Shipt vs Instacart: Which Grocery Delivery Service is Right for You

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Grocery delivery is super convenient with the jam-packed schedules we all have nowadays. For busy moms that would otherwise have to drag the kids to the grocery, sports moms who have practices, games, {fill in the blank} other sport commitments to shuffle the kids to and from, or for those that can not go to the store for health reasons, grocery delivery makes life so much easier. Even vacations go smoother when someone else can do the shopping for you!

Shipt or Instacart

If shopping from your phone or computer appeals to you, Shipt or Instacart may be just what you need. We gave both of these popular grocery delivery services a try and are sharing our unbiased review of both.

Both services will give you a 2-week trial and a small discount for giving them a try. Both offer an annual and a monthly subscription, and both offer a variety of stores to choose from depending on your area. Let's compare the two in more detail.

How Does Shipt Work?

Ship through Shipt Meijer, Shipt Target grocery pickup, HEB grocery delivery, and other more regional retailers. You can check if you are in their coverage area and see what stores they offer by visiting shipt.com. Right now, you can get an annual Shipt membership for just $49!

Shipt Markup

Shipt does not markup prices! Prices are close to in-store prices, and they offer a lot of non-food options due to working with superstores. This is great for those that need to have a variety available. You can get all of your items at one-store and make the delivery fees really work for you!

Shipt Shopper

Shipt shoppers stay in communication through the entire process of shopping. They have a uniform t-shirt so everyone knows who they are coming to the house and you know who is at your door. After you get your order you will be prompted to rate your shopping experience. You even have the opportunity to give feedback just like lyft offers.

You will never see your actual receipt from Shipt which limits your coupon rebate app options. However, you can use the digital coupons attached to membership cards where available.

How Does Instacart Work?

Instacart offers a different variety of stores from your local CVS pharmacy, Petco, Kroger and even Aldi in select lucky locations. Many more of your favorite grocery stores are also included, as well as Costco Instacart.

Instacart Prices

Instacart flat out tells you that prices are expected to be a bit higher. This can be a turn off until you take a look as see that the prices are not marked up a large percentage. Many items are no marked up at all. If you often need items from different stores Instacart is a great option.

Instacart Fees

Instacart offers annual and monthly memberships also, but for those of you that need a quick order and not a regular delivery can opt to pay a one-time delivery fee. Your first delivery is free and you can even get $10 off your first order making it a great way to save on shopping with Instant cart. Most Instacart shoppers will toss the receipt in the bag allowing you to use it with all of your coupon rebate apps.

Instacart Personal Grocery Shopper

Instacart has no uniform which is good if you have nosey neighbors and would rather them not know your business. You can chat with your shopper but unlike Shipt they do not contact you when they start shopping.

A huge advantage to Instacart is you can see where your order is and get a notice right before they pull up from the apps GPS. After your order arrives you can rate your delivery but not leave comments on why you picked your rating.

For more information on Instacart, check out our Instacart Review on the Instacart Shopper app.

Grocery Delivery Services on Vacation

Also think about shopping outside of your general area for things like family visits or vacations. When we vacationed in Hawaii a few years ago, we had a villa with a kitchen. To save on meals, we visited the nearby Costco so we could prepare a few meals in the villa. It would have been worth having either service to delivery our groceries, and paying all delivery fees or membership cost, versus having a rental car for a grocery tip.

Luckily we had a rental car and could drive to the warehouse, but if we didn't it would have made getting groceries delivered more challenging! The same could have been done to help us save money on our Disney World vacation! All of those little things can add up and consequently can also be big savings if you can avoid the expense, like a rental car or more unnecessary dining out.

It's also another great benefit for same day grocery delivery! Place your order as soon as you arrive on vacation! You can have your cart already loaded and place the order when you arrive at your destination!