So you’re looking for a side hustle for a little extra income without giving up all your precious free time.
Delivery services are a great side gig to get your money quick and easy!
It’s a lot less complicated than ridesharing, making it the clear winner if you want to make money driving around.
But you can only work for one driving company at a time so you need to decide which delivery company is your one and only.
Unless you’ve figured out a way to clone yourself, in which case, that would also be a great way to generate some extra mullah.
We’re here to discuss the two best options for you as a courier: Postmates and DoorDash.
Postmates and DoorDash are two of the biggest food delivery companies that are in high-demand in the United States, and either can be a great option to work for.
They are both top-tier companies with excellent reviews from their drivers and the customers that use their services.
Here’s an in-depth comparison of DoorDash and Postmates so you can earn money in the best way possible.
Postmates Vs. DoorDash– An Overview
Postmates was founded in 2011 and has boomed over the last year since so many people wanted food quickly and safely- without going to the effort themselves!
Customers can use the app to get several deliveries from their favorite restaurants, grocery deliveries from featured stores, or any other items they might need.
DoorDash, on the other hand, is predominantly a food delivery app. and has been delivering food across the nation since 2013.
A customer places a food order via the app, which a nearby driver – also known as a “Dasher” – then picks up.
The Dasher then picks up the order from the restaurant and delivers it to the customer.
1. DoorDash Vs. Postmates– Pricing Comparison
The big, million-dollar question here- how much money can you make from Postmates or DoorDash?
If there’s one thing any Lyft or Uber driver will tell you straight out the gate, it’s location location location.
How much money you can make depends on where you are and how much you can get around.
This also applies to anyone in the delivery industry- to earn money, you need to be where the people are. The quicker you find a customer, the quicker you make money!
A neighborhood that has a high demand for food delivery or a neighborhood with lots of restaurants, for instance, will have a higher number of orders compared to an area whose demand isn’t as much.
It begs the question: between DoorDash and Postmates, which is better in terms of pricing?
The answer has everything to do with the delivery fee and the formula each company uses to calculate their delivery fees.
Postmates Pricing
Postmates calculates the money you’ve earned from two main components: The initial flat delivery fee plus a standard rate per mile between the pickup and drop-off locations.
Postmates has a range between $0.50 – $10 per delivery as an intial flat delivery fee based on a driver’s distance and their rating, which seems pretty standard.
The actual time it takes for you to fulfill the order does not count toward your earnings, just the mileage total.
It’s one reason why drivers aim to get places quickly and have as much “dead time” as possible per delivery.
While this may seem like a huge drawback, there is a high demand for Postmates couriers when “blitz pricing” has been activated.
This usually occurs during lunchtime as it’s clearly a busy time for drivers.
Blitz pricing is an added bonus on top of the standard mileage, effectively boosting your money by anywhere between 1.25 and 1.75 times per delivery.
In addition, when drivers fulfill their deliveries, customers can tip them through the delivery app. This feature, however, isn’t as streamlined as you would expect.
They reduce the overall tip-earning potential for a Postmates driver, so just like most delivery drivers, you’ll hope for a cash tip.
DoorDash Pricing
DoorDash bases its delivery fees on three main components: Base pay, “promotions,” and all the tips you earn.
They call their model the Dasher Pay Model, which includes Peak Pay to earn more money during prime businesses hours. It’s another model that adds money onto your base pay, which is awesome.
The minimum fee a DoorDash driver can receive is between $2 and $10+.
While this amount may sound small, it can mount up if you receive several orders in the same neighborhood at lunchtime and other busy times of day.
The “promotions” amount varies depending on the distance you travel to fulfill an order, whether or not it takes place during peak hours, and the conditions surrounding the fulfillment process.
The more complex an order is, the higher the payout will be because you’re going the extra mile. Ha, get it?
One thing we like about DoorDash is how easy it is for customers to tip their couriers and the fact that the app encourages hungry customers to do so.
This feature alone increases the money you can make.
Several drivers report that they make great money delivering with DoorDash.
However, it’s important to remember that DoorDash doesn’t pay for gas or other car costs, so you need to make sure the pay outweighs any extra car maintenance or costs.
The Verdict
If you intend to cover longer distances while making deliveries or plan to do them over lunchtime, Postmates would be the better option.
On the other hand, if you would rather not venture out of your immediate area or want to make frequent deliveries within a specific radius, DoorDash.is worth it for quicker trips
2. Postmates Vs. DoorDash – App UX Comparison
Another aspect of these delivery apps that we looked into was the user experience (UX). We, like most users, tend to gravitate towards apps that are easy and convenient to use.
Here’s what we found.
Postmates App UX
The Postmates app is super simple to use and features a built-in mapping function. We especially like the interactive heat map it comes with to make it easy for you to navigate city streets.
Plus the map can help you steer clear of roads that may have a bit of traffic build-up, which is a major enemy for a delivery driver!
Additionally, Postmates allows drivers to batch-deliver, allowing them to knock out several orders in one go.
Both of these features go a long way in helping couriers boost their earning potential, which is better for drivers.
DoorDash App UX
The DoorDash app is hands down one of the best-looking food delivery apps we’ve encountered. Its layout is clean, crisp, and highly intuitive!
It’s easy for drivers to navigate through the various menus and access standard functions such as contacting customers or checking the status of an order.
It also allows drivers to batch orders for a single area and fulfill them together.
Plus, if you’re a DoorDash driver, you can reorganize the delivery routes while on the go to minimize delivery times between orders.
While using the app is pretty straightforward, one major drawback we found was that it lacks a built-in mapping function.
As a result, drivers have to rely on third-party apps to navigate across town.
Although this isn’t a problem per se, it can be a little time-consuming to switch between DoorDash and another app like Google Maps or Waze to view directions.
Other than that, using the app is a breeze and is certainly one of the top delivery apps out there.
The Verdict
While both apps are easy to use with an impressive user interface, Postmates is the clear winner in this category.
This is simply because of the built-in mapping function it comes with.
It’s safer to use Postmates because too much phone usage while driving can be a huge problem.
If DoorDash incorporates a map into their system, they could potentially win, but we’ll see what they add over time.
3. Postmates Vs. DoorDash– The Signup Process
Becoming a rideshare driver requires you to jump through several hoops. This isn’t the case when you deliver food on these apps.
The vehicle requirements are less restrictive, which is excellent news for anyone looking to quickly launch into this side hustle and make money fast.
Rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber, for instance, have an age restriction on their vehicles. Most courier and food delivery services don’t.
Nonetheless, there are still some requirements you have to meet before you can start driving for Postmates and DoorDash.
Postmates Signup Process
To become a Postmates driver, you’ll need to be aged 18 years or over. You must also have a valid US driver’s license and access to an insured motor vehicle.
If you don’t have a car, you can use a bicycle, motorcycle, truck, or scooter instead. As long as it’s a functional mode of transportation, you’re good to go.
You will also need to pass a background check, which is done once you submit your social security number.
If you meet these requirements and have a smartphone, you can begin the Postmates website’s application process.
DoorDash Signup Process
To become a Dasher, you’ll need to have a smartphone and access to a functional set of wheels – a car, motorcycle, truck, scooter, or bicycle will suffice.
Drivers must also have a clean driving record and pass a background check to guarantee all parties’ safety.
To consent to a background check, you will need to submit your social security number.
You’ll need to provide evidence of standard driving requirements, such as a valid US driver’s license and up-to-date insurance.
In addition, the driver’s name needs to be on the insurance policy, so keep this in mind when submitting your application.
If you’re aged 18 years and over and meet all the requirements we’ve outlined so far, you can then complete the application form available on the website.
However, you may be put on the DoorDash Waitlist if there aren’t many delivery opportunities in your area or if they have a surplus of drivers at a given time.
The Verdict
The signup process for both Postmates and DoorDash is relatively straightforward, and the requirements are more or less the same.
Likewise, they both can take up to two weeks to approve or deny your application.
Therefore, we give both services a draw in this category.
4. DoorDash Vs. Postmates– Support
If things go south while you’re on a delivery run, getting immediate help is a top priority for couriers.
Here’s what each company offers when you hit some roadblocks on your deliveries.
Postmates Support
Postmates provides different ways drivers can get help for potential issues they may encounter.
There’s an extensive FAQs page on the site dedicated to driving-related queries. Simply click on the relevant topic to display the FAQs related to it and the answers to those questions.
If this doesn’t address your query, you can speak directly to a staff member through Live Chat. They are pretty quick in resolving driver-related issues.
DoorDash Support
In addition to their Live Chat feature, DoorDash also has a call-in option and extensive on-site resources that drivers can use to get the help they need.
The information is well-organized into several FAQs, with each question providing much-needed insight into some of the everyday issues drivers run into.
Simply skim through the various topic categories to find answers to the questions you seek.
The Verdict
We give both services a draw in this category.
They both offer extensive FAQ resources that couriers can use to address their issues, a Live Chat feature, and a customer service hotline that drivers can use to speak directly to staff members.
5. Postmates Vs. DoorDash – Working Hours
One significant benefit of working with delivery services is that you get to be your own boss. You decide when it’s convenient for you to work.
Postmates Working Hours
Postmates operates 24/7 so as long as you’re ready to go, so are they.
It doesn’t impose any time restrictions on its customers or drivers. This means you can fulfill orders in the middle of the night if you like.
The downside is that the mileage rate at night isn’t as lucrative as it is during lunchtime since “blitz pricing” isn’t activated during those hours.
Nonetheless, it is still a viable way to earn some extra cash.
DoorDash Working Hours
Just like Postmates, DoorDash never sleeps, so you always have the chance to make some extra income through them.
You can check out the best hours to DoorDash and try to schedule your work hours during those blocks of time.
DoorDash gives couriers the option to schedule their working hours in advance. That means all orders will be received and fulfilled within that window.
Alternatively, you could always open the app at any time and go to the “Dash Now” option to jump in and do some extra work time.
I’d use this option if I was going out to run errands or some shopping myself- may as well make some money doing my own thing, right?
The pink and red spots that light up show the areas with the highest delivery demand. You can pick up orders from there at any time of day or night.
The Verdict
We give both services a draw in this category as well.
Couriers get to decide what time of day or night they want to do deliveries, and that flexibility is better for drivers all around.
Keep in mind that while the courier services may be functional throughout, only restaurants and stores that operate late or 24/7 will receive and dispatch orders for pickup.
6. Postmates Vs. DoorDash – Availability
More often than not, if Postmates is available in a particular area in or out of the United States, DoorDash will be as well.
This means great news for gig workers looking to make some quick money on the side.
Postmates and DoorDash are both available in 4,000+ cities so you have plenty of chances!
The Verdict
We give both services a draw in this category.
They each have broad reach and a higher earning scope for gig workers in those zones.
Final Thoughts
Postmates vs. DoorDash – which of the two apps is the clear winner?
The truth is, they are both excellent options if you’re looking for a side hustle and they both are incredibly similar.
If you don’t mind driving long distances to make a delivery, Postmates is a better option because of the lucrative mileage rate and distance incentives.
On the other hand, if you prefer to make several deliveries within a specific radius, DoorDash would be better suited to you.
Either way that you pick, you have a good potential to get paid as a delivery person- more so than with a regular restaurant.
If you want to know more about your options, check out our DoorDash Vs. Grubhub comparison!
