DoorDash vs. Grubhub: Which is Best for Drivers in 2024

DoorDash vs. Grubhub are two of the most well-known food delivery apps right now. They’re also incredibly similar overall, but we’re going to dig into details so you understand which is better for driver pay, requirements, scheduling, and more.

Key Points:

• Food delivery drivers for DoorDash and Grubhub work as independent contractors.
• Drivers for both are paid per order, not a flat hourly rate. Pay varies based on factors like size, ease of deliverability, distance, and time.
• DoorDash controls over 65% of the food delivery market according to Bloomberg Second Measure, while Grubhub controls less than 10%.
• Requirements vary slightly, but for both services, drivers must have a valid driver’s license, bass a criminal background check, be old enough to drive in your area, and have a reliable vehicle.

Who Pay Better, Grubhub or DoorDash Pay?

DoorDash and Grubhub pay varies by order, and you are not paid a flat hourly rate.

We recently spoke to Katie, a DoorDash driver in Boise, Idaho who is on our email list, and here’s what she said about how much she makes with DoorDash:

“When I go out, my goal is to make $50 a day. Typically, this takes me between two and two and a half hours, which is a reasonable goal. On a bad day, it might take three hours, but on a good day, I can finish in less than two hours. If you commit to this little chunk of time every day, you can bring in $1,500 a month.”

To understand more about how drivers are paid, let’s take a closer look at the DoorDash and Grubhub pay models:

DoorDash Driver Pay

Here’s how the DoorDash driver pay model works:

• Base pay is the guaranteed minimum drivers are paid per order. It varies by order and ranges from $2-$10. Drivers see this amount in the Dasher app before accepting an order, and you always keep 100% of this amount.
• Promotions give you opportunities to increase your earnings. There are Peak Pay times when certain delivery areas in the Dasher app light up red with a plus dollar amount, which is the additional amount you’ll earn on top of the base pay. This is typically between $1-$4 extra per delivery.
• Challenges are things like “complete X number of deliveries in a set amount of time”. If you complete the challenge, you’ll receive bonus pay. Dashers can earn challenge bonuses on top of Peak Pay. 
• Tips are added when the customer checks out, and you keep 100% of your DoorDash tips.
• Time Earnings Mode: This optional feature allows drivers to earn a guaranteed hourly amount instead of per order pay. 

Learn more in DoorDash Driver Review 2024 and How Much Can You Make in DoorDash in 2024?

Grubhub Driver Pay

Until recently, Grubhub was clear that drivers were paid approximately $0.22/mile and $0.13/minute. They’ve switched to a more ambiguous pay structure that has four parts: delivery amount, Grubhub contribution, tips, and incentives. 

Here’s what goes into each of those factors:

• Delivery pay includes base pay plus any applicable bonuses, but they’re not clear on what those bonuses are. Base pay accounts for mileage, delivery type, time spent delivering, and your local market.
• Grubhub contribution is a newer component, and it’s designed to help drivers earn a minimum guaranteed rate for their local market. You’re only eligible for the contribution if you drive during a scheduled block and meet Grubhub’s Acceptance Rate criteria.
• Tips belong 100% to the driver. 
• Missions & Special offers are designed to boost your pay. They include participating in sweepstakes and reaching driver goals in a set amount of time.

Learn more: Grubhub Driver Review | How to Make More Than Average

DoorDash vs. Grubhub: Driver Requirements

These companies have similar requirements for drivers, and many people sign up to drive for both because of that. But let’s take a look at the specific requirements for Grubhub and DoorDash.

DoorDash Driver Requirements:

• 18 years or older
• Have an iPhone or Android smartphone
• Any car, scooter, or bicycle (in select cities)
• Valid driver’s license
• Auto insurance if driving
• Social Security number if delivering in the U.S.
• Consent to a DoorDash background check

Learn more: How to Become a DoorDash Driver | Requirements & Application

Grubhub Driver Requirements:

• Must be at least 19 years old (or 21 in Chicago or Las Vegas)
• Own an iPhone with iOS 11 or higher OR an Android with 5.0 or higher
• Any car, scooter, or bicycle (in select cities)
• Valid driver’s license
• Auto insurance if driving
• Social Security number if delivering in the U.S.
• Consent to a background check

It’s worth mentioning that these are virtually the same requirements for other delivery services like Uber Eats.

DoorDash vs. Grubhub: How Are Drivers Paid?

DoorDash pays Dashers every week on Friday using direct deposit. Most drivers report that money hits their bank account on Wednesdays. If you want your cash ASAP, you can use Fast Pay for $1.99 to cash out for same day pay.

You can also sign up for the free DasherDirect card, DoorDash’s prepaid business Visa card, and get no-fee instant deposits that automatically show up in your account right after every delivery.

Grubhub uses a similar payment process, with payments sent out on Thursday via direct deposit, and arriving in driver’s accounts 3 to 5 days later. Or you can use Instant Cash Out for $0.50 to get paid immediately.

DoorDash vs. Grubhub: Availability and Market Share

Both DoorDash and Grubhub have experienced significant growth over the past few years. So let’s take a look at where you can find DoorDash and Grubhub now.

• DoorDash Availability: DoorDash now operates in more than 7,000 cities across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan. It’s available in all 50 U.S. states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Overall, DoorDash holds the largest market share for food delivery services, and they’ve held that standing since about 2019. They hit 67% of total U.S sales in March of 2024 according to Bloomberg Second Measure, with Grubhub at only 8%.
• Grubhub Availability: Grubhub is available in more than 4,000 cities throughout the U.S. serving over 300,000 local restaurants and nationwide chains. It’s also available in the U.K., Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands.

DoorDash vs. Grubhub: Scheduling Your Hours

With DoorDash, you can schedule delivery time in advance or open the app when you have the time and use the Dash Now option. The in-app map will light up in red for places with a high enough need for additional drivers, which ensures that there are enough orders to go around.

With Grubhub, drivers are asked to schedule blocks of time, and you have to drop blocks as soon as you know you can’t work them. The app reserves the right to restrict your scheduling access to regularly drop blocks within 72 hours in advance. Drivers who schedule in advance priority access to deliveries, which can help you plan your week and make more cash. But you can also log in if you have any free time, and see if there are deliveries in your area.

Learn more: When Are the Best Times to DoorDash?

Alternatives to DoorDash and Grubhub

If neither Grubhub or DoorDash sounds like your thing, there are two other on-demand food delivery services that we highly recommend, and the reality is that you can drive for more than one service at a time:

• Uber Eats was established in 2014 as an on-demand food delivery service and It currently controls approximately 24% of the delivery market right behind DoorDash, making it a great alternative.

• Instacart is a popular delivery service that’s primarily for grocery delivery. You can work as an in-store shopper or full-service shopper who shops and delivers. Instacart shoppers earn around $20/hour when you factor in tips.
• Shipt is a membership-based grocery delivery service that’s owned by Target. Shoppers make between $15-$20/hour.

The Final Word On DoorDash vs. Grubhub Pay For Drivers?

Both companies give you a flexible and easy way to make extra cash in your spare time. That’s great if you’re looking for a side hustle to pay down your consumer debt, supplement your income, save up for a downpayment on a house, plan for retirement, and more.

Of the two, DoorDash is the obvious winner for us when we compare pay, availability, and driver requirements. There’s also the fact that DoorDash holds a much larger market share suggesting that they’re the more popular choice for customers.