DoorDash vs. Amazon Flex | Which Pays More in 2024?

Late on a Thursday night when I’m too tired to cook, I appreciate a good food delivery driver! And when the Amazon package I ordered at 6 a.m. arrives at 6 p.m., I’m livin’ the dream. 

Who are these dedicated road warriors who make that happen, and can I make money doing what they do? If you’re wondering how driving for mega food delivery company DoorDash compares to delivering for Amazon Flex, we’ve got the details. 

Both of these popular delivery side hustles offer flexible work schedules and convenient ways to get paid fast, and they don’t require any special education or experience.

To help you decide which one is better for you, let’s look at how they pay, what’s required to get started, and more. This guide will examine DoorDash vs. Amazon Flex, outlining their pros and cons, earning potential, and other essential factors to help you make an informed decision.

What Are DoorDash and Amazon Flex?

What Is DoorDash?

DoorDash is the most popular food delivery service, with a whopping 66% of the market share. That means more orders are placed on DoorDash than any other delivery platform. They started in 2013 and are now connected to more than 300,000 local and chain restaurants throughout the U.S., Canada, Japan, and parts of New Zealand and Australia. 

Those impressive stats translate to extensive availability for drivers to sign up and start taking orders. And DoorDash allows its drivers, called Dashers, to deliver via any type of car. In some cities, you can even Dash via bicycle, scooter, or motorcycle.

DoorDash keeps expanding its services, so while most of us got to know them for restaurant food delivery, customers can also order convenience items from 7-11, goods from hardware and home stores, groceries, and more. 

They have recently expanded to Package Pickup as well, so you have several options for the types of delivery you prefer. For example, if you’re an introvert like me, you might focus on package delivery to keep your interaction with customers to a minimum. Or you might want to accept as many orders as possible, so you lean toward food delivery.

For more details, check out our other articles on DoorDash:

• How Much Can You Make on DoorDash in a Day?
• Is DoorDash Worth It? 7 Things Drivers Can Expect
• What Are the Best Times to DoorDash for Money?

What Is Amazon Flex?

In 2015, the world’s largest online retailer launched Amazon Flex, a delivery program that allows individuals to deliver packages for Amazon. Drivers use their own vehicles to pick up packages from Amazon facilities and deliver them to customers. 

Working for Amazon Flex is similar to a traditional delivery job but offers more flexibility. Since you’re an independent contractor, not an Amazon employee, you can choose the shifts you want and work as often or as little as you want. 

The availability to get work differs significantly between DoorDash and Amazon Flex. Amazon Flex operates in about 100 cities compared to over 7,000 for DoorDash. If Amazon Flex is not currently recruiting where you live, they recommend you download the Flex app and create an account to get notified when your city opens up.

🏆 Winner: DoorDash and Amazon Flex are both solid companies with about a decade of experience. But DoorDash is available in over 7,000 cities vs. just 100 for Amazon Flex.

Pros and Cons of DoorDash vs. Amazon Flex

DoorDash Pros and Cons

DoorDash is an excellent option for people who want to supplement their income by delivering food with a flexible schedule. It will require more interaction with restaurants and customers than Amazon Flex. Customer service is more important with DoorDash as you’re dealing with customers, and it doesn’t require you to lift or fill your car with packages.

Amazon Flex Pros and Cons

Amazon Flex is an excellent option for getting a high hourly pay by delivering packages using the spare space in your vehicle. It isn’t as flexible as DoorDash since you have to schedule blocks of time between 3-6 hours to work. The interaction with customer will be much less than delivering food with DoorDash.

DoorDash vs. Amazon Flex Pay: Which Drivers Make More?

DoorDash and Amazon Flex use different pay models, so who pays more? It depends on your market, how often you work, and the time of day you work. You can also boost your pay through promotions, challenges, instant offers, tips, and how you’re rated as a driver.

Amazon Flex Pay Formula

Their website claims that “most delivery partners earn $18 – $25 per hour.” Amazon pays based on a shift, called a delivery block, typically lasting 3 to 6 hours. You choose the delivery block in advance through the Flex app. 

You can see how much a block pays before you sign up for it. The rate is based on factors like market demand, complexity, and distance.

You can earn tips on top of what Amazon pays, although customers tip less frequently on package delivery than on food delivery.

DoorDash Driver Pay Model

DoorDash’s pay model works off a similar formula: 

Here’s how that formula works:

• Base pay: It’s 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.
• Promotions: DoorDash offers 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.
• Challenges: These incentives include parameters like “Complete X number of deliveries in a set amount of time and earn an extra $50.” If you complete the challenge, you’ll receive bonus pay. Dashers can earn challenge bonuses on top of Peak Pay.
• Tips: DoorDash drivers always keep 100% of the tips they earn from customers. 

🏆 Winner: It’s a tie. Amazon Flex may generate a higher hourly rate, but with less availability and more mileage, many drivers feel they make more with DoorDash.

DoorDash vs. Amazon Flex Driver Requirements

DoorDash Driver Requirements

• Be at least 18 
• Have an iPhone or Android smartphone
• Have a car, scooter, bicycle or motorcycle (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

Getting started with DoorDash is easy. Download the Dasher app, have your driver’s license and social security number handy, and in about 10 minutes you can fill out the application. 

Before you start Dashing, they’ll run a background check, which takes 1 to 3 business days, and DoorDash will notify you once you’ve been approved.

Amazon Flex Driver Requirements

• Be at least 21
• Have an iPhone or Android smartphone
• Have a mid-size 4-door sedan or larger vehicle
• Valid driver’s license
• Auto insurance
• Social Security number if delivering in the U.S.
• Consent to a background check

To get started with Amazon Flex, you’ll need to download their app to your smartphone. Like with DoorDash, have your driver’s license and SSN available. You must pass a background check, and it usually takes 2-5 days to get approved.

One key difference in DoorDash vs. Amazon Flex is that you must have a car big enough to hold packages to drive for Flex. Amazon defines this as a 4-door sedan or mid-sized vehicle.

🏆 Winner: DoorDash may be easier to qualify for since you can deliver in any vehicle, and in some cities via bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, or even walking.

DoorDash vs. Amazon Flex Typical Day

Typical Day Driving for Amazon Flex

When you drive for Amazon Flex, you work during a block of time you scheduled in advance. You deliver packages, groceries (pick-up only, no shopping), and household items from local stores. 

When your schedule begins, you go to the Amazon facility in your area, load packages into your car, and set out on your route. The app tells you how to get to each stop via in-app navigation. Your shift is over when you have completed all deliveries. 

In some areas, you may get Instant Offers to take on an order at the last minute.

Typical Day Driving for DoorDash

DoorDash drivers can sign up for a shift in advance, or they can work any time orders are available by hitting “Dash Now” on the app. Even if you schedule your shift in advance, you can end it early with no penalty.

Dashers pick up restaurant food, convenience store items, pet supplies, flowers, alcohol, and household goods.

Most of your time is spent driving, waiting in your car for orders to become available, and picking up orders in restaurants or stores. You won’t be lifting heavy packages and you get to choose which orders you accept.

🏆 Winner: DoorDash gives drivers more control over their time and scheduling and does not require heavy lifting.

DoorDash vs. Amazon Flex Availability

Let’s be honest — availability matters. By availability, we mean how easy it is to get orders or shifts with a company. 

DoorDash wins this one hands down for most of us since it is available in 7,000+ cities vs. Amazon Flex’s 100+ cities. 

If Amazon Flex is available in your area, then read on for details to compare.

DoorDash Availability

DoorDash collaborates with restaurants in major and minor cities and allows orders to be delivered via car, bicycle, scooter, and in some areas by motorcycle. They also have strong brand recognition and hold two-thirds of the market share.

That doesn’t mean you can Dash any time of the day or night in any area. There are busy times and inactive times. If you sign up for shifts during peak hours and make yourself available for Dash Now orders, you’ll have a solid chance of steady orders to deliver.

Amazon Flex Availability

Amazon Flex is a global company, so they are available all over the world. Their need for Flex drivers depends on several factors including market demand and seasonal increases. 

To find out if they are recruiting drivers in your area, first download the app. Then begin the application process. If your area doesn’t need drivers, they can put you on a waitlist to be notified when they do.

When you sign up, the app will ask you for the zip code you want to deliver in, and this is important. Make sure you enter the zip code you want to work in, because you can’t edit it later. If you need to change it, you will have to set up a different Flex account using a different email address.

If you get approved as a driver, then you have the following options for getting a shift:

• Sign up for a delivery block in advance via the Flex app
• Accept an Instant Offer to deliver groceries

🏆 Winner: DoorDash. While both apps have similar processes for getting work by signing up for shifts and/or accepting spontaneous orders, with DoorDash, you may experience more order availability, especially if you drive during peak hours.

DoorDash vs. Amazon Flex: How It Works for Drivers

DoorDash How It Works

• Scheduling: You can schedule your DoorDash delivery time from a week in advance to an hour beforehand, and the busiest times are lunch and dinner. Drivers can also log into the app at any time to “Dash Now.” The in-app map will be red for places with a high enough need for additional drivers.
• Accepting and declining orders: When a DoorDash driver sees an order in the app, they have 45 seconds to accept or decline the order. There’s no minimum number of orders you must accept, but the higher your acceptance rate, the more you may qualify for certain rewards and promotions. You must have a 70% acceptance rate to qualify for the Top Dasher program. The benefit is that you can “Dash now,” regardless of whether it’s busy or not. DoorDash does require Dashers to have a completion rate of 90%, which means it’s important to complete most of the orders you accept.
• Making deliveries: Once you accept an order, the Dasher app will give you instructions on customer preferences like “leave the order on the side porch.” You can set the app to integrate Apple Maps or Google Maps so you get turn-by-turn directions to the pickup and dropoff locations. 

Amazon Flex How It Works

• Scheduling: You can choose your shifts, but they are generally in blocks of 3-6 hours. The earlier you sign up to drive, the more likely you’ll get to claim the time slots you want. You may also get the option of selecting a reserved offer. These are limited-time offers specifically presented to you first. When it expires, other drivers can work that offer.  
• Picking up: You’ll want to arrive at the delivery center to pick up your packages about 15 minutes before your shift begins. You load the packages into your vehicle, and you’ll use the app to scan the code on each package before loading it. The Amazon Flex app will calculate your route and give you turn-by-turn directions.
• Making deliveries: Once you arrive for delivery, check to see if there are any special delivery instructions and scan each package again as you deliver them. After you’ve done that with all of your packages, you’ve finished your block. 

If you run out of time to deliver everything (traffic, an issue with the delivery location, etc.), you’ll have to return those packages to the Amazon Flex delivery center and contact Amazon Flex support to explain the issue. If delivering takes you longer than your scheduled time block, you will not be paid extra.

🏆 Winner: DoorDash. Which delivery experience is better really comes down to personal preference. With DoorDash, you interact with people a little more, and you’ll probably make more deliveries across shorter distances. With Amazon Flex, your route may cover many more miles, but it’s great if you’re introverted and just want to drive and drop off. DoorDash has more flexibility with its schedule, while Amazon Flex is more strict since you have to schedule work blocks to deliver.

DoorDash vs. Amazon Flex: How Drivers Are Paid

Both Amazon Flex and DoorDash have multiple options for getting paid. They differ slightly, so let’s look at the details.

How DoorDash Pays Drivers

• Monday direct deposits: DoorDash sends a direct deposit to your bank on Mondays. They’re paying you for orders you completed the preceding Monday through Sunday. Most Dashers say their funds are in their account by Wednesday.
• Fast Pay: As long as you set up direct deposit first, for a $1.99 daily fee, you can choose Fast Pay to get your daily earnings transferred over to your bank account (In Australia, there’s no fee). You’ll need to link a debit card to your Dasher account for this option.
• DasherDirect: You can have your pay go to a Dasher debit card after every completed order. After you dash, click a button on the app to get the payout loaded to the DasherDirect card.  Link this debit card to your GooglePay or ApplePay account to use anywhere those payment methods are accepted.

How Amazon Flex Pays Drivers

• Direct deposits: Amazon Flex has one of the most customizable pay schedules in the world of delivery side hustles. You choose which weekday you get paid, and you can choose how many times a week you get paid. You can select a daily payout, every Tuesday/Thursday, once a week, or any schedule you like. Just use the app whenever you want to change your paydays.
• Amazon Flex debit card: If you prefer, you can direct your earnings to an Amazon Flex Debit Card. Deposits to this account show up about six hours earlier than payments to your bank account. Flex gives customers 24 hours to update tips, so earnings from tips take a bit longer to deposit. 

🏆 Winner: It’s a tie. Both DoorDash and Amazon Flex have versatile pay options that allow you to get paid daily.

DoorDash vs. Amazon Flex: Driver Support

DoorDash Driver Support

Rising fuel prices may deter some potential gig drivers, so DoorDash offers a gas rewards program. Anyone who chooses the DasherDirect card (no credit check required) can earn a minimum of 2% in cash back on gas. 

Delivering to people’s homes and businesses carries some risk, so the Dasher app has a shield icon. Tap the shield to access safety measures such as instant location sharing and calling 911. You can chat with customer service directly through the app for non-emergencies.

If you feel safer having a passenger with you when you drive, that’s fine with DoorDash. They do prohibit being a Dasher as a passenger, so you can’t have someone else drive you to make deliveries.

Amazon Flex Driver Support

For Flex drivers, if you don’t feel safe when you arrive at a delivery location, you can use the app to contact their support team. For no charge, you can pick up a high-visibility Amazon-branded vest at the delivery station to wear during your shift. This can help customers easily identify you when you come onto their property.

It takes some muscle and dexterity to deliver packages. You’re encouraged to wear anti-slip, closed-toed shoes to prevent falls or injury. You are also likely to encounter pets at some locations, so the Amazon Flex app may indicate that with a paw print icon in the delivery notes. 

After you make your first delivery, you can tap into Amazon Flex Rewards for discounts on gas, tires, and auto maintenance. You can have a passenger with you, but they cannot get out of the car at the delivery station or assist with delivery in any way.

🏆 Winner: DoorDash. Both DoorDash and Amazon Flex have good driver support systems. DoorDash has a chat option with customer service inside its app, making it easier to reach a real human in case of a question.

The Final Word: Is DoorDash or Amazon Flex Better for Drivers?

If Amazon Flex is available in your city, you might prefer to take advantage of seeing your pay in advance when you sign up for a shift. You might prefer package delivery to food delivery — no waiting for food orders, less interaction with people — and don’t mind the heavy lifting or extensive driving.

But overall, DoorDash offers greater flexibility in the hours you work, availability of orders, and ways to maximize your pay. Both side hustles give you a great way to make extra money with no experience and the joy of being your own boss.