You're scrolling through your phone, contemplating which food delivery app to drive for. 

The big three – Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub – promise good money, but which one's actually worth your time? 

As someone who's juggled all three apps while trying to make a living in the gig economy, I can tell you that choosing the right platform (or combination) can make or break both your income and sanity.

I've put together this detailed comparison based on real driver experiences, hard data, and insider knowledge. 

Let's break down what matters most: the money, the apps, and everything else you need to know to maximize your earnings as a food delivery driver.

Uber Eats vs DoorDash vs Grubhub at a Glance

Before diving into the details, here's a quick comparison of the three major food delivery platforms:

Market share data from Second Measure shows DoorDash dominates the U.S. food delivery market, which typically means more orders for drivers.

However, earnings per hour can vary significantly based on your market, with Uber Eats and Grubhub often paying more per individual delivery according to Business Insider.

Earning Potential and Pay Structures

Base Pay Rates & Calculations

Each app calculates your base pay differently:

DoorDash offers a base pay of $2-4 per order depending on distance, time, and desirability. This is often the lowest base pay of the three apps, but they make up for it with volume.

Uber Eats uses an upfront fare system that factors in estimated time, distance, and pickup/dropoff effort. Their algorithm is somewhat mysterious, but base fares typically start around $3-5.

Grubhub pays based on mileage and time, with a minimum that's often higher than competitors (usually $3+). They also offer a minimum earnings guarantee during scheduled blocks if you maintain acceptance rates.

While Grubhub's base pay is typically highest, a Reddit analysis highlights that "Grubhub pays much better per order, but you make more with DoorDash" due to order volume.

Tips and Tip Policies

Tips make or break your income on all platforms - they can be the difference between minimum wage and a solid hourly rate. 

All three platforms allow drivers to keep 100% of tips, but handle tip visibility differently:

Grubhub shows you the full tip amount upfront.

You'll see exactly what you'll earn before accepting an order, even if it's a $50 tip. This transparency is highly valued by drivers.

DoorDash shows expected earnings including tip, but may hide portions of large tips on the offer screen. 

For example, an order might appear as $6.50 but end up paying $12 after delivery if the customer tipped generously.

Uber Eats shows estimated earnings including expected tip, but customers can change their tip up to an hour after delivery. 

This creates the potential for "tip baiting" - when a customer shows a large tip to get faster service, then removes it afterward.

The visibility of tips before accepting orders can significantly impact your strategy. 

Grubhub's transparency lets you make fully informed decisions, while DoorDash's hidden tips create an element of surprise (sometimes pleasant, sometimes not).

Incentives & Bonuses

Each platform offers various ways to boost your earnings:

DoorDash:

• Peak Pay: Extra $1-3 per delivery during busy times

• Challenges: Complete X deliveries in Y time for a bonus

• Top Dasher program: Perks like priority scheduling for maintaining high acceptance rates

Uber Eats:

• Surge pricing: Higher rates during busy periods

• Quests: Bonuses for completing a set number of deliveries

• Consecutive trip bonuses: Extra pay for completing multiple deliveries without declining

Grubhub:

• Missions: Complete specific tasks for extra cash

• Minimum earnings guarantees (for scheduled blocks)

• Occasional bonuses and special promotions

These incentives can substantially increase your hourly rate. 

I've found that DoorDash's Peak Pay during dinner rush can add $10-15 to your nightly earnings, while Uber's weekend Quests sometimes double your pay if you hit the targets.

Payment Frequency & Cashing Out

All three services offer weekly direct deposits:

• DoorDash pays on Tuesday/Wednesday for the previous Monday-Sunday period

• Uber Eats typically deposits on Thursdays

• Grubhub also pays on Thursdays

For instant access to earnings:

• DoorDash offers Fast Pay ($1.99 fee) or free instant deposits with their DasherDirect card

• Uber Eats allows up to 5 Instant Pay cashouts daily ($0.50-$1 fee each)

• Grubhub provides Instant Cash Out for a $0.50 fee per transaction

The DasherDirect card is particularly useful for full-timers who want immediate access to funds without fees. You can learn more about the DasherDirect card here.

Real Earnings Examples

According to 2023 data from Business Insider, average hourly earnings before expenses were around:

• DoorDash: $14/hour

• Uber Eats: $18/hour

• Grubhub: $17/hour

These figures vary widely by location, strategy, and time of day. 

In my experience, drivers who target dinner rushes in affluent areas and cherry-pick orders can earn $20-25/hour on any platform. 

Delivery Volume, Demand and Scheduling

Market Share & Order Volume

DoorDash dominates with approximately 65-70% of the U.S. food delivery market, according to Second Measure. 

This typically translates to more consistent order flow for drivers. Uber Eats holds about 25% of the market, while Grubhub trails at around 8%.

In practical terms, this market share difference means DoorDash drivers often receive orders more frequently, reducing downtime between deliveries. 

However, market dominance varies by region - Uber Eats might be stronger in certain urban centers, while Grubhub maintains loyal customer bases in specific cities.

Geographic Differences

Your location dramatically affects which app performs best. 

One Reddit user claimed DoorDash represented "90% of the market" in their area, while other cities show stronger performance for competitors.

Grubhub often performs better in cities where it was established early (like Chicago and New York), while Uber Eats tends to excel in areas with strong Uber rideshare presence. 

DoorDash typically dominates suburbs and smaller cities.

Working Multiple Apps (Multi-apping)

Full-time drivers rarely rely on just one platform. Multi-apping - running several apps simultaneously - is the most effective strategy for maximizing earnings. 

This approach helps fill downtime and lets you cherry-pick the best orders across platforms.

The basic strategy:

1. Log into multiple apps at once

2. Accept the best order that comes in

3. Pause or go offline on other apps while completing that delivery

4. Resume all apps once the delivery is complete

This method requires some juggling but dramatically increases your earning potential. 

Just be careful not to accept orders going in opposite directions, which can lead to late deliveries and poor ratings.

Scheduling & Flexibility

Each platform handles scheduling differently:

DoorDash uses zone-based scheduling. You can "Dash Now" if an area is busy or if you have Top Dasher status. 

Otherwise, you'll need to schedule shifts in advance, which can be claimed up to a week ahead. 

This provides structure but limits spontaneity in oversaturated markets.

Grubhub relies heavily on scheduled blocks. Drivers who schedule blocks (especially those with higher program levels) get priority for orders. 

Going online without a block often results in few or no orders unless it's extremely busy. This system rewards planning but limits flexibility.

Uber Eats offers maximum flexibility with no scheduling required. You can simply go online anytime, anywhere within your approved region. 

The tradeoff is that anyone can hop on during peak times, potentially increasing competition when it's busy.

This flexibility difference matters depending on your needs.

If you value stability and guaranteed shifts, scheduling with DoorDash or Grubhub provides more certainty. 

If you prefer complete freedom, Uber Eats lets you work whenever you want without commitment.

App Experience and Driver-Friendly Features

User Interface & Navigation

The app experience can significantly impact your daily work:

DoorDash's Dasher app is straightforward and user-friendly. It provides a clear checklist for each order and intuitive navigation. 

New drivers find it easy to learn, with minimal confusion about the delivery process.

Uber's driver app handles both rideshare and delivery, which can make it feel a bit cluttered. 

However, it provides useful features like an on-map route preview and real-time earnings tracker. 

The unified app can occasionally cause confusion for delivery-only drivers.

Grubhub's driver app has improved over time but still feels less polished than competitors. 

Some drivers find the interface dated and less intuitive, though it provides all necessary information.

Transparency of Order Information

What you see before accepting an order varies significantly between apps:

DoorDash shows:

• Restaurant name and location

• Approximate drop-off location (map pin)

• Item count

• Expected payout (base + expected tip)

• Total mileage

• Delivery instructions

Uber Eats shows:

• Restaurant and precise drop-off location

• Estimated drive time

• Upfront fare estimate (including estimated tip)

• Total mileage

Grubhub shows:

• Restaurant name and address

• Exact customer address

• Distance

• Full payout including tip (no hidden amounts)

• Order placed time

Grubhub's full transparency is a major advantage for drivers who want to make informed decisions. Seeing the exact payout and when the order was placed helps you avoid long waits and unprofitable deliveries.

Unique Features

Each app offers special features worth noting:

DoorDash provides:

• Heat maps showing busy zones

• In-app navigation

• Detailed delivery instructions

• Large order/Drive program for catering orders

Uber Eats offers:

• Opportunity to do rideshare or other Uber services

• More accurate expected delivery times

• In-app navigation with multiple routing options

• Photo verification for alcohol deliveries

Grubhub includes:

• Throttled order assignment (to avoid overwhelming drivers)

• Catering program (Grubhub for Work)

• Order-placed timestamps to help gauge restaurant readiness

App Reliability

App stability can make or break your shift:

DoorDash occasionally experiences outages during peak dinner hours, which can be frustrating when you're counting on income.

Uber's app is generally more stable but sometimes has GPS glitches. Grubhub's app tends to be reliable but can run slow at times.

Having multiple apps provides backup when one experiences technical issues. 

I've had evenings when DoorDash crashed completely, but I could quickly switch to Uber Eats and still make money.

Driver Support and Company Policies

Driver Support Quality

Support quality varies across platforms and can be hit-or-miss:

DoorDash offers in-app chat and phone support. They typically resolve issues like canceled orders by providing half-pay compensation. Support agents follow scripts and can sometimes be difficult to reach during peak hours.

Uber Eats provides 24/7 support through in-app chat or call functions. Their support tends to be responsive but sometimes struggles with complex issues. Some drivers report difficulty getting fair compensation for problems.

Grubhub support is sometimes considered more driver-oriented but can have long wait times. They're generally fair with compensation for restaurant issues but can be difficult to reach quickly.

In driver forums, some say Grubhub's support tries harder to help ("GH seems to actually listen when I report a restaurant issue"), while others prefer Uber's quick chat for its speed. No platform has perfect support - expect occasional frustrations with all three.

Policies on Ratings and Deactivation

Each platform has different expectations for drivers:

DoorDash requires maintaining:

• At least a 4.2 customer rating

• 80% completion rate

• No excessive contract violations

• Low acceptance rate generally doesn't lead to deactivation but affects Top Dasher eligibility

Uber Eats monitors:

• Customer ratings (generally need to stay above ~4.6)

• Cancellation rates

• Safety issues

• Fraud concerns

Grubhub focuses on:

• Block attendance (dropping scheduled blocks can restrict future scheduling)

• Acceptance rate during blocks (affects program level)

• On-time delivery and order accuracy

All platforms have appeal processes for deactivation, but it's best to maintain good metrics to avoid issues. Ratings matter more on DoorDash and Uber than on Grubhub, where scheduling reliability is the primary concern.

Real Driver Insights: Tips, Pain Points, and Trends

Common Pain Points

Across all platforms, drivers regularly face these challenges:

Low-paying orders: Each app sends offers that aren't worth the time or mileage. DoorDash frequently offers $3-4 deliveries, Uber sometimes sends $2-3 base fare offers, and even Grubhub occasionally sends orders under $5. Many experienced drivers adopt a "no tip, no trip" policy.

Restaurant wait times: Despite efforts to time orders, you'll often wait at restaurants. Fast food drive-thrus are notorious time-wasters across all platforms. Uber Eats and Grubhub show when orders were placed, which helps gauge potential wait times.

Customer issues: Missing gate codes, unclear instructions, and unresponsive customers plague all platforms. Apartment complexes with poor signage or gate access are universally frustrating.

App quirks: Each app has its frustrations - DoorDash stacking a good order with a bad one, Uber's navigation sending you on odd routes, or Grubhub's app logging you out if idle too long.

Driver "Hacks" and Pro Tips

Experienced drivers use these strategies to maximize earnings:

Multi-App Stacking: Running multiple apps simultaneously is the #1 strategy for consistent earnings. 

Accept a DoorDash order, then pause Uber Eats until nearly done, then resume. Only take orders going in similar directions to avoid late deliveries.

Cherry-Picking Orders: Set personal minimums like "$1.50-$2 per mile" or "minimum $7 per order." 

Since acceptance rate isn't critical on most platforms, you can decline low-paying orders without penalty. Being selective keeps your hourly rate higher.

Strategic Scheduling: Identify peak times in your market. Lunch (11am-1pm) and dinner (5pm-8pm) are consistently busy in most areas. 

Late nights (after 9pm) can be profitable on weekends, especially on Uber Eats. 

Some drivers work lunch downtown with Uber Eats (quick office deliveries) and dinner in residential areas with DoorDash.

Mileage Tracking: Use apps like Stride or Everlance to track mileage for tax deductions. This can save thousands at tax time, as the IRS allows deductions for business miles.

Trends & Changes in 2024-2025

Recent industry developments worth noting:

The rise of grocery and retail deliveries on DoorDash and Uber Eats has created new earning opportunities. These orders typically pay more but take longer to complete.

Apps are experimenting with upfront tip transparency and new pay algorithms. Uber's upfront fare system and DoorDash's partial tip visibility continue to evolve.

Pros and Cons of Each Platform

DoorDash Pros:

• Largest market share, meaning more consistent orders

• Straightforward app with detailed order info

• Generally shorter restaurant wait times

• Frequent Peak Pay bonuses during busy periods

• Well-developed driver community with plenty of online resources

DoorDash Cons:

• Low base pay (often $2-3 per order)

• Hidden tips on larger orders

• Zone restrictions and scheduling requirements

• Highest instant cashout fee ($1.99) if not using DasherDirect

• Top Dasher program requirements can pressure drivers to take unprofitable orders

Uber Eats Pros:

• Maximum flexibility - no scheduling or zone restrictions

• Instant Pay up to 5 times daily

• Better pay for longer-distance orders and late nights

• Customers can increase tips after delivery for good service

• No minimum acceptance rate requirement

Uber Eats Cons:

• Lower market share than DoorDash in many areas

• Tip baiting risk (customers can reduce tips after delivery)

• Combined rideshare/delivery app can be confusing

• Stacked orders sometimes pay less than they should

• Customer instructions only visible after accepting

Grubhub Pros:

• Highest average base pay per order

• Complete tip transparency - see full payout upfront

• Tends to have larger average order values and better tips

• Minimum earnings guarantee during scheduled blocks

• Loyal customer base in established markets

Grubhub Cons:

• Significantly lower order volume in most markets

• Requires scheduling blocks for consistent work

• App interface feels dated compared to competitors

• Fewer promotions and bonuses

• Access to catering requires meeting specific criteria

Your ideal platform depends on your priorities. If you value volume and don't mind hustle, DoorDash might be your go-to. 

If you prefer fewer, higher-paying trips, Grubhub can shine. Uber Eats offers flexibility for those who want to work anywhere, anytime.

Which App Should You Choose?

After comparing all three major platforms, it's clear there's no one-size-fits-all answer. The "best" delivery app depends on your location, schedule preferences, and earning goals.

Most successful full-time drivers sign up for all three platforms and use them strategically. This approach provides several advantages:

1. You can switch between apps based on which is busiest at different times

2. You're protected if one app has technical issues or slow periods

3. You can cherry-pick the best orders across all platforms

4. You can learn which app performs best in different areas of your city

After driving for all three, I've found that a hybrid strategy works best. DoorDash provides volume during peak meal times, Uber Eats fills in gaps and offers late-night opportunities, and Grubhub occasionally delivers those high-value orders that boost your daily average.

Try each app for a week, tracking your earnings and experiences. Pay attention to which one performs best in your specific market during your preferred working hours. Be prepared to adapt your strategy as market conditions change.

Full-time food delivery isn't easy, but with the right strategy and platform mix, you can create a flexible income stream that works for your lifestyle. 

Stay safe, stay strategic, and remember that the most successful drivers adapt continuously to changing conditions