DriverStart — free help getting on the roadAffiliate disclosure

Compare apps

Which app should I drive for?

Honest side-by-side comparison of the seven biggest gig platforms — pay, signup time, what they accept, and what each is actually best for.

What's available in your area?
Enter your ZIP — we'll tell you which platforms operate there.

Free, no account. Uses public ZIP data — we don't store anything.

Side-by-side

All numbers are typical net hourly after gas, from public driver-reported data.

PlatformNet pay / hourSignupVehicleAgeBest for
DoorDash
$15–$22
3–7 daysAny car · bike · scooter18+Steady volume, fastest start
Uber Eats
$14–$20
2–5 daysAny car · bike · scooter18+Second app to pair with DoorDash
Instacart
$18–$30
5–10 daysAny car18+Higher per-batch pay, big tips
Spark (Walmart)
$16–$24
1–2 weeksCar · SUV · pickup18+Suburbs with Walmart presence
Grubhub
$13–$18
5–10 daysAny car · bike · scooter19+Smaller-market third app
Uber (Rides)
$18–$28
1–2 weeks2005+ · 4-door · no commercial branding21+Peak-night earners with newer cars
Lyft
$16–$26
1–2 weeks2005–2010+ varies by market21+Backup rideshare app
$0$10$20$30

Our honest take

If you're new and want to start fast: DoorDash first, add Uber Eats while you wait on background clearance. Once both are live, layer in Instacart or Spark based on local market.

If you have a 2015+ car and you're 21+: add Uber Rides. Peak-night rideshare often beats delivery hourly by $5–$10/hr.

The drivers making real money run 2–3 simultaneously. See the multi-app strategy.

Get the app mix for your market →