Grubhub vs. DoorDash: Which Food Delivery Service is Better?

A split-screen image showing the Grubhub and DoorDash logos with a background of diverse food items being delivered.

Overview of Food Delivery Giants

In today's fast-paced world, food delivery services have become an essential part of our daily lives. Among the most prominent players are Grubhub and DoorDash, each offering unique advantages and services.

History and Market Presence

Grubhub, founded in 2004, is one of the pioneers in the food delivery industry, operating in over 3,200 cities across the United States with more than 300,000 restaurant partnerships. DoorDash, launched in 2013, has quickly risen to dominate approximately 65% of the food delivery market share, serving over 4,000 cities across North America.

For more information, visit Grubhub's official website and DoorDash's official website.

Pricing and Subscription Options

Delivery Fees

  • DoorDash: $1.99 to $5.99
  • Grubhub: $1.99 to $7.99

Subscription Services

Both platforms offer monthly subscriptions at $9.99:

  • DoorDash: DashPass
  • Grubhub: Grubhub+

These subscriptions eliminate delivery fees on eligible orders and provide additional benefits.

User Experience and Features

Mobile App Interface

DoorDash offers a modern, intuitive interface with:

  1. Real-time order tracking
  2. Easy restaurant discovery
  3. Customizable favorites list

Grubhub provides:

  1. More detailed restaurant menus
  2. Better search filters
  3. More accurate delivery time estimates

Special Features

DoorDash:

  • Group ordering
  • Scheduled deliveries
  • DoorDash Drive for large orders
  • Alcohol delivery in select markets

Grubhub:

  • Restaurant loyalty programs
  • Pickup options
  • Corporate accounts
  • Virtual restaurants

Restaurant Selection and Coverage

DoorDash typically includes:

  • Chain restaurants
  • Convenience stores
  • Grocery stores
  • Local merchants

Grubhub focuses on:

  • Established restaurants
  • Local favorites
  • Exclusive partnerships
  • Urban markets

Customer Support and Service

"DoorDash offers 24/7 customer support through their app, website, and phone line, with generally faster response times."

"Grubhub provides support primarily through their app and website, with phone support available for active orders."

Payment Options

Both services accept:

  • Credit/debit cards
  • PayPal
  • Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
  • Gift cards

Driver Experience

Average Driver Earnings (2023):
DoorDash: $15-$25/hour
Grubhub: $12-$20/hour

Customer Reviews and Ratings

According to Trustpilot:

  • Grubhub: 3.5/5 stars (13,000+ reviews)
  • DoorDash: 4/5 stars (20,000+ reviews)

The Verdict

While both services offer reliable food delivery options, your choice may depend on several factors:

Choose DoorDash if you want:

  • Wider availability, especially in suburban areas
  • More diverse merchant options
  • Modern user interface
  • Consistent delivery times

Choose Grubhub if you prefer:

  • Urban area coverage
  • Local restaurant selection
  • Detailed menu information
  • Restaurant loyalty programs

For further reading, check out this comparison of food delivery services to see how these platforms compare to other competitors.

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