When it comes to ordering food online, two names stand out: Uber Eats and DoorDash. Both feature a great selection of restaurants, fast delivery, and user-friendly apps — But let’s cut to the chase, shall we? What we all really want to know is, which one is cheaper?
If you’re ordering takeout a few times a week (or even if you only treat yourself now and then), those delivery fees, service charges and hidden fees can get really expensive, really fast. So, let’s dissect and find out if Uber Eats or DoorDash offers a better deal when it comes to your food delivery cravings.
Which is Cheaper Uber Eats or Doordash
At first glance, Uber Eats and DoorDash might look be pretty similar in pricing. Both apps add delivery, service and sometimes small order fees. But as you dig deeper, the distinctions begin to emerge.
On the whole, DoorDash has a lower delivery and service fee overall, says Checkmate, which recently ran a comparison for CNBC. DoorDash’s service fees are often a bit easier to understand and slightly lower, especially when ordering from local restaurants.
On the other hand, Uber Eats frequently charges you higher service fees, up to 15% of your order total. So if you’re getting a $30 meal, you might pay an extra $4.50 in service fees alone — before factoring in delivery charges or tips.
Subscription Services: DashPass vs. Uber One
If you use the platforms regularly, they both have monthly subscriptions you can buy to help save some money.
• Uber One (the rebranded Eats Pass) for $9.99/month gets you $0 delivery fees and up to 10% off eligible orders.
• DashPass, the DoorDash subscription, is also $9.99 a month and also gets rid of the delivery fee and reduces service fees on orders over a certain amount.
So which is better? In actuality, DashPass is more likely to save you money, particularly if you frequently order from restaurants on DoorDash’s platform. Some users have claimed that DashPass is less hit or miss over Uber One.
Promotions and Coupons
DoorDash and Uber Eats each have their own promo codes and coupons — especially for new customers — but DoorDash seems to have more discounts and promotions (and more plentiful discounts) during the lunch hours or other times of days and events.
If you are a bargain hunter, DoorDash itself may actually still be the better app for finding the cheap order.
So, Is Uber Eats or DoorDash More Affordable?
In almost all instances, DoorDash is the more affordable choice. With lower service fees and frequent promotions, plus the savings you’ll get with a DashPass subscription, it’s often the more budget-friendly option — particularly for frequent users.
Uber Eats, which I still consider a solid service in most cases, is just generally pricier once you take into account higher service charges and the fact that they get fewer and further between good discounts.
Final Thoughts
If you’re on a tight budget and trying to maximize the bang for your buck, however, DoorDash is probably the more affordable choice overall. That being said, it doesn’t hurt to periodically check prices on both apps — deals, restaurant availability and delivery times can differ by location.
Looking to save even more? It’s worth considering a subscription, keeping an eye out for promo codes and grouping orders with friends to divide the fees. Happy eating — and saving!