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Best Grocery Delivery Service in 2026: 8 Services Compared

Best Grocery Delivery Service in 2026: 8 Services Compared
Instacart logo
First choiceInstacart

Widest store choice · Starting price: $9.99 per month

Go to Instacart
Walmart+ logo
Second choiceWalmart+
Visit
Amazon Fresh logo
Third choiceAmazon Fresh
Visit

How we put this together: we compare official feature and pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public user reviews. Prices change, so check the provider's site before you pay.

Key takeaways

  • Instacart offers the widest store choice, while Walmart and Amazon Fresh are stronger when you mainly shop at one chain.
  • Memberships only pay off if you order often, so count your orders per month before you join.
  • Item markups matter more than delivery fees for large baskets, so compare a few staple prices before you commit.
  • Pickup is often the cheapest option, and it is free or low cost with several services on this list.
  • The best grocery delivery apps are the ones that cover the stores you already use, not the ones with the longest store list nationally.

Quick comparison

NameWho it suitsStarting priceFree option
InstacartWidest store choice$9.99 per monthNoVisit
Walmart+Everyday low prices from Walmart$12.95 per monthFree trialVisit
Amazon FreshPrime members who want fast deliverySee websiteNoVisit
ShiptTarget shoppers who want no markups at Target$10.99 per monthNoVisit
Kroger DeliveryKroger family shoppers and fuel pointsSee websiteNoVisit
DoorDashGrocery plus restaurant delivery in one app$9.99 per monthFree trialVisit
Thrive MarketOrganic and natural groceries on a budgetSee websiteNoVisit
FreshDirectPremium fresh food in the NortheastSee websiteNoVisit

The best grocery delivery services

Grocery delivery has split into two kinds of service: marketplaces that shop many stores for you, and single-store services that deliver from their own shelves. We compared official feature pages, pricing pages, app store listings and public reviews, and we focused on fees, minimums, item pricing, coverage and pickup options.

01Instacart logo

Instacart

Who it suits: Widest store choice

Go to Instacart
Starting price$9.99 per month
Free optionNo
Instacart website
instacart.com homepage

Instacart fits households that shop at several different stores. You can order from grocers, warehouse clubs, pharmacies and specialty shops in one app, and a personal shopper picks your items and messages you about substitutions. That flexibility is hard to match, especially if your weekly shop mixes a budget grocer, a warehouse club and a specialty store.

The catch is total cost. Delivery fees start from $3.99 for many orders, Instacart+ costs $99 per year or $9.99 per month, and a service fee still applies on most orders. Item prices are set by each retailer on the platform, and some are marked up against shelf prices, so a large basket can cost more than the delivery fee suggests.

Strengths
  • Very wide retailer choice
  • Fast same-day windows in many areas
  • Shopper chat for substitutions
Weaknesses
  • Item prices can be higher than in store
  • Service fees apply even with membership
02Walmart+ logo

Walmart+

Who it suits: Everyday low prices from Walmart

Go to Walmart+
Starting price$12.95 per month
Free optionFree trial
Walmart+ app screenshots
App Store screenshots

Walmart+ fits shoppers who already do most of their grocery shopping at Walmart. Members get free delivery on orders of $35 or more, free pickup, and the same item prices as in store, which removes the markup worry that affects marketplace apps. The membership also bundles other Walmart benefits, which can add value if you use them.

The limit is obvious: you get Walmart, and only Walmart. If you want a specialty grocer, a local market or a warehouse club, you will need a second service. The $98 per year annual price also needs regular orders to pay off, so occasional shoppers may do better paying per order or using pickup.

Strengths
  • Same prices as in store for groceries
  • Free delivery on orders of $35 or more for members
  • Free pickup with no minimum
Weaknesses
  • Limited to Walmart stores
  • Monthly price is higher than some rivals
03Amazon Fresh logo

Amazon Fresh

Who it suits: Prime members who want fast delivery

Go to Amazon Fresh
Starting priceSee website
Free optionNo
Amazon Fresh website
amazon.com homepage

Amazon Fresh fits Prime members who already shop on Amazon and live in a covered area. You can add groceries to the same account you use for other orders, choose fast delivery windows, and shop Whole Foods items where that option is available. For a household that already pays for Prime, that convenience is a real benefit.

The catch is coverage and thresholds. Amazon Fresh does not cover every town, and free delivery terms depend on your area, your Prime status and your order size. Check the delivery options for your exact address before you assume it will replace your usual grocer, and compare fresh produce quality over a few orders.

Strengths
  • Fast delivery windows in covered areas
  • Easy ordering beside other Amazon shopping
  • Whole Foods options in many areas
Weaknesses
  • Coverage is not nationwide
  • Delivery terms vary by area and order size
04Shipt logo

Shipt

Who it suits: Target shoppers who want no markups at Target

Go to Shipt
Starting price$10.99 per month
Free optionNo

Shipt fits Target regulars first, and other shoppers second. Members pay $99 per year or $10.99 per month, and get free delivery on orders of $35 or more, with a $7 fee under that threshold for members. At Target, members often pay the same prices as in store, which makes the total easy to predict and removes a common marketplace surprise.

The trade-off is choice. Shipt covers Target and a range of partner retailers, but its network is smaller than Instacart, especially outside larger cities. If your favourite local grocer is not on Shipt, the membership will not help, so check your area and your regular stores before you join.

Strengths
  • No markups at Target for members in many cases
  • Dedicated shoppers
  • Same-day delivery from several retailers
Weaknesses
  • Smaller store network than Instacart
  • Membership needed for the best delivery terms
05Kroger Delivery logo

Kroger Delivery

Who it suits: Kroger family shoppers and fuel points

Go to Kroger Delivery
Starting priceSee website
Free optionNo

Kroger Delivery fits loyal Kroger family shoppers. The banners include Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, King Soopers and others, depending on your region, and your digital coupons, loyalty rewards and fuel points can carry into online orders. That continuity matters if you already plan around weekly coupons and fuel savings.

The limit is geography. If you do not live near a Kroger family store, this service is not an option, and delivery fees, minimums and membership terms vary by area. Kroger Boost membership is worth checking if you order weekly, but occasional shoppers may find pickup or per-order delivery cheaper.

Strengths
  • Works across Kroger family banners
  • Digital coupons and fuel points carry over
  • Delivery and pickup options
Weaknesses
  • Only useful near a Kroger family store
  • Delivery fees and minimums vary by area
06DoorDash logo

DoorDash

Who it suits: Grocery plus restaurant delivery in one app

Go to DoorDash
Starting price$9.99 per month
Free optionFree trial

DoorDash fits people who want one app for groceries, convenience items and restaurant meals. Its grocery partners include large chains and local stores in many areas, and DashPass at $9.99 per month lowers delivery and service fees across eligible orders. For a late-night top-up shop or a missing ingredient, that speed is genuinely useful.

The catch is weekly shop value. DoorDash is built for speed and convenience, and its per-order fees, partner markups and small-basket costs can add up on a large shop. It works best as a top-up service beside a main weekly grocer, rather than as the only way you buy food.

Strengths
  • Wide partner network
  • Fast on-demand delivery
  • DashPass lowers fees across grocery and restaurants
Weaknesses
  • Grocery prices and fees vary by partner
  • Not always the cheapest for a large weekly shop
07Thrive Market logo

Thrive Market

Who it suits: Organic and natural groceries on a budget

Go to Thrive Market
Starting priceSee website
Free optionNo

Thrive Market fits shoppers who prioritise organic, natural and specialty pantry goods. Members get free delivery on orders of $49 or more, and the catalogue is curated around organic brands, dietary filters and sustainable products, which saves time if you usually read every label. It is a good pantry top-up service, especially for items your local store stocks inconsistently.

The limit is freshness and speed. Thrive Market is not a same-day replacement for milk, fresh meat and produce in most areas, and it requires a membership to get its member prices. Use it for pantry, snacks and household staples, and keep a local grocer for fresh weekly items.

Strengths
  • Curated organic and natural range
  • Free delivery on orders of $49 or more for members
  • Useful filters for diets
Weaknesses
  • Membership required
  • Not a same-day fresh grocer for most items
08FreshDirect logo

FreshDirect

Who it suits: Premium fresh food in the Northeast

Go to FreshDirect
Starting priceSee website
Free optionNo

FreshDirect fits shoppers in the New York metro area and parts of the Northeast who care most about fresh quality. Its range leans premium, with strong produce, prepared meals, local products and specialty items, and its delivery slots are built around fresh food rather than general retail. For a household that cooks often, that focus shows up in the box.

The obvious limit is coverage. FreshDirect does not serve most of the country, so it is not an option for most readers. Delivery fees and order minimums also apply, so check your address and a typical basket before you switch your weekly shop to it.

Strengths
  • Strong fresh produce and prepared foods
  • Curated local and specialty range
  • Reliable delivery slots in its area
Weaknesses
  • Northeast only
  • Delivery fees and minimums apply

How we picked these

We compared official feature pages, pricing pages, app store listings and public reviews, and we kept services that deliver groceries in October 2026, state their fees or membership terms publicly, and cover a meaningful area or a clear niche. We mixed marketplaces with single-store services and included a premium and a pantry option, so the list reflects how people actually shop, not just the largest national apps. Delivery terms vary by address, so always check your postcode before you join.

How to choose the right service

The cheapest service on paper is not always the cheapest for your basket. Use the checks below with your last few receipts, and you will get a clearer answer than any national ranking can give.

Start with your stores, then your frequency

List the two or three stores you use most, then check which services cover them. If one service covers all three, it wins on convenience even if another is slightly cheaper per order. Then count how often you order. A membership that costs about $99 per year needs roughly one order a week to beat per-order fees, depending on your area.

Compare a real basket, not just the delivery fee

Pick ten staples you buy every week, and compare their prices across two services, including service fees and tip where they apply. A service with free delivery but marked-up items can cost more than a service with a delivery fee and shelf prices. Do this once, and you will know which service is actually cheaper for you.

Consider pickup for the weekly shop

Pickup is often free or much cheaper than delivery, and it avoids substitution surprises because you can check items before you leave. Many households save most by using pickup for the large weekly shop and delivery only for top-ups, sick days and busy weeks. That split also makes a membership easier to justify, or easier to skip.

Frequently asked questions

Which grocery delivery service is best?

It depends on where you shop and how often you order. Instacart is best for widest store choice, Walmart+ is best for Walmart shoppers who want shelf prices, Amazon Fresh is best for Prime members in covered areas, and Shipt is best for Target regulars. Start with the stores you already use, then compare total basket cost.

What is the best grocery delivery service for groceries on a budget?

Walmart+ and Kroger Delivery are often cheapest for a large weekly shop, because item prices stay close to shelf prices and delivery is free above a threshold for members. Instacart can still win if it gives you access to a cheaper grocer you cannot reach otherwise. Compare ten staple prices before you decide, since markups matter more than the delivery fee.

Which grocery delivery services are the best for same-day delivery?

Instacart, Shipt, DoorDash and Amazon Fresh all offer same-day delivery in many covered areas, with windows that vary by store and time of day. DoorDash is often fastest for small top-up orders, while Instacart and Shipt handle larger same-day shops well. Availability depends on your address, so check delivery windows for your area at the time you usually shop.

What is the best grocery pickup service?

Walmart pickup is a strong default, because it is free with no minimum for many orders and uses shelf prices. Kroger, Target through Shipt partners, and Instacart pickup at participating retailers are also useful, depending on your area. Pickup wins when you want to save on fees and check substitutions yourself.

Is a grocery delivery membership worth it?

A membership is worth it if you order at least weekly and use the stores it covers. At about $98 to $99 per year for Walmart+, Instacart+ and Shipt, the fee pays off when it removes several delivery fees per month. If you order twice a month or less, per-order delivery or free pickup is usually cheaper.

Do grocery delivery services accept SNAP or EBT?

Many large services accept SNAP or EBT for eligible grocery items in covered areas, including Instacart, Amazon Fresh, Walmart and Kroger, but rules and eligible items vary by state and retailer. Check the service help pages for your state and store before you order, and confirm which items qualify at checkout.

Sources we checked (8)
  1. https://www.instacart.com
  2. https://www.walmart.com/plus
  3. https://www.amazon.com/fresh
  4. https://www.shipt.com
  5. https://www.kroger.com
  6. https://www.doordash.com
  7. https://thrivemarket.com
  8. https://www.freshdirect.com
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