Uber Eats vs. DoorDash: Comparing Food Delivery Platforms

As technology has evolved over the years, society has become accustomed to an on-demand mentality. Whether it’s a ride to the airport, a grocery delivery, or a handyman, apps have made it easier than ever to access services or items at the click of a button.

While restaurants have long offered delivery services, there’s more pressure than ever for restaurant owners to make their menus accessible instantaneously. To keep up with evolving and fast-paced on-demand services, food delivery platforms are no longer a nice-to-have but a need-to-have.

Uber Eats and DoorDash are two of the biggest players in the food delivery platform space, and choosing between them can have a major impact on your margins, visibility, and overall customer experience.

Whether you’re launching delivery for the first time or reassessing your current strategy, this breakdown of Uber Eats vs. DoorDash for restaurants will help you make an informed decision.

Platform Reach and Market Share

DoorDash currently holds the largest share of the U.S. food delivery market, with over 60% in some areas. This dominance can mean more potential customers, especially in suburban and residential neighborhoods.

Uber Eats, on the other hand, tends to perform well in major urban centers and has strong brand recognition thanks to its ride-share roots. If your restaurant is located in a dense city environment, Uber Eats might bring more traffic your way.

Key Takeaway: When deciding which food delivery platform to use at your restaurant, consider your geographic location and local customer base. For example, DoorDash might be better suited in suburban areas while Uber Eats could be the stronger option for restaurants in dense cities.

Commission Fees and Pricing

Both platforms charge restaurants commission fees, which typically range from 15% to 30%, depending on your plan and level of integration.

• DoorDash’s pricing offers three partnership plans that each come with varying levels of visibility and marketing support.
  
  • Basic (15%)
    
    • Best for businesses that want to save on costs
    • $0 for 7 days, then 15% commission per delivery order
    • Reaches customers nearby
    • Highest delivery fee for customers
    • Offers online ordering
  • Plus (25%)
    
    • Best for businesses that want to get discovered by new customers in their area
    • $0 for 30 days, then 25% commission per delivery order
    • Reaches customers who are located farther away
    • Lower customer delivery fee
    • Offers online ordering
    • Includes DashPass, which increases sales by accessing customers who pay zero delivery fees and reduced service fees
  • Premier (30%)
    
    • Best for businesses that want to maximize sales
    • $0 for 30 days, then 30% commission per delivery order
    • Reach customers who are located farther away
    • Lowest customer delivery fee
    • Online ordering
    • Includes DashPass
    • Offers a Growth Guarantee, which offers a refund of commission costs for the month if at least 20 orders are not accepted ‍

Uber Eats’ pricing is similar as it offers three plans based on your restaurant’s goals. In addition to the fees listed below, restaurants may incur fees for things like device fees on rented tablets, promotion fees, order error adjustments, and marketplace fee modifications.

• Lite (15%)
  
  • Best for businesses that want to keep their costs low
  • 15% fee for delivery orders
  • 6% fee for pickup orders
  • Business is discoverable in the Uber Eats app when customers search for your restaurant
• Plus (25%)
  
  • Best for businesses that want to get discovered by new customers
  • 25% fee for delivery orders
  • 6% fee for pickup orders
  • Business is discoverable in the Uber Eats app when customers search for your restaurant
  • Uber One benefits, such as $0 delivery fee plus additional discounts, apply when a customer orders from your restaurant
• Premium (30%)
  
  • Best for businesses that want to stand out and reach more customers
  • 30% fee for delivery orders
  • 6% fee for pickup orders
  • Business is discoverable in the Uber Eats app when customers search for your restaurant
  • Uber One benefits
  • 0% fees for the first six months for each month your business does not receive at least 20 orders
  • Receive ad credit of up to $100 per month based on the previous  month’s spending

Key Takeaway: DoorDash and Uber Eats offer similar pricing plans, but Uber Eats may have more variable fees based on your business’s operations.

User Base and Customer Preferences

Customer loyalty differs by region. In some cities, locals may overwhelmingly favor one app over the other.

• DoorDash is known for aggressive promotions and has many DashPass subscribers (customers who get free delivery for a monthly fee).
  
  
• Uber Eats is appealing to existing Uber users as it’s convenient to use one app that serves multiple purposes. 

Key Takeaway: Look to your customers for help by asking which food delivery app they use. These insights can help guide your choice to a platform that is user-friendly for businesses and customers. 

Onboarding and Restaurant Support

Both platforms offer fast onboarding in addition to POS integrations, analytics, and promotional tools, but the experience can vary.

• DoorDash has a smooth self-service onboarding process and an intuitive merchant portal. DoorDash support is available 24/7 and can be accessed via the help center, in-app chat, or phone.

• Uber Eats provides merchant support, but some restaurant owners report slower response times and more manual management. Uber Eats support is also available 24/7 and can be accessed via phone, email, or in-app chat.
  

Key Takeaway: Based on customer feedback, DoorDash may offer a more user-friendly setup process. Review both platforms thoroughly, as every business has different support and onboarding needs.

Delivery Network and Customer Experience

• Uber Eats leverages its massive rideshare network, which can mean faster delivery in cities.
  
  
• DoorDash also has a large Dasher network but delivery times can vary depending on the time of day and your location.
  

Both apps allow customers to track orders and rate their experience, which impacts your restaurant’s reputation.

Key Takeaway: Delivery reliability depends heavily on your local driver pool.

Should You Use Both Uber Eats and DoorDash?

Many restaurants actually list on both platforms to increase visibility and customer reach. While managing two delivery streams can increase complexity, the upside is greater order volume and less dependence on one company.

If you need help handling extra demand—especially during peak hours—consider using a platform like shiftNOW to bring in experienced hourly workers fast.

Pro Tip: Use a tablet consolidation tool or POS integration to streamline multi-platform management.

Final Thoughts: DoorDash vs. Uber Eats for Restaurants

DoorDash and Uber Eats offer their own unique pros and cons for restaurant owners. The food delivery platform you decide to use will depend on your restaurant’s:

• Location
  
  
• Target customer base
  
  
• Commission flexibility
  
  
• Operational capabilities
  

Here’s a quick comparison table:

Need help keeping up with food delivery demand?
shiftNOW connects restaurants with experienced hourly workers—hosts, line cooks, runners, and more—when and where you need them. Scale your team on demand and keep orders moving smoothly.