DoorDash vs. Uber Eats: Which Is Better, & Why? [Analyzed]

We live in the most convenient era in human history.

With on-demand delivery companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats, you have access to nearly every type of food you can imagine.

But, with so many online food delivery services available at your fingertips, how do you choose one?

Today, we’re sharing our full comparison of DoorDash vs. Uber Eats.

How do DoorDash and Uber Eats hold up in comparison? Is one of them better than the other?

We’ve broken down everything from affordability for customers to potential earnings for workers.

Uber Eats vs DoorDash: At a Glance

DoorDash and Uber Eats are amongst the most popular food delivery options available today.

• Both offer on-demand service that’s accessible via smartphone app or desktop computer.
• Both show an estimated delivery time.
• Both apps have a simple ordering process – just add your credit card, delivery address, food order, and any special delivery instructions.

Both of these companies are growing at a rapid pace, too.

It’s no surprise, of course, that the general population has taken kindly to an influx of delivery options.

Due to growing demand, Uber Eats increased their revenue by more than 230% during the last year alone.

According to the company, their success can be attributed to an exponential growth in loyal customers.

DoorDash is doing even better.

As CEO and co-founder Tony Xu states in a recent press release, the company has grown by more than 250% year-over-year.

The PR goes on to say that the company is growing faster than any other business in their space.

So, it’s clear that both of these companies are going to be around for a while.

Now, revenue aside, it might appear that these two services are the same.

After all, if someone is going to deliver a burrito to your front door…who cares what service they work for?

Doesn’t an on-demand box of donuts taste just as good no matter which app you use to order it?

Well…yes.

Of course, a burrito or a donut is just as enjoyable whether you use DoorDash or Uber Eats to buy it.

However, there are a few key differences that are important to take note of.

1. City Availability

For example, Uber Eats is available in far more cities across the United States. It’s available in other countries, too.

Currently, you can use Uber’s food delivery service in cities all over North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

The same can’t be said for DoorDash. Currently, it’s only available in the US and Canada.

But for now, their service isn’t available anywhere else. So, if you live in a place where DoorDash isn’t available, they can’t do much for you.

2. Customer Support

Another key difference is their approach to customer support.

At the moment, DoorDash doesn’t have a customer support line. Instead, they encourage customers to contact them via the chat app on their website.

Uber Eats, on the other hand, has a phone number that is accessible by phone 24/7. All you have to do is:

• Tap the “Help” button in their app
• Select the blue phone icon
• Dial the phone number in your app

This difference might not seem like a big deal. But, if you’re hungry and your order hasn’t shown up, it’s nice to be able to talk with support directly.

Which One is Cheaper?

Unfortunately, convenient food delivery comes at a price. After all, both companies have to pay their delivery drivers to bring you freshly prepared food.

Both companies make money by charging customers a delivery fee for each order.

So, in addition to paying for the order itself, you’ll also have to fork up a few extra dollars to cover the cost of the service.

DoorDash, for example, charges a base delivery fee of $5.99. This fee is higher in certain cities, but also increases during busy hours (i.e. lunch and dinner time).

They also charge a service fee for when you order from certain restaurants.

And in addition, if the restaurant is not an official DoorDash partner (or “Merchant”), they tack a few extra dollars onto the bill.

In other words, DoorDash orders can be expensive when delivering a low-cost meal.

When you order from an official Merchant restaurant, the fee is typically waived. This helps them to promote their partnerships with specific restaurants.

Similar to the delivery fee, the service fee varies depending on the delivery time and time of day.

However, you can always expect to pay a few dollars more for a delivery person to drop off your food than if you just walked into the restaurant yourself.

Similarly, Uber Eats charges a variable delivery fee.

At one point in time, they charged a flat booking fee of $4.99 per order. However, they eliminated that policy in mid-2018.

Now, the fee is determined by the distance between your location and your restaurant of choice.

In other words, the further a driver has to travel, the more you can expect to pay. Typically, it ranges between $2 and $8.

Unlike DoorDash, Uber Eats doesn’t charge a service fee. The total cost is determined by the cost of the food, the delivery fee, any surge prices, and applicable taxes.

DoorDash’s Subscription Service

One benefit of DoorDash is that they offer what they call DashPass, a subscription plan that grants customers a host of benefits for subscribing.

Members receive free delivery on eligible orders over $12, reduced service fees, and access to exclusive promotions and discounts.

DashPass also includes priority customer support and various perks from partner merchants.

It only costs $9.99 per month and subscribers can opt out at any time. This isn’t a bad price for unlimited free deliveries.

That means that you pay the same price you’d pay in-house. But, you get to enjoy the meal in the comfort of your own home.

If an average delivery fee is $5.99, you only have to place two orders each month for your DashPass to pay for itself.

Of course, the DashPass isn’t for casual customers. If you only order once every few months, it’s not worth your money.

But, if you’re constantly browsing the DoorDash app in search of your next meal, this could be a great way for you to save some cash.

For the longest time, Uber Eats didn’t offer a subscription service until they rolled out Uber Eats Pass, which eventually evolved into Uber One – a direct competitor to DashPass.

Uber One is also priced at $9.99/month with the ability to cancel at any time.

The membership offers benefits like free delivery on Uber Eats orders, discounted rides, priority customer support, and exclusive promotions.

There are also additional perks that get thrown in here and there, such as special menu items depending on the restaurant.

Who Has Better Promotions?

First, both companies offer compelling incentives for first-time users to join their platform.

DoorDash offers new users up to $30 in free credit, while Uber Eats is offering new users up to $10 in free credit as of this writing.

It’s worth noting that these promotions change constantly and are dependent on region and timing, but historically, from what I’ve noticed DoorDash typically tends to offer higher sign-up bonuses.

But it doesn’t stop there. Both companies also offer existing customers to earn free credit after they’ve used the app.

I found a variety of different promo codes for existing DoorDash users, and 6 creative ways for existing Uber users to earn free account credit.

Aside from that, DoorDash also offers customers ways to earn free credit, just like Uber Eats.

In addition, both companies have exclusive brand partnerships with different restaurants, which have huge benefits for customers.

For example, it makes more sense to order Chipotle from DoorDash. The two have an ongoing contract in which DoorDash handles all deliveries for more than 1,800 Chipotle locations across the U.S.

This partnership is great for customers because the two companies often offer special discounts.

DoorDash offered free delivery to all Chipotle customers who ordered through them several times throughout 2018.

They did something similar with Cheesecake Factory, another partner. Everyone who used the app to order from Cheesecake Factory received free delivery.

Uber Eats, on the other hand, partners with fast food restaurants like White Castle and McDonald’s.

Right now, you can get $5 off your first McDonald’s order when you use Uber’s delivery service.

In the end, you should consider discounts and promotions when deciding which app to use. If one of them offers a discount to the restaurant you’re ordering from, you’ll want to use that app.

You can stay updated with all the latest promotions by following the two companies on social media and checking the emails they send you.

How Much Do DoorDash and Uber Eats Charge Restaurants?

Both companies charge restaurants a fee to deliver for them. Restaurants who opt in to paying the fee are listed as delivery options in the app.

DoorDash charges restaurants 20% per order, while Uber Eats charges them 30% per order.

As DoorDash points out on their site, it helps restaurants to do more business without hiring a delivery staff.

It also extends their reach to customers who might not order for them otherwise. Therefore, these companies see themselves as providing a service to the restaurant and charge money for that service.

Some restaurant owners have spoken out against food delivery apps. These folks refuse to work with any third-party delivery service because the high costs hurt their business.

For example, Michelle Gauthier, owner of Mulberry & Vine in New York City, recently told The New Yorker that her restaurant is “losing money on delivery orders, or, best-case scenario, breaking even.”

In the future, some restaurants may opt not to work with Uber Eats, DoorDash, or any other delivery service.

But, if there is a high enough demand for delivery and they’re pressured to work with any company, they’re likely to go with the least expensive option.

In other words, Uber Eats is at risk of losing customers to DoorDash because DoorDash charges smaller fees to restaurants.

So, even if your favorite restaurant works with Uber now, it may not be that way forever.

Small restaurants, in particular, might be forced to hear over to DoorDash instead.

How They Compare for Drivers

Both DoorDash and Uber Eats hire independent contractors for deliveries, paying per order. Rates vary by time, location, and transport mode (car, bike, scooter, walking).

These gigs are excellent for earning extra money, with many Lyft or Uber drivers boosting their income by delivering during lunch or dinner. Some drivers work for both, though most prefer one.

Our data indicates that, on average, Uber Eats drivers earn between $12.87 and $19.77 per hour, while DoorDash drivers earn an average of $15.03 per hour, with some cities paying as high as $16.58.

I won’t go into immense detail here, as this could be an entire post in itself.

However, I suggest watching the video below to get a better understanding of how each app compares for drivers:

The Final Verdict

Ultimately, it’s hard to decide which of these two services is better, as they both have their own perks and downsides. The best thing you can do is test them both out.

I suggest using both apps and seeing which offers a better experience for you, in your own area. However, I can offer a few simple suggestions.

• Use Uber Eats for wider city availability, a simpler driver experience, and a steady customer flow, especially if you live outside the US and Canada.
• Choose DoorDash if you’re looking for higher driver earnings, benefit from the DashPass subscription for free delivery on orders over $12, and want access to exclusive restaurant promotions.

Both services cost $9.99 per month, so your choice depends on specific needs and location.

Questions? Comments? Leave them in the comment section below and somebody from our team will get back to you as soon as we can.