12 Best Jobs Like DoorDash (High-Paying 2024 Gigs!)
If you want to make extra cash in your spare time, it’s hard to beat delivery jobs.
Driving jobs like DoorDash are the perfect example. You can set your own schedule, sign up quickly, and start making extra cash.
I've been writing about and using gig apps like DoorDash for years. And I honestly think it's a great, flexible side hustle for a lot of people.
But in some markets, there’s a DoorDash waiting list. Plus, it’s always wise to try multiple gig apps so you can see what pays the most in your market.
In this post, we’re covering some of the best jobs like DoorDash so you can make extra money on your own schedule.
The Best Jobs Like DoorDash
DoorDash is the leading food delivery service in North America and currently operates in over 5,000 cities.
Now, there are a few reasons people like driving jobs like DoorDash.
For starters, DoorDash drivers earn $23 per hour according to DoorDash. You can also work whenever you feel like it so it's quite flexible.
Plus, DoorDash also has lenient sign up requirements, lets you cash out instantly with Fast Pay, and lets you make money with your bike, car, or scooter.
However, if you think DoorDash sucks or want to test other gigs, you're in luck. These jobs similar to DoorDash are all effective ways to make extra cash by delivering food and other goods to people.
1. Instacart
Instacart is the leading grocery delivery service in North America. Like DoorDash, it’s available in over 5,000 cities across the United States and Canada.
The main difference between Instacart and DoorDash is that as an Instacart Shopper, you deliver groceries to people, not fast food and restaurant meals.
Your life on the job is also a bit different. Instacart Shoppers have to actually shop for groceries and then deliver them to customers. This means an Instacart batch takes longer than your average DoorDash order. However, the pay is worth it.
Instacart Shoppers can often make $15 to $25 per hour, and the potential for tips is also higher on large deliveries.
This means your weekly Instacart earnings can be quite impressive if you’re in a busy market and get enough orders.
Many gig drivers mix DoorDash and Instacart depending on what times they’re delivering at. The best DoorDash times are around meal times whereas Instacart peak hours are on weekends and earlier mornings.
But the bottom line is Instacart is one of the best delivery jobs like DoorDash and has one of the highest earning potential.
Start making money with Instacart!
2. Uber Eats
Out of all the jobs like DoorDash, Uber Eats is probably one of the most similar.
As an Uber Eats driver, you deliver fast food and food from restaurants to people. And like DoorDash, you can deliver via bike, car, scooter, or even on foot in some markets.
My friend actually worked for DoorDash and Uber Eats as a bike courier in downtown Toronto, and both apps function very similarly.
One difference between Uber Eats and DoorDash is that Uber has slightly stricter vehicle requirements depending on your market, whereas DoorDash doesn’t have vehicle requirements.
Additionally, Uber Eats is more global than DoorDash and is available in dozens of countries alongside its ridesharing parent company Uber.
If you want to run two food delivery apps at once, Uber Eats is a great gig like DoorDash to throw into the mix since both apps are so similar.
Your market plays a role in which delivery gig pays more, but overall, Uber Eats is incredibly similar to DoorDash.
Extra Reading – How To Make $1,000 A Week With Uber Eats.
3. Shipt
Shipt is another popular grocery delivery service that’s available in thousands of U.S. cities.
Unlike DoorDash, Shipt Shoppers just deliver groceries to people. This is the same as Instacart, Shipt’s main competitor.
Shipt Shoppers have to shop for groceries and then deliver them to people. Because of this, you really need a vehicle to deliver with whereas DoorDash lets you deliver on bike or scooter.
But if you have a vehicle, Shipt is a great side hustle like DoorDash to try. In terms of hourly pay, Shipt Shoppers earn around$13 to $15 per hour according to Glassdoor.
You keep 100% of all tips just like DoorDash, and large grocery deliveries have the potential for some lucrative tips.
DoorDash definitely has more market coverage than Shipt. But if you don’t mind shopping for groceries, you can make some decent money as a Shipt Shopper.
You can read our post on Shipt vs DoorDash or the best jobs like Instacart for a complete breakdown!
4. Grubhub
Grubhub is another popular food delivery service that’s also similar to DoorDash and Uber Eats.
As a Grubhub driver, you deliver fast food and food from restaurants to people. You can deliver with a bike, car, or scooter as well.
We actually have a post on DoorDash vs Grubhub, and while both delivery jobs are quite similar, there are two major differences.
The first is that Grubhub pays less than DoorDash. According to Indeed, Grubhub drivers earn $14 per hour on average.
However, Grubhub can pay more in certain markets depending on how busy it is and how many orders you get, so it’s still a popular job like DoorDash that’s worth trying.
But, the main downside to Grubhub is that you have to deliver in the market you sign up under. And it has a waiting list sometimes like DoorDash.
This is different from DoorDash which lets you Dash in any market as long as it’s busy enough. DoorDash also lets you go online instantly even if it’s slow if you’re a Top Dasher.
The bottom line is that DoorDash has a few perks over Grubhub. But if you’re stuck on a waiting list or want to try other app jobs like DoorDash, Grubhub is still worth trying.
5. Amazon Flex
There are plenty of ways to make money on Amazon, and becoming an Amazon Flex driver is one of the most lucrative.
Unlike DoorDash, which specializes in food, Amazon Flex drivers mostly deliver packages from Amazon warehouses to customers.
Flex drivers can also deliver Amazon Pantry orders to people, but for the most part, you’re delivering parcels from Amazon’s website to people.
Another main difference between Amazon Flex and DoorDash is that Flex Drivers earn $18 to $25 per scheduled block. In contrast, your DoorDash earnings vary depending on how many orders you complete, how good the orders are, and any tips.
The downside is you have to schedule blocks with Amazon Flex and it’s a bit more strict overall.
The delivery process is also different from DoorDash since you pick up all your packages at once from a fulfillment center or pick up point and then complete deliveries. With DoorDash, you’re always driving to and from different restaurants and drop-off points.
However, if you want a bit more structure and stable pay, Amazon Flex is one of the best driving jobs like DoorDash.
Just note there’s an Amazon Flex waiting list in many cities and the company doesn’t hire in nearly as many markets as DoorDash.
6. Caviar
Caviar started out as a small DoorDash competitor until DoorDash actually acquired the company back in 2019.
Despite the acquisition, you can still sign up to be a Caviar courier if you’re 18 or older, have a vehicle, scooter, or bike, and pass a background check.
Once you’re a courier, you can receive Caviar or DoorDash orders, so it’s a bit of a weird system.
Since DoorDash is so much larger, this is basically the exact same as being a DoorDash courier. But hey, it’s another delivery job you can try, and it might help you bypass a DoorDash waitlist if you get lucky.
7. Gopuff
GoPuff is a newer player in the delivery gig space, and while it’s only available in a few hundred U.S. cities, it’s another delivery gig like DoorDash and Amazon Flex.
As a Gopuff driver, you pickup packages from Gopuff partner fulfillment centers and then deliver them to customers.
Examples of what you can deliver include:
- Alcohol
- Groceries
- Everyday essentials
- Snacks
DoorDash is a better job than Gopuff because it has way more orders, so you’re usually busier and can hence make more per hour.
Gopuff driver earnings are around $10 to $12 per hour according to numerous drivers on Reddit.
You get paid a base hourly rate unlike DoorDash, and you can earn above that rate if you complete enough deliveries in an hour.
Again, jobs like DoorDash and Amazon Flex are likely more lucrative than goPuff. But if you can’t work for some of the leading delivery gigs, you can give Gopuff a try.
8. Roadie
If you want to make money with a pickup truck or cargo van, working as a Roadie driver is another similar job to DoorDash you can try.
Roadie is a peer-to-peer delivery gig that pays you for delivering packages to people and businesses in your city.
Popular packages you deliver as a Roadie driver include:
- Artwork
- Animals
- Appliances
- Flowers
- Furniture
- Groceries
- Parcels
- Vehicles
Like DoorDash, you have to be 18 or older, have a valid license, auto insurance, and a SSN to become a Roadie driver. You also have to pass a background check that looks at your criminal record and driving record like you do to become a DoorDash driver.
What’s nice about Roadie is that it shows you exactly how much a delivery gig pays just like the DoorDash driver app, minus any tips you might get after the order.
However, unlike DoorDash, Roadie deliveries can pay up to $60 for local deliveries and up to $650 for long-distance deliveries.
Overall, the type of packages you deliver and the potential to do long-distance deliveries makes Roadie more unique than DoorDash. But if your vehicle can handle large deliveries, Roadie can be quite lucrative.
9. Cornershop
Cornershop is a newer grocery delivery gig that's actually owned by Uber Eats.
It's actually incredibly similar to Uber Eats, DoorDash, and other delivery apps. You get paid to shop for people's groceries and to then deliver them.
The service that began in 2015 and currently operates in dozens of U.S. cities and nearly 30 Canadian cities, so it's significantly smaller than DoorDash.
But the advantage of Cornershop is that, like Instacart, you spend less money on gas than most delivery gigs since so much of your time is spent in-store shopping.
You have to be 19 or older to apply. Cornershop Shoppers make about $16 per hour on average according to various salary review websites.
Overall, this is a great job like DoorDash if you want a secondary app to multi-app with and it happens to be in your market.
The only downside is Cornershop is still growing, so it might not be in your area.
10. Drizly
If you're still looking for jobs like DoorDash, you can always apply to deliver for Drizly.
This delivery platform specializes in alcohol delivery. As a courier, you deliver spirits and beer to people and get paid, just like with DoorDash.
The main difference is that Drizly partners with local liquor stores to hire drivers. So, you're actually working for a specific store, not just as an independent contractor.
But if you're in a major city, there could be a lot of demand for Drizly. And you can also apply to a similar company called Saucey for even more opportunities.
11. SkipTheDishes
If you're Canadian and are looking for a job like DoorDash, one delivery gig you can try is SkipTheDishes.
You have to be 19 or older to deliver for SkipTheDishes. Like DoorDash, you also have to pass a background check and can deliver with your car or bike.
The service is available in pretty much any major or decently-sized Canadian cities. And I know plenty of couriers who deliver for gigs like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes during the same week.
SkipTheDishes also pays weekly like DoorDash, and you earn about $11 to $15 per hour, before tips, on average.
12. ParaWorks
One final side hustle like DoorDash you can try out is ParaWorks, an all-in-one platform for gig workers.
ParaWorks is a new platform the Para, a gig app that helps you optimize your delivery schedule. It offers extra delivery jobs and shifts to help you make more money when your main apps like DoorDash are slow.
I like ParaWorks because you know exactly how much gigs pay before you accept them, unlike DoorDash.
Plus, gigs pay quite well. According to ParaWorks, you can expect $25 per hour on average. And some shifts last a few hours, so you can make a quick $100 or more.
The main downside is that ParaWorks is still expanding, so it's way less available than gigs like DoorDash.
But I suggest checking it out to at least sign up so you know when it's available in your area.
Extra Reading – How To Get $500 By Tomorrow.
Tips For Making Money With Other Jobs Like DoorDash
Now that you know some other jobs like DoorDash to make extra money, here are some driving tips you can keep in mind to boost your earnings.
1. Track Your Expenses
When you work for apps like DoorDash, you’re working as an independent contractor. This means you’re responsible for expenses like:
- Gas
- Vehicle depreciation
- Tolls (for most apps)
- Tickets
- Vehicle insurance
However, you can still make decent money as a gig economy worker, but you need to track your expenses.
DoorDash doesn’t track mileage, pay for gas, or prepare tax returns for you, and neither do other driving gigs.
So, track how many miles you drive for these delivery apps, as well as how much you spend on gas and repairs. You can claim the miles you drive on your tax return to help pay less in income tax.
Apps like Everlance let you track your gig economy earnings and miles, and you can also try other mileage tracking apps or use a manual log book.
2. Work Efficiently
One of the most important DoorDash driver tips is to work efficiently by accepting orders that pay around $1 per mile or more.
This is a generally good rule of thumb because it helps you earn more than minimum wage in most markets, provided you get enough orders.
If you’re trying jobs like Instacart, it’s also important to work on shopping for groceries more quickly and to become a more efficient shopper.
All of these tips can help you make more money per hour, so it’s worth reflecting on if you’re working smart, not just hard!
3. Find Ways to Save Money
Tracking gig economy expenses helps you save money when filing taxes. But, there are other ways you can keep more money in your pocket with jobs like DoorDash.
For example, you can use various reward apps to get cash back whenever you refuel.
Upside is one popular app, and you can save up to $0.25 at thousands of gas stations across the United States.
Similarly, reward apps like Receipt Hog, ReceiptPal, and CoinOut let you upload pictures of gas and regular shopping receipts to earn small amounts of cash.
Finally, you should consider refueling with a rewards credit card that pays you in cash back so you recoup some of your operating expenses.
Extra Reading – The Best Reward Apps Like Fetch Rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Jobs Are Better Than DoorDash?
Jobs like Instacart and Shipt are better than DoorDash if you prefer grocery shopping versus picking up food for delivery. Additionally, jobs like Amazon Flex can pay more than DoorDash and have more structure, which could be appealing.
Uber Eats is also a better alternative to DoorDash if you want a similar job that's more globally-available and often pays more.
However, it's difficult to pick a single delivery gig that’s better than DoorDash because earnings for all of these apps vary greatly by market.
Which Food App Pays The Most?
According to salary data, DoorDash and Instacart are two of the highest paying food delivery apps. Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Postmates are driving gigs that pay slightly less but usually let you make more than minimum wage.
Again, your hourly earnings vary depending on when you deliver, how busy your market is, and also luck since tips can play a massive role in your driver pay.
Final Thoughts
Driving jobs like DoorDash are useful for making more money every month. Additionally, most jobs don’t have strict sign up requirements and let you start working quickly.
Just remember: it’s important to test out multiple delivery apps so you find which ones pay the most in your market.
Many drivers also use multiple apps at once or bounce between apps depending on which platform is getting the most order.
As long as you experiment and track your expenses, there’s no reason why you can’t make decent money with app jobs like DoorDash!
Best of luck with your hustle.
Looking for even more gig jobs to make money? Checkout:
