| DoorDash | Uber Eats | |
|---|---|---|
| Pay model | Base + peak + tip | Base + tips |
| Best for | Food, suburban areas | Urban, multi-order |
| Average effective pay | $15-22/hr | $14-20/hr |
| Delivery area | 4,000+ cities | 10,000+ cities |
| Acceptance model | Can decline orders | Can decline orders |
DoorDash has a "hidden tip" model — they show you the full guaranteed amount but the customer tip is top-off. If a customer tips $10 but DoorDash's base is only $2, you see $12 total. Uber Eats shows base + tip separately, and sometimes tips don't update after delivery.
It depends heavily on your market. In suburban areas, DoorDash typically pays more because there's less competition for orders and the per-order guarantees are higher. In dense urban areas, Uber Eats often pays more due to more order volume and surge pricing.
The best delivery drivers run both apps simultaneously. Accept whichever offers the better payout for the route. This requires two phones or careful phone management. The extra earning potential is 20-30% higher than single-app driving.