Best Grocery Delivery Service in 2026 (We Compared 6)
2026年最佳生鲜配送服务（6家对比）
Comparing Instacart, Amazon Fresh, Walmart+, Costco, Shipt and more — find the best grocery delivery service for price, selection, and convenience.
Grocery Delivery Is Mainstream — But Expensive If You’re Not Careful
Over 60% of US households used grocery delivery at least once in 2025. The convenience is real: skip the drive, the lines, and the impulse purchases.
But the hidden costs are also real. Markups, service fees, and tips can add 20-40% to your grocery bill if you’re not strategic.
We tested 6 major grocery delivery services on what matters most: actual prices (vs in-store), delivery fees, product selection, and freshness of produce.
Quick Comparison: Top 6 Grocery Delivery Services
| Service | Delivery Fee | Markup vs In-Store | Min Order | Subscription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instacart | $3.99-7.99 | 5-15% higher | $10 | $9.99/mo (Instacart+) |
| Amazon Fresh | $0-9.95 | 0-10% | $35 | Prime ($14.99/mo) |
| Walmart+ | $0 | Same as in-store | $35 | $12.95/mo |
| Costco (via Instacart) | $3.99-7.99 | 5-17% higher | $10 | Costco membership |
| Shipt | $0 (membership) | 5-15% | $35 | $10.99/mo |
| FreshDirect | $5.99 | 0-5% | $30 | DeliveryPass $7.99/mo |
#1 Best Overall: Instacart
Markup: 5-15% | Delivery: $3.99-7.99 | Our rating: 8.5/10
Instacart’s superpower is store variety. It’s the only service that lets you shop from Costco, Kroger, Safeway, Aldi, Sprouts, and 1,400+ other retailers — all through one app.
What we liked:
- Shop from multiple stores in one order
- Same-day delivery (often within 1-2 hours)
- “Priority delivery” option (30 min) for urgent needs
- In-app coupons and weekly deals from partner stores
- Instacart+ ($9.99/mo) gives free delivery on $35+ orders
What we didn’t:
- Prices are marked up 5-15% over in-store
- Service fee is an additional 5% (reduced to 2% with Instacart+)
- Heavy items (water, detergent) may have surcharges
- Produce quality is hit-or-miss (shopper-dependent)
Cost example: $100 in-store basket → ~$125-135 delivered (without subscription)
Money-saving tip: Instacart regularly releases promo codes for first-time and returning users. Check our Instacart deals page for today’s best discount — new users often get $20 off their first order.
Verdict: Best for households that shop multiple stores. The convenience of one-app access to Costco + Kroger + specialty stores justifies the markup for many families.
#2 Best Value: Walmart+
Markup: Same as in-store | Delivery: $0 (with Walmart+) | Our rating: 9/10
Walmart+ is the cheapest grocery delivery option, period. Same in-store prices, free delivery, and Walmart’s already-low prices make this the clear winner on cost.
What we liked:
- No markup — same prices as shopping in-store
- Free delivery on orders $35+ (with Walmart+ membership)
- Express delivery in 1-3 hours for $10
- Includes Paramount+ streaming and fuel discounts
- Available in 4,700+ locations nationwide
What we didn’t:
- Limited to Walmart’s inventory only
- Produce and meat quality varies by location
- Substitution quality can be poor
- No organic/specialty store options
Cost example: $100 in-store basket → ~$105 delivered (with membership, including tip)
Verdict: If you shop primarily at one store and want the absolute lowest cost, Walmart+ is unbeatable at $12.95/month. The lack of markup alone saves $10-20 per order vs Instacart.
#3 Best for Prime Members: Amazon Fresh
Markup: 0-10% | Delivery: $0-9.95 | Our rating: 8/10
If you already have Amazon Prime ($14.99/mo), Amazon Fresh delivery is a strong add-on. Delivery is free on orders $150+, and $6.95-$9.95 on smaller orders.
What we liked:
- No additional subscription if you’re already Prime
- Whole Foods delivery option (premium/organic)
- Free delivery on orders $150+ (reduced from previous $35 threshold)
- Amazon-brand products (Solimo, Happy Belly) are very affordable
- Returns and refunds are hassle-free
What we didn’t:
- $150 minimum for free delivery is very high (was $35)
- Delivery windows are 2-hour blocks (less precise)
- Fresh produce selection is smaller than Instacart
- Regional availability is limited
Cost example: $100 in-store basket → ~$110-115 delivered (under $150 threshold = $6.95 fee)
Verdict: Great if you already pay for Prime and regularly order $150+ in groceries. For smaller orders, the delivery fee makes it less competitive than Walmart+.
#4 Best for Bulk: Costco (via Instacart)
Markup: 5-17% | Delivery: $3.99-7.99 | Our rating: 7/10
You can’t get Costco delivery without going through Instacart (or using Costco’s limited same-day service). It’s convenient but the markups are the steepest.
What we liked:
- Only way to get Costco items delivered same-day
- Great for heavy/bulky items (bulk paper towels, water, etc.)
- Costco’s base prices are still low even with Instacart markup
- Can combine with other store orders on Instacart
What we didn’t:
- Markup is 5-17% above Costco in-store (already on top of Costco’s value pricing)
- Instacart service fee adds another 5%
- Can’t use Costco coupons through Instacart
- Executive member rewards don’t apply
Cost example: $100 Costco basket → ~$120-130 delivered via Instacart
Verdict: Convenient for heavy items you don’t want to haul, but the combined markups mean significant savings loss. For regular bulk shopping, going to Costco yourself is noticeably cheaper.
#5 Best for Target Shoppers: Shipt
Markup: 5-15% | Delivery: $0 with membership | Our rating: 7.5/10
Shipt (owned by Target) is best if Target is your primary grocery store. It also partners with other retailers in select areas.
What we liked:
- Tight integration with Target (use Target Circle deals)
- Dedicated personal shoppers (better produce selection)
- Same-day delivery within 1 hour
- $10.99/mo membership includes free delivery on $35+
- Also delivers from CVS, Petco, Bed Bath & Beyond
What we didn’t:
- Prices are marked up vs in-store Target
- Limited to Target-heavy metros (not nationwide)
- Membership is on top of any Target Circle/RedCard discounts
- Smaller grocery selection than Walmart or Instacart
Verdict: Good if Target is your store. Otherwise, Instacart or Walmart+ are more versatile.
#6 Best for Freshness: FreshDirect
Markup: 0-5% | Delivery: $5.99 | Our rating: 7.5/10
FreshDirect operates its own warehouses (not from retail stores), which means better freshness control and minimal markup.
What we liked:
- Produce, meat, and seafood are noticeably fresher
- Minimal markup (runs own supply chain)
- Next-day delivery with 1-hour windows
- Sustainable packaging
- DeliveryPass ($7.99/mo) for free delivery on $39+
What we didn’t:
- Only available in NYC metro, Philadelphia, and DC areas
- Narrower selection than Walmart/Instacart
- No same-day delivery (usually next day)
- $30 minimum order
Verdict: If you live in FreshDirect’s delivery zone and prioritize produce quality, it’s excellent. For everyone else, it’s not an option.
Grocery Delivery Cost Comparison (Same $100 Basket)
| Service | Total Cost | Savings vs Instacart |
|---|---|---|
| In-store (yourself) | $100 + your time | — |
| Walmart+ | ~$105 | $20-30 cheaper |
| FreshDirect | ~$108 | $17-27 cheaper |
| Amazon Fresh (Prime) | ~$112 | $13-23 cheaper |
| Instacart (Instacart+) | ~$125 | — |
| Costco via Instacart | ~$125 | Same |
| Shipt | ~$123 | $2-12 cheaper |
How to Save on Grocery Delivery
1. Meet Free Delivery Minimums
Every service has a threshold for free delivery. Plan your orders to hit it:
- Walmart+: $35
- Instacart+: $35
- Shipt: $35
- Amazon Fresh: $150
2. Use Store Loyalty Programs
Your in-store loyalty rewards still work:
- Kroger/Safeway points through Instacart
- Target Circle deals through Shipt
- Amazon Subscribe & Save discounts through Fresh
3. Compare Prices on Instacart
Instacart shows prices from multiple stores. For each item, check which store is cheapest — the difference can be 20-30% on the same product.
4. Grab New User Promos
Most services offer significant first-order discounts:
- Instacart: $20+ off first order → Get code
- Amazon Fresh: Free delivery on first order
- Shipt: Free 4-week trial
5. Avoid Small Orders
Fees (delivery, service, small order) hurt most on small baskets. Consolidate into 1-2 large weekly orders instead of multiple small ones.
6. Tip Wisely
Tips aren’t fees — they go to your shopper. But budget for 15-20% on your delivery total. This is a real cost that pushes the true premium to 25-40% over in-store.
Our Recommendation
| Situation | Best Service | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest overall | Walmart+ | No markup + free delivery |
| Multiple stores | Instacart | 1,400+ retailers in one app |
| Already have Prime | Amazon Fresh | No extra subscription |
| Best produce quality | FreshDirect | Own warehouse supply chain |
| Bulk buying | Go to Costco yourself | Delivery markups are steep |
For most households: Start with Walmart+ at $12.95/month. Same in-store prices plus free delivery is the best value in grocery delivery. If you need stores Walmart doesn’t carry, add Instacart+ ($9.99/mo) for the widest selection — but watch those markups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest grocery delivery service?
Walmart+ is the cheapest for most people — $12.95/month with free delivery on orders $35+, and in-store prices (no markup). Amazon Fresh is comparable for Prime members on orders $150+. Instacart marks up prices 5-15% over in-store.
Is Instacart worth it?
Instacart is worth it if you shop from multiple stores. It’s the only service offering same-day delivery from Costco, Kroger, Safeway, and more — all in one app. But expect 5-15% higher prices than in-store. Instacart+ ($9.99/mo) helps if you order 3+ times/month.
Does grocery delivery cost more than shopping in store?
Yes, most services charge 5-20% more than in-store prices plus delivery/service fees. Walmart+ is the exception — it offers the same prices as in-store. To minimize costs, compare markups and use free delivery thresholds.
Which grocery delivery service has the best selection?
Instacart offers the widest selection because it connects to 1,400+ store chains. Amazon Fresh/Whole Foods is strong for organic/premium. Walmart has the deepest inventory for a single retailer.
Save more on food: Instacart promo codes | DoorDash deals | Best meal kit services | How to save money on groceries