In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to order a meal with just a few taps on a smartphone has fundamentally reshaped our dining habits. Whether it’s a craving for pizza, sushi, or a gourmet dish from a local favorite, food delivery services eliminate the need for dining in or even driving to pick up. This convenience surged during the pandemic, but the reliance on these apps remains strong, making them indispensable tools for modern living.
This comprehensive guide meticulously examines the leading food delivery applications designed to bring meals, and often more, directly to your doorstep. Drawing on extensive research and data-driven analysis, similar to Wirecutter’s commitment to informed consumer choices, we dissect what each service offers across various platforms including computers, iPhones, and Android devices. Our aim is to provide clear, objective insights to help you make the best decision for your specific culinary needs.
To ensure our recommendations are trustworthy and practical, we’ve scrutinized key performance indicators such as restaurant variety, delivery fees, and crucial delivery times. Expert testing involved ordering from locations approximately five miles away in suburban areas and observing costs and delivery times in urban environments. This rigorous approach helps to highlight which apps excel in speed and efficiency, while also considering overall value, helping you identify the optimal choice for your next meal or grocery run.
1. **Grubhub: Extensive Reach and Rewarding Deals**Grubhub stands out as one of the pioneering and most recognized names in the food delivery service landscape. Operating in over 4,000 U.S. cities and London, UK, it boasts an impressive and extensive reach, partnering with a vast array of establishments. This includes everything from well-known nationwide chains to beloved neighborhood mom-and-pop diners, ensuring a selection that can cater to nearly any food craving imaginable, available on demand.
Utilizing Grubhub is designed to be a hassle-free experience. Users can easily search for restaurants based on cuisine type or location, place orders directly from comprehensive menus, and track their order’s progress seamlessly within the app. While individual restaurants may impose order minimums or specific fees, the core app functionality itself is free to use. Grubhub also facilitates both delivery and takeout options, and frequently offers special deals exclusive to app users, providing added value to its customers.
For those prioritizing convenience and contactless service, Grubhub includes a dedicated delivery instruction box. This feature allows users to specify where the driver should leave their meal, ensuring a smooth and safe no-contact delivery process. Furthermore, for frequent users looking to mitigate delivery costs, Grubhub offers an optional subscription service. Grubhub+, available for $9.99 per month, grants subscribers the benefit of free delivery on eligible orders, making it a cost-effective choice for regular patrons.
Expert testing from CNET underscores Grubhub’s strength as “Best to find deals and promotions,” thanks to its ‘Rewards’ tab which aggregates nearby and national restaurant offers, including tiered rewards like a $15 credit after three orders from a specific restaurant. In suburban areas, delivery and service fees totaled $6.99, with an estimated delivery window of 35 to 45 minutes. For urban locations, service fees ranged between $5.39 and $6.99, and estimated delivery times were generally between 25 to 35 minutes for a restaurant 15 minutes away, extending to 35 to 45 minutes for a restaurant 25 minutes away. This demonstrates its competitive, though sometimes slightly longer, delivery times compared to other top services.
Grubhub’s commitment to a strong network of unique, independent restaurants, coupled with its robust loyalty program and ‘Perks’ discounts, makes it a compelling choice for diners. While some regions might experience higher delivery fees or a slightly smaller selection of chain restaurants compared to its biggest competitors, its focused approach on local eateries and consistent promotions provide a distinctive advantage for many users seeking value and variety from their community’s culinary scene.
2. **DoorDash: Smart Recommendations and Broad Coverage**DoorDash has rapidly ascended to become a dominant force in the food delivery market, currently holding the position as the market leader in the USA, responsible for nearly half of all delivery orders nationwide. Founded in 2013, it has established an extensive operational network across 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. DoorDash is particularly lauded for its intuitive interface, dependable and fast deliveries, and comprehensive customer loyalty initiatives, most notably its DashPass subscription.
Key features of DoorDash cater to a broad range of customer needs and preferences. It partners with an impressive selection of both local eateries and national chains, offering a diverse array of cuisines, from sushi to fast food. The app streamlines the ordering process with easy-to-use functions, including quick reordering of favorite meals. Users also benefit from real-time delivery tracking, the flexibility to pick up orders, and the option to schedule deliveries at the most convenient times, enhancing overall user control and satisfaction.
DoorDash further distinguishes itself with innovative features designed to improve the dining experience. Its “Yum Score” provides a unique rating system, evaluating both food quality and a restaurant’s efficiency in working with DoorDash to expedite orders—a highly valuable metric for those who prioritize hot, fresh food. Additionally, where local laws permit, DoorDash allows users to order alcohol and mixers from local wine and liquor stores, expanding its utility beyond just restaurant meals. Like other top services, it offers a delivery instructions box for contact-free drop-offs.
Regarding pricing and subscriptions, DoorDash’s delivery fees typically fall between $1.99 and $5.99, influenced by distance and restaurant. A service fee, generally between 10-15% of the order subtotal, is applied to all transactions. The DashPass membership, priced at $9.99 per month, is a significant value proposition, offering unlimited free delivery and reduced service fees on eligible orders exceeding $12, making it an attractive option for frequent users.
According to CNET’s expert analysis, DoorDash is recognized as “Best for ordering everything plus food,” highlighting its expansive offerings beyond just restaurant meals. The app partners with nearly 590,000 restaurants, demonstrating its vast selection. In suburban tests, delivery and service fees amounted to $8.99, with an estimated delivery time of 40 minutes. For urban orders, service fees ranged from $3 for nearby restaurants to $3.99 for those 25 minutes away, often with no additional delivery fees. Estimated urban delivery times were notably efficient, between 16 minutes for close restaurants and 36 minutes for more distant ones, suggesting DoorDash offers better value in urban areas compared to Grubhub in terms of fees.
3. **Seamless: A New York Staple, Reimagined by Grubhub**Seamless holds a distinguished place in the history of online food ordering, having launched as one of the first services in New York City back in 1999. Today, operating under the robust Grubhub banner, Seamless functions as a mirror image of its parent company, sharing the same extensive infrastructure and many core functionalities. It continues to be a cornerstone for residents in its primary service areas, particularly within the New York metropolitan area, offering a vast array of restaurant choices.
While seamlessly integrated with Grubhub’s operational framework, Seamless often maintains exclusive restaurant partnerships, particularly within New York City and its surrounding boroughs. This local focus helps to preserve its identity as a go-to platform for Manhattanites and other NYC residents seeking rapid delivery from their most cherished local eateries. The app consistently delivers food from a wide variety of cuisines and restaurants, providing full-menu options without the burden of undisclosed extra fees, aside from those a restaurant may independently impose.
Seamless is designed with user convenience in mind, allowing customers to easily browse by food type or location. It offers the flexibility to have meals delivered to a home or work address, and also provides the option to arrange for pickup if that is preferred. For enhanced safety and preference, a contact-free delivery option is readily available. This comprehensive approach ensures that Seamless remains a versatile tool for diverse dining needs across its service areas.
Similar to Grubhub, Seamless offers a membership program for frequent users. The Seamless+ subscription, priced at $9.99 per month, allows members to enjoy savings on delivery costs, making it an economical choice for regular orders. For occasional users, the core app remains free to use. Beyond the membership, Seamless features a “Perks” program that provides rotating discounts, often highlighted on popular New York City hotspots, offering additional incentives for its user base.
Seamless’s strongest coverage is undeniably within New York City, where it has cultivated deep partnerships with everything from major chain restaurants to beloved neighborhood food joints. This extensive local network ensures some of the best food is available on the go or delivered directly to doorsteps throughout the Big Apple. While its availability extends to a number of other U.S. cities, its concentration and competitive edge are most pronounced on the East Coast, particularly within its founding metropolitan hub, solidifying its reputation as a New York staple.
4. **Uber Eats: Leveraging Ride-Hailing for Rapid Delivery**Uber Eats, launched in 2014, represents a natural and highly successful extension of the ubiquitous ride-sharing platform, Uber. By seamlessly integrating with Uber’s established logistics infrastructure, Uber Eats brings the company’s renowned on-demand efficiency to the dynamic world of food delivery. Operating in over 6,000 cities worldwide, with a significant presence across nearly every major city in the USA, it provides a robust and expansive service for users globally.
The app’s design prioritizes ease of use and discovery. Uber Eats users can effortlessly search for their cherished local restaurants or explore new culinary establishments nearby. With just a few taps, orders can be placed for either immediate delivery or scheduled for a more convenient future time. A standout feature is the real-time order tracking, which functions identically to tracking an Uber ride, providing customers with precise updates on their meal’s journey from kitchen to door.
Payment options are highly flexible, allowing users to pay with a credit card or through existing credits on their Uber account, which is a significant advantage for those already integrated into the Uber ecosystem. The app also includes in-app options for tipping the delivery person and the ability to leave specific instructions for contact-free food delivery, enhancing both convenience and safety. Uber Eats’ broad global reach is another considerable benefit, offering users a high probability of on-demand food ordering across major cities worldwide, catering to travelers and locals alike.
For frequent diners, Uber Eats offers the Eats Pass, a monthly subscription costing $9.99. This pass provides subscribers with free delivery on orders exceeding $15, along with an additional 5% discount on eligible meals. Regarding general pricing, delivery fees typically range from $0.99 to $5.99, varying based on distance and the specific restaurant. A service fee, usually around 15% of the order subtotal, is also applied to each transaction, with a small order fee of $2-$3 for orders less than $10-$15.
CNET’s expert review highlights Uber Eats, alongside Postmates, as offering the “Most restaurant options,” citing partnerships with over 825,000 restaurants, the highest number among the apps tested. In suburban areas, combined delivery and service fees totaled $9.49, the highest on the list, but with notably fast estimated delivery times of 25 to 40 minutes. For urban locations, estimated delivery times were even quicker, ranging from 10 to 15 minutes for nearby restaurants and 35 to 50 minutes for those 25 minutes away, with service fees of $3.75 across the board. This data suggests Uber Eats prioritizes speed, particularly in urban settings, though it may come with higher fees in suburban areas.
5. **Instacart: Your Go-To for Groceries and Prepared Meals**While many food delivery apps focus exclusively on restaurant meals, Instacart carved its niche by specializing in grocery delivery, offering a vital service when your menu calls for actual groceries rather than just takeout. Available in an impressive 5,500 cities across the U.S. and Canada, Instacart has become a leading solution for getting household goods, and in some cases, even alcohol, delivered directly to your home.
Instacart boasts extensive partnerships with more than 20,000 retailers across North America. This wide network allows users to access a broad spectrum of grocery stores, from large supermarkets to local specialty shops. A key benefit for those seeking immediate consumption is the ability to order ready-to-eat meals from local stores through the platform. This makes Instacart a versatile option for diverse food needs, bridging the gap between meal delivery and full grocery shopping.
To ensure customer safety and convenience, Instacart has implemented a drop-off feature designed to minimize contact with the person delivering your items. This is particularly valuable for those who prioritize health and safety protocols, offering peace of mind with every order. The intuitive interface helps users navigate through vast product catalogs and manage their shopping lists effectively, replicating the in-store experience from the comfort of their home.
For frequent users, an Instacart Express membership is highly recommended. Priced at $9.99 per month, this subscription provides significant advantages, including faster deliveries and often waiving per-order delivery fees for orders over a certain threshold. Without the membership, Instacart charges a delivery fee starting at $3.99, applicable to orders with a minimum value of $10. This structure encourages regular usage to maximize savings and efficiency.
Instacart’s primary utility lies in its unparalleled ability to bring an entire grocery store to your door, including prepared foods that are ready to eat. While it doesn’t compete directly with restaurant-focused apps in terms of hot meal variety, its capacity to deliver fresh produce, pantry staples, and quick meal solutions makes it an indispensable tool for household management. Its comprehensive reach and extensive retailer partnerships solidify its position as one of the best grocery delivery services available, making it a distinct and valuable player in the broader food delivery ecosystem.
6. **Caviar: Curated Choices for Discerning Palates**Caviar distinguishes itself within the bustling food delivery market by focusing on a more curated, upscale dining experience. Acquired by DoorDash in late 2019, it has strategically positioned itself as the go-to platform for users seeking a “rich selection of local restaurants” rather than the fast-food options often dominating broader services. This emphasis allows Caviar to cater to a discerning clientele that prioritizes quality and unique culinary offerings from their community’s finest establishments.
Ordering through the Caviar app is designed to be a seamless experience, providing users with the modern conveniences expected from top-tier delivery services. Customers can easily browse and place orders from a selection of hand-picked eateries, benefiting from “real-time GPS tracking for deliveries.” This feature ensures transparency, allowing diners to monitor their meal’s journey from kitchen to doorstep with precision. Furthermore, for those who prefer to save on fees or are conveniently located, Caviar offers the “option to pick up your food to save on delivery-and-service fees.”
What truly sets Caviar apart is its commitment to elevating the delivery experience. The platform frequently offers “a number of in-app exclusive deals,” providing added value for its users who appreciate premium options. Its deliberate choice to “focus less on fast food” and instead “emphasize other types of restaurants” means users can discover unique, high-quality dishes not always available on more generalized apps. Safety and convenience are also paramount, with options to “leave instructions for no-contact delivery when you checkout for your order.”
While its reach might not be as extensive as some industry giants, Caviar operates in “28 cities and regions across the country,” serving key urban and metropolitan areas. This focused availability allows it to cultivate deeper partnerships with local, often more exclusive, restaurants. Despite its integration into the DoorDash family, Caviar maintains its distinct brand identity, successfully appealing to a market segment that values sophisticated dining experiences delivered to their door.
For users prioritizing quality and local culinary excellence, Caviar offers a significant advantage. Its emphasis on unique restaurant partnerships often translates into a more elevated dining experience. While those seeking universal restaurant availability or the absolute fastest delivery of any food type might find its selection narrower, Caviar remains the ideal choice for enjoying gourmet meals from cherished local spots.
7. **Postmates: Your Round-the-Clock Everything Delivery Service**Postmates, founded in 2011 and acquired by Uber in 2020, stands out for its pioneering “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere” philosophy. This service is designed to satisfy a broad spectrum of needs, offering “round-the-clock food delivery service” for just about anything, depending on the operating hours of local establishments. It caters to more than just meal cravings, positioning itself as a versatile platform ready to deliver diverse items directly to your doorstep.
The expansive delivery offerings of Postmates extend significantly beyond typical restaurant fare. Users can order “pizza, burgers, groceries or even things like clothing or cellphone chargers from local stores to your doorstep.” The app partners with a vast network of both local restaurants and “non-restaurant retailers like Costco, 7-Eleven, and liquor stores,” making it an incredibly useful tool for various urgent or spontaneous needs. CNET’s experts also note that Postmates, alongside Uber Eats, can deliver “food, groceries and even pharmacy items” from “over 825,000 restaurants” and other partners.
Although it shares backend infrastructure with Uber Eats, Postmates “still operates under its own brand in many cities,” maintaining its distinct user experience. The app incorporates essential features like “no-contact delivery options” (or “Drop-off instructions” for secure item placement), in-app tipping, and a “pick-up” feature for select outlets. This integration ensures the efficient tracking and reliable logistics that users have come to expect from Uber’s ecosystem, simplifying the entire ordering process.
Postmates’ pricing structure includes a standard “delivery charge and surge pricing during peak hours,” which can fluctuate based on demand. To mitigate these costs for frequent users, the platform offers the “Postmates Unlimited service” at “$9.99 per month” or “$99/year.” This subscription effectively “removes surge pricing and delivery charges for orders greater than $15,” making it an economical choice for regular patrons. A service fee of “around 9% is applied” to all orders.
With coverage in “4,200 U.S. cities” (or “over 3,500 U.S. cities” as per its overview), Postmates excels in major metropolitan hubs such as “Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City.” CNET’s expert review highlighted its impressive speed, noting “faster than any of the other apps” estimated delivery times for suburban areas at “25 to 40 minutes” and efficient urban times ranging from “10 to 50 minutes.” While suburban orders might see a higher “combined $9.49 for delivery and service fees,” urban service fees are a more competitive “$3.75 across the board.” This blend of broad offerings, reliable speed, and flexible pricing solidifies Postmates as a top contender for varied delivery needs.
8. **ChowNow: Supporting Local Restaurants, One Pickup at a Time**ChowNow carved a unique niche in the food delivery landscape by prioritizing local eateries and a pickup-centric model. Unlike many competitors that focus exclusively on doorstep delivery, “ChowNow isn’t strictly a food delivery app.” While “delivery is available in select locations,” its core mission revolves around “letting you place orders for food that you pick up at local restaurants,” making it an ideal choice for community-minded diners.
The platform’s appeal stems from its unwavering commitment to “supporting local restaurants.” ChowNow differentiates itself by focusing “on local eateries, instead of chains,” fostering a direct connection between diners and their community’s culinary backbone. A major advantage for both customers and restaurants is ChowNow’s promise of “commission-free ordering.” This transparent approach ensures that “your final bill isn’t loaded down with unexplained fees,” and more of your money directly supports the restaurant owners and their staff, an ethical consideration many users appreciate.
ChowNow’s design encourages the discovery of hidden gems and beloved neighborhood spots. Users can effortlessly “discover good, local eats that are close by,” even when planning to dine at home. The app’s interface simplifies the ordering process, ensuring that whether for pickup or in its limited delivery zones, the experience remains user-friendly. While its “delivery limited to select cities” and generally “not as extensive as other services,” this focus allows for a deeper connection with the local food scene.
Operating in “18 U.S. cities and regions,” ChowNow has a more localized reach compared to national giants. For individuals who prioritize patronizing small businesses, value transparent pricing, and are comfortable with the pickup model, ChowNow offers a compelling alternative. It represents a direct and impactful way to enjoy community favorites without the additional intermediary costs often imposed by broader delivery platforms, truly embodying its “commitment to supporting local restaurants.”
9. **Delivery.com: The All-Purpose Convenience for Every Need**Delivery.com distinguishes itself by offering a robust “all-purpose delivery service” that extends far beyond just food. Initially, one might not consider it a primary candidate for top food delivery apps given its diverse offerings. However, food delivery is indeed “very much a part of Delivery.com’s bag of tricks,” seamlessly integrating culinary needs with a host of other essential services, making it a truly comprehensive platform.
The service boasts an impressively broad portfolio. Beyond merely “ordering your favorite munchies for delivery or takeout,” Delivery.com is equipped to “bring you groceries, beer, wine and spirits,” positioning it as a veritable “one-stop source for all your food needs.” What truly broadens its utility is the ability “to schedule pickups and drop-offs for laundry and dry cleaning.” This consolidation of diverse errands into a single application offers unparalleled convenience for busy individuals and households.
Enhancing the user experience are practical features designed for efficiency and social engagement. The “group ordering feature” stands out, allowing users to “split orders with neighbors and roommates to minimize the number of deliveries coming and going.” This fosters a collaborative approach to ordering, simplifying logistics and potentially reducing individual costs, particularly for shared living spaces or office environments.
Delivery.com maintains a respectable geographic footprint, serving “100-plus U.S. cities.” While specific delivery fees “vary by location” and some “restaurants tack on delivery fees,” the platform aims to provide wide accessibility. Importantly, it also offers a “Delivery Points reward program for free,” incentivizing loyal users with tangible benefits without the requirement of a paid subscription. This program adds value by rewarding consistent engagement with the service.
Ultimately, Delivery.com shines for users who seek to streamline multiple types of deliveries and services through one convenient platform. Its ability to consolidate diverse errands, from securing dinner to managing dry cleaning, alongside groceries and alcohol, positions it as an exceptionally utilitarian tool. For those looking for ultimate convenience and efficiency in a single app, Delivery.com presents a compelling and comprehensive solution.
10. **goPuff: Your On-Demand Mobile Convenience Store**goPuff takes a refreshingly “quirkier approach to food delivery,” redefining instant gratification by operating as a fully stocked “mobile convenience store.” Unlike traditional restaurant-focused apps, goPuff specializes in delivering “snacks, ice cream, alcohol and other items” directly from its own local fulfillment centers. This model ensures rapid delivery of everyday essentials, catering to those spontaneous cravings or immediate household needs.
The platform’s offerings extend significantly beyond typical convenience store items, encompassing crucial non-food necessities. Its catalog includes vital supplies like “over-the-counter medicine and cleaning supplies,” making it an invaluable resource for urgent situations or last-minute household emergencies. During periods of heightened caution, such as the “coronavirus outbreak,” goPuff’s commitment to safety with its “no-contact delivery options” provides added peace of mind for customers.
Boasting “a catalog of more than 2,000 products,” goPuff ensures a vast selection, mimicking the experience of a well-stocked corner store without ever leaving home. Its pricing model is notably straightforward, featuring “a convenient flat delivery fee of $1.95 per delivery.” This predictability in cost is a significant advantage for users, as it eliminates the variable and often opaque service fees common with other delivery services, simplifying budgeting and decision-making.
For frequent users looking to maximize savings, goPuff offers the “Fam membership,” priced at “$5.95 a month.” This subscription provides the significant benefit of “free delivery,” making it a highly cost-effective choice for those who “turn to GoPuff more than three times each month.” The membership quickly pays for itself, incentivizing regular patronage by significantly reducing ongoing delivery expenses and enhancing overall value.
With availability in “170-plus areas,” goPuff successfully serves a broad and growing market, providing crucial access to convenience store items, household essentials, and snacks “day or night, without requiring you to hoof it to a corner store.” For immediate needs, unexpected guests, or simply a quick snack run, goPuff offers unmatched speed, a dedicated inventory, and transparent pricing. It stands as an invaluable tool for certain types of on-demand delivery, offering a modern solution to everyday convenience.
**Choosing Your Culinary Wingman: Navigating the Delivery App Landscape**
As we’ve meticulously navigated the intricate landscape of food and all-purpose delivery apps, it’s clear that the sheer variety of options offers unprecedented convenience. From Grubhub’s extensive network and DoorDash’s market-leading recommendations to Uber Eats’ rapid logistics and Instacart’s grocery prowess, each platform presents a distinct value proposition. Moreover, specialized services like Caviar for gourmet dining, Postmates for anything-on-demand, ChowNow for supporting local businesses, Delivery.com for a truly all-in-one solution, and goPuff for instant convenience store runs, ensure there’s a perfect match for every need and preference.
Making the best choice ultimately hinges on your specific priorities. Do you value speed above all, a vast selection of restaurants, cost-saving subscription models, or the ability to order groceries and household essentials alongside your meal? Our comprehensive, research-backed analysis aims to cut through the noise, providing the clear, objective insights you need. By understanding the unique strengths, coverage, and pricing structures of each service, you’re now equipped to make informed decisions that align with your lifestyle and budget, ensuring your next meal—or essential item—arrives swiftly and exactly as you desire. Happy ordering!
