DoorDash dominates the US food delivery market with roughly 60% market share. Uber Eats sits at about 25%, and Grubhub holds 15%. For drivers, this market share matters because more orders equals less idle time. However, DoorDash's dominance also means more driver competition in oversaturated markets. Uber Eats often has higher base pay per order but fewer orders. Grubhub tends to have the best tipping customers but the most scheduling restrictions. Most experienced drivers run all three apps and cherry-pick the best orders from each.
How Each Platform Pays Drivers
| Factor | DoorDash | Uber Eats | Grubhub |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base pay | $2-10+ (varies) | $2-8 typical | $3-9 typical |
| Tip visibility | Shows full tip upfront | Shows expected tip | Shows full tip upfront |
| Peak pay | $1-5 extra/order | Surge multiplier | Mission bonuses |
| Order volume | Highest (60% share) | Medium (25%) | Lowest (15%) |
| Avg tip % | ~15% of orders | ~18% of orders | ~22% of orders |
| Scheduling | Flexible dash anytime | Fully flexible | Block-based preferred |
DoorDash's pay model is the most variable—base pay ranges widely depending on order difficulty, distance, and market demand. Uber Eats tends to have more consistent per-order pay. Grubhub's tip-forward model means you see exactly what customers tip before accepting.
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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
What to Realistically Expect
- Time required: All three platforms offer similar flexibility. Part-time drivers typically work 10-20 hours weekly during peak meal times. Full-time drivers work 40-50+ hours. Grubhub's block scheduling may limit spontaneous driving.
- Earnings range: Gross $15-25/hour before expenses across all platforms. Net after gas/maintenance/taxes: $10-18/hour typical. Market and vehicle efficiency matter more than platform choice.
- Main tradeoffs: DoorDash offers the most orders but intense competition. Uber Eats has highest per-order pay but lower volume. Grubhub has best tips but requires scheduling and has least availability.
Platform-by-Platform Breakdown
DoorDash
DoorDash's dominance means you'll rarely go more than a few minutes without an order offer in most markets. The downside: so many drivers are active that acceptance rates and completion rates affect your priority. DoorDash's "Top Dasher" status requires maintaining 70%+ acceptance rate, which often means taking unprofitable orders.
Best for: Drivers who want consistent order flow and don't need Top Dasher status. Peak pay during lunch/dinner can add $2-5 per order in busy markets.
Uber Eats
Uber Eats benefits from Uber's existing infrastructure and driver base. If you already drive for Uber rideshare, adding Eats is seamless. The platform often has higher per-order pay, especially for longer distances. Surge pricing during peak times can significantly boost earnings.
Best for: Drivers who already use Uber rideshare, those in markets where UE is strong, and drivers who prefer fewer but higher-paying orders over constant small orders.
Grubhub
Grubhub has the smallest market share but often the most lucrative orders. The platform has historically attracted customers who tip well, possibly due to its older, more established user base. The block scheduling system can be frustrating—you may need to schedule shifts days in advance, and unscheduled drivers get lower priority.
Best for: Drivers who can commit to scheduled blocks and want higher-tipping orders. Works well as a secondary platform alongside DoorDash or UE.
Multi-App Strategy
Most experienced delivery drivers run 2-3 apps simultaneously. The strategy is simple: turn on all apps, accept the best order, go offline on others while delivering, then turn everything back on.
- Benefits: Reduce idle time, cherry-pick higher-paying orders, don't rely on any single platform
- Risks: Managing multiple apps is mentally taxing, late deliveries on one platform while completing another can tank your ratings
- Tip: Never accept orders on two platforms simultaneously unless the restaurants are next door and dropoffs are on the same route
Common Pitfalls
Chasing Top Dasher status
Maintaining 70% acceptance rate to keep Top Dasher often means accepting $3-4 orders that lose money after expenses. In most markets, it's more profitable to decline low offers and accept only $6+/order or $2+/mile minimum.
Ignoring distance-to-restaurant
A $10 order sounds great until you realize the restaurant is 8 miles from your current location. Calculate total miles (to restaurant + to customer), not just customer distance. Aim for $2+/total mile.
Not tracking actual expenses
Apps show gross earnings, not profit. A driver earning $25/hour gross might net $14/hour after gas, maintenance, and taxes. Track mileage religiously—the $0.67/mile IRS deduction is your biggest tax benefit.
Working dead hours
2-5pm and after 9pm are typically slow. You might make $8/hour gross during these times. Focus on 11am-1pm and 5-9pm for 2-3x the earnings. Check app heat maps before driving to a zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform pays the most per order?
It varies by market, but Grubhub often has the highest per-order pay due to better tipping customers. Uber Eats typically pays more than DoorDash per order. However, DoorDash's higher volume can mean more total earnings per hour despite lower per-order pay.
Can I drive for all three platforms?
Yes. All three allow you to work for competitors. Most experienced drivers sign up for all available platforms and run 2-3 simultaneously to maximize earnings and minimize idle time between orders.
Which has the best customer tips?
Grubhub historically has the best-tipping customer base, with roughly 22% of orders including tips versus 15-18% for DoorDash and Uber Eats. This may be due to Grubhub's older, more established user base.
Do I need to schedule shifts?
DoorDash and Uber Eats allow "dash now" in most markets. Grubhub strongly prefers scheduled blocks—unscheduled drivers get lower order priority. If Grubhub is strong in your market, schedule blocks in advance.
Which platform has the best app?
Subjective, but most drivers find DoorDash's app most reliable with best navigation integration. Uber Eats benefits from Uber's app infrastructure. Grubhub's app is functional but occasionally buggy. All have issues during peak demand.
What about Instacart or Amazon Flex?
Instacart (grocery) and Amazon Flex (packages) are different categories. Instacart requires in-store shopping, which takes more time per order. Amazon Flex has set route blocks. Both can complement food delivery but involve different work patterns.
How do I increase my earnings on each platform?
Work peak hours (lunch/dinner), decline orders under $6 or $2/mile, learn which restaurants are fast vs slow, position yourself near popular restaurant clusters, and track your actual hourly rate including dead time. Multi-apping reduces idle time significantly.