We Tested Every Major Grocery Delivery App
Grocery delivery is now a $150 billion industry in the US. But which app actually saves you money — and which ones quietly charge you 20% more than in-store prices? We ordered the same 30 items from every major service and compared item prices, delivery fees, tips, markups, and actual delivery times. Here's what we found.
Instacart: Best Selection, Highest Markups
Delivery fee: $3.99-$7.99 (free with Instacart+ at $99/year). Average markup: 15-20% over in-store prices. Delivery speed: 1-2 hours. Instacart partners with local stores (Costco, Kroger, Safeway, etc.) so selection is unmatched. But those markups add up fast. On our 30-item test order, we paid $23 more than in-store prices before fees and tip. Instacart+ members save on fees but still pay inflated item prices.
Amazon Fresh: Best for Prime Members
Delivery fee: Free on orders $150+ for Prime members ($9.95 otherwise). Average markup: 5-10% over in-store. Delivery speed: Same-day or next-day. Amazon Fresh has the lowest markups of any delivery service. Our test order cost only $8 more than Whole Foods in-store prices. The catch: $150 minimum for free delivery is high, and availability varies by zip code. Selection is more limited than Instacart.
Walmart+ : Cheapest Overall
Delivery fee: Free with Walmart+ ($98/year). Average markup: 0% — same as in-store prices. Delivery speed: Same-day. The clear winner on price. Walmart charges actual in-store prices for delivery, which no other service does. Our 30-item test order was $31 cheaper than Instacart for identical products. The downside: product quality (especially produce) can be hit-or-miss since you can't pick your own items.
Other Contenders
Costco Same-Day (via Instacart): Great for bulk buying but 17% markup. Shipt (Target): $99/year, markups around 10-15%. FreshDirect: Northeast only, premium quality, premium prices. Gopuff: Best for snacks/convenience items, not full grocery runs. Misfits Market: Organic produce at 40% off retail — best value for produce-heavy orders.
Money-Saving Tips for Any App
1) Stack membership + coupons — Walmart+ with manufacturer coupons is unbeatable. 2) Order above free delivery thresholds to avoid the $7-10 fee. 3) Buy store brands — markups are lower on private labels. 4) Check multiple apps — prices vary item by item. 5) Tip in cash — drivers keep 100% vs platform taking a cut. Use aibot.delivery to compare real-time prices across all apps for your grocery list.