Uber Eats vs DoorDash Delivery Driver Comparison for Work Flexibility and Benefits

In recent years, the workforce has changed quite a bit, with the pandemic causing mass layoffs, the need for people to quarantine and work from home, and an even greater need for flexible schedules. This is especially true for parents with children who must now homeschool, or for other situations that require flexible work schedules. Even those who work a full-time job elsewhere are also discovering that the rising cost of inflation and gas mean that a second income is necessary, one that must work around the existing one. The side hustle industry, especially the food delivery industry, is booming, and new services come online almost daily, in need of workers. Two of these services, Uber Eats and DoorDash, are two of the more recognizable names in the food delivery service industry. Considering Uber Eats vs DoorDash delivery driver experiences, both companies employ independent contractor drivers who use their own vehicles to deliver takeout orders and groceries to clients. Both services offer drivers incredibly lucrative and flexible opportunities, with the opportunity to work whenever they want to and schedule preset blocks of time in which to work. But which one is better to drive for, in terms of scheduling and benefits? Let us have a look.

Uber Eats

This food delivery service is just one of many offered by Uber, which originally began as a ridesharing and ride hailing app. Drivers who meet Uber’s driver and vehicle requirements can choose to work in any area of the company’s services. That’s why Uber Eats drivers have the flexibility to choose between ridesharing and food delivery, depending on their current financial needs. The advantages of driving for Uber Eats include:

• Scheduling can be changed on the spot or ahead of time to fit times of high productivity.
• Coverage for damage to a vehicle, up to a certain limit, while the driver is actively completing an order.
• Access to medical insurance through ACA Health Insurance Marketplace plans.
• The driver app incorporates a number of safety features to ensure the well-being of its users, including a “panic button” that can be used to contact authorities and a “track my ride” feature that lets friends and family members keep tabs on the driver’s location while they’re out making deliveries.
• 24/7 driver support through phone, email, and text chat.
• The possibility of participating in Uber’s other revenue streams, like its rideshare and Postmates services.
• Drivers can make more money thanks to incentives like Surge pricing and Quest if they make deliveries during busy times and reach certain goals.
• Drivers average around $18 an hour.

DoorDash

DoorDash is another well-known name in the food delivery industry, though, unlike Uber, it has always been focused solely on food delivery.DoorDash operates in North America and Australia, and offers several benefits and perks for its drivers, called Dashers. Uber Eats vs DoorDash delivery driver benefits are usually compared against each other, as they hold the largest percentage of the market of food delivery drivers.

• Occasional bonuses and peak-time delivery promotions, though not as frequent as Uber.
• The Challenges feature is similar to Uber Quest, where drivers can earn more by accomplishing certain tasks.
• Keep 100% of tips.
• Drivers can create their own preset schedules or drive on demand.
• Drivers average around $15 an hour.
• More lenient than Uber with vehicle requirements.

Summary

Both DoorDash and Uber Eats drivers make about the same per hour, keep all of their tips, and are considered independent contractors who are responsible for their own taxes, operating costs, fuel, and vehicle maintenance. Since Uber is still primarily known as a rideshare service, DoorDash does slightly better in the food delivery market than Uber Eats. In contrast, Uber provides its drivers with a few more benefits than DoorDash does. When deciding which service to drive for, Uber Eats vs DoorDash delivery drivers may be limited by how many of each service are in their area and how much demand there is for each. Before committing to a company, drivers should research the market in their area to see which services have the most demand.

FAQ

1. Do either of these services have rules against passengers in the vehicle while making deliveries?

For safety reasons, Uber does not allow passengers if a driver is conducting a rideshare ferrying paying passengers, but both Uber Eats and DoorDash allow passengers for food delivery.

2. How can drivers earn more than base pay working for these services?

Deliver orders promptly and with a courteous attitude to garner more tips and better customer ratings, which also gives access to priority access to orders. Deliver during peak times, which are lunch hours during the week and dinner hours during the weekend, and deliver during Surge and Quest/Challenge times.