Grubhub vs DoorDash: Who Has Better Pricing?

Introduction

In 2025, food delivery services will only become more competitive, as Grubhub and DoorDash are fierce competitors for food ordering in the U.S. As millions of Americans continue to solidify their routine of ordering food online, more price-conscious customers and restaurant owners want to know: at what cost? Although these two food delivery apps offer identical services, upon closer examination of the delivery fee, service charge, tip, and monthly subscription, a real difference in pricing becomes apparent. For restaurants, differences in commission structure —the amount restaurants pay for partnered promotions —and the discounts received for on-platform advertising can significantly impact profit margins.

This article is going to dive deep into the 2025 data to help you figure out which platform, Grubhub or DoorDash, is a better value for you. We will first examine customer costs, then delivery fees charged to restaurants, and finally, we will review real examples that illustrate the total checkout price. Whether you are a heavy user of these apps or an independent restaurant contemplating a partnership, this side-by-side comparison will help inform your decisions.

Which Service Offers Better Subscription Value?

Both services have subscription options for $9.99 per month—Grubhub+ and DashPass. Grubhub+ includes free delivery on partnered restaurants and up to 10% off certain orders via cashback. The cashback feature is appealing for anyone who orders regularly and wants to save money each month.

DashPass generally has more restaurants available, along with free delivery and reduced service fees. DashPass also gives access to special promotions and events. If you are ordering from a menu three or more times, generally either subscription pays for itself. That being said, if your favorite restaurants are DashPass participants, you will likely see better savings. Grubhub+ works better in areas that have large amounts of partner restaurants that give cashback.

Hidden Costs and Extra Charges

Both apps add additional fees that are not always clearly stated. Grubhub may add regulatory fees, driver benefit surcharges, and processing fees, all of which could add $0.50-$2.00. These fees tend to come towards the end of the checkout.

DoorDash will sometimes add fees if you’re ordering during a busy time or if you want priority delivery (or service region). If you combine these fees with other ancillary costs during peak delivery times, the total can add up quickly! In some cities, even taxes and regional surcharges can increase the total as well. So, be mindful that these hidden costs may be annoying, especially if you are budget conscious. Always check your final total to review it before completing your order.

One of the best and easiest ways to ensure you won't pay more than you need to is to look at each app side-by-side for the same order.

Consumer Sentiment: What Users Say in 2025

In 2025, consumer feedback gives contrasting opinions. Users of Grubhub appreciated the transparency with pricing and simple and straightforward order totals (no hidden fees), which users said they trusted and could easily follow. Gamifying their loyalty programs through cashback via Grubhub+ was also noted as a positive factor. However, some recipients were noticing slower delivery or that certain restaurants had limited availability based on their respective area.

DoorDash users enjoy the modern, snappy app, faster delivery, and a wider selection of restaurants, which is especially helpful as a truck owner who needed to order food while traveling. Their report indicated that DashPass users saw the biggest savings (although again, this is region dependent, and urban areas saw greater DashPass value). In many surveys, customers reported confusion over surge pricing and last-minute fees that were deposited at checkout. The surveys show that Grubhub generally has slightly higher marks for affordability, while DoorDash generally has higher marks for overall experience and selection of restaurants. When it comes down to deciding the best platform for food delivery in these cases, it is often user-dependent on location and order.

Regional Price Variation

Pricing for food delivery can vary greatly across different regions. In those urban areas like New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco, Grubhub typically has a lower delivery fee due to the restaurant density and shorter distances. And this also makes Grubhub+ a better value proposition in this area.

DoorDash, in suburban and rural areas, is often the predominant technology. Because DoorDash has a larger network of chain restaurants to partner with and they are simply more efficient with logistics, it makes them a better option for most users outside of a major metro area. However, in these areas you may find higher surcharges due to longer delivery routes, and many times their driver availability might not be the greatest. Your potential to save depends a lot on restaurant participation in your area and regional surcharges. Always check both apps for your local area to figure out which app gives you a better overall value.

Final Verdict: Which Is Cheaper in 2025?

According to the data from 2025, Grubhub offers a more economical price for the average user. It also has lower delivery fees, fewer hidden fees, and Grubhub+ provides cashback. For the budgeted customer, it is definitely a better overall choice.

DoorDash is pricey but has a wider restaurant selection and better app function. For DashPass subscribers, those fees are reduced, and higher flexibility is available. If you regularly order from a variety of restaurants and like a good experience, you can justify the cost.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to how often you order, your location, and restaurant preferences. If you order regularly, it's worth subscribing to save more. For more casual users, always compare both apps since there are always variable ways to maximize your individual experience.

What Are The Tips to Save More on Food Delivery?

To make the most of your savings, you should compare both apps for every single order, as the price often varies by restaurant and time of day. If you are ordering from these apps more than twice a month, you should sign up for Grubhub+ or DashPass, as it can often make up for it quite quickly as a subscription.

You will also want to look for promo codes, referral discounts, and seasonal offers. Both apps have rotating promotions, so make sure to enable notifications to catch them more easily. Try to avoid ordering during peak times to prevent surge fees, and order with friends or family to split small order fees.

Whenever you can, pick up your food instead of getting it delivered to avoid additional fees. Finally, make sure to regularly change your preferences in the app to get location-specific offers for your area, as well as possible cashback. Being smart about your orders will greatly reduce what you are spending on food delivery every month.

Conclusion

Grubhub and DoorDash vary with regard to food delivery convenience, but value depends on customer price sensitivity. In 2025, Grubhub has the best value through lower delivery fees, pricing transparency, and cashback benefits, giving it value on pricing for the budget sensitivity of users.

DoorDash appeals to consumers through ease of experience, faster delivery, and a larger selection of restaurants but is often at a higher price point. For many users, the DoorDash experience is worth the premium price, particularly with the popularity of DashPass.

Ultimately, the best value is flexibility. Users should be open to using both apps on a pricing- or delivery-based comparison, discount offers, or only subscribe when there is a savings realized. This strategy allows users to enjoy the best of both platforms without overspending—a conclusion backed by the 2025 pricing data gathered by Scraping Intelligence.