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DoorDash vs. Postmates: Which is Better?

Within recent years, more local restaurants and national chains have partnered with DoorDash and Postmates, allowing customers to access an extensive selection of foods from the comfort of their own homes.

Even though food delivery services make it more convenient to enjoy local favorites without leaving the house, choosing the right delivery service isn’t always easy.

When it comes to cost, convenience, and availability, DoorDash is a better option than Postmates. DoorDash services more cities than Postmates and offers better grocery delivery services. With DashPass, customers who frequently order delivery can save more money than with Postmates Unlimited.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the DoorDash and Postmates apps, their availability, delivery fees, and membership perks to help you decide which delivery service is right for you.

DoorDash vs. Postmates: Which App Is Easier to Use?

When it comes to ease of use, both apps are user-friendly, with similar interfaces and order processes. Compared to Postmates, DoorDash’s user interface is busier and more difficult to navigate. However, despite Postmates’ cleaner interface, DoorDash is the better app for drivers.

The DoorDash and Postmates apps are available on both iOS and Android. Customers can also place an order online using each delivery service’s respective websites.

The DoorDash and Postmates apps make it easy for customers to search by a restaurant, type of food, and price on the app. Customers can also use both apps to place an order for immediate delivery or place an order in advance.

However, both apps require customers to create an account before they can browse restaurants and place an online delivery order.

While Postmates offers a cleaner interface for customers, DoorDash provides a better experience for drivers.

With the Postmates app, drivers can view customers’ orders and any additional offers and bonuses before accepting them.

Meanwhile, the DoorDash app lets drivers view orders and “guaranteed pay” before accepting, allowing Dashers to easily determine their base pay for the order before the customer’s tip.

DoorDash vs. Postmates: Which Has Better Availability?

Both DoorDash and Postmates are widely available in the United States, with both delivery services servicing local favorites and national chains in major U.S. cities. But if you live in a smaller town, DoorDash is your best bet.

Although both delivery services are available in all 50 states and Washington D.C., DoorDash services a few cities in Canada, giving it an international advantage over its counterpart.

In total, Postmates is currently available in 189 major U.S. cities, while DoorDash is available in over 850 cities throughout North America.

If you’re looking to start driving for a food delivery service or sign up as a customer, DoorDash offers greater availability for small towns, especially when it comes to grocery delivery.

DoorDash vs. Postmates: What Are the Delivery Fees?

While Postmates offers $0.99–$3.99 fees for all Postmates Partner Merchants and $5.99–$9.99 for all other restaurants, DoorDash fees vary depending on the restaurant, driver availability, total order cost, and whether you have a DashPass membership.

Although DoorDash fees vary, signing up for DashPass can help you save delivery fees on orders over $15 and enjoy exclusive membership perks, but you’ll still need to pay taxes and service fees.

The total cost of your DoorDash order includes the full menu price of your food (plus tax), an optional tip for your DoorDash driver, delivery fees, service fees, and additional fees if you place a small order (under $12) or the demand is especially high.

Like DoorDash, Postmates offers an exclusive membership subscription, Postmates Unlimited, which can help customers save money on delivery orders over $15.

Your total Postmates order cost includes the full menu price of your food (plus tax), an optional tip, delivery fees, service fees, small cart fees ($1.99), and blitz pricing (additional fees during peak demand times).

If you’re unsure of what to tip on each platform, you can refer to our other articles tipping on Postmates and DoorDash tipping etiquette as a guide!

DoorDash vs. Postmates: What Is Each Platform Best For?

DoorDash offers greater availability and convenience compared to Postmates. Meanwhile, Postmates offers better delivery deals and customer promotions.

Because DoorDash services more cities across the United States, DoorDash is one of the best food delivery platforms when it comes to availability and convenience.

With over 310,000 restaurants in over 850 cities across North America, DoorDash makes it easy to order from local businesses and national chains, even if you live in a small town.

Unlike DoorDash, which charges variable delivery fees for each restaurant, Postmates charges standard delivery fees for all Postmates Partner Merchants, ranging from $0.99 to $3.99 for partnered restaurants.

For all other restaurants, Postmates charges between $5.99 and $9.99 for delivery.

Compared to DoorDash, Postmates offers better deals and promotions to offset their delivery fees, service fees, and blitz pricing. Postmates typically sends customers promotions via email, with a discount code that can be entered during the checkout process.

On the Postmates app, you can also “join a Party” by ordering from the same restaurant that other people in your area are currently ordering to take advantage of free delivery.

DoorDash vs. Postmates: What Are the Monthly Membership Costs?

DashPass and Postmates Unlimited have similar monthly membership costs at $9.99 per month, and both membership subscriptions guarantee free delivery on orders over $12. However, if you’re an eligible Chase cardholder, you can enjoy DashPass membership benefits for free during the promotional period.

For customers that frequently place online grocery delivery orders, monthly membership subscriptions like DashPass and Postmates Unlimited can help cut delivery costs and help customers take advantage of exclusive membership perks.

Chase cardholders can enjoy DashPass membership benefits when using their Chase card as the default payment method with an activated subscription.

However, if you remove your Chase card as your default payment method, you won’t be able to enjoy DashPass membership benefits.

DoorDash vs. Postmates: What Are the Membership Perks?

DashPass and Postmates Unlimited offer similar membership perks, including free delivery for orders over $12 and exclusive membership benefits. If you order delivery multiple times a week, DashPass offers better savings. If you’re only ordering a few times per month, opt for Postmates Unlimited.

DashPass offers unlimited free delivery for orders over $12, priority customer support, and DashPass-exclusive customer promotions, as well as Caviar benefits. When you first signup, you get a 14-day trial before getting billed.

According to DoorDash, customers can save between $4–$5 per eligible order with a DashPass subscription.

With Postmates Unlimited, members can enjoy unlimited free delivery for orders over $12, reduced fees on eligible orders, exclusive member promotions, and access to Postmates giveaways and events.

According to the Postmates website, Postmates Unlimited members save, on average, $185 per year. They also have a free trial before the $9.99 monthly cost kicks in.

At $15 savings per month, Postmates Unlimited may be able to help you save more money than DashPass, especially if you’re only placing a few orders each month.

DoorDash vs. Postmates: Do They Deliver Anything Other Than Restaurant Meals?

Both DoorDash and Postmates offer local delivery from restaurants, as well as local grocery and convenience stores, including alcohol. Because DoorDash offers wider availability than Postmates, customers who live in smaller towns will likely have greater access to grocery delivery using DoorDash.

DoorDash offers local delivery and pick-up from a wide variety of stores, including PetSmart, 7-Eleven, Walgreens, and Safeway.

For more information on DoorDash’s local grocery delivery services, check out DoorDash’s online grocery delivery options.

Postmates features a more limited selection of local grocery and convenience stores, with options like Safeway and Stock-Up Mart. While Postmates features great options for customers in major cities like New York, San Francisco, and Denver, it has limited availability in small towns.

For more information on Postmates’ local grocery delivery services, click here.

Conclusion

Overall, Postmates and DoorDash both give you flexible options when it comes to ordering local favorites. But when it comes to convenience, cost, and availability, DoorDash is the better option, especially if you order food delivery multiple times a week.

If you’re still not sure which platform is right for you, DashPass and Postmates Unlimited both offer free trials for new customers. Customers can cancel their trial anytime, so you explore and compare both subscriptions to determine which platform and membership subscription you like better.

If you’re interested in finding out more about food delivery services, check out the related articles below.

Related Articles:

Postmates vs. Uber Eats: Which Is Better?

Postmates Gift Cards: What to Know About Buying and Using Them

Does Postmates Deliver Alcohol? (Yes, Here’s What to Know)

Can DoorDash Drivers See Your Rating?

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

About the Author

Samantha Ellsworth is a content writer and an avid foodie who worked as a bakery team member at Whole Foods for three years. In her free time, you can find her trying out new recipes or hiking the trails in Colorado.

November 10, 2022