Restaurant Operations
Feb 12, 2025
|
10
min read

DoorDash vs. UberEats: Which Food Delivery Service Is Better?

Article Outline

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DoorDash and Uber Eats are both popular food delivery services, each with its strengths. DoorDash generally has lower service fees and a wider range of restaurant options, especially in suburban areas, while Uber Eats may excel in timely deliveries and customer service. Ultimately, the choice depends on your location and personal preferences. 

When it comes to satisfying your cravings, two giants in the food delivery world stand out: DoorDash and Uber Eats. 

Both services promise to bring your favorite meals right to your doorstep, but they do so in different ways. As you weigh your options, consider factors like delivery fees, restaurant availability, and overall user experience. Your perfect meal is just a few taps away, but which service will you choose?

Overview Of DoorDash And UberEats

In the new world of third-party delivery platforms, in this modern age, the face of the fast-emerging market that comes to people's minds would be DoorDash and UberEats. Where, in this category, the lead of U.S. market share is with DoorDash by almost 65% and the others do around 24% via UberEats. The change they have made was regarding food delivery.

What Is DoorDash?

DoorDash is a food delivery service that connects customers with local restaurants through a user-friendly app. Users can browse menus, place orders, and have their food delivered by independent drivers, known as Dashers, who pick up and deliver the meals directly to their doorsteps. 

Customers can search for restaurants by name or cuisine type within the app. Once an order is placed, the restaurant receives it on a dedicated tablet and can confirm or cancel the order. After confirmation, the restaurant prepares the food and packages it for delivery. 

The DoorDash app assigns a Dasher to pick up and deliver the order to the customer. Dashers have specific deadlines for each order, influenced by distance and the number of deliveries they are handling. They use insulated bags to keep food at the right temperature during transit. Some Dashers are equipped with larger catering bags for bigger orders. DoorDash operates on a commission-based model, with fees ranging from 6% for pickup orders to 15-30% for delivery orders, depending on the chosen package.

  • Restaurants can also opt for a flat rate per order, which varies based on the service level.
  • DoorDash is available in multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Japan.
  • The delivery area can vary based on the number of Dashers available in a specific location.

What Is UberEats?

Uber Eats is a food delivery platform that allows users to order meals from local restaurants through an app or website. It connects customers with couriers who deliver the food directly to their door, making it easy to enjoy a variety of cuisines without leaving home. 

Users can browse a wide selection of restaurants and cuisines available in their area through the app or website. Once an order is placed, the restaurant receives the request and prepares the meal for delivery. A courier, known as an Uber Eats driver, is assigned to pick up the order and deliver it to the customer.

Uber Eats typically charges a delivery fee, which can vary based on distance and restaurant policies. There is also a service fee that helps cover operational costs, and this fee may be reduced for Uber One members. Customers are encouraged to tip their drivers, which is a significant part of the driver's earnings.

DoorDash Vs. Uber Eats Pricing: Which App Offers The Best Deals?

DoorDash generally tends to be cheaper than Uber Eats for similar orders, with average price differences of $2-3. DoorDash's service fees are typically lower, around 10-11%, compared to Uber Eats' fees, which can reach up to 15%. Additionally, DoorDash often has fewer promotional deals than Uber Eats, which frequently offers discounts.

  • Average Price Difference: DoorDash orders are usually $2-3 cheaper than those on Uber Eats for identical items.
  • Service Fees: DoorDash typically charges lower service fees, averaging around 10-11%, while Uber Eats can charge up to 15%.

Both platforms charge delivery fees that can vary based on distance and restaurant policies, but DoorDash often has a more favorable fee structure overall. They charge restaurants commission fees ranging from 15% to 30%, which can indirectly affect menu prices.

Earning Potential: Which App Pays Drivers More?

Driver earnings differ between the two platforms. Uber Eats generally pays drivers more than DoorDash, with average earnings reported at around $20 per hour for Uber Eats compared to about $14.81 per hour for DoorDash. However, DoorDash may offer more consistent order volume, which can lead to higher overall earnings for some drivers.

DoorDash tends to have a higher volume of orders, which can lead to more consistent earnings for drivers, especially during peak times. While Uber Eats may have fewer orders in some markets, the pay-per-order can be higher.

Earnings are calculated based on base fare, promotions, and tips. DoorDash base pay ranges from $2 to $10 per order, with additional earnings from tips and peak pay incentives. UberEats drivers keep 100% of their tips, and the base fare can vary significantly based on distance and demand.

Delivery Speed And Availability: Who's Faster?

This involves delivery time and availability for both services because, in town, the time to deliver does not exceed a mean of between 30 to 45 minutes. However, DoorDash happens to have its upper hand very often in urban areas because more drivers are operational in these suburban areas.

A few factors of delivery speed include:

  • Preparation Time of the restaurants
  • Availability of the drivers.
  • Traffic conditions around
  • Distance in kilometers between a restaurant and any delivery location 
  • Time of Day and weather factors

UberEats generally does well in dense cities because it can tap into the Uber network. DoorDash is more reliable outside of these dense areas because of its wider reach and coverage in suburban and rural areas.

DoorDash Vs. UberEats: Which Is Better?

Choosing between DoorDash and Uber Eats ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. They do share some base features that now are considered normal in the service industry. It offers real-time tracking, an in-app option for tipping, and support over multiple channels of communication. Apps are pretty equal in terms of user experience also, intuitive design, and easy to order.

If you prioritize lower service fees and a wide selection of local restaurants, DoorDash may be the better option for you. However, if you’re looking for frequent promotions and potentially faster delivery in urban areas, Uber Eats could be the way to go. 

Both platforms have their strengths, so consider trying each to see which one best fits your dining habits and budget.

Major Differences Between DoorDash And UberEats

When comparing DoorDash and Uber Eats, it's essential to understand their strengths and service features. Both platforms have carved out significant niches in the food delivery market, but they cater to different needs and preferences.

Strengths Of Each Platform:

DoorDash

DoorDash often has a more extensive range of local restaurants, especially in suburban areas, making it easier to find unique dining options. 

  • It has lower service fees, which can make it a more cost-effective option for customers.
  • The DashPass subscription offers benefits like waived delivery fees on eligible orders, providing additional savings for frequent users.
  • DoorDash does offer occasional promotions that can help customers save on their orders. 
  • The app is designed to be intuitive, making it easy for users to navigate and place orders quickly.

UberEats

Uber Eats often partners with popular chains and exclusive restaurants, providing unique menu items that may not be available on other platforms.

  • It generally offers higher pay per hour for drivers, which can attract more experienced couriers and lead to faster delivery times.
  • The platform frequently runs promotions and discounts.
  • Its delivery times are often quicker due to a higher concentration of drivers.
  • Users who already use Uber for rides can easily integrate their accounts, making it convenient for those familiar with the Uber ecosystem.

Service Features:

DoorDash

  • Customers can track their orders in real time, receiving updates on the status of their delivery.
  • Offers various delivery options, including contactless delivery and scheduled deliveries for future orders.
  • Provides options for catering and group orders
  • Allows customers to communicate directly with their Dashers for any specific delivery instructions or concerns.

Uber Eats

  • Uber Eats provides real-time tracking, allowing customers to monitor their order status.
  • Customers can view reviews and ratings for restaurants.
  • Offers options for customizing orders, allowing users to add special instructions
  • Provides in-app customer support for resolving issues related to orders, payments, or delivery.

Customer Experience: Which App Offers A Better Service?

Interesting trends are seen in each of the services' customer satisfaction metrics. DoorDash has been typically rated higher by reliability and customer support score, as its customers have praised the dependable on-time delivery and helpful help desk. The much simpler interface and clear status updates make the platform very easy to use.

UberEats performs quite well in urban markets. Its customers are hungry for short delivery times, and it does provide more diversified restaurants. It also integrates easily with the main Uber app for more regular customers of Uber. However, many complained that UberEats had higher fees than DoorDash, and price levels are not so clear.

Both of the platforms possess sound customer support systems, differently though. DoorDash is pretty much more direct with customers and their teams, whereas UberEats looks more like a solution on autopilot mode than reaching humans at the support end.

Get the Best Food Delivery Platform With Checkmate

Both DoorDash and UberEats have changed food delivery in ways that no one had ever encountered beforehand. With Checkmate, you can easily connect to third-party ordering platforms, making it simpler to manage your orders. Our solution helps you handle orders from different delivery services all in one place, saving you time and effort. 

By using Checkmate, you can improve your restaurant’s efficiency and provide a better experience for your customers. Get a demo to make your food delivery process easier and help your restaurant succeed!

Jared Castronova
Head of Marketing Communications
Jared is a seasoned expert in restaurant technology with 7+ years of industry experience. He specializes in creating content that simplifies complex concepts for enterprise restaurant brands, offering actionable strategies to boost digital growth. As a respected voice in the field, Jared's insights help industry leaders leverage technology for a competitive advantage in today's digital-first market.

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