Best Paying Delivery Apps in 2026: 9 Apps Compared

DoorDash is our pick for most people starting out, mainly because orders are frequent in many cities and the app shows an estimate before you accept. Dashers are independent contractors who choose their own hours, with no set schedule and no minimum hours. DoorDash says base pay plus promotions plus tips make up total earnings, and base pay varies with time, distance, and how desirable an order is.

The catch is that busy does not always mean well paid. Short, low-tip orders can eat up time, and you still cover fuel and vehicle costs. Drivers who do best tend to work meal peaks, decline weak offers, and learn which neighborhoods tip well. Sign-up requires being at least 18, having a smartphone and bank account, and passing a background screening.

Uber Eats suits drivers who want one app for several kinds of work, since existing Uber drivers can add food delivery in the Driver app. Earnings come from base fare, promotions, and tips, and the app shows the fare along with pickup and drop-off details before you accept. That upfront view helps you skip trips that do not pay enough for the distance.

On the other hand, requirements depend on how you travel. Car and scooter drivers generally need to be at least 19 with a valid license, while bike and foot delivery is open from 18 with a government ID. Activation can take from a few minutes to about 48 hours depending on documents and the background check. It is a strong second app for drivers who already use DoorDash and want another source of orders.

Grubhub stands out for drivers who like planning ahead, because you can schedule hours in advance or go live on short notice. Delivery pay includes mileage and time, plus 100 percent of tips, and drivers can also earn bonus pay through incentives and challenges. The app also lets drivers deliver by car, bike, or moped in many markets, which lowers the barrier for people without a car.

The trade-off is access. Grubhub lists many major cities, but new drivers in some areas report waiting on a waitlist before they can start. Applicants must be at least 18, or 21 in Las Vegas, and car drivers need a valid license and auto insurance. If your market is open, it pairs well with DoorDash for filling quiet hours.

Instacart is different from the food apps above because shoppers pick groceries, pay with an Instacart card, and then deliver them. That extra work is why a batch can be worth more than a single restaurant trip, and shoppers keep 100 percent of tips. Full-service shoppers need to be at least 18, be authorized to work in the US, have consistent access to a vehicle, and pass a background check.

Shopping also brings headaches that restaurant delivery does not. Items go out of stock, customers ask for substitutions by chat, and a large order can take a while in the store. Drivers who enjoy grocery work and know their local stores well tend to do better here. For pure driving without shopping, one of the food or package apps is a better fit.

Amazon Flex works on blocks, which are set delivery windows that you reserve in the app. Amazon says most drivers earn 18 to 25 dollars an hour, with a note that actual earnings vary by location, tips, delivery time, and other factors. Each block shows its expected pay before you accept it, so you can judge whether the window is worth your time.

The limits are stricter than most food apps. Drivers must be 21 or older, have a valid license, a qualifying vehicle, and a smartphone, and they work as independent contractors who cover fuel and taxes. Package blocks are usually a few hours long, which suits drivers who prefer one planned run over many small trips. If your area has regular block availability, Flex can be a steady second income.

Spark Driver, the Walmart delivery platform, is worth a close look if you live near a busy Walmart. Drivers pick a zone tied to a store, then accept shopping and delivery trips or curbside deliveries where store staff have already gathered the order. That curbside option is a plus for new drivers, since there is no store time to learn on the first runs.

The main risk is the waitlist. If your chosen zone is at capacity, you may wait weeks, and drivers report that applying to a nearby store can speed things up. Requirements include being at least 18, or 21 in select markets, having a valid license and insured vehicle, and passing a background check. Pay depends on delivery type, distance, order size, incentives, and tips, so results vary by store.

Shipt offers two kinds of work in one app: personal shopping, where you shop and deliver groceries and household items, and package delivery, where you pick up packages at a Target location and follow a route. Personal shoppers keep 100 percent of tips, and active shoppers who complete at least one shop every 90 days can get a free annual Shipt membership. That mix gives drivers a way to switch between shopping and driving as demand changes.

Signing up takes more effort than some rivals. Applicants must be at least 18, have a valid license, Social Security number, auto insurance, a reliable vehicle, and a smartphone, and the shopper process includes written answers and a video response. Openings depend on local need, so you may join a waitlist. For drivers who like grocery work and want a Target-linked option, Shipt is a solid addition.

Roadie, a UPS company, is a crowdsourced delivery platform for local same-day and next-day delivery in passenger vehicles. Drivers sign up at the driver site or in the app, must be 18 or older, and need a Social Security number and a valid US license. Unlike food apps, Roadie gigs range from groceries and appliances to lost luggage, and drivers offer on the gigs they want.

That variety is both the appeal and the limit. A longer or bulkier gig can pay far more than a single restaurant order, and RoadieXD routed gigs for cargo vans can run several hours. But gig volume is uneven, and a small car limits what you can take. Roadie works best as an extra app for drivers who want occasional larger jobs on top of steadier food or grocery work.

Gopuff keeps things simple by sending drivers to one facility near them, then out to customers in a smaller zone. Drivers deliver everyday essentials, from cleaning supplies and home needs to food and drinks, and Gopuff says drivers earn an upfront amount for every order, even if a customer cancels it. Drivers also keep 100 percent of tips and can earn Wait Pay when they schedule time, though that varies by market.

The age bar is higher here, at 21 or older, and drivers need a valid US license, a vehicle with insurance and registration in their name, and a smartphone. Some orders may also need an alcohol delivery training course where applicable. If you live near a Gopuff facility, the short, repeatable trips can be an efficient way to earn, especially late at night when other apps slow down.