Why People Are Searching for Instacart Alternatives
Instacart remains one of the most recognized grocery delivery platforms in the U.S. — but it’s no longer the only name in the game. Consumers are increasingly exploring cheaper, faster, and more flexible grocery apps as competition heats up.
Key reasons people look for Instacart alternatives
High service & delivery fees: Memberships, surcharges, and mark-ups can make groceries costlier.
Gig-worker dissatisfaction: Many Instacart shoppers report unstable pay or fewer batches, prompting them to join other apps.
Better options elsewhere: Newer competitors partner with discount grocers, local markets, and eco-friendly suppliers.
Inflation & convenience: Shoppers want affordable, contactless grocery options, while gig workers want more predictable income.
According to Drive Research, grocery delivery adoption in the U.S. rose from 16% in 2022 to 25% in 2024 — a massive 56% growth in just two years.
How to Evaluate Grocery Delivery Apps (Checklist)
Before choosing a grocery delivery service, compare these key factors:
Evaluation Criteria | Why It Matters | Example |
Coverage / Availability | Some apps serve specific cities or stores. | FreshDirect |
Delivery Fees / Membership | Memberships or minimum order amounts can offset higher per-order fees. | Shipt ($99/year) |
Product Variety | The broader the partnerships, the better the shopping experience. | Walmart Grocery offers groceries + retail |
Speed & Flexibility | Delivery slots and same-day service determine convenience. | DoorDash, Uber Eats |
App Experience (UX) | Real-time tracking, substitutions, and chat enhance satisfaction. | Instacart, Amazon Fresh |
Earning Potential (for gig workers) | Gig-worker pay, batch frequency, and ratings impact income. | DoorDash, Shipt |
Pro tip: Choose 2–3 apps to test for a week. You’ll quickly find which performs best for your lifestyle, order type, or earning goals.
Don’t Just Shop — Own the Platform!
With Digixvalley, you can build your own Instacart-style grocery delivery app and compete confidently in the booming on-demand economy.
Quick Comparison Table: Top Instacart Alternatives (2025)
Below is a quick look — tap an app name to jump to its full review
App | Key Strength | Availability | Ideal For |
Shipt | Same-day delivery, Target integration | U.S. | Families & frequent shoppers |
Walmart Grocery | Low delivery fees, vast catalog | U.S. & Canada | Budget-conscious consumers |
DoorDash | Food + grocery + gig flexibility | Global | Side hustlers & gig workers |
Amazon Fresh | Prime-linked convenience | Global (Prime cities) | Amazon Prime members |
Thrive Market / Boxed / Peapod | Specialty, organic, or bulk options | U.S. regions | Niche shoppers |
Detailed Reviews of Shopping Services Like Instacart
Shipt: Best for Same-Day & Target Shoppers
Owned by Target, Shipt has become one of the strongest alternatives to Instacart. It offers same-day delivery and flexible membership options.
Pros:
Backed by Target’s retail network
Reliable scheduling & shopper communication
Competitive earnings for drivers
Cons:
- Membership required ($99/year or $10/month)
Limited beyond the U.S.
Ratings: 4.7/5 (Google Play), 4.9/5 (App Store)
Walmart Grocery: Best for Low Fees & Wide Selection
Walmart Grocery delivers both groceries and retail items, making it a strong Instacart competitor for cost-conscious shoppers.
Pros:
- Massive store network and low delivery costs
- Free pickup option for online orders
- Integration with Walmart+ subscription
Cons:
- Limited delivery slots during peak hours
- Coverage mostly U.S./Canada
Ratings: 4.5/5 (Play Store), 4.7/5 (App Store)
Amazon Fresh: Best for Prime Members
Amazon Fresh continues to expand aggressively — Reuters recently confirmed same-day perishable grocery delivery in over 1,000 U.S. cities, with plans to reach 2,300 global locations.
Pros:
- Free for Prime members
- Seamless integration with Alexa & Amazon app
- Fastest same-day delivery among major platforms
Cons:
- Availability varies by ZIP code
- Requires Prime membership
Ratings: 4.6/5 (Play Store), 4.8/5 (App Store)
DoorDash / Uber Eats / Postmates: Best for Flexible Gig Work
Originally food delivery apps, these platforms now offer groceries and convenience items through local stores.
Pros:
- Multi-category coverage (food + grocery)
- Flexible scheduling for gig workers
- Strong brand recognition
Cons:
- Surge pricing and delivery fees can stack up
- Competition among drivers in metro areas
Ratings: 4.6/5 (average)
FreshDirect / Thrive Market / Boxed / Peapod: Niche Picks
For specialized needs:
- FreshDirect – Premium, fresh-from-farm groceries (Northeast U.S.)
- Thrive Market – Subscription for organic, non-GMO groceries
- Boxed – Wholesale-style bulk groceries (like Costco online)
- Peapod – Scheduled grocery delivery (East Coast legacy brand)
These options serve specific segments: organic buyers, bulk shoppers, or local-first customers.
Which Apps Are Best for Gig Workers (Earning Tips)
If you’re looking to make money with delivery apps, these platforms stand out in 2025:
App | Avg. Earnings (Est.) | Pros | Notes |
DoorDash | $18–$25/hr | Peak-pay bonuses, wide coverage | Combine with Uber Eats for stability |
Uber Eats | $17–$23/hr | Food + grocery orders | Flexible; best in dense cities |
Shipt | $20–$28/hr | Shopper tips & reliable batches | Requires good ratings |
Instacart | $16–$24/hr | Grocery-only focus | Batch availability varies |
Turn Your Grocery App Into a Money-Making Machine
Digixvalley build scalable grocery delivery apps that help startups and enterprises disrupt markets faster and earn more
Gig Worker Tips
- Use multiple apps: Avoid downtime — switch if one slows.
- Work peak hours: Weekends and evenings bring higher pay.
- Track expenses: Use apps like Stride or Everlance to monitor tax-deductible mileage.
- Deliver with care: Ratings affect order priority and bonuses.
- Target busy zones: Shorter drives = higher tips and more deliveries.
Download: Digixvalley free “Gig Worker Earnings Tracker” template (coming soon).
Regional Alternatives & International Options
To outperform U.S.-centric competitors, here’s how to localize your blog and attract international traffic:
Region | Popular Alternatives | Notes |
Canada | Walmart Grocery, PC Express, Instacart Canada | Loyalty integration with PC Optimum |
UK | Ocado, Sainsbury’s Chop Chop, Deliveroo Hop | Strong same-day networks |
India | Blinkit, BigBasket, Zepto | 10–30 min “quick commerce” trend |
Pakistan | KraveMart, GrocerApp, Cheetay | Emerging local delivery ecosystems |
Australia | Coles Online, Woolworths Direct | Integrated with national retailers |
To outperform U.S.-centric competitors, here’s how to localize your blog and attract international traffic
Your Idea, Your App, Our Tech
Digixvalley specializes in creating Instacart-like grocery delivery apps with secure payment systems.
How to Choose the Right App for You (Decision Matrix)
If you… | Best App | Why |
Want lowest fees | Walmart Grocery / Boxed | Retail efficiency and bulk discounts |
Need same-day delivery | Shipt / DoorDash | Quick turnaround |
Are an Amazon Prime member | Amazon Fresh | Seamless integration |
Focus on organic or eco-friendly products | Thrive Market | Niche curation |
Want extra income | DoorDash + Instacart combo | Maximize earnings |
Live in metro U.S. or Canada | Uber Eats / Postmates | Strong city coverage |
For Founders: Building an Instacart-Style App
If you’re an entrepreneur inspired by the grocery delivery boom, now’s the time to build your own platform.
At Digixvalley, we design and develop on-demand grocery delivery apps that compete with Instacart-level functionality — optimized for scalability, UX, and revenue.
Essential Features to Include
- Multi-vendor & store integration
- Real-time tracking + in-app chat
- AI-driven delivery optimization
- Secure payment gateways
- Shopper earnings dashboard
Read: Best apps | On-demand apps | Mobile app development.
Explore: App development teams in Los Angeles
Final Thoughts
The grocery delivery industry in 2025 is expanding faster than ever. Instacart may have pioneered the model, but competitors like Walmart Grocery, Amazon Fresh, Shipt, and DoorDash are redefining convenience, pricing, and earning opportunities.
Whether you’re a consumer seeking the fastest, most affordable grocery app, a gig worker maximizing side income, or a founder planning to build your own platform — this guide gives you every option.
Digixvalley empowers businesses to build scalable, high-performing on-demand delivery apps that meet modern user expectations.
FAQ
What apps are like Instacart?
Some of the best apps like Instacart in 2025 include Shipt, Walmart Grocery, Amazon Fresh, DoorDash, Uber Eats, FreshDirect, Peapod, Thrive Market, and Boxed.
Which app is cheaper than Instacart?
Walmart Grocery and Thrive Market often offer lower fees or membership discounts, depending on your region and shopping habits.
Which app pays the most for shoppers?
Earnings vary by city and time, but DoorDash and Shipt frequently rank highest for per-hour income and tips.
Is Amazon Fresh better than Instacart?
If you’re a Prime member, Amazon Fresh is faster and often cheaper — though coverage is limited to select cities (Reuters, 2025).
Can I use multiple apps to increase earnings?
Yes. Most gig workers use 2–3 delivery apps simultaneously (e.g., Instacart, DoorDash, Uber Eats) to maximize batch volume and avoid downtime.
