Uber Eats vs DoorDash: Which Delivery Service Pays More?
Written by
Caitlyn Moorhead
Edited by
Melanie Grafil
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Uber Eats and DoorDash, two of the top platforms, are busier than ever. Both make it fast and easy to sign up for deliveries, but the setup and the way they work are a little different. On average, Uber Eats drivers earn slightly more than DoorDash drivers, but local demand and bonuses can make a bigger difference than base rates.
Keep in mind that delivery fees, customer service and delivery times will vary by location and driver, but it begs the question — which drivers earn more?
Quick Answer: Uber Eats vs DoorDash
On average, DoorDash slightly edges out Uber Eats for driver pay, but local demand and bonuses can make a bigger difference than base rates.
| Feature | Uber Eats | DoorDash |
|---|---|---|
| Average hourly pay | $23.27 | $17 |
| Delivery vehicle type | Car, bike, scooter, walking | Car, bike, scooter, walking |
| Instant Pay Option | Yes, up to six times per day | Yes |
| Service fees for customers | Higher | Lower |
How Much Can You Make With Uber Eats and DoorDash?
Both food delivery services will pay you for a combination of time, including waiting time to pick up an order, and mileage. You also have access to bonuses and incentives. Additional earnings can be made from tips.
Pay between Uber Eats vs. DoorDash is pretty comparable, according to Indeed. But Uber Eats drivers tend to earn a bit more. It lists Uber Eats drivers’ earnings at an average of $23.27 per hour compared to DoorDash drivers’ $17 per hour, so this food delivery market is a pretty tight footrace.
Base Pay, Tips and Bonuses: A Deeper Look
As you consider working for DoorDash vs Uber Eats, understanding the payment structure can help you make an informed choice. Take a closer look at each platform’s payment details below.
DoorDash Base Pay and Tips
- The base pay range for a DoorDash delivery is $2 to $10 or more, depending on service fees and your working hours.Â
- You’ll see a base pay before you accept the order, so you’ll know the guaranteed minimum you’ll make.Â
- The base pay may be higher after you complete the delivery if the waiting time was longer. Challenges and guaranteed earnings periods offer additional opportunities to earn more.
- Customers can leave a tip when they order the food, and after on the credit card on file, or in cash if they note their preference.Â
- In many cases, the pay you see before you accept the order already includes a tip. However, you may still have a chance to get an additional tip after the food is delivered.Â
- Tips are all yours to keep.
Uber Eats Base Pay and Tips
- As with DoorDash, base pay is a combination of mileage and time spent on delivery. Uber doesn’t provide a range on the Uber Eats app, but driver forums discuss a similar range to DoorDash.
- Uber Eats customers also receive a trip supplement if the time and distance are longer than Uber accounted for in the base pay.Â
- You can earn extra during surge times and Boost promotions that increase your rate.
- You’ll see the amount of the delivery before you accept. You’ll be certain that you’ll make at least that amount.
- A customer can leave you a tip when they are ordering or after you deliver.
- Uber Eats also lets you keep 100% of your tip money.Â
- Tips may take a while to show after you complete your delivery, but can be found on the daily summary page on the app.
Payment Options: How Fast Can You Get Paid?
Side hustles such as delivering food and groceries have grown in popularity as a good way to make extra money. Startup costs are minimal if you already have a smartphone and a car. Both apps give you options when it’s time to get paid. Here’s how each service works.
Uber Eats
There are two ways to cash out your earnings:
- Set up direct deposit: On Mondays at 4 a.m., earnings are closed out. Then they are processed for payment on Wednesday and deposited into your checking account on Thursday.
- Request Instant Pay: You can cash out via Instant Pay any time during the week. Depending on the bank, it may take up to a few business days to see the funds in your account. You can request Instant Pay up to six times per day, but each instance is charged 85 cents.
- Service fee for customers: There is a service fee tacked onto the bill, so this could affect your tips. Uber charges roughly 4% of the customer’s order subtotal.Â
DoorDash
You have four ways to collect your earnings with DoorDash.
- Set up direct deposit: Weekly earnings are closed out and direct deposited into your linked account on Mondays. You’ll probably see the funds on Wednesday.
- Request Fast Pay: Link a debit card to get paid before direct deposit day. You must qualify for the service by completing at least 25 deliveries. There is also an initial seven-day processing delay. Rach Fast Pay request costs $1.99.
- Cash on Delivery: You can also choose to collect cash from the customer upon arrival.
- Service fee for customers: There is a service fee tacked on to the bill, so be aware that this could affect your tips. DoorDash fees start at 60 cents and go up based on the customer’s order subtotal.Â
Uber Eats vs DoorDash: Requirements for Drivers
The first thing to go over is who can sign up to deliver with DoorDash or Uber Eats. Check out the following information:
| Requirements | DoorDash | Uber Eats |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age for car deliveries | 18 | 19 by car; 18 for bike or walking |
| Type of car | No restrictions | Must have two or four doors |
| License | Valid driver’s license | Valid driver’s license |
| Driving | – Car insurance required – Clean driving record |
Car insurance and registration are required |
| Bike or scooter | – Bikes, scooters, motorcycles and walking deliveries allowed in select cities – Where bikes and scooters are allowed, you can toggle between modes of transportation |
– Bikes and scooters allowed in select cities – Motorized scooters must be 50cc maximum – Scooter deliveries are allowed for drivers 19 and older – Bicycle and foot deliveries are allowed for those 18 and older |
| Background check | Must pass a background check | Must pass a background check |
Tips To Earn More on Uber Eats or DoorDash
- Work during peak periods: You’ll sometimes earn a bonus amount for working late nights, weekdays at lunchtime or weekend evenings.
- Accept stacked orders: Let Uber Eats or DoorDash organize your schedule by accepting multiple pickups and drop-offs at once.
- Add small touches of service: Small, personal details — like a mint from the restaurant or a text letting them know you’ve delivered the order — could help you earn a bigger tip.
Final Take: Which Delivery App Is Better for You?
While both delivery services have a lot going for them, Uber Eats offers higher average pay. Uber Eats is simple and user-friendly, but DoorDash has more flexible features, such as scheduling and fewer delivery vehicle restrictions.
However, you may find that one delivery app is busier in your area than the other, which would make that the best option for you. You may even decide to do both, picking and choosing each service’s peak periods for the best pay — or driving for both services simultaneously on slower days.
Uber Eats vs. DoorDash FAQ
Here are more answers to questions about choosing DoorDash vs. Uber Eats.- Can you work for both apps at the same time?
- Yes, it's possible to work for both Uber Eats and DoorDash at the same time. But it's usually best to reserve this option for slower days.
- Which app has better promotions?
- Both Uber Eats and DoorDash frequently offer promotions. But, in general, Uber Eats offers promotions more consistently.
- Do you earn more with food delivery or package delivery?
- It depends. Generally, food delivery and package delivery drivers earn similar amounts. But package delivery drivers are less likely to get tips, which could lower total earnings.
Sarah Sharkey and Cynthia Bowman contributed to the reporting for this article.
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- ZipRecruiter. "Uber Eats Delivery Driver Salary."
- ZipRecruiter. "DoorDash Driver Salary."
- Indeed. "Delivery Driver yearly salaries in the United States at UberEATS."
- Indeed. "Driver hourly salaries in the United States at DoorDash."
