Amazon Flex vs DoorDash (Complete 2024 Guide)

The growth of the gig economy has made delivery services a very popular way to earn a few extra bucks on the side. Currently, there are dozens of driving apps to make money, and most of them are very easy to sign up for.

Amazon Flex and DoorDash are both big names in the delivery industry. Both services involve making deliveries for money, but key differences include scheduling, earning potential, and what you’ll be delivering.

While Amazon Flex and DoorDash are lucrative gig apps, your choice mainly comes down to flexibility and convenience.

Below, we look at Amazon Flex vs. DoorDash to help you understand the similarities and differences between the two gig apps. Hopefully, you can make an informed decision at the end.

We’ll go into details like what each company entails, how much you stand to make, how to sign up, and the pros and cons of each service. This way, you’ll know which app is the most suitable for you.

What Is Amazon Flex?

Amazon Flex is one of the delivery services offered by Amazon. It’s a popular platform where you can make money delivering Amazon packages to people in your area.

As an Amazon Flex driver, you’re hired as an independent contractor, meaning you use your own vehicle to make deliveries and are responsible for expenses. 

If you sign up to work for Amazon Flex, you’ll be paid based on the number of deliveries you make. 

Amazon Flex operates in all 50 states across the United States, but driver recruitment is usually based on demand. If there are already many Amazon Flex drivers in your area, you may be put on the waitlist.

If you’d like to work as an Amazon Flex driver, you must first download the app and fill in your application. Here are other requirements you must meet:

• You must be at least 21 to drive for Amazon Flex 
• Have a valid driver’s license and Social Security number
• You must also pass the Amazon Flex background check before you’re approved to work as a driver.

Once you’re approved to start working, you can schedule shifts, or Amazon Flex blocks, on your phone. They’re typically two to four hours, within which you can deliver packages and get paid. 

Every delivery order shows you how much you’ll earn and the estimated amount of time it will take you to complete it.

What Is DoorDash?

DoorDash is a popular food delivery platform that operates in thousands of cities across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Japan. 

The service connects customers with restaurants in their area. As a DoorDash driver or Dasher, your job would be to pick up fast food, grocery items, or restaurant meals and deliver them to the customers. 

One of the major differences between DoorDash and Amazon Flex is that DoorDash allows you to make deliveries using other means of transport, like bikes, scooters, and even walking in some markets. 

To start driving for DoorDash, you must sign up to become a Dasher on their official website. 

If you meet all the requirements and pass their background check, DoorDash sends you a link to download the DoorDash app, after which you can start working immediately. 

As a Dasher, you’ll pick up and deliver food from local restaurants to customers. You can choose your own working schedule, but the number of deliveries you complete depends majorly on how much demand is in your area. 

Everything is processed through the DoorDash app, and you’ll see all the details you need to accept an order, as well as your expected earnings.

Extra Reading: Is DoorDash Safe?

Amazon Flex vs DoorDash

When it comes to choosing between Amazon Flex and DoorDash, it comes down to what you’re looking for in a delivery service. Amazon Flex is the right choice if you want to make more per hour on a stricter schedule. DoorDash, on the other hand, is better if you want more control over how much you work.

As you’ll see below, there are a couple of similarities and differences between the two delivery services. 

With an understanding of how each platform works, choosing the most suitable app for you will be easier.

Differences Between Amazon Flex DoorDash

While both Amazon Flex and DoorDash are primarily delivery services, there are some significant differences to note.

1. Available Cities

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a delivery service to work for is their areas of operation. 

Amazon Flex and DoorDash are very popular and available in most areas, but they may not be available in every area.

Amazon Flex

Amazon Flex currently operates in nine countries: the U.S., the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Singapore, India, Spain, and Japan. 

Amazon Flex is available in all 50 states across the U.S., but it doesn’t always hire drivers in the city it operates in. 

If there are no current openings in your area, you’ll be put on the Amazon Flex waitlist.

DoorDash

DoorDash is also widely available, currently operating in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Australia. The platform is available in thousands of cities, and you’ll likely find work if you live in these cities.

DoorDash is always looking to recruit more Dashers, so signing up for DoorDash is easier than Amazon. 

Still, you might find yourself on the DoorDash waitlist if too many Dashers are currently working in your area.

2. Driver Requirements

To drive for either DoorDash or Amazon, you must fulfill their driver requirements. Some of them are similar, while others are different.

These are the requirements you must fulfill to be an Amazon Flex driver: 

• Be 21 years or older
• Have a Social Security number
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Have a clean driving record
• You must pass the background check

DoorDash driver requirements are less strict compared to Amazon Flex. Still, there are a few similarities. 

• Be 18 or older
• Have a Social Security number and a valid driver’s license
• At least one year’s driving experience
• Own an iOS or Android smartphone
• You must pass the background check

3. Vehicle Requirements

There are a few similarities between the vehicle requirements, but again, Amazon Flex has stricter requirements.

Amazon Flex vehicle requirements:

• You need a 4-door or larger vehicle that’s in good working condition.
• You must have vehicle insurance

You have more delivery options with DoorDash. There are no specifics for vehicle size. You can even deliver using a bike, scooter, or on foot in some areas.

So, signing up for DoorDash is easier than for Amazon Flex.

4. Scheduling and Getting Deliveries

This is one of the areas where there’s a clear distinction between Amazon Flex and DoorDash. 

Both platforms schedule their deliveries differently, and the better option depends on your availability.

Amazon Flex Scheduling

As an Amazon Flex driver, you work by scheduling delivery blocks, typically two to four hours long. You claim these blocks ahead of time, but you can cancel a block if you’re unable to work. 

You’ll only work if you have delivery blocks. Sometimes getting blocks can be pretty difficult, especially if there’s high competition in your area. 

Some drivers use Amazon Flex bots to grab blocks, which makes it harder for anyone to do it manually.

DoorDash Scheduling

DoorDash has two scheduling modes: Dash Now and Schedule a Shift. 

With the Dash Now option, you can work any time, provided orders are coming in. You can also reserve future hours using the Schedule a Shift option if you’d like more structure. 

You can decline orders, but be careful not to decline too many, as your acceptance rate affects your overall Dasher rating.

Overall, DoorDash offers more flexibility than Amazon Flex, as you can just go online and start working, provided there’s demand for Dashers.

5. Delivery Expectations

DoorDash and Amazon Flex are both delivery services, but you should expect to deliver different things. As a DoorDash driver, you mostly deliver food, groceries, essential items, pet products, and alcohol.

With DoorDash, you’ll deliver orders from several companies, not just one. You may have to go to multiple locations to pick up a customer’s order.

As an Amazon Flex driver, on the other hand, all you have to do is deliver packages from Amazon warehouses to the customer.

Sometimes, you may also deliver Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods, classified as groceries. 

The significant difference is that with Amazon Flex, you’d pick up the packages from one location, the warehouse.

6. Pay

One of the major factors you should consider when thinking about DoorDash vs Amazon Flex is how much you stand to earn.

Both services pay relatively well, but Amazon Flex offers a more fixed rate, while DoorDash pay depends on many factors, like the type of order, tips, and any promotions you qualify for.

Amazon Flex Pay

According to Amazon Flex, drivers earn between $18 and $25 per hour. 

Your earnings will mostly depend on where you live, how long the deliveries take, and any tips you earn from customers. 

DoorDash Pay

DoorDash driver pay is a lot more flexible compared to Amazon Flex. 

Your earnings will vary based on the distance, type of order, how long it takes to complete the delivery, customer tips, and bonuses and promotions.

Based on salary review websites, Dashers earn roughly $15 an hour on average. However, due to the flexibility of the salary, some Dashers report earning over $25 an hour. These are mostly drivers who work in busy metropolitan areas with a lot of demand. 

The better-paying app depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer fixed payments, then Amazon Flex is the better option. If you want more flexibility and the chance to make more from tips, DoorDash is more suitable.

7. Getting Paid

One of the benefits of side hustles is earning a paycheck at a more regular interval. DoorDash and Amazon Flex have different payment schedules.

Amazon Flex pays drivers twice weekly, every Tuesday and Friday, through direct deposit. 

The company also introduced new payment options, where you can select to get paid every weekday or choose one day of the week.

On the other hand, DoorDash makes payments once every week via direct deposit. The pay period runs from Monday to Sunday at midnight, and all your earnings from that week are sent to you the following Wednesday. 

If you need access to your money instantly, you can use the DoorDash Fast Pay option, which allows you to withdraw your earnings at a $1.99 fee. 

So while Amazon Flex pays on a more regular interval than DoorDash, the DoorDash Fast Pay withdrawal option is great when you need money fast.

8. Gas Reimbursement

Gas is another significant factor you should consider before starting a delivery job. 

Amazon Flex and DoorDash both hire drivers on an independent contractor basis, which means you’re responsible for fuel and other vehicle costs.

Amazon Flex doesn’t pay for gas, and neither does DoorDash. Since both are primarily delivery jobs, the fuel costs add up quickly.

While neither app reimburses you for gas, DoorDash currently offers a couple of incentives to help lessen the burden of fuel costs. You could receive between $1.65 and $2.00 per gallon if you qualify for the rewards.

Both services can rack up your mileage, but DoorDash offers incentive programs to help alleviate the rising cost of gas.

Similarities Between Amazon Flex and DoorDash

This Amazon Flex vs DoorDash guide would be incomplete without the similarities that make these two delivery services as popular as they are. 

In several ways, DoorDash and Amazon Flex work similarly.

Flexibility

One of the most obvious similarities between the two platforms is work flexibility. 

Working as a delivery driver for either Amazon Flex or DoorDash comes with a great deal of flexibility, as you’d expect from a side hustle.

With Amazon Flex, you can select your schedule by scheduling delivery blocks ahead of time. This way, you can balance driving for Amazon Flex with your other commitments.

Note that if you schedule a delivery block, you’ll have to complete it. If something comes up and you’re unavailable for your shift, you can cancel the block beforehand. 

Once approved to start working as a Dasher, you can choose the Dash Now option or Schedule a Shift. The Dash Now option is more flexible, as you can start and stop working whenever you want.

Amazon Flex and DoorDash offer great flexibility, as you can choose when to work for both companies. DoorDash comes out on top when it comes to flexibility, mainly because of the Dash Now option.

Independent Contractor Basis

For both DoorDash and Amazon Flex, you sign up to work as an independent contractor. As such, you are your own boss and will be responsible for your working hours, income, and expenses.

The contractual basis of the job gives you the freedom to work whenever and however much you want.

The government treats you as self-employed, so you’ll also be responsible for filing your taxes. It’s important to keep track of all your work-related expenses so you can deduct them come tax season.

Easy Requirements

You don’t need a college degree or delivery experience for both delivery gig apps.

The requirements are pretty standard, mostly identification and a clean driving record. This is one of the reasons both apps are a very popular way to make money fast.

Pros and Cons of Amazon Flex

Another way to determine whether a delivery platform is right for you is to weigh the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Fixed earnings: Amazon Flex pays a fixed rate, so you know how much you’ll make for every shift you complete. This makes it easier to budget for your income and is more reassuring.
• Availability: Amazon Flex is available in more countries than DoorDash. However, recruitment is usually based on current demand, so there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the job when you apply.
• Bi-weekly pay: Amazon Flex pays drivers twice a week, which is preferable to DoorDash’s once-a-week system.

Cons:

• Vehicle restrictions: Amazon Flex has stricter vehicle requirements. You must have a 4-door or bigger vehicle suitable for ferrying many packages simultaneously.
• Mileage: the delivery areas could be far apart, so you’ll rack up more mileage and expenses.
• Complex scheduling system: Amazon Flex has a more complex scheduling system than DoorDash. If you schedule a block, you can only cancel it beforehand. There are consequences for late cancellation.

DoorDash Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Greater flexibility: With DoorDash, you have more flexibility, as you can work any time you want using the Dash Now feature.
• Decent earning potential: With the right practices, you can earn up to $25 per hour, depending on your location and the time of day.
• Tips: DoorDash drivers are tipped more regularly, and you get to keep 100% of your tips.
• Flexible vehicle requirements: As a Dasher, you can use a car, bike, or scooter to make your deliveries. In some markets, you can even deliver on foot.

Cons:

• Work is not guaranteed: With DoorDash, work is mainly dependent on the demand in your area. You may not find gigs when demand is low or competition is high.
• Low hourly rate: Since DoorDash pay depends on several factors, you may find yourself earning less than you expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Amazon Flex Worth It?

Yes, Amazon Flex is worth it if you’re looking for a side hustle where you can make a fixed hourly wage of $18 to $25. 

You stand to make even more depending on your location, customer tips, and how much time it takes you to complete deliveries.

Is DoorDash Worth It?

Many Dashers agree that DoorDash is worth it. It’s a flexible side hustle where you can work whenever and however much you want. 

The pay is also pretty good, at $15 to $25 per hour. There are also tips you can use to maximize your earnings on DoorDash.

Is DoorDash Better than Amazon Flex?

DoorDash is the better option if you’re interested in flexibility. DoorDash offers more flexibility in terms of scheduling and even earnings. 

If you’d like more structure and a fixed hourly rate, then you’re better off with Amazon Flex.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this Amazon Flex vs DoorDash guide has shed more light on the two delivery services, and you can now decide on the best platform for you.

The main factors you should consider when choosing are earning potential and flexibility. If flexibility is vital for you, then DoorDash is your best option. If the structure and a fixed rate are important to you, then you can go with Amazon Flex.

Most delivery drivers use multiple apps simultaneously, so you can also try out different apps and see which one you like best.

Looking for other high-paying side hustles? Consider delivering for Instacart.