Top Apps like Instacart to Make Money in 2024

With over 8 million downloads, Instacart was the most downloaded grocery app in 2022

Grocery is a basic necessity that everyone needs on a recurring basis, just like food. However, the traditional method of grocery shopping requires going to the market which eats a lot of time & effort. That’s where grocery apps like Instacart came into the picture. Currently, the grocery delivery app market size is valued at $600 billion approximately and is expected to grow in the future. Additionally, these apps are great sources of extra income for anyone looking to make money.

Today, in this article, we will cover the list of top grocery delivery apps like Instacart that are ruling the market. Apart from this, we will also present some industry stats, what is Instacart, how does Instacart works, and how much it costs to build Instacart alternatives.

Grocery Delivery App Industry – Stats & Financial Number

What is Instacart?

Instacart is the top grocery delivery platform in the US and the top grocery technology firm in North America offering same-day delivery and pick-up from a wide range of grocery and non-grocery stores, Customers can shop with over 1400 different retailers and grocers (80,000+ locations) through Instacart; however, Instacart does not own the merchandise from the stores that are available for purchase on the platform. While shopping from many stores at once is advantageous for Instacart consumers, each store will have its own cart, delivery costs, Instacart shopper, and minimum order value.

How Does Instacart Work?

Instacart is a delivery app that allows customers to order grocery and non-grocery products instantly. The process to order an item from Instacart is as follows –

Instacart Business Model: How does Instacart Make Money?

Stores are not charged a commission by apps like Instacart for orders submitted through its platform. The portal has other sources of income, some of which are –

Increased Costs

Some retailers charge the same price for their goods online as they do in-store. However, a few retailers mark up their merchandise by 15% or more. Instacart uses the money it receives from this markup to help compensate its customers.

Delivery Charge

Deliveries with a minimum $10 value are made by Instacart. Nevertheless, purchases over $35 must pay $3.99 for same-day delivery. It is noteworthy that, depending on the shop, Instacart+ customers receive free delivery on orders totaling $35 or more.

Membership Charge

Previously called Instacart Express, Instacart+ is a time and money-saving membership program. For supermarket orders totaling $35 or more, the program gives limitless free delivery. There is also a reduction in the service fee. After the 14-day free trial, a yearly fee of $99 is assessed.

Service Charge

Instacart levies a service fee in order to pay for various running expenses. This covers customer service, shopper operations, insurance, and background checks. It’s crucial to remember that pickup orders don’t have any additional costs.

Pickup Fee

Orders from specific stores come with a “pickup fee,” much like a delivery price.

Partner Disbursements

Fees are how Instacart makes money from its partners. A number of companies have partnered with Instacart, including Kroger, Costco, and numerous more.

So this is how does instacart make money and earns its ‘billion-dollar’ revenue. Now we will talk about top apps like Instacart to make an extra income.

Top Grocery Apps like Instacart to Make Money

1. Amazon Fresh

Amazon Fresh offers a comprehensive and cutting-edge digital grocery shopping experience that seamlessly combines convenience and customization, and is considered top Instacart alternatives. Customers have access to more than 80,000 retailers, including niche shops, local favorites, and major national retail brands.

Amazon Fresh is dedicated to good business practices and ongoing innovation, which will ultimately influence grocery buying in the future. This is accomplished by means of carefully selected lists, limited-time promotions, and the incorporation of loyalty schemes, all of which are designed to augment accessibility and enable novel explorations for patrons.

2. Whole Foods

Similar to Instacart, Whole Foods Market offers shopping positions in addition to excellent benefits, competitive pay, and a dedication to natural and organic products. However, some employees voice their displeasure with long hours, heavy workloads, and inadequate personnel. The company maintains strict standards and procedures, which causes some employees to have negative experiences with the management group.

3. GoPuff

Best alternative to Instacart, GoPuff offers a trustworthy platform for same-day delivery of groceries, household goods, essentials, and legal alcoholic beverages. By installing the app or going to their website, users can obtain the necessary products. Customers may easily pay for their orders with Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or credit/debit cards.

When purchasing things that are limited to a certain age, such as alcohol, tobacco, or nicotine, customers make sure they have a legitimate ID from the government. Apps like GoPuff provides quick delivery, with most orders arriving in a matter of minutes. You can sign up for the Gopuff delivery partner program to generate money or become a member of the Gopuff family to receive exclusive perks.

4. Shipt

One of the top alternatives to Instacart, Shipt, offers quick shipment and a variety of locations along with handy grocery delivery services. Nevertheless, there are disadvantages, such as rate markups, a small product selection, and club fees ($99 yearly or $9.99 fee depending on order).

Apps like Shipt offers a flexible work schedule and good income, but there might not be any benefits like paid time off or health insurance. To facilitate mastery, the task includes selecting, packaging, and delivering groceries. Some workers may find the fast-paced, demanding nature of the work to be stressful.

5. Getir

Getir’s affordable hourly rates and weekly compensation are attractive from a financial standpoint. Many views highlight a strong and motivating sense of teamwork. However, workers point out that they are under pressure from extended work hours, strict deadlines, and unrealistic goals.

Poor reviews frequently highlight unfavorable planning, inconsistent communication, and a lack of control support. Employees who are overworked and underappreciated may leave due to short breaks and pressure to continue operating. Couriers also talk about unfair management treatment and strict policies.

6. Kroger

An established business, Kroger is the best alternative to Instacart, provides full-time employment with perks including paid time off, retirement program, and health insurance. There are several departments and opportunities for professional growth. On the other hand, a lot of reviews discuss difficult workloads, long hours, understaffing, and lesser pay compared to similar jobs. It can be challenging to maintain a healthy work-life balance when there are little breaks and erratic schedules.

Consider the cost versus the convenience before placing a Kroger grocery order. For orders over $35, pickup is free for Boost members; for other customers, it costs $4.95. For planned choices, delivery costs begin at $9.95 and go up depending on the preferred delivery time. The minimum order amount is $35, which is higher than what delivery services like Instacart charge.

7. Thrive Market

Thrive Market is the top Instacart alternative, presents itself as a mission-driven business committed to healthy living and social impact. It is well-known for its organic and sustainable food delivery services. Reviews highlight benefits like paid time off, retirement programs, dental and vision care, and comprehensive health insurance that provide both financial security and work-life balance.

Some workers, though, require more accommodating schedules. Reviewers have noted a culture that is centered on hitting targets and KPIs, which could put pressure on staff and lower morale. Thrive Market delivers sustainable and organic goods right to your door in an effort to make grocery shopping easier. Free standard delivery is available on orders over $49. This is a big benefit for frequent or volume buyers.

8. Peapod

For people looking for careers like Instacart, Peapod provides prospective career options in order fulfillment, delivery driving, and customer support. Peapod offers a number of benefits, including competitive compensation and benefits, health insurance, a retirement program, and paid time off. Given that Giant is its parent business; Peapod may have opportunities for growth and career progression inside the larger company.

Peapod Pass is a subscription service that provides unlimited free delivery for orders above $100, as well as fuel savings and other perks. Although expedited shipping might be worth the additional expense, clients on a tight budget who place frequent, large orders might find the Peapod Pass membership to be a good option.

9. Giant Eagle

Giant Eagle offers two different delivery options, each with different employment agreements and work conditions. Curbside Express allows people to work directly for Giant Eagle, doing things like picking and packing orders for customers to pick up at the curb. As an employee, you can be eligible for a number of perks, such as paid time off, health insurance, and employee discounts.

If you’re seeking apps similar to Instacart, Giant Eagle has you covered. You can select the most favorable choice from Curbside Express and Delivery, the two available delivery alternatives. Delivery, on the other hand, offers planned and same-day delivery within predetermined window times. A number of variables, such as the order value and delivery window, affect the fees.

10. Walmart

Walmart has launched food delivery services to rival Instacart and other firms. It’s important to consider the costs involved before making a purchase. Walmart offers a range of shipping options at rates between $7.95 and $9.95. Conversely, for an extra $10 over the standard delivery charge, certain regions provide expedited delivery.

Within the organization, Walmart offers chances for professional advancement, enabling aspirational people to take other routes. Nonetheless, there are certain drawbacks to take into account before choosing to work at Walmart. Delivery drivers are in charge of paying for the upkeep and wear and tear on their cars. Furthermore, benefits such as health insurance may be restricted or nonexistent, particularly for jobs that are part-time.

What is the App Development Cost to Build Apps like Instacart?

Calculating the precise cost of developing an online grocery app similar to Instacart requires determining your project’s demands and business requirements.

The average price range for developing a grocery app, such as Instacart, is $25000-$50,000. The hourly rates of the top mobile app development company you work with will also determine this app development cost. Therefore, it would be wiser to view Konstant Infosolutions as a trustworthy and top iPhone app development company.

You need to think about a few things while estimating the cost of developing the Instacart grocery app. App complexity, feature sets, platforms you choose, tech stacks, etc. are a few examples of these variables.

Last Thought

So, these were the top grocery apps like Instacart to make some extra bucks. We have also covered other significant topics like what is Instacart, how does it work, and the cost to build an app like Instacart. Grocery is an essential need for anyone and thus, there is huge scope in the industry. Anyone with a robust, feature-packed app and a well-thought USP can take over the market today. Mobile app development is the most important part of this journey as it is the front store that customers will interact with. Thus, ensure a seamless, design-rich app developed by a top mobile app development company, like Konstant Infosolutions.

Top FAQs

What is Instacart?

Instacart is the top grocery delivery platform in the US and the top grocery technology firm in North America offering same-day delivery and pick-up from a wide range of grocery and non-grocery stores, Customers can shop with over 1400 different retailers and grocers (80,000+ locations) through Instacart.

What are the best grocery delivery apps like Instacart?

Some of the top grocery delivery apps like Instacart are Peapod, Amazon Fresh, Walmart, Whole Foods, Getir, GoPuff, and Giant Eagle. These apps are popular in the market already and are a good source to make extra money.

How do apps like Instacart make money?

Shopping apps like Instacart make money through varied sources, including delivery fees, commissions, ads, and subscription services. An average customers pay $4-$6 per order for delivery & convenience.

What is the time required to build an app like Instacart?

The time required to build shopping apps like Instacart is about 3 to 9 months depending upon the app’s complexity and other factors. Building an app requires significant time & effort and the process is divided into different phases.