You’ve probably heard of both Instacart and Doordash. They’re two of the most popular food delivery apps out there. Which one should you pick, though? That, of course, depends on your priorities. Do you want the convenience of grocery delivery? Or would you rather have restaurant food delivered to your door? Read on for a breakdown of Instacart vs Doordash, so you can decide which is the right service for you.
Instacart Vs Doordash
You’re considering using a delivery service to get your groceries instead of going to the store. Great choice! There are two major players in this space: Instacart and Doordash. Instacart is a newer service, founded in 2012. They have partnerships with over 150 stores, including Whole Foods, Safeway, and Costco. You can order from Instacart’s website or app, and they offer competitive pricing on groceries. Doordash is a little older, founded in 2013. They have partnerships with over 7,000 restaurants, including chains like Taco Bell, Chipotle, and Dunkin’ Donuts. You can order from Doordash’s website or app, and they offer a $5 discount on your first order.
Pros and Cons of Instacart vs Doordash
When it comes to grocery delivery, there are two big players in the game: Instacart and Doordash. Choosing which service is best for you can be challenging because both have advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a breakdown of the two services:
Instacart:
- Pros: Wide selection of groceries, fast delivery, easy-to-use app.
- Cons: Can be expensive, sometimes can’t find certain items.
Doordash:
- Pros: More affordable than Instacart, wide selection of restaurants.
- Cons: No grocery delivery, can be slow on deliveries.
Comparisons of Services Offered by Instacart vs Doordash
So, you’re trying to decide which on-demand delivery service to choose for your grocery runs. We can assist you in breaking it down, though. Let’s first examine the features that each service provides:
Instacart:
- Delivers groceries from local stores
- Offers both delivery and pickup
- Scheduling available up to one week in advance
Doordash:
- Delivers food from local restaurants
- Offers delivery only
- Scheduling available same day or up to an hour in advance
As you can see, there are some significant similarities as well as differences. Let’s break them down a bit more.
One of the biggest differences is that Instacart offers both delivery and pickup. This is great if you’re trying to save money on delivery fees or if you live close to a store that partners with Instacart. Doordash, on the other hand, only offers delivery.
Instacart also offers to schedule up to one week in advance, while Doordash only offers same day or up to an hour in advance. So if you know what you’re shopping for and when you’ll be needing it, Instacart is a great option. But if you’re more flexible with your timing, Doordash may be a better choice.
Special Features of Instacart and Doordash
When choosing between Instacart and Doordash, it’s important to consider their respective special features. Instacart includes the Express membership, which lets you access additional benefits such as discounts, free deliveries on orders over $35, and even exclusive offers. Instacart also allows you to customize your grocery list with items from multiple stores in a single order.
On the other hand, DoorDash has a Dash Pass membership that’s perfect for frequent food delivery users. With a Dash Pass subscription, you can get exclusive discounts and free deliveries on orders over $12. Plus, DoorDash has hundreds of restaurant partners around the world, so you can easily find something that fits your taste buds.
Cost Considerations for Instacart and Doordash
When it comes to cost, both Instacart and Doordash have different models. With Instacart, you pay for the items you purchase through the app plus a fee for delivery and any tips for the shopper. Doordash, on the other hand, has an upfront fee that covers the cost of shopping plus a delivery fee and any gratuity that you may decide to add.
That said, if budget is your main priority then it’s important to look at each service’s fee structure. Instacart’s fees vary by location and store while Doordash typically charges a flat rate per order regardless of store or distance traveled. Additionally, it’s important to note that with both services tipping is optional but encouraged by both companies.
Delivery Time Differences for Instacart and Doordash
When it comes to delivery time, both Instacart and Doordash offer similar options. With Instacart, you can choose a one-hour grocery delivery and have your order arrive within an hour. With Doordash, you’re looking at a 30-minute delivery window. This can be especially helpful if you’re in a time crunch or need to get food to your doorstep quickly.
Both businesses offer the option of scheduling your order in advance. With Instacart, you can schedule up to six days in advance but do have to pay an extra fee for orders scheduled more than two days in advance. Meanwhile, Doordash allows you to schedule orders as far as seven days ahead of time. However, it does not impose any additional fees for advanced scheduling.
Variety of Food and Grocery Items
When you’re determining whether to use Doordash or Instacart, you’ll want to consider the variety of food and grocery items available. Doordash is excellent for ordering from restaurants because it offers a huge selection of cuisine types. Instacart however, is better for grocery deliveries because it offers a much wider selection of items than Doordash does. You can order from major chains like Whole Foods and Target, as well as local specialty stores like bakeries and butchers through Instacart.
It’s also worth noting that some restaurants will only be available on one service or another (like Shake Shack), while others are available on both. Also keep in mind that Instacart is the only delivery service with alcohol delivery options, which could be a deciding factor if you’re looking to get some beer or wine delivered.
Choosing the Right Service for Your Needs
The decision of which service to choose ultimately boils down to your personal needs and preferences. Do you need delivery now or can you wait a few days? Is it more important that the service be available in more cities or that it charges lower fees? Are you looking for convenience or the lowest prices?
These are all factors to consider before making your decision, so take some time to think about what’s most important to you. If you’re looking for price, then Doordash may be the right choice since they tend to offer lower fees than Instacart. But if you’re looking for speed and convenience, then Instacart may be the better option since they offer same-day delivery.
User Reviews Across Social Media Platforms
Since you’re researching your food delivery options and want to make the best decision for yourself, why not take a look at what other users are saying?
The user experience should be taken into account when choosing between DoorDash and Instacart. After all, you want to know that the service you choose will be convenient, reliable, and meet your needs.
To get a better idea of which service is better, head over to social media outlets like Yelp or Google Reviews, or check out Reddit for recent comments from customers. Check out what consumers are saying about each service to learn more. You may find some useful advice there.
Conclusion
Instacart offers more flexibility with its order minimums and delivery windows, but Doordash has a larger variety of restaurants to choose from. At the end of the day, both Instacart and Doordash are great services, and you can’t go wrong with either one. Just be sure to consider your needs and preferences before making a decision.
