How to choose
December 16, 2024
Caviar vs DoorDash – what is the difference between these two popular delivery apps?
There are many reviews you can find online when it comes to comparing DoorDash and Caviar. However, most of these are from the client’s standpoint. Not many people focus on delivery riders looking to work for these food delivery services.
If you’re a delivery rider, you might be happy to hear that we’ve got you covered.
Here is everything you need to know about what it’s like working for Caviar and DoorDash and how the two companies compare.
Comparing Caviar and DoorDash is a bit challenging, as the two are quite similar, considering how DoorDash owns Caviar.
With that being said, some differences are quite noticeable, as both companies have somewhat different working practices.
However, the similarities can easily confuse prospective delivery riders, especially if this is their first time working for the industry.
Not only that, but most companies don’t publicly disclose their work requirements and conditions. This means that certain information might require some digging.
We’ve looked at numerous online reviews, did some research, and got to some conclusions.
Here’s what we’ve found out:
Flexibility is important for all delivery riders as it gives them a sense of freedom and control.
By getting flexible working hours, they can optimize their earning and get a better balance between life and work.
DoorDash is one of the most flexible food delivery platforms out there. Its delivery riders, also known as Dashers, have extremely flexible work schedules.
In fact, DoorDash made a survey that showed that more than 80% of delivery riders Dash as their secondary job.
This is a great option for everyone starting deliveries with Whizz e-bike.
They spend only 4 hours per week on average working, and the company is more than fine with that.
Caviar also offers flexible working hours for its delivery drivers. You can choose when to work without needing to commit to specific hours.
This flexibility allows drivers to work whenever they have free time, as long as there are orders available in the app.
Which company is more flexible? Considering how both have pretty much the same flexibility policies, both companies are the winners here.
The acceptance rate essentially determines two things:
Most companies don’t publicly disclose this information, but we’ve spoken with delivery riders working for both DoorDash and Caviar, trying to get some answers.
Dashers have stated that DoorDash doesn’t have a minimum acceptance rate. You are free to deny as many deliveries as you’d like.
However, riders with better rates (many Dashers state that at least 50% is required) have an advantage when it comes to well-paid orders, so you might want to keep it as high as possible.
A high acceptance rate is one of the things that allows them to become what is known as a Top Dasher, which allows them to get better orders and a greater order volume.
Something similar is the case with Caviar.
The company doesn't explicitly require a specific acceptance rate from its drivers, but maintaining a good acceptance rate can be beneficial.
Not only that, but low acceptance rate might affect your eligibility for certain incentives like "Peak Pay" or other challenges.
Which company has better benefits for high acceptance rates? Both companies have the same benefits, but Caviar seems to have worse penalties, so DoorDash is the winner here.
Caviar and DoorDash offer similar types of support for their delivery workers. However, some minor differences do exist.
As Caviar focuses on high-end, gourmet deliveries, it offers live phone support, which can be a significant advantage in resolving issues quickly.
DoorDash, on the other hand, focuses more on chat support, which is available 24/7 but might not provide as immediate support as phone contact.
However, DoorDash also has physical locations in most large cities covered by its service, such as NYC, known as Dasher Welcome Centers. These locations offer in-person help.
Both companies also have a Help section on the app and offer a Driver Portal you can use for additional resources.
Which company has better support? While both companies provide their workers with sufficient support, Caviar takes the lead here with its phone services.
Training is extremely important for inexperienced delivery riders who can use any help they can get to complete their jobs effectively.
This is something DoorDash excels at. It provides its Dashers with the proper training necessary to become a proper delivery rider. The training lasts between 5 and 10 business days, and most riders are perfectly capable of Dashing without any issues afterward.
On the other hand, Caviar only provides its drivers with basic training and resources primarily through the app.
There is an onboarding process that includes instructions on how to use the app, manage deliveries, and interact with customers for every new employer, as well as plenty of in-app resources.
However, the training is generally minimal and focuses more on getting drivers familiar with the technical aspects of the job rather than extensive customer service or logistical training.
Which company offers better training and resources? DoorDash cares greatly about the quality of its Dashers, which is why it provides them with better training.
Income is probably the most important reason why someone would choose to become a delivery rider.
Most delivery companies, Caviar and DoorDash included, don’t offer a fixed hourly rate. Instead, a rider’s pay will depend on several factors.
When it comes to DoorDash, you’ll have a base pay for each delivery.
This pay is calculated on the distance between the restaurant and the client, the estimated time required to complete the delivery, the cost of the order, and how many other Dashers want to apply for the same offer.
You’ll also get certain bonuses, such as Delivery Streak if you accept and deliver several consecutive orders, Peak Pay if the order was made during busy hours, and delivering a certain number of orders in a set time duration.
According to TeachMe Delivery, Dashers typically make around $16,58 per hour in busy cities, such as NYC.
Caviar has more or less the same way of earning money. You have a base pay for each delivery, and the additional money is determined based on the same factors.
However, Indeed reported that Caviar delivery riders earn up to $23,94 per hour, which is a significant difference. This is typically because Caviar is reserved for high-end deliveries which cost more.
Which one pays more? It’s easy to see that Caviar pays more per hour.
Both Caviar and DoorDash offer similar payment methods and frequencies.
DoorDash pays its drivers weekly through direct deposit.
DoorDash also offers an "Instant Pay" feature, which allows drivers to cash out their earnings immediately for a small fee (typically $1.99 per transaction) if they use a personal debit card. If you sign up for the DasherDirect card, Instant Pay withdrawals are free.
When it comes to Caviar, Payments are made weekly through direct deposit to the bank account linked to your account. Additionally, Caviar allows instant payments after each delivery via the Cash App, giving drivers immediate access to their earnings.
Which company has better payment frequency and methods? Both companies have pretty much the same payment options, so both are equally good in this field.
Order volume is extremely important, as it can help determine your hourly rate and overall pay.
The more available orders, the bigger the chances of delivery riders snatching the high-paying ones.
Also, this means you can complete more orders throughout the shift.
The order volume varies on many factors, such as the time of the day, season, and your geographical location. Busy cities, such as NYC, typically have more orders than rural areas.
As mentioned before, Caviar focuses on gourmet orders that tend to be quite costly. While this means a higher income per delivery, it also means lower order volume, as not many people are making such orders.
DoorDash, on the other hand, is busier, and most Dashers have reported always having available orders for delivery.
Not only that, but DoorDash is the most popular food delivery app in the United States. Delivery riders working for it typically have plenty of orders each hour!
In fact, some Dashers Whizz interviewed reported making more than 200 orders in a little over a month!
While having a too large number of orders might seem overwhelming, with a proper e-bike, such as Storm-2, you’ll have no problems handling a busy shift.
Which company has a higher order volume? The ultimate winner here is DoorDash.
Read Also: How to choose e-bike for Doordash delivery
It took us talking to many delivery riders, reading online forums, and research about the two companies’ working practices, to come to a conclusion.
Both Caviar and DoorDash have high satisfaction among their employers. However, DoorDash seems to be a slightly better choice for delivery riders, due to a few factors.
This includes job flexibility, high order volume, and adequate training methods. If you decide to start with Doordash, you can get 15% off discount on Whizz e-bike rental.
Caviar also has many good sides, such as a high hourly rate and phone support.
Of course, the final decision should be up to you. Always make sure to do your own research and choose a company of your liking.
Read Also: How to choose e-bike for Caviar Delivery
Is Caviar owned by DoorDash?
A good thing is that you don’t have to think too much about Caviar vs DoorDash. DoorDash acquired Caviar in 2019, meaning that it now owns it. Despite this, the two have different apps and different types of orders.
However, all Dashers might deliver Caviar orders, and vice versa.
How is Caviar different from DoorDash?
Caviar differs from DoorDash mainly in its product focus. Caviar is known for delivering high-end, gourmet food from a curated list of upscale restaurants, whereas DoorDash caters to a broader market, including fast food and casual dining.
While both platforms offer flexible schedules and similar payment structures, Caviar provides a more premium service experience, both for customers and delivery workers
Can you use the DoorDash card on Caviar?
Delivery riders for both DoorDash and Caviar can use the DasherDirect card to receive payments instantly without fees.
