Grocery delivery can save a weekly trip to the store, but the advertised membership price is only part of the cost. Delivery thresholds, service fees, retailer markups, tips, weighted-item adjustments, and location-based pricing can change the total substantially.
The best service depends on where you shop and how you order. Walmart+ is strong for predictable, low-price household orders; Instacart offers the widest store choice; Shipt fits Target shoppers; and FreshDirect is compelling in its limited Northeast service area. Here are the seven grocery delivery services worth comparing in 2026, with the fees and limitations that matter to your budget.
Quick comparison
| Service | Best for | Membership price | Important delivery threshold or fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Grocery | Prime members and broad selection | $9.99/month or $99.99/year for the grocery subscription; Prime required for some benefits | Eligible orders generally need to reach $25 for free Same-Day Delivery in most areas; fees vary by retailer |
| Instacart | Choosing among many local stores | Instacart+ standard annual renewal price is listed as $99 | $0 eligible delivery fee at $10 per retailer, but service fees and other charges remain |
| Shipt | Target shoppers and preferred shoppers | $10.99/month or $99/year | Free delivery over $35; $7 delivery fee below $35 |
| Walmart+ | Low advertised prices and large household orders | $12.95/month or $98/year | Grocery delivery generally requires a $35 minimum |
| Kroger Boost | Frequent Kroger-family shoppers | $8.99/month or $69/year for Essential; $12.99/month or $99/year for Boost | Free delivery generally requires a $35 order; benefits differ by tier |
| FreshDirect | Planned deliveries in its regional service area | Varies; DeliveryPass may be available | $35 standard minimum, plus location-specific delivery fees |
| DoorDash Grocery | Urgent or small grocery orders | $9.99/month or $96/year for DashPass | Only eligible merchants and orders meeting the displayed minimum receive $0 delivery fees |
Prices and eligibility can vary by ZIP code. Treat the checkout screen as the final authority, especially if you are comparing a subscription with ordinary per-order delivery.
1. Amazon Grocery: best for Prime members and broad selection
Amazon grocery is not one uniform store. Depending on your address, you may order from Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, Amazon Now, or participating local grocery retailers through Amazon’s grocery page. That makes selection broad, but it also means the fees and pricing model can change from one cart to another.
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- LONGER VASE LIFE. Flowers arrive at the peak of their freshness and may arrive in bud form so you can watch your flowers bloom plus they'll last longer than grocery store flowers.
- UNIQUE VARIETIES. Each arrangement is a living work of art, showcasing the world's most beautiful flowers. From roses to sunflowers, hydrangeas to alstroemeria and more, we pride ourselves on sending bigger, better blooms.
- SUSTAINABLE. BloomsyBox partners with sustainable, Rainforest Alliance certified farms to get you the most beautiful, richly colored varieties of flowers from around the world.
- GREAT FOR GIFTING. Whether you’re gifting, treating yourself, or sending a “just because” surprise, BloomsyBox is a beautiful way to celebrate every day.
Prime members generally receive free Same-Day Delivery on eligible orders over $25 in most areas. Smaller orders can incur a $2.99 fee. Whole Foods Market delivery normally carries a $9.95 service fee for Prime members and $13.95 for non-Prime customers.
Amazon Fresh pricing is also tiered for Prime members: delivery is listed as free above $100, $6.95 for orders from $50 to $100, and $9.95 below $50. An optional grocery delivery subscription costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year for Prime members. It provides unlimited delivery on eligible grocery orders over $25 in most areas and can cover Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh, and participating local retailers. Qualifying Prime Access customers and customers with a registered EBT card may receive the subscription for $4.99 per month.
For urgent purchases, Amazon Now offers delivery in 30 minutes or less in selected markets. Prime members pay $3.99 per order, while non-Prime customers pay $13.99, with possible small-order fees below $15.
Best financial fit: Prime members who already order frequently from Amazon and can consolidate grocery purchases above the relevant thresholds. Prime membership alone does not make every grocery order free.
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2. Instacart: best for store choice and same-day flexibility
Instacart is a marketplace rather than a supermarket. You can compare participating stores in one app, schedule same-day delivery, and have a shopper handle substitutions or hard-to-find items. That flexibility is useful when your preferred supermarket does not offer its own delivery service.
Instacart+ members receive $0 delivery fees on eligible orders of at least $10 per retailer. Costco orders generally require a $35 minimum. Instacart+ does not eliminate service fees, taxes, tips, bottle deposits, retailer markups, or weighted-item adjustments. All delivery orders must be at least $10.
Retailers set the item prices. Some use everyday store prices; others charge different online prices, and in-store promotions may not apply. To check a retailer’s policy, select the store and open the pricing-policy link beneath its logo. In the app, the relevant details appear under Info and Pricing information. Weighted produce, meat, seafood, and deli items can also receive a final adjustment after the shopper weighs them.
Instacart accepts EBT SNAP at participating retailers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. A separate debit or credit card is required for fees, taxes, tips, bottle deposits, and non-eligible items.
Best financial fit: Households that value store choice and same-day availability, particularly if they compare each retailer’s pricing policy before placing an order. Instacart+ is most useful for frequent orders, not necessarily for the lowest-priced individual basket.
3. Shipt: best for Target shoppers and preferred shoppers
Shipt membership costs $10.99 per month or $99 per year. Members receive free delivery on orders over $35; orders below that amount incur a $7 delivery fee. Alcohol orders may add a $7 alcohol fee where alcohol delivery is available. Shipt offers a 14-day free trial, which converts to the selected paid plan unless canceled.
Shipt’s price advantage is clearest for Target Circle 360 members. Through the Target or Shipt app, Circle 360 members currently receive no markups on eligible non-alcohol items, subject to exclusions, with the current offer stated as valid through December 2026. That does not mean every Shipt order everywhere matches in-store pricing. Non-Target Circle 360 customers can pay more: Shipt gives the example of Wonder Bread priced at $2.29 in a store and $2.59 through Shipt.
Delivery windows depend on shopper availability. Express or priority delivery can cost extra, and membership or one-time fees can vary by market.
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- CONVENIENT. Indulge in a new bouquet of mixed blooms each month for 3, 6, or 12 months. Every delivery comes with expert care instructions to keep your bouquet #bloominghappy!
- LONGER VASE LIFE. Flowers arrive at the peak of their freshness and may arrive in bud form so you can watch your flowers bloom plus they'll last longer than grocery store flowers
- UNIQUE VARIETIES. Each arrangement is a living work of art, showcasing the world's most beautiful flowers. From roses to sunflowers, hydrangeas to alstroemeria and more, we pride ourselves on sending bigger, better blooms.
- SUSTAINABLE. BloomsyBox partners with sustainable, Rainforest Alliance certified farms to get you the most beautiful, richly colored varieties of flowers from around the world.
- GREAT FOR GIFTING. Whether you’re gifting, treating yourself, or sending a “just because” surprise, BloomsyBox is a beautiful way to celebrate every day. FRESHNESS GUARANTEE. We eliminate the middleman and send mixed bouquets straight from the farm for the ultimate in freshness. If for whatever reason you are not satisfied with your blooms, contact us for a refund or replacement.
Best financial fit: Target Circle 360 members who regularly place orders above $35. For occasional users, the $7 under-minimum fee may outweigh the convenience.
4. Walmart+: best for low advertised prices and one-stop orders
Walmart+ costs $12.95 per month or $98 per year, plus applicable tax. Walmart grocery delivery generally requires a $35 minimum. Walmart says members receive free delivery from their local store and no item markups on covered grocery delivery orders. Tips are included with Walmart+ delivery under the standard membership information.
Walmart+ InHome is a separate add-on, costing $7 per month or $40 per year. It can deliver to a kitchen, garage, or doorstep, with tips included and no item markups according to Walmart. Regular Walmart+ should not be confused with InHome: a standard order is not automatically placed inside your home or garage.
Qualifying government-assistance recipients and students may qualify for Walmart+ Assist. The current offer page lists $49 per year or $6.47 per month for eligible customers. Delivery, alcohol availability, order minimums, and eligible products vary by location.
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Best financial fit: Families combining groceries with household basics and able to meet the $35 minimum. Walmart+ is also easier to evaluate because the company says covered grocery delivery has no item markups, although the membership still needs to pay for itself through repeated use.
5. Kroger Boost: best for Kroger-family shoppers
Kroger has two Boost tiers. Boost Essential costs $8.99 per month or $69 per year and provides free next-day delivery on orders of at least $35. The $12.99-per-month or $99-per-year Boost tier includes free delivery on eligible orders over $35, including delivery as soon as two hours.
Members receive 2X points on qualifying grocery and general-merchandise purchases. Express delivery costs an additional $4.95. Without Boost, Kroger’s current delivery page lists $6.95 for standard delivery and $9.95 for delivery as soon as two hours, although the selected day and time slot at checkout controls the actual fee.
Some orders are fulfilled by Kroger Delivery, using trained Kroger associates; Kroger says no tip is required for those orders. Other slots are fulfilled by Instacart and can accept tips. Boost excludes several categories and services, including pharmacy prescriptions, adult beverages and tobacco, gift cards, fuel, Kroger Ship, Kroger Rush, Kroger Delivery Now, and certain specialty services. Current terms also exclude Harris Teeter and Ruler Foods.
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6. FreshDirect: best for planned regional deliveries
FreshDirect is a strong option in parts of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, with additional seasonal service in areas such as the Jersey Shore, Hamptons, and North Fork. It is not a national grocery delivery service.
The standard residential minimum is $35 before tax and delivery fees. Listed delivery fees include $7.99 for Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx; $8.99 for Staten Island, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Fairfield County, and northern New Jersey; and $9.99 for central New Jersey. Seasonal delivery can cost $14.99 at the Jersey Shore and $19.99 in the Hamptons and North Fork, where the minimum is $99.
Variable-weight meat, seafood, and produce are charged according to the final weight. Missing a delivery can result in a $4.99 redelivery fee where same-day redelivery is possible. If an order is not accepted, FreshDirect says it may charge 100% of perishable items and 25% of packaged goods as a restocking fee. DeliveryPass may reduce or waive certain fees, but the current benefits should be checked in your account.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsBest financial fit: Customers in FreshDirect’s coverage area who plan orders around delivery windows and minimums. It is less suitable for an emergency item or a shopper outside the Northeast.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.7. DoorDash Grocery: best for urgent, small orders
DoorDash is primarily an on-demand marketplace, but its grocery and convenience coverage can be useful when you need a few items quickly. DashMart, DoorDash’s own convenience and grocery service, carries snacks, groceries, household essentials, and other fast-delivery items.
DashPass costs $9.99 per month or $96 per year. It provides $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees only on eligible grocery, convenience, restaurant, and retail orders. The order must meet the merchant-specific subtotal minimum shown in the app or on DoorDash.com. Taxes, gratuity, and other fees still apply.
Look for the DashPass logo before assuming the benefit applies. The same store can have different prices, fees, minimums, and delivery windows depending on location and order channel. SNAP/EBT grocery delivery is available only in certain locations and through participating grocery partners.
Best financial fit: Someone replacing a small, urgent store trip where speed matters more than optimizing the full weekly basket. For routine grocery shopping, compare the final total against a retailer-led service.
How to compare the real cost
- Enter your ZIP code first. Coverage, stores, delivery windows, minimums, and fees are location-specific.
- Build the same basket on two or three services. Compare item totals, not just membership prices.
- Check the pricing policy. Marketplace retailers may use store prices, online prices, or markups, and in-store sales may not apply.
- Add every checkout charge. Include delivery, service, small-order, priority, alcohol, bottle-deposit, tax, and tip charges.
- Account for weighted items. Final prices for produce, meat, seafood, and deli items may change after weighing.
- Calculate annual break-even. Divide the membership cost by the delivery fee you would otherwise pay. Then check whether service fees or markups erase the apparent savings.
- Review substitutions and refunds. A cheaper service is not cheaper if unwanted substitutions leave you with items you would not have bought in-store.
Which grocery delivery service should you choose?
| Your priority | Most likely fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One large household order | Walmart+ | $35 minimum, stated no item markups on covered grocery delivery, and broad household selection |
| Many local stores in one app | Instacart | Marketplace choice and same-day flexibility |
| Target shopping | Shipt or Target Circle 360 | No markups on eligible items for current Circle 360 orders |
| Kroger-family loyalty | Kroger Boost | Free delivery over $35 and 2X points on qualifying purchases |
| Planned Northeast delivery | FreshDirect | Regional inventory and scheduled delivery |
| Fast, small order | DoorDash Grocery or Amazon Now | On-demand options in participating markets |
| Prime household | Amazon Grocery | Multiple grocery channels and a subscription option for eligible orders |
FAQ
What is the cheapest grocery delivery service?
There is no universal winner because item prices and fees vary by ZIP code. Walmart+ can be cost-effective for orders over $35 when its stated no-markup grocery benefit applies. Kroger Boost can work well for loyal Kroger shoppers, while Instacart may cost more or less depending on the retailer’s pricing policy and service fees.
Does Instacart+ remove all grocery delivery fees?
No. Instacart+ removes eligible delivery fees when the order meets the applicable minimum, generally $10 per retailer and $35 for Costco orders. Service fees, taxes, tips, retailer pricing differences, bottle deposits, and weighted-item adjustments can remain.
Is Amazon grocery delivery free with Prime?
Not automatically. Prime members may receive free eligible Same-Day Delivery over $25 in many areas, but Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Now, smaller orders, and other retailer orders can have separate fees. Amazon also offers an optional grocery delivery subscription.
Which grocery delivery service has the widest coverage?
Instacart generally offers the broadest choice of local retailers, but availability depends on the address. Amazon also reports fresh-grocery Same-Day Delivery in more than 2,300 cities and towns. Enter your ZIP code in each service before relying on a coverage claim.
The Bottom Line
For most households, start with the retailer you already use rather than choosing a membership by its headline price. Walmart+ is a strong all-purpose option for $35-plus orders, Kroger Boost rewards regular Kroger shoppers, and Target Circle 360 currently makes eligible Shipt orders more competitive on price. Choose Instacart when store choice and same-day flexibility matter, FreshDirect when you are in its Northeast footprint, and DoorDash or Amazon Now for urgent purchases.
Before subscribing, price one representative basket from checkout through the final total. That single comparison reveals whether delivery convenience is actually saving money—or simply making a higher-cost shopping habit easier.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
