Amazon Flex vs DoorDash vs Uber Eats: The Ultimate 2025 Comparison
Real earnings data, honest pros & cons, and everything you need to choose the best delivery platform for your situation.
Quick Platform Comparison
| Factor | Amazon Flex | DoorDash | Uber Eats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Hourly (After Expenses) | $16-25/hour | $12-20/hour | $11-19/hour |
| Schedule Flexibility | ⭐⭐⭐ (Blocks) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Getting Started | Hard (Waitlist) | Easy | Easy |
| Vehicle Requirements | Car/Van/Truck | Any Vehicle | Any Vehicle |
| Best For | Part-time income | Full flexibility | Quick cash |
Real Earnings Comparison (2025 Data)
Amazon Flex Earnings
Based on 3-5 hour scheduled blocks with surge pricing available
DoorDash Earnings
Varies by market saturation and peak pay availability
Uber Eats Earnings
Includes surge pricing and quest bonuses when available
Platform Deep Dive Analysis
Amazon Flex: The Package Delivery Giant
✅ Pros
- • Higher base pay: $18-20/hour minimum
- • Predictable income: Know earnings before accepting
- • Less wear on vehicle: Grouped deliveries
- • No customer interaction: Drop and go
- • Tips on Fresh/WF: Extra $20-50 per block
❌ Cons
- • Limited availability: Must compete for blocks
- • Waitlist to start: Can take months
- • Physical demands: Heavy packages
- • Deactivation risk: Strict metrics
- • Vehicle requirements: Need larger car
Best for: Part-time drivers who can commit to scheduled blocks and have a reliable vehicle. Excellent for those who prefer package delivery over food.
DoorDash: The Flexibility King
✅ Pros
- • Ultimate flexibility: Start/stop anytime
- • Any vehicle works: Car, bike, scooter
- • Instant start: Quick approval process
- • Market leader: Most order volume
- • Fast pay option: Daily cashout available
❌ Cons
- • Lower base pay: $2-3 per delivery
- • Market saturation: Too many drivers
- • Tip dependency: Income varies wildly
- • More driving: Single order trips
- • Wait times: Restaurant delays common
Best for: Drivers who need maximum flexibility and want to work whenever they have free time. Great for testing gig work or earning quick cash.
Uber Eats: The Multi-App Favorite
✅ Pros
- • Upfront addresses: See exactly where going
- • Trip supplements: Extra pay for long trips
- • Quest bonuses: Extra money for trip goals
- • Works with rideshare: Switch between apps
- • Good app design: Easy to navigate
❌ Cons
- • Lowest base pay: Often $2 per trip
- • Smaller market share: Fewer orders
- • Tip hiding: Don't see full amount
- • Acceptance rate games: Algorithm manipulation
- • Support issues: Hard to reach help
Best for: Multi-app drivers who want to maximize earnings by running multiple platforms. Good for urban areas with high order density.
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Feature | Amazon Flex | DoorDash | Uber Eats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sign-up Process | Waitlist (weeks/months) | Instant (1-3 days) | Instant (1-3 days) |
| Schedule Type | Block scheduling | On-demand + scheduling | On-demand only |
| Delivery Type | Packages + Groceries | Food + Retail | Food + Groceries |
| Payment Frequency | 2x weekly | Weekly (instant available) | Weekly (instant available) |
| Vehicle Options | Car/Van/Truck only | Car/Bike/Scooter/Walk | Car/Bike/Scooter/Walk |
| Background Check | Comprehensive (7 years) | Standard (3 years) | Standard (3 years) |
| Age Requirement | 21+ years old | 18+ years old | 19+ years old |
| Insurance Required | Personal auto | Personal auto | Personal auto |
Which Platform Should You Choose?
Choose Amazon Flex If You:
- ✓ Want higher guaranteed hourly pay
- ✓ Can commit to 3-5 hour blocks
- ✓ Have a larger vehicle (sedan or bigger)
- ✓ Prefer package delivery over food
- ✓ Live in a market with surge pricing
Choose DoorDash/Uber Eats If You:
- ✓ Need to start earning immediately
- ✓ Want to work random short periods
- ✓ Have a smaller vehicle or bike
- ✓ Prefer lighter physical work
- ✓ Want to multi-app for best earnings
🎯 Pro Strategy: Multi-App Approach
Many successful gig workers use multiple platforms to maximize earnings:
Morning/Afternoon Strategy
- • Amazon Flex: Morning package blocks
- • DoorDash: Lunch rush (11am-2pm)
- • Uber Eats: Fill gaps between
Evening/Weekend Strategy
- • DoorDash + Uber: Dinner rush multi-app
- • Amazon Flex: Weekend surge blocks
- • All platforms: Holiday peak times
Market-Specific Performance
Top Markets by Platform (2025)
Amazon Flex Top Markets
- 1. Seattle, WA - $28-40/hr
- 2. San Francisco, CA - $26-38/hr
- 3. New York, NY - $25-35/hr
- 4. Los Angeles, CA - $24-32/hr
- 5. Washington, DC - $23-30/hr
DoorDash Top Markets
- 1. San Francisco, CA - $20-28/hr
- 2. New York, NY - $18-26/hr
- 3. Chicago, IL - $17-24/hr
- 4. Boston, MA - $17-23/hr
- 5. Denver, CO - $16-22/hr
Uber Eats Top Markets
- 1. New York, NY - $18-25/hr
- 2. Los Angeles, CA - $17-24/hr
- 3. Miami, FL - $16-23/hr
- 4. Houston, TX - $15-22/hr
- 5. Atlanta, GA - $15-21/hr
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work for all three platforms at once?
Yes! There are no exclusivity requirements. Many drivers run multiple apps simultaneously to maximize earnings, accepting the best-paying orders from each platform.
Which platform has the best customer support?
Amazon Flex generally has better driver support with phone and email options. DoorDash offers in-app chat and limited phone support. Uber Eats support can be harder to reach but has improved recently.
Do I need special insurance for any platform?
All platforms require personal auto insurance minimum. However, personal policies may not cover commercial use. Consider rideshare/delivery endorsements for full coverage, especially for Amazon Flex.
Which platform is best for part-time work?
DoorDash and Uber Eats offer the most flexibility for part-time work since you can log on anytime. Amazon Flex requires advance scheduling but pays more per hour, making it efficient for limited time.
The Bottom Line: Our Recommendations
🏆 Best Overall Platform: It Depends!
There's no single "best" platform - it entirely depends on your situation, market, and goals.
For Highest Pay:
Amazon Flex (with surge)
For Flexibility:
DoorDash
For Multi-App:
Uber Eats + Others
💡 Pro Tip: Start with DoorDash or Uber Eats to learn the ropes while waiting for Amazon Flex approval. Once approved for all three, use them strategically based on time of day and surge opportunities.