Grubhub vs Doordash [2024] Comparing Delivery Driver Apps

There are 233 million licensed drivers in the United States. If you’re one of them, you might be considering driving for a delivery app. 

And why wouldn’t you? It’s one of the best ways to make money while maintaining a flexible schedule. 

Grubhub and DoorDash are two famous delivery apps – but which is better?

In this article, I’ll help settle the Grubhub vs DoorDash debate. Which app pays the most? And how can you take advantage of special features to pick up extra earnings?

I’ll answer those questions below – so you can choose the app that’s right for you!

Grubhub vs DoorDash Pay / How Much Does Grubhub Pay vs DoorDash 

What’s most important in the Grubhub vs DoorDash debate? How much you’ll get paid! 

Both apps pay enough to be a decent side hustle – but which pays more? And how does the payment process actually work? I’ll explain all of that below.

And for more decent work opportunities, read this article on how to make money in an hour. 

Grubhub Pay

According to Glassdoor, delivery drivers with Grubhub earn $22 an hour on average, which is exactly what the workplace review platform says DoorDash drivers earn. But remember that these figures are soley based on input from drivers who chose to review these companies on Glassdoor. The specific amount you earn will depend on several factors, including when and where you work. 

There are four income streams on Grubhub that combine to produce your total pay:

• Delivery pay. This includes base pay and bonuses.
• Grubhub contribution. If you schedule a delivery block and meet your assigned “Offer Commitment Rate,” Grubhub will ensure you earn at a guaranteed hourly rate.
• Tips. Some customers will give you extra money, and you’ll get to keep all of it.
• Missions and Special Offers. These additional opportunities are only available at certain times and in specific locations.

There are two ways to receive your Grubhub pay:

1. Direct deposit. A week’s worth of pay will be sent to your bank account each Thursday.
2. Instant cashout. Your earnings will be sent to your debit card or bank account immediately. This option is free for Chase Bank customers, but it costs $0.50 for everybody else. 

DoorDash Pay

DoorDash driver pay varies widely depending on factors like your location, whether you choose to drive during the busiest times, and tips. You can earn more if you think strategically to maximize your earnings. Here are some tips on how to maximize your earnings with DoorDash.

Just like Grubhub, DoorDash gives you base pay as well as additional income.

Here’s where your DoorDash earnings will come from:

• Base pay. This is the money that you’re guaranteed to earn. Each delivery has its own base pay, determined by distance, the expected time commitment, and desirability.
• Promotions. DoorDash will sometimes give you a “Peak Pay” bonus for working during busy times. There are also “Guaranteed Earnings” incentives for making a certain number of deliveries in a given period. 
• Tips. Like Grubhub, DoorDash lets you keep 100% of your tip money. 

You can also choose to get paid by the hour, but only if the “Earn by Time” feature is available in your area, 

DoorDash offers four payment options for drivers:

1. Weekly direct deposit. A week’s worth of earnings will arrive in your bank account, usually on Wednesday.
2. Fast Pay. You’ll link a debit card to your DoorDash account and then receive daily earnings.
3. DasherDirect. You’ll get a special prepaid debit card – which can then be loaded with your earnings from an order immediately after you complete it. 
4. Cash on Delivery. If a customer pays you in cash, you can report it to DoorDash, and they’ll subtract the amount from your next deposit.

This flexibility in payment is one reason some people prefer DoorDash in the Grubhub vs DoorDash debate.

If you’d like to earn money driving for DoorDash but have found yourself on their waitlist, learn how you may be able to get off the DoorDash waitlist. 

And learn here how to get a free DoorDash gift card.

Grubhub vs DoorDash Driver Requirements

The basic requirements for Grubhub and DoorDash are pretty similar. Basically, you need some sort of transportation and the legal authority to use it.

But I want this Grubhub vs Doordash breakdown to be as thorough as possible, so I’ll describe exactly what each app requires below. 

And what if you don’t have a vehicle? Read this article on how to make money with no car. 

You can also take a look at this list of apps that pay cash. Somehow, you’ll find an easy way to make some money!

Grubhub Driver Requirements

Here are the requirements for delivering with Grubhub:

1. A car (or a bike or scooter, depending on the area).
2. A valid driver’s license (or state I.D. for bikers)
3. Auto insurance (for drivers) 
4. A smartphone with a data plan
5. Be at least 18 years old (or 21 in Las Vegas)

If you check all those boxes, then you’re eligible to drive for Grubhub!

DoorDash Driver Requirements

There are only a few basic requirements to be a DoorDash driver:

1. A car (or a bike or scooter in certain areas)
2. A valid domestic driver’s license
3. Auto insurance 
4. A clean driving record
5. An iPhone or Android smartphone
6. Being at least 18 years old

That means most drivers should be eligible to work for DoorDash.

How to Sign Up for Grubhub vs DoorDash

Signing up for both Grubhub and DoorDash is super easy. That’s why delivery driving makes this list of the best low-stress jobs! 

But which sign-up process is easier? The answer could help settle the Grubhub vs DoorDash debate! Let’s dive into the details.

How to Sign up to be a Grubhub Driver

There are two ways to start a Grubhub application:

1. Apply online. Just head to the official Grubhub website for drivers, then start filling in the information at the top of the page. 
2. Apply through the app. Download the “Grubhub for Drivers” app and then tap “Sign up to deliver.”

Once you’ve completed the simple application, Grubhub will complete a mandatory background check and identity verification. From there, you’ll find out whether you’ve been accepted, rejected, or placed on the waitlist. 

Getting waitlisted can be tough, but Grubhub does it for the benefit of drivers. If a market were to get oversaturated with workers, everyone’s earning potential would go down.

Once you’re accepted, you can start making deliveries right away! 

You’ll also get directed to the “Learninghub,” a digital portal that shows you the ins and outs of accepting orders and making deliveries. 

How to Sign up to be a DoorDash Driver

Here’s a step-by-step guide to signing up for DoorDash:

1. Head to the official DoorDash website for “Dashers” and click “Sign up.”
2. Submit some personal information to create a profile.
3. Provide details about your vehicle.
4. Verify your identity with a government I.D. and a selfie.
5. Submit a background check that focuses on your driving record and criminal history.
6. Link your bank account and choose your preferred payout method.
7. Download the DoorDash “Dasher” app and start accepting deliveries.

That’s seriously it! The only step that could take a while is the background check, which can last anywhere from 1 day to over a week. But most applicants can start making money in just a few days. 

How to Make Money with Grubhub vs DoorDash

Grubhub and DoorDash have similar business models. You’ll use your smartphone to check for available orders and then accept the ones that appeal to you. 

The actual work consists of going to a restaurant, picking up food, and dropping the food off with the customer. It’s super chill and incredibly easy. What more could you want from a side hustle? 

For more easy ways to make money, check out this article on how to make $20 fast. 

Grubhub and DoorDash share some best practices for maximizing your earnings:

• Take the job seriously and make a business plan.
• Try to drive at peak hours.
• Work in areas with lots of restaurants.
• Experiment with different schedules until you discover how to earn the most.
• Increase your tips by offering excellent customer service.

But there are also some key differences to consider in the Grubhub vs DoorDash conversation. Each app has its own special features, and you’ll need to take advantage of them to earn as much as you can.

Here’s how to make serious money driving for each app. 

How to Make Money as a Grubhub Driver

To maximize your Grubhub earnings, try using these strategies:

• Use “block scheduling.” Grubhub lets you schedule shifts ahead of time. If you use this feature, you’ll get a shot at accepting nearby orders before non-scheduled drivers.
• Boost your “driver level.” You can do this by consistently completing the orders you accept, working the hours you’re scheduled for, and arriving at restaurants on time. As your driver level increases, you’ll gain special privileges and get to create your schedule earlier. 
• Participate in “missions” and sweepstakes. These contests will give you extra money for meeting certain milestones.
• Complete catering deliveries. These tend to be larger – which means more money for you!
• Accept “bundled orders.” Grubhub lets you pick up food from nearby restaurants at the same time – which helps you earn money quickly. 

How to Make Money as a DoorDash Driver

Here are some special tips for earning more as a DoorDash driver:

• Earn “Peak Pay” bonuses. DoorDash will sometimes offer to pay extra if you’re working during an especially busy period. You can find these opportunities in the “Promo” tab within the app.
• Take advantage of “Guaranteed Earnings” incentives. Sometimes, DoorDash will promise you a certain amount of money if you complete a required number of orders in a given period.
• Accept “Batched Orders.” DoorDash will helpfully lump two or more orders together, letting you complete them at the same time. 

Pros and Cons of Grubhub vs DoorDash

One way to compare Grubhub vs DoorDash is by considering the pros and cons of each app. Here are the details to watch out for!

Pros and Cons of Grubhub

Grubhub Pros:

• There’s a special catering option. Catering orders are usually big — which means your earnings are big, too.
• You can work efficiently by accepting “bundled orders.” This means you’ll simultaneously accept orders from nearby restaurants. 
• You can create a “block schedule” ahead of time. Not only will this help you organize your working life, but it will also give you first access to available orders.
• The pay is solid. Grubhub drivers earn an average of $22 per hour, according to drivers reviewing the company on Glassdoor. 

Grubhub Cons:

• There are only two payment options. You can receive your money through weekly direct deposit or instant cashouts — but there’s no option for cash or a prepaid debit card.
• There’s often a waitlist. This is actually a good thing for existing drivers since it ensures they get plenty of orders. That doesn’t make it any less annoying for people trying to sign up.
• You’re punished for dropping an order. Every order you drop will affect your driver stats, making it harder to reach the higher “driver levels.”

Pros and Cons of DoorDash 

DoorDash pros:

• There are four ways to get payments. You can receive your earnings through weekly direct deposit, instant pay, a prepaid debit card, and cash payments from customers.
• You can increase efficiency with “batched orders.” Sometimes, you can even get multiple orders from a single restaurant at the same time. 
• You can earn bonuses for working at busy times. Check the “Promo” tab within the app for “Peak Pay” opportunities.
• You’ll sometimes receive “Guaranteed Earnings.” That means DoorDash will guarantee you a certain amount of money as long as you complete the required number of orders. 

DoorDash cons:

• The background check can take over a week. It usually happens faster — sometimes in just a day — but the worst-case scenario would be super frustrating.
• You’re punished for not accepting orders. If you don’t accept at least 70% of your offers, you won’t qualify for the “Top Dasher” program. That means you’ll be limited to working within specific zones. 

DoorDash vs Grubhub Driver Reddit 

I found an interesting Reddit thread about the Grubhub vs DoorDash debate. The original poster asked the all-important question: Which app pays better?

A few people responded by saying it depends on the market. 

A few drivers said that Grubhub orders pay more, but that DoorDash orders are more consistently available.

Another user offered an interesting take: DoorDash is better for lunch, while Grubhub is better for dinner.

Is Grubhub or DoorDash Better?

There’s no clear winner in the Grubhub vs DoorDash debate. Both services offer decent pay while making it easy to sign up and start working.

That said, I suggest signing up for DoorDash first. Why? Because users say there are consistent orders available, meaning you don’t have to worry about sitting around when you’re supposed to be making money. 

With DoorDash, you’re also less likely to be put on a waitlist. While I can find the occasional report of someone being waitlisted, it doesn’t seem very common. That means you’ll probably be able to sign up and start working in just a few days.

Of course, there’s no reason to choose between Grubhub and DoorDash. Why not sign up for both? Start with DoorDash, and then apply to Grubhub when you think you’re ready to make more deliveries. That way, you can really maximize your earnings!

Commonly Asked Questions About Grubhub vs DoorDash 

Is DoorDash or Grubhub Better to Order From?

DoorDash is better than Grubhub because it’s typically cheaper — or at least that’s what some news outlets discovered. Of course, which is “better” ultimately depends on personal preference. If Grubhub gives you access to your favorite food, go for it!

What Food Delivery is Best? 

DoorDash is the best food delivery service because it’s widely available and often cheaper than other options. 

Do People Use Grubhub? 

People definitely use Grubhub, but DoorDash seems to be more popular. Drivers who work for both apps report receiving more orders from DoorDash than Grubhub.

Does Grubhub Give You a Bag?

Grubhub will give you a branded insulated bag for free, but they’ll only ship it once you’ve completed your first delivery. That means you’ll have to use your own bag when starting out. 

Why is Grubhub So Much Cheaper Than DoorDash?

If you’re finding Grubhub to be much cheaper than DoorDash, it’s probably because you’re placing large orders. While DoorDash is often cheaper for smaller orders, Grubhub can sometimes be more affordable when you order a lot of food. 

Why is DoorDash Better Than Grubhub?

DoorDash could be better because there are often more orders available for drivers. That said, there’s no clear winner in the Grubhub vs DoorDash debate.

Is It Worth It to Do Both Grubhub and DoorDash? 

Driving for both Grubhub and DoorDash is a great way to increase your earnings. Just make sure you don’t compromise your customer service or work yourself to death. Your tip money and mental health are on the line!

Is it Better to Dash by the Hour or Per Order?

Dashing by the hour isn’t inherently better than Dashing per order, but it does give you more security. So, if you want to ensure a certain income (while giving up on the potential to earn more), then Dashing by the hour is better.