up process.

• Must be 18 years old or older
• Access to a car, scooter, or bike in some markets
• A valid driver’s license number
• Auto insurance

Caviar couriers are paid using the same formula as DoorDash, which is Base Pay + Promotions + Tips = Total Earnings.

Delivery workers at Uber receive a base pay that varies based on their location and can range from $2 to $10 per order. Special promotions, such as driving during peak hours or completing many orders in a certain time period, also contribute to the app’s popularity among delivery workers.

Caviar couriers average $15-$20/hour.

• You can see the details of each order before you accept it, including pay
• No penalties for low order acceptance rates
• Smaller delivery areas, which can result in less dead miles (miles between orders)

• Now that Caviar is owned by DoorDash, you’re not just delivering from high-end restaurants, which means driver pay has decreased some
• Must schedule hours in the app – not great for drivers who want extreme flexibility

Favor is a food delivery service that operates for restaurants in major markets like Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and a bunch of cities like Odessa, Amarillo, Temple, San Antonio. H-E-B owns Favor.

Favor delivers its food using Runners, who can deliver in cars, trucks, motorcycles, and scooters.

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have an Android or iOS device
• Active U.S. driver’s license
• Personal vehicle and insurance
• Bank account to process direct deposit

Bicycle delivery in Austin is available to those without a driver’s license or vehicle insurance, but they must have an official ID to prove their identity.

When you use the Favor food delivery app, drivers earn 35% of the order total – plus tips. This is one of the best food delivery apps because it offers hourly guarantees of $9-$10/hour as incentives for drivers who schedule their hours in advance.

Favor drivers average $18-$20/hour.

• You can deliver by bike in some areas, which means you don’t need a car or license
• Driver pay is on the higher end
• Higher than average hourly guarantees

• Only available in Texas as of now
• Not as well known as the larger companies, even within Texas

Saucy is a delivery service that operates in only a limited number of cities in the United States, but it’s expanding. Keep an eye out for this app if it isn’t available in your city yet.

Here are the cities where you can currently sign up to deliver for Saucey:

• At least 21 years old
• Reliable car that’s a 2007 model year or newer
• Smartphone
• Insurance
• Clean driving record

Delivery drivers with Saucey should always check IDs for every order they deliver. This is likely something that is obvious, but worth noting since it’s different from some of the other best delivery apps mentioned here.

Saucey drivers make around $10/hour.

• There’s guaranteed minimum pay if you’re willing to schedule time blocks in advance

• Lower than average driver pay
• The hours are a little more limited – think about when people would typically want to have alcohol delivered

For essentials like food, cleaning supplies, and drinks, goPuff is one of the best delivery apps out there. It’s currently available in 500 U.S. cities and is expanding rapidly.

GoPuff is unique in that their customers order goods from one of 200+ warehouses, rather than store-based. This means that drivers need to schedule orders in advance and all deliveries are within a 30-minute radius of the warehouses.

• Must be at least 21 years old
• Access to an insured vehicle and vehicle registration
• Valid driver’s license
• Smartphone
• Pass a background check

Drivers for goPuff are paid a commission on each order they bring in, plus 100% of their tips. They also receive an hourly minimum wage, which varies by market. Drivers generally earn between $10 and $15 per hour working with goPuff.

• You’re not driving all over to pick up deliveries – they all come from one central delivery hub
• There’s a guaranteed minimum pay

• Not as well known, so there may be fewer openings for new drivers
• Because orders can be paid for in cash, you may have to deal with carrying large amounts of cash on you

• Be at least 21 years old
• 2004 model year vehicle or newer – and your car must have a working car alarm
• Smartphone
• Vehicle insurance
• Clean driving record
• Pass a criminal background check

Eaze is a platform that allows licensed cannabis dealers to pay drivers an hourly rate, plus mileage reimbursement of $0.545 for every mile you drive. This way, the drivers are compensated fairly for their time and effort.

When you work as a driver for a weed delivery service, you don’t have to worry about driving back and forth between pickup and delivery locations. Instead, the service provides drivers with a supply of weed they can use to fulfill orders.

Eaze drivers average $18-$26/hour.

• Higher than average driver pay
• Drivers are reimbursed for their mileage

• Tightest driver requirements
• It can take several weeks to be approved – one driver reported that it took 5 weeks after submitting their applications

Pros & Cons of Delivering with Caviar

16. Pros & Cons of Delivering with GoPuff