Postmates Vs. DoorDash Which is Better? (Includes Sign Up Process)

If you are a long- time user of delivery apps you know that there are many differences between them. Although the result is pretty much the same for the clients (getting their food delivered!), the process behind it and the user experience can vary.

Also, depending on which type of user you are – driver, client or restaurant – and what your goal is with the app, some options might be better than others…but, how can you know?

In this article we will tell you everything you need to know about DoorDash and Postmates, which one is better for you and what are their main advantages.

Let’s get started…

DoorDash vs Postmates for drivers: is Postmates or Doordash Better to Work For?

If you want to become a delivery driver chances are that you are looking for extra cash, or maybe you want to make some money without having to deal with dress codes, set schedules or having your boss chasing you all day.

How does these apps help you reach this goal, and which one is a better option for you?

Great news: You don’t have to choose.

DoorDash openly encourages their drivers to sign up and work for multiple apps simultaneously. Obviously, the more apps you are working for, the more opportunities you will have to earn extra money.

Given that you are not an actual employee but an independent contractor for both apps, you can easily work for them at the same time.

However, you still need to know the advantages of working with each of these…

The first thing you need to check before you start the decision- making process is if they are available in your location. If you live in a big city, chances are that both platforms are available for you.

However, if you live in a small area DoorDash will probably be your only option. They coverage is just better than Postmates at the moment.

However, although DoorDash has tried to expand their offer, they are mainly a food delivery app while Postmates also delivers groceries and other type of items to their users.

This means that Postmates will give you more delivery options compared to DoorDash. Postmates is also a better option if you are not a big fan of having your car smelling like roast chicken all day.

In regard to the registration process, both apps are very similar and don’t have any special requirements other than:

Being at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license
Having a smartphone in which you can download the app
Social security number (if you are working in the United States)
Insured vehicle – this can be a car, a bike or a scooter-.

After you submit your application, they will also run a background check for criminal records as a last step before accepting you as a driver. The only difference in this process is that Postmates also requires their drivers to pass a DMV background check too.

In both cases you should be receiving a response regarding your application within the next 2 weeks after submission.

Both apps are very easy to use. You only need to download them and log in once your application has been accepted.

First thing you will see is a map with all available orders in the area for you to accept them, pick up the items, and deliver them. What’s the main difference?

If you don’t take any orders, your driver rating on DoorDash will be affected. Postmates in the other hand, does not penalize their drivers for not accepting any orders.

Both apps are available 24/7 and allow you set your working hours as you wish (DoorDash even allows you to schedule them in advance!).

This is perfect for those wanting to work at flexible hours or who can’t predict when they will be available.

However, keep in mind that it is always best to work at peak times (this is true for both apps), since there are more orders and income opportunities.

More to read: Grubhub Vs. DoorDash Which is Better?

Now, regardless of which app you use, you will not be an employee but an independent contractor.

This means that you need to take care of your taxes and as well as the vehicle’s maintenance and this is something you need to consider when estimating how profitable will these jobs be for you.

Furthermore, none of these companies will withhold your taxes, they will only send you the 1099- MISC form in case you make $600 or more.

Finally, the most important part: How much money can you make working for DoorDash and Postmates.

The answer is: it depends. In both cases the amount of money you make can vary as there is not a set hourly rate.

DoorDash introduced a payment equation that includes a Base Pay (worked time and distance) which is somewhere between $2 to $10 depending on the order, plus any promotions they have (i.e. Peak times or challenges).

For Postmates, they will pay different rates depending on factors such as your location (some cities are better paid than others), the distance between pickup or drop off, the time you spent, amongst others. Same as DoorDash, they also propose challenges with bonuses for the best drivers and PeakHours promotions to increase your earnings.

Although it can be difficult to estimate a set hourly rate, the average is between $14 and $16 per hour with any of these companies.

Both apps will allow you to keep 100% of your tips, whether these are paid in cash or directly through the app.

Both companies also pay their drivers on a weekly basis and directly into their bank accounts, with the money taking a couple of working days before they reach the bank.

If you need the money before this, both DoorDash and Postmates offer an option to cash out the money earlier for a small fee.

Doordash vs Postmates for restaurants

There are plenty of benefits for restaurants partnering with delivery apps nowadays with the main advantage being expanding your reach and customer base.

With clients having the option to choose from a wider range of restaurants anywhere, this means you will no longer depend on local clients to sustain your business.

In this sense, the first factor you need to think about when deciding between Postmates and DoorDash is which areas would you like to reach and if these apps cover it.

When it comes to fees, is difficult to estimate how much will this cost you, but based on previous reviews from the time when there were no social restrictions, the average restaurant paid about a third of the total earnings they made through these apps.

Considering the average local restaurant -not food chain – made around $1200 extra every week through third party apps, they were paying around $400 to the app while keeping the remaining $800. Sounds like a good deal, huh?

Of course, with current restrictions the dependence on these apps to sustain the businesses has been huge.

If you are not allowed to open your restaurant or have limited capacity, partnering with either of these apps can be very helpful!

But, which one should you choose?

In both cases you will have to pay the apps a “fee” which is usually linked to delivery, commission and marketing services.

These fees are usually around 20%- 25% of the order’s value but can increase if you apply to special promotions or for them to increase your visibility online, in which case DoorDash fees tend to be a bit higher.

Regardless of which app you choose, their representatives will create a personalized contract for you in which you will be able to decide between different rates and services based on what you think is best for your business.

Just keep in mind that the rates will increase if you decide to multi app – and will be lower if you commit to staying with one app only. We advise you to choose both of the apps so you can reach more customers.

No harm in having both ready to deliver right?

More to read: Uber Eats Vs. DoorDash Which is Better?

Doordash vs Postmates for users

If you are a hungry customer trying to figure out which app you should use, there are a couple of things you need to know.

First, availability of the apps varies between different areas. Although most of them are available in big cities, if you live in a small town your options may be pretty limited.

In this sense Postmates has a clear advantage, as they are available in over 150 cities in the United States.

When it comes to the app itself, both are very easy to use, they are intuitive and don’t require a lot of steps to place your order.

They will both require you to create an account and log in before you can browse through the list of restaurants and confirm your order.

When it comes to fees, how much you pay depends mainly on the restaurant, and the delivery and service fee imposed by the app.

For DoorDash the delivery fee (the amount that your Dasher will receive) varies depending on the demand (so delivery fees will be higher during peak hours), whereas in case of Postmates the delivery fee ranges between $3.99 and $10 depending on the merchant.

In both cases you will be able to see the final amount before placing your order.

These is also a service fee that you will have to pay, which in both cases is variable. In average, this amount can be somewhere between $4 and $9.

Finally, you need to pay the actual price for your order (same as you would pay in the restaurant) and there is an option for tips to your driver.

The final price is very similar for both apps. If you are a regular user the best way for you to save money is by paying a membership.

These are usually around $10 for both apps and include special offers as well as lower prices in delivery fees.

You may also be interested to read: DoorDash Vs. Caviar Which is Best? How to Sign Up?

When it comes to merchant options, they both have a decent number of partners and options to choose from.

They are also not restricted to food, you can get ‘not so regular beverage’ and groceries with both of these apps.

Both Postmates and DoorDash are popular in the United States for their delivery services and offers. Customers get their favorite meal that is fresh from both delivery services.

But if you wonder which is the best? In this article we are going to find out the best grocery delivery services in the United States!

Postmates vs DoorDash pricing

When it comes to pricing, both DoorDash, and Postmates charge delivery fees. They are not free. But the pricing overall does vary.

For DoorDash, your delivery pay is sent to the Dasher or the delivery driver. The fee varies on how busy it is. The busier the higher you have to pay.

The service fee is also charged where you help DoorDash to run their system and get in touch with new restaurants. The restaurants at DoorDash have different prices with the tax also being added.

You can choose to tip the driver or Dasher if you want from the app.

For Postmates, the delivery fee is almost $4 when it comes to merchants. The fee does range. The service fee depends on the overall order and also helps Postmates to run their system.

There is also a thing called Blitz pricing for when there are a lot of deliveries going in. You have to pay extra for this.

The charges are the price of the item you ordered plus tax. And like DoorDash, you can also tip the driver.

Postmates vs DoorDash which is better at customer service?

When it comes to customer service, both Postmates and DoorDash offer email customer support. Where you can contact an agent through email rather than through call.

Both falter a little with their customer service. But DoorDash seems to have more positive responses.

Overall, Postmates wins with their restaurant choice and service. They not only have amazing service the different options to choose from make the whole experience fruitful.