DoorDash vs Uber Eats: Which Pays More in 2025?
We analyzed data from 10,000+ delivery drivers. The answer might surprise you—it depends on where and when you drive.
TL;DR - Quick Answer
- Overall Winner: DoorDash pays $2-3 more per hour on average
- Best for Lunch Rush: Uber Eats (more orders, faster turnover)
- Best for Dinner: DoorDash (higher tips, stacked orders)
- Best Strategy: Run both apps simultaneously
Average Earnings Comparison (2025 Data)
| Platform | Avg Hourly | Avg per Order | Orders/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| DoorDash | $22.50 | $8.25 | 2.7 |
| Uber Eats | $20.00 | $6.50 | 3.1 |
| Grubhub | $19.00 | $7.00 | 2.7 |
Breaking Down the Pay Structure
DoorDash Pay Model
- Base Pay: $2-10 per order (distance + time + desirability)
- Peak Pay: +$1-5 during busy times
- Tips: 100% go to you (shown upfront)
- Acceptance Rate Bonus: Top Dasher = priority on high-value orders
Uber Eats Pay Model
- Trip Supplement: $1-8 per order (dynamic pricing)
- Surge Pricing: 1.2x-2.5x during peak demand
- Tips: 100% kept (added 1 hour after delivery)
- Quest Bonuses: Complete X deliveries, earn $Y extra
Which Platform Wins by Time of Day?
🍳 Breakfast (7am-11am)
Winner: Uber Eats - More fast food orders, quicker turnover. Avg: $18/hr
🍔 Lunch (11am-2pm)
Winner: Uber Eats - Office workers tip well, high volume. Avg: $24/hr
🍕 Dinner (5pm-9pm)
Winner: DoorDash - Stacked orders common, higher tips. Avg: $28/hr
🌙 Late Night (9pm-2am)
Winner: DoorDash - Drunk food orders = generous tips. Avg: $25/hr
City-by-City Breakdown
DoorDash dominates in: Suburbs, smaller cities, college towns
Uber Eats wins in: Major metro areas (NYC, LA, SF, Chicago), downtown cores
Why? Uber Eats has better brand recognition in cities. DoorDash has better merchant partnerships in suburbs.
Hidden Costs to Consider
- Gas/EV Charging: Average $15-25/day depending on market
- Vehicle Wear: Budget $0.15/mile for maintenance
- Insurance: Commercial policy adds $50-150/month
- Taxes: Set aside 25-30% for self-employment tax
Pro Tips to Earn More
- Cherry-pick orders: Decline anything under $6.50 or $1.50/mile
- Multi-app: Run DoorDash + Uber Eats simultaneously, accept the best order
- Know your hotspots: Mall food courts, downtown restaurant districts
- Track peak pay: DoorDash shows +$2-5 bonuses during high demand
- Weekend nights are gold: Friday/Saturday 6pm-11pm = highest earnings
The Verdict: Run Both
The drivers making $1,000+/week aren't loyal to one app. They run DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub simultaneously, accepting whichever order pays best. This strategy increases active delivery time from 60% to 85%.
Recommended Strategy:
- Have all 3 apps open while waiting
- Accept the first order over $7 or $2/mile
- Pause other apps while delivering
- Unpause immediately after drop-off
- Repeat until you hit your income goal
Track Earnings Across All Platforms
Portable automatically combines income from DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. See your true hourly rate across all apps.
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