How to choose
December 16, 2024
Do you wish to become a delivery rider, but need help deciding on Gopuff vs DoorDash?
Whizz is here to help you.
Most information about food delivery companies is focused on customers instead of workers, so it’s challenging to find everything that interests you.
This article is here to teach you all there is to know about working for Gopuff and DoorDash, and to give you the comparison between the two companies.
Let’s get started.
Whether you're just starting out as a delivery worker or have years of experience, selecting the right company to work for is a crucial decision.
With so many delivery services out there, it can be overwhelming to sift through all the options.
Gopuff and DoorDash cater to different niches within the delivery market, offering unique advantages depending on your preferences.
Gopuff operates more like a digital convenience store, focusing on delivering snacks, drinks, household items, and other essentials from their own warehouses directly to customers.
On the other hand, DoorDash is more versatile, providing a broader range of delivery options, primarily from local restaurants.
So, Gopuff vs DoorDash, which company is better for delivery riders? Let’s find out.
A key reason why many individuals opt for delivery riding as a side job is the flexibility it offers.
DoorDash recognizes this need and provides work hours that are entirely adaptable to your schedule. You can choose when and how long you want to work. Simply log into the app and begin taking orders—referred to as "Dashing" in the DoorDash community.
Most Dashers commit only a few hours each week, giving them complete control over their income while balancing work and personal life.[1]
With Gopuff, There are no strict requirements regarding the hours you must work. The app allows you to choose blocks of time that fit your schedule, ensuring you can work when it suits you.
This system provides a base pay for your scheduled hours, offering a flexible way to manage your time and earnings.
However, most riders have reported that once you’ve accepted the block, you cannot decline any orders, as they are automatically accepted. This reduces your flexibility.
Which company is more flexible? DoorDash is a winner when it comes to flexibility.
The acceptance rate reflects the percentage of orders you've chosen to accept. Many companies provide incentives or rewards to delivery riders with high acceptance rates, while low rates may lead to penalties.
With DoorDash, there isn't a strict minimum acceptance rate—you can accept or decline as many orders as you like without fear of losing your job.
However, a higher acceptance rate increases your chances of securing better-paying orders. Additionally, Dashers with consistently high acceptance rates may qualify for bonuses like the Delivery Streak.
As mentioned, Gopuff is more strict about accepting orders, and they might penalize or restrict your account if your acceptance rate falls below 85% – and that is if you are among users who can decline orders at all.
Most Gopuff delivery riders suggest aiming for a 100% acceptance rate, or at least close to it, to stay on the safe side.
Which company is more relaxed with acceptance rates? The winner of this round is DoorDash.
Order volume influences not just the workload you have during a shift but also your hourly earnings and overall monthly income.
A higher order volume means more deliveries, translating to increased earnings.
However, predicting order volume is challenging since it depends on various factors beyond the company's control, including the time of day, day of the week, and even the season.
The order volume for DoorDash can fluctuate and is influenced by factors like meal times, local demand, and ongoing promotions.
Dashers often receive a steady stream of orders during peak meal times and busy periods.
In interviews conducted by Whizz, most Dashers reported having plenty of work with DoorDash, with one user even completing 200 orders in about five weeks.
While this may seem like a significant workload, investing in a reliable e-bike, such as the Storm-2, can make the job more manageable. A good mode of transportation enables you to complete more deliveries efficiently, ultimately boosting your earnings.
Gopuff generally offers a more stable and predictable order volume than other delivery platforms.
Because Gopuff delivers from its own network of warehouses, orders are less dependent on peak meal times and more consistent throughout the day.
Delivery workers often report a steady stream of orders, particularly during evenings and weekends when customers are more likely to order snacks, beverages, and household essentials.
This consistency in order volume can lead to more reliable earnings, as drivers are less affected by fluctuations in demand that impact other delivery services.
However, the experience can vary based on location and local demand.
Which company has a higher order volume? While DoorDash has more users, Go Puff is the winner due to its stable order volume.
Support is crucial for delivery workers. Many riders have expressed to Whizz that safety on the streets is a major concern, and they want reassurance that the company they work for will stand by them in challenging situations.
Most delivery companies care for their workers, and Gopuff and DoorDash are no different.
Gopuff provides several forms of support to its delivery workers. This includes access to a dedicated support team to assist with any issues 24/7.
Additionally, Gopuff provides training on safe delivery practices and offers support for handling challenging situations on the road.
DoorDash provides 24/7 customer support, which can be accessed through the app or by phone, allowing Dashers to get assistance with any issues they encounter during deliveries. This includes handling order disputes, navigation problems, and other operational concerns.
In addition to immediate support, DoorDash offers safety resources and training to help riders handle various situations on the road. The platform also features a Safety Shield, which includes tools and protocols designed to enhance safety during shifts.
DoorDash operates Dasher Welcome Centers in many major cities, including New York City. They also provide a place where Dashers can receive in-person assistance.
Which company has better support? While both companies provide amazing support, DoorDash wins this one.
Both companies are attentive to the needs of new workers, offering training to help them get started. They also provide Help Centers, FAQ pages, and community forums where riders can find job-related information and useful tips.
Also, they provide training for its delivery workers.
This includes the onboarding and training materials designed to help new drivers understand their roles, the delivery process, and how to use the Gopuff and DoorDash apps effectively.
The training covers essential aspects of the job, including delivery procedures and customer service practices, to ensure that workers are well-prepared for their duties.
Which company offers better training and resources? Both companies are absolute winners here, as they understand what new delivery riders need.
Pay is one of the main reasons why someone would opt for one food delivery company instead of the other one.
DoorDash's hourly rate varies depending on a range of factors, including the number of orders you complete and the specifics of each order.
Your pay is influenced by elements such as:
Additionally, you might qualify for various bonuses, such as Delivery Streaks or Peak Pay, which can further affect your earnings. You also keep 100% of tips.
According to DoorDash’s website, Dashers who deliver in NYC will earn at least $29.93 per hour of active time. This is almost two times above NYC’s minimum wage!
Earnings are typically deposited weekly through a delivery deposit system. However, DoorDash offers an “Instant Pay” feature, which lets you access your earnings immediately for a $1.99 fee.
If you use the DasherDirect card, this instant transaction is free of charge.
At Gopuff, pay is calculated based on several factors.
Delivery workers typically receive a base pay per delivery, which can vary depending on the distance and complexity of the delivery. Additional factors that affect the total earnings include:
Gopuff often includes tips from customers as part of the overall compensation, which contributes to the total pay received by the delivery workers.
According to Indeed, the average hourly salary for a delivery rider at Gopuff is $19.01.
Gopuff generally pays its delivery workers on a weekly basis. Payments are typically processed through direct deposit, where earnings are transferred directly to the worker's bank account.
Additionally, Gopuff may offer options for faster access to earnings through methods such as Instant Pay, depending on the payment policies in place.
Which company has better payments? The numbers show that DoorDash typically has a better hourly salary.
Choosing the company to work for is one of the most important decisions a prospective delivery rider can make. This is why understanding the differences between Gopuff and DoorDash is so important.
According to most delivery riders, DoorDash seems to have quite a bit of advantages. They are much more flexible, both about working hours and the acceptance rate. Also, they have a pretty high order volume, although this varies greatly depending on many factors.
DoorDash also has a better hourly pay, which is one of the most important factors when deciding on the company. Additionally, you can get 15% off on all Whizz products while using Doordash.
This doesn’t mean that Gopuff is bad. Quite the opposite – it has several advantages over DoorDash, such as a more stable order volume.
It all comes down to your own choice and your own preferences.
Whichever you choose, know that having a proper e-bike can greatly help make your working experience better.
Get in touch with Whizz to buy or rent a superior electric bike and start earning money immediately.
References:
[1] DoorDash, Behind the Dash: Insights into the Flexibility and Freedom of Dashing, July 27, 2023
