Uber Eats Vs DoorDash! Which One Pays Better

If you’re thinking about making some extra cash and you’ve got a car, bike, or scooter, why not consider delivering food? You might be wondering which app to use for this: DoorDash or UberEats.

Both are big names in the food delivery world, not just in the US but globally.

Though, we don’t have a straightforward answer about which platform is better for drivers. It really depends on where you are, what you prefer, and how many orders you can get. But, we’ll give you a balanced look at the good and the bad of both DoorDash and UberEats, so you can make an informed choice.

We will compare them on several key points, like what you need to start driving for them, where they’re available, how much you can make, choosing your work hours, and the kind of support you get as a driver.

Plus, we’ve got real talk from drivers who’ve worked with both to help you figure out which one suits you best.

So, let’s get into it!

Which One Pays More

When you’re thinking about driving for DoorDash or Uber Eats, one big question is: how much money can you make?

So we are at it straight away, because probably this will be the biggest factor for any driver to choose one over the other. First, let’s break down their pay structures, including base pay, tips, and other costs, and see what real drivers have to say.

Extra Reading: How much exactly do Uber Eats drivers make?

Extra Reading: How much does Dashers earn in a week?

Base Pay: The Starting Point

• DoorDash: Drivers get a base pay for each delivery, ranging from $2 to $10. This depends on things like how far you have to go and how popular the order is. Plus, DoorDash shows you the least amount you’ll make from an order upfront, including your base pay and the customer’s tip. But tips can change if the customer decides to add or take it away after delivery.
• Uber Eats: Here, drivers get a base fare for each delivery, usually between $2 and $4, depending on where you are. They also add extra money for longer trips or when there’s a lot of demand. Unlike DoorDash, Uber Eats only shows you the base fare and an estimate of the time and distance before you accept an order.

Surge Pricing

• DoorDash’s Peak Pay: This means extra money (about $1 to $5) on top of your base pay for deliveries in busy areas and times. DoorDash lets you know where and when these Peak Pay zones are.
• Uber Eats’ Surge: This multiplies your base fare and extra trip money by a certain amount (like 1.2x to 3x) in busy areas and times. This can change depending on how many orders and drivers are around.

Bonuses and Incentives

• DoorDash: They have Challenge Bonuses for completing a set number of deliveries in a certain time and Referral Bonuses for getting new drivers to sign up.
• Uber Eats: They offer Quest Bonuses for hitting delivery targets, Boost Bonuses that increase your earnings for deliveries in certain areas and times, and also Referral Bonuses.

Tips

• Drivers keep all their tips from both DoorDash and Uber Eats. Some drivers mention that Uber Eats customers might tip better than DoorDash ones, possibly because Uber Eats suggests tipping a percentage of the order total, while DoorDash suggests fixed dollar amounts.

In the end, how much you make with DoorDash vs. Uber Eats depends on loads of things: your location, the specific orders, the time, how far you’re driving, tips, bonuses, and your own expenses.

Generally, DoorDash might pay more per order, but Uber Eats can pay more per hour due to more orders. DoorDash has a lower minimum order but fewer promos than Uber Eats. Also, DoorDash gives you more vehicle options, while Uber Eats has more restaurant choices.

The best way to figure out which works better for you is to try them both and compare what you earn over a couple of weeks. Most drivers I talk to use both options because both can be slow at times and you can cherry-pick orders by using both apps. Most drivers over time learn the patterns and know when they will get better deals on which app.

Payment Schedule: Uber Eats vs DoorDash

When considering a side hustle in food delivery with Uber Eats and DoorDash, understanding when you’ll get paid is crucial. Let’s break down the payment schedules of both platforms to give you a clearer picture:

Uber Eats Payment Schedule

1. Weekly Payments: Uber Eats typically pays its drivers once a week. The pay period usually is Monday to Sunday, and the payment is processed and sent to your bank account by Wednesday or Thursday. This schedule means you can expect your earnings in your bank account by the end of the week.
2. Instant Pay: For quicker access to your earnings, Uber Eats offers an Instant Pay feature. With Instant Pay, you can withdraw your earnings up to five times a day. This option requires you to have a debit card linked to your Uber Eats account. There’s a small fee for each withdrawal, but it allows you to get paid whenever you need the money. However, if you use Uber Pro card, you get paid after each delivery free of charge.

DoorDash Payment Schedule

1. Weekly Direct Deposit: Like Uber Eats, DoorDash also processes payments weekly. DoorDash’s pay period ends on Sunday night, and the earnings are directly deposited into your bank account on the following Monday. However, it can take 2-3 days for the funds to appear in your account, depending on your bank.
2. DasherDirect Card: DoorDash offers a DasherDirect Business Prepaid Visa Card, which allows you to get paid after every dash. This card automatically adds your earnings from each delivery, and you can use it like a regular debit card. Additionally, it offers cashback on certain purchases.
3. Fast Pay: For those who prefer to receive their earnings more frequently, DoorDash provides the Fast Pay service. With Fast Pay, you can transfer your earnings to a debit card with a $1.99 fee. The funds are typically available within minutes. This service allows you to withdraw your earnings once a day.

Both Uber Eats and DoorDash provide flexibility in how and when you get paid, catering to the needs of drivers who prefer weekly payments or immediate access to their earnings. Uber Eats’ Instant Pay and DoorDash’s Fast Pay or DasherDirect are great options for drivers who need their earnings immediately.

Extra Reading: DoorDash vs Instacart

History of Both Companies

DoorDash started in 2013 and now leads the US food delivery market. With a huge 65% of the market in 2023, it’s connected to over 480,000 eating joints and shops in more than 8,000 cities across the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Germany. But DoorDash isn’t just about food; in some places, you can also deliver groceries, alcohol, pet stuff, and more.

UberEats, born a year later in 2014, is run by Uber, the folks behind the famous cab service. It’s the runner-up in the US market, holding a 23% share in 2023. UberEats got bigger when it joined forces with Postmates in 2020, boosting its reach to over 800,000 restaurants in more than 10,000 cities all over the world, including spots like Puerto Rico, Brazil, Egypt, and Germany. While it’s mostly about food, you can also deliver groceries in certain cities.

Requirements for DoorDash Vs Uber Eats

If you’re thinking about delivering food with DoorDash or Uber Eats, there are a few things you need to know about what’s required.

Both have rules about your age, the kind of vehicle you can use, and they’ll check your background too.

Let’s look at these requirements in a simple way and see how you can start driving.

How Old Do You Need to Be?

Both DoorDash and Uber Eats need you to be at least 18 to deliver. But, Uber Eats lets 16-year-olds deliver on bikes or on foot in some places. That’s handy for younger folks who don’t drive yet.

What Can You Use to Deliver?

• You can use cars, bikes, scooters, or motorcycles for both DoorDash and Uber Eats. But, the rules might change based on where you live. You might need specific insurance or a special type of registration. Check DoorDash and Uber Eats websites for your area’s details.
• If you’re driving a car, you need a valid license and a clean driving record. Your car should be in good shape and meet your city’s age requirements. Uber Eats wants you to have at least a year of driving experience, or three years if you’re under 23.
• For bikes, scooters, or motorcycles, you don’t always need a driver’s license, but you do need a valid ID. Also, get a helmet, a phone mount, and a bag to keep the food warm.

Background Checks

Both apps require a background check. They’ll look at your criminal and driving records. You’ll need to give your Social Security number and agree to the check online. It can take a few days, depending on how many people are applying and other factors.

Signing Up: How to Get Started

• Download the DoorDash or Uber Eats app and set up your account. You’ll need to give some personal info and upload documents like your ID, driver’s license, and insurance.
• After you pass the background check, you’ll get a welcome kit with a delivery bag, a card for paying for orders, and a sticker for your vehicle.
• Once you have your kit and activate your card, you’re ready to start. You can pick up delivery requests from the app, plan your work hours, and track your earnings and tips.

Extra Reading: How to bypass the DoorDash waitlist?

What Drivers Say

• A Reddit user prefers DoorDash for more orders and better pay in their area. They find Uber Eats has too many drivers and less consistent tips.
• A Quora user likes Uber Eats for its wider choice of restaurants and quicker deliveries. They feel DoorDash can be slow.
• Another Reddit user works for both apps, switching based on demand and promotions. Sometimes they even use both apps at once to get more orders.
• A Quora user switched from DoorDash to Uber Eats for better support and clearer ratings. They found DoorDash’s system vague and unfair.

So, whether it’s DoorDash vs Uber Eats pay and more, the choice depends on your situation. Both are two top players and you can’t just dismiss one based on unconvincing reviews available. I said unconvincing because reviews vary drastically from one location to another. A driver at one location had mentioned that in his area Uber Eats did not have any orders and DoorDash was busy, while another driver from another location had a completely different experience.

So my advice is to try both to see which works better for you!

Order Availability

When you’re choosing between DoorDash and Uber Eats for food delivery driving, another big thing to think about is how many orders you can get in your area.

The more orders, the more money you can make. Let’s compare DoorDash and Uber Eats in terms of where they are available and how popular they are, and hear what some drivers have to say about their experiences.

DoorDash is a Big Player in the U.S.

DoorDash is the top dog in the U.S. food delivery scene, holding a 65% market share as of late 2023. It’s in over 8,000 cities across all 50 states, and also in Canada, Australia, and Japan. DoorDash works with more than 480,000 restaurants, including big names like Chipotle, McDonald’s, and Starbucks.

Extra Reading: How to get more orders on DoorDash?

Uber Eats Have Global Reach

Uber Eats is second in the U.S., with a 23% market share. But it’s in more than 10,000 cities across 45 countries, including places like Brazil, France, and India. Uber Eats has partnerships with over 800,000 restaurants, including Subway, KFC, and Pizza Hut.

In the U.S., DoorDash might have an edge in availability, while Uber Eats has a broader global presence. However, the number of orders can vary based on where you are, the time, and demand.

Checking the Demand

• DoorDash drivers can see demand in the Dasher app, with a color-coded map showing busy zones and potential pay, including base and peak pay. They can also schedule shifts in busy areas.
• Uber Eats drivers use the Uber Driver app to see demand, with a color-coded map and surge multipliers. They can also get notifications for high-demand times.

Other Factors Affecting Orders

• Things like peak meal times, weather, holidays, and special events can change order availability on both apps. Drivers can also benefit from each platform’s promotions and incentives.

So, in the case of availability, DoorDash is a winner in the US covering a higher percentage of total orders (~45%). while Uber Eats is globally available but is number two to DoorDash in the US. Trying both apps might be a good way to see which suits you better in terms of pay and order availability.

Flexibility of Job

When you’re deciding between driving for DoorDash or Uber Eats, how you can set up your work schedule is a big deal.

Both let you work as your own boss, meaning you can choose when to work. But, there are some differences in how you can plan your work or just start working when you feel like it.

DoorDash: Plan Ahead or Jump In

• Scheduling in Advance: DoorDash lets you book your delivery times a week ahead. This is called “scheduling a Dash.” You pick the times and places you want to work and see how much you might earn, including any extra pay for busy times. This is great for getting more orders when it’s busy.
• Flexible Option: You can also deliver whenever you want with “Dash Now” if there are orders available. This is called “dashing without a schedule.” It’s more flexible, but how much you work depends on how many orders are out there.

Drivers have mixed feelings about it as some like to schedule ahead and want some degree of certainty in this flexible gig. For example, people who are inherently lazy and who need to drag themselves out of bed, at least know that they need to go to pre-scheduled shifts otherwise they may not get any work.

Many feel the need to schedule a week ahead as restrictive and totally counter-affecting to the notion of flexibility which drew them to this gig economy job.

Uber Eats: Total Flexibility

• No Scheduling System: Uber Eats doesn’t have a way to schedule your work. You just log in or out of the app whenever you want. You get orders based on where you are and if you’re online.
• No Boundaries: There aren’t specific zones for Uber Eats drivers. You can deliver anywhere within the restaurant’s and customer’s range.

Uber Eats is simpler but can mean less control over how much you earn.

You might have busy or slow times, and sometimes you might have to travel longer distances. Uber Eats does offer extra pay during busy times and promotions, but they’re not always there.

One Reddit user shared that he enjoys the simplicity and choice of when and where to deliver, plus the bonus pay at peak times.

In the case of flexibility of the job, Uber Eats is a winner, but ultimately it comes down to how you want to work. Some might like to plan their work for more orders and pay, while others might prefer the freedom to work whenever they want. The best choice depends on what you’re looking for in a delivery job.

Extra Reading: Does DoorDash or Uber Eats pay for gas?

Support

When you’re driving for a food delivery app like DoorDash or Uber Eats, you might need help with problems or questions. Let’s look at how these two apps help their drivers and what kind of customer service they offer.

DoorDash Driver Support

• Chat and Phone Support: DoorDash has a chat system in its app and a 24/7 phone line. You can find these by clicking the question mark in the app. There’s also an email for general questions.
• Help Center and Community Forum: On DoorDash’s website, there’s a Help Center with FAQs, tips, and rules. Drivers can also talk to other drivers in the Dasher Community Forum.
• Contacting Customers: You can call or text customers through the app for things like order details or delivery updates.

What DoorDash drivers say:

• Some find DoorDash support helpful and quick to solve problems.
• Others say it’s inconsistent, with some support staff not being very helpful.
• Some drivers feel the support is poor, with long waits and unhelpful responses.

Uber Eats Driver Support

• Phone Support: Uber Eats drivers can call a support number or get phone help through the app.
• Online Help Center: There’s a Help Center with lots of info, videos, and a way to send support requests.
• Contacting Customers: Like DoorDash, you can call or message customers through the app for any delivery questions. Keep your personal info private.

What Uber Eats drivers say:

• Some say Uber Eats support is pretty good and responds quickly.
• Others find the support okay but sometimes limited in what they can do.
• Some drivers feel the support is bad, blaming drivers for issues without offering much help.

Both DoorDash and Uber Eats let you talk directly to customers, which is useful for quick problem-solving during deliveries. Plus they have dedicated support teams to help resolve your issues. However, I would suggest you keep proof of things like delivery to resolve false claims.

Extra Reading: Best food delivery apps to work for.

Final Words on DoorDash Vs Uber Eats

Both platforms provide opportunities for anyone seeking extra income, with each platform catering to different preferences. DoorDash typically offers higher base pay per delivery, while Uber Eats often provides a greater volume of orders, potentially leading to higher overall earnings.

The choice between the two depends largely on individual needs and location, as DoorDash dominates in the US market, whereas Uber Eats has a wider global presence.

Flexibility in scheduling is another key difference, with DoorDash allowing week-ahead scheduling, and Uber Eats offering the freedom to work anytime without pre-scheduling.

Many drivers choose to work with both platforms to maximize their earnings and benefits, embracing the freedom and diverse experiences that come with being a food delivery driver.

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