How to choose
December 16, 2024
Author:
Anastasiia Chub
Selecting the right company to work for as a delivery rider is crucial.
Many riders often debate between Uber Eats and Alto, wondering which is the better fit for them.
Both companies have built strong reputations and are among the biggest players in the industry.
However, most reviews online are customer-focused, leaving prospective riders with little information tailored to their needs.
Considering this, it's easy to see why delivery riders face this dilemma.
You've come to the right place if you're torn between Uber Eats and Alto. Here’s a comprehensive look at both companies and a final recommendation on which one you should consider joining.
Making a quick decision between Uber Eats and Alto is nearly impossible. There are many factors to consider and features to evaluate before choosing one.
This is particularly true for first-time delivery workers who may be unsure where to start or what to prioritize.
To help you out, we've reviewed numerous online sources, conducted research, and compiled our findings.
Here's what you need to know about both companies:
Flexibility is crucial for many delivery riders, as it helps them balance life and work, maximize earnings, and create more job opportunities.
It also provides a sense of autonomy, boosting morale and motivation.
The acceptance rate refers to the percentage of delivery requests a rider accepts out of their total requests. In other words, it measures how often a rider agrees to take on a delivery assignment.
So, how do these two companies compare?
Uber Eats generally allows workers to choose when to work.
Riders can simply log in and start accepting deliveries whenever they like, allowing for a spontaneous schedule without announcing their availability in advance.
It also doesn't require a high acceptance rate and won't penalize or ban a rider for having a low one.
However, maintaining a good acceptance rate can be beneficial.
For instance, a higher acceptance rate often leads to more delivery requests, and riders with very high rates may receive promotions, incentives, or bonuses.
Alto, on the other hand, is more structured, which impacts flexibility. Delivery riders typically have scheduled shifts that can last a varying number of hours.
This means drivers often need to commit to specific working hours in advance, limiting the spontaneous flexibility that Uber Eats provides.
Also, delivery riders usually have to accept every order during their working shift.
This also means that the acceptance rate is usually not calculated, so don’t expect any bonuses regarding it.
The winner is: Uber Eats, as it’s not only more flexible, but also provides bonuses and incentives for a high acceptance rate.
Order volume is a key factor to consider when comparing Uber Eats and Alto, but it’s also one of the trickiest.
While a high order volume can increase your hourly rate by allowing you to complete more deliveries throughout the day, it’s not always beneficial.
With a large volume, you have the flexibility to choose which deliveries to accept and which to pass on.
However, if the volume is too high for the number of riders in a given area, it can lead to feeling overworked and stressed.
A good e-bike can make it easier to handle more orders efficiently.
The order volume on Uber Eats can vary significantly depending:
In busy urban areas like NYC, riders often report a high order volume, especially during peak times like lunch and dinner.
This can lead to steady delivery requests, allowing riders to complete multiple orders quickly and increasing their earnings.
As Alto works during shifts, it typically doesn’t fluctuate as much as Uber Eats.
This means you can be confident you’ll always have some deliveries to make.
While this means you’ll always have a fair amount of orders, it also means you typically can’t count on ‘good days’ that will significantly increase your deliveries.
The winner is: It’s a tie, as both companies have pros and cons when it comes to the expected order volume.
Proper training is essential for first-time delivery riders, as it helps them understand the business.
Sadly, this is something Uber Eats lacks. While it does provide its riders with in-app guidance and an extensive FAQ section, it only offers onboarding materials and not in-person training.
Alto provides more structured training for its drivers than Uber Eats.
Their approach includes onboarding features and in-person sessions covering various aspects of the job, including handling ride requests, providing excellent customer service, and maintaining the vehicle.
The winner is: Alto, for it’s extensive training programs.
Income is one of the essential reasons why someone decides on Alto vs Uber or vice versa. This is also one of the first things most delivery riders ask about.
With Uber Eats, your pay is calculated based on several factors. Each delivery trip has a set payment, influenced by distance, location, and the cost of the customer's food order.
Longer routes and higher payments typically result in a higher hourly rate. Deliveries in busy areas or during peak hours also yield higher rates.
Uber Eats often offers introductory promotions and bonuses to new riders who meet a minimum delivery threshold.
Additionally, you keep 100% of the tips you earn, and customers can increase their tip amount up to an hour after the delivery, which riders refer to as a hidden tip, further boosting earnings.
According to Indeed, the average hourly pay for NYC Uber Eats riders is $20.98 per hour.
This payment is typically deposited once a week. However, you can request instant deliveries for a small fee – something that is pretty standard for most delivery companies.
The average hourly payment for Alto drivers also varies depending on location, demand, and specific shifts.
Alto seemingly generally offers competitive wages compared to other rideshare or delivery services. Indeed states that the average hourly rate for Alto delivery drivers in NYC is $23.33.
Still, it’s important to note that Alto delivery drivers have fixed shifts that limit their working hours, most people have reported earning less money on Alto than on Uber Eats on a monthly and yearly basis.
The winner is: It was a close one, but according to numerous online reviews, the winner seems to be Uber Eats.
Related: Gopuff vs DoorDash
The decision on whether you want to work for either of these companies, or even for some third one, is entirely up to you, your requirements and expectations, and your priorities.
However, most delivery workers seem to think that Uber Eats offers slightly better working conditions than Alto.
This is mostly due to lower expenses and greater flexibility it offers, especially when it comes to the working hours and the type of vehicle you wish to use.
Of course, Alto also has many advantages, such as a stable order volume and better training.
Can you use an electric bike for Alto deliveries?
Alto focuses on providing its services using a traditional vehicle, such as a car.
Using an electric bike is not a standard for Alto deliveries, but they will provide you with a well-maintained vehicle and cover all associated expenses.
However, this means you need a driver's license and likely some other documentation.
Is Alto the same as Uber?
No, Alto and Uber are different companies with different working models. Alto focuses on premium rideshare services with company-provided vehicles, covering expenses like fuel and maintenance.
Drivers are employees working scheduled shifts. Uber, on the other hand, offers a range of services, including ridesharing and food delivery, with drivers using their own cars as independent contractors.
Can Uber drivers deliver Uber Eats?
Yes, Uber drivers can deliver for Uber Eats. Many Uber drivers choose to deliver food through Uber Eats in addition to providing rides.
Depending on their preference and availability, they can switch between ride-sharing and food delivery within the same app.
This flexibility allows drivers to maximize their earnings by utilizing both service types.
What is the best electric bike for delivery riders?
If you work in the food delivery industry, using the best electric bike for delivery riders is a great way to increase your profit.
A proper guide can help you make such a big decision, but, in short, you need a bike with a good range, proper speed, and a durable frame. Storm-2 is precisely such a bike.
This modern e-bike reaches speeds of up to 25 mph and has an impressive range of 85 miles per charge.
This is almost double that of most other similarly priced models!
What makes Whizz stand out from its competition is its determination to create electric bikes specifically for delivery riders.
All you need to do is buy or rent an e-bike from them, and you can start earning money the same day!
Don’t waste any more time – contact Whizz and start your delivery rider career now.
Read Also: Get e-bike for Instacart delivery
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