Best for value: Walmart+ — free delivery on eligible orders with everyday-low prices. Best for choice: Instacart — the widest selection of stores. Best if you already order takeaway: DoorDash with DashPass. Whichever you pick, compare in-app prices with the store’s own prices, since markups and fees can add up.
Grocery delivery can save time, but it can also quietly raise your food bill. Service fees, delivery fees, tips, and item markups add up, so the best app is the one that keeps your total lowest rather than the one with the flashiest deals.
Here’s how the major services compare on cost, selection, and membership value. Fees, pricing, and membership terms change often and vary by area, so check the current rates in your own zip code.
Best Grocery Delivery Apps in 2026
1. Walmart+ — Best for Value
Walmart+ offers free delivery on eligible grocery orders above a minimum spend, and Walmart’s own grocery prices are among the lowest of the major chains. Membership also includes perks like fuel discounts and streaming benefits.
It only covers Walmart’s inventory, so you’re limited to what Walmart stocks. If Walmart is your main store, the membership can pay for itself quickly with a couple of orders a month.
2. Instacart — Best Selection
Instacart connects you to a huge range of supermarkets, wholesale clubs, and specialty stores, so you can shop wherever your usual store is. Its Instacart+ membership offers free delivery above a minimum basket and reduced service fees.
Prices on the app can be higher than in-store prices at some retailers, so compare before you order. It’s a great choice when you want a specific store or hard-to-find items.
3. DoorDash (DashPass) — Best If You Already Use DoorDash
DoorDash offers grocery and convenience delivery from many local and national stores, and DashPass reduces delivery fees and service fees on eligible orders. If you also order restaurant food, the membership works across both.
Convenience-store items can carry higher markups, so it’s best for small top-up orders rather than a full weekly shop.
4. Amazon Fresh and Shipt — Worth Comparing
Amazon Fresh offers delivery of groceries and household items in many areas, often with benefits for Prime members. Shipt delivers from stores like Target and regional grocers with a membership or per-order option.
Delivery fee structures and minimums change often, so check the current terms in your area before committing.
Cost Comparison
| Service | Membership | Selection | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart+ | Annual or monthly | Walmart only | Low prices, regular shoppers |
| Instacart / Instacart+ | Optional annual or monthly | Widest range of stores | Choice and specific stores |
| DoorDash / DashPass | Optional monthly | Local stores and convenience | Small top-ups |
| Amazon Fresh / Shipt | Varies | Varies by area | Prime members, Target shoppers |
How to Cut the Total Cost
- Compare item prices with the store’s own website. Markups of a few percent add up on a big order.
- Watch service fees and tips. These can be a bigger cost than the delivery fee itself.
- Hit the free delivery minimum. Combine orders rather than placing several small ones.
- Try the free trial, then decide. Most services offer trials so you can test the value.
- Consider store pickup. Many retailers offer free curbside pickup, which avoids delivery costs entirely.
What a Delivered Order Can Really Cost
As an illustration, a $100 basket in a delivery app can easily cost $115–$130 once you add item markups, a service fee, a delivery fee, and a tip, compared with about $100 in store. A membership or free-delivery threshold can shave that down, but the difference is rarely zero. That’s why comparing the final total, not the headline delivery fee, is the fair test.
When You Should Skip Delivery
- You have a store nearby. A 20-minute trip may beat the fees on a small order.
- You’re buying fresh produce. Picking your own avoids substitutions and bruised fruit.
- Your order is small. Minimums and fees hit small baskets hardest.
- You can use free curbside pickup. Many stores offer it at no cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is grocery delivery more expensive than shopping in person?
Usually, once fees, tips, and item markups are added. You can reduce the difference by choosing free-delivery thresholds, using memberships, or picking up orders yourself.
Is Walmart+ worth it for groceries?
If you shop at Walmart regularly and order groceries more than a couple of times a month, the free delivery and lower prices can outweigh the membership fee.
Which app has the cheapest groceries?
It depends on the store. Walmart’s own delivery tends to be cheap, while third-party apps like Instacart may add markups. Compare a basket on each before you decide.
Do I have to tip grocery delivery drivers?
Tipping isn’t required, but drivers rely on it, and lower tips can affect who takes your order. Factor a tip into your total cost when comparing.
Final Thoughts: Walmart+ is the best value if Walmart is your store, Instacart wins on choice, and DoorDash suits small top-ups for people who already have DashPass. Compare the all-in price of a typical basket before committing to a membership.
Compare Your Basket Before You Order
Check prices in the app against the store’s website.
Fees, prices, memberships, and availability change often and vary by location — check current terms in your area.
