Best grocery delivery service: We compare Shipt vs. Walmart+ vs. Instacart vs. Clicklist

Here at WeTried.It, we’re just an average family, facing the same online ads and product promises as you. Our reviews come from real-life use, providing you with trustworthy, down-to-earth advice on what to buy (and what to skip).

Best grocery delivery service Review: You have probably seen the advertisements for the new Target Delivery Service, Shipt. Or more recently, the new Walmart Delivery service, WalMart+. Or seen Kroger (or King Soopers) advertise Clicklist (actually, now just called “Pickup”).

Which online grocery delivery service is the best? Which online grocery is the cheapest?

What is Grocery Delivery?

Definition of Grocery Delivery

Grocery delivery is a modern convenience that allows you to order groceries and household essentials online or through mobile apps, and have them delivered right to your doorstep. Imagine skipping the crowded aisles and long checkout lines, and instead, shopping from the comfort of your couch. Grocery delivery services partner with a variety of stores in different locations, offering a wide range of products, including fresh produce, meat, dairy products, and household essentials. This service not only saves you time but also provides the flexibility to have your groceries delivered at a time that suits your schedule. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent juggling multiple tasks, or someone who simply prefers the ease of online shopping, grocery delivery services can make your life a whole lot easier.

Or read on to learn how to decided that Shipt was the best online grocery service. We compare prices, service and speed!

Instacart vs. Shipt: Which is better?

Shipt and Instacart are very different, and both are very good, honestly. The main difference between Instacart and Shipt is who owns them. Target owns Shipt, and currently, Instacart is a privately owned company.

Both services impose delivery fees for orders under certain thresholds, with Shipt typically charging $7 for smaller orders, while Instacart’s fees range from $3.99 to $5.99 depending on location.

Instacart shoppers play a key role in the grocery delivery service, with potential earnings varying based on the number of orders and tips received.

Shipt shoppers also benefit from a straightforward application process, community involvement through a dedicated Facebook group, and competitive earnings while delivering groceries.

What does this mean for you in the Shipt vs. Instacart battle?

To be 100% honest with you: I think Instacart’s interface and selection is much better than Shipt’s. However, we use Shipt more often than Instacart. Like 10X more often. Both services require a membership fee to unlock benefits such as free delivery on qualifying orders. They recently updated the interface to have more focus on the different stores:

Paying the annual or monthly membership fee provides customers with unlimited free delivery on qualifying orders and reduced service fees, making these services more cost-effective compared to order placements from nonsubscribers.

They even highlight that Target has in-store prices.

Why do we pick Shipt over Instacart?

Because Shipt is much cheaper than Instacart and we can find almost everything you want from Shipt. Shipt also provides free grocery delivery as an incentive for their shoppers, where individuals can maintain free membership by completing a grocery order once every 90 days.

We also love that they now added the ability to search for products across all stores, to find the best grocery delivery option for you.

When to choose Instacart over Shipt?

This is really easy: choose Shipt for Target runs. Choose Instacart for everything else. Instacart pay varies significantly based on location, efficiency, and delivery method, with additional income from tips impacting overall earnings.

Since every shipping provider (except Shipt and Clicklist – for the most part, more on that later) charge a pretty percentage above retail prices to offer the service, the only time I’d pick Shipt over Instacart is for orders at Target.

Our pick for the largest selection

Everything else is around the same price and more user-friendly via Instacart. In addition, you can get items from Costco and much more on Instacart but you can’t on Shipt.

A close, #2 Option

Walmart+ is like that reliable friend who always shows up when you need them. Better yet, you can get it for free (at no additional charge) with your American Express Platinum Card.

Walmart Plus offers a plethora of benefits including:

1. Free delivery from your local store (some restrictions apply, and there’s a minimum order amount, but hey, who buys just one thing from Walmart, right?).

2. Member prices on fuel (because who doesn’t want to save a few pennies at the pump?).

Now, about that American Express Platinum card. This shiny piece of metal isn’t just for show. It comes with a host of benefits, one of which could be a free Walmart+ membership.

To get this benefit, you’d typically need to log into your American Express account and look for the offer. If it’s available, you can activate it and voila! You’re in the Walmart+ club, and you didn’t have to pay a dime.

Remember, though, the devil is in the details. Make sure to read the terms and conditions of the offer to ensure you’re eligible and understand how it works. It’s like reading the rules before playing a board game – it might be a bit tedious, but it saves you from any “Wait, you can do WHAT now?!” moments later on.

Who’s cheaper: Shipt, Walmart+, Instacart or Clicklist?

Many people don’t know this, but MOST online ordering sites mark up the cost for the food. Want to get something through Door Dash or Uber Eats? They are probably marking up the cost by about 10% or so. Not a lot, barely enough to notice, however, it adds up really quick. Additionally, delivery fees are structured differently for each service, with Shipt typically charging $7 for smaller orders and Instacart’s fees ranging from $3.99 to $5.99 depending on location.

We were actually tipped off by this while visiting Instacart’s website. One part of Instacart’s website has us a little alarmed. Were we overpaying for products? Moreover, both Shipt and Instacart require a membership fee to unlock benefits such as free delivery on qualifying orders, with detailed cost structures compared to one-time delivery fees.

Instacart, more expensive than in-store?

So, we decided to do a test between Shipt, Clicklist and Instacart. We took a recent order of about 14 items (watch the comparison video to see the whole list) ranging from eggs to laundry detergent.

Meet the Contenders: Shipt, Walmart, Instacart + Clicklist

Shipt vs. Clicklist vs. Instacart – Who is Cheaper?

In our first comparison we did – Shipt was SLIGHTLY Cheaper. However, we recently compared Shipt with Walmart+ for a recent order we completed with Shipt and we were actually surprised at the results. Subscribers to services like Shipt and Instacart+ can benefit from reduced service fees, making these services more cost-effective compared to nonsubscribers.

As you can see here, Shipt’s groceries were cheaper by a small margin when you simply look at the price of the groceries. However, the reason why both Shipt and Walmart are green is that Walmart did not have some of the premium brands we typically buy at Target/Shipt: like many of the Tillamook Cheese products. In that case, we substituted some less-premium brands – and that drove down the price.

Clicklist/Kroger usually has the same offers as it offers in-store. For example, you can usually find the 3 Coke 12 Packs for $10 at King Soopers and using Clicklist. Coke products on Shipt are almost always full retail price. If you spent the time looking for the best deal, Clicklist might be much cheaper.

Membership and Pricing

Membership Options and Fees

When it comes to membership options and pricing, both Shipt and Instacart offer plans that cater to different needs and budgets. Shipt provides a few flexible options: a monthly membership for $14, a yearly membership for $99, and a single delivery option for $10 if you prefer not to commit. On the other hand, Instacart offers its Instacart Express membership at $99 per year or $9.99 per month, which also includes free delivery on orders over $35.

However, there are some differences in the fine print. Instacart charges a service fee of 5% on all orders, with a minimum fee of $2, which can add up over time. Shipt, in contrast, does not charge a service fee for members who place orders over $35, making it a potentially more economical choice for frequent shoppers. Non-members of both services will need to pay a delivery fee, which varies depending on the location and the type of order. So, if you’re weighing the options between Shipt and Instacart, consider how often you plan to use the service and the potential savings on delivery and service fees.

Store Selection and Availability

Partner Stores and Locations

One of the key factors in choosing a grocery delivery service is the selection of stores they partner with. Shipt has a robust network, partnering with popular retailers like Target, Costco, CVS, and various local grocery stores. This means you can get a wide variety of products, from fresh produce to household essentials, all delivered to your door.

Instacart, on the other hand, boasts an even more extensive list of partners, working with over 300 retailers and grocery stores nationwide. This includes big names like Albertsons, ALDI, Costco, CVS, Kroger, Publix, Sam’s Club, and Sprouts. The availability of these stores can vary depending on your location, so it’s a good idea to check the Shipt or Instacart website and enter your ZIP code to see which stores are available in your area. Whether you prefer the familiarity of your local grocery stores or the variety offered by larger chains, both Shipt and Instacart provide plenty of options to meet your grocery needs.

Shipt Vs. Clicklist Vs. Instacart – Fees

The winner, again, here is Shipt. Here’s how the order totals look when you add in the fees, assuming you do 30 orders a year.

Who’s faster? Shipt vs. Walmart+ vs. Instacart vs. Clicklist

During the middle of the day, waits are much lower. However, if you want and order after 4 PM, you will probably wait until the next day.

Grocery Delivery Service, who’s more friendly?

Good

Shipt vs. Instacart vs. Clicklist: The winner + final verdict

Other Perks

One of the extra perks of Walmart’s grocery delivery service is that members receive two big bonuses not found on other online delivery services:

1. $0.05 Off Fuel – not huge (only save $0.50 or so a fill-up), but something

2. Free shipping on Walmart.com with no minimum order. Obviously, this is a shot over Amazon’s bow, but an interesting one to say the least.

Best Online Grocery Delivery Service – Final Thoughts

Simply put: use Shipt if you are ordering from Target. Use Instacart for everything else. When comparing the two grocery delivery services, Shipt and Instacart, key differences in pricing, availability, and customer service can help you decide which is best for your needs.

I will say that if you are more of a Target person, I’d go with Shipt, but if you are more of a Walmart person, go with Walmart+. They are about the same price and offer an experience that mirrors the brands. And that’s not a dis on Walmart vs. Target, either.

Saying what the best online grocery delivery service is kinda like saying what the best grocery store is – it really depends. We, frankly, use both Shipt and Amazon Grocery (via Whole Foods). But that’s also where we would shop in person.

We also shop, in-person at Costco a lot (available via Instacart). We don’t use Instacart for Costco, however, because they mark up prices on Costco’s site AND Costco frequently changes their stock.

So, for us, if we had to pick one winner, it’d be Shipt! But if you are a tried-and-true WalMart Shopper, check out Walmart+. You’ll soon be spoiled by not having to go to the grocery store every again.