How to choose
December 16, 2024
If you’re looking for a job as a delivery driver and cannot decide on Amazon Flex vs DoorDash as your next gig, this article is for you.
Finding information about working conditions in the delivery industry can be a challenge. Most reviews focus on customers instead of delivery workers, so finding relevant information can be difficult.
Luckily, Whizz is here to help.
This article has all the information you need about working for Amazon Flex and DoorDash and how the two companies compare.
Whether you’re a first-time delivery worker or an experienced rider, choosing a company you’ll apply for is one of the most important things you can do.
With so many available delivery companies, it’s easy to get lost in all the information and end up confused.
Amazon Flex and DoorDash are giants in the industry. Chances are you’ve heard a lot about both brands before you even considered becoming a delivery rider.
The largest difference is in the type of deliveries these two companies work with.
While DoorDash works primarily for the food industry and other smaller packages such as flowers and groceries, Amazon Flex delivers packages ordered from Amazon, no matter what’s in them.
But which company is a better option for an aspiring delivery worker?
Here are some features that can help us make an unbiased decision.
One of the main reasons many people choose delivery riding as their secondary job is because of how flexible it is.
This is something DoorDash understands well. It offers flexible working hours that allow you to work when you’d like, for how long you’d like.
All you need to do is log into the app and start delivering orders – or Dashing, as they call it.
You can do it with your own bike, or you can rent one from companies like Whizz.
Most Dashers work only a few hours per week, allowing them to have full control over their earnings and to balance their professional and private life.
Working for Amazon Flex also offers significant flexibility, as you can choose specific delivery blocks that typically range from 2 to 4 hours.
However, once you choose a certain block, you need to work through it and cannot cancel without penalties.
Not only that, but Amazon Flex limits how much you can work. Typically, delivery riders can only work up to 24 hours a week and can only work six consecutive days.
Which company is more flexible? While Amazon Flex offers a certain amount of flexibility, DoorDash is the clear winner in this field.
The acceptance rate is the percentage of orders you’ve accepted. Most companies offer incentives or rewards for delivery riders with high acceptance rates, and penalties for low rates.
When it comes to DoorDash, there isn’t really a minimum acceptance rate. You can accept or deny as many orders as you’d like without the risk of being fired.
However, the higher the acceptance rate, the better the chances of grabbing higher-paid orders. Also, Dashers with high rates might be eligible for the Delivery Streak bonus.
Amazon Flex expects higher acceptance rates from its delivery drivers. To maintain good standing, its drivers have to accept a higher percentage of the delivery offers they receive.
If a driver consistently rejects offers or fails to accept a sufficient percentage of the available blocks, they can face consequences such as reduced block availability, impact on ratings, and even account termination.
Which company has better benefits for high acceptance rates? DoorDash is more relaxed about acceptance rates and focuses on rewarding reliable workers, which is why it’s the winner here.
Order volume affects not only the amount of work you have per shift but also your hourly rate and monthly pay.
The greater the order volume, the more deliveries you’ll have, which means greater income.
At the same time, this factor is extremely hard to determine, as it depends on more than just the company alone.
This includes the time of the day, the day of the week, and even season!
The order volume for Amazon Flex deliveries depends on the demand for packages in your area and the time of day.
Typically, drivers can expect a steady volume of packages during peak shopping times, such as holidays or weekends.
This is something you can affect by choosing a busier block. However, once you’ve chosen a block, you cannot do deliveries at another time of the day.
The order volume for DoorDash can be more variable, influenced by factors like meal times, local demand, and promotions.
Dashers often experience more consistent order flow during peak meal times and busy periods.
Most Dashers Whizz has interviewed have stated they have plenty of work with DoorDash. One user even reported making 200 orders in around five weeks!
While this sounds like a lot of work, getting a proper e-bike for DoorDash delivery, such as Storm-2, can help make this job easier.
A proper means of transportation can help you complete a large number of deliveries as efficiently as possible, increasing your profit.
Which company has a higher order volume? While both companies are generally popular among users, DoorDash delivery workers typically have more orders during the day, as they can complete them when they see fit.
Proper support is extremely important for delivery workers. Many riders have told Whizz that safety concerns on the streets are their significant fear, and they would like to know if the company they work for has their backs.
Both DoorDash and Amazon Flex are large companies that care about their workers. They both have in-app support and community forums that allow delivery workers to get help or simply to stay informed.
DoorDash also has Dasher Welcome Centers in most large cities, including NYC. While these centers typically serve for training, they also serve as a location where every Dasher can ask for help in person.
Amazon Flex relies more on in-app support and has less flexible working hours, so you might not be able to reach them at every time of the day.
Which company has better support? DoorDash wins this round, with its 24/7 in-app support and physical locations that provide Dashers with help they might need.
Both companies care about new workers, so they provide some training to newbies. They also have Help Centers, FAQ pages, and community and forums where riders can learn about their job and get helpful tips.
DoorDash makes sure to provide its delivery riders with all the necessary training. According to the company, this training should take between 5 and 7 business days.
However, many Dashers have stated it took them up to 10 days to complete the process.
Also, the DoorDash app and community forums offer various resources any delivery rider might need.
While Amazon Flex also provides some training and resources, the approach is more focused on self-guided learning rather than formal training sessions.
When drivers sign up for Amazon Flex, they go through an onboarding process that includes watching instructional videos. The app also has plenty of step-by-step instructions and guidance, and the company offers several digital resources for its workers.
Which company offers better training and resources? Due to the extensive training it provides, DoorDash is the winner of this round.
Pay is another essential reason why someone might opt for a certain app more than for the other one.
DoorDash has an hourly rate that depends on many factors, such as the number of orders you deliver and the orders themselves.
The pay is calculated based on several factors, such as:
There are also several bonuses you might be eligible for, such as the Delivery Streak or Peak Pay.
According to our internal data, Dashers typically earn between $15.03 and $16.58 per hour.
The money you earn will be delivered each week through the delivery deposit. However, there is the “Instant Pay” feature that allows you to get your profit immediately for a $1.99 fee. This instant transaction is free with the DasherDirect cart.
As for Amazon Flex, the hourly pay depends on the block pay, as the riders are paid a set amount for completing a delivery block. The rate for each block is determined in advance, but can still vary depending on the:
According to Amazon Flex’s own website, most delivery workers earn between $18 and $25 per hour.
The payments will be deposited every Wednesday to the rider’s bank account. There is an instant-pay option, as well, that allows workers to cash out and receive up to 75% of their earnings 24/7.
Which company has better payments? We’ll give this round to Amazon Flex, as it does have higher hourly earnings.
After naming and researching all the factors that determine which company is better for delivery riders, it seems we have the winner.
DoorDash seems to take the clear lead. It provides better flexibility, is more relaxed with the acceptance rate, provides training for new workers, and has 24/7 support.
Amazon Flex, however, offers larger hourly rates, which can be an important factor for many aspiring delivery riders.
In the end, it is up to you to determine what your priorities are and to make a final decision.
Read Also: Caviar vs Doordash delivery
Does Amazon Flex make more money than DoorDash?
Amazon Flex delivery riders typically have a higher hourly rate than Dashers.
However, as they can only work up to 24 hours each week, the maximum monthly pay is limited.
With enough working hours, a Dasher can earn just as much as an Amazon Flex delivery rider, or even more.
Can I do Amazon Flex on an e-bike?
Amazon Flex primarily requires drivers to use a vehicle, such as a car, for deliveries because most deliveries involve transporting multiple packages or larger items that would be difficult to carry on an e-bike.
However, Amazon has experimented with some delivery services that might be suitable for bicycles, such as Amazon Prime.
Such e-bike services are reserved for urban areas, such as NYC, where smaller and lighter packages are delivered over short distances.
If you're interested in using an e-bike for deliveries, you might use our 15% off discount on Whizz e-bikes.
