Shipt Vs. Instacart 2025: Speed, Fees, Shopper Pay Compared
Compare Shipt and Instacart: memberships, costs, shopper pay, store options, and which grocery delivery service saves you more time and money.
Shipt vs. Instacart: Which Grocery Delivery Service Is Right for You?
Grocery delivery services like Shipt and Instacart have transformed how we shop, offering convenience for busy customers and flexible earning opportunities for shoppers. This comparison breaks down memberships, costs, delivery options, shopper experiences, store availability, and more to help you decide between Shipt and Instacart.
What Is Shipt?
Shipt is a grocery delivery service launched in 2014, operating in over 5,000 cities across the U.S. It partners with major retailers like Target, Costco, CVS, Publix, and local stores. Customers place orders via the app, and personal shoppers select items, purchase them, and deliver same-day. Shipt emphasizes personalized service, with shoppers often communicating directly with customers for substitutions.
- Focuses on same-day delivery from a curated list of stores.
- Available in select regions, prioritizing quality over sheer volume.
- Shoppers receive guaranteed base pay of at least $16 per hour.
What Is Instacart?
Instacart, founded in 2012, is one of the largest grocery delivery platforms, serving 15,000+ cities nationwide. It connects users with over 1,500 retailers including Kroger, Albertsons, Costco, Sam’s Club, and CVS. Orders are batched for efficiency, with delivery times as quick as one hour. Instacart shows total pay upfront for shoppers, including tips.
- Broader coverage and more store partnerships.
- Average shopper pay around $18 per hour.
- Supports both in-store and delivery shopping roles.
Membership and Costs: Shipt vs. Instacart
Both services offer memberships to waive delivery fees on qualifying orders, but pricing and perks differ. Shipt’s annual plan costs $99/year for unlimited same-day deliveries on $35+ orders with $0 fees. Instacart matches the $99 annual fee but charges $9.99/month (or $99/year) for similar benefits, making its monthly option slightly cheaper at about 10% less than Shipt’s $9.99 equivalent.
| Feature | Shipt | Instacart |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Membership | $99/year | $99/year |
| Monthly Membership | $9.99/month | $9.99/month (effectively lower value per some comparisons) |
| Free Delivery Threshold | $35+ orders | $35+ orders |
| Delivery Fee (Non-Members) | $7-$10 | $3.99+ (varies) |
| Additional Fees | No surcharges on members | Service fees apply |
Without membership, expect $5 more on a $35 Shipt order versus Instacart due to higher base fees. Shipt shoppers get a free annual membership ($99 value) as a perk.
Delivery Speed and Availability
Instacart generally offers faster delivery windows, often within one hour in urban areas, thanks to its larger shopper network and batching system. Shipt prioritizes same-day service but may take longer in less dense areas. Both allow checking store availability by ZIP code; Instacart edges out with 15,000+ cities versus Shipt’s 5,000+.
- Instacart: More reliable for express delivery; bundles orders efficiently.
- Shipt: Better for personalized picks but potential longer drives for shoppers.
Stores and Product Selection
Instacart boasts 1,500+ partners like Albertsons, Kroger, Publix, Sprouts, and Costco. Shipt covers favorites including Target, CVS, HEB, Meijer, Petco, Sephora, and Office Depot, plus local gems. Product variety is comparable, but Instacart’s scale provides more options in most areas.
Earning Potential for Shoppers
For those considering gig work, pay is a key factor. Shipt guarantees at least $16/hour base pay, with total earnings $16-$23/hour including tips (shoppers keep 100%). Instacart averages $18/hour per ZipRecruiter, with transparency on total pay (base + tip) upfront. Annual salaries: Instacart store shoppers ~$60k, Shipt ~$33k; drivers Instacart ~$58k vs. Shipt ~$36k.
| Role | Shipt Average | Instacart Average |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Shopper (Hourly) | $16.26/hr | $16.80/hr |
| Store Shopper (Yearly) | $32,612 | $60,263 |
| Delivery Driver (Yearly) | $35,788 | $58,088 |
Shipt offers perks like free membership, gym discounts ($14.99), and BetterHelp therapy. Instacart provides good compensation but fewer extras. Both require background checks and a vehicle; no experience needed.
Shopper Ratings and Experience
Indeed rates Shipt 3.3/5 (higher in culture, work-life balance) vs. Instacart 3.1/5. Glassdoor gives both 3.5/5. Shipt shoppers praise flexibility; Instacart for pay and people. Common complaints: Shipt’s stricter ratings, tip withholding; Instacart’s batching but more transparency.
- You can work both apps simultaneously for more hours and perks.
- Shipt allows zone selection to minimize driving; Instacart batches for efficiency.
Customer Experience: Pros and Cons
Customers appreciate Instacart’s speed and selection but note occasional substitution issues. Shipt excels in personalization—shoppers text for preferences—but some report higher fees. App usability: Instacart more straightforward; Shipt requires more communication.
Shipt vs. Instacart: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Shipt Winner? | Instacart Winner? |
|---|---|---|
| Cities Covered | No | Yes (15,000+) |
| Shopper Base Pay Guarantee | Yes ($16/hr) | No (avg $18/hr) |
| Store Partners | Good selection | Yes (1,500+) |
| Membership Value | Exclusive perks | Slightly cheaper monthly |
| Shopper Ratings (Indeed) | Yes (3.3) | No (3.1) |
Which Should You Choose?
For customers: Instacart if you need speed and variety; Shipt for personalized service and perks. For shoppers: Shipt for guarantees and flexibility; Instacart for higher average pay and volume. Test both—many do both for optimal earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can you shop for both Shipt and Instacart?
A: Yes, many shoppers work both platforms to maximize hours, orders, and perks like free memberships.
Q: What stores does Instacart deliver from?
A: Over 1,500 including Albertsons, Costco, CVS, Kroger, Publix, Sam’s Club, and Sprouts—varies by location.
Q: How much do Shipt and Instacart shoppers earn?
A: Shipt $16-$23/hr (guaranteed $16 base); Instacart ~$18/hr average. Both keep 100% tips.
Q: Is a background check required for shoppers?
A: Yes, both Shipt and Instacart require background checks.
Q: Which has cheaper delivery fees?
A: Members get $0 on $35+ orders for both, but Instacart’s non-member fees start lower (~$3.99).
References
- Shipt vs. Instacart — Shipt.com. 2026. https://www.shipt.com/lp/shipt-vs-instacart
- Shipt vs. Instacart [2026]: Which Is Better for Shoppers? — FinanceBuzz. 2026. https://financebuzz.com/shipt-vs-instacart
- Shipt vs Instacart – Which Grocery Delivery App Is Better in 2025? — YouTube (Transcript). 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xecPft6gb9w
- Instacart Vs Shipt Pay — Pearson A11y News. 2026. https://a11y.pearson.com/news/instacart-vs-shipt-pay
- Compare working at Instacart vs Shipt — Indeed.com. 2026. https://www.indeed.com/companies/compare/Instacart-vs-Shipt-00ef8ae2eaba6d46-d2064c6a18d10f50
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Sneha Tete
