3 of the Cheapest Grocery Delivery Services

Updated on February 14, 2024

At a Glance

  • The article reviews three of the cheapest grocery delivery services: Instacart, Amazon Fresh and Amazon Pantry, and Shipt.
  • Each service is evaluated based on its selection of grocery items, delivery costs, pros and cons, and overall convenience.
  • Instacart is praised for its comprehensive selection and convenience, but its delivery fees and slightly higher prices are noted as potential drawbacks.
  • Amazon Fresh and Amazon Pantry offer fast shipping and a wide selection for Amazon Prime members, but their availability is limited in some areas.
  • Shipt stands out for its customizable options and flexible delivery windows, but a membership fee is required for access to its services.

The rise of online grocery delivery services has made it easier than ever to get your weekly shopping delivered right to your doorstep. No more struggling to find a parking spot at the supermarket or lugging heavy bags back home! But with so many options out there, how do you know which one is the best? Well, fear not! We’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of the three cheapest grocery delivery services that are actually worth ordering from. Let’s dive into the world of hassle-free grocery shopping!

1. Instacart: A Comprehensive Selection

When it comes to grocery delivery, Instacart is a name that often comes up. And for a good reason! With a comprehensive selection of grocery items from various stores, Instacart makes it easy to find everything you need in one place.

Imagine this: you’re planning a dinner party and you have a long list of ingredients to buy. Instead of spending hours going from store to store, Instacart allows you to browse through a wide range of grocery items from your favorite local stores, all from the comfort of your own home. Whether you need fresh produce, pantry staples, or specialty items, Instacart has got you covered.

Instacart Costs

While Instacart may not be the absolute cheapest option out there, it offers reasonable prices that won’t break the bank. Plus, with the convenience of having your groceries delivered to your doorstep, it’s well worth the extra cost.

Let’s talk about the value of time. Time is precious, and Instacart understands that. By utilizing their services, you can save valuable hours that would have been spent navigating crowded aisles and waiting in long checkout lines. Instead, you can use that time to focus on other important tasks or simply relax and unwind.

Instacart Pros

  • Wide selection of grocery items
  • Convenient delivery right to your doorstep
  • Ability to choose from multiple stores

One of the biggest advantages of Instacart is its extensive selection of grocery items. From everyday essentials to gourmet ingredients, Instacart has it all. Whether you’re following a specific diet or searching for hard-to-find items, Instacart makes it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Another great feature of Instacart is the convenience of having your groceries delivered right to your doorstep. No more lugging heavy bags or fighting for parking spots at the grocery store. With this service, you can simply sit back and relax while your groceries come to you.

Furthermore, Instacart allows you to choose from multiple stores. This means that you can compare prices, explore different options, and find the best deals all in one place. Whether you prefer a local grocery store or a larger chain, Instacart gives you the flexibility to shop where you want.

Instacart Cons

  • Delivery fees can add up
  • Prices may be slightly higher than in-store prices
  • Availability may vary depending on your location

While Instacart offers convenience and a wide selection of products, it’s important to consider some potential drawbacks. One of these is the delivery fees. While the fees are reasonable, they can add up if you use the service frequently. However, when you factor in the time and effort saved, many find that the convenience outweighs the cost.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that prices on Instacart may be slightly higher than in-store prices. This is because Instacart operates as a separate entity and needs to cover its own costs. However, the price difference is often minimal, and the convenience of having your groceries delivered may justify the slight increase.

Lastly, availability may vary depending on your location. While Instacart strives to serve as many areas as possible, there may be some regions where the service is not yet available. It’s always a good idea to check if it operates in your area before getting your hopes up.

2. Amazon Fresh, Amazon Pantry: Perfect for Prime Members

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, then Amazon Fresh and Amazon Pantry are definitely worth considering. With the convenience of Amazon Prime’s fast shipping and the wide selection of groceries available, you can easily stock up on your favorite items without ever leaving the comfort of your home.

Imagine waking up on a lazy Sunday morning, craving a delicious breakfast. With Amazon Fresh, you can have all the ingredients you need delivered right to your doorstep. Whether it’s farm-fresh eggs, crispy bacon, or a variety of fruits, Amazon Fresh has got you covered. No more rushing to the grocery store, dealing with long lines and crowded aisles. Instead, you can leisurely sip your coffee and browse through the extensive selection of groceries on Amazon’s website.

AmazonFresh Costs

AmazonFresh offers competitive prices on a wide range of grocery items. Plus, with the added benefits of Amazon Prime membership, you can enjoy free delivery on eligible products. This means you can save both time and money by shopping for your groceries online.

If your order costs more than $100, AmazonFresh is free. When the orders have 2-hour delivery windows, the service fee for orders between $50 and $100 is $6.96, whereas for deliveries under $50, it’s $9.95. Non-Prime members may have to pay between $7.95 and $13.95 based on what delivery window they picked and what the size of the basket is.

If you have a Prime-eligible membership and you also use your Amazon Prime Store Card or Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature at checkout, you can get 5% back.

AmazonFresh Pros

  • Fast shipping with Amazon Prime
  • Convenient doorstep delivery
  • Ability to purchase a variety of grocery items

One of the biggest advantages of Amazon Fresh is the fast shipping that comes with Amazon Prime. As a Prime member, you can expect your groceries to arrive at your doorstep in no time. Whether you need ingredients for tonight’s dinner or snacks for a movie night, Amazon Fresh has got your back.

And let’s not forget about the convenience of doorstep delivery. No more lugging heavy grocery bags from the car to your home. With Amazon Fresh, your groceries are delivered right to your doorstep, making your life a whole lot easier.

Furthermore, Amazon Fresh offers a wide variety of grocery items. From fresh produce to pantry staples, you can find everything you need in one place. Whether you’re a health-conscious individual looking for organic options or someone with specific dietary needs, Amazon Fresh has a diverse selection to cater to your preferences.

AmazonFresh Cons

  • Limited availability in some areas
  • Additional fees for certain delivery time slots
  • May not offer specialty or niche products

While Amazon Fresh offers many benefits, it’s important to consider the potential drawbacks as well. One of the main cons of Amazon Fresh is its limited availability in certain areas. Depending on where you live, you may not have access to this convenient grocery delivery service.

In addition, there may be additional fees for certain delivery time slots. If you need your groceries delivered during peak hours or on a specific day, you may have to pay extra for the convenience. It’s important to factor in these potential disadvantages when considering whether Amazon Fresh is the right choice for you.

Lastly, Amazon Fresh may not offer specialty or niche products that you may find at your local grocery store. If you enjoy exploring unique and specialized food items, you may need to supplement your Amazon Fresh orders with occasional trips to specialty stores.

3. Shipt: Customization

When it comes to grocery delivery services, Shipt stands out for its customizable options. Whether you have dietary restrictions or specific preferences, Shipt allows you to personalize your shopping experience to suit your needs.

You can easily download the app on Android or iOS or order from the website directly. Placing orders is a piece of cake, as you will simply have to create your account, buy a membership, and then select one of the available stores in your location.

It doesn’t take long for your shopper to grab your desired items, let you know when products are out of stock, then make changes to the order and bring you what you want before the deadline. Thanks to the app’s variety, it’s very easy to find what you’re looking for in no time.

Shipt Costs

Shipt offers affordable pricing options for their grocery delivery service. With a variety of membership plans available, you can choose the one that best fits your budget and shopping frequency.

Now, before you can start using Shipt, you need to buy a membership, which can be monthly or annual. For the monthly one, you pay $10.99 per month, whereas the annual one charges you $99 per year. Luckily, there are some perks if you are a student, because you only pay $4.99 per month until the day you graduate.

To make things better, you get free delivery for orders exceeding $35 as an annual member, while orders cheaper than $35 will charge you $7 as a flat delivery fee. If you have a Shipt Pass, it will cover a one-time delivery fee, which is convenient.

Shipt Pros

  • Customizable shopping options
  • Friendly and reliable Shipt shoppers
  • Flexible delivery windows

A good thing about Shipt is that it lets you shop from a wide range of stores, so you get a lot of options in terms of items to purchase. This way, it’s easier to make price comparisons.

Delivery windows are flexible, and as soon as you place your order, your shopper will work fast to make sure everything is delivered one hour after you order. If you want, you can even ask to have something delivered in a few days.

Shipt shoppers are also very friendly and reliable and will always be eager to help you out. Moreover, they’ll inform you immediately about products that are not in stock.

Shipt Cons

  • Service availability may be limited in some areas
  • Membership fee required for access to delivery services
  • May experience occasional delays during peak hours

Sadly, Shipt is not available everywhere, so not everyone will get to enjoy what the app has to offer. There is a page where you can check if your zip code is in the coverage area.

Also, if you want to access the delivery services, you must first purchase a membership. This can be inconvenient for those with limited funds. Moreover, during peak hours, it takes longer for shoppers to complete orders as shops may be crowded or they have to take care of multiple orders at once.

Conclusion

Grocery delivery services have revolutionized the way we shop for food. With their convenience and time-saving benefits, they have quickly become a popular choice for many. So why not give one of these three cheapest grocery delivery services a try? Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive selection like Instacart, the convenience of Amazon Fresh and Amazon Pantry, or the customization options of Shipt, there’s a service out there that’s perfect for you. Happy shopping!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Instacart?

Instacart is an online grocery delivery service that offers a wide selection of items from various stores. It allows you to shop for groceries from the comfort of your own home, saving you time and effort.

How much does Instacart cost?

While prices may vary, Instacart offers reasonable prices that won’t break the bank. However, it’s important to note that delivery fees may apply and prices may be slightly higher than in-store prices.

What is Amazon Fresh?

Amazon Fresh is a grocery delivery service offered by Amazon. It provides fast shipping and a wide selection of groceries. It is available to Amazon Prime members.

How much does Amazon Fresh cost?

Amazon Fresh offers competitive prices on a wide range of grocery items. Delivery is free on eligible products for Amazon Prime members. Additional fees may apply for certain delivery time slots.

What is Shipt?

Shipt is a grocery delivery service that stands out for its customizable options. It allows you to personalize your shopping experience to suit your needs.

How much does Shipt cost?

Shipt offers affordable pricing options with a variety of membership plans available. A membership fee is required to access the delivery services.

Is Instacart available everywhere?

Instacart strives to serve as many areas as possible. However, availability may vary depending on your location.

Is Amazon Fresh available everywhere?

Amazon Fresh is not available in all areas. It’s important to check if it operates in your area before planning to use its services.

Is Shipt available everywhere?

Shipt is not available in all areas. You can check if your zip code is in the coverage area on their website.

Can I shop from multiple stores with these services?

Yes, all three services – Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and Shipt – allow you to shop from multiple stores.

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Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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