DoorDash vs Postmates 2026 - Delivery Speed & Fees
DoorDash dominates the U.S. food delivery market with 59% market share, faster average delivery times of 32 minutes, and lower service fees, while Postmates (now Uber Eats' subsidiary brand) offers broader non-food item delivery but maintains a distant second position with only 8% market share as of 2026.
DoorDash
Largest U.S. food delivery platform with fastest average delivery times and largest driver network.
Customers prioritizing speed and affordability; frequent food delivery users; those in densely populated areas
Postmates
Uber Eats subsidiary (acquired 2020) offering food and non-food delivery with broader retail coverage.
Users needing non-food items like prescriptions or retail goods; Uber Rewards members seeking integrated delivery; customers in less competitive markets
Quick Answer
AI SummaryDoorDash dominates the U.S. food delivery market with 59% market share, faster average delivery times of 32 minutes, and lower service fees, while Postmates (now Uber Eats' subsidiary brand) offers broader non-food item delivery but maintains a distant second position with only 8% market share as of 2026.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose DoorDash if you prioritize speed, affordability, and the widest restaurant selection—it's the clear market leader with faster delivery times and lower fees. Choose Postmates if you need reliable non-food item delivery like pharmacy prescriptions, alcohol, or retail goods, though be aware it has significantly fewer restaurants and users, making it a secondary option for most delivery needs.
Was this verdict helpful?
Choose DoorDash if
Best pickCustomers prioritizing speed and affordability; frequent food delivery users; those in densely populated areas
Choose Postmates if
Users needing non-food items like prescriptions or retail goods; Uber Rewards members seeking integrated delivery; customers in less competitive markets
Track this comparison
Get notified when prices change, new specs ship, or our verdict updates.
Triggers: price change new spec verdict update
No spam. Stop anytime.
Key Differences at a Glance
- U.S. Market Share:✓ DoorDash wins(59% vs 8%)
- Average Delivery Time:✓ DoorDash wins(32 minutes vs 38 minutes)
- Service Fee (Typical):✓ DoorDash wins($1.99-$2.99 vs $2.00-$3.50)
Key Facts & Figures
35 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | DoorDash | Postmates | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Market Share | 67% | — | — |
| Countries Operating | ~27 | — | — |
| Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $8.6 Billion | — | — |
| 2026 U.S. Market Share(%) | 60% | — | — |
| Active User Base(millions) | 35 million | — | — |
| Restaurant Partners(count) | 400,000+ | — | — |
| 2024 Annual Revenue(billion USD) | $8.9 billion | — | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(Billion USD) | $8.5 billion | — | — |
| Average Delivery Time(minutes) | 35 minutes | — | — |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | 35+ million | — | — |
| US Market Share(%) | 59% | — | — |
| Active Restaurants(count) | 450,000+ | — | — |
| Average Delivery Fee(USD) | $2.99 | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $9.99/month | — | — |
| Founded Year | 2013 | — | — |
| U.S. Market Share(%) | 59% | 8% | |
| Average Delivery Time(minutes) | 28 minutes | 38 minutes | |
| Typical Service Fee(USD) | $2.49 (avg) | $2.75 (avg) | |
| Restaurant Partners(restaurants) | 490,000+ | 185,000+ | |
| Active Monthly Users (U.S.)(millions) | 28.5 million | 4.2 million | |
| Year Founded | 2013 | 2011 | |
| City Coverage(cities) | 7,000+ cities worldwide | 4,000+ cities (U.S.) | |
| Restaurant Selection(restaurants) | 390,000+ | — | — |
| Average Delivery Time(days) | 28 minutes | — | — |
| Geographic Coverage(cities) | 7,000+ cities | — | — |
| iOS App Rating(stars out of 5) | 4.6 stars | — | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $9.99 (DashPass) | — | — |
| Market Share (US)(percent) | 57% | — | — |
| Minimum Order (base)(USD) | $5.00 | — | — |
| U.S. Market Share (Q3 2025)(%) | 59% | — | — |
| Countries of Operation(countries) | 27 | — | — |
| Active Restaurant Partners (Global)(millions) | 0.65 million | — | — |
| Active Delivery Personnel (U.S.)(millions) | 2.3 million Dashers | — | — |
| Loyalty Program Monthly Cost(USD) | $9.99 (DashPass) | — | — |
| Customer App Rating (iOS)(stars) | 4.7/5 stars | — | — |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 59%(winner)U.S. Market Share8%
- 32 minutes(winner)Average Delivery Time38 minutes
- $1.99-$2.99(winner)Service Fee (Typical)$2.00-$3.50
- 490,000+(winner)Restaurant Coverage (U.S.)185,000+
- Limited (groceries, convenience)Non-Food DeliveryBroader (retail, pharmacy, alcohol)(winner)
- 2013Founded Year2011
- 28.5(winner)Active Users (U.S., millions)4.2
- U.S. Market Share
DoorDash
59%(winner)
Postmates
8%
- Average Delivery Time
DoorDash
32 minutes(winner)
Postmates
38 minutes
- Service Fee (Typical)
DoorDash
$1.99-$2.99(winner)
Postmates
$2.00-$3.50
- Restaurant Coverage (U.S.)
DoorDash
490,000+(winner)
Postmates
185,000+
- Non-Food Delivery
DoorDash
Limited (groceries, convenience)
Postmates
Broader (retail, pharmacy, alcohol)(winner)
- Founded Year
DoorDash
2013
Postmates
2011
- Active Users (U.S., millions)
DoorDash
28.5(winner)
Postmates
4.2
Full Comparison
| Attribute | DoorDash | Postmates |
|---|---|---|
| US Market Share | 67% | — |
| Countries Operating | ~27 | — |
| Active User Base(millions) | 35 million | — |
| Restaurant Partners(count) | 400,000+ | — |
| Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $8.6 Billion | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(Billion USD) | $8.5 billion | — |
| YoY Revenue Growth (2024)(percent) | 24% | — |
| 2026 U.S. Market Share(%) | 60% | — |
| US Market Share(%) | 59% | — |
| U.S. Market Share(%) | 59%(winner) | 8% |
| Market Share (US)(percent) | 57% | — |
| U.S. Market Share (Q3 2025)(%) | 59% | — |
| Tip Transparency | Full upfront visibility | — |
| Driver Pay Guarantee | No minimum guarantee | — |
| 2024 Annual Revenue(billion USD) | $8.9 billion | — |
| Order Fraud Detection | Hyper-sensitive GPS monitoring (2026) | — |
| Average Delivery Time(minutes) | 35 minutes | — |
| Average Delivery Time(minutes) | 28 minutes(winner) | 38 minutes |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | 35+ million | — |
| Active Monthly Users (U.S.)(millions) | 28.5 million(winner) | 4.2 million |
| Merchant/Store Partners(count) | 100,000+ restaurants | — |
| Driver Hourly Earnings(USD per hour) | $15-25 | — |
| Geographic Coverage(states) | 27 countries | — |
| Subscription Fee (Monthly)(USD) | $9.99 (DashPass) | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $9.99/month | — |
| Typical Service Fee(USD) | $2.49 (avg)(winner) | $2.75 (avg) |
| Base Delivery Fee Range(USD) | $2.00-$3.99 | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $9.99 (DashPass) | — |
Show 3 more attributesMinimum Order (base)(USD) $5.00 — Loyalty Program Monthly Cost(USD) $9.99 (DashPass) — Base Delivery Fee Range(USD) $2.99-$6.99 — | ||
| Active Restaurants(count) | 450,000+ | — |
| Restaurant Partners(restaurants) | 490,000+(winner) | 185,000+ |
| Average Delivery Fee(USD) | $2.99 | — |
| Customer Satisfaction(stars) | 4.1/5.0 | — |
| Geographic Coverage(countries) | 4,500+ cities | — |
| Countries of Operation(countries) | 27 | — |
| Founded Year | 2013 | — |
| Year Founded | 2013 | 2011(winner) |
| Non-Food Delivery Categories(categories) | 3 (groceries, convenience, pet supplies) | 6+ (pharmacy, alcohol, retail, electronics, home goods, beauty) |
| City Coverage(cities) | 7,000+ cities worldwide(winner) | 4,000+ cities (U.S.) |
| Restaurant Selection(restaurants) | 390,000+ | — |
| Average Delivery Time(days) | 28 minutes | — |
| Geographic Coverage(cities) | 7,000+ cities | — |
| iOS App Rating(stars out of 5) | 4.6 stars | — |
| Customer App Rating (iOS)(stars) | 4.7/5 stars | — |
| Active Restaurant Partners (Global)(millions) | 0.65 million | — |
| Active Delivery Personnel (U.S.)(millions) | 2.3 million Dashers | — |
DoorDashShow 3 more attributes
Pros & Cons
9 pros·6 cons across both
DoorDash
Pros
- Largest restaurant network with 490,000+ merchants across U.S., Canada, and Japan
- Fastest average delivery time at 32 minutes with real-time GPS tracking
- Lowest service fees ($1.99-$2.99) and frequent promotional discounts
- Industry-leading $10 million Dasher protection insurance program
- Integrated grocery delivery via DashMart convenience stores
Cons
- Limited non-food item delivery compared to competitors
- Higher dasher demand during peak hours can cause surge pricing (15-25% markups)
Postmates
Pros
- Broadest non-food delivery including pharmacy, alcohol, retail, and convenience items
- Same-day delivery options for retail purchases (clothing, electronics, home goods)
- Integration with Uber Rewards loyalty program
- Reliable delivery network across 4,000+ U.S. cities
Cons
- Only 8% market share with 185,000 restaurants (3.6x fewer than DoorDash)
- 38-minute average delivery time (6 minutes slower than DoorDash)
- Higher typical service fees at $2.00-$3.50 range
- Declining brand presence as Uber consolidates toward Uber Eats platform
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
DoorDash is generally cheaper with service fees of $1.99-$2.99 compared to Postmates' $2.00-$3.50. Additionally, DoorDash offers more frequent promotional discounts and first-time user deals. However, both apps allow you to compare prices across restaurants before ordering, so final costs depend on your specific restaurant selection.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more about our affiliate disclosure
Wikipedia
Related Comparisons
12 more to explore
DoorDash vs Grubhub
productsDoorDash vs Instacart
productsDoorDash vs Uber Eats
food_and_drinkDoorDash vs Caviar
softwareDoorDash vs Uber Eats
softwareWordPress vs Wix
softwareSlack vs Microsoft Teams
softwareCanva vs Photoshop
softwareFigma vs Sketch
softwareiPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
technologyPS5 vs Xbox Series X
technologyMac vs Windows
technology
Related Articles
5 articles
- technology
Best Streaming Services in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget & Interest
Navigating the crowded streaming landscape in 2026 can be overwhelming. We've tested and ranked the best streaming services that offer the most value, from Netflix's massive library to budget-friendly options like Tubi, helping you cut cable and find your perfect entertainment solution.
Read article - technology
Best Live TV Streaming Services & Plans for Spring 2026: Complete Buyer's Guide
Tired of overpaying for cable? Discover the best live TV streaming services and plans for Spring 2026, including YouTube TV's new genre-based packages starting at $55/month. Our comprehensive guide breaks down pricing, channels, and features to help you cut the cord.
Read article - technology
Philo in 2026: Streaming TV Service Review, Pricing & Reddit Community Insights
Explore Philo's evolution heading into 2026, including pricing tiers, channel lineup, and how it compares to competitors like Sling TV. Discover what the r/PhiloTV Reddit community thinks about the service's current offerings and future prospects.
Read article - technology
Best US Fighter Jets 2026: Top American Combat Aircraft Ranked
Discover the most advanced US fighter jets dominating the skies in 2026. From the legendary F-22 Raptor to the versatile F-35 Lightning II, we rank America's best combat aircraft based on performance, stealth, and air superiority capabilities.
Read article - technology
Philo in 2026: Pricing, Lineup & How It Compares to Sling TV
As we head into 2026, Philo continues to position itself as an affordable streaming alternative for cable TV lovers. Discover what Philo offers, how its pricing stacks up against competitors like Sling TV, and what the Reddit community thinks about its future.
Read article
Explore More
Related comparisons and categories