Shipt vs. Instacart: Which is better for shoppers and drivers?

March 11, 2025

Shipt and Instacart are two of the biggest grocery delivery platforms, offering flexible earning opportunities for gig workers. Whether you’re looking for a full-time income or a side hustle, choosing between these two apps can be challenging. Each platform has its own pay structure, scheduling flexibility, and job experience. Which is better to work for: Shipt vs. Instacart? And more importantly, who pays more? This blog will explain how both apps work, compare earnings, and help you decide which platform fits your needs best.

Shipt vs. Instacart: How Do They Work?

At their core, both Shipt and Instacart allow gig workers to earn money by shopping for groceries and delivering them to customers. However, there are some key differences in how each app operates:

Shipt:
- Works primarily with partner stores (Target, CVS, Meijer, etc.).
- Allows shoppers to schedule shifts in advance and develop relationships with repeat customers.
- Focuses on personalized service, rewarding good customer interactions.
Instacart:
- Works with multiple grocery stores and supermarkets in each area.
- Jobs are on-demand, meaning you pick up orders as they become available.
- Offers both full-service shopping (shopping + delivery) and in-store shopping (no delivery required).

Shopping and Delivery Process

Shipt shoppers have more predictable shopping routines since they often work in the same stores. Instacart shoppers must adapt to different stores, which can make orders more varied and unpredictable.

Which is Better to Work For: Shipt or Instacart?

Flexibility & Scheduling

Shipt: Allows shoppers to schedule shifts in advance, making it easier to plan earnings.
Instacart: Provides an on-demand model, offering work whenever it’s available.

Ease of Shopping & Delivery

Shipt: Shopping at the same partner stores can make orders more predictable and efficient.
Instacart: Orders vary more, so shoppers need to be comfortable navigating multiple grocery chains.

Driver and Shopper Support

Both apps offer in-app support, but shoppers have reported that Shipt’s customer service is more responsive when issues arise, especially with customer complaints or missing items.

Shipt vs. Instacart: Who Pays More?

Earnings can vary significantly depending on your location, the time of day, and how many orders you complete. Let’s break down how pay structures compare:

Base Pay & Earnings Structure

Shipt:
- Pays per order, with a base rate of around $16–$22 per order.
- Shoppers can earn bonuses for great service and customer satisfaction.
Instacart:
- Pay varies by batch complexity, distance, and item count.
- Base pay can range from $7 to $20 per batch, but large batches can pay significantly more.

Tips and Extra Incentives

Shipt: Repeat customers can tip well, and building relationships can lead to consistent earnings.
Instacart: Tipping is more common, but can be inconsistent depending on the customer.

Average Earnings Comparison

Shipt shoppers report an average of $15–$25 per hour.
Instacart shoppers report an average of $10–$30 per hour, with potential for high earnings during peak times.

The key takeaway? Instacart has the potential for higher earnings during peak hours, but Shipt offers more predictable pay.

Perks and Considerations of Working for Shipt vs. Instacart

Feature	Shipt	Instacart
Scheduling Flexibility	Set shifts	Fully on-demand
Order Variety	Limited to partner stores	Multiple grocery chains
Customer Relationships	Strong (repeat customers)	Lower (varied customers)
Base Pay	Set per order	Variable based on batch size
Tipping Potential	High with regulars	Can be high, but inconsistent

Should You Work for Both Shipt and Instacart?

Many gig workers maximize their earnings by working for both apps. Here’s why:

Slow day on Shipt? Check Instacart for available orders.
Need a predictable schedule? Use Shipt to set shifts, then pick up Instacart orders when free.
Take advantage of peak hours by switching between apps based on demand.

If you’re serious about making money in grocery delivery, working for both platforms can help you earn more consistently.

How Gridwise Can Help Shipt & Instacart Shoppers Make More Money

Working as a shopper for Shipt or Instacart can be rewarding, but managing multiple orders, tracking mileage, and keeping up with earnings can become overwhelming. As a gig worker, you don’t have the luxury of an HR department handling your admin work—you are your own business. That’s where Gridwise comes in.

Gridwise is the ultimate assistant for gig workers, helping you streamline your admin work, track expenses, optimize earnings, and maximize tax deductions—all in one easy-to-use app.

How Gridwise works

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Track Your Earnings Across Both Platforms

One of the biggest challenges of working for multiple gig apps is figuring out which one is actually making you the most money. Since Shipt and Instacart use different pay structures, it can be hard to compare earnings accurately.

With Gridwise’s automated earnings tracking, you can:

See your total earnings from Shipt, Instacart, and other gig apps in one place.
Compare pay per hour, per order, and per shift to determine which app is more profitable.
Track earnings trends over time to adjust your work schedule for maximum income.

Log Mileage & Expenses for Bigger Tax Deductions

If you’re driving to stores and delivering groceries, every mile you drive is money you can deduct from your taxes. But manually tracking mileage can be a hassle—and missing miles means losing tax deductions that could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

With Gridwise’s mileage tracker, you can:

Automatically track mileage in the background while you work.
Log all work-related expenses, like gas, insulated bags, or even phone bills used for work.
Generate reports for tax season, ensuring you claim every possible deduction.

Plan the Best Times to Work & Maximize Your Pay

Not all hours are created equal—some shifts and locations offer much higher pay than others. But how do you know when and where to work?

With Gridwise’s demand insights, you can:

See when demand for grocery delivery is highest, so you can work peak hours and earn more.
Identify profitable locations in your area to maximize efficiency.
Avoid slow periods by scheduling shifts strategically.

Streamline Your Admin with Gig-Worker-Friendly Tools

Beyond just tracking earnings and expenses, Gridwise helps gig workers stay organized and reduce financial stress. Instead of scrambling to check different apps, spreadsheets, or notebooks, you can manage everything in one place.

With Gridwise, you can:

Track all work hours automatically—no more guessing or missing shifts.
Log tips separately to get a clear view of your take-home pay.
Stay on top of your work schedule by logging shifts across multiple gig apps.

Why Gridwise is a Must-Have for Shipt & Instacart Shoppers

Managing your finances as a gig worker is challenging, but Gridwise simplifies it all—so you can focus on what really matters: making money.

By using Gridwise, you’ll:

Make smarter decisions about when and where to work.
Stop leaving money on the table with automatic mileage and expense tracking.
Gain clarity on your actual take-home pay without juggling spreadsheets.

Ready to take your gig work to the next level?

Download Gridwise, the app that helps you track your expenses and maximize your earnings

Shipt vs. Instacart: Which One is Right for You?

Both Shipt and Instacart provide great opportunities for gig workers, but the right choice depends on your work style, financial goals, and personal preferences.

Shipt offers a more structured approach with scheduled shopping windows, which can provide predictability and make it easier to integrate into a daily routine. The company also promotes a community-oriented atmosphere and encourages shopper interactions, potentially creating a more supportive work environment. Additionally, Shipt’s Preferred Shopper program allows customers to select their favorite shoppers, fostering a reliable customer base and potentially higher tips.

On the other hand, Instacart enhances work flexibility by offering an on-demand system that allows shoppers to choose shifts spontaneously. This feature is ideal for those who prefer adapting their work hours as they go. Instacart also provides access to a wider variety of stores and products. This diversity can lead to a larger number of order opportunities and potentially higher earnings during peak times.

Ultimately, the choice between Shipt and Instacart depends on individual preferences for work style, scheduling flexibility, and desired customer interactions.

Should You Work for Both Instacart and Shipt?

Many gig workers use both platforms to take advantage of each app’s strengths. By working with Shipt, you can secure scheduled orders and build relationships with repeat customers, while Instacart allows you to fill gaps in your schedule with high-paying, on-demand jobs.

No matter which platform you choose, tracking your earnings, expenses, and mileage is key to maximizing your income.

Shipt and Instacart both offer great earning opportunities, but the best platform for you depends on your needs:

Want more predictable earnings and repeat customers? Choose Shipt.
Want higher earning potential and on-demand flexibility? Choose Instacart.
Want to maximize earnings? Work for both platforms and track your performance with Gridwise.

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