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You know that feeling when you’re starving, but you really don’t want to put on pants or mess with the stove? That’s where food delivery apps save the day. You get to scroll through endless choices, tap a few buttons, and let someone else deal with traffic and kitchen drama. Whether you’re chilling at home, cramming for finals, or just too lazy to cook, there’s a way to get food to your door in no time. But the truth is, there’s more than one way to do it, and some options are a lot better than others.

What is DoorDash?

‍DoorDash is a food delivery platform where you can order food from your favorite local restaurants and get it brought right to your doorstep. You can pick just about anything, from sushi rolls to a bucket of fried chicken, and you never have to leave the couch. DoorDash is simple—download the app, punch in your address, and start searching for what you’re hungry for. The app shows you restaurants that are close to you, estimated delivery times, and customer reviews, making it easy to decide what to eat.

If you want to make money, you can sign up to become a DoorDash driver, known as a “Dasher.” Dashers pick up orders from the restaurant and bring them to customers, getting paid for each delivery. Payment includes a base pay set by DoorDash, any promotions, and the tips you might earn from customers. People use DoorDash because it’s fast, convenient, and offers way more variety than just calling a single restaurant. The app keeps things cashless, and you can track your order from kitchen to doorstep. DoorDash is popular in cities and suburbs all across North America, and they’re always adding new places to the list.

How Does DoorDash Work?

You just need a phone or computer, an address, and a craving. DoorDash works by:

• Connecting you with local restaurants and Dashers. Once you download the app, you create an account and set your delivery location. Search for food by cuisine, restaurant, or even specific dishes, and you’ll get a list of options that are actually available in your area. Each restaurant has a menu, so you can see prices, add-ons, and ratings before placing your order.
• Once you choose your food, DoorDash breaks down your total price—food cost, taxes, delivery fee, and a suggested tip for the Dasher. You place your order, and the restaurant gets started while a Dasher nearby is assigned to your delivery. 
• The Dasher heads to the restaurant, picks up your food, and brings it straight to your door. You get real-time tracking, so you’ll know exactly when your food leaves the kitchen and when it’s about to arrive. 
• If you want, you can choose contactless delivery and leave notes for your driver. Payment is done entirely through the app, so you don’t have to worry about cash or awkward exchanges. DoorDash makes it pretty simple, whether you’re a customer or a driver looking for side cash.

Downsides of Using DoorDash

You can save yourself a trip to the drive-thru, but there are a few things about DoorDash that can annoy you or hit your wallet. If you’re not paying attention, you’ll notice some issues pretty fast:

• Delivery and Service Fees Add Up: DoorDash charges you for more than just your food. Delivery fees, service fees, and small order fees can make your $10 meal cost almost double, especially if you’re ordering late or during busy times.
• Menu Markups Are Common: You might find that some menu items cost more on DoorDash than they do if you order directly from the restaurant. Restaurants sometimes increase prices on third-party apps to cover the platform’s cut.
• Wait Times Can Be Unpredictable: If you’re hungry, waiting for your food can feel like forever. Busy nights, traffic, and weather delays can mean your delivery window is just a guess, not a promise.
• Customer Support Is Hit-or-Miss: You can run into issues with missing items, wrong orders, or late deliveries, and getting real help from DoorDash support isn’t always quick or satisfying.
• Driver Quality Varies: Not every Dasher handles your food with the same care. Sometimes your drink is spilled or your fries are cold, depending on who’s picking up your order.
• Tips Are Optional, Not Guaranteed: Dashers rely on tips, but not every customer leaves one. As a driver, your income can feel unpredictable if people decide not to be generous. You can make money with DoorDash but the other DoorDash alternatives can be better.
• Limited Coverage in Rural Areas: DoorDash is huge in cities, but if you live out in the sticks, you might have barely any options or no Dashers willing to take your order.

Why Go for DoorDash Alternatives?

You will find yourself searching for alternatives to DoorDash for all sorts of reasons. Maybe you want more options, or maybe DoorDash just isn’t doing it for you lately.

• Lower Fees or Better Deals: You can end up saving money with other delivery apps, since many of them offer lower service fees or special promotions that DoorDash doesn’t match. Some even partner directly with restaurants for exclusive discounts.
• Wider Restaurant Choices: You will sometimes find your favorite local spots missing on DoorDash, but showing up on apps like Grubhub or Uber Eats. Each platform signs their own deals, so your choices change with the app.
• Better Driver Pay or Support: Some alternatives offer higher payouts to their drivers, so if you’re looking to dash for dollars, you may want to sign up elsewhere. Stronger driver support means fewer headaches, too.
• More Reliable Delivery: If you live in a spot where DoorDash doesn’t have many drivers, switching to another app can mean faster delivery times or better service during peak hours.
• Better Customer Service: Some people just get fed up with DoorDash’s customer support and switch to an app that actually answers the phone or solves problems quicker.
• Niche Deliveries: You will see some alternatives offering more than food—think alcohol, groceries, or pharmacy items delivered to your door, which DoorDash sometimes can’t match in every area.
• International Coverage: If you’re traveling or living outside the U.S., you may need to switch to something like Foodpanda or Zomato to keep the food coming in, since DoorDash isn’t everywhere yet.

Best DoorDash Alternatives Worth Checking Out

Here are the best DoorDash alternatives you should try out now:

Grubhub

You can count on Grubhub if you want a solid variety of restaurants, from local diners to big-name chains. The platform has been around longer than most delivery apps, which means it’s had time to build strong relationships with restaurants. You get accurate menus, reliable order tracking, and plenty of options for contactless or scheduled delivery. Grubhub often rolls out coupons or perks for regular users, so your meals might come with a little discount here and there. The ordering process is fast, the app is clean, and you get to pay the way you want—credit, debit, PayPal, or even Venmo.

Key Features:

• Large Restaurant Selection: You will find plenty of choices, from local favorites to national chains, since Grubhub partners with a wide range of eateries. You won’t be stuck with just pizza and burgers.
• Reward Programs: Grubhub offers Perks, letting you earn rewards or discounts with certain orders. These perks are sometimes tied to your favorite restaurants or even seasonal deals.
• Group Orders: You can order for a group without passing your phone around—everyone gets a link to add their own food, which is a lifesaver for office lunches or family dinners.
• Order Scheduling: If you’re planning ahead, Grubhub lets you schedule orders for later in the day or even the next day. You won’t have to remember the last minute.
• Multiple Payment Options: Whether you want to use credit, debit, PayPal, or Venmo, Grubhub makes it easy to pay your way. No scrambling for cash.
• Customer Support: Grubhub has a dedicated help center and responsive live chat for order issues. You’ll get actual help instead of endless automated replies.
• Delivery Tracking: You can follow your order in real-time, so you always know if your driver is stuck at a red light or just around the corner.

Uber Eats

‍Uber Eats pulls in a mix of well-known chains, trendy spots, and hidden gems you never knew delivered. You can order almost anything—breakfast sandwiches, bubble tea, even alcohol in some cities—thanks to Uber’s huge partner network. The app is slick, lets you repeat past orders in one tap, and gives you real-time updates from restaurant prep all the way to your door. If you already use Uber for rides, you’ll recognize the interface and can even earn Uber Cash or points toward rides when you order food. Uber Eats is also known for their wide delivery range, reaching places other apps sometimes skip.

Key Features:

• Massive Delivery Area: Uber Eats covers thousands of cities and even smaller towns, so you’re more likely to get a driver no matter where you are.
• In-App Promotions: You can grab regular deals, limited-time discounts, and even “buy one, get one free” offers from certain restaurants, just by checking the promotions tab.
• Order Customization: Uber Eats gives you lots of control to tweak your order—extra sauce, no onions, add a drink—without calling the restaurant.
• Scheduled Deliveries: You will have the option to pick a specific delivery time, whether you want breakfast at 9 am or dinner after work.
• Live Map Tracking: You watch your order as it moves from the kitchen to your house, with exact driver location and ETA updates.
• Seamless Payment: The app supports multiple payment methods including credit, debit, PayPal, and Apple Pay, all saved securely.
  
• Uber One Membership: Frequent users can join Uber One for $9.99/month and get $0 delivery fees plus extra savings on eligible orders.

Gopuff

‍Gopuff isn’t just for food cravings—it’s the go-to app when you need snacks, drinks, cleaning supplies, or even medicine delivered late at night. Instead of partnering with restaurants, Gopuff owns local warehouses stacked with everything from Red Bull to ice cream, so orders come straight from their stock. You get a flat $2.95 delivery fee and no surge pricing, even on busy nights. If you’re up for midnight study snacks, hangover cures, or last-minute essentials, Gopuff often arrives in under 30 minutes. The app is dead simple, and you can even order alcohol in many states if you’re 21 or older.

Key Features:

• Wide Product Range: You will find much more than food—think pet food, household goods, and over-the-counter meds, all available in one app.
• Warehouse-Based Delivery: Because Gopuff runs its own fulfillment centers, you skip the restaurant wait and get faster, more reliable delivery.
• Consistent Delivery Fee: The $2.95 fee stays the same, no matter how big your order or how busy the city gets.
• 24/7 Availability: Gopuff often delivers round-the-clock, making it a favorite for late-night munchies or early morning emergencies.
• Age-Verified Alcohol Delivery: You can order beer, wine, and liquor right to your door, and the app checks IDs on delivery.
• Membership Option: For $7.99/month, Gopuff Fam members get free delivery on every order and exclusive deals.
• Real-Time Order Tracking: You see your order packed and on the road, so you know exactly when to expect your delivery.

Caviar

‍Caviar brings you a more curated list of restaurants—think trendy bistros, high-end takeout, and food that’s a little fancier than burgers and fries. If you want sushi from the spot downtown or a wood-fired pizza from a local favorite, Caviar often has exclusive partnerships that DoorDash and others miss. The app is built for people who care about food quality and want to try something new or higher-end. You can browse by food photos, read detailed descriptions, and even see what’s popular near you. Caviar’s customer service is responsive, and orders are often delivered by experienced drivers who know how to handle delicate dishes.

Key Features:

• Curated Restaurant List: You will notice fewer, but more carefully chosen, restaurants. Caviar works with top-rated places instead of just anyone who wants to sign up.
• Exclusive Food Partnerships: Some high-end or trendy spots only offer delivery through Caviar, so you get meals you won’t see on other apps.
• Premium Food Photography: The app features high-quality photos for every menu item, so you actually see what you’re ordering.
• Driver Quality: Orders are often handled by drivers with higher ratings and more experience, which helps protect fragile or high-end dishes.
• Customizable Orders: You can make detailed requests on most items, ensuring your meal is exactly how you want it.
• Simple Tipping: You tip in-app before or after delivery, with recommendations based on your order size and distance.
• Real-Time Tracking: The app gives you minute-by-minute updates on your order, so you’re not left guessing.

ChowNow

‍ChowNow takes a different approach by focusing on supporting local restaurants and skipping the big middleman fees. Instead of charging crazy commissions, ChowNow helps restaurants set up their own online ordering systems. That means you can order directly from a restaurant’s website, Facebook page, or app and sometimes even skip the third-party markup. ChowNow doesn’t use gig drivers—they rely on restaurant staff or dedicated delivery teams. This often leads to better service, fewer order mistakes, and a more direct connection between you and the people making your food.

Key Features:

• Local Restaurant Support: ChowNow gives independent restaurants tools to run their own delivery and takeout, helping them keep more of the profits.
• No Menu Markups: You pay the price set by the restaurant, not an inflated fee from a delivery app.
• Flexible Ordering: You can order for pickup or delivery right from the restaurant’s website, the ChowNow app, or even social media pages.
• Direct Communication: Special requests or changes go straight to the restaurant, so your order doesn’t get lost in translation.
• Transparent Fees: You will see clear delivery or service fees, with no surprise add-ons at checkout.
• Better Order Accuracy: Orders are handled by restaurant staff who know their own menu, which means fewer mix-ups.
• Loyalty Rewards: Some restaurants using ChowNow offer punch cards or reward points for frequent customers.

Slice

Slice is the pizza-lover’s secret weapon. Instead of just being another food delivery app, Slice works exclusively with independent pizzerias. You can skip the big chains and order from real local pizza spots, all through a smooth app that makes ordering simple. Slice helps pizzerias save money on fees and lets you customize your order with all the toppings you can imagine. You’ll also find lots of deals, loyalty rewards, and no-nonsense delivery that actually gets your pie to you hot.

Key Features:

• Local Pizza Focus: Slice partners only with independent pizzerias, so you’re getting authentic pizza, not mass-produced slices.
• Easy Customization: You can tweak every part of your order—extra cheese, half-and-half toppings, gluten-free crusts, you name it.
• Order Tracking: Real-time updates let you know when your pizza is in the oven, out for delivery, or just around the corner.
• Low Delivery Fees: Slice keeps delivery fees reasonable so you can spend more on extra toppings, not on getting your food to the door.
• In-App Deals: You’ll see special discounts, rewards, and even free pizza offers for frequent orders.
• Loyalty Program: Slice Rewards lets you rack up points for every order, earning free pizza from your favorite shop.
• Direct Restaurant Support: Orders go straight to the pizzeria, helping them stay in business and thrive.

Delivery.com

Delivery.com lets you order more than just dinner. You can get food, groceries, alcohol, and even laundry and dry cleaning from local businesses, all in one place. The app is built for multitaskers—order Thai food, a bottle of wine, and schedule laundry pick-up without ever switching screens. Delivery.com is all about giving power to local shops and stores, so you’ll notice your order supports neighborhood businesses. The app rewards you with Delivery Points, which you can use for discounts on future orders, so you keep coming back.

Key Features:

• Multi-Service Ordering: You can order food, groceries, alcohol, and even get your laundry or dry cleaning picked up and dropped off.
• Local Business Focus: Delivery.com works with community-based stores, so your order supports small business owners in your area.
• Order Scheduling: Schedule deliveries and pickups for a time that fits your day, whether it’s lunch or laundry day.
• Flexible Payment Options: The app takes credit, debit, PayPal, and even Delivery Points, making checkout easy.
• Delivery Points: Earn points with every order and cash them in for discounts, free items, or even charity donations.
• Easy Reordering: You can reorder past favorites in seconds, saving time on your regular cravings or chores.
• Customer Support: Delivery.com has responsive customer service for any questions, refunds, or missing items.

SkipTheDishes

‍SkipTheDishes is a favorite in Canada, bringing you everything from local poutine shops to sushi, burgers, and even groceries in certain areas. The app feels fast and user-friendly, and you’ll see a rotating carousel of deals every time you log in. SkipTheDishes gives you loyalty rewards just for ordering, with Skip Rewards turning each meal into future discounts. You’ll also get detailed driver tracking and accurate delivery time estimates, so you’re not left wondering when your food will show up. SkipTheDishes is especially good if you want local Canadian chains and comfort food.

Key Features:

• Canadian Restaurant Focus: SkipTheDishes specializes in Canadian restaurants and popular chains that you won’t always find on U.S.-based apps.
• Skip Rewards Program: Every order earns you points toward future discounts, which stack up pretty quickly for regular users.
• Transparent Fees: All fees and charges are clear before you hit “order,” so you don’t get sticker shock at checkout.
• Preorder Feature: You can order hours ahead for lunch, dinner, or big events, making meal planning a breeze.
• Real-Time Driver Tracking: The app lets you follow your delivery on the map from the moment it’s picked up.
• Referral Bonuses: Share your SkipTheDishes code and get credit when friends make their first order.
• Customer Support: SkipTheDishes offers responsive help by phone, chat, or email for order issues.

Foodpanda

‍Foodpanda is a global powerhouse, especially in Asia and parts of Europe, offering speedy delivery from both big-name restaurants and tiny neighborhood spots. If you’re living or traveling outside the U.S., Foodpanda is your go-to for everything from sushi to coffee to groceries. The app is simple—pick your city, see who’s open, and place your order with a couple of taps. Foodpanda partners with supermarkets, convenience stores, and pharmacies, so you’re covered even if you need essentials late at night. Their customer support is available 24/7, and you’ll get live updates from order to doorstep.

Key Features:

• International Coverage: Foodpanda operates in dozens of countries, making it perfect for expats, travelers, or anyone living abroad.
• Wide Range of Services: You will find restaurant delivery, groceries, convenience store items, and even pharmacy delivery in many cities.
• Language Support: The app supports multiple languages, so you can order easily even if you’re not fluent in the local language.
• Exclusive Promotions: Foodpanda often features limited-time deals, discounts, and free delivery promotions in different cities.
• Contactless Payment: You can pay by card, mobile wallet, or even cash on delivery, depending on what’s available locally.
• Order Scheduling: You have the option to place orders in advance and pick your delivery time.
• 24/7 Customer Support: Help is always available, no matter what time you’re ordering.

Zomato

‍Zomato is your ticket to food discovery, restaurant reviews, and takeout, especially if you’re in India or parts of the Middle East and Africa. The platform started as a restaurant guide, so you get tons of details—menus, user photos, ratings, and insider tips—before you even think about ordering. Zomato connects you with thousands of eateries, from street food stalls to five-star restaurants, and you can order food or reserve tables with just a few taps. The app also helps you find trending dishes, top delivery spots, and even late-night kitchens.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Restaurant Listings: Zomato gives you deep menus, real user reviews, and honest ratings for each restaurant, helping you avoid duds.
• Table Reservations: You can book tables at popular spots right through the app, with instant confirmation and zero phone calls.
• Zomato Gold Membership: With Zomato Gold, you unlock extra deals on dining out and delivery, including free dishes and two-for-one offers.
• Personalized Recommendations: The app suggests places and dishes based on your order history and what’s hot nearby.
• Live Order Tracking: You’ll know exactly when your meal is being cooked, packed, and on its way to you.
• Contactless Payment: Pay securely through the app with cards, wallets, or UPI.
• Wide City Coverage: Zomato is active in dozens of cities, with new spots added all the time.

Conclusion

You will find more choices and better deals by branching out to other food delivery apps instead of sticking to just DoorDash. Each alternative comes with its own perks, from unique restaurant partnerships to loyalty rewards and wider coverage. Whether you’re hunting for late-night snacks, local pizza, groceries, or global flavors, there’s an app that fits your cravings. Try different platforms, take advantage of their features, and keep your options open for the best experience.