I’ve been making money with or writing about the gig economy for years at this point. And after all this time, I truly think it’s one of the most flexible ways to make extra money.
And when it comes to gig economy jobs, food delivery gigs like Uber Eats are some of the most popular.
However, despite its global popularity, Uber Eats isn’t something everyone can sign up for. And even if you currently deliver with Uber, it’s useful to have other apps in your arsenal so you can make as much money as possible.
That’s why this post is covering some of the best jobs like Uber Eats you can try out if you want to make quick money on the side.
Let’s get to it.
The Best Jobs Like Uber Eats
When looking for delivery jobs like Uber Eats, it’s important to find gigs that are flexible and pay well. After all, you wouldn’t want a job that isn’t worth your time and locks you into a strict schedule.
Thankfully, there are plenty of reliable Uber Eats alternatives that also have lenient sign-up requirements you can explore.
1. DoorDash
Out of all the jobs like Uber Eats, DoorDash is probably the most similar app. In fact, it’s even more popular than Uber Eats and is the most-used food delivery app in North America.
Like Uber Eats, DoorDash lets you deliver via bike, car, or scooter. And you can sign up at 18 years old whereas Uber Eats requires being at least 19.
Dashers also get to set their own schedule or deliver whenever they want if it’s busy enough. This makes it a flexible driving gig that’s perfect if you just want a part-time side hustle.
Dashers get paid weekly through direct deposit and keep 100% of all tips. Overall, DoorDash is a flexible side hustle that’s one of the best alternatives to Uber Eats.
Many people also double-app with DoorDash and Uber Eats to maximize how many orders they get per hour. And this is my suggestion if you have some experience with delivering food.
And if you’re in a busy market, you can make great money with DoorDash per day even if it’s your only app.
Start making money with DoorDash!
2. Instacart
Instacart is another popular Uber Eats alternative that pays you to shop for people’s groceries.
While Uber Eats drivers sometimes get grocery delivery orders from retailers like Walmart, this isn’t too common. And, you don’t have to shop for groceries with Uber Eats.
This is the main difference between Instacart and Uber: Instacart Shoppers have to pick out groceries for customers, check out, and then make deliveries.
This means your average order takes much longer. But you spend less on gas since you’re driving less, and Instacart batches can pay quite well since they take more work.
Instacart Shoppers also keep all their tips. And if you use some Instacart tips and tricks like delivering at the busiest times, you can usually snag some high-paying orders.
Start making money as an Instacart Shopper!
3. Grubhub
If you want another straightforward food delivery gig like Uber Eats, Grubhub should be on your radar.
This food delivery app is basically a clone of Uber Eats and DoorDash. You get paid to deliver food via bike, car, or scooter, and you can sign up at 18.
Grubhub also pays drivers weekly and lets drivers keep all of their tips.
According to data, Grubhub drivers earn around $15 per hour on average. This is a bit lower than Uber Eats on average, but it’s an excellent backup app to have in your pocket.
You can read our Grubhub vs Uber Eats post for a full comparison of these two gigs.
4. Shipt
If you like the idea of shopping for groceries, then Shipt is another excellent delivery job like Uber Eats that you can try.
Shipt is actually the main Instacart alternative and is available in 5,000 + U.S. cities. The platform is owned by Target and offers same-day delivery for groceries and household essentials to its members.
As a Shipt Shopper, you get paid to shop for and then deliver these essentials to customers. The app is similar to Uber Eats and Instacart and walks you through every step in the delivery and drop-off process.
According to Shipt’s website, shoppers also earn about $22 per hour. And Shipt has a minimum payment requirement of $16 in many markets which is one massive difference from Uber Eats.
The main downside is that you can’t deliver via bike or scooter since you’re delivering groceries. But you only need to be 18 to sign up for Shipt.
5. Amazon Flex
There are plenty of ways to make money on Amazon, ranging from becoming an online seller or using microtask sites like AmazonMturk.
But, did you know that Amazon also has one of the most lucrative alternatives to Uber Eats out there?
With Amazon Flex, you earn $18 to $25 per hour by delivering packages to people in your city. You can sign up if you’re 18 or older, and you can deliver with a car, cargo van, or truck.
Amazon has different types of deliveries you can complete, like basic Amazon.com deliveries or even groceries for Amazon Fresh.
You claim Amazon Flex blocks, which are short shifts, that you want to work. This is less flexible than Uber Eats, but you know exactly how much you’re making per block.
Overall, Amazon Flex is one of the best ways to get paid to deliver packages. And if you want something more stable in pay than Uber Eats, it’s one of the best alternatives.
6. Deliveroo
One advantage of Uber Eats is that it’s very global, operating in 6,000 cities around the world. This is also the same advantage for Deliveroo, one of the most globally-friendly delivery jobs like Uber Eats.
With Deliveroo, you make money by delivering food via car, bike, or scooter as with Uber Eats. And the platform is available in numerous countries including:
- Australia
- Belgium
- France
- Italy
- The Netherlands
- The UK
You have to be 18 or older to sign up. As for pay, Deliveroo couriers earn around $11 to $15 per hour according to Indeed.
As with jobs like DoorDash, Deliveroo is a nice backup app to use in combination with Uber Eats so you get as many deliveries as possible.
7. Gopuff
Another popular delivery job like Uber Eats you can try is Gopuff. This gig app pays you to deliver food, snacks, and everyday essentials to people in your city.
Unlike Uber Eats, Gopuff is still growing, so it’s only available in 600+ cities in the United States at the moment.
But it’s a similar job to Amazon Flex in that you’re mostly delivering packages and basic food items. And drivers can schedule themselves for shifts and earn a minimum amount per hour.
On average, Gopuff driver pay is about $9 to $14 per hour depending on your market and some luck. And you keep all of your tips.
Uber Eats pays more on average, but you can give Gopuff a try if you want to deliver food and packages.
8. Favor
If you live in Texas, another job like Uber Eats you can try out is Favor. The platform is owned by major grocery chain H-E-B and pays you to deliver food and everyday essentials just like Uber.
Like Uber Eats, you can also sign up for Favor if you’re at least 18. And according to Glassdoor, Favor drivers earn $18 per hour on average.
This is a pretty decent hourly average for delivery gigs. But the main downside of Favor is that it’s only available to people living in Texas at the moment.
9. Spark
Unsurprisingly, retail giant Walmart has its own delivery program, known as Spark, to help fulfill all of its online orders. So, one job like Uber Eats that you can consider is becoming a Spark driver.
You can apply to become a Spark driver if you’re 18 or older. Like Uber Eats, you need to show proof of insurance and have a reliable vehicle. But you don’t need any experience, so it’s a great beginner side hustle.
Spark is also available in 3,500+ cities and every U.S. state, so it’s a very accessible alternative to Uber Eats.
Drivers get paid weekly, and according to Salary.com, Spark drivers make $22 per hour on average. You see how much deliveries pay before accepting them, and you also keep 100% of all your tips.
People also like Spark since it lets you claim deliveries when you want to, so it’s flexible like Uber Eats.
You can read my Spark driver review for all the details!
10. Lyft
Prefer driving people around instead of delivering food? In that case, Lyft is an excellent job like Uber Eats you should try.
Lyft is one of Uber’s main competitors, and this rideshare company is available in thousands of cities.
Requirements to become a Lyft driver vary by city. Typically, you have to be 21 to 25 to become a Lyft driver, and you have to have a reliable vehicle and auto insurance.
This is a tougher sign-up process than Uber Eats. But Lyft can provide steady work and lets you make decent money on the side.
On average, Lyft drivers earn about $15 to $19 per hour depending on the market and tips. You get paid weekly, which is the same as Uber Eats.
11. Roadie
One final job like Uber Eats that you can try is Roadie. This peer-to-peer delivery gig pays you for delivering packages to people and businesses in your city.
If you have a truck, cargo van, or larger vehicle, you can make pretty decent money by delivering bulky packages with Roadie. But even smaller sedans and cars can qualify.
You must be 18 or older to sign up for Roadie. Once you’re an active driver, you can view and accept delivery requests in your area.
Since Roadie is pretty niche, you find far fewer gigs than with a delivery gig like Uber Eats. But long-haul deliveries can pay hundreds of dollars, and your average delivery is probably paying more than an Uber Eats delivery, even if it’s local.
Tips For Making Money With Jobs Like Uber Eats
Now that you know some of the best jobs like Uber Eats, here are a few tips you can use to maximize your earnings and to manage your deliveries more effectively:
- Track Expenses & Income: With jobs like Uber Eats, you’re an independent contractor. This means you’re responsible for all your expenses, and for reporting your income properly. You can use a mileage tracking app like Hurdlr to do this automatically so you don’t lose track.
- Try Several Gigs: Testing several delivery gigs helps you learn what you like and what pays well. So, don’t be afraid to try out DoorDash, Shipt, Instacart, and any other number of gigs.
- Deliver At Busy Times: Delivering at busy times generally means more orders per hour and more tips. This means delivering around lunch and dinner rushes, and on weekends.
- Test Several Markets: Different markets can pay wildly different amounts on average. When testing out gigs like Uber Eats, try delivering in a few nearby cities to find the best areas.
Extra Reading – How Much Money Do DoorDash Drivers Make?
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of jobs like Uber Eats you can use to boost your income in your spare time. Hopefully, some of the ones I’ve covered in this article help you do just that.
I truly believe the gig economy is ripe with opportunity if you’re willing to hustle. And even if you use gigs like Uber Eats to make $50 a day in extra cash, this adds up quickly.
Just remember to track all of your expenses since you might be able to claim some deductions when filing taxes. And set some weekly and monthly income goals to work towards to stay excited.
Best of luck!
Looking for more side hustle ideas? Checkout:
DoorDash disclaimer: Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries completed, time of day, location, and expenses. Start Dashing today: Subject to background check and availability.
Tom is a full-time blogger and freelance writer with a passion for side hustling, passive income, and the gig economy. His work has appeared on dozens of personal finance websites like Money Crashers, The College Investor, Investor Junkie, and more. This Online World is all about providing people with honest ways to make and save more money by using technology. To learn more about Tom, read his About Page!
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