Shipt vs. Instacart [2024]: Which is Better to Work for?

Signing up for a food delivery service like Shipt or Instacart could be a great way to get started in this side hustle. Aside from having access to a vehicle, there are few eligibility requirements, and you don’t need any experience, education, or training to sign up.

But which of these two grocery delivery services is best for you? Let’s dig into the details and compare them side by side.

Quick look: Shipt vs. Instacart

Here’s how the two popular shopping side hustles stack up side to side:

Shopping positions	Delivery or in-store shoppers	Delivery or in-store shoppers
# of cities	5,000s	5,500s
Background check required?	Yes	Yes
Features	Choose the areas where you shop Pay via direct deposit $10 referral bonus Free Shipt membership ($99 value) Discounts on auto insurance, tax services, and more	Decline orders if they’re too far away Pay via direct deposit $10 referral bonus Occasional promos and discounts for users Discounts on entertainment, travel and car insurance
Requirements	To be at least 18 years old A valid mailing address A valid U.S. driver's license and auto insurance A reliable car, 1997 or newer A newer Android or iPhone smartphone The ability to lift at least 50 pounds	To be at least 18 years old To be eligible to work in the U.S. A reliable newer Android or iPhone Consistent access to a vehicle The ability to lift at least 40 pounds
	Visit Shipt	Visit Instacart

When to go with Instacart

With Instacart you can choose to be a full-service shopper or an in-store shopper. As a full-service shopper, you will shop where the customer placed their order and then deliver it to them. In-store shoppers focus on shopping and preparing orders within one store. With this position, you can expect set shifts, which can provide a stable and predictable work schedule.

Here’s how you know if Instacart is a better fit for you:

• You want to earn in a flexible working environment
• You don’t want to rely on a car
• You want more shopping opportunities

Here’s what these perks look like in more depth.

You earn on your time

Although Instacart doesn’t publish its estimated hourly rates, personal shoppers make an average of $16 per hour nationwide according to ZipRecruiter. The amount you’ll make will depend on where you live and how many orders you shop. Additionally, you can make more if you shop during the higher-paid windows, such as peak time or do bundled orders. You will also be compensated a $2 “heavy pay” for heavier items, and you will have tip protection against customers who remove their tip without valid complaint.

Having a car is optional

Instacart shoppers and delivery drivers can expect to frequent stores like Costco, Aldi, Sprouts, Target, and more. The best perk about working for Instacart is that you don’t need a reliable car to qualify — there are in-store shopper positions. You’ll be considered an employee rather than an independent contractor, but you’ll still have the flexibility to choose your own schedule.

More cities available for work

There’s also a better chance Instacart is available in your area. Shipt has grown significantly in the last few years, but Instacart is still available in about 500 more cities than Shipt. In the small, California mountain town I live in, Instacart is the only choice. So some side hustlers won’t have a choice who they can work with.

Check out our Instacart review for more details.

When to go with Shipt

Shipt offers two positions, a personal shopper or a package delivery driver. Shoppers shop and deliver the groceries for the customer. Package delivery drivers pick up packages from a designated Target center to deliver within the set radius. The number of locations available for package delivery is limited, whereas being a personal shopper is more widespread across the nation.

Shipt is a better choice for you if:

• You want to control where you shop
• You love discounts and perks
• You want to be connected to a community of shoppers

Your shop of choice

Both Instacart and Shipt allow you to decline orders if they’re too far outside your location, but Shipt takes the extra step of allowing shoppers to select the areas they’re willing to pick up and deliver. This can help you learn your way around a select few stores, making you more efficient. You also won’t need to drive around town picking up orders, reducing the wear and tear on your vehicle.

Get discounts and perks

One of the perks Shipt shoppers receive is a free annual membership to Shipt ($99 value). You can expect discounts on other services, including car insurance, prescription plans, and gym memberships. For example, Liberty Mutual Insurance partners with Shipt to give a 12% or more discount to some drivers, but coverage is not available in all states. Additionally, Shipt shoppers receive a free month of BetterHelp teletherapy and the option for a gym membership as low as $14.99, which gives access to several in-person gyms and online live classes.

You will also get access to a gas savings program, Upside, that enables you to earn cash back on gas at over 25,000 fuel stations. With Shipt, you will get an extra 35¢/gal on your first two fill-ups.

Community love

People who like being social are more likely to enjoy working for Shipt. That’s because Shipt works to create a community for shoppers. Shipt has a dedicated, private Facebook group, Shipt Shopper Lounge, that allows you to connect with other shoppers around the nation.

Check out our Shipt review for more details.

Does Shipt or Instacart pay more?

We know that at the end of the day, one of the top deciding factors is which company will pad your bank account better. This really depends on your unique location and situation.

According to a Reddit thread, many Instacart shoppers posted they averaged about $100 per day, working up to eight hours. One poster said, “For [2023], I average $31.95/hour. I count from the time I leave my house until I get home the day. Yes, this is in California, but I also averaged a little over $30.00/hour when I lived outside of Philadelphia. Speed plays a big factor in hourly earnings.”

As far as the data shows, Instacart shoppers make about $16 per hour nationwide, whereas Shipt drivers make an average of $18 per hour according to ZipRecruiter. Shipt said on their site that their drivers average $25 to $35 an hour. Additionally, Shipt guarantees every driver will at least make $16 an hour for their base pay.

Both companies allow shoppers and drivers to keep 100% of their tips.

FAQs

Instacart vs. Shipt: Which should you choose?

Unlike comparing credit cards and investment programs, you can easily try out both Instacart and Shipt. Use both for a month and see which one has more offers and is easier to use. Additionally, check each app throughout the day and week to get a better idea of bonus times and when there are typically more orders.

You might discover that you can make money from both companies successfully or that one company is more popular in your area. If you live within 30 minutes of a college town or busy city, it might be worth setting your shopping area near there.

You may even decide that neither service is right for you and explore some other ways to make money. Working with a service like DoorDash or Uber Eats might be a better fit for some people. If you’re lucky, you might find a side hustle that you enjoy and that could lead to a full-time opportunity in the future.