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Essential Gear for Delivery Drivers
- Insulated Food Delivery Bag - Keep orders hot/cold for better ratings and tips
- Dashboard Phone Mount - Hands-free navigation for safe deliveries
- 36W Fast Car Charger - Keep your phone charged during long shifts
- 20000mAh Portable Power Bank - Backup power for extended delivery blocks
2026 Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Amazon Flex | DoorDash | Instacart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Pay (Gross) | $18-25 | $15-25 | $18-30 |
| Tips Included? | Sometimes | Yes (100%) | Yes (100%) |
| Scheduling | Blocks (grab in advance) | Work anytime | Work anytime |
| Vehicle Required | 4-door car/SUV | Car, bike, scooter | Car (full-service) |
| Work Type | Package delivery | Food pickup & delivery | Shop & deliver groceries |
| Physical Demand | High (heavy packages) | Low-Medium | Medium (shopping) |
| Customer Interaction | Minimal | Minimal | High (substitutions) |
| Best For | Steady guaranteed pay | Maximum flexibility | High tip potential |
Amazon Flex: Best for Guaranteed Pay
Amazon Flex Overview
Deliver Amazon packages from warehouses to customers
Pros
- +Guaranteed hourly rate ($18-25/hr)
- +No customer interaction required
- +Predictable work blocks (3-5 hours)
- +Surge pricing during peak times
- +Tips on some delivery types
Cons
- -Must grab blocks in advance (competitive)
- -Heavy packages (up to 50 lbs)
- -Limited availability in some areas
- -Strict delivery windows
- -Vehicle wear and tear (many stops)
Best for: Drivers who want guaranteed pay without relying on tips. Ideal if you prefer package delivery over food/grocery and can commit to scheduled blocks.
DoorDash: Best for Flexibility
DoorDash Overview
Pick up and deliver food from restaurants
Pros
- +Work whenever you want (no scheduling)
- +Keep 100% of tips
- +Highest order volume (most markets)
- +Can use bike/scooter in cities
- +Quick deliveries (15-30 min each)
Cons
- -Income varies (tip-dependent)
- -Wait times at restaurants
- -Low base pay ($2-4 without tips)
- -Oversaturated in some markets
- -Gas costs add up quickly
Best for: Drivers who want maximum flexibility and don't mind income variability. Great for multi-apping since you can accept/decline orders freely.
Instacart: Best for Tips
Instacart Overview
Shop for groceries and deliver to customers
Pros
- +Highest tip potential ($10-30/order)
- +Keep 100% of tips
- +Heavy pay bonuses
- +Work anytime (no scheduling)
- +In-store only option available
Cons
- -Must shop (time in store)
- -Customer communication required
- -Substitution decisions stressful
- -Low base pay on some batches
- -Tip-baiting (rare but happens)
Best for: Shoppers who enjoy grocery stores and customer service. Best earning potential if you're fast, know stores well, and can cherry-pick high-tip orders.
Which Delivery App Should You Choose?
Choose Amazon Flex if...
- You want guaranteed hourly pay without relying on tips
- You prefer package delivery over food/groceries
- You can commit to scheduled 3-5 hour blocks
- You have a larger vehicle (SUV/van = more packages = more pay)
Choose DoorDash if...
- You want maximum flexibility (work 20 min or 8 hours)
- You want to multi-app with other platforms
- You prefer quick deliveries without shopping
- You're in an urban area with high order volume
Choose Instacart if...
- You want the highest earning potential (with good batch selection)
- You enjoy shopping and know local grocery stores
- You're good at customer communication
- You can be patient and selective about which orders to accept
Pro Strategy: Multi-App for Maximum Earnings
The best earners don't choose just one app - they run multiple apps simultaneously to eliminate downtime and cherry-pick the best orders.
How to Multi-App Effectively:
- Run DoorDash + Instacart + Uber Eats simultaneously
- Accept whichever order pays best per mile/hour
- Pause other apps when you accept an order
- Use Amazon Flex blocks during guaranteed slow periods
- Track earnings by app to optimize your time
Multi-appers typically earn 20-40% more than single-app drivers by reducing downtime between orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which delivery app pays the most in 2026?
Amazon Flex typically pays the highest base rate ($18-25/hour), but DoorDash and Instacart can earn more with tips. Instacart shoppers often earn $20-30/hour during peak times with good tip selection. DoorDash averages $15-25/hour including tips.
Can you do DoorDash and Instacart at the same time?
Yes, you can work for multiple delivery apps simultaneously. Many drivers multi-app between DoorDash, Instacart, Uber Eats, and Amazon Flex to maximize earnings and reduce downtime between orders.
Which delivery app is best for beginners?
DoorDash is generally best for beginners due to its simple app interface, abundant orders, and no shopping required. Instacart requires grocery knowledge, and Amazon Flex requires scheduling blocks in advance.
Do you need a car for Amazon Flex, DoorDash, or Instacart?
Amazon Flex requires a 4-door car, SUV, or larger vehicle. DoorDash allows cars, bikes, scooters, or walking in some markets. Instacart full-service shoppers need a car, but in-store shoppers don't need a vehicle.