If you're in the gig economy, you already know the big players. DoorDash dominates the food scene with a massive chunk of the market, but relying on just one app is a rookie mistake. Business of Apps backs this up, but your bank account probably tells the story better.
I remember sitting in a Target parking lot on a Tuesday afternoon, staring at a silent phone and wondering if the gas I just burned idling was worth the $4 order I declined ten minutes ago. It’s a terrible feeling. Relying on a single app limits your potential and leaves you vulnerable when it's slow. You need a mix of apps to turn that downtime into profit. We’ve put together a real-world guide to the gig economy, moving beyond just food to cover logistics, heavy haul, and specialty courier work. Finding the right mix of delivery apps for drivers is the only way to ensure your wheels are actually making you money.
Table of Contents
We’ve broken this down to help you find the right fit, from the big food apps to heavy lifting and medical courier work, plus the gear you actually need to survive the shift.
- What to Consider Before You Download
- Category A: Food Delivery Giants & Alternatives
- Category B: Grocery & Retail Shopping
- Category C: Package Logistics & Last Mile
- Category D: Heavy Haul & Construction
- Category E: Alcohol & Convenience
- Category F: Catering & Medical
- Equipping Your Vehicle (Without Wasting Money)
- Final Thoughts
TL;DR
If you just want the quick hits on how to actually make money and skip the deep dive, here is the snapshot:
Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket: Never rely on one app. Mix food delivery with logistics or grocery work to fill the dead times in your schedule.
Match the App to Your Car: Sedans are great for food, but trucks and vans command much higher rates in heavy haul and construction. Don't burn truck gas on a burrito run.
Net Profit is King: Revenue isn't income. Focus on apps that show you the tip and destination upfront so you can calculate if it's actually worth the drive.
Protect Your Tools: Your phone is your dispatch center. If it breaks, you're unemployed for the day. Secure it with good protection and magnetic mounts to stop it from flying off the dash.
Specialization Pays: Medical and catering couriers often earn more per hour because they require a bit more professionalism and setup.
To help you see where you fit in, check out these driver profiles:
Driver Profile |
Best App Categories |
Vehicle Type |
Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
The Hustler |
Food (A) & Alcohol (E) |
Sedan / Scooter |
Volume & Tips (Nights/Weekends) |
The Shopper |
Grocery (B) |
Sedan / Hatchback |
High Base Pay & Customer Service |
The Hauler |
Heavy Haul (D) |
Pickup / Cargo Van |
High Ticket Items & Physical Labor |
The Professional |
Catering (F) & Logistics (C) |
SUV / Van |
Scheduled Routes & Reliability |
If you prefer knowing exactly when you'll work rather than chasing pings, platforms like Amazon Flex might be the anchor your schedule needs.
What to Consider Before You Download
Before you sign up, you have to look at the math. You need to maximize net profit, not just chase gross revenue. Driving 10 miles for $10 might look okay on the screen, but after gas, taxes, and wear and tear on your car, you essentially worked for free. Always calculate your cost per mile before hitting "accept." If the wheels are turning, they should be earning.
Category A: Food Delivery Giants & Alternatives
These are the high-volume apps. If you have a standard sedan and want to get started immediately, this is where you look. It's a trade-off between flexibility and order volume.
1. DoorDash
The 800lb gorilla of delivery. Payouts vary wildly depending on your city, but the sheer number of orders means less downtime. You might not hit a home run on every order, but the volume ensures you aren't sitting in a parking lot reading a book for hours.
2. Uber Eats
If you already drive passengers, this is a no-brainer. You can toggle between transporting people and delivering food based on where the surge pricing is. Catch the lunch rush for food, then switch to passengers for the evening commute. To keep things smooth while multi-apping, check out our guide on the best phone holders for Uber drivers so you aren't fumbling with your phone in traffic.
3. Grubhub Driver
Grubhub is big on scheduled blocks. If you are a Grubhub driver willing to commit to specific times, you often get priority on better orders. If you prefer knowing your schedule ahead of time rather than relying purely on luck, this system is a huge plus.
4. Caviar
Caviar positions itself as the "premium" option, connecting drivers with higher-end restaurants. You usually see higher ticket totals and better tips here, though the order volume is lower than the big guys. It pays to keep this app running in the background hunting for those "unicorn" orders.
5. Favor
This is a Texas thing. Favor runners act more like personal assistants. There is strong regional loyalty here, and the personalized experience often leads to better interactions with customers. It requires a bit more chatting, but the community support in Texas is unmatched.
Category B: Grocery & Retail Shopping
This is for drivers who don't mind getting out of the car. It takes more effort, but you save gas and usually get higher base pay. Are you willing to trade driving time for shopping time?
Feature |
Food Delivery (Category A) |
Grocery Shopping (Category B) |
|---|---|---|
Time Per Order |
15 - 30 Minutes |
45 - 90 Minutes |
Physical Effort |
Low (Grab and Go) |
High (Walking aisles, lifting bags) |
Vehicle Wear |
High (Stop and go, high mileage) |
Moderate (Longer park times) |
Earnings Reliance |
Heavy reliance on Tips |
Higher Base Pay + Tips |
Customer Interaction |
Minimal (Drop at door) |
Moderate (Substitutions chat) |
6. Instacart
The classic full-service shopping gig. You shop and deliver. You're trading the wear on your car for the physical labor of walking aisles and lifting cases of water. It’s actually a nice way to break up the monotony of sitting in the driver's seat all day.
7. Spark Driver (Walmart)
Powered by Walmart's massive volume. You can do curbside pickup (easy) or shop-and-deliver orders (harder but pays more). Wait times at the store can sometimes be a pain, but the competitive base pay usually makes up for it.
8. Shipt
Shipt is all about the member experience. If you're good, you can build a client base of "preferred members" who request you specifically. This relationship-building aspect can lead to incredibly consistent income that other apps simply can't touch.
9. Dumpling
Dumpling is unique—it's basically a platform to run your own personal shopping business. You set your own fees and market yourself to clients rather than relying on an algorithm to feed you scraps.
10. Cornershop (by Uber)
Uber's grocery integration. It's a convenient option for existing Uber drivers to mix in retail orders without switching apps. Keeps everything under one digital roof.
Category C: Package Logistics & Last Mile
If you prefer boxes over burritos and predictable routes over random pings, this is your category. Many drivers find platforms like Amazon Flex offer a reliable income stream that pairs well with other gig work.
11. Amazon Flex
With Amazon Flex, you know your earnings upfront. You grab a block (usually 2 to 4 hours), load up your car with packages, and go. Competition for blocks can be fierce, but the pay transparency is great for budgeting. Scan, load, drop, repeat.
12. Roadie
Roadie is the "on-the-way" app. It’s perfect for monetizing a trip you are already taking. You might deliver lost luggage, hardware supplies, or even a pet. Why drive empty when you can cover your gas money with a single drop?
13. Veho
Veho focuses on next-day delivery and route density. They try to keep deliveries in specific neighborhoods to save gas, meaning you spend less time driving between stops and more time actually dropping off packages.
14. Jitsu
Last-mile logistics for meal kits and e-commerce. Jitsu often requires larger sedans or SUVs to handle bulk pickups from warehouses, but the routes are generally tight and efficient.
15. Dispatch
This is B2B courier service, mostly during business hours. Great if you want a Monday-through-Friday schedule. You’ll be moving paint, auto parts, or industrial supplies. If you’re using a larger vehicle, having the right cargo van accessories can save you a ton of headache when organizing loads.
Category D: Heavy Haul & Construction
Got a pickup truck or a cargo van? This is where the real money is. You have to be willing to sweat, though.
16. Bungii
Think of this as "Uber for pickup trucks." You earn significantly higher hourly rates for moving large items like furniture and lumber. To keep your cabin organized while hauling heavy loads, consider investing in the best truck driver accessories to protect your electronics and gear.
The Truck Advantage: Take Mike, who owns a Ford F-150. When he delivered food, he averaged $20/hour but spent a fortune on gas. By switching to heavy haul apps like Bungii, he moves a couch or a stack of drywall and earns $45 to $60 for a single short trip. Much better ROI on that V8 engine.
17. Curri
Curri is for construction courier work. Reliability is everything here. A delayed pipe fitting can stop a whole crew from working, so punctuality pays well.
18. GoShare
GoShare pays based on vehicle size. Cargo van owners can maximize earnings by helping businesses and individuals move large items. The bigger your vehicle, the bigger the paycheck.
19. Frayt
Frayt is for "hot shot" deliveries—retail and commercial items that need to move now. It fills the gap for businesses that are in a pinch.
Category E: Alcohol & Convenience
Best for night owls and quick trips. Just make sure you are comfortable checking IDs.
20. GoPuff
GoPuff is different—you pick up from a central warehouse every time. No driving around to different restaurants. You know exactly where you are starting every trip, which simplifies things.
21. Saucey
Dedicated alcohol delivery. It comes with strict ID requirements and liability, but the tips are usually better, especially on evenings and weekends when customers are in a good mood.
Category F: Catering & Medical
This is the "pro" tier. It requires certification and a higher level of care, but the pay reflects that.
22. DeliverThat
Catering orders are big. You aren't just dropping a bag; you might be setting up chafing dishes for a corporate lunch. You are paid for that extra labor.
The Catering Setup: Unlike dropping a combo meal at a door, a DeliverThat driver might bring four large hot bags to an office. They spend 15 minutes setting up the food on the conference table. Because of this extra service, the base pay is higher, and corporate tips often exceed $50 per order.
23. dlivrd
dlivrd focuses on the lunch rush. It’s a perfect strategic pairing for drivers who work evening food delivery shifts but want to capitalize on corporate lunch budgets during the day.
24. Dropoff
Medical logistics require a high-trust environment. You need HIPAA certification and you have to be professional, but the work is consistent, respectful, and you don't have to worry about your car smelling like french fries.
25. Senpex
Senpex uses AI routing to help couriers complete multi-stop routes efficiently. The tech does the heavy lifting on logistics so you can focus on driving.
Equipping Your Vehicle for Maximum Efficiency
Your smartphone is your lifeline in this industry. It handles dispatch, navigation, and proof of delivery. If it breaks, your income halts immediately. You really can't afford to fumble with flimsy plastic mounts or risk a shattered screen when you drop it on a concrete driveway. Rokform provides the kind of heavy-duty protection you need for delivery work. To keep your phone visible and hands-free, we recommend using the best magnetic car phone mounts, which let you grab the phone and go instantly.
The Rokform ecosystem actually speeds you up. With the MagSafe® compatible cases and the industrial-strength magnets, you can slap your phone on the dash for navigation and then snap it onto a warehouse rack or the side of your car while sorting packages. Also, keep your battery charged—finding the best car charger ensures you never lose connection mid-route. The RokLock™ twist lock system ensures your device stays secure over potholes and speed bumps. You need gear that works as hard as you do.
The "Cheap Mount" Cost: Imagine you are on a high-paying stacked order. You hit a pothole, and your cheap plastic vent mount snaps. Your phone slides under the brake pedal or the screen shatters. You are now offline, unable to complete the delivery, and facing a $200 repair bill. A magnetic Rokform mount keeps the phone stable through the roughest city streets, protecting your income stream.
Vehicle Type |
Ideal Apps |
Equipment Needed |
|---|---|---|
Sedan / Coupe |
DoorDash, Uber Eats, Roadie |
Insulated Bags, Magnetic Phone Mount |
SUV / Crossover |
Amazon Flex, Shipt, Catering |
Folding Wagon, Catering Bags, Cargo Liner |
Pickup Truck |
Bungii, Curri, GoShare |
Tie-down Straps, Tarps, Moving Blankets |
Cargo Van |
Frayt, Dispatch, Medical |
Hand Truck, Cargo Netting, Shelving |
Final Thoughts
Success in the gig economy is all about strategy. You have to leverage the right mix of apps and professional equipment to actually make a profit.
This industry has matured into a competitive marketplace where efficiency dictates your success. Look beyond simple gross revenue and consider the wear on your vehicle and the stability of your income. By selecting the right combination of these 25 apps, including popular options like Amazon Flex, and protecting your equipment with Rokform, you position yourself to actually make money in 2026 and beyond. Ultimately, the best delivery apps for drivers are the ones that work for your vehicle and your schedule.
