Amazon Flex vs DoorDash – Which Gig Pays More?
When it comes to gig economy apps, Amazon Flex and DoorDash are two of the most lucrative, popular gigs out there.
But while both jobs involve delivering stuff for money, what you're delivering and what a day on the job is like are very different. Plus, there are some major differences in Amazon Flex and DoorDash pay, requirements, and scheduling.
That's why our Amazon Flex vs DoorDash guide is breaking down everything you need to know about these two gig apps.
By the end of this post, you'll know which delivery service is right for you, which one pays more, and how to get started.
Amazon Flex vs DoorDash – Quick Summary
- Amazon Flex pays you to deliver packages and groceries whereas DoorDash involves delivering food
- DoorDash is flexible, whereas Amazon Flex requires scheduling blocks
- DoorDash pay varies by market but Amazon Flex pays $18 to $25 per hour
- DoorDash is much easier to sign up for
- Amazon Flex requires a vehicle but DoorDash also lets you use a bike or scooter
About Amazon Flex
As an Amazon Flex driver, you get paid to deliver packages from Amazon warehouses to customers. This is how Amazon can deliver packages so fast and why it has such an extensive network of delivery drivers.
You can sign up for Amazon Flex in the U.S. if you're 21 or older, and it's available in hundreds of cities in the United States and several other countries around the world.
Once you're an active driver, you schedule yourself to complete delivery blocks, which are usually 3-6 hour shifts. You also know exactly how much you make per block.
There are also several types of Amazon Flex deliveries you can make:
- Amazon.com Packages: Pickup regular packages and deliver them.
- Prime Now Packages: Pickup household items and deliver them.
- Amazon Fresh: Pickup groceries and deliver them.
- Store Orders: Pickup orders from local stores and deliver them.
- Instant Offers: These are deliveries that start near your location.
Overall, Amazon Flex follows a much more rigid structure than DoorDash does. But the trade-off is that you know how much you earn per block.
About DoorDash
DoorDash offers local on-demand delivery and pickup from grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants and more.
With over 300,000 local and national favorite locations, it offers a wide variety of items for deliveries and drivers, who are also known as Dashers, bring these orders right to customer’s doors.
DoorDash is actually the leading food delivery service in North America by market share. As a side hustle, it's much more flexible than Amazon Flex, which may or may not be a pro for you (as I'll discuss below.)
You can sign up for DoorDash if you're 18 or older, and it's available in 7,000+ cities across North America, Canada, and now Australia.
Disclaimer: Start Dashing today: Subject to background check and availability.
Is Amazon Flex Better Than DoorDash?
In my opinion, Amazon Flex is better than DoorDash if you want to earn more per hour and also work on a schedule. However, DoorDash is better than Amazon Flex if you want to work more hours and have full control over when you deliver.
But now that you know a bit about each driving gig, it's time to compare some of the most important features and factors between Amazon Flex and DoorDash.
Amazon Flex vs DoorDash Pay
While both of these services can pay well, Amazon Flex pays a fixed rate per delivery block whereas DoorDash pay depends on the orders you accept, tips, and ongoing promotions.
- Amazon Flex Driver Pay: According to Amazon Flex, most drivers make between $18 to $25 per hour. Earnings can depend on where the driver lives and how long the deliveries take. Earning tips can also increase your hourly rate.
- DoorDash Driver Pay: Dasher base pay depends on the time that the order will take, as well as the distance. Drivers can make more money if they receive tips from customers. Special promotions, peak pay (for busy hours) and challenges are also available. Overall, your market and other factors greatly influence how much you earn.
If you like fixed payments, Amazon Flex is better than DoorDash since you know exactly how much you're making per shift. However, tips are more common with DoorDash than Amazon Flex, so this can make a massive difference for your daily earnings.
Winner: Amazon Flex usually pays more per hour, but you can accept way more orders with DoorDash and make more money overall since you don't have to schedule blocks.
Amazon Flex vs DoorDash – Scheduling
Both Amazon Flex and DoorDash have different ways of scheduling deliveries. Depending on your schedule, one system might be superior to the other:
- Amazon Flex Scheduling: Amazon Flex drivers have to claim delivery blocks that are usually 3 to 6 hours in length. You can only deliver if you have a block, and blocks are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. It's actually hard to get enough Amazon Flex blocks, and some drivers even use bots to try and beat the competition.
- DoorDash Scheduling: Dashers can go online anytime as long as their zone is busy enough. Alternatively, you can reserve a Dash a few days in advance if you want guaranteed hours. You're also free to decline as many orders as you want since your acceptance rate doesn't matter, so it's very flexible.
If you only have a few hours per week for a side hustle, Amazon Flex's scheduling system might be what you're looking for. However, if you want to work whenever you want and as much as possible, then DoorDash is better than Amazon Flex.
Winner: It's much easier to make money with DoorDash since you can go online anytime and don't have to fight for blocks.
Amazon Flex vs DoorDash Requirements
Another massive difference between DoorDash and Amazon Flex are the driver requirements.
For starters, applicants typically need a clean driving record and to be able to pass a background check for both Amazon Flex and DoorDash. You also need to have adequate insurance for the state/country you're working in.
For Amazon Flex vs DoorDash, I’ve outlined the additional requirements below:
- Amazon Flex Driver Requirements: To sign up for Amazon Flex, drivers need to be 21 years of age or older. You also need to have a Social Security number and valid driver's license. You also need a midsize 4 door sedan, larger SUV, truck or van.
- DoorDash Driver Requirements: You must be 18 or older to deliver for DoorDash. But you have more delivery options than Amazon Flex when it comes to vehicles. DoorDash can be delivered by any bike, scooter or car depending on your service area. Vehicles don't need to have a specified number of doors and can be newer or older models.
DoorDash's sign up process is also a bit faster than Amazon Flex, so keep this in mind.
Winner: Driver requirements are similar but it's easier to become a DoorDash driver than Amazon Flex driver.
Amazon Flex vs DoorDash – Available Cities
One factor that can help you decide what delivery service to drive for is geography. While these services are growing rapidly and adding new locations regularly, not every service is available in every area.
- Amazon Flex Availability: Amazon Flex is currently available in about 50 cities nationwide. While it adds new locations regularly, at this time drivers are limited to these areas. You can always sign up for Amazon Flex and you'll just get placed on a waitlist if there aren't any openings or it's not available in your area.
- DoorDash Availability: DoorDash is available in 7,000+ cities across North America, and it's practically always looking for new drivers. You can still get placed on the DoorDash waitlist, but this isn't as common as Amazon Flex.
Just note that Amazon Flex is available in several countries outside the United States, whereas DoorDash is available in Canada, Australia, and the United States.
Winner: Amazon Flex is more global but DoorDash has more openings in the United States.
Amazon Flex vs DoorDash – Getting Paid
Because having a side hustle is all about the money, here is how the payments work for these two popular delivery services.
- Amazon Flex Payments: Drivers get paid on Tuesdays and Friday via direct bank deposit. Payments typically appear in bank accounts the next day, but may occasionally be delayed by bank holidays.
- DoorDash Payments: Drivers get paid weekly via a direct bank deposit, or through no-fee daily deposits through DasherDirect (available in the U.S. only). United States Dashers can make a withdrawal of their earrings once per day with Fast Pay if they pay the $1.99 fee per transfer.
As you can see, both DoorDash and Amazon Flex pay drives every week, so each gig provides a fast way to increase your income.
Winner: Amazon Flex pays drivers more regularly than DoorDash, although there's no paid instant cash out method.
Amazon Flex vs DoorDash – Gas Consumption
Since driving gigs are considered independent contractor positions, you have to pay for your own fuel. And considering gas prices lately, this can put a serious dent in your income.
Amazon Flex doesn't pay for gas, and neither does DoorDash. And unlike jobs like Instacart where you spend a lot of time in-store and not in your car, both Amazon and DoorDash rack up a lot of mileage.
That being said, at this time, DoorDash is offering Dashers some extra incentives to help offset the cost of fuel and preserve their earning potential. Dashers that qualify for these rewards could receive as much as $1.65 to $2.00 per gallon to help offset the price of gas.
Criteria to qualify for these DoorDash fuel bonuses include using a prepaid DoorDash card for fuel and delivering a minimum number of miles per week. Learn more about the DoorDash gas rewards program.
In either case, though, you need to factor fuel costs and vehicle wear-and-tear into your profits. I suggest using the Everlance app to automatically track your mileage for tax season and to find potential deductions.
Winner: Both gigs put a similar number of mileage on your vehicle, but DoorDash has a new gas incentives program to help lower costs.
Pro Tip: You can also use the Upside app to save up to $0.25 per gallon!
Amazon Flex & DoorDash Similarities
Both of these delivery services offer drivers flexibility and the ability to be their own boss. As a driver, you can set your own schedule. This means working as little or as much as you like.
When you work for Amazon Flex or DoorDash, you're also an independent contractor. This means you're responsible for reporting your income, and neither company withholds employment taxes. You're also responsible for your expenses, like gas and vehicle repairs.
You don't need a degree for either driving gig, or even prior delivery experience. This is why both gigs are popular ways to make fast money if you have access to a vehicle.
Amazon Flex & DoorDash Differences
In addition to the few driver requirements that are also mentioned in this post, there are a few differences in how shifts are scheduled for these two delivery services.
- Delivery Expectations: DoorDash and Amazon Flex have different expectations for their drivers. Amazon Flex drivers have to deliver a large number of packages per shift and return any undelivered packages to the warehouse before the end of the day. In contrast, DoorDash drivers choose the orders they accept, and it's usually one order at a time.
- Scheduling: Amazon Flex drivers are able to schedule their shifts ahead of time, but it can be hard to claim blocks since it's a first-come, first-serve basis. In contrast, DoorDash drivers can dash anytime as long as it's busy enough or schedule Dashes a few days in advance.
- Types of Deliveries: Drivers for Amazon Flex typically deliver packages (except for Amazon Restaurant) while DoorDash focuses on food.
- Eligible Vehicles: You need a mid-sized or larger vehicle to deliver for Amazon Flex. In contrast, DoorDash lets you deliver via car, bike, scooter, and even on foot in some markets.
- Age Requirement: You have to be 21 or older to deliver for Amazon Flex but only 18 or older to deliver for DoorDash.
Extra Reading – How To Make $500 A Week With DoorDash.
Amazon Flex Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Pays a high fixed-rate so you know how much you make per shift unlike DoorDash
- You can accept different types of delivery blocks
- Amazon Flex is available in more countries than DoorDash
Cons:
- You can't deliver with a bike or scooter unlike DoorDash
- Amazon Flex drivers generally receive fewer tips than other delivery gigs
- Many cities have long waiting lists
DoorDash Pros & Cons
Pros:
- You can begin working anytime and don't have to schedule shifts unlike Amazon Flex
- DoorDash drivers get tips more regularly
- There's not as many waiting lists with DoorDash vs Amazon Flex
- DoorDash lets you deliver via bike, car, and scooter
Cons:
- Some DoorDash orders and shifts pay much less than Amazon Flex if you get unlucky
- DoorDash isn't available in as many countries as Amazon Flex
What Do Other Delivery Drivers Say?
One of the best ways to tell if DoorDash or Amazon Flex is better for you is to read testimonials from other delivery drivers, not just me.
Thankfully, this DoorDash vs Amazon Flex thread on Reddit has plenty of useful information from other gig workers you can use to inform your decision:
- grilledcheese11987 says: “Flex has been an absolute waste lately. It’s been tough out there. Finally got a decent 4 hour today from a warehouse I don’t usually like unless I’m really wanting to make sure I make money.”
- binary_harbinger says: “I jumped ship on DD to Flex and at first, it was amazing. I was making $150 a day for 6 hours of work and about 100 miles. Where for me to make that much on DD and UberEats, it was a full 12 hours (including dead time) and no less than $1.50 /mile. I haven't done Flex in nearly three weeks due to the gas prices.”
- Doge10open says: “DoorDash is definitely making more money than flex in my market. Also, less miles!”
- HarMar_Productions says: “Why not just do both? Both apps have different peak hours, just dip on both and hustle to make even more money.”
As you can see, these drivers generally earn more with DoorDash than Amazon Flex since they can deliver more hours. However, Amazon Flex pays better unless you get lucky with tips.
That said, many gig workers I know still multi-app with other gigs like Uber Eats or Grubhub to maximize income.
Should You Work For Amazon Flex Or DoorDash?
In my opinion, DoorDash is better than Amazon Flex if you want as much flexibility as possible. It also has easier sign-up requirements, lets you deliver with your bike, and is available in more cities than Amazon Flex.
However, Amazon Flex can pay a bit more per hour if you get good blocks. But the main difficulty is that getting many blocks is hard since the competition between drivers is intense.
If anything, you can use DoorDash as your main delivery app and supplement it with other delivery gigs like Amazon Flex, such as Uber Eats or Instacart.
You still need to work efficiently with both gig apps. But you can make great money on the side if you put in the work and work smart!
Extra Reading – How To Do DoorDash For The First Time.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide on DoorDash vs Amazon Flex helps you understand the differences between these two driving gigs and which one is right for you.
Again, many gig workers multi-app and deliver for both platforms, as well as options like Uber Eats. You can always try applying for DoorDash and Amazon Flex to see if they're even accepting new drivers in your area.
And, as mentioned, don't be afraid to branch out into even more delivery gigs like DoorDash or Amazon Flex so you keep your options open!
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