9 of the Best Jobs Like Instacart
Instacart is a great side gig to make some extra cash. You’ll be shopping for others and getting paid for your time and effort. If you have some spare time between studies or jobs, you can work at your pace to earn supplemental money. However, not everyone may find the gig to be the best fit for them. Or perhaps, it’s not available in your area.
Fortunately, there are plenty of jobs like Instacart that could serve as good alternatives. Nearly all of them require nothing more than a phone, mobile app and in many cases, a vehicle for deliveries. The following delivery jobs like Instacart could very well be your next side hustle.
1. Uber Eats
Uber Eats takes Uber’s rideshare model to provide food deliveries to customers. It’s one of the most widespread delivery jobs like Instacart available in over 6,000 cities across the world. To set up an account, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
You must be 19 to deliver by scooter or car or be 18 to deliver by bike or foot
You must have a driver’s license and vehicle insurance
2. Grubhub
Grubhub is another delivery job like Instacart that can help you make some extra money. As many of the jobs reviewed in this guide, Grubhub focuses on meal deliveries instead of the Instacart shopping model.
The food delivery app is available in all 50 states and in over 4,000 U.S. cities, making it a good option when other jobs like Instacart aren’t available. Becoming a Grubhub delivery driver is simple. Grubhub’s requirements are:
Be 18 or older — 21 or older in Las Vegas
Have a valid license and insurance
Have at least two years of driving experience
3. Cornershop
Cornershop is a division of Uber and is closest to Instacart because it focuses on groceries. It is currently available in 17 states with the biggest presence in Texas, Florida, California and Washington. If you’re looking for delivery jobs like Instacart that require less time in the car, you’ll like Cornershop.
According to the website, you’ll spend more time shopping and moving around instead of driving. The requirements are:
A photo ID
Registration for delivery vehicle
A valid driver’s license
4. DoorDash
DoorDash is one of the most popular food delivery apps available in major U.S. cities nationwide. It can be lucrative during the busiest, peak hours. If you don’t mind driving around from restaurants or fast food establishments to drop food off to customers, it could be easier than Instacart since you don’t have to shop for the items.
DoorDash is flexible, allowing deliveries using a bike, scooter, car or even on foot in select urban areas. Requirements to become a DoorDasher include:
Be 18 or older
Have a driver’s license and insurance if you deliver using a vehicle
Pass a background check
Complete an online orientation and receive an activation kit
Besides the traditional food delivery model, Shop & Deliver is DoorDash’s shopping service. You can shop and fill customer orders and pay with a provided DoorDash credit card to then deliver the items.
5. Postmates
Similar to DoorDash, Postmates is a great side hustle if you enjoy delivering food, groceries, alcohol and more. The biggest difference between DoorDash and Postmates is ease — Postmates doesn’t require a background check. However, Postmates is only available in a limited number of major cities.
Postmates was recently purchased by Uber. At this time, the two companies will continue to operate independently. As with most delivery services, you’ll need to be at least 18 years of age, have a vehicle accessible and provide insurance information to get started.
6. Shipt
If you’re looking for the closest-matching jobs like Instacart, Shipt follows a similar model. You’ll need to shop for groceries, check out to pay and deliver the order to customers. The biggest difference between Shipt and Instacart is that you’ll need to schedule your delivery shifts with Shipt through the app — Instacart can be a more spontaneous experience in which you can open the app and get to work without scheduling shifts.
Working with Shipt has more requirements than other delivery jobs like Instacart. You’ll need to apply and interview for the position after meeting the following requirements:
Be at least 18 years of age
Have a valid U.S. driver’s license and auto insurance
Have access to a reliable vehicle, from model year 1997 or newer for deliveries
Have knowledge of a grocery store’s produce selection
Be able to lift 40 pounds
7. Deliver That
Deliver That is a smaller service specializing in restaurant catering deliveries. It would mean that you would pick up completed meals from restaurants and caterers and drop them off at their final destination.
If you’re in search of a different side hustle to break up your schedule of shopping and delivering fast food orders, Deliver That may be an interesting option to pick up. However, the service is limited at this time to 39 states in the U.S. and British Columbia.
8. Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh is Amazon’s same-day grocery delivery business. If you’re already familiar with shopping through Instacart, it may be an easy transition into Amazon’s model.
The gig is more physical than others. Amazon’s requirements include:
Lifting up to 49 pounds
Working in the coolers with temperatures as low as -10°F for extended periods
Standing, walking, pushing, pulling, squatting, bending and reaching during shifts
Handling products such as meat and alcohol
Unlike Instacart which is always there when you’re ready to start accepting jobs as soon as you open the app, you’ll need to schedule yourself in advance for Amazon Fresh. Many workers complain that it’s hard to claim a schedule due to the number of workers, which could leave you with time off more often than you’d hope for if you’re not on top of available blocks.
9. Amazon Flex
If you work hard on your side gig, you may end up needing to break up the activity to avoid burning out. Amazon Flex provides you with a new way to make some cash without dealing with restaurant deliveries. You’ll end up working as an Amazon package delivery driver, although you may occasionally also deliver Amazon Fresh grocery orders.
Amazon’s requirements are similar to most apps. You’ll need a phone to download and run the app, be 21 or older with a vehicle for deliveries and provide your driver’s license and proof of car insurance.
Once you’re set up, you’ll be assigned a delivery block, which is a time frame and area that you will focus on. Set your own schedule in advance and get to work — you’ll be making cash in no time at all.
Final Take
These jobs are great for supplemental income. Replacing your full-time job with these side gigs would be hard but not unachievable if you plan your time right and dedicate yourself accordingly. Since Instacart isn’t the only delivery job out there, chances are a few of these options are already available to you in your hometown.
Information is accurate as of Aug. 24, 2022.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 9 of the Best Jobs Like Instacart
