Best Delivery Apps in 2026: 8 Apps Compared

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By the Ainotely Editorial Team.
Updated October 2026. 8 min read. Prices and features researched from each vendor's official pages and app store listings at time of writing.
Best Delivery Apps
Quick picks
  1. 1DoorDash logo
    DoorDashBroadest restaurant and store coverage
    Visit
  2. 2Uber Eats logo
    Uber EatsUber users and broad coverage
    Visit
  3. 3Grubhub logo
    GrubhubRestaurant delivery and loyalty
    Visit
  4. 4Instacart logo
    InstacartGrocery delivery
    Visit
  5. 5Amazon Fresh logo
    Amazon FreshPrime grocery delivery
    Visit
Short version:
In this guide Quick comparisonThe best delivery appsHow we picked theseWhat to check before you orderFrequently asked questionsSources

Quick comparison

ProductIdeal forPrice fromFree version
DoorDashBroadest restaurant and store coverageFreeYesVisit
Uber EatsUber users and broad coverageFreeYesVisit
GrubhubRestaurant delivery and loyaltyFreeYesVisit
InstacartGrocery deliveryFreeYesVisit
Amazon FreshPrime grocery deliveryFreeYesVisit
Walmart GroceryWalmart grocery delivery and pickupFreeYesVisit
GoPuffFast convenience deliveryFreeYesVisit
Favor DeliveryTexas-focused deliveryFreeYesVisit

The best delivery apps

Delivery apps now cover restaurants, groceries, convenience items and retail, and the best app depends on what you order and where you live. Coverage, fees and restaurant range vary by city, so the rankings below reflect broad US availability. We compared official fee pages, feature lists and public reviews.

DoorDash logo
#1

DoorDash

Ideal for: Broadest restaurant and store coverage

DoorDash app screenshots
App Store screenshots

DoorDash is our pick for most users because its coverage is the broadest in the US, spanning restaurants, groceries, convenience stores and retail in most cities. Ordering is easy, delivery tracking is clear, and DashPass membership lowers delivery and service fees for frequent users. For a household that orders varied items, DoorDash is the most likely to have what you want nearby.

Fees are the catch. Delivery fees, service fees and tips can add a large percentage to a restaurant bill, and some menu prices exceed in-store prices. Compare the checkout total across apps for the same order, and use DashPass only if you order often enough to offset its monthly cost.

The good and the bad
  • Broadest US restaurant and store coverage
  • DashPass membership for lower fees
  • Fast delivery in most cities
  • Fees and tips add significantly to menu prices
  • Restaurant prices may exceed in-store prices
Uber Eats logo
#2

Uber Eats

Ideal for: Uber users and broad coverage

Uber Eats website
uber.com homepage

Uber Eats suits users already on Uber, since the same account, payment methods and membership carry over. Coverage is broad in major cities, restaurant range is strong, and Uber One membership offers lower fees and discounts for frequent orderers. Delivery tracking and scheduling are polished.

Fees match DoorDash in many cases, so neither app is consistently cheaper. Restaurant range varies by city, with DoorDash sometimes stronger in smaller markets. If you already use Uber for rides, Uber Eats is the convenient default.

The good and the bad
  • Broad coverage
  • Integrates with Uber app and account
  • Uber One membership benefits
  • Fees similar to DoorDash
  • Restaurant range varies by city
Grubhub logo
#3

Grubhub

Ideal for: Restaurant delivery and loyalty

Grubhub app screenshots
App Store screenshots

Grubhub focuses on restaurant delivery, with a long history in US cities and loyalty perks through Grubhub Plus. It suits users who mainly order restaurant meals and want a restaurant-first app rather than a general delivery marketplace. Perks and offers can lower costs for regular users.

Coverage is thinner than DoorDash in some smaller cities, and fees vary by restaurant and time. Check Grubhub for your favorite restaurants first, since its strength is restaurant depth in cities where it is established, not universal coverage.

The good and the bad
  • Strong restaurant focus
  • Grubhub Plus membership
  • Loyalty perks in many areas
  • Coverage is thinner than DoorDash in some cities
  • Fees vary by restaurant
Instacart logo
#4

Instacart

Ideal for: Grocery delivery

Instacart is our pick for grocery delivery, covering major grocery chains, warehouse stores, pharmacies and specialty shops in most US areas. Shoppers communicate about replacements in real time, same-day delivery is standard in many cities, and scheduled delivery windows suit weekly shopping. For a full grocery order, Instacart beats restaurant apps.

Grocery prices on Instacart can exceed in-store prices, and delivery fees, service fees and tips add to the bill. Instacart Plus membership lowers fees for frequent shoppers. Compare the full checkout total with Walmart Grocery or Amazon Fresh for your usual shop before choosing.

The good and the bad
  • Broad grocery store coverage
  • Shopper communication and replacements
  • Same-day delivery
  • Grocery prices may exceed in-store prices
  • Fees, tips and markups add up
Amazon Fresh logo
#5

Amazon Fresh

Ideal for: Prime grocery delivery

Amazon Fresh suits Prime members who want grocery delivery alongside Amazon shopping. It offers fresh groceries, household goods and Amazon products in one order in covered cities, with scheduled delivery windows. For a Prime household, adding grocery delivery to an existing membership is convenient.

Availability varies by city, and the best value needs a Prime membership, which costs extra if you do not already have it. In cities without Amazon Fresh, Instacart or Walmart Grocery are better grocery picks.

The good and the bad
  • Grocery delivery for Prime members
  • Amazon product range alongside groceries
  • Scheduled windows
  • Availability varies by city
  • Prime membership needed for best value
Walmart Grocery logo
#6

Walmart Grocery

Ideal for: Walmart grocery delivery and pickup

Walmart Grocery, through Walmart's delivery and pickup service, suits budget-conscious grocery shoppers. Walmart's grocery prices are often lower than Instacart's marked-up prices, pickup is free in many areas, and delivery covers most US locations. Walmart Plus membership adds free delivery benefits for frequent users.

Delivery slots vary by area and time, and the service is grocery-focused, so restaurant orders need another app. For weekly groceries on a budget, Walmart Grocery is often the cheapest full-basket option.

The good and the bad
  • Low grocery prices
  • Delivery and free pickup options
  • Broad store coverage
  • Delivery slots vary by area
  • App experience is grocery-focused, not restaurant
GoPuff logo
#7

GoPuff

Ideal for: Fast convenience delivery

GoPuff suits late-night and convenience orders: snacks, drinks, household essentials and over-the-counter items delivered in minutes from local micro-fulfillment centers. Delivery is often faster than restaurant or grocery apps, and minimum orders are low. For a quick essentials run without leaving home, GoPuff is hard to beat on speed.

The range is convenience items, not a full grocery shop or restaurant meal, and availability varies by city. Use GoPuff for fast essentials, and DoorDash or Instacart for meals and full groceries.

The good and the bad
  • Very fast delivery for snacks, drinks and essentials
  • Late-night availability
  • Low minimums
  • Range is convenience items, not full groceries or restaurants
  • Availability varies by city
Favor Delivery logo
#8

Favor Delivery

Ideal for: Texas-focused delivery

Favor Delivery suits Texans, with strong coverage across Texas cities for restaurants, groceries and essentials through a local runner model. Runners can handle custom requests beyond standard app orders, which suits users who want a personal delivery service. For a Texas resident, Favor is a strong local alternative to national apps.

It only operates in Texas, so users elsewhere should choose DoorDash, Uber Eats or Instacart. Within Texas, compare Favor's fees and restaurant range with DoorDash for your city before settling on one app.

The good and the bad
  • Strong Texas coverage
  • Restaurant and grocery delivery
  • Local runner model
  • Limited to Texas markets
  • Smaller national presence

How we picked these

We compared official fee pages, coverage information and public reviews for delivery apps available in the US in October 2026. We favored apps with broad coverage, clear fees, and a working official homepage. We left out apps we could not verify as live or broadly available.

What to check before you order

Compare the checkout total, not the menu price. Delivery fees, service fees, small order fees and tips vary by app, restaurant, time and membership, so the cheapest menu can become the most expensive order. For the same restaurant and items, check two apps before ordering, especially for larger orders.

Memberships only save if you order often

DashPass, Uber One and Instacart Plus lower per-order fees, but each has a monthly cost. Divide the monthly fee by your usual per-order saving to find the break-even order count, and cancel if your ordering slows. Pickup, where available, often beats any delivery membership on cost.

Try the free tier for a full week before paying

The free tier or trial for most apps in this list is enough to judge whether the app fits your routine, but only if you use it for a full week rather than an afternoon. Set it up properly on day one, including notifications, reminders, and any import from your current app, so the trial reflects real use instead of a half-finished setup. Use it at the same times you would normally use such an app, and note what annoys you by day three, since small annoyances grow into reasons to quit. Check whether your data exports cleanly, whether the app works offline when you need it, and whether support answers a real question promptly. If the app still earns its place after a week of honest use, the paid plan is an easy decision, and if it does not, you have saved a subscription you would have cancelled later.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best delivery app?

DoorDash is our pick for most users, thanks to its broad US coverage for restaurants and stores. Uber Eats suits Uber users, Grubhub suits restaurant-focused ordering, and Instacart suits grocery delivery.

Which delivery app is cheapest?

It depends on the order, city and membership. Compare checkout totals across DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub for restaurants, and Instacart versus Walmart Grocery for groceries, since fees and markups vary by order.

Is DashPass or Uber One worth it?

Yes, if you order often enough that fee savings exceed the monthly cost. Frequent orderers usually break even within a few orders per month, while occasional orderers save more by paying per order or choosing pickup.

Can I get groceries delivered same day?

Yes, Instacart, Walmart Grocery and Amazon Fresh all offer same-day grocery delivery in covered areas, with scheduled windows. Availability and slot times vary by city and store.

How much should I tip a delivery driver?

Tipping norms vary, but many users tip 15 to 20 percent for restaurant delivery and a similar share or a flat amount for groceries, adjusted for distance, weather and order size. Drivers rely on tips as a major part of earnings, so tip fairly for good service.

Sources

  1. https://www.doordash.com
  2. https://www.uber.com
  3. https://www.grubhub.com
  4. https://www.instacart.com
  5. https://www.amazon.com
  6. https://www.walmart.com
  7. https://gopuff.com
  8. https://favordelivery.com