10 Best Jobs Like Instacart

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Picture of front door with grocery bags

Looking for jobs like Instacart? Look no further.

Instacart shopping is one great app that helps people earn extra cash, but there are lots of options out there that appeal to people with different skills and goals.

Top Jobs Like Instacart

Instacart is one app you can use to earn some extra cash, but there are many other ways to work on your own schedule, whether or not you own a car.

1. DoorDash

DoorDash is like Uber Eats, paying you to deliver takeout food to customers who place orders through the DoorDash app.

You can make deliveries anywhere, whether you live in a city or are just visiting, and you can use any vehicle to make your deliveries.

Depending on how long DoorDash expects the task to take, how far you have to travel, and how popular similar jobs are amongst delivery drivers, DoorDash pays between $2 and $10 for each task.

Finally, drivers earn 100% of any tips their customers choose to pay.

2. Postmates

Postmates is similar to Instacart in that you can get paid to deliver things to Postmates users.

However, where Instacart is only for grocery shopping, Postmates lets customers order everything from groceries to takeout food to office supplies.

Postmates pays you for every pickup and drop off, as well as wait times at restaurants or other stores and on a per-mile basis. You also get to keep 100% of the tip the customer pays.

Earnings vary from market to market and job to job, but Postmates offers clear pay rates on its website.

For example, workers in Boston, MA will earn:

  • $1.70 per pickup
  • $ .70 per drop off
  • $ .07 per minute
  • $1.13 per mile

There are also pay guarantees for new workers who meet a minimum delivery requirement.

3. Uber Eats

Uber Eats allows using a car, bike, or scooter to deliver restaurant takeout to customers who order through the app.

When you sign up, if you meet the requirements, you’ll go through a short screening and verification process. Then, once cleared to deliver, you’ll be ready to accept jobs.

When someone orders through the app, you’ll have an opportunity to accept the job. All you have to do is go to the restaurant, pick up the food, and drop it off at the requester’s home.

With Uber Eats, you’ll earn money for every order you pick up and deliver, and, depending on your city, you’ll get a mileage rate based on how far you need to travel from the restaurant to the customer’s home.

Customers can also tip deliverers, which can add to your earnings.

4. TaskRabbit

If you’re looking for variety in your work, TaskRabbit helps you get paid to do almost anything. You can deliver groceries, pick up takeout, assemble Ikea furniture, fix some plumbing, or weed a garden for customers using the app.

To get started, you register your account and attend a local onboarding session. Once you’ve done that, you can create a profile and start accepting tasks.

When you create your profile, you can set your rates for tasks so you can determine how much you’ll make. When you want to work, you can open the TaskRabbit app. The app will match you with potential jobs nearby. 

It’s up to you to confirm the details of each task with the client and accomplish them to the client’s satisfaction. You’ll receive the hourly rate you set for the task.

5. Grubhub

Grubhub is another food delivery app that lets you make money by delivering meals from restaurants to customers’ homes.

You deliver for Grubhub using a car or a bicycle (only in select areas). To sign up, you’ll have to submit a copy of your state ID and proof of insurance.

You’ll also need to purchase or provide accessories like warming bags to ensure the food stays fresh while transporting it.

Grubhub pays drivers based on mileage and time. You receive the mileage rate for the distance traveled to pick up the food and deliver it to the customer. 

You’re also paid for every minute you drive or wait for the restaurant to finish making the meal. Plus, you keep 100% of any tip the customer pays.

6. Amazon Flex

Amazon Flex is a way for people with cars to help Amazon deliver packages to customers. You pick up shipments from Amazon locations and deliver them directly to peoples’ homes. 

Amazon lets you set your schedule and claims that you can make between $18 and $25 per hour based on the size of your car and the number of deliveries you make.

You can also earn tips for deliveries through services like Amazon Fresh or Prime Now.

Unlike other apps, Amazon Flex is more limited in availability. Amazon only accepts drivers in markets where it needs help with deliveries. 

At the time of writing, you can only sign up if you live in one of seven cities across five states. You must also be at least 21 years old and have a driver’s license, a car, and insurance. Here are some more Amazon Flex alternatives.

7. Favor

Favor lets customers order deliveries from local restaurants and stores. The diversity in stores means that Favor drivers could be transporting anything from a takeout meal to a package of paper towels.

Favor lets its drivers work part-time or full-time and offers guaranteed hourly earnings, which is unusual among apps that offer gig work.

The company estimates that most workers earn between $10 and $18 per hour based on per-task earnings and tips.

Currently, Favor is focused on cities in Texas but hopes to expand to other states.

8. Gopuff

Gopuff is a delivery service for food, alcohol, medication, personal care, and household items. However, drivers don’t have to go to multiple stores to pick up the items; everything is located at the Gopuff micro centers.

Customers place their orders via the app, and drivers choose the orders they’ll pick up and deliver. Gopuff is transparent about how much you make per order, and you keep 100% of the customer tips.

A single pick-up location with reserved parking makes the process simple and easy.

You choose when you work and know upfront how much you’ll make per order. It’s a great way to add extra money to your budget each week.

To drive for Gopuff, you must be at least 21, have a valid driver’s license and insurance, and have a working smartphone. You must also be able to pass an alcohol delivery training course (paid by Gopuff).

9. Shipt

Shipt is one of the most popular jobs like Instacart and is a membership-based grocery delivery service. Shoppers travel to different grocery stores and shop the customer’s list.

Before working for Shipt, make sure you’re comfortable grocery shopping for others. This may include texting customers mid-shop to inform them of out-of-stock products or other issues. 

Instacart pays a fee per order, which you know upfront, plus you keep 100% of the customer tips. The per-hour rate is lower than other services because you must shop for the order. It can be an easy job for you if you know your local grocery stores well.

To drive for Shipt, you must be at least 18 years old, have a reliable vehicle, be able to lift at least 40 pounds, and have decent produce knowledge.

10. Caviar

DoorDash owns Caviar, but they operate in different restaurants. Consider them the ‘higher end’ delivery service, delivering food from places other than your typical restaurants.

Like DoorDash, you pick up orders already paid for and deliver them to customers. You need a reliable vehicle and to be at least 18 years old. You’ll also need a valid driver’s license and to pass a background check.

Caviar, like DoorDash, pays a base fee for all deliveries, plus you keep 100% of customer tips. Occasionally, they’ll run promotions or challenges, allowing you to earn more money. 

Summary

Everyone could use a way to earn some extra money on the side. Thankfully, there are a lot of jobs like Instacart that can help you turn your free time into productive time.

Before you choose one of these apps, think about your skills and which one of these apps like Instacart could help you earn the most money. 

And if you plan on using an app like Uber or Lyft that may require you to use your car or provide your tools, consider the costs.

Consider how they will affect your earnings. You might find that using your car to deliver food doesn’t make sense if it’s a gas guzzler or needs expensive maintenance.

Also, think about other ways you can productively use your time. Studying for a degree or a certification could help you boost your income from a full-time job, making it a more lucrative opportunity than gig work.

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