Uber Eats is a giant in food delivery, but by 2026, it’s far from the only choice. Maybe you're tired of surge pricing, want to support more local spots, or need an app that handles both groceries and takeout. Whatever your reason, there are great alternatives ready to bring dinner (and more) to your door.
This guide breaks down the top delivery apps for 2026. We’ll look at cost, selection, and which service is best for your specific needs. Let's find your next go-to app.
Why Bother Looking for Uber Eats Alternatives in 2026?
Many people are starting to look past Uber Eats. The reasons are pretty common, showing that we all expect more from our delivery apps these days.
You're Tired of Inconsistent Customer Service
As a market leader, Uber Eats gets a lot of complaints. A common one is spotty customer service. If you've ever had a frustrating time getting a refund for a cold order, you know why people look for apps known for better support.
You Want a Subscription That's Actually Worth It
We all have subscription fatigue. So, you’re likely comparing Uber One to other programs. The goal is to find a membership that gives you real perks, like free delivery that’s always free, lower fees, and member-only deals. This shift toward meaningful value is also seen in service industries nationwide, from loyalty programs in retail to restaurant brands working with app development in Florida firms to create affordable order-direct subscription models.
You Want More Restaurants or Better Grocery Options
Your town has amazing food, and your delivery app should reflect that. People are switching to apps that have more independent restaurants or better partnerships with the grocery stores they actually use.
You Just Want an App That Works Smoothly
A glitchy app or a confusing checkout process is enough to ruin your dinner plans. A clean, simple interface and helpful support are huge reasons why people switch.
You'd Rather Support Local Restaurants
There's a growing desire to support local businesses directly. Some platforms are built to be more restaurant-friendly, taking smaller commission fees. This is similar to how cities focus on boosting local economies — for example, supporting mobile app development Colorado
agencies that help nearby restaurants build their own ordering apps. In food delivery, the idea is the same: more of your money goes straight to the restaurants you love.
You Need Something Specific, Like Alcohol or Late-Night Snacks
The one-size-fits-all model doesn't always work. If you need super-fast snack delivery, high-end restaurant meals, or just a bottle of wine, there are specialty apps that do one thing really well.
Top 10 Uber Eats Alternatives for 2026
Here are the platforms giving Uber Eats a run for its money. Each one has a unique strength that might be a perfect fit for you.
1. DoorDash - The Best All-Around Choice
DoorDash is the biggest player in the U.S. for a reason: it has the most restaurants. It’s the closest direct competitor to Uber Eats and offers a huge network of restaurants, convenience stores, and grocery delivery.
- What's New in 2026: Its DashPass subscription still offers $0 delivery fees on most orders. The app's grocery and retail sections make it a solid all-in-one choice.
- Best For: Anyone who wants the widest possible selection of restaurants and stores.
- Heads Up: Service fees can be high without DashPass, and its popularity can mean slower delivery times during dinner rush.
2. Grubhub - The Best Value (Especially for Amazon Prime Members)
As one of the originals, Grubhub still has a strong presence, especially in big cities like New York and Chicago. Its Grubhub+ subscription is often free for a year with Amazon Prime, which is a fantastic deal.
- What's New in 2026: The partnership with Amazon Prime makes its subscription a no-brainer for millions. The app is simple and gets the job done without extra clutter.
- Best For: Budget-conscious people, Amazon Prime members, and anyone looking to order from their favorite local diner.
- Heads Up: Its restaurant selection might be smaller than DoorDash's in some suburbs.
3. Instacart - The Best for Groceries and Takeout Combined
Instacart started as the king of grocery delivery and has smartly moved into restaurant delivery. It uses its massive network of shoppers to deliver from almost any grocery store, retail shop, and now, your favorite restaurants.
- What's New in 2026: The ability to get your weekly groceries and a pizza in the same app is a game-changer. The Instacart+ subscription covers both types of orders.
- Best For: Families or households that order both groceries and takeout often and want a single app for everything.
- Heads Up: The restaurant delivery feature is newer, so the selection might not be as big as dedicated food apps yet.
4. GoPuff - The Best for Insanely Fast Convenience
GoPuff isn’t for restaurant meals; it's your personal 24/7 convenience store. It has its own mini-warehouses packed with snacks, drinks, and essentials, so it can deliver them in about 30 minutes.
- What's New in 2026: GoPuff continues to perfect its super-fast delivery model. Its "FAM" subscription gives you free delivery for a flat monthly fee.
- Best For: Late-night cravings, running out of toilet paper, or when you need a few items right now.
- Heads Up: Don't expect to order a hot meal from your favorite restaurant here. It’s all about packaged goods.
5. Postmates - The Best for "Deliver Anything" Requests
Uber bought Postmates, but it still operates with its original mission: deliver anything from anywhere. This means you can get items from stores and restaurants that aren't officially partnered with delivery apps.
- What's New in 2026: Its "deliver anything" flexibility is now often bundled into the Uber One subscription, making it a powerful perk.
- Best For: Getting a pickup from a specific local bakery, a small retail shop, or any place not listed on other apps.
- Heads Up: Pricing and delivery times can be less predictable since it doesn't always have a formal partnership with the store.
6. ChowNow - The Best for Supporting Local Restaurants
ChowNow is built to help restaurants, not squeeze them. It provides online ordering tools to restaurants for a flat fee, so they keep more of the money from your order.
- Best For: People who want to directly support their favorite local eateries and help them avoid high commission fees.
7. Caviar - The Best for High-End Restaurant Delivery
Owned by DoorDash, Caviar keeps its focus on a curated list of top-rated, often independent restaurants. It's the app you open for a special occasion or when you want something a bit nicer than the usual takeout.
- Best For: Foodies and anyone celebrating a special event at home.
8. Drizly - The Best for Alcohol Delivery
Now part of Uber, Drizly is the go-to app for alcohol. It connects you with local liquor stores to deliver beer, wine, and spirits right to your door, usually within an hour.
- Best For: Stocking up for a party, running out of wine during dinner, or sending a gift.
9. Favor Delivery - The Best in Texas
In Texas, Favor is a huge deal. It operates like a personal assistant—your "Runner" can pick up and deliver almost anything, from food and dry cleaning to other errands.
- Best For: Residents of Texas who want a more personal, do-anything delivery service.
10. EatStreet - The Best for the Midwest and College Towns
EatStreet is a regional powerhouse focused on serving smaller cities and college towns, primarily in the Midwest. It connects users with great local restaurants that might be overlooked by the national giants.
- Best For: People living in the Midwest who want to support a company with strong local roots.
Uber Eats vs. The Competition: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Uber Eats | DoorDash | Grubhub | Instacart | GoPuff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Thing | Food, Grocery, Rides | Food, Groceries | Local Restaurants | Groceries, Retail | Quick Convenience |
| Good For | All-in-one app users | The most restaurant choice | Saving money with Prime | One-stop shoppers | Late-night snacks |
| Subscription | Good; includes ride perks | Great; covers most orders | Great; free with Prime | Good for frequent shoppers | Great for regulars |
| Where It Works | Everywhere | U.S. Leader | Most of U.S. | Most of U.S. | Major cities |
| Cool Feature | Connects with Uber rides | DashMart hubs | Amazon Prime deal | Full grocery shopping | Owns its own stock |
How to Choose the Right Delivery App for You
With all these options, which one should you pick? It comes down to what you really need.
First, What Do You Order Most?
Are you mostly ordering dinner? DoorDash or Grubhub is a great start. Do you need groceries and a meal? Instacart is your answer. Just need a pint of ice cream at 11 PM? GoPuff.
Next, See Who Delivers to Your Address
Not all apps are available everywhere. Before you do anything else, type your address into a few of them. See which one has the best selection of restaurants and stores in your neighborhood.
Then, Think About Your Budget
If you order delivery more than twice a month, a subscription will almost always save you money. DashPass and Grubhub+ are great deals. If you only order once in a while, just pay per order and watch out for high service fees.
Finally, Try Them Out for Free
Nearly every app offers a free trial or a discount on your first order. Use these deals to test a few platforms. You'll quickly figure out which one you like best without spending a dime.
What’s Next for Food Delivery by 2026?
The delivery world is changing fast. Here’s what to expect.
- Apps That Know What You Want: AI will get much better at learning your tastes. Your app will suggest meals it knows you'll love, maybe even before you think of it.
- Robot and Drone Delivery: It's not science fiction anymore. In many areas, you’ll see small robots and drones making deliveries, promising faster and contactless service.
- Greener Delivery Options: You'll see more options for delivery via electric vehicles or bikes. Some apps are even experimenting with reusable containers to cut down on waste.
- More Ways to Order Directly: More restaurants will use tools like ChowNow to handle their own online orders, cutting out the expensive middlemen.
Your Questions About Uber Eats Alternatives, Answered
Are other apps cheaper than Uber Eats?
Sometimes, but it’s close. Big competitors like DoorDash and Grubhub have similar prices. You save the most money by comparing subscription plans and using promo codes.
Which app has the most restaurants?
In the U.S., DoorDash usually has the largest selection of restaurants. It's also growing its list of grocery and retail stores quickly.
Can I get groceries from these apps?
Yes. DoorDash and Instacart are the main players here. Instacart gives you a full-service shopper from major supermarkets, while DoorDash partners with stores and has its own small hubs.
Which app has the best customer service?
This can change depending on where you live. But smaller, more focused apps like ChowNow often get praise for having more personal and helpful support teams.
Can I use more than one delivery app?
Of course. Most people have a few delivery apps on their phone. It’s the best way to compare prices, find restaurants that are exclusive to one app, and grab the best deals.
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