New York Post may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase.
Clicked, sealed, delivered — it’s yours.
In a world of instant gratification, why should groceries be any different? Lucky for all of us, there is an abundance of apps willing to check off our grocery lists. For a fee, that is.
However, with more apps to choose from than ever before and an abundance of shoppers ordering in, due to the pandemic or otherwise, the fee may just be worth it for the ease and convenience.
Want to know how we know? We tested each service ourselves!
Similar to our in-depth (and award-winning!) meal delivery kits review, we spent the month of January ordering groceries — how’s that for a journalism job? Using criteria like cost, delivery time, ease of use and variety of groceries, we set out on a mission to find the best grocery delivery services of 2023.
With so many to choose from, here is a list of the best grocery delivery services, big and small — and tailored for every budget. Use our links below to jump to a specific service, or scroll down to read them all, along with an FAQ on how to choose the best service for you and your hungry family.
To shop this article by company, simply click on each link provided below:
Want more information?
FreshDirect, delivery starts at $5.99/order, membership optional#
FreshDirectUse promo code NYPOST for $50 off your first order of $99+ and free delivery for one year.
A great option for shopping locally, but only if you live on the East Coast.
Because of the specific regional reach, FreshDirect is able to provide the freshest produce possible, priding themselves on what they call their “short supply chain,” engaging with hyper local farms and stores to provide the freshest foods available. The delivery areas include: New York (including the entire NYC metro area), New Jersey and Connecticut. They are continuously expanding, adding places like the Jersey Shore and the Hamptons to their delivery map. In terms of speed, lucky NYC residents can enjoy their two-hour delivery options, soon to be expanded as well.
Since I am a Brooklyn resident, I was able to test the service, and was immediately impressed with the selection of unique and downright fancy options — they have a whole section for charcuterie and crudités! I also noticed a full prepared foods section, so I also added a prepared wrap for lunch, along with my grocery items.
The items came within my expected delivery window on a Saturday afternoon, and with a reusable bag and a box to insure all of my items were secure.
Amazon Fresh, requires Amazon Prime membership#
Amazon FreshAsk, and Amazon will deliver. Literally.
Amazon Fresh fulfills orders using its unbelievably fast two-hour delivery, making it among the quickest in the game. Another plus specific to Amazon is the ability to shop Whole Foods’ wide selection of produce in addition to other name brands.
For my trial, I first had to sign up for Amazon Prime, which offers a free trial for 30 days and then starts at $14.99 per month. Once signed up, I started my shop. I was excited to see that the site carried many different options, including Amazon Fresh and Amazon Kitchen items as well as Whole Foods brand “365 by Whole Foods” and then other name brand items like Kraft, Nabisco and more.
The delivery platform also offers multiple ways to receive your order, including attended delivery where you are home to receive it, doorstep contactless delivery and an option to pick up your order at an Amazon location. I opted to schedule my delivery for a two-hour window in the morning, and sure enough the parcels arrived perfectly in the middle of that window. The coolest part was the ability to track the delivery driver, so I knew when my stop was up next.
One drawback is that Amazon Fresh is exclusive to Amazon Prime and Prime Student members, and is not available for regular Amazon users or guests. And even with the Prime membership, shipping is only free with a minimum order of $35–$50, depending on region. However, for those that already use and love Prime benefits, this is another convenient one to add to the list, amongst Amazon Video and Amazon Music.
Instacart, delivery starts at $3.99/order, membership optional#
InstacartIt’s all in the name for this one.
Instacart is ideal for those who want their groceries and personal items delivered as instantly as possible. They offer same-day delivery and allow you to pick a drop-off window for a seamless exchange.
The platform is also great for those who like to shop at different stores, as Instacart partners with many regional and national grocery chains, such as Costco, Wegmans, Kroger. ALDI and even CVS for pharmacy needs. They also recently added the option to shop at other non-grocery stores, like Sephora, Petco and Staples to name a few, adding even more flexibility to the service.
When testing this service, I found that one of the best features, especially for picky shoppers, is the option to choose replacements for items that may be sold out when your Instacart shopper is filling your order. That way, there are no surprises when you get a different brand or flavor, and no missing items from your list. The site and app both let you message in real time with your shopper, should anything change.
Sophie CannonI chose to shop at Aldi for my test run, as I love the prices as well as the Aldi brand finds, plus my physical location is too far for me to physically go myself — proving just how useful Instacart delivery can be. I also love their Aldi-specific items, and since they do not deliver themselves, Instacart again saves the day.
With the Instacart+ membership ($9.99/month) I was able to get free delivery on my order, plus discounted service fees and even cash back on some items. You do not need the membership to use the service, but for those that use Instacart regularly, it is a great option, if only for the waived delivery fee.
Shipt, $9.99/order, membership optional#
ShiptTarget lovers take note. The red-bullseye brand acquired this delivery platform back in 2017, which has expanded to include other major retailers including Costco, Petco, CVS and Office Depot.
A major perk is that when shopping at Target, you can get your grocery list fulfilled at the same time as you do your holiday shopping, restock your toiletries or pick up a cozy bathrobe for yourself.
For the Target-specific customer, it’s also worth noting that you can use your Target RedCard to pay for the delivery while saving 5%. Same-day delivery is available in most areas and can be scheduled in the app or online.
Like other sites, customers don’t need to sign up for a membership to use Shipt, but it is recommended for repeat users. Without a membership, each order has a $9.99 delivery fee. The subscription costs $99 per year, which works out to $8.25 per month and gives members free delivery for orders $35 and over. The only downside is that there isn’t a free delivery option for smaller orders, so you might as well throw in a treat for yourself to make it to the minimum.
Because I wanted to hit the minimum, I did indeed throw in a few treats, like Valentine’s Day candy and even nail polish remover that I had remembered I needed. That’s the beauty of a store like Target — they have it all!
Target really is the best way to stock up on holiday candy, household essentials and grab some fruit and salad for lunch all at the same time! Sophie CannonThe actual shopping experience was amazing, as I simply chose what I needed, selected a delivery window (super speedy by the way, and arrived only two hours after I placed my order) and then was even given the option to choose replacement items. My delivery came in my selected one-hour window, packaged in a reusable bag with all my fruits and veggies intact and delicious.
DoorDash, free to use, subscriptions start at $9.99/month#
DoorDashDid you know your Dasher can head to the grocery store, too?
DoorDash works like any other food delivery platform, working in tandem with local restaurants to deliver your order with speed and accuracy. Now, the same goes for participating grocery stores and local bodegas, so long as they are within your delivery location.
We had the pleasure to sign up with a DashPass membership ($9.99 per month) which automatically waives the delivery fee and lowers services fees, too. Plus, receive 5% back via DoorDash credits when you opt to pick up your order, which is great for those who hate the shopping part but don’t mind a drive or walk to the store.
I’ve used the app before for restaurants, but never for groceries, so I was pleased to see that the wide selection of locations I was used to for takeout was the same for grocery stores. I also saw an option to shop at DashMart, which is DoorDash’s very own store, curated by micro-fulfillment centers in your area. I opted for that choice, since it is unique to the site, and filled my cart with fresh produce and a few pantry items, too.
Using DashPass, I saved on not only delivery fees but on the tax and service fee, too. DoorDashAfter ordering, I set my timer to see if the estimated 28 – 38 minute delivery window would be accurate — and it was! The time changes in real time, too, so I may or may not have stared at my screen for the full 30 minutes watching the time tick down. When ordering, do keep in mind weather delays and other circumstances, but during my delivery it was a breeze. Note: you can also enable SMS texting for updates on your order, should you want real time tracking or stay in the app or on site to track your driver.
Hungryroot, plans start at $65 per delivery, use our link for $30 off three orders plus a free gift in every delivery for life.#
HungryrootGetting hungry yet?
This grocery delivery platform goes above and beyond just produce and snacks. Hungryroot also provides full recipes for you and your family, making sure you have all the ingredients and the ideas to fuel you for the week. This is why we also included Hungryroot here, in our comprehensive meal kit review.
To save you time, here are the highlights. Take a quiz when making your account to see what types of foods you are in the market for. Then, receive a customized plan and add in other options like breakfast, snacks and more.
This really is the hybrid between a meal kit service and a grocery delivery platform, making it a great solution for those who enjoy cooking and coming up with ideas on their own, but may not want to spend too long at a grocery store or meal planning by themselves. It is also a great way to discover new grocery items and brands, like Pipcorn for example, that became my new favorite snack after I received it in my Hungryroot order.
My order came with groceries and pantry staples, introducing me to new brands and providing old favorites all in the same order. Sophie CannonYou do need a subscription to use the service, but for a limited time, New York Post readers like yourself can save $90 total, when you shop through the button below.
Public Goods, annual memberships start at $79/month#
Public GoodsDo your pantry some good, and help the planet at the same time.
Public Goods is a wholesale grocery and household product delivery service that does their part to help the environment. With every order, they plant a tree to offset carbon emissions and help out world.
Back to the food, once signed up for a membership (or a two-week free trial) you can shop their assortment of grocery items, household products, personal care items and even pet supplies. Be sure to also check out their surplus store, which has food and personal items on clearance, helping you save money and eliminate food waste.
I ordered my box based on what I needed at home, plus some of the pastas and sauces that looked just too good to pass up on — looking at you, Tom Yum sauce! Delivery was easy to schedule and arrived at my door a few days later. Everything was packaged perfectly, and the glass sauce jar was even double-wrapped to protect it in transit.
This delivery was perfect for my winter cravings, with bone broth, ramen and mac and cheese, plus some household essentials. Sophie CannonGopuff, $3.95+ delivery fee, no membership required#
goPuffInstead of running to the convenience store or bodega, check out Gopuff for all your snacking, alcohol and grocery needs.
I first came across this service when I was in college, catering to my late-night ice cream cravings quite well. Now, the site has grown even more, with options for even more snacks, plus alcohol, grocery items, wellness and home items and even hot, prepared foods like burgers and pizza. Talk about convenience!
To use the service, all you need is a phone number to create a free account, no subscription required. Then, load your cart with what you need and a Gopuff shopper will prepare and deliver to your door. I wanted to try everything, so I opted for some traditional groceries and snacks as well as my lunch via their Fresh Food Hall. Since I ordered hot food, I awaited my order in anticipation, watching the delivery time tick down.
I ordered regular groceries, including fresh mango, cucumbers and bananas, all of which looked fresh and perfect from the store. I also got a lavender oat milk latte (fancy, I know) and a cheeseburger. To my great surprise, the coffee came cold with ice not-yet-melted, and the cheeseburger was still warm with melty cheese and a medium-well cook. 10/10 for a double whammy lunch and grocery shop!
9. Uber Eats#
Uber EatsCalling in food is now as easy as calling a car, and can even be done in the same app!
Uber Eats is a great app to use for those that like local grocery stores but don’t like having to go in and shop themselves. Like the Uber app for travel, the Uber Eats app uses your location to present suggestions, offering up a menu of restaurants, as well as grocery stores, liquor stores and even some retail shops that have delivery (or pick-up) available in your area.
For this review, I was actually staying at a hotel, and needed groceries for the evening that I could eat in my room. Luckily, Uber Eats was easy to use and there was an Uber Eats grocery store right in my area of the city. Using the app is simple and works the same as a restaurant order, allowing you to choose produce, frozen and packaged goods and add to your cart. Then, add a tip and wait for your delivery, using the app to track your driver in real time.
Another perk of Uber Eats is that for those that also use Uber for rides, you can use your gift cards, points and account interchangeably, keeping everything in one place. You can also use your UberOne membership for discounts on delivery fees and food, as you can on discounted rides – a win-win!
My food arrived in an Uber bag with my name on it, which was a great touch, making sure my food made it to me and only me. I met the driver outside, but you can also opt for contactless drop-off.
Grocery delivery services compared#
How to pick the best grocery delivery service#
Time: Many of these services can either be delivered in real time or scheduled for a certain date and time. Keep this in mind when ordering, thinking about when you will be home to receive the package and when you need the groceries by.
Price: Like typical supermarkets, some grocery stores may have items that cost more or less than others. Then, also consider any additional fees, like a membership, service fees, taxes and of course, the tip. Please tip your drivers generously!
Convenience vs. Accuracy: Remember — when entrusting someone else to do your shopping for you, there may be cases where replacement items may be different from what you would choose. If this is important to you, opt for a service that allows you to choose replacement items so there are less surprises when unboxing your groceries.
FAQ#
What is the difference between grocery delivery and a meal kit? While both services deliver food to your home, a grocery delivery service is mainly just ingredients and household items you would find in a regular grocery store. A meal kit service delivers ingredients that pertain to a certain recipe or a prepared dish.
Do I need to sign up for a membership to use a grocery delivery service? Not necessarily!
Check out New York Post Shopping for more content.


