Grocery delivery is mature enough that most major English-speaking countries now have at least one viable national service, and several have multiple. The right choice depends on your country, nearest supermarket chain, and tolerance for subscription fees or per-item markup. This guide is organised by country because grocery delivery is local before it is global.
Coverage areas, fees, and store partnerships change constantly. Confirm current pricing in your specific postal code or zip code before signing up for a paid membership.
Pick-by-country TL;DR
| Country | First pick | Why | Second pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (national) | Walmart+ | Cheapest membership; in-store prices | Instacart (for store choice) |
| United States (urban / Prime) | Amazon Fresh + Whole Foods | Free for Prime over threshold | Instacart |
| United States (NYC / Philly) | FreshDirect | Best produce quality | Instacart |
| United Kingdom (national) | Tesco Online | Widest UK coverage | Ocado (for quality) |
| United Kingdom (quality-focused) | Ocado | Top consumer-survey scores | Tesco |
| South Africa (urban) | Checkers Sixty60 | 60-minute delivery, no markup | Woolworths Dash |
| South Africa (premium) | Woolworths Dash | Premium range, fast | Checkers Sixty60 |
| Australia | Coles or Woolworths Online | Both mature; pick by store loyalty | The other one |
| Convenience (US only) | Gopuff | 15-30 min essentials | n/a |
What changes the bill
The ranking favours actual cost, including membership, per-order fees, tips, and per-item markup, plus produce quality, substitution behaviour, driver tip policy, and store coverage.
Match the service to your week, not the marketing. A “free delivery” service with 15% markup on every product is not free.
United States
1. Instacart (US, Canada) - widest store coverage
Instacart shops from 1,500+ retailers (Costco, Aldi, Sam’s Club, Safeway, Wegmans, BJ’s, and most regional chains). Membership (Instacart+ at $99/year) waives delivery fees on orders over $35. Note: prices on Instacart often run 5-15% above in-store, separate from delivery fees.
Instacart fits US and Canadian shoppers who want store choice, including Costco and Sam’s. The cost problem is per-item markup plus tipping. Check coverage at instacart.com.
2. Amazon Fresh + Whole Foods (US, UK) - best for Prime members
Free for Prime members over a threshold (typically $35-100 depending on area). Whole Foods delivery operates through Amazon. Selection is large, but stocking inconsistency on fresh produce is widely reported - you save the membership cost but trade some reliability.
This is strongest for existing Prime members combining grocery with broader Amazon orders. Produce quality varies more than dedicated grocery services. Check coverage at amazon.com/fresh.
3. Walmart+ (US) - cheapest grocery-delivery membership
Walmart+ ($98/year or $12.95/month) includes free same-day grocery delivery on orders over $35 from Walmart stores. Prices match in-store, which is rare among delivery services. Coverage is broadest in suburban and rural US.
Walmart+ suits families spending $500+ per month on groceries, especially in rural and suburban US areas. The selection is Walmart’s own, with no Whole Foods or speciality-store breadth. Check coverage at walmart.com/plus.
4. FreshDirect (US East Coast) - best produce quality where available
FreshDirect runs its own facilities and delivers from a single warehouse rather than picking from a store. Produce and meat quality consistently rated highest in NYC-area surveys. Coverage limited to NY metro and Philadelphia.
FreshDirect is best for produce-focused shoppers in the NYC, New Jersey, and Philadelphia area. Coverage is limited and minimum-order thresholds apply. Check coverage at freshdirect.com.
5. Gopuff (US) - fastest convenience delivery
Gopuff operates its own micro-warehouses and delivers convenience goods (essentials, snacks, alcohol where licensed) in 15-30 minutes. Selection is narrow but the speed is unmatched.
Gopuff is for late-night convenience runs and one-item urgent needs, not a full grocery shop. Selection is narrower than a supermarket. Check coverage at gopuff.com.
United Kingdom
6. Ocado (UK) - best dedicated grocery operation
Ocado is a pure online grocer (no physical stores) with proprietary warehouse robotics. Often ranked top in UK consumer surveys (Which?) for product quality and substitution behaviour. Partners with M&S for the M&S product range.
Ocado suits UK shoppers prioritising fresh-product quality and consistent service. Minimum spends apply, and delivery passes only pay back for regular use. Check coverage at ocado.com.
7. Tesco Online (UK) - widest UK coverage
Tesco’s grocery delivery covers more of the UK than any competitor and integrates Tesco Clubcard pricing. Delivery slots run from early morning to late evening, and “click and collect” is free at most stores.
Tesco Online is the practical default for many UK postcodes and existing Clubcard members. Substitution behaviour varies by region. Check coverage at tesco.com/groceries.
South Africa
8. Checkers Sixty60 (South Africa) - 60-minute delivery from Checkers
Checkers Sixty60 delivers from Checkers stores in roughly 60 minutes (often faster) for a small flat fee. Coverage is most of urban South Africa. Pricing matches in-store. Industry-leading for SA on-demand grocery delivery and the model competitors are now copying.
Sixty60 suits South African urban shoppers who want fast delivery without markup. Range depends on the nearest Checkers, so niche items may be unavailable. Check coverage at sixty60.co.za.
9. Woolworths Dash (South Africa) - quick delivery from Woolworths
Woolworths Dash delivers from Woolworths Food stores in roughly 60 minutes for a small fee. Premium grocer range; prices higher than Checkers but quality leans premium. Coverage in major SA metros.
Dash is for South Africans who already shop Woolworths and want it delivered fast. Pricing is premium, and the range is smaller than full-size Woolworths Online. Check coverage at woolworths.co.za.
Australia
10. Coles Online and Woolworths Online (Australia)
Australia’s two major supermarket chains both run mature online grocery operations with delivery and click-and-collect. Both match in-store pricing and run regular delivery-fee promotions for new customers and rewards-program members. Pick by which supermarket you would shop at anyway.
Australian shoppers should usually pick the chain they would shop anyway, especially if they already use the rewards programme. Slot availability gets tight near holiday peaks. Check Coles and Woolworths.
Cost checks before joining
- Calculate full cost per delivery: membership / delivery count + service fees + tip + per-item markup.
- Try one $50-80 / R600-900 order before committing to an annual membership.
- Check substitution behaviour - “out of stock” handling differs widely between services.
- Most services have one weekly free-delivery day or new-customer trial - use it.
- Tip the shopper. They are paid less than the platform marketing suggests.
Grocery delivery questions
Is grocery delivery actually cheaper than going to the store yourself?
Only if you account for all the costs honestly. A Walmart+ membership at $98/year with in-store pricing can be cost-neutral or cheaper than driving for a family doing weekly shops, once you factor in fuel, time, and impulse purchases. Instacart and similar services that mark up prices 5-15% above in-store are consistently more expensive on a per-item basis. Run the numbers on your own usage before committing to a subscription.
What does “substitution behaviour” mean and why does it matter?
When an item is out of stock, the service either substitutes with something else, leaves the item out, or contacts you. Poor substitution behaviour - replacing your preferred brand with an entirely different product at a different price without asking - is the leading complaint against grocery delivery services. Ocado is consistently rated among the best in the UK for handling this correctly; experiences vary on Instacart and Amazon Fresh.
Is Checkers Sixty60 as fast as it claims?
In most major South African metro areas, Sixty60 frequently delivers faster than the advertised 60 minutes during off-peak hours. Peak times (lunch, after work) and rainy weather slow it down. The pricing matches in-store, which is rare among rapid-delivery services and is its main competitive advantage over alternatives.
Should I tip grocery delivery shoppers?
Yes. Grocery delivery shoppers on platforms like Instacart are typically paid a base rate that assumes customer tips. Not tipping directly reduces their pay below a living rate for the job. A standard 10-15% tip on the order total is the minimum; more for large orders, heavy items, or long distances.
More shopping and home guides
- Top 10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing Any Service
- Top 10 Buying Criteria to Check Before Any New Gadget
- Top 10 Best Eco-Friendly Products for Everyday Use
Sources and fee caveats
Pricing, membership terms, and coverage areas change frequently. Always confirm current pricing in your specific postcode before signing up. Services launch and exit markets faster than this list can be updated - the country table at the top is the starting point, but check what is live in your area today.
- FTC on grocery delivery fees - US consumer guidance.
- Which? UK grocery delivery comparisons - independent UK consumer ratings.
- Choice Australia - grocery delivery - Australian consumer testing.
- National Consumer Commission (NCC) South Africa - SA consumer protection oversight.