DoorDash vs Uber Eats: Which Food Delivery App is Better in 2024? (2024)

Hungry for delicious food from your favorite restaurants, but don't feel like leaving the house? Enter the battle of the food delivery titans: DoorDash vs Uber Eats. These two apps are fighting for a spot on your phone's home screen and in your heart (or should we say, stomach?).

Both DoorDash and Uber Eats promise to bring the best local eats right to your doorstep with just a few taps. But when it comes down to it, which app truly delivers the goods?

In this comparison of these two popular food delivery apps, we'll take an in-depth look at the key differences between DoorDash and Uber Eats to help you decide which food delivery app is the better choice for you. From restaurant selection to delivery fees to customer service and more, we'll cover all the important factors in the DoorDash vs Uber Eats debate so you can make an informed decision about which app to use for your next food delivery order.

DoorDash Overview

DoorDash is one of the leading food delivery services in the United States. Founded in 2013 in Palo Alto, California, DoorDash now operates in over 7,000 cities across 30 countries mainly in the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan. The company has over 450,000 restaurant partners, 25 million customers, and 1 million delivery drivers known as "Dashers".

For customers, DoorDash provides a convenient way to order food from local restaurants and have it delivered right to their doorstep. Customers can browse menus, customize orders, track their delivery, and pay directly through the DoorDash app or website. DoorDash offers a subscription service called DashPass that provides free delivery and reduced service fees for a monthly fee.

On the other side of the equation are the delivery drivers, or "Dashers". Dashers are independent contractors who use the DoorDash Driver app to accept delivery requests, navigate to restaurants and customer locations, and earn money on a per-delivery basis. Dashers can set their own schedules and work as much or as little as they want.

There are several pros to using DoorDash as a customer, including the wide selection of restaurants, ease of ordering, and the ability to track your delivery. However, some potential cons are the delivery fees and service charges that can add up, as well as possible issues with order accuracy or food quality.

For Dashers, the main pros are the flexibility to set your own hours and the potential to earn extra income. The cons can include wear and tear on your vehicle, inconsistent earnings, and lack of benefits since Dashers are independent contractors rather than employees.

Uber Eats Overview

Uber Eats (stylized as UberEATS) is the online food ordering and delivery platform launched by ride-hailing giant Uber in 2014. What started as a small pilot program in Santa Monica, California has rapidly grown into one of the largest players in the booming food delivery market. Uber Eats is now available in over 6,000 cities across 45 countries.

The Uber Eats ordering process is straightforward for customers. They browse menus from local restaurants, customize their order, and pay through the Uber Eats app or website. An Uber Eats delivery driver, called a delivery partner, picks up the order from the restaurant and delivers it to the customer's location. Customers can track their order status and estimated delivery time in the app.

One of the main advantages of Uber Eats is its integration with Uber's existing network of drivers. This allows Uber Eats to rapidly scale and expand its delivery services. Uber Eats also offers a wide selection of restaurants, from local favorites to national chains. For restaurants, partnering with Uber Eats provides access to a large customer base and can increase sales.

However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider with Uber Eats. The company charges restaurants a commission fee that can be up to 30% of the order total, which cuts into already thin profit margins. Uber Eats delivery partners are independent contractors, not employees, so they lack benefits and protections. And like other delivery services, Uber Eats struggles with issues such as order accuracy, food quality, and timely delivery.

DoorDash vs Uber Eats: Key Differences

When comparing DoorDash vs Uber Eats, there are several key differences to consider that may sway you to choose one food delivery service over the other. Let's take a closer look at how DoorDash and Uber Eats stack up in terms of availability, restaurant selection, pricing, subscription programs, and customer support.

Availability and Market Share

One major difference in the DoorDash vs Uber Eats comparison is their availability and share of the food delivery market. As of 2024, DoorDash holds the top spot with 67% market share in the U.S. while Uber Eats comes in second at 25% (including Postmates which Uber acquired). However, Uber Eats has a wider global presence, operating in 6 continents, while DoorDash primarily serves the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Japan.

Restaurant Selection

Another factor in choosing between DoorDash vs Uber Eats is the selection of local restaurants available on each platform. DoorDash partners with over 500,000 restaurants and groceries while Uber Eats works with over 1.000,000 merchants worldwide. Both offer a wide variety of cuisines, from local favorites to national chains. Uber Eats may have an edge in major metro areas and internationally, but DoorDash provides extensive options in the suburbs and smaller cities it serves.

Pricing and Fees

Pricing is another important consideration in the DoorDash vs Uber Eats debate. Both charge delivery fees, service fees, and offer promotions, but the specifics vary. DoorDash delivery fees range from $1.99-$5.99 and service fees are typically 10-15%. Uber Eats delivery fees vary by restaurant and service fees are around 15%. Both frequently run promotions like free delivery or discounts for new customers and existing users.

Subscription Programs

For frequent users, DoorDash and Uber Eats both offer subscription programs - DashPass and Uber One respectively. DashPass is $9.99/month and offers $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on orders over $12. Uber One is also $9.99/month and provides $0 delivery fees and 5-10% off orders over $15. Choosing between the two may come down to which restaurants participate near you.

Customer Service and Support

A final factor to weigh in DoorDash vs Uber Eats is the customer service and support offered by each platform. Both provide 24/7 phone, email, and in-app support for customers, Dashers/delivery people, and merchant partners. However, some users report better experiences with DoorDash's support and faster response times compared to Uber Eats.

DoorDash vs Uber Eats for Customers

When it comes to ordering food delivery, the user experience is key. Both DoorDash and Uber Eats offer user-friendly apps and websites that make it easy to browse menus, customize orders, and track your delivery. However, there are some differences that may sway you to choose DoorDash vs Uber Eats.

In terms of average delivery times, DoorDash and Uber Eats are fairly comparable in most markets. Both aim to deliver food quickly and efficiently. However, some studies have found that Uber Eats may have a slight edge when it comes to order accuracy. Uber Eats' restaurant partners report order accuracy and success rates over 80%, while DoorDash's accuracy rate goal is 90%.

Looking at customer ratings and reviews, both DoorDash and Uber Eats have generally positive but somewhat mixed feedback. On the Apple App Store, Both apps has an impressive 4.8 star rating Uber Eats from over 8 million reviews, while DoorDash from 18.4 million reviews.

On the Google Play Store, their positions change DoorDash comes out on top with a 4.7 star rating from over 50 million downloads, while Uber Eats has a 4.0 star rating with over 100 million downloads. So while both apps are well-rated overall, Uber Eats seems to perform better with iOS users, while DoorDash has an edge with the Android crowd based on these app store metrics.

Where the two delivery services really differ is in their unique features. Uber Eats offers convenient group ordering, allowing multiple people to add items to a single order from their own devices. DoorDash offers group ordering as well but requires the organizer to place the full order.

Both DoorDash and Uber Eats have implemented contactless delivery options in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, DoorDash has taken this a step further with their "no-contact delivery" feature, where the food is left at the customer's door by default. With Uber Eats, the customer still has to select "Leave at door" at checkout.

Regarding delivery times, both applications aim to have a margin of between 30 and 35 minutes, although this is one of the biggest complaints from customers, since these times are not always met. In general terms, and reviewing user comments both Uber Eats and DoorDash have complaints of delays of up to 60+ minutes, but this depends on each city and country.

DoorDash vs Uber Eats for Drivers

When comparing DoorDash vs Uber Eats from a driver's perspective, there are several key factors to consider, including the onboarding process, pay structure, incentives, and support.

Driver Requirements and Onboarding

Both DoorDash and Uber Eats have similar basic requirements for drivers, such as being at least 18 years old, having a valid driver's license, and passing a background check. However, the onboarding process can vary. To become a Dasher, you'll need to submit your application, consent to a background check, and complete an orientation. To work as an Uber Eats delivery driver, you'll need to sign up, upload required documents, and wait for approval.

Pay Structure and Average Earnings

When it comes to DoorDash pay vs Uber Eats pay, both platforms offer a base pay per delivery or per order, plus tips and potential bonuses. DoorDash's base pay ranges from $2-$10+ while Uber Eats' base fare is typically $2-$4. Dashers earn an average of $15-$25 per hour and Uber Eats drivers earn an average of $19 per hour. However, actual earnings can vary significantly based on factors like location, time of day, and order volume.

Driver Incentives and Bonuses

Both DoorDash and Uber Eats offer various incentives and bonuses to encourage drivers to accept orders and complete deliveries. DoorDash offers Peak Pay during busy times, Challenges for completing a certain number of deliveries, and Guaranteed Earnings for new drivers. Uber Eats provides Boost and Surge pricing during high-demand periods, Quests for completing delivery goals, and sign-up bonuses for new drivers.

Driver Support and Perks

DoorDash and Uber Eats both provide some level of driver support and perks. DoorDash offers 24/7 phone, email, and in-app support, as well as rewards like discounts on gas and auto maintenance. Uber Eats has a driver rewards program called Uber Pro that provides phone support, discounts, and tuition coverage based on points earned per delivery.

Tips for Maximizing Earnings

To maximize earnings on DoorDash, focus on accepting orders with a high base pay and low mileage, maintain a high completion rate, avoid long wait times at restaurants, and be strategic about which orders to accept. For Uber Eats, prioritize short-distance deliveries, avoid drive-thrus during peak hours, deliver during boost and surge pricing, and track your expenses for tax deductions.

Takeaways: Is DoorDash or Uber Eats Better?

DoorDash tends to have lower fees and a wider selection of local restaurants in many areas. It also offers convenient features like the ability to schedule orders in advance. However, some users report issues with customer service and order accuracy with DoorDash.

On the other hand, Uber Eats is often praised for its user-friendly app interface, reliable delivery times, and strong customer support. It's also more widely available globally compared to DoorDash. But Uber Eats can be pricier than DoorDash, with higher fees during busy times.

For frequent users, both apps offer subscription programs, DashPass and Uber One, which provide reduced fees and other perks for a monthly fee. Choosing between the two may come down to which service has more participating restaurants in your area.

Since prices and restaurant availability can vary for each app, it's worth checking both DoorDash and Uber Eats when choosing a meal delivery service for a particular order. You may find that one app has a better deal or your favorite restaurant.

Ultimately, the best choice between DoorDash and Uber Eats depends on your specific needs and priorities. If you're looking for the widest local restaurant selection and potentially lower fees, DoorDash may be the way to go. But if you value an intuitive app experience, reliable delivery, and strong support, Uber Eats could be worth the extra cost.

Conclusion: Doordash vs Uber Eats

In the battle of DoorDash vs Uber Eats in 2023 and 2024, both food delivery apps have their strengths. DoorDash is the market leader in the U.S., with a wider restaurant selection, lower fees on average, and a user-friendly app experience. Uber Eats has a larger global presence, a strong logistics network from its ride-sharing business, and more frequent promotions and discounts.

Ultimately, the best choice between DoorDash and Uber Eats comes down to your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize low fees, DashPass benefits, and a streamlined app interface, DoorDash may be the way to go. If you value Uber's brand reputation, global availability, and promo codes, Uber Eats could be your go-to.

The good news is, you don't have to pick just one! Many savvy consumers keep both the DoorDash and Uber Eats apps on hand. Before placing an order, compare the fees, estimated delivery times, and available promotions on DoorDash vs Uber Eats. You may find that one app is clearly the better deal for that particular order. By weighing the pros and cons and checking both apps, you can make the best decision for each meal delivery order.

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