GrubHub vs Instacart
GrubHub
Online food delivery platform founded in 2004
Urban and suburban users wanting diverse restaurant options with competitive delivery fees and meal loyalty rewards.
Instacart
Grocery and convenience store delivery service operating in 5,500+ US cities with same-day delivery.
Suburban and rural users needing groceries and household items with same-day delivery, plus those who value access to multiple grocery chains.
Short Answer
GrubHub specializes in restaurant food delivery with 400,000+ partner restaurants, while Instacart focuses on grocery and convenience store delivery from 85,000+ retail locations. GrubHub is better for meal delivery, Instacart dominates grocery shopping with same-day service.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose GrubHub if you primarily want restaurant meal delivery with lower fees and the largest restaurant selection across major cities. Choose Instacart if you need groceries, household items, and convenience goods delivered quickly with broader geographic coverage and same-day service options.
Was this verdict helpful?
Choose GrubHub if
Urban and suburban users wanting diverse restaurant options with competitive delivery fees and meal loyalty rewards.
Choose Instacart if
Suburban and rural users needing groceries and household items with same-day delivery, plus those who value access to multiple grocery chains.
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Key Differences at a Glance
Key Facts & Figures
| Metric | GrubHub | Instacart | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 U.S. Market Share(%) | 25% | — | — |
| Active User Base(millions) | 22 million | — | — |
| Restaurant Partners(count) | 325,000+ | — | — |
| Average Delivery Time(minutes) | 35-50 min | 75 minutes | -43% |
| 2024 Annual Revenue(billion USD) | $1.3 billion | — | — |
| Operating Countries(countries) | 1 (USA focus) | — | — |
| US Market Share(%) | 18% | — | — |
| Active Restaurants(count) | 200,000+ | — | — |
| Average Delivery Time(days) | 32 minutes | — | — |
| Average Delivery Fee(USD) | $2.99-$5.99 | $3.99-$9.99 | -36% |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $9.99/month | — | — |
| Founded Year | 2004 | — | — |
| U.S. Market Share(percent) | 18% | — | — |
| Average Delivery Time(minutes) | 35 minutes | — | — |
| Restaurant Commission Rate (Mid-Range)(percent) | 22.5% (15-30%) | — | — |
| Available Restaurants (U.S.)(count) | 285,000 | — | — |
| Annual Subscription Cost(USD) | $119.99 | — | — |
| Average Customer Rating(stars out of 5) | 3.6/5 | — | — |
| States with Alcohol Delivery(count) | 8 states | — | — |
| Minimum Order Amount(USD) | $10.00 | — | — |
| Partner Locations Available(locations) | 400,000+ | 85,000+ | +371% |
| Standard Delivery Time(minutes) | 30-45 minutes | 60-120 minutes | -58% |
| Subscription Monthly Cost(USD) | $9.99/month | $9.99/month | — |
| Service Fee Range(percent) | 10-15% of order | 5-35% of items | -38% |
| US Food Delivery Market Share(percent) | 49% of food delivery | 66% of grocery delivery | -26% |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(Billion USD) | $3.3 billion | $3.3 billion | — |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | 15+ million | 15+ million | — |
| Number of Partner Retailers(retailers) | 500+ | 500+ | — |
| Base Delivery Fee(USD) | $0-2.99 (or $9.99/month) | $0-2.99 (or $9.99/month) | — |
| Typical Delivery Speed(hours) | 1-2 hours | 1-2 hours | — |
| 2024 Company Revenue(billion USD) | $3.3B (Instacart 2024) | $3.3B (Instacart 2024) | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated Jun 2026.
Key Differences
GrubHub
Restaurant food delivery
Instacart
Grocery & convenience store delivery
GrubHub
400,000+ restaurants🏆
Instacart
85,000+ retail stores
GrubHub
$2.99-$5.99🏆
Instacart
$3.99-$9.99
GrubHub
30-45 minutes average
Instacart
Same-day (1-2 hours)🏆
GrubHub
GrubHub+ ($9.99/month)
Instacart
Instacart+ ($9.99/month)
GrubHub
4,000+ US cities
Instacart
5,500+ US cities & towns🏆
GrubHub
49% of US food delivery
Instacart
66% of US grocery delivery
Full Comparison
| Attribute | GrubHub |  Instacart |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 U.S. Market Share(%) | 25% | — |
| US Market Share(%) | 18% | — |
| U.S. Market Share(percent) | 18% | — |
| US Food Delivery Market Share(percent) | 49% of food delivery | 66% of grocery delivery |
| Active User Base(millions) | 22 million | — |
| Restaurant Partners(count) | 325,000+ | — |
| Average Delivery Time(minutes) | 35-50 min | 75 minutes |
| Tip Transparency | Partial visibility | — |
| Driver Pay Guarantee | Per-order guaranteed minimum | — |
| 2024 Annual Revenue(billion USD) | $1.3 billion | — |
| Order Fraud Detection | Standard detection systems | — |
| Alexa Voice Integration | Not available | — |
| Operating Countries(countries) | 1 (USA focus) | — |
| Active Restaurants(count) | 200,000+ | — |
| Available Restaurants (U.S.)(count) | 285,000 | — |
| Average Delivery Time(days) | 32 minutes | — |
| Average Delivery Fee(USD) | $2.99-$5.99 | $3.99-$9.99 |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $9.99/month | — |
| Annual Subscription Cost(USD) | $119.99 | — |
| Subscription Monthly Cost(USD) | $9.99/month | $9.99/month |
| Service Fee Range(percent) | 10-15% of order | 5-35% of items |
Show 2 more attributesSubscription Fee (Monthly)(USD) $9.99 (Instacart+) — Base Delivery Fee(USD) $0-2.99 (or $9.99/month) — | ||
| Customer Satisfaction(stars) | 3.8/5.0 | — |
| Founded Year | 2004 | — |
| Average Delivery Time(minutes) | 35 minutes | — |
| Restaurant Commission Rate (Mid-Range)(percent) | 22.5% (15-30%) | — |
| Average Customer Rating(stars out of 5) | 3.6/5 | — |
| States with Alcohol Delivery(count) | 8 states | — |
| Minimum Order Amount(USD) | $10.00 | — |
| Partner Locations Available(locations) | 400,000+ | 85,000+ |
| Geographic Coverage(countries) | 4,000+ cities | 5,500+ cities and towns |
| Standard Delivery Time(minutes) | 30-45 minutes | 60-120 minutes |
| Typical Delivery Speed(hours) | 1-2 hours | — |
| Partner Retail Categories(categories) | Restaurants only | Groceries, pharmacies, convenience, household |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(Billion USD) | $3.3 billion | — |
| YoY Revenue Growth (2024)(percent) | 11% | — |
| Monthly Active Users(millions) | 15+ million | — |
| Merchant/Store Partners(count) | 50,000+ stores | — |
| Driver Hourly Earnings(USD per hour) | $14-22 | — |
| Number of Partner Retailers(retailers) | 500+ | — |
| Geographic Coverage(states) | Nationwide (all US states) | — |
| Prime Membership Benefit | Instacart+ separate subscription | — |
| 2024 Company Revenue(billion USD) | $3.3B (Instacart 2024) | — |
| Strategic Focus (2026) | Expanding partnerships nationwide | — |
InstacartShow 2 more attributes
Visual Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
Pros & Cons
GrubHub
Pros
- 400,000+ partner restaurants with diverse cuisine options
- Lower average delivery fees ($2.99-$5.99) compared to competitors
- GrubHub+ membership removes delivery fees on orders over $12
- Integration with Seamless in select cities for expanded coverage
- Loyalty program rewards points on every order
Cons
- Smaller geographic footprint (4,000 cities) misses rural areas
- Restaurant availability varies significantly by location
- Service fees (10-15%) increase final meal costs substantially
Instacart
Pros
- 5,500+ cities and towns including rural areas for broader access
- Same-day delivery in 1-2 hours from 85,000+ retail partners
- Access to 750+ grocery chains (Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway, Trader Joe's, etc.)
- Instacart+ membership includes free delivery on orders over $35 plus 5% savings
- Real-time price matching with in-store prices at partner retailers
Cons
- Higher delivery fees ($3.99-$9.99) than GrubHub for equivalent distance
- Service markups (5-35%) on items increase total cost versus in-store shopping
- Substitution issues when requested items unavailable without shopper communication
Frequently Asked Questions
Availability varies by location. Enter your zip code on both apps to check service. GrubHub is better for restaurant choice; Instacart is better for grocery variety and rural coverage. Many users maintain both apps for different needs and as backup options.
Resources & Learn More
Dive deeper with these curated resources
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