Ride sharing and delivery apps are a great way to make some extra cash on the side. There are tons of options out there today, such as Amazon Flex, DoorDash, Uber, and more. With so many options at your disposal, it can be difficult to tell which one is the best for your side gig.
This article will explain the differences between Amazon Flex and DoorDash, as well as compare some of the pros and cons of each. Hopefully this will help you decide which one is best for your side hustle.
How Much Can You Make With Amazon Flex?
Let’s get down to brass tax. The meat of the matter is how much Amazon Flex actually pays. The app has a fairly straightforward payment structure built around the concept of ‘time blocks’.
Essentially, once you have gotten set up with your Amazon Flex account, you have to reserve ‘blocks’ of time during which you intend to deliver packages. These blocks are first-come-first-serve, so working in densely populated areas can be pretty competitive.
If you manage to nab a timeslot, you will be shown the payout and expected delivery time for that block in the Amazon Flex app. The base pay is $18 per hour; so a 2-hour block of time will pay $36 dollars, for example.
If you manage to complete all of your deliveries within a faster timeframe, you still get paid for the full block of time. In other words, if you complete two hours’ worth of deliveries in one hour, you still get paid for two hours of work ($36).
Although Amazon Flex does not cover expenses such as fuel and vehicle maintenance, it may be possible to claim these as business expenses on your tax return. For more information on this visit Keepertax.com.
Also note that it’s important to always fill out your tax forms honestly and accurately in order to avoid landing yourself in hot water.
Differences Between Amazon Flex and DoorDash
DoorDash is a well-known food delivery app that allows drivers to sign up and deliver food from restaurants to customers. The service is similar to other ride-sharing apps like UberEats or SkipTheDishes, but there are some key differences that set it apart from the rest.
Just like with Amazon Flex, drivers require a valid SSN and driver’s license in order to sign up for DoorDash. You will also need proof of insurance for the vehicle you intend to use for your deliveries. Unlike Amazon Flex, there is no vehicle requirement. Drivers for DoorDash can deliver using scooters, motorcycles, or whatever you have at your disposal.
DoorDash drivers are referred to as ‘dashers’. Dashers are tasked with picking up food from restaurants and delivering it to customers. These deliveries will be shorter and more time-sensitive compared to Amazon Flex deliveries, since the food will need to be delivered quickly in order to ensure freshness.
Dashers must be aware of a few different metrics that measure their performance as delivery drivers:
- Customer rating. Customers will rate your performance after you complete your delivery. Low customer ratings can disqualify you from bonuses, or even cost you your job.
- Completion rating. Your completion rating represents how many deliveries you complete after you accept them. Making sure to complete every delivery you accept is crucial to keeping your job at DoorDash.
- Acceptance rating. Your acceptance rating represents the percentage of offers you accept when they are presented to you. You don’t need to accept every single offer that comes up, but you might need to take on some less-than-profitable deliveries from time to time if you want to keep DoorDash happy.
Like Amazon Flex, DoorDash drivers are responsible for all of their own expenses while delivering food. This includes fuel, vehicle costs, cell phone costs, and any other expenses you may incur while on delivery.
Like Amazon Flex, these expenses may qualify as deductible business expenses on your taxes. Always make sure to fill out tax form honestly and accurately to ensure you’re paying the right amount.
DoorDash drivers get to keep 100% of the delivery fees, bonuses, and tips from their deliveries. DoorDash itself only keeps the fees paid by the restaurant to retain the service.
Drivers can also get up to $750 in bonus cash when they sign up, depending on the city in which they are operating. You will typically need to perform a minimum amount of deliveries in order to qualify for this bonus.
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Does DoorDash Pay More Than Amazon Flex?
Payment for different delivery apps is highly dependent on the area you work in, and the specific demand for different services. Delivering for Amazon Flex in some cities in the US can make you more than driving for DoorDash, where others might be different. It all depends on what is available in your area.
According to Sidehusl.com, Amazon Flex pays the most compared to other delivery apps in 5/10 markets surveyed throughout the United States. In Dallas-Ft. Worth, for example, Amazon Flex pays out approximately 27% more than the nest leading competitor.
Of course, this will depend heavily on the city and state you live in. Amazon Flex is generally within the top three highest earning apps across the US, along with Uber and GrubHub. These apps are the top paying delivery apps in 7/10 major cities in the US.
Want to learn more about Amazon Flex or DoorDash? Check out this articles to learn if Amazon Flex takes out taxes.
The Verdict
The contest between Amazon Flex and DoorDash will depend on a number of factors. First and foremost, the amount of money you can make will are affected heavily by the area in which you live.
Most large cities across the US pay out more for Amazon Flex than they do for DoorDash. That being said, you might be able to make more with DoorDash if you live in a more rural area, or an area with fewer local restaurants.
The benefits and bonuses are roughly the same across both platforms, although the requirements for Amazon Flex are stricter than they are for DoorDash. In the end, it really depends on personal preference.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to fire away in the comments section.