Best Food Delivery Apps to Order Food Online in the USA

DoorDash was launched in 2013 and operates in thousands of cities across the USA, making it the most reliable choice for finding your favorite local spots or well-known national chains. It is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. The platform operates on a commission model. It charges restaurants between 15-30% per order, depending on their partnership tier. The app also supports scheduling for future delivery, and recently rolled out a nationwide shipping facility for certain merchants outside local delivery zones.

Uber Eats was launched in 2014 (as UberFRESH) as an extension to Uber’s rideshare ecosystem. The application is spread across 11,000+ cities and 45 countries, capturing a huge percentage of the food delivery apps in the USA market. Uber Eats charges commissions from restaurants ranging from 15% to 30%. Uber Eats partners with over 1 million merchants, including more than 800,00 restaurants globally, offering not just meals but groceries, alcohol, pharmacy, and convenience items. The platform's strength lies in its international reach and the established trust of the Uber brand. The brand remains elusive as the company prioritizes growth over margins.

Grubhub was launched in 2024, making it a legend of food delivery apps. The company merged with Seamless in 2013 and later acquired Eat24 from Yelp, solidifying its market position before newer competitors emerged. The platform charges a commission from the restaurants ranging from 5% to 20%, depending on the services selected. Grubhub’s food delivery model is quite different compared to other food delivery apps in the market. Grubhub simply provides online ordering support, and the delivery infrastructure is provided by the restaurant itself. This approach built strong relationships with the restaurant owners, though it limited Grubhub’s delivery fleet in the market. The platform has a strong presence in many regions like New York, Chicago, and Boston. The app is available on both iOS and Android devices.

ChowNow was launched in 2011 with the mission of helping restaurants build direct relationships with customers without the new commission structure. ChowNow is a SaaS company that has been involved in connecting individuals with the best food delivery options in their cities. It operates on a subscription model, charging restaurants a nominal fee per month and a setup fee per location. Instead of joining the food delivery ecosystem, ChowNow focuses on white-label solutions that ensure ordering into a restaurant's own digital properties. The platform doesn't provide its own delivery partners, so restaurants either handle deliveries themselves or partner with third-party companies. ChowNow serves all major U.S. cities and continues growing its operations. The platform primarily targets independent restaurants seeking to escape the high-commission trap of traditional food delivery apps. It is available through iOS and Android apps, plus restaurant-branded websites.

Postmates was launched in 2011 as an on-demand delivery service. As a delivery service alternative, it has expanded its niche into broader retail and convenience categories, offering users a fast online delivery experience. The platform operated in over 3,000+ cities before its merger with Uber Eats, when food delivery was not even a business in the market. The platform has increased its operations and is not available in 6,000 cities across 45 countries, and this number is still growing. The platform's unique approach involved placing orders with restaurants that weren't formal partners, then sending couriers to pick them up. This daily practice didn’t work well for some restaurant owners, but gave customers huge options to order online.

Seamless was launched in 1999, making it one of the first companies to handle online food ordering. The company primarily focused on corporate meal orders only, which made it one of the most reputed brands in the food delivery business in the USA. Later, the company built strong relationships with restaurants in major metropolitan cities and expanded its business model towards food delivery. The company merged with Grubhub in 2013 and dominated the food delivery business for a long time. Seamless continues to operate separately because of its brand loyalty. The application is available on both iOS and Android devices with functionality somewhat similar to Grubhub.

Caviar was launched in 2012 and was later acquired by DoorDash in 2019. It was launched with a mission to bring high-end restaurant dining into homes through thoughtful curation and premium service. The company collaborated with restaurants to offer a sophisticated dining experience and ensure all restaurant partners maintain quality standards. After its acquisition by DoorDash, Caviar upscaled the dining experience and broadened its reach through DoorDash’s logistics network. Available through the DoorDash app on iOS and Android, though some legacy Caviar app installations may still function.

Instacart was launched in 2012, connecting over multiple supermarkets, stores, and retail locations across North America. It is a leader in online grocery delivery. In 2024, Instacart partnered with Uber Eats to offer food delivery services across certain regions in the USA. Instacart expanded into pharmacy deliveries, alcohol in permitted markets, and increased its partnership with restaurants for delivering prepared food. The application is available on iOS and Android devices with a polished interface.

• Go-to digital convenience retailer
• Super interactive interface
• Provides advanced payment methods

Gopuff was launched in 2013 with the mission of delivering convenience store items faster than any traditional methods. The application was the talk of the town by building proprietary micro-fulfillment centers rather than partnering with existing retailers in the market. This allowed Gopuff to manage inventory itself, maintain prices, and guarantee delivery speed that others cannot match. Gopuff excels in delivery because it employs its own drivers rather than relying on contractors. Recent expansion includes alcohol delivery in permitted markets and partnerships for prepared foods, though its strength remains convenience items rather than restaurant meals. Available on iOS and Android with a straightforward interface designed for quick ordering.

Delivery.com was launched in 2004 and expanded gradually in select markets rather than growing its presence nationwide. In recent years, Delivery.com has emphasized its services more on food delivery, alcohol delivery, grocery items, dry cleaning, and laundry services, making it different from the usual food delivery apps. The company serves both consumers and corporates, with special focus on facilitating large orders and expense tracking. The platform processes orders through independent delivery drivers. The application can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices.