These days it’s fairly easy to find grocery delivery service gigs. However, it doesn’t mean that you want to start working with just any app. With grocery delivery drivers in high demand, you can represent a brand that offers the best driver experience and increase your income.

Shipt and Instacart are two of the largest grocery delivery services to choose from. So, which one should you choose? Just because these are two of the biggest and most well-known does not mean that either one of them will automatically be a good fit for you.

Before you get started, it is a good idea to do a comparison of each of these brands. That way, you can come to an informed decision about which one is going to be the best choice for you as a delivery driver.

Instacart or Shipt – How They Measure Up

How do Instacart and Shipt perform in the following categories?

Job Availability – Which is Better Instacart or Shipt?

When signing up as a grocery delivery driver, one of the first things to consider is whether the platform is widely available in your area. Shipt is available in two hundred and sixty cities in the US. It covers all states except for West Virginia and Alaska. Instacart is even more widely available, in over five thousand cities. It has markets in all fifty US states plus Canada.

This means that most, if not all, of Shipt’s operations will overlap with Instacart. On the other hand, Instacart has several other markets that drivers can choose from. Along with this, Instacart is more popular with customers, with over seven hundred thousand downloads per month compared to just over two hundred thousand downloads of Shipt.

As Instacart has a larger availability and customer base, it is likely to take on more drivers and provide more jobs.

Is Shipt Better Than Instacart for Shopper Requirements?

When you choose to become a shopper with Instacart or Shipt, you will need to first meet certain requirements before you can start driving. The requirements for both platforms are:

• Be at least 18
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Have a car or other vehicle that is registered and insured in your state
• Be able to lift forty pounds
• Pass a background check

Along with this, if you are applying to Shipt, you will also need to pass an interview. If you want to drive for Shipt, you may also be required to have a newer Android smartphone. The shopper app is only compatible with Android 5.1 and above. In comparison, Instacart works with Android 4.4 and above. Both apps are compatible with iOS 10 or higher if you use an iPhone.

Instacart does not have any set requirements for vehicles. However, if driving with Shipt, you will need a car that is 1997 or newer. Instacart also offers jobs for certain grocery stores that don’t require a vehicle. All you need to do is shop and pack for pickup orders.

Shipt requires drivers to wear a company-issued uniform when making shopping and delivery trips. On the other hand, Instacart has a flexible dress code. You can wear any casual clothing as long as you wear safe, closed-toe shoes.

Which is Better – Shipt or Instacart for the Shopping and Delivery Process

You may have some preferences for where you want to shop as a Shipt or Instacart shopper. Consider which retail brands are partnered with each platform. Both work with large national brands like Costco, Petco, Kroger, CVS Pharmacy, and Safeway.

With Instacart, however, you may need to go to any of almost two hundred retail partners around the city including chains like ALDI and Publix. Shipt works with fewer partners including Target and might be a better choice if you want to avoid traveling across the city.

Aside from the differences in the stores where you will be shopping, the basic delivery process is pretty much identical for both. You will accept a delivery request ahead of time and then go to the grocery store. The shopping list can be accessed from your app, and you will get the requested items. Check out with a shopper card issued by the company and take the groceries to the drop off location within the requested time frame.

You will usually have plenty of time to get the groceries and drop them off since both apps offer a one-hour delivery as the shortest timeframe option.

What is Better Shipt or Instacart for Earnings

Whatever job you choose to do, the amount of money you can earn is a huge factor. This also applies when looking for grocery shopping gigs. Data shows that Instacart and Shipt drivers make an average of around $11 per hour.

When you drive for Instacart or Shipt, you will be classed as an independent contractor. This means that you will need to manage your own income taxes and self-employment taxes.

You will receive 100% of any tips that you make on either platform. However, how the earnings are calculated is where the difference is. Shipt shoppers receive $5 along with 7.5% of the order total before delivery and service fees. Instacart’s algorithm is more complicated. It often changes, but factors in item types, item amounts, and store locations. As a result, Instacart is better at paying drivers according to the amount of time and effort that they put into working. There are also more bonuses for working during peak hours or getting five-star ratings.

Driver Support – Is Shipt or Instacart Better?

It is important to be able to get in touch with somebody who can support you if you have any issues working for the app. Whether you are dealing with an order problem or issues with your app, quick support is necessary.

Instacart offers support by phone around the clock. You can also email Community Support members for less urgent queries or get in touch with them on Facebook and Twitter. However, bear in mind that social media is not an official support channel for the company.

You can also get 24/7 phone support from Shipt and email support. These are both available through the shopper app. Although you are not guaranteed a response, you can also get in touch on Facebook and Twitter. Where Shipt is different to Instacart is that there is round-the-clock live chat support that you can access from the bottom right-hand corner of the website.

Which is Best For Shoppers?

While both of these options are good choices for grocery delivery drivers, Instacart is a better option. With Instacart, you can easily start your shopper gig from pretty much anywhere in the US or Canada. Although the companies both pay around the same, you can earn more with Instacart. This is because Instacart makes it easier to earn extra with bonuses.

Along with this, Instacart is more well-known compared to Shipt, meaning that you can get more delivery requests. But on the other hand, Shipt might be better if you have preferences when it comes to the number of stores you want to visit. You also have access to live chat support with Shipt, which is not available with Instacart.

FAQs

Now that you know more about the differences between Instacart and Shipt, here are some answers to common questions to help you choose the right one for you.

Where are Instacart and Shipt located?

Both services are available in most major US cities. Instacart is more widely available than Shipt and is also available in Canada. You can view a full list of locations on their websites.

Are there any alternatives?

If neither Instacart nor Shipt are appealing options to you as a grocery delivery driver, there are some alternative options to consider. Amazon Fresh is a good choice that you can sign up to deliver as an Amazon Flex driver. Or, you can deliver with Whole Foods Market. Additionally, check out local or regional grocery delivery services in your area.

Can I work full-time?

As an independent contractor, you can choose the hours you want to work with Shipt or Instacart. You can work either full-time or part-time if you like. However, bear in mind that your hours might be determined by the demand in your market.

Do I get benefits?

Remember that as you are a self-employed contractor, you will not qualify for benefits. This could include things like sick pay and holiday pay. It’s important to make sure that you plan for these instances yourself. This applies even if you are working for Instacart or Shipt full-time.

Every day, thousands of customers use Shipt and Instacart for grocery delivery. It is a great way to make money shopping and delivering groceries in your spare time or as a full-time job. Instacart is more widely available, but both have plenty of flexible options for earning cash. And unlike driving for Uber or Lyft, you get to go inside stores and shop, giving you an opportunity to stay healthier.