15 Best Jobs Like Instacart (High-Paying 2024 Gig Apps!)

Jobs like Instacart are one of the most popular and highest-paying delivery gigs.

Instacart is a grocery delivery service where you get paid to shop and deliver everyday essentials to people in your neighborhood. It’s currently available in more than 5,000 cities across the U.S.

When you sign up for Instacart, you choose your preferred shopper role. There are two roles; full-service shopper and in-store shopper.

In-store shoppers shop and bag groceries, but the client picks up the items. Full-service shoppers, on the other hand, shop for the items and deliver them to the customer.

Instacart shoppers must fulfill the following qualifications:

• Be 18 years and above
• Access to a vehicle with auto insurance
• A valid driver’s license
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds
• Consent to a background check
• A clean driving record

Instacart shoppers make approximately $15-$20 per hour, depending on job type, number of batches completed, and customer tips. There are a couple of Instacart tips and tricks that can help boost your earnings.

Instacart is a lucrative side hustle, which explains its popularity among gig workers. However, approval is not always guaranteed. You may find yourself on the waitlist, or your shopper account may get deactivated.

Fortunately, there are several jobs like Instacart you can try out instead. In this post, I’ll review some of the most popular alternatives to Instacart to help you make an informed decision.

The Best Jobs Like Instacart

You can try many other delivery gig jobs, depending on your preference. Each delivery service has its requirements, which you should review to determine whether it’ll be the right fit for you.

Here are some of the best Instacart alternatives to consider.

1. Shipt

Shipt is one of the grocery delivery jobs like Instacart. It partners with major retailers like Walmart, Target, and CVS. 

Shipt is currently available in approximately 5,000 cities in the U.S. So, chances are high that you can sign up to be a Shipt driver.

When you sign up to work as a Shipt shopper, you choose and schedule your own hours, just like Instacart. As a Shipt shopper, you must schedule your preferred hours at least five days in advance, even if the job is part-time. 

To be approved to work as a Shipt shopper, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be 18 years and above
• Access to a reliable vehicle with auto insurance
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Ability to lift at least 45 pounds

As a Shipt shopper, you earn approximately $20 an hour, which is relatively good pay. Shipt also allows you to keep 100% of your tips.

Your earnings will be sent to you weekly (every Friday) via direct deposit. Shipt also has an instant cash-out option for a small fee. 

Shipt has also introduced a new role, where you can sign up to only deliver the groceries instead of shopping for them.

Your job would be to pick up and deliver pre-packaged items. This offer is only available in select cities. 

2. Cornershop

Cornershop is a grocery delivery service owned by Uber Eats. It’s another job similar to Instacart.

While it’s relatively new, it already operates in dozens of cities across the U.S. and Canada. Cornershop’s model is pretty similar to Instacart’s in that you get paid to shop and deliver groceries. 

In order to work as a Cornershop shopper, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 19 years old
• Access to a car with insurance
• A valid driver’s license
• Clean driving record

Once your application goes through, you can browse the app for grocery orders.

Like most delivery gigs, you can choose your own schedule, which is great for flexibility. Once you find an order you like, shop for the items, and deliver them to the client. 

Cornershop drivers make an average of $16 per hour and keep 100% of their tips. While Cornershop pays less than Instacart, it’s a great option to try out when there are no Instacart batches. 

Cornershop can be a great addition to your other side hustles, as it’s a flexible gig that can help you supplement your income.

3. Amazon Flex

Amazon Flex is one of the highest-paying jobs like Instacart. It is one of the most flexible ways to make money on Amazon. 

You sign up as an independent contractor and get paid to pick up packages from Amazon warehouses and deliver them to homes in your area. 

Amazon Flex drivers must fulfill the following requirements to be approved:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Access to a vehicle with insurance
• A mid-sized or larger car
• A smartphone that runs the Amazon Flex app
• Consent to a background check

As an Amazon Flex driver, you can choose your own work schedule. You select Amazon Flex blocks, which are shifts typically lasting between two and six hours.

Each delivery block has details like the delivery type, the date, the start time, and expected earnings. 

Amazon Flex pays between $18 and $25 an hour, and you get to keep 100% of your tips. Your earnings will depend on factors like your location, time spent on delivery, and the tips you get. 

Payments are made through direct deposit every week. You can choose to get paid every day or select specific days of the week to receive your payments.

Amazon Flex only hires in cities with a demand for more drivers, so there are usually limited spots. Luckily, there are other jobs like Amazon Flex you can apply for instead.

4. Dumpling

Dumpling is a grocery delivery service with a similar business model to Instacart.

The significant difference between Dumpling and Instacart is Dumpling allows you to set the terms of your services. 

Dumpling is marketed as a platform that helps personal shoppers to launch their businesses. This means you have more control over how much you charge, what stores you go to, and what types of orders you’ll take. 

With Dumpling, you have complete control over how much you’re paid for your deliveries. Other factors determining your earnings include: 

• Location
• The time of day
• Expenses incurred
• The number of deliveries you complete

As a shopper on Dumpling, you’re in charge of building your own clientele, which means you’re not guaranteed work.

Your ability to build relationships with your customers will determine the success of your business. 

While most delivery gig apps are free, Dumpling charges you $19.99 to set up your account and a 3.9% transaction fee on every order going forward. These are the site fees, which pay for:

• Site credit card
• Business cards
• A listing on the site
• Business coaching
• Access to Dumpling’s app and search engine

5. PeaPod

Peapod is a grocery delivery service that pays you to pick up and deliver orders. 

Your job title is personal shopper, and you work as an employee rather than an independent contractor. Peapod is marketed as a cloud-based platform allowing retail grocery owners to automate their business. 

It’s one of the largest delivery apps that specializes in items like:

• Fruits
•  Fresh produce
• Vegetables
• Meat
• Spices
• Milk
• Kitchen products

Unlike Instacart, where you do the shopping, Peapod allows customers to select the store they want online, add the items to the cart, and complete the payment, all in the app.

Peapod then sends a notification to the store detailing the customer’s order and location. 

As a Peapod shopper, you’ll go to the store, collect the ordered products, and deliver the items to the customer’s doorstep within two hours. 

According to Peapod, the job requirements are:

• Attention to detail
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds without help
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

According to salary review sites, the estimated pay for Peapod personal shoppers is $16 per hour.

6. Fresh Direct

For people living in New York and its environs, Fresh Direct is an exciting opportunity. It offers next-day grocery delivery services in New York and its surrounding areas. 

FreshDirect hires delivery drivers. The advantage is you’re hired as an employee, not an independent contractor.

This means you get more job security than entrepreneurs looking to be self-employed. You also get the benefits of working for a company, like health insurance and paid time off.

These are some of the requirements for FreshDirect drivers:

• Must be 21 years and above
• A valid driver’s license
• A minimum of  two years of driving experience (van or truck experience is preferred)
• At least one-year customer service experience
• Must be available to work weekends and holidays
• Ability to deliver orders of up to 50 pounds

The average salary for FreshDirect truck drivers is $21 per hour, which is relatively good pay for delivery services. 

7. Skip the Dishes

SkipTheDishes is a Canadian food delivery service available in several cities across nine provinces. The platform allows customers to order meals from various restaurants in the country. 

The company was founded back in 2012 and has grown rapidly since then. 

To be approved to drive for SkipTheDishes, you must meet the following requirements: 

• Access to a reliable car with car insurance
• A valid driver’s license
• A smartphone that supports the SkipTheDishes app
• Thermal bags

According to the company, the amount of money you’ll make as a driver depends on the number of deliveries you make and the distance you drive for each order.

You get to keep 100% of the delivery fee and any customer tips.

On average, you can expect to earn anywhere from $12 to $18 per hour. The app lets you know your total earnings before accepting an order. 

8. DoorDash

DoorDash is another most popular job like Instacart. It’s a food and grocery delivery app currently operating in thousands of cities in the US, Canada, and Australia. 

Customers use the app to order meals from their favorite restaurants and fast food joints. 

While most jobs like DoorDash require you to have a vehicle, you can deliver for DoorDash using a bike or a scooter. To qualify as a Dasher, you must meet the following requirements: 

•  Be 18 and above
• Own a bike, car, or scooter
• A valid driver’s license and car insurance

DoorDash pay depends on several factors, including the order of the distance, the estimated completion time, and the order’s desirability.

The gig app lets you keep 100% of customer tips. There are various driver tips you can use to boost your earnings. 

DoorDash allows you to choose orders and schedule shifts based on convenience. It’s one of the most flexible delivery gigs.

Payments are made weekly via direct deposit, but you can request same-day payment for a small fee. 

Extra Reading: How To Make $500 a Week With DoorDash

9. Uber Eats

A branch of the rideshare company Uber, Uber Eats is a popular food delivery service that operates almost globally.

It’s a massively popular app like Instacart where you can sign up to make money delivering meals to people within your city. 

Like DoorDash, you can use your car, bike, or scooter to deliver meals with Uber Eats. You also get to decide when and how much you’ll work, depending on your needs. 

To qualify to work for Uber Eats, you must meet these basic requirements: 

•  Meet your driver’s minimum driving age
• A state-issued driver’s license
• Pass the background check
• Access to a vehicle that’s no more than 20 years old

You can expect to earn approximately $20 an hour as an Uber Eats driver. Some factors could increase your earnings, like delivering during peak hours or working in high-demand areas.

Extra Reading: How to Make $1,000 a Week With Uber Eats

10. Postmates

Postmates is a popular on-demand delivery app you can use to make a few extra bucks.

As a Postmates driver, you deliver a wide range of items, from food and drinks to office supplies and everyday essentials. 

With Postmates, you get the flexibility and convenience of working on your own schedule. You can also make deliveries using a car, bike, or scooter.

To qualify as a Postmates driver, you need the following:

• Access to a vehicle
• A valid driver’s license
• A high school diploma

How much you make on Postmates depends on several factors, including job type and location.

According to the site, you can make up to $25 per hour making deliveries with Postmates. However, in most cities, the hourly rate is approximately $18. 

Postmates pays its drivers weekly, on Wednesday or Thursday. You can also track your earnings on the app.

Before accepting an order, you can see how much you’ll earn for delivering it. You also get to keep 100% of customer tips. 

11. GrubHub

GrubHub is a food delivery service similar to DoorDash and Uber Eats. It’s currently available in dozens of cities across the U.S. 

The company partners with local restaurants. You can sign up to make money delivering these meals to customers within your city. 

Here are the qualifications for GrubHub drivers:

• Be 18 years and above
• Have a valid ID
• Have a legitimate driver’s license
• Pass the standard background check

As a GrubHub driver, you also get to choose your schedule. You can sign up for pre-scheduled blocks or simply log in to the app and start working. 

Your earnings depend on mileage and time. You’re paid the mileage rate for the distance you travel to pick up the meals, as well as delivering them to the customers. 

GrubHub drivers make approximately $10 to $15 per hour and keep 100% of customer tips. All payments are made weekly through direct deposit. 

12. Caviar

Caviar is a lesser-known food delivery service compared to companies like DoorDash and GrubHub.

However, the company has been around for over six years and is owned by DoorDash. It’s a reliable app like Instacart that you can use to make money as a delivery driver. 

One of the reasons Caviar is less popular is it’s only available in select cities. So before you sign up to work for Caviar, first ensure that the service operates in your city. 

If Caviar is available in your city, here are the qualifications to sign up as a driver:

• Be 18 years old and above
• Have at least two years of experience as a rideshare driver
• Own a smartphone that supports the Caviar app
• Pass Caviar’s background check
• Have car insurance

You can make up to $25 an hour plus tips as a Caviar courier. Unlike most delivery services which pay weekly, Caviar pays you immediately after every delivery. 

13. Gopuff

Gopuff is another job like Instacart. As a Gopuff driver, you’ll deliver a wide range of items, including food, snacks, drinks, alcohol, and more. 

Gopuff is available in more than 600 cities in the U.S. To qualify as a driver, you have to meet these requirements:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Have a driver’s license and vehicle insurance
• In some cases, you may have to pass an alcohol delivery course

Unlike apps like DoorDash and Instacart, where you drive to different locations to pick up the items, Gopuff has central locations where you pick up the items and deliver them to the customers.

As a Gopuff driver, you get to schedule your delivery blocks ahead of time, which is highly convenient.

You can also choose to deliver packages on-demand instead. Before you accept an order, you’ll be able to see how much you’ll earn. 

Gopuff drivers earn approximately $15 per hour and keep 100% of the customer tips. Gopuff sends payments weekly and often rewards drivers with bonuses. 

14. ParaWorks

ParaWorks is a package delivery gig you can try out. It’s a branch of Para, a popular gig economy app that shows you money-making opportunities in your area. 

ParaWorks shows you one-time package delivery gigs close to you that you can apply to. This is one of the best ways to make money with your cargo van.

You’ll get access to multiple gigs on the platform, and you can choose one based on your preference. 

Once you’ve claimed a gig, you’re paid on completion. ParaWorks has dozens of partners, and once you’re accepted to ParaWorks, you won’t need to do interviews or pass background checks before you can deliver. 

ParaWorks drivers earn $25 an hour on average, which makes the app one of the highest-paying delivery gigs. Payments are sent every week via direct deposit. 

15. TaskRabbit

TaskRabbit is one of the most popular gig economy apps where you can sign up to offer your services. 

Apps like TaskRabbit connect people needing help with Taskers in their area available for the job. One major advantage of TaskRabbit is that you can provide almost any service, including delivery. 

Taskers are required to:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a valid ID
• Pay $25 in registration fees (in select cities)

Since there are several tasks you can provide on the app, owning a car is not a necessity. You’ll need access to a reliable vehicle if you want to provide delivery services on the platform. 

Taskers get to set their own rates and keep 100% of customer tips. As such, the amount of money you make on TaskRabbit depends on you. 

Local Delivery Jobs Like Instacart

Aside from the major delivery gigs I’ve covered above, there could be local delivery jobs in your area that you can try out. Some of these services include:

• Bite Squad: Earn approximately $10 to $15 per hour with Bite Squad, a food delivery service available in several U.S. states.
• Burpy: Make up to $25 an hour delivering groceries with Burpy, a grocery delivery service based in Texas.
• Deliver That: A food and grocery delivery service operating in more than a dozen U.S. According to the company, you can make up to $25 an hour.
• Favor: Sign up for Favor, a delivery service based in Texas, and make $12 to $18 per hour, delivering food and other essentials to customers.
• Drizly: Sign up for Drizly, an alcohol delivery service, and make money working with local stores to deliver alcohol to people.
• Waitr: Join Waitr, a food delivery app, and make money delivering restaurant meals to hungry customers.
• Relay: Work with local restaurants and provide on-demand delivery services with Relay, an app currently available in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and NYC.
• Kanga: Make money helping people with delivery needs by signing up for Kanga, an Atlanta-based delivery service.

Tips To Increase Your Earnings on Jobs Like Instacart

For most of the apps that pay you to drive, you have the potential to make the most money if you have a strategy. There are measures you can put in place to boost your earnings. 

Here are a few tips and tricks to make the most out of jobs like Instacart:

Choose Your Delivery Service Wisely

Before applying for a delivery gig, carefully consider your options. Consider factors like what gigs do well in your area, how much time you have, and what fits best with your lifestyle. 

The highest-paying companies may also have the highest competition, so it’s important to have alternative options.

Invest in Customer Service

For most delivery gigs, you work for tips. Great customer service equals more tips. Treat your customers with respect and professionalism. 

Go the extra mile by communicating, separating hot and cold items for delivery, and even offering to carry the items in. You can easily make more from tips than the actual service fee.

Look Out for Bonuses and Promotions

Most delivery apps have promotions and bonuses to incentivize drivers. These usually happen at different times, so it’s important to be on the lookout. 

Bonuses often come from driving during peak seasons, delivering during harsh weather, or completing a specific number of trips in a given amount of time.

Tips To Choose the Best Instacart Alternative

Given the number of jobs like to Instacart, choosing one to apply for may be overwhelming. Here are a few factors to consider when selecting the best delivery gig:

Earning Potential

The first factor you must consider when choosing a delivery gig is earning potential. Ideally, you should choose the highest-paying option on your list.

However, sometimes these are also the gigs with the highest competition, so it may be hard to find spots.

Set your financial goals, and then find a delivery gig that fits your needs. When you have specific financial goals, you can be more selective.

Flexibility

If you’re looking for a full-time delivery gig, then flexibility is not a priority. However, if you want a side hustle to supplement your day job, then the gig you choose must have a flexible model. 

Fortunately, most delivery gigs allow you to work on your own schedule.

Your Location

Which delivery gig has the biggest market share in your area? This is an important factor that can help you choose the best side hustle for you. 

The most popular delivery gig in your area could also be the most lucrative because it has many customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Instacart Pay Daily?

Instacart pays weekly via direct deposit. As a full-service shopper, you can use the Instacart Instant Cash Out option, where your earnings are transferred to your debit card in as little as two hours after completing the batch. 

The Instant Cash Out option charges $0.50 per transaction.

Can You Make $1,000 a Week Doing Instacart?

As an Instacart shopper, you can make approximately $200 to $1,000 a week, depending on factors like your role, the number of batches you complete, and customer tips. 

Most shoppers prefer bigger batches as they tend to pay more. Your efficiency as a shopper is another crucial factor.

Who Is Better, DoorDash or Instacart?

Instacart and DoorDash are pretty similar, so it all depends on your preference.

You can earn between $15 and $25 on Instacart based on factors like your location, job role, and tips. On the other hand, DoorDash pays a steadier $23 per hour.

Is Instacart Still Worth Doing?

Instacart is a worthwhile delivery gig. It’s a legitimate platform where you can make at least $15 an hour working as an in-store or full-service shopper.

Instacart also offers the flexibility of determining your schedule based on convenience.

What Delivery Makes the Most Money?

GoShare is one of the best delivery services to work for, especially if you have a large vehicle. GoShare drivers earn up to $100 an hour for helping people move.

The larger your vehicle, the more things you can carry and the more money you make per hour.

Final Thoughts

There are several jobs like Instacart where you can get paid to shop and deliver items, ranging from food and groceries to furniture and appliances.

These delivery gigs are great side hustles that can help you work toward achieving your financial goals.

As an independent contractor, you determine how much you make. The more hours you work, the more money you earn.

When you choose the right app and put in the effort, you’ll make good money in no time.

Happy side hustling!

Want more money-making ideas? Read these posts:

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