DoorDash vs Lyft: Which Delivery and Rideshare App is Best for Driver?

Is DoorDash Better or Lyft?

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While DoorDash and Lyft offer different services, Lyft seems to be the better option for drivers. Its earning potential is a bit higher (up to $28 per hour), while DoorDash has $25 hourly potential earnings. 

Also, it offers three payout options, and its Express Pay option has a lower transaction fee of $0.50. DoorDash’s Instant Pay charges $1.99.

When it comes to driver’s apps, Lyft also seems preferable to drivers, seeing that it has received higher average ratings of 3.7. The Dasher app, meanwhile, received a 3.2 average rating. 

Finally, considering the time it takes to complete one job, you only need an average of 16 to 20 minutes to complete a ride with Lyft, whereas DoorDash deliveries tend to last 40 minutes on average.

DoorDash vs. Lyft Comparison

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	DoorDash	Lyft
Earning potential	$25 per hour	$20 to $28 per hour or $600 to $800 weekly
Tips	At least 15% of the food bill	20% of the ride payment
Schedule	Flexible schedule	Flexible schedule
Average delivery distance	2 to 4 miles	5 to 6 miles
Availability	Over 7,000 cities	Over 650 cities in the US
Delivery methods	Car, motorbike, scooter, bicycle, Ebike, Pizza bicycle	Car
Payments offered	Direct deposit, instant cash out	Direct deposit and debit card
Payout	Daily, Weekly, Instantly	Instantly, daily, and weekly
Driver reviews	3.2	3.7

DoorDash vs Lyft Earning Potential

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How Much Can You Earn With DoorDash?

DoorDash drivers or Dashers can make up to $25 per hour, although this varies depending on these factors:

• Location 
• Demand for drivers in your area
• Work hours

Moreover, DoorDash uses a formula scheme that adds the base pay rate and additional pay depending on the distance and time it takes to complete the delivery. What’s good about their computation is that minimum earnings are guaranteed. 

Dashers are also keeping 100% of their tips, although the monetary value depends. But to give you an idea, most customers feel comfortable giving tips for 15% of their total order value. 

You can further increase your earnings at DoorDash with the following simple tips:

• Choose your orders well and consider those where you don’t have to drive long distances.
• Work during busy hours, such as lunch and dinner times.
• Be consistent in providing good customer service, which can get you more tips and higher ratings.
• Join DoorDash Drive, and if you’re qualified, you can deliver large food orders. For apparent reasons, catering orders typically pay more than single-customer orders.
• Get your friends to become Dasher to get the $150 referral bonus. 

Considering the pay computation and tips, Dashers can make around $900 per week. However, you’ll need to consider operation costs, like gas, insurance, and car maintenance, which are approximately $30 per day.

How Much Can You Earn With Lyft?

As a Lyft driver, you have the potential to make $20 to $28 per hour or $800 weekly. Your potential earnings depend on the rates for time and distance, which vary across different cities. 

At times, Lyft drivers also earn extra through challenges or bonuses available during busy times, and of course, tips. 

The amount of tips you’ll get depends on the customer, but as a courtesy, most customers feel comfortable giving 20% of their total bill. 

And if you feel like you’re willing to go the extra mile to achieve your highest earning potential with Lyft, you can try these out:

• Check out the demand forecast
• Get updated with weekly challenges and opportunities
• Offer complimentary gifts to encourage tips
• Utilize real-time demand maps
• Apply for Lyft Direct to get cashback rewards from your gas purchases, vehicle maintenance discounts, and Lyft Rewards Program

Another way to maximize your earnings with Lyft is by using the Para App. It’s a separate app that allows you to view the pick-up and drop-off addresses, estimated or actual payout, and total drive time and mileage before you accept a trip. 

With that information at hand, you can estimate how much you’ll get for the trip and decide to take it or otherwise. 

Para App also includes a passenger rating and auto decline feature, which can help you decide faster to accept or decline a trip.

Verdict: Between the two, Lyft is the preferable option as it has a higher earning potential and offers more actionable tips to increase your earnings. 

DoorDash vs. Lyft Requirements Comparison

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Requirements	DoorDash	Lyft
Type of car	Any car	4-door vehicles
Min age	18 years old	21 years old
Driving license	Valid domestic driver’s license and clean driving record	Valid driver’s license
Insurance	Personal Auto Insurance	Auto insurance
Social security number	Required	Required
Background check	Required	Required
Gear	Provided (hot bag and Red Card)	N/A
Additional requirements	None	None

DoorDash vs Lyft Driver Requirements

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DoorDash Requirements

Here are the requirements you need to keep in mind if you’re looking to become a Dasher:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Have a social security number
• Pass the background check
• Have personal auto insurance

When it comes to vehicle type, you can pretty much use any car to deliver food. In some locations, you may also be allowed to use the following transport modes:

• Bicycle 
• Electric bike
• Scooter or motorcycle

DoorDash allows Dashers in selected cities to deliver by foot. 

Lyft Requirements

Here are the specific requirements to become a Lyft driver:

• Have a valid driver’s license
• Pass a background check
• Meet the minimum age requirements to drive

As for your car, it needs to be a 4-door and meets the vehicle requirements in your region. Suppose you want to drive for Lyft but have no car. In that case, you can rent one through Express Drive. 

Verdict: Comparing the driver and vehicle requirements of these companies, it seems that DoorDash is the better option. It offers more vehicle choices for those wanting to become Dasher. 

The driver requirements are also pretty straightforward, clear, and specific. If you’re looking to become Dasher, you can tell right away whether you qualify or not, and if there are some requirements you need to accomplish. 

DoorDash vs Lyft Payout Structure

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How Do You Get Paid With DoorDash?

DoorDash has three payout structures Dashers can choose from:

• Automatic weekly direct deposits – you’ll receive your earnings directly to your bank account. 
• Fast Pay – withdraw your earnings anytime you want. Requirements: have been a Dasher for at least 14 days, have completed 25 or more deliveries, have already linked your debit card to Fast Pay at least 7 days ago, and have not updated your debit card details within the last 7 days.
• Fast Pay – you can get your earnings to your debit card and withdraw them right away. Note that this option charges $1.99 per transaction.
• DasherDirect – provides you with a Business Visa card where you’ll receive your earnings as soon as you complete them. Then, you can use your visa card like any other debit card.

For example, you can pay for gas using your DasherDirect card and enjoy 2% cash back. If you need to withdraw cash, you can also do that conveniently, as there are more than 20,000 ATMs across the country.

How Do You Get Paid With Lyft?

Like DoorDash, Lyft offers three ways to get your earnings:

• Weekly direct deposit – Lyft sends money to your bank account every Tuesday.
• Express Pay – you can withdraw your earnings to your bank account for a $0.50 transfer fee.
• Direct Pay – you’ll get a debit card and receive your earnings right after completing each ride. Then, you can use a debit card to withdraw your money from the ATM or pay for gas and restaurant purchases.

Verdict: Between the two, Lyft has the preferable payout structure. It has lower transaction fees for the Express Pay option, and you don’t have to meet specific requirements. In comparison, DoorDash’s Instant Pay has eligibility requirements. 

Additionally, your Direct Pay card lets you get rewards, discounts, and cashback, not only from gas purchases but also from restaurant orders and car maintenance services. 

DoorDash vs Lyft: How to Start Earning Money?

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DoorDash Sign-up Process

To sign up at DoorDash and start earning money, here are the steps you should follow:

1. Go to the Dasher application website and fill out the online form with your basic information, such as zip code, email, and phone number.
2. Complete your profile, choose your vehicle type, and upload documents to prove your identity.
3. Undergo and pass a background check. 
4. Add your bank account information.
5. Download the Dasher app to your smartphone and accept your first order.
6. Complete your first order and update your mailing address. 
7. Receive the Welcome Kit and accept your next orders. 

Lyft Sign-up Process

Here are the steps to sign up with Lyft and start earning:

1. Confirm if you meet the eligibility requirements and download the Lyft driver app to your smartphone. 
2. Use your phone number and email address to sign up for an account.
3. Wait for your welcome kit in the mail.
4. If required, get your vehicle inspected.
5. Accept ride requests through the Lyft driver app.
6. Select options to get paid. 

Verdict: When it comes to the sign-up process, DoorDash seems to be the better option, as you can do most steps online. In comparison, you might still need to get your car inspected with Lyft. 

DoorDash vs Lyft: Which is Better for Customer?

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	DoorDash	Lyft
Availability	Over 7,000 cities in the US, Canada, Japan, and Australia	Over 650 cities in the US
Number of restaurants	Over 390,000 partnered restaurants	n/a
Average delivery time	40 minutes	16 to 20 minutes
Trustpilot reviews	1.2	1.1
Google Play reviews	4.6	4.0
Apple Store reviews	4.8	4.9

Considering that these companies offer different services, it’s difficult to gauge what appeals more to customers. However, it’s noteworthy that DoorDash is available in more cities. Also, its average customer ratings are higher than Lyft’s.

After checking individual customer reviews, some of the most mentioned reasons they like DoorDash are:

• Quick and professional delivery drivers
• Dependable customer service team
• Availability of deliveries for grocery and household items

Best DoorDash & Lyft Alternatives

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