If you’re looking to earn extra income on a flexible schedule, delivery apps offer a fantastic opportunity. This guide highlights the best delivery apps to work for in 2025, focusing on their key features, benefits, and what sets them apart.
Our top pick, DoorDash, stands out for its flexibility, simple pay model, and the potential for instant payments. Whether you’re looking to deliver food, groceries, or a variety of items, there’s an app here that suits your needs. Read on to find the best fit for you.
🏆 Top Pick: DoorDash
1. DoorDash
Why DoorDash?
DoorDash is our top pick for delivery apps. With DoorDash, you can set your own hours and be your own boss. Dashers also benefit from DasherDirect, which allows for instant payment upon approval, and Fast Pay, which lets you cash out daily (fees apply).
Key Features:
- Flexible schedule: Work when you want, around your own schedule.
- Be your own boss: Enjoy the independence of managing your own work.
- DasherDirect: Get paid instantly (subject to approval).
- Fast Pay: Cash out daily (fees apply).
- Dasher Pay Model: You’ll always earn Base Pay for any offer accepted on DoorDash. Base Pay is calculated based on the estimated time, distance, and desirability of the offer.
- Time Earnings Mode: Pilot option to earn a guaranteed hourly rate while delivering, plus 100% of tips.
Click below to get started:
DoorDash needs drivers in your area today!
DoorDash drivers work flexible hours, can cash out whenever they want, and you can bring a friend on deliveries.
You might also be interested in Lyft
For women and nonbinary folks who are looking for a flexible side hustle, rideshare platform Lyft launched a Women+ Connect* feature specifically to help women and nonbinary drivers and riders feel more in control of their ride experience.
Promo offer: New drivers (of any gender) can earn a $400 bonus by giving 40 rides in 7 days. Terms apply.
Click here to get started.Other Delivery Apps to Consider
2. Uber Eats
Uber Eats offers flexible scheduling and the opportunity to earn good money. It’s easy to sign up and get started. The app is available in many cities, making it a convenient choice for many people.
Key Features:
- Flexible work hours.
- Competitive pay.
- Wide availability in many cities.
3. Instacart
Instacart shoppers can earn money by delivering groceries. It’s a great option if you prefer shopping over delivering food. You can choose your own hours and potentially earn tips from customers.
Key Features:
- Earn money shopping for and delivering groceries.
- Flexible hours.
- Potential for tips from customers.
4. Postmates
Postmates allows you to deliver a variety of items, not just food. This can mean more delivery opportunities and potentially higher earnings. The flexibility of working with Postmates makes it a popular choice among gig workers.
Key Features:
- Deliver food, groceries, and other items.
- High flexibility.
- Potential for good earnings with tips.
5. Grubhub
Grubhub is another popular food delivery app that offers flexible hours and good earning potential. It’s known for its extensive customer base, providing many delivery opportunities.
Key Features:
- Flexible schedule.
- Competitive pay.
- Wide customer base.
Driving App Comparison:
| Delivery App | Flexibility | Tips | Bonuses |
| DoorDash | Very High | Yes | Yes |
| Lyft | High | Yes | Yes |
| Uber Eats | High | Yes | Yes |
| Instacart | Moderate | Yes | No |
| Postmates | High | Yes | Yes |
| Grubhub | High | Yes | Yes |
DoorDash needs drivers in your area today!
DoorDash drivers work flexible hours, can cash out whenever they want, and you can bring a friend on deliveries.
Why Choose DoorDash?
- Flexibility: Set your own schedule and work when you want with DoorDash.
- Be your own boss: Enjoy the independence of managing your own work.
- DasherDirect: Get paid instantly (subject to approval).
- Fast Pay: Cash out daily (fees apply).
- Dasher Pay Model: You’ll always earn Base Pay for any offer accepted on DoorDash. Base Pay is calculated based on the estimated time, distance, and desirability of the offer.
- Time Earnings Mode: Pilot option for a guaranteed hourly rate while delivering, plus 100% of tips.
Real Doordash Driver Testimonial
We recently interviewed a DoorDash driver on our email list named Katie, from Boise, Idaho, about her experience after signing up to become a DoorDash driver. Here’s what she had to say:
Daily Earnings Goal:
“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.”
Flexibility and Benefits:
“I’ve been able to take care of my mom, my children, and now my dad, who also has been diagnosed with stage four cancer. This job allows me to have the flexibility to manage my family’s needs without the stress of asking for time off or dealing with a boss. Even if you only take a single trip each day, you can easily make an extra $200 a month, which can add up significantly over time.”
How Doordash Has Impacted Her Life:
“DoorDash has allowed me to make value-based decisions during a very challenging time in my life. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead myself, be there for my family, and still earn a decent income. This has been the hardest phase of my life, but DoorDash has made it manageable.”
Final Thoughts
When choosing a delivery app to work for, DoorDash stands out for its flexibility, independence, and ease of use. If you’re looking to maximize your earnings and enjoy a flexible work schedule, DoorDash is the way to go.
DoorDash is the largest food delivery service in the U.S.
DoorDash is the most popular food delivery service in the U.S., and you can deliver via car, bicycle, scooter, or even on foot in some markets.
Benefits of delivering with DoorDash:
- The registration process takes around five minutes, and you can be delivering in under a week in most cases.
- You get to be your own boss and choose the days and hours you deliver.
- DoorDash pays drivers weekly, but there’s also an option to cash out on the day you deliver.
DoorDash disclaimer:
- Earning more on certain types of orders (ex. alcohol): Earn more per order as compared to restaurant orders. Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries you accept and complete, time of day, location, and any costs. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90-day period and includes compensation from tips, peak pay, and other incentives.
- Get paid instantly (DasherDirect): Subject to approval
- Cash out daily (Fast Pay): Fees apply
- Start dashing today: Subject to background check and availability
- Dash anytime: Subject to availability
*This is not a safety feature and cannot guarantee safety, but it can help women and non-binary users have more choice.