The Cheapest Food Delivery Apps

Being able to grab a meal from your favorite restaurant miles away without having to leave your room is definitely convenient. But this convenience comes with a hefty price tag. Your quick midnight snack can easily grow into a $49 bill after the fees and taxes the delivery app charges you, plus tipping the driver.

Even though we know this, we aren’t about to give up ordering takeout so easily. The only question is which food delivery app we should use for the cheapest service.

Read on to learn about the cheapest food delivery apps in the US, UK, and Canada.

The Fine Print

Delivery apps certainly don’t make it easy to determine which one is the cheapest. Each app has its own method of coming up with your total. Some apps charge a flat service fee while others pay a percentage of your order value, which can make one option better than the other depending on the size of your order. Most apps also have partnerships with restaurants, making them preferable if you often order from that place.

Delivery fees vary between restaurants in each app, which, again, makes comparison difficult. In addition, some apps have other hidden fees, like small order fees if your order is below a certain amount. Others will charge you extra if you order during rush hour.

Each app constantly has deals that can reduce your expenses. They also offer subscription programs that might waive your delivery fee entirely. The cheapest option often depends on the individual order and can even change from time to time.

Cheapest Food Delivery Apps in the US

Here’s some info about the apps that usually provide the most affordable service to US customers.

Uber Eats

Customers have a love-hate relationship with Uber Eats. On the one hand, it’s undeniably the cheapest option in most cases. On the other hand, complaints about the quality of service and a lack of customer support are consistent.

With a $3.99 delivery fee and a generally low service fee, Uber Eats usually beats other apps by a thin margin. Nevertheless, this app has more hidden fees than others. For instance, you’ll be charged a small order fee if your order is below $10. Additionally, you can expect surge pricing – ordering during lunchtime can skyrocket the delivery fees when using this app. During other times of the day, you can save a few dollars with Uber Eats, especially if you’re ordering from a place nearby.

DoorDash

DoorDash is holding the largest market share in the food delivery app sector in Q1 2022. Using this app may come out slightly more expensive than Uber Eats in some cases. However, DoorDash offers superior service that may be worth those few dollars.

Although DoorDash has slightly higher service fees, its delivery fees are reasonable. DoorDash may be considerably cheaper when it comes to longer distances. This app also won’t overcharge you during peak hours – using DoorDash to get your lunch can be significantly more affordable than using Uber Eats. Another perk of DoorDash that may make it cheaper for people often ordering for one person is that there is no small order fee.

Grubhub

Grubhub is very similar to Uber Eats in terms of cost. This app also has a small order fee that will bump up your bill if your subtotal is under $10. However, Grubhub doesn’t have surge pricing, which may make it preferable to Uber Eats during peak hours.

Pay attention to the delivery fees, as they can vary greatly in this app. Delivery is generally more expensive on Grubhub than on Uber Eats or DoorDash. This issue can be eliminated by joining Grubhub+.

Cheapest Food Delivery Apps UK

Food delivery apps are also making waves in the UK, but they can burn a hole in your wallet if you’re not careful. According to Yahoo Finance, a simple order can be as much as 44% more expensive than getting your meal from the restaurant directly. To avoid this scenario, make sure you choose the cheapest app out there. Here are some of the best options.

JustEat

UK customers agree that JustEat, around since 2001, is by far the most affordable food delivery app in the country. JustEat connects you with a vast selection of restaurants, and this solution is surprisingly cheaper than other similar ones available in the UK. According to the previously mentioned article, using JustEat will only cost you about 7% more than getting your meal directly from the restaurant in question.

When using JustEat, there’s usually a minimum order amount. However, there are often special offers.

Uber Eats

Uber Eats is available in 45 countries worldwide, including the UK. After JustEat, it’s also typically the second-cheapest delivery solution.

That said, it’s by no means cheap. According to the previously mentioned survey, a meal from Uber Eats will cost 25% more than getting the food directly.

Foodhub

Foodhub is a UK-only solution that can sometimes provide the cheapest service. This app strives to offer competitive prices and support communities by partnering with local businesses.

The app has more than 15,000 partners all over the country, so you’ll find just about anything you happen to crave. As Foodhub doesn’t charge a commission to its partners, it also offers favorable rates.

Cheapest Food Delivery Apps Canada

Many popular US food delivery apps, including Uber Eats and DoorDash, are available in Canada as well. However, they may not be the ones locals go to. Let’s check out the cheapest food delivery apps Canadians can use.

SkipTheDishes

SkipTheDishes is the most popular food delivery app in Canada, and for good reason. This app offers affordable delivery prices that vary depending on the restaurant. You might be able to skip delivery costs entirely, as some restaurants will waive the fee if you meet a minimum order amount.

SkipTheDishes allows you to search by delivery charge to find the deals with the lowest (or even free) delivery cost. This can save you a lot of money if you don’t have a preference for specific restaurants. The favorable prices come with one drawback: SkipTheDishes isn’t the fastest delivery service out there.

DoorDash

DoorDash has an excellent offer for Canadian customers. This service has reasonable delivery fees and high ratings in the app stores.

If you’re new to the app, you can expect promotions and discounts when you first sign up. Similarly, a monthly DashPass subscription can save you a lot of money if you use this app regularly. Not only will it eliminate delivery fees, it might also lower service fees in certain restaurants.

Uber Eats

Uber Eats is also one of Canada’s top food delivery services, partnered with more than 8,000 restaurants. Your Uber Eats meal might cost a bit more than one ordered with SkipTheDishes, but it will likely arrive faster. If you plan on using this app often, an Uber Eats Pass may be worth investing in. It includes free delivery and significant discounts in select restaurants.

Uber Eats lacks a bit in the customer support sector. You may have trouble getting a refund for a missing item and end up overpaying – something that usually isn’t an issue with, for example, DoorDash.

Stop Overpaying

Convenience will always have a price tag. With taxes, delivery, tips, hidden fees, and constant deals and discounts, the question of which food delivery app is the cheapest is all but simple. Prices will depend on factors like distance, the time of day, whether the app is partnered with the restaurant in question, and more. You will probably need to check several apps to find the best deal every time.

Which food delivery app do you tend to reach for? Do you have any money-saving tips when ordering through the apps mentioned above? Let us know in the comments section below.