Choosing between Grubhub and DoorDash can significantly impact your restaurant’s revenue, operational efficiency, and customer reach. Both platforms dominate the food delivery market, but they differ in fees, features, and customer demographics. In this detailed comparison, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each to help you decide which suits your business best.
Grubhub vs DoorDash: Key Differences at a Glance
1. Commission and Fee Structures
- Grubhub: Charges a 15%-30% commission per order, depending on the partnership level (Basic, Plus, or Premier). Additional fees may include marketing and delivery costs. (Source: Grubhub for Restaurants)
- DoorDash: Typically takes 15%-30%, with optional DashPass subscriptions reducing customer fees. Offers flexible pricing tiers (Basic, Plus, and Enterprise). (Source: DoorDash Merchant)
Winner? DoorDash provides more pricing flexibility, while Grubhub’s higher-tier plans offer better visibility.
2. Delivery and Logistics
- Grubhub: Relies on a mix of in-house and third-party drivers. Some restaurants must handle their own deliveries.
- DoorDash: Uses Dashers (independent drivers) for most deliveries, ensuring broader coverage and faster service.
Best for? DoorDash wins for reliability, especially in suburban areas.
3. Customer Reach and Demographics
- Grubhub: Strong in urban markets and with older demographics. Popular for chain restaurants.
- DoorDash: Dominates suburban and younger audiences, with better brand recognition among millennials.
Tip: If your restaurant targets college students, DoorDash may drive more orders.
Which Platform Offers Better Tools for Restaurants?
4. Marketing and Promotions
- Grubhub: Provides targeted ads and sponsored listings, but promotions can be costly.
- DoorDash: Offers self-service promotions, localized deals, and Storefront (a low-cost online ordering system).
Verdict: DoorDash gives more control over discounts and branding.
5. POS Integration and Ease of Use
Both integrate with major POS systems like Toast, Square, and Clover, but:
- Grubhub has slower onboarding.
- DoorDash syncs orders faster and supports real-time updates.
Should You Choose Grubhub or DoorDash?
- Pick Grubhub if you’re in a major city and want premium visibility.
- Choose DoorDash if you need lower fees, better suburban reach, and promotional flexibility.
For maximum exposure, consider listing on both platforms and tracking performance via their analytics dashboards.