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Know the real cost
DoorDash vs Uber Eats vs Grubhub: what the delivery apps really cost
All three big apps take a 15–30% cut of every order, plus fees most owners never add up. They look similar on the surface — but the tiers, ad models and payout rules differ in ways that decide whether delivery makes you money. Here's an honest, vendor-neutral comparison.
The short version
DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub are more alike than different. Each one sells you a menu of commission tiers where a lower percentage buys less visibility, each layers on optional advertising, and each keeps the customer relationship for itself. The "best" app is not a fixed answer — it's whichever one actually has hungry customers in your delivery radius, on the tier you'd realistically run. Below is how they line up on the things that hit your bank account.
Commissions & fees, side by side
The figures below are typical industry ranges as of 2026, framed as the tiers these platforms publicly advertise. They are not a quote for your restaurant — your real rate depends on your plan, market and any negotiated terms. Treat this as a map, then confirm live in each dashboard.
| What you pay | DoorDash | Uber Eats | Grubhub |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery commission | Tiered, ~15% / ~25% / ~30% | Tiered, ~15% / ~25% / ~30% | Tiered, ~15% up to ~30% (marketing + delivery combined) |
| Pickup / self-delivery | Lower pickup rate (often ~6%); Storefront lets you self-fulfil | Lower pickup rate (often ~6%); own-delivery option available | Lower pickup rate; self-delivery / "supplemental" options |
| Marketing / ad fees | Sponsored Listings + promo co-pays, on top of commission | Sponsored Listings + Offers, on top of commission | Sponsored placement + promotions, on top of commission |
| Payout timing | Weekly by default; faster pay for a fee | Weekly by default; instant/daily for a fee | Weekly by default; faster options vary |
| Who owns the customer | The platform (limited data sharing) | The platform (limited data sharing) | The platform (limited data sharing) |
| Notable terms | Largest US market share; Storefront = commission-free first-party ordering on your own site | Ties into the Uber rides app and Uber One members; strong in dense urban areas | Splits its cut into a "marketing" rate and a "delivery" rate; historically strong in the Northeast |
Two things jump out. First, the headline commission is only part of the bill — pickup rates, ad spend and promo co-pays all stack on top. Second, on the thing that matters most long-term, all three are identical: they keep the customer. That single fact shapes everything below.
How the three actually differ
DoorDash has the largest US market share in most suburban markets, which usually means the most order volume — and its Storefront product gives you commission-free ordering on your own website, a genuinely useful lever if you lean into it. Uber Eats benefits from the Uber rides app funneling in members and tends to be strongest in dense, urban delivery zones. Grubhub uniquely breaks its cut into a separate "marketing" commission and a "delivery" commission, and remains strongest across parts of the Northeast. None of that changes the core economics; it changes which app is likely to bring you the most orders where you actually are.
Which is right for you
Don't pick on the lowest advertised percentage. Pick on three questions:
Where are your customers? Whichever app is dominant in your ZIP code will usually out-earn a cheaper tier on a weaker app. Ask nearby operators, or run a short test on each before committing ad dollars.
What tier will you really run? The base ~15% tier buries you in search results. Most restaurants that want volume end up on a middle or top tier nearer 25–30%, so budget for that reality, not the floor price.
How much can you self-fulfil? If you have your own driver or a tight radius, the lower pickup and self-delivery rates — plus DoorDash Storefront-style first-party ordering — can dramatically beat full marketplace commission. That's where the margin actually lives.
For most independents the answer isn't one app — it's running the one or two strongest apps in your area at a tier you can afford, while steadily building first-party ordering so you're not renting your whole customer base at 30%.
The honest take: DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub are close enough on price that the deciding factor is local demand, not the commission table. Use the apps for discovery, run them on the tier that actually gets you seen, price your delivery menu to absorb the cut, and put real effort into converting those orders into direct regulars. That combination beats chasing the "cheapest app" every time. We take no commission from any platform — this comparison is for reference only.
Frequently asked questions
Which delivery app charges the lowest commission?
There's no single winner. All three run tiered plans where the base marketplace tier is roughly 15% and the top marketing tier reaches around 30% of each order. The lowest headline rate usually buys the least visibility, so the cheapest tier is rarely the cheapest way to actually get orders. Compare the tier you'd realistically use, not the floor price.
Do I have to be on all three apps?
No. Many independents start on the one or two apps strongest in their area, then add a third only if the demand justifies it. More apps widens discovery but multiplies tablets, menu upkeep and fees. Middleware makes multiple apps manageable, but more apps is not automatically more profit.
Is the commission the only fee?
No. On top of the delivery commission you'll typically see pickup/self-delivery rates, optional sponsored-listing ad spend, promotion co-pays, and error or refund adjustments deducted from payouts. The all-in cost is usually higher than the headline percentage alone.
How often do the delivery apps pay out?
As of 2026 all three typically pay on a weekly cycle by default, with faster daily or instant options for an added fee. Confirm the current schedule and any fast-pay charge in your own dashboard, since these terms change.