Deliveroo vs Just Eat vs Uber Eats: Compared
This side hustle at a glance
| Earning Potential | Time to Start | Set-Up Cost | Location | Time Commitment | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium | Quick | Low | On-the-Road | Moderate | Beginner |
🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk One-Minute Podcast – Comparing Food Delivery Driver Earnings in the UK.
DELIVEROO VS JUST EAT VS UBER EATS: WHICH ONE IS BEST FOR DRIVERS?
When eating at restaurants was restricted during the pandemic, the food delivery industry flourished. This trend has continued on to the present, with more and more people seeing the convenience it offers. Along with this rise in demand came the need for food delivery drivers.
In the UK, there’s been a steady increase in people signing up as delivery riders. This gig became a main or secondary source of income, especially for those with some free time. If you’re considering becoming one, what are the things you should do? More importantly, which delivery app offers the best experience and pay?
We have shared a comprehensive guide to help you understand the three biggest companies of the industry: Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats. Keep reading to learn more.
key takeaways
| Criteria | Deliveroo | Just Eat | Uber Eats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Hourly Pay | £14 (fluctuates between £6 to £19) | £9.78 (up to £14.70 in London) | £9.81 (ranges between £7 to £14) |
| Payment Scheme | Per-drop | Per-drop or hourly (guaranteed minimum wage) | Per pick-up, drop-off, and mileage |
| Bonuses/Incentives | Yes, but not guaranteed | Holiday and sick pay | Uber Eats Pro (reward program) |
| Benefits | Hot drinks, discounts with partners | Guaranteed minimum wage, holiday pay, sick pay, equipment, fleet of electric bikes | Discounts on classes, fuel savings, subsidized gym memberships, discounted insurance |
| Time to Onboard | Few days | Few days | Few weeks |
| Required Documents | Vehicle, safety gear, smartphone, proof of right to work | Driving license, business insurance, valid ID, proof of right to work | Varies depending on vehicle type |
| Hidden Costs | Petrol, insurance, vehicle wear and tear | Petrol, insurance, possible document fees | Petrol, insurance, possible document fees |
| Market Share | 34% of app downloads in 2022 | 45% market share in 2021 | 37% of app downloads in 2022 |
This table gives you an overview, helping you make an informed choice on which platform might be best suited for you if you're considering becoming a food delivery driver. Read the full article below for more detailed information on each platform.
table of contents
- Earning Potential of Food Delivery Drivers
- What Is the Average Amount of Income To Expect as a Food Delivery Driver?
- The Delivery App Market in the UK
- Deliveroo
- Just Eat
- Uber Eats
- What About Hidden Costs?
- FAQs
- Deliveroo vs JustEat vs Uber Eats — 2023 UK Pay Comparison: The Final Verdict
- Real-World Insight
- Article Sources
Earning Potential of Food Delivery Drivers
Your earnings, on average, can fluctuate between £7 to £14 depending on your local area, the type of app you use, and other factors. We will dive deeper into the earning potentials of each food delivery app further below.
While the range above is near the minimum wage, remember that there are plenty of other expenses that could reduce the income of a driver. For example, petrol costs, insurance, and possible hidden fees could affect your earnings.
On the flip side, you can employ strategic approaches to increase your earnings. For example, you can pick in-demand or high-traffic spots like city centres or dense residential areas. Working during peak hours or days, like the weekends, can also improve your pay.
What Is the Average Amount of Income To Expect as a Food Delivery Driver?
According to Indeed, a UK food delivery driver can earn an average of £11.85 per hour, which is a little above the nationwide minimum wage of £10.18 for people aged 23 and above. Other sources estimate the average pay to as low as £9.74 per hour.
While the latter statistic can be disheartening, UK delivery drivers can leverage the variable nature of food delivery. Some hours will be busier than others, and some spots will be more in demand. In other words, you will have to be strategic about your approach. Sitting around and waiting for orders will not help you reach your daily quota. The apps we’re discussing have either hourly or per-drop rate, so making more deliveries means more income if you choose the latter.
The Delivery App Market in the UK
Just Eat is the current biggest delivery app in the UK, having a market share of 45% in 2021. However, both Deliveroo and Uber Eats are catching up. In fact, around 37% of food delivery app downloads in 2022 were just for Uber Eats. Deliveroo comes close at 34% and Just Eat was the final major player at 30%.
As the data shows, each food delivery app is almost as popular as the other. The name doesn’t matter, in short. For those who are considering signing up as a food delivery driver, the smaller details of each app can make a lot of difference to your final decision.
Here’s how each company compares to the others.
Deliveroo
Having been around since 2013, Deliveroo focuses on a “hyperlocal” marketplace. The company connects local grocers and restaurants to consumers through their riders. Deliveroo drivers are recognisable for their robin egg blue uniforms.
How Much Can You Earn From Deliveroo?
The company doesn’t publicly advertise the total earnings of their drivers. Instead, we have to rely on reviews on sites like Indeed and Glassdoor. On average, a Deliveroo driver earns £14 hourly. This amount could fluctuate between £6 to £19, although the extremes are probably uncommon. To reach the upper bracket, you may need to work on the app’s busiest days, such as holidays and weekends.
Deliveroo follows a per-drop scheme to pay their drivers. This means that you’ll earn for every delivery you make and not the hours you’ve been working. According to former drivers writing reviews, the pay per drop ranges from £3 to £4. To reach the average hourly range, you will need to make three to four drops. Some drivers are able to reach more by picking up multiple orders from a single restaurant.
Another way to increase your earnings is through Deliveroo’s bonuses. During hectic days and in busy areas, you may be able to receive incentives. Still, these aren’t guaranteed.
You should also be mindful of or at least expect the slow days. During these moments, you could see as low as one to two drops an hour.
Benefits for Deliveroo Drivers
According to Deliveroo, delivery riders can enjoy plenty of benefits from the company. You will need to log in to your account to access these. While Deliveroo hasn’t outlined the specific types of perks you may get, they’ve mentioned that it ranges from hot drinks to discounts with their partners. These include vehicle accessory companies and money management software.
Becoming a Deliveroo Driver
You must undergo an application process to become a fully fledged Deliveroo driver. As of writing, the company will require you to have the following:
- Vehicle (car, bike, or scooter) with insurance and licence
- Safety gear
- Smartphone with at least iOS 13.6 or Android 6 operating systems
- Proof of right to work self-employed in the UK
- 18 years of age and above
Visit the
Deliveroo website
or download the app, then start the application process. The company will review your documents and decide whether you’re accepted or not. Typically, this process takes a few days.
key takeaway
Deliveroo focuses on a “hyperlocal” marketplace. The company connects local grocers and restaurants to consumers through their riders. Deliveroo drivers are recognisable for their robin egg blue uniforms.
Just Eat
As the UK leader in food delivery, Just Eat works with around 30,000 local restaurants and food companies in the country. They hold the majority of the food delivery market share, and they’ve also begun to offer grocery deliveries in 2021. Their drivers have a distinct orange uniform.
How Much Can You Earn From Just Eat?
Like Deliveroo, Just Eat hasn’t explicitly outlined the payment scheme for drivers. On Indeed, past employees have mentioned that they usually earn an average of £9.78 per hour. This is considerably lower than Deliveroo. The higher end is at £14.70 an hour, with those in London claiming to earn an average of £10.20.
In 2020, Just Eat made some major changes to the payment model. They now guarantee that every rider will be entitled to at least the national minimum wage. This pay will be applicable whether the driver is a full-time, part-time, or zero-hour driver. In addition, delivery drivers will have added perks such as sick and holiday pay.
Most of the above applies to steady workers and those based in London, who are paid on an hourly basis. You can also work as an independent contractor. In this case, you earn on a per-drop basis. You’re paid the transit pay for each delivery you make.
Benefits for Just Eat Drivers
While Deliveroo has a higher average hourly pay, Just Eat shines in terms of the benefits it gives to drivers. You can enjoy the following advantages if you successfully become a rider.
- Guaranteed minimum wage pay
- Holiday pay
- Sick pay
- Maternal/paternal leave with pay
- Access to the company fleet of electric bikes
- Equipment (some are for rental)
Becoming a Just Eat Driver
Similar to Deliveroo, you will need to undergo an online application process to become a Just Eat delivery driver. Make sure to accomplish and submit the following documents:
- Driving licence
- Business insurance
- Valid ID
- Proof of right to work in the UK
You will also be required to sign up on the website or through the courier app. Having a phone with an updated OS is also necessary. Just Eats will process your application for a few days before telling you if you’re accepted or not.
key takeaway
Just Eat is the UK leader in food delivery, with around 30,000 local restaurants and food companies in the country. They hold the majority of the food delivery market share, and they’ve also begun to offer grocery deliveries in 2021. Their drivers have a distinct orange uniform.
Uber Eats
Uber Eats is an American company that has grown extremely popular in recent years, moving to international territories like the UK. Uber Eats is also the fastest-growing company among the three, with more and more app downloads over the years.
How Much Can You Earn from Uber Eats?
Uber Eats has published a matrix in the past to help drivers understand how much they’re going to get paid. However, this may no longer be accurate since the rates have changed after the 2022 High Court ruling, which prompted Uber Eats to change how payments work. Now, the company works with drivers as employees and not as independent contractors.
From the ruling, the take-home pay remains the same. However, riders saw a dip in the minimum fee, which is now £2.80 from a previous amount of £3.50. According to Uber Eats, this reduction reflects the removal of the 20% service fee, which Uber Eats took in the previous model. In short, drivers earn the same amount.
In addition to the minimum service fee, drivers earn per pick-up, drop-off, and mileage. The rates differ in London, Birmingham, and the rest of the UK. Add all these factors together, and the Uber Eats delivery driver earns between £7 to £14 per hour, averaging at £9.81.
Benefits for Uber Eats Drivers
The most distinct benefit offered by Uber Eats is Uber Eats Pro. This is a reward program that assigns drivers into tiers or levels. The higher you are (Diamond is the highest), the more perks you’ll enjoy. You level up by gathering points based on the number of deliveries you complete and customer feedback.
Some of these benefits are:
- Discounts for classes and courses
- Fuel savings
- Subsidised gym memberships
- Discounted food delivery insurance
Becoming an Uber Eats Driver
Unlike Deliveroo and Just Eats, becoming an Uber Eats courier takes a longer time, typically a few weeks. Background checks will be required after your initial application, so you will need to procure more documents before you finally begin working.
Step 1: Sign Up
Download the Uber Eats app and sign up with a new account. The app will also ask you to indicate the type of vehicle you have — a car, motorbike, or bicycle.
Step 2: Documents
The type of document you’ll submit depends on the type of vehicle you have.
Step 3: Background Check
Once you’ve submitted your initial documents, Uber Eats will ask you to complete a background check. You can begin working as soon as your application is approved.
key takeaway
Uber Eats is the fastest-growing company among the three. The most distinct benefit offered by Uber Eats is its reward program called Uber Eats Pro.
Signing up for the above food delivery apps is free. However, there will be additional expenses you’ll have to shoulder as you work. For example, some of the documents required by each app may require fees for processing. In addition, you will need to sign up for a courier insurance policy. This coverage can set you back up to 200 pounds a month.
You will also have to consider the wear and tear of your vehicle as mileage increases. Since you’ll be on the road for a majority of the day, your vehicle may be more prone to worn-down tires and physical deterioration.
Finally, there’s fuel. Deliveroo and Uber Eats don’t provide petrol allowance. Just Eats offers fuel savings, but you’ll hardly notice this. Make sure that you keep your petrol expenses in mind to ensure that you’re still making a profit.
FAQs
Deliveroo vs JustEat vs Uber Eats — 2023 UK Pay Comparison: The Final Verdict
Based on the above, Deliveroo seems to offer the highest hourly rate at £14.
Just Eat comes next at £10.20 and Uber Eats at £9.81. Still, you have to consider other factors before you commit to one of these apps.
You may put a higher priority on the apps that follow the national minimum wage. This guarantee helps you avoid losing too much during slow days. In addition, Deliveroo lacks comprehensive benefits that Uber Eats and Just Eat drivers enjoy. These benefits could help you save in the long run.
Of course, you can sign up for all three if you can to enjoy all the benefits and perks. Just make sure that you manage your time properly and avoid any conflicts. That way, you can avoid delayed deliveries and unsatisfied customers.
SIDEHUSTLES.CO.UK ONE-MINUTE PODCAST
🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk
One-Minute Podcast – Comparing Food Delivery Driver Earnings in the UK.
Considering becoming a food delivery driver in the UK? It's crucial to choose the right app, not just for immediate pay but also for long-term benefits. Our in-depth research suggests Deliveroo offers the highest average hourly rate at £14, followed by Just Eat and Uber Eats.
However, it's not just about the hourly rate. Just Eat guarantees at least the national minimum wage and offers benefits like holiday and sick pay. Uber Eats has a unique rewards program to earn additional perks. Balancing immediate earnings with long-term benefits can maximise your income in this growing industry.
Consider your priorities and read our comprehensive guide for all the details.
ARTICLE SOURCES
https://uk.indeed.com/career/delivery-driver/salaries/England
https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Delivery_Driver/Hourly_Rate
https://www.upmenu.com/blog/best-food-delivery-apps-uk/
https://deliveroo.co.uk/about-us
https://uk.indeed.com/cmp/Deliveroo/salaries
https://riders.deliveroo.co.uk/en/support/new-riders/how-do-i-get-paid
https://riders.deliveroo.co.uk/en/perks
https://courier-help.just-eat.co.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/360018133658-How-Courier-Pay-Works
https://couriers.just-eat.co.uk/application
https://www.uber.com/en-GB/blog/driver-terms-faq/
https://www.splend.co.uk/blog/how-much-do-uber-eats-drivers-earn-in-london/
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