Best Grocery Delivery Apps to Make Money in 2026
Grocery delivery apps can offer a way to earn some extra money, but how lucrative are they really? How much money you actually take home varies greatly. While some drivers say they often make $40+ an hour, most say it’s somewhere between $15 and $25 an hour.
Much of what you earn depends on where you live and what deliveries are available. However, understanding how to work the system (hint: the key is multiple apps) and which apps to get started with can take some of the guesswork out of it.
Check out the best grocery delivery apps for 2026 and get started supplementing your income — even as soon as today.
The Best Delivery Apps to Make Money (Quick Answer)
There are a lot of grocery delivery services on the market, and each offers different perks for their drivers. In fact, The Penny Hoarder’s March 2026 Side Hustle survey found that rideshare and delivery is the most popular side hustle. But the best app for you is the one that matches the work you’re looking for and what’s available in your area. There are, however, a few consistent winners across the board.
Our 2026 delivery app winners are Instacart, Walmart Spark, Amazon Flex and Shipt. Each of them offers competitive and transparent compensation and consistent availability. DoorDash and UberEats come in as our alternates with slightly lower earnings (small shopping lists), but easy flexibility and sign up.
Here’s the quicklist of how each delivery app wins:
- Best overall grocery app: Instacart
- Best for high-volume orders: Walmart Spark
- Best for predictable pay: Amazon Flex
- Best for consistent shopping orders: Shipt
- Best for flexibility: DoorDash or Uber Eats
Each app brings its own upsides. The key to pulling in the big — or at least consistent — money is running several apps at the same time. This allows you to limit your downtime and snag the most profitable orders.
Best Delivery Apps Ranked by Pay (2026)
Ranking apps by pay is not as simple as comparing estimated hourly rates. How much you’ll make depends greatly on the market where you live, the timing of your availability and tipping culture in your area. In general, you’ll make the most money if you live in a city or affluent area (hello, big tips). With that in mind, there are a few apps that consistently rank high for pay in 2026.
- Amazon Flex — Most predictable pay
- Walmart Spark — Best in high-volume markets
- Instacart — Best tips
- Shipt — Best for consistency
Although these are consistent trends, how much you actually take home can vary. The key to real earnings is becoming a preferred shopper on your chosen app and raking in the tips or running several apps at once to find the best orders.
Which Delivery App Pays the Most?
Grocery delivery apps pay varies greatly depending on the area, time of day, and amount of available orders. From a base pay perspective, Amazon Flex is the highest paying for many, but it often requires more driving, which cuts into your profits. With tips included, Instacart often comes out on top, but tips can fluctuate. It’s not income you can count on.
The best app for your area depends on:
- Availability
- Distance between deliveries
- Tip Frequency
- Surge timing
If you’re in New York City, all the apps have recently become more profitable with a new law requiring app based delivery drivers to make $21.44 an hour, not including tips. Unfortunately, this has also come with limitations from the delivery apps themselves, so it might be difficult to actually find an order you can sign up for.
Estimated pay comparison for major delivery apps
Below are the estimated hourly rates for grocery delivery drivers on each app. The overall average hovers right around $20 an hour, but many reviews claim drivers can make much more. It just depends on what type of jobs you can consistently grab and the tips you receive. Also remember, this rate does not include expenses like gas, car maintenance or taxes — all of which you are responsible for as a 1099 contract employee.
Quick comparison table
| App | Estimated Pay | Effort Level | Shopping Required | Best Shift Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Amazon Flex |
$18–$25/hr |
Low-Medium |
No (mostly) |
Scheduled blocks |
Walmart Spark |
$17–$25/hr |
Medium |
Sometimes |
Daytime + weekends |
Instacart |
$17–$23/hr |
High |
Yes |
Weekends |
Shipt |
$15–$22/hr |
High |
Yes |
Weekends |
DoorDash |
$15–$22/hr |
Low |
No |
Dinner rush |
UberEats |
$15–$22/hr |
Low |
No |
Lunch/dinner |
Best Grocery Delivery Apps (Full Breakdown)
The most important part of picking a grocery delivery app is figuring out which one will work best for you. Your preference might depend on how close you are to certain stores or how involved you like to be in the process (like suggesting substitutions for your customers on Instacart).
Instacart — Best Overall Grocery Delivery App
Instacart offers great earning potential for delivery drivers who want to own the whole shopping process. You shop for each customer, communicate about substitutions and (hopefully) earn bigger tips. Instacart is available at over 1,400 retail brands, making it likely it will be offered at a store near you
Fast take: Instacart is a great choice if you enjoy shopping and want flexibility, but its on-demand availability fluctuates more than other apps that allow for scheduled jobs.
How much you can make: About $17–$23 per hour depending on tips and batch quality.
Pros
- Flexibility
- Instant Cash out available (for a small fee)
- Large orders mean more earnings per trip
Cons
- Fluctuations in demand and competitive sign up
- Customer preference can be stressful for some
Best for: Drivers who enjoy the shop and want on-demand opportunities.
Shipt — Best for Consistent Orders
Shipt is a grocery delivery service all about community. It encourages shoppers to contact the customers and has a “Preferred Shopper” system where you can shop for the same customers over and over. Shoppers can set their availability ahead of time and schedule themselves up to five days in advance. It’s not as well-known as Instacart, but if it’s used in your area, it’s a solid option.
Fast take: In areas where it’s commonly used, Shipt is a great way to get steady, recurring orders. You do still rely on tips for real earnings, but your connection with your customers can help you earn them.
How much you can make: Around $15–$22 per hour depending on location and demand.
Pros
- Recurring orders
- Connection with customers
- Advance scheduling offered
Cons
- High effort
- Smaller network
Best for: Drivers looking for consistent orders.
Amazon Flex — Best for Scheduled Deliveries
With Amazon Flex, drivers sign up for a set delivery block where they deliver assigned deliveries and then receive the predetermined payout. This predetermined pay takes a lot of the guess work out of your income and allows you to pick blocks that are worth your time and effort. Blocks vary from 1 to 6 hours, and you can pick the block that best fits your schedule. Amazon Flex also is simply a delivery service, so you won’t be expected to physically shop for any items.
Fast take: Amazon Flex is great for predicted pay and scheduled shifts. However, it lacks the flexibility that some people are looking for as you are locked in for the entire chosen block.
How much you can make: Typically $18–$25 per hour based on company disclosures.
Pros
- Minimal shopping
- Guaranteed payouts
- Greater control over your schedule
Cons
- Limited block availability
- Less flexibility
Best for: Drivers who want low-effort, structured earnings.
Walmart Spark — Best for High Volume
Walmart Spark offers three options for delivery drivers. Depending on which job you pick up, you can do curbside pick, shop for items yourself, or pick up and return items for customers. It can be pretty lucrative if your local Walmart has a lot of orders coming in, and shopping can be efficient if you’re already familiar with your store’s layout.
Fast take: Walmart Spark often has high demand and offers a variety of ways to work, giving you options to meet your preferred style.
How much you can make: Around $17–$23 per hour in strong markets.
Pros
- Flexible schedule
- High order volume
- Curbside pick up options
Cons
- Physicality required to deliver large orders
- Market-dependent
Best for: Drivers who are familiar with their local Walmart and live in a high traffic area.
Grocery vs Food Delivery Apps: Which Pays Better?
The quick answer is that grocery apps pay more per order. But your hourly pay depends on order availability, and food deliveries pay less per order, but you can often complete more per hour. Basically, either service can be lucrative, but it depends on when you’re looking to deliver and where you live.
DoorDash can be easier to start with than grocery delivery
DoorDash is often an easy gateway into delivery driving. First off, Doordash has low age requirements and a quick onboarding process. You can often sign up and begin driving within two or three days (sometimes a week). Plus, for the most part, it involves simply picking up orders as opposed to shopping, which is easier for most.
Uber Eats is a strong choice when you want broad flexibility
UberEats is a great option to keep earning even if grocery orders are slowing down — especially in the evening. It’s easy to get signed up and can be a simple way to add to your delivery income.
Grocery pays more per order, but food delivery is faster
Grocery apps often pay more per order because it requires more work, shopping and lugging groceries up stairs. Food delivery is a faster, streamlined service, allowing for more orders per hour. Food delivery drivers do sometimes get frustrated with restaurants that are slow at bringing out the delivery (ultimately affecting their hourly rate) while grocery delivery drivers sometimes get held up looking for specific items at a store. Which is most profitable depends on which scenario feels more doable for you.
Easiest Delivery Apps to Start Making Money Quickly
DoorDash and Uber Eats are easy delivery apps to start making money quickly. You avoid the hassle of grocery delivery while keeping the flexibility of delivery driving.
- DoorDash: Large U.S, market, scheduled shifts available
- Uber Eats: Higher delivery base rate, surge pricing bonuses, flexible
Both DoorDash and Uber Eats have fast onboarding processes — usually less than a week and sometimes as short as one day — and delivering is simple. You drive up, pick up, drop off, and get paid.
How Much Can You Make With Grocery Delivery Apps?
Grocery delivery apps are a flexible way to make quick cash, but it’s often difficult to earn a full salary. While some people make a decent income monopolizing on busy shopping times and running multiple apps, we’ve found that grocery delivery is a better income supplement than the main source. Still, it’s important to understand how much you are actually making.
Gross vs net matters more than you think
Gross income is the total income the company pays you, while net income is the amount that stays in your bank account after taxes and expenses like gas and car maintenance. As a 1099 contract employee, you are responsible for paying your own self-employment taxes and any expenses you incur on the job. Take this into account as you calculate your hourly rate so that you can accurately reflect what you’re earning.
A realistic example day with grocery delivery apps
A realistic day working with grocery delivery apps can vary day to day. If it’s a busy, “surge” period, you might move from order to over for hours, accepting orders, shopping and delivering all day. On a slower day, say a Tuesday morning, you might complete a job, and then sit and wait a while for another order.
Experienced drivers often keep maps of high tip areas, toggle between apps to find the best orders and pay attention to busy times to work.
Can you make $100 a day delivering groceries?
You can make $100 a day delivering groceries, but it depends on where you live, how many hours you can work and how much shopping is available in your area. Most people earn between $15-$20 on grocery delivery apps, so if you’re willing to work about 5-7 hours a day you should make around $100.
How to Choose the Best Delivery App for You
The best delivery app for you is the one that fits your needs and expectations. You’ll want to find an app that is popular in your area and has consistent order availability. Some cities used to be the hub for apps like Instacart, but now the driver pool is oversaturated, so it’s harder to snag an order. Be willing to switch apps if the one you choose isn’t working for you.
Your car costs should influence your choice
Remember expenses from delivering are your responsibility and ultimately come out of your pay. If you own a gas guzzler, consider another gig or at least pay attention to how far each order is before you sign up. While the apps don’t publish official driving radiuses, Amazon Flex is often known for more distance while Walmart Spark is usually closer (unless you live rural).
If you don’t have a car, you may be able to deliver on a bike or scooter, depending on where you live.
Your preferences matter more than rankings
Your preference matters more than what the internet says in the best app. Pay attention to what stores are close, how familiar you are with store layouts and what you actually want to do. If you want to shop and chat with customers, sign up for Instacart or Shipt. If you want to avoid human contact all together, try Amazon Flex. Don’t be afraid to switch apps to find the best grocery delivery app for you.
Tips to Maximize Your Earnings
We know it’s not always a love of grocery shopping that brings people to grocery delivery, so let’s get down to the brass tacks and talk money.
Multi-apping reduces downtime
Keeping track of orders in multiple apps helps reduce the time you’re waiting for new orders. Obviously, you can’t do two orders at once, but you can toggle between apps to pick the best order to maximize your time.
Busy hours matter more than total hours
Surge pricing during the busiest times of the week often leads to bigger base pay and bigger tips. There are often great groups for discovering the busy times and apps will even offer bonuses or incentives to work those times. Most of the time you’ll make more money working short, high-demand times than you will slogging through long, slow ones.
Order selection is critical
There’s a skill to picking the right order, and developing it takes time and experience. Bigger orders pay more but can sometimes lead to time wasted in stores looking for items. It’s also important to pay attention to the distance required for each order. A $100 batch might feel like a win until you realize you’ll be driving a long way.
Track your expenses
You should always track your mileage and gas when you deliver groceries. Not only does this help as you calculate your net income, you can also log them as business expenses, lowering your taxable income and saving you money in the long run.
Hidden Costs and Downsides to Know Before You Start
Because you’re a 1099 contract employee, all the costs of delivering (except for paying for the groceries, of course) fall on you. These costs can greatly impact your earnings if you don’t keep track of them. Here’s some things to look at
- Gas and car maintenance
- Traffic and parking tickets
- Taxes and insurance
- Downtime in stores
Final Verdict
Grocery delivery apps can be great ways to earn extra cash on a flexible schedule. There isn’t really one perfect app, but several winners that consistently perform. We like Amazon Flex for drivers looking for predictable pay, Walmart Spark for high volume orders, Instacart for drivers who love to shop and Shipt for consistent orders week after week. Which will be right for you depends on each app’s availability and how you prefer to work.
FAQs About Delivery Apps
Amazon Flex reports the highest estimated hourly rate, but pay depends heavily on location, peak times and tips. Plan on making around $15 an hour to start and test out apps in your area.
Either app can help provide you extra money, but we prefer Instacart for its higher, more consistent earnings. Doordash tends to have smaller orders, which can mean you can do more, but that sometimes leads to smaller tips. Which is better also depends on what time of day you’re available. Instacart is great for Sunday morning shoppers, but DoorDash rewards dinner availability.
You can make $100 a day delivering groceries, but it depends on where you are, when you’re available and how efficient you can be. Many top earners combine apps so they can limit their down time waiting for orders and optimize their earnings.
Uber Eats and DoorDash are normally considered the easiest delivery apps to begin with because they have no required shopping. Also, both have quick onboarding so you can begin shopping within a week of applying.
Most grocery delivery apps pay weekly, but some offer daily or even instant payouts. There are often fees or limitations for these more immediate payouts, so we suggest you read all the fine print.
