Gig Platform Comparison
Instacart vs Shipt: Which Is Better for Shoppers?
Instacart and Shipt are the two largest grocery-shopping gig apps, and both pay shoppers as independent contractors to shop a cart and deliver it. The work is similar — you shop in-store, then drive the order to the customer — so which one nets you more comes down to your market, the hours you work, and your vehicle costs. Rather than quote per-hour figures that vary city to city, this guide compares them on the factors that drive net pay and shows you how to measure your own real hourly rate on each.
The honest answer on which pays more
There's no universal winner. Both Instacart and Shipt pay independent contractors, and your net pay depends on your market, the hours you work, current promotions, and your vehicle costs — not the brand. So instead of quoting earnings that go stale, we compare the structure of each platform below and show you exactly how to compute your own real hourly rate on both.
Instacart vs Shipt, side by side
| Dimension | Instacart | Shipt |
|---|---|---|
| How pay is structured | Per-batch: each batch shows an estimated payment (a base plus factors like item count and distance) and tips before you accept. | Per-order: each order shows an estimated payment (factoring in the order's effort) plus tips; on some markets pay is shown before you claim it. |
| Promotions / bonuses | Peak Boost adds extra pay during busy windows; tips can be a large share of a batch and may adjust after delivery. | Promo pay and bonuses add extra during busy periods; tips can be a large share of an order and may adjust after delivery. |
| Platform fees / commission | You're paid per completed batch; Instacart's customer service/markup fees aren't deducted from your shopper pay. | You're paid per completed order; Shipt's customer membership/fees aren't deducted from your shopper pay. |
| Tax forms issued | Full-service shoppers get a 1099-NEC at $600 or more (in-store-only shoppers are W-2 employees instead). | 1099-NEC if you earn $600 or more in a year, delivered through its payment processor. |
| Mileage / expense profile | Car-based; deduct business miles. You also spend time on foot in-store, which isn't mileage but is still working time. | Car-based; deduct business miles. You also spend time on foot in-store, which isn't mileage but is still working time. |
| Scheduling / flexibility | You browse and claim available batches; early access to batches can be tied to a shopper rating. | You can claim open orders or schedule availability windows; a higher shopper rating can unlock earlier access to orders. |
| Payout speed | Weekly direct deposit by default; Instant Cashout is available, sometimes for a fee. | Weekly direct deposit by default; Instant Pay lets you cash out more frequently, sometimes for a fee. |
Platform features, fees, and promotions change often and vary by market — treat this as a structural overview and confirm current details in each app. No earnings figures are shown because real net pay is specific to you.
How to compare your own net pay
The only number that matters is what you net per hour. Here's how to measure it on each platform in four steps:
Work comparable shifts on each
Run both platforms during similar days, times, and zones — pay structure and demand swing by market and hour, so the same conditions make the comparison fair.
Track active hours and miles per platform
Log the time you were actually working and every business mile you drove on each app. Most platforms underreport mileage, so keep your own log.
Subtract mileage and expenses
Take out vehicle cost (mileage at the IRS standard rate or actual costs), platform service fees where they apply, and supplies — that's your net, not your gross.
Divide net by hours, then compare
Net earnings ÷ active hours = your real hourly rate on that platform. Do it for both and you'll know which one pays you more — not the internet.
Frequently asked questions
Is Instacart or Shipt better for shoppers?
Advertised or anecdotal pay numbers don't tell you what you'll keep, because net pay depends on your market, the time you work, your vehicle's cost per mile, and current promotions. The reliable way to compare two platforms is to run each one for a few comparable shifts, then divide your real earnings (after the miles you drove and your expenses) by the hours you were active. The free Real Hourly Rate and Earnings Consolidator calculators do that math so you can compare apples to apples.
How is pay different on Instacart vs Shipt?
Both pay you to shop and deliver groceries, and on both your time includes shopping in-store plus driving. Instacart pays per batch — an estimated amount based on factors like item count and distance, plus tips. Shipt pays per order with an estimate that factors in the order's effort, plus tips. Because both bundle shopping time into the job, compare them on net pay per active hour rather than per order.
What tax forms do Instacart and Shipt send?
Both pay shoppers as independent contractors with nothing withheld, and both issue a 1099-NEC if you earn $600 or more in a year. One nuance: Instacart in-store-only shoppers are W-2 part-time employees, while full-service shoppers (who also deliver) get the 1099-NEC; all Shipt shoppers who deliver are independent contractors. You owe income tax plus the 15.3% self-employment tax on net earnings, and you must report all income whether or not a form arrives.
Can I shop for both Instacart and Shipt?
Yes — many shoppers run both to fill gaps, claiming batches on one app and orders on the other depending on demand. Track mileage and earnings per app so you can see which nets more of your time in your area, and report income from both.
How do I compare my real earnings on each?
Work a few comparable shifts on each, record your active hours (shopping plus driving) and the miles you drove, then divide net earnings after expenses by hours. The free Real Hourly Rate calculator and Earnings Consolidator compute this so you can compare both directly.
Taxes when you drive for both
Running two platforms means combining income from both at tax time. All of these platforms pay you as an independent contractor and withhold nothing, so you owe federal and state income tax plus the 15.3% self-employment tax on your combined net earnings. Delivery apps issue a 1099-NEC; rideshare on Uber and Lyft also issues a 1099-K for processed fares. You must report all income whether or not a form arrives. See the complete Gig Worker Taxes guide for how it all fits together.
Authoritative IRS resources
Related comparisons
See which platform actually pays you more
UnifyOne consolidates your Instacart and Shipt earnings, mileage, and expenses automatically — so your real net hourly rate on each is always one glance away.
This comparison is educational information, not financial or tax advice. Platform pay structures, fees, promotions, and tax thresholds change over time and vary by market — confirm current details in each app and with the IRS or a qualified professional for your situation.