Amazon Flex offers a solid way to earn $18-$25 per hour delivering packages on your schedule. 

But with limited availability, waitlists, and competitive slots, smart gig workers diversify across multiple platforms. 

Whether you're a student, parent, or anyone needing extra cash, plenty of alternatives let you earn on your own terms. 

From food delivery and grocery shopping to courier services and specialized transport, these 12 Amazon Flex alternatives give you freedom to work when you want while keeping your income flowing.

Instacart – Grocery Shopping & Delivery

Instacart pays you to shop for groceries and deliver them to customers. It's similar to Amazon Flex's grocery delivery component (Amazon Fresh), but you personally do the shopping.

This platform works well as an Amazon Flex alternative because you can take on-demand orders rather than pre-scheduled blocks.

Instacart Shoppers typically make $15–$20 per hour in busy areas, and you keep 100% of customer tips, which can significantly boost your earnings.

To get started, you need to be 18+ with a reliable vehicle (for full-service shoppers) and the ability to lift around 40 lbs of groceries. It's perfect for people who enjoy a more interactive job since you're shopping in stores rather than just delivering.

The best part?

Instacart can be your fallback if Amazon Flex has you on a waitlist. It's widely available across the U.S. and even in Canada, giving you broad opportunities to earn.

DoorDash – Restaurant Food Delivery

DoorDash is North America's leading food delivery app, connecting drivers ("Dashers") with restaurant takeout orders. Instead of Amazon packages, you're bringing meals to hungry customers.

Dashers earn around $20 per hour on average with tips in many markets. During peak meal times, experienced Dashers can exceed this thanks to DoorDash's high order volume.

Your earnings come from base pay per order plus tips, so income fluctuates with demand and customer generosity.

What makes DoorDash stand out is its flexibility.

You can "Dash Now" whenever it's busy or schedule shifts in advance.

Unlike Amazon Flex, there are no set blocks, making it easier to start working anytime. You also have vehicle flexibility – deliver via car, bike, or scooter in many cities, which is great if you don't have a qualifying car for Amazon Flex.

Requirements include being 18+ with a valid driver's license, auto insurance, and a smartphone. A background check is required but typically processes quickly.

For best results, deliver during peak lunch and dinner hours and use DoorDash Driver perks like fuel discounts to maximize profit.

While Amazon Flex pays a flat rate per block (no tipping required), DoorDash relies on tips but lets you work anytime.

Uber Eats – On-Demand Food Delivery

Uber's food delivery platform lets you deliver takeout orders using a car, scooter, or bike. It's one of the largest gig apps, available in most U.S. cities and globally.

Like Amazon Flex, Uber Eats offers flexible scheduling – simply go online in the app whenever you want to work.

A key advantage over Flex is no pre-scheduled blocks: log in anytime and start accepting delivery requests, making it ultra-flexible for side hustlers.

Drivers typically earn $15–$20 per hour in many markets, including tips.

Payment happens weekly, with an option for instant cash-out (for a small fee) after each delivery. Uber Eats pay can surge during busy meal times or through promotions ("Boosts" or "Quests").

Pros include high demand (especially in urban areas) and the ability to combine with Uber rideshare if qualified. The main con is variable earnings due to traffic delays or low-tip orders.

Unlike Amazon Flex's fixed route, Uber Eats involves waiting at restaurants or drive-thrus, which some find inefficient.

For best results, leverage peak times and dense delivery zones for the best income. Uber's incentives (like challenges for completing X deliveries) can also boost your earnings significantly.

Grubhub – Food Delivery Service

Grubhub is another popular food delivery app operating across many U.S. cities. Drivers pick up restaurant orders and drop them off to customers, similar to DoorDash and Uber Eats.

You'll typically earn $12–$15 per hour on average, though earnings can be higher with tips during busy hours. It tends to pay slightly less than Uber Eats or DoorDash, but makes a solid extra option to keep busy when working other apps.

Many drivers run Grubhub alongside DoorDash/Uber Eats (multi-apping) to fill downtime. If one app slows down, Grubhub orders can supplement your income – it's a way to "not put all eggs in one basket."

Grubhub has an established customer base, and you get paid weekly via direct deposit. No scheduling is required – sign on anytime (though scheduling blocks can sometimes get priority access to orders in some markets).

The platform may have fewer orders in some areas compared to larger competitors. Driver requirements are similar to other apps (must be 18+, have a license and insurance, pass a background check).

Both Grubhub and Amazon Flex offer weekly pay and require good time management, but Grubhub's on-demand model differs from Flex's block scheduling. This means more flexibility, but no guaranteed minimum pay per hour like a Flex block might provide.

Walmart Spark – Grocery & Retail Delivery

Walmart's delivery platform (Spark) pays gig drivers to deliver groceries and everyday essentials from Walmart stores to customers. It's essentially Amazon Flex but for Walmart orders.

Drivers earn about $15+ per hour plus 100% of customer tips. There are also incentives like surge pay during busy periods or bonuses for high order volume. This can put earnings on par with Amazon Flex, especially during peak retail hours.

The workflow is very similar to Flex – drive to a Walmart pickup point, load orders, and deliver them along routes. You'll get weekly payouts like Amazon Flex. Spark is currently US-only and requires a car (no bike/scooter), targeting the same pool of drivers as Flex.

Requirements include being 18+, having a valid license/insurance, and passing a background check. Reliability and timely delivery are key since you're handling scheduled grocery orders (sometimes with same-day delivery windows).

Spark is growing but may not be in every city yet.

However, if available in your area, it can be a direct substitute for Amazon Flex, especially if you enjoy delivering groceries.

Shipt – Personal Shopper Service

Shipt is a grocery delivery app (owned by Target) where you shop for and deliver groceries and household items. It's comparable to Instacart in that Shipt Shoppers receive orders, pick items in-store, and drop them off.

This platform makes a great Amazon Flex alternative if you like grocery delivery but want to try a different platform or if Instacart is saturated in your area. It operates exclusively in the U.S., aligning with our target audience.

Shoppers earn roughly $15–$22 per hour in many markets, with experienced shoppers earning more during peak times. Payment includes base pay per order plus tips, and Shipt often guarantees a minimum per order.

Top shoppers (those with good ratings who grab high-value orders) can exceed $20 per hour.

If you're stuck on an Instacart or Amazon Flex waitlist, Shipt can be a smart alternative to start earning immediately. It often has less driver saturation in certain regions.

To succeed with Shipt, treat it similarly to Instacart – communicate with customers, be efficient in-store, and schedule yourself for promo hours (Shipt sometimes offers promo pay for hard-to-fill orders).

Roadie – Local Parcel & Oddball Deliveries

Roadie is a gig platform for delivering all sorts of items – from small packages to large appliances. It connects drivers with delivery gigs posted by individuals or businesses, sometimes even long-distance jobs.

Think of it as a crowdsourced courier service, often used by retailers or people shipping unusual items.

Roadie pays per gig based on distance and item size.

Local jobs can pay up to $60 and long-haul gigs up to $650 for cross-state deliveries.

In terms of hourly rate, local runs often average $20–$25 per hour if you efficiently batch gigs (and even more if you have a larger vehicle for big items).

This makes an excellent side gig if you have a pickup truck, van, or large trunk, as you can earn more with big deliveries.

Even with a regular car, you can take smaller gigs (flowers, small parcels, luggage, etc.).

Unlike Amazon Flex's fixed routes, with Roadie you choose individual gigs that fit your schedule and vehicle, giving you more control.

Roadie is nationwide, but gig frequency varies by location. In a major city or near an airport (Roadie partners with airlines for lost luggage delivery), you might see regular gigs. In smaller towns, offerings could be occasional.

Try checking Roadie when planning a road trip or commute – you might find a paying delivery going the same way (a nice way to earn gas money). Keep in mind that Roadie works best as a supplemental gig; it likely won't fill 40 hours per week consistently, but it's great for extra cash here and there.

GoShare – "Uber for Moving"

GoShare connects gig drivers with on-demand moving and delivery projects.

Essentially, people or businesses who need to move furniture, haul junk, or deliver big items (like a couch or a pallet of goods) can request drivers with trucks or vans through the platform.

The hourly pay potential is high, especially for those with large vehicles.

According to GoShare, drivers with box trucks can earn up to $70+ per hour.

Even with a standard pickup truck or cargo van, earnings around $33–$47 per hour are possible for certain gigs.

This makes GoShare one of the highest-paying gig apps if you have the right equipment.

Like Amazon Flex, you set your own schedule and accept the jobs you want. It's app-based and flexible, but GoShare focuses on larger, one-off deliveries rather than many small packages.

It's a great alternative for those who don't mind physical work and want to maximize income per hour.

Requirements typically include being 18+ and passing a vehicle inspection to ensure your truck/van meets their standards. You'll need a valid license, insurance, and the ability to lift heavy items. If you only have a car, you might be limited to smaller courier gigs on GoShare.

GoShare gigs can be sporadic, so it's wise to join GoShare in addition to other apps. When a high-paying gig pops up (like helping someone move on a weekend), you can grab it.

Try networking with local businesses via GoShare – some companies regularly use it for deliveries, offering repeat work opportunities.

TaskRabbit – Odd Jobs & Delivery Tasks

TaskRabbit is an online marketplace for odd jobs – from assembling furniture and house cleaning to running errands and making deliveries.

As a "Tasker," you list services you can offer (including delivery or courier services), set your hourly rate, and clients in your area hire you via the app.

If you enjoy delivering items but want to expand beyond just packages or food, TaskRabbit lets you do local deliveries (e.g., pick up groceries, deliver a gift across town) as well as other gigs.

It's more open-ended and you act almost like a freelance contractor for various tasks.

The best part? You set your rates. TaskRabbit shows average rates for similar taskers to guide you.

For delivery tasks, many Taskers charge anywhere from $20 to $50 per hour depending on the city and task complexity. (Experienced Taskers offering skilled labor make more – e.g., handyman work can be $50+ per hour.)

TaskRabbit gives you full control over your schedule and pricing.

You're not limited to one category; you could deliver packages one day and assemble IKEA furniture the next.

Payment is secure through the platform, and you're paid by the hour or task.

The main challenge is competition – you need to build a good rating to get more clients. New Taskers might need to price lower initially to attract jobs.

There's also less instant demand; you might not get as many requests for delivery specifically, compared to dedicated delivery apps.

Consider using TaskRabbit to supplement other gigs – for instance, offer "errand running" or "courier service" to catch unique opportunities (like someone needing same-day help delivering a bulky item).

This can fill gaps and sometimes pay well for one-off tasks.

UPS Personal Vehicle Driver (PVD) – Seasonal Package Delivery

This is a part-time seasonal job with UPS where you deliver packages using your own car. Especially around the holidays, UPS hires Personal Vehicle Drivers to handle the surge in deliveries.

While not an app-based gig like others, it's a flexible short-term job comparable to Amazon Flex (which also involves delivering parcels for a big company).

As a PVD, you're an hourly employee of UPS during the gig (usually Oct-Dec holiday season, sometimes spring). Shifts are assigned, but they often offer flexible scheduling or part-day shifts, making it viable for those seeking extra income temporarily.

UPS PVDs earn around $21 per hour base pay in many areas, paid weekly, plus mileage reimbursement for using your vehicle and possibly phone/data reimbursement.

The pay is competitive – often higher than Amazon Flex's average hourly when you factor in the extra reimbursements.

As an employee for that period, you might get access to limited UPS benefits or overtime pay for long hours.

The main advantages include high, steady pay (no reliance on tips), the credibility of working with UPS, and sometimes overtime opportunities. It's great for those who want short-term full-time work without a long commitment.

The downsides? It's seasonal – mainly during holidays. You also have less day-to-day flexibility than app gigs; you'll have a supervisor and set delivery routes assigned each shift (more traditional job-like). It's also quite physically demanding (you may handle tons of packages daily).

For those open to a temporary job rather than indefinite gigging, UPS PVD is an alternative way to leverage your car for money. It can be appealing if you need a quick influx of cash during the holiday season or if app gigs are slow during winter.

Many drivers combine approaches: do UPS PVD in peak season and switch back to Amazon Flex or others afterward.

HopSkipDrive – Ride-Share for Kids (Caregiver Driving)

This specialized rideshare platform is often dubbed "Uber for kids." HopSkipDrive pays vetted "CareDrivers" to transport children (often to/from school or activities).

It's not delivery of goods, but it's a flexible driving gig akin to rideshare, included here for those open to driving people instead of packages.

It's particularly relevant because it offers high pay and a unique niche – ideal for folks with caregiving experience looking for meaningful, flexible work.

HopSkipDrive advertises that drivers can earn up to $50 per ride in some cases.

This usually applies to longer rides; typical rides still pay well (often ~$20-$30 each depending on distance and time). Many CareDrivers work just a few hours around school drop-off and pickup times and can make a solid side income.

The platform has strict requirements: you must be at least 23 years old, have a 4-door vehicle (10 years old or newer), a clean driving record, and at least 5 years of caregiving experience (e.g., parenting, teaching, daycare, nursing, etc.).

Fingerprinting and thorough background checks are required, given the responsibility of driving minors. This is a higher barrier to entry than Amazon Flex or other apps, but it's also why the pay is higher and the work is valued.

If you meet the requirements and enjoy working with kids, HopSkipDrive offers a rewarding alternative to typical delivery gigs.

You're helping families and schools, not just dropping off food. The scheduling can be flexible (you choose which rides to accept in advance via the app), but it revolves around school schedules primarily.

The major pro is high pay per trip and a sense of purpose (helping children). The downside is that not everyone will qualify; you also need to be comfortable with the responsibility of child safety. It's also available in select cities, so check if your region is covered.

Gopuff – Instant Needs Delivery

Gopuff is a rapidly growing service that operates small micro-fulfillment centers (mini-warehouses) in various cities and uses gig drivers to deliver convenience items (snacks, drinks, household essentials, even alcohol in some areas) directly to customers.

Drivers pick up batches of orders from the local Gopuff warehouse and deliver them out, similar to how Amazon Flex drivers pick up from an Amazon delivery station.

The model (warehouse-to-customer delivery) is much like Amazon Flex, just with smaller items. If you prefer driving to one hub to collect all your packages (instead of restaurant hopping), Gopuff offers that experience on a smaller scale.

Drivers typically earn $9–$15 per hour on average, which is on the lower side of gig apps. Gopuff drivers get a base pay per shift or per order and keep tips, but the volume and tipping tend to yield lower earnings than food delivery apps.

It's often best for supplemental income or in markets where Gopuff is extremely busy (college towns late at night, etc.).

The advantage is you spend less time driving around to different restaurants or stores – all pickups are from the Gopuff warehouse. This saves gas and time if the warehouse is near your home.

Scheduling is done in advance in the app; you sign up for delivery shifts (usually in blocks, similar to Amazon Flex's block system). If you prefer a structured shift-based gig, Gopuff might appeal to you.

The main limitations are availability (Gopuff is only in certain cities and college areas) and lower pay (other gigs like Instacart or Flex may pay more in equivalent time). Some drivers also report downtime between orders if demand is low.

While Gopuff is one of the closest services to Amazon Flex in how it operates, it might not pay as well.

If your priority is maximizing earnings, consider focusing on the higher-paying apps and perhaps using Gopuff only if it's very popular in your city or as a backup option.

Tips for Maximizing Earnings with Gig Apps

Multi-App to Stay Busy

Use multiple apps instead of sticking to one. This technique, known as "multi-apping," lets you cherry-pick the best orders and avoid downtime.

You might run DoorDash and Uber Eats simultaneously, or keep Amazon Flex and Instacart both installed to grab whichever gig is available. Just be sure to manage carefully – pause other apps when you accept an order to avoid conflicts.

Track Expenses & Mileage

As an independent contractor, tracking costs is crucial. Gas, car maintenance, and mileage can eat into profits.

Use a mileage tracking app or log (for potential tax deductions) and keep receipts for oil changes, etc.

This will help at tax time and in understanding your true hourly earnings. Apps like Everlance or Stride can simplify this process.

Time Management & Strategy

Work peak hours (e.g., meal times for food delivery, weekends for retail/grocery, early mornings for Amazon Flex) to earn more in less time. Also, optimize routes – use navigation tools efficiently or a route planner if doing multiple stops.

The goal is to complete more deliveries per hour.

Save on Gas

With high fuel prices, use gas reward programs or credit cards to save money (e.g., apps like Upside for gas cashback or fuel incentives offered by some gig companies). Even small savings ($0.10-$0.25 per gallon) add up when you're covering many miles.

Stay Safe & Legal

Ensure you have proper auto insurance coverage for delivery work (personal policies sometimes don't cover accidents during deliveries; gig drivers may need rideshare/delivery insurance riders).

Also, don't overextend hours – take breaks, follow local traffic laws, and prioritize personal safety (deliver in well-lit areas at night, etc.).

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays more than Amazon Flex?

Yes, some platforms do out-earn Amazon Flex's ~$18–25 per hour range.

Specialized platforms like HopSkipDrive can pay more (up to $50 per ride) in certain situations.

Also, during peak times, food delivery apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats) can yield higher hourly pay than Flex, especially when stacking multiple orders or hitting bonuses.

However, results vary – Amazon Flex's guaranteed pay per block is steady, while others can be higher or lower depending on tips and demand.

Which delivery app is the most lucrative for drivers?

Earnings depend on market and hours, but generally food delivery apps have the most abundant gigs, enabling full schedules. Uber Eats and DoorDash are often cited as highest earners on average, with some drivers making $20+ hourly.

Instacart can also be very lucrative if you snag big orders with tips.

If considering hourly pay alone, data from services like Gridwise show Amazon Flex and these apps all cluster in a similar range (high teens to low $20s per hour).

Ultimately, the "best" app may be the one with the most demand in your city – so a driver in one area might earn more with Instacart, while another does better with DoorDash.

Can you make a living off Amazon Flex or similar gigs?

It's possible but challenging. Amazon Flex itself is hard to do as a full-time job because securing enough delivery blocks to fill 40 hours week-in, week-out is unlikely.

Most drivers treat Flex and similar apps as side hustles or part-time gigs.

However, some people do cobble together a full-time income by combining multiple platforms (e.g., driving for Amazon Flex, Uber Eats, and Instacart).

Factors like wear-and-tear on your car, lack of benefits, and income variability make gig work a less stable full-time route. Many use these jobs to supplement other income or as a bridge between jobs.

If attempting to "gig" full-time, be diligent in tracking finances and setting aside money for taxes and slow periods.

Conclusion

There are many alternatives to Amazon Flex that can match your need for flexibility and income.

Consider your own preferences – Do you prefer delivering meals, groceries, or larger items?

Are you looking for something you can do anytime, or a more structured gig? – and choose the app(s) that fit best.

Ready to boost your income?

Try signing up for one or two of these Amazon Flex alternatives and see which one works best for you. With a bit of hustle and smart planning, you can turn your spare time into extra cash on your own terms.

By diversifying your gigs and staying efficient, you'll maximize your earning potential. Happy hustling!