Grubhub drivers earn an average of $17.98/hr in 2026, while DoorDash drivers average $15.15/hr — a $2.83/hr gap in Grubhub's favor. In the most recent month (September 2026), the gap widened further: Grubhub hit $19.62/hr vs DoorDash's $16.19/hr. Per delivery, Grubhub orders average $7.86 vs DoorDash's $7.00, with Grubhub drivers earning higher tips ($4.73 vs $3.50 per order).
Data from Solo, the first AI assistant for gig drivers, based on 1M+ users tracking $7.5B+ in total earnings.
What is GrubHub?
GrubHub is an online and mobile food delivery service founded in 2004 that connects diners with local restaurants. Gig workers can become GrubHub drivers to start delivering orders to customers through the app to earn additional income.
If you're interested in becoming a GrubHub driver, check out the requirements below in this blog post!
What is DoorDash?
DoorDash is similar to GrubHub in that it's an online food delivery service that connects customers with local restaurants and stores, allowing them to order food and other items for delivery. DoorDash was founded in 2013 and has since grown to become one of the top food delivery apps in the market!
Just like with GrubHub, gig workers can sign up to become DoorDash drivers, also known as Dashers, to start delivering orders to customers through the app to earn additional income.
If you're interested in becoming a Dasher with DoorDash, check out the requirements below in this blog post!
How to Become a GrubHub Driver
To become a Grubhub driver, you can apply online or through the Grubhub for Drivers app and meet the following requirements:
GrubHub Requirements for Drivers
- Be at least 18 years old, or 21 in Las Vegas
- Have a valid driver's license or state ID
- Have a car, scooter, or bike (in select areas)
- Have auto insurance (for drivers using cars)
- Have a checking account for direct deposit
- Have a valid Social Security number
- Have an iPhone with iOS 11 or higher OR an Android with 5.0 or higher (must have a data plan)
Once approved, you can access the Grubhub for Drivers app to create your schedule and deliver orders to customers for extra income! Learn more about the specific requirements for becoming a GrubHub driver.
How to Become a DoorDash Driver
To become a Dasher/driver on DoorDash, you can apply online or through the Dasher app and you must meet the following criteria:
DoorDash Requirements for Drivers
- Be at least 18 years old (*Prospective Dashers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia must be at least 19 years old.)
- Have an iPhone or Android smartphone
- Have a valid driver's license
- Have auto insurance
Learn more about the specific requirements for becoming a Dasher.
How Do You Get Paid on GrubHub vs DoorDash?
GrubHub drivers can get paid in one of two ways: direct deposit or instant cash out.
- GrubHub drivers receive their balance directly into their bank account through direct deposit weekly.
- GrubHub drivers can also cash out their earnings as often as they want through the instant cash out method. Funds are available immediately for Chase Bank customers, and for a fee for other bank customers.
DoorDash drivers or Dashers can get paid in a few different ways: direct deposit, DasherDirect, or Fast Pay.
- Dashers receive a weekly payment for deliveries, and the payment is sent directly to the driver's bank account.
- Drivers can also get their earnings deposited daily to a prepaid debit card at no extra cost.
- Drivers can transfer their earnings to a debit card daily for a fee of $1.99 per transfer. Drivers must have an active debit card and a personal bank account to use Fast Pay.
Track your mileage and expenses across every gig platform with Solo. Try Solo Free for 7 Days to manage your entire gig work business in one place!
Which is Better for Drivers: Grubhub or DoorDash?
| Metric | Grubhub | DoorDash |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Average (Jan–Sep) | $17.98/hr | $15.15/hr |
| Latest Month (Sep 2026) | $19.62/hr | $16.19/hr |
| Sep MoM Change | +10.5% | +3.9% |
| Hourly Pay Advantage | Grubhub pays $2.83/hr more (2026 avg) | |
Source: Solo Analytics, Jan–Sep 2026. Hourly figures based on engaged (on-trip) time from 1M+ gig workers.
| Metric | Grubhub | DoorDash |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pay per Order | $3.13 | $3.50 |
| Average Tip per Order | $4.73 | $3.50 |
| Total per Delivery | $7.86 | $7.00 |
| Tips as % of Total Pay | 58.0% | 49.5% |
Source: Solo Analytics, Jan–Sep 2026. Per-delivery figures reflect median base pay and tip per order.
Based on 2026 earnings data from Solo, the first AI assistant for gig drivers, Grubhub consistently pays more than DoorDash on both an hourly and per-delivery basis.
Across the first nine months of 2026, Grubhub drivers earned an average of $17.98 per hour compared to DoorDash's $15.15 per hour — an 18.7% premium. In the most recent month (September 2026), the gap widened further: Grubhub hit $19.62/hr vs DoorDash's $16.19/hr, with Grubhub jumping 10.5% month-over-month compared to DoorDash's 3.9% increase.
On a per-delivery basis, Grubhub also leads. A typical Grubhub delivery pays $7.86 ($3.13 base + $4.73 tip) vs DoorDash's $7.00 ($3.50 base + $3.50 tip). The key difference is where the money comes from: Grubhub drivers rely more heavily on tips, which make up 58% of their total per-delivery pay. DoorDash has slightly higher base pay but lower tips per order.
Beyond the pay numbers, several other factors matter when choosing between the two platforms.
Both Grubhub and DoorDash offer drivers opportunities to earn through base pay, tips, and promotional incentives, but the earning structures differ.
- Grubhub allows drivers to see total earnings, including tips, before accepting an order. This transparency helps drivers make better decisions about whether a delivery is worth their time.
- DoorDash offers base pay, tips, and incentives like Peak Pay during busy hours or Challenges (completing a set number of deliveries in a specific time frame). While DoorDash base pay can be lower, the higher volume of available orders — especially during lunch and dinner — can offset this.
Both platforms offer the ability to schedule shifts or work on-demand, but scheduling works differently.
- Grubhub encourages drivers to schedule shifts in advance to secure high-demand hours.
- DoorDash provides more flexibility with its "Dash Now" feature, letting drivers go online whenever demand is high enough without scheduling ahead.
The choice between Grubhub and DoorDash depends on your local market and driving style.
Grubhub tends to be the better choice if you prefer higher per-order tips, are comfortable scheduling shifts, and prioritize per-delivery earnings transparency.
DoorDash works well if you value flexibility, want the ability to work on-the-go anytime, and prefer a higher volume of shorter deliveries.
Many drivers sign up for both platforms to maximize earnings and take advantage of busy periods on either app.
Final Thoughts on Grubhub vs DoorDash
In 2026, Grubhub has a clear edge in hourly pay ($17.98 vs $15.15) and per-delivery earnings ($7.86 vs $7.00), while DoorDash offers more on-demand flexibility. Both platforms have seen pay fluctuate month to month, and conditions vary by market — we recommend trying both for a month to see which performs better in your area.
Track your earnings across Grubhub, DoorDash, and every other gig platform in one place with Solo. Try Solo Free for 7 Days to see your real hourly rate, log mileage automatically, and let Sherpa help you find your most profitable hours.
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