Uber Eats Vs Grubhub: Who Pays More

Charlee AnthonyAnthony Clement
Written by Charlee Anthony, reviewed by Anthony Clement
2 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
The short version
  • For Higher Earning Potential: Uber Eats offer more surge pricing

  • For More Stable Income: Grubhub offers better consistency with slighlty lower pay

  • For Better Bonuses: Both Uber Eats and Grubhub offer unique bonus types, such as quests or peak time incentives.

Uber Eats vs Grubhub: Key Differences

Both platforms operate similarly at a surface level, but differ in how earnings are structured and how predictable income is week to week. Here's how the main factors compare:

Factor Uber Eats Grubhub
Earnings Potential Higher, with surge pricing and incentives More stable, with lower ceiling
Hourly Pay (Estimate) $15–$25 $15–$22
Income Stability Varies, strongest during peak hours More predictable
Tips 100% to driver 100% to driver
Bonuses Surge pricing, quests Mission bonuses, peak pay

Uber Eats offers higher earning potential, while Grubhub provides more consistent income at a lower ceiling. For a broader look at delivery apps worth considering, several alternatives follow a similar structure.

Earnings Using Uber Eats

Pay varies by city, but driver reports consistently place average earnings between $15 and $25 per hour, with peak delivery windows pushing toward the higher end. Actual earnings also reflect delivery distance, time on the road, and pickup and drop-off fees.

Uber Eats driver carrying a delivery bagUber Eats driver carrying a delivery bag · March, 2025

Peak hours produce the strongest returns, as Uber Eats applies surge pricing and offers quest bonuses that reward drivers who complete a set number of deliveries within a window.

Advantages

  • Flexible Scheduling
  • High-earning potential
  • Consistent Incentives
  • A variety of orders no matter where you live

Disadvantages

  • Inconsistent pay with no knowing if there will be no deliveries all day or not
  • Your location could be a bad spot, meaning you lose time and money
  • Time of peak can be inconsistent if there are special events happening

Earnings Using Grubhub

Grubhub holds a significant share of US food delivery orders, and pay varies considerably by market. New York drivers report earnings closer to $22 per hour with consistent order volume throughout the day. Smaller markets like Oklahoma City see concentrated demand around breakfast, lunch, and a brief dinner window.

Driver picking up a Grubhub order from a restaurantDriver picking up a Grubhub order from a restaurant · March, 2025

Base pay is also influenced by willingness to travel, local gas prices, and pickup density in a given area. Grubhub offers two bonus structures on top of base pay:

  • Mission Bonuses: Extra pay for completing a set number of deliveries within a defined period
  • Peak Pay: Additional earnings during high-demand windows

Like Uber Eats, Grubhub passes 100% of tips directly to drivers, making tip-heavy markets meaningfully more lucrative.

Advantages

  • Predictable Earnings
  • Structured Bonuses
  • Consistent routines and peaks (based on location)

Disadvantages

  • Lower Pay
  • Less frequent surge pricing
  • Slightly less popular than Uber Eats

Which Delivery App Is Better To Work For?

The stronger choice depends on location and income goals. Uber Eats suits drivers who want higher earning potential and are comfortable with variable income tied to peak hours. Grubhub suits drivers who prefer structured bonuses and more predictable weekly earnings.

Both platforms operate as independent contracts with no exclusivity requirement, so working both simultaneously is an option worth considering. Drivers looking to compare further can explore how DoorDash stacks up as a third alternative.

Was this article helpful?
Got more questions?

Ask the Freecash community anything. You will find us on Facebook, Reddit, and Discord.

Do what you love. We'll reward you for it.

The internet's favorite 'too good to be true' app. Play games, try new apps, take surveys, earn cashback. Your first offer unlocks a $10 welcome bonus.

Get it on Google Play