A Comparative Analysis Of DoorDash vs. Postmates for Drivers

• Subhnandani Yadav
• June 01, 2023
• 4 min read

When it comes to food delivery services, both Postmates and DoorDash have made significant strides in creating user-friendly platforms. However, from the driver’s perspective, there are two crucial points to consider. Firstly, Postmates app development focuses on providing a seamless experience for drivers, ensuring easy navigation and efficient order management.

Secondly, DoorDash app development emphasizes driver-friendly features like transparent earnings breakdown and flexible scheduling options. These aspects showcase the commitment of both platforms to prioritize driver satisfaction. Ultimately, determining the best choice for drivers would depend on individual preferences and specific needs. Nonetheless, Postmates and DoorDash have strived to create positive experiences for their drivers through app development efforts.

History of Postmates and DoorDash

Postmates, founded in 2011, is a renowned on-demand food delivery platform based in San Francisco.

It has revolutionized the food delivery industry by offering various options from various restaurants and establishments, ensuring customers can conveniently satisfy their cravings. In November 2020, Postmates reached a significant milestone when it was acquired by Uber Eats, leading to strategic changes that further enhanced its unique selling proposition (USP).

On the other hand, DoorDash, founded in 2013, is another central food delivery platform headquartered in San Francisco.

With its innovative business model, DoorDash provides various food delivery services catering to culinary preferences. It connects hungry customers with their favorite restaurants, delivering delectable meals to their doorstep. With a user-friendly app and a vast network of partner restaurants, DoorDash has revolutionized how people enjoy their favorite meals, offering convenience, choice, and quality with every order.

Due to the massive popularity of these two apps, many businesses are hiring food delivery app development services providers to develop such apps.

DoorDash Driver vs. Postmates Driver App

While DoorDash and Postmates operate with the same core concept, notable differences set them apart.

Discover the Earnings Potential of Apps Like Postmates & DoorDash For Drivers

By leveraging the opportunities offered by food delivery clone services like Postmates and DoorDash, and being mindful of expenses and tax responsibilities, you can enjoy a rewarding and profitable experience as a delivery driver.

If you are considering joining the leaderboard of delivery drivers with Postmates or DoorDash, rest assured that the earning potential can be quite promising, especially in bustling metropolitan areas. To maximize your income, it’s vital to position yourself in high-traffic locations within large cities. Additionally, being available during peak hours—lunch and dinner times, weekends, and holidays—will significantly boost your earnings.

One factor to keep in mind is minimizing downtime. Long periods between deliveries can impact your overall pay. For example, imagine your first delivery took 20 minutes, but then you had to wait for another order for 20 minutes without earning anything. It is why many drivers choose to work for both Postmates and DoorDash, ensuring a steady stream of orders.

As a driver, it’s essential to consider the expenses of the job. These include gas, frequent car maintenance, wear and tear on your vehicle, and specialized insurance for rideshare and food delivery.

Additionally, since both Postmates and DoorDash couriers are independent contractors, you are responsible for managing taxes. While the companies will provide 1099-MISC forms for drivers who earn $600 or more annually, it’s essential to report all your earnings, even if they fall below that threshold—especially if you make $600 or more combined from both platforms.

Cost to Build Postmates or DoorDash App

The cost to build a food delivery app like Postmates can vary for Android and iOS platforms. An established app development company can provide a fair estimate for a clone app. Creating a DoorDash or Postmates clone app costs $12,000 to $40,000 for a basic version. For a more advanced app, expenses can reach around $90,000. Cost estimates are subject to factors like desired features, design complexity, development time, and team expertise. Consult a professional app development company for an accurate cost estimate tailored to your project.

Steps to Build Clones of Postmates or DoorDash App

Building a DoorDash-like app requires dedication, attention to detail, and a customer-centric approach. Following these steps in the development process, you can create an app that delights users and contributes to your business’s success.

Step 1: Conceptualization & Market Research

Begin by brainstorming and defining the core concept of your on-demand delivery app for drivers, taking inspiration from successful platforms like DoorDash. Conduct in-depth market research to identify your target audience, understand their needs, and determine the potential demand for your app.

Step 2: Wireframing and Prototyping

Create wireframes and prototypes of your app’s user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). This step helps visualize the app’s flow, navigation, and overall design. It also allows you to gather important feedback from potential users and make necessary adjustments before moving forward.

Step 3: Technology Stack Selection

Choose the appropriate technology stack for your app, including programming languages, frameworks, and databases. Consider scalability, performance, and security while making these decisions to ensure a stable and efficient app.

Step 4: Backend Development

Develop the backend infrastructure of your app, including servers, databases, APIs, and integration with third-party services.

Step 5: Frontend Development

Design and develop the user-facing frontend of your app, focusing on intuitive navigation, attractive visuals, and a seamless user experience. Pay attention to responsiveness across different devices to cater to a wide range of users.

Step 6: Feature Implementation

Implement essential features such as user registration and login, restaurant listing, driver onboarding, order placement, real-time tracking, payment integration, and customer reviews. To enhance user engagement, consider incorporating advanced features like personalized recommendations, loyalty programs, and social sharing.

Step 7: Testing and Quality Assurance

Conduct rigorous testing to identify and fix any bugs, usability issues, or performance bottlenecks. Perform functional, compatibility, security, and performance testing to ensure a stable and reliable app.

Step 8: Deployment and Launch

Prepare for app deployment on the desired platforms, such as iOS and Android. Comply with the platform guidelines and submit your app for review. Once approved, launch your app with a strategic marketing plan to create awareness and attract initial users.

Step 9: Continuous Improvement

Regularly gather user feedback, monitor app performance, and analyze user behavior to identify areas of improvement. Continuously update your app with new features, bug fixes, and security patches to provide an exceptional user experience and stay ahead of the competition.

Final Verdict: Which One is Best For Drivers?

DoorDash and Postmates offer legitimate and rewarding side hustles for drivers. However, DoorDash stands out in our ratings due to its higher average hourly earnings, flexible scheduling options, and more significant market presence. Postmates and DoorDash are excellent options for flexible side gigs, enabling you to earn money during your free time at a pay rate comparable to popular services like Uber or Lyft.

If you are eager to maximize your earnings and have the availability, try out both apps and determine which suits you best. It’s an excellent opportunity to boost your income while enjoying the advantages of a flexible schedule.