Instacart Review: Is Becoming a Shopper Worth It?

Working as an Instacart shopper can absolutely be a legitimate side hustle. Many shoppers earn between $15 to $25+ per hour, and the flexible schedule allows you to work whenever you want.

However, like any gig job, it’s important to understand both the advantages and the hidden downsides before jumping in. Instacart can be profitable—but it’s definitely not the perfect fit for everyone. So, is it actually worth signing up for Instacart? Let’s take a deep look.

What Is Instacart?

Instacart is one of the biggest grocery delivery services in North America, operating in more than 5,500 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Customers can order groceries and daily essentials from major retailers such as:

.Costco

.Aldi

.Publix

.Target

.Kroger

.Meijer

.CVS

.Sam’s Club

As a shopper, your job is to shop for these items, check out, and deliver them to customers.

Instacart works similarly to Shipt, and it has some overlap with apps like DoorDash or Uber Eats—except most of your deliveries are full grocery orders, not fast food.

Is Instacart Worth It?

If you’re looking for a flexible side gig that fits your schedule, Instacart can be worth it. In many cities, shoppers earn $15–$20 per hour, and you don’t need any prior experience to get started.

But it’s not ideal as a full-time income source. Some days are slow, and because you’re an independent contractor, you’re never guaranteed a certain number of orders or a consistent hourly rate.

How Much Do Instacart Shoppers Earn?

Most sources show that Instacart shoppers earn around $15 per hour on average. Reports from Reddit, YouTube, and delivery forums show similar numbers, typically $15–$20 per hour, depending on your market.

In busy areas or with high-paying batches, shoppers say they earn $20+ per hour, especially if they’re fast and efficient.

How Instacart Calculates Pay

Instacart uses a multi-factor payment system, including:

.Number of items in the batch

.Shopping difficulty

.Delivery distance

.Base shopper pay

.Heavy-item fees

.100% of customer tips

Large or complex orders typically pay more. It’s possible to see batches worth $30–$50+, which increases your hourly potential—unlike apps such as Uber Eats where earnings are more consistent but usually lower.

What Real Instacart Shoppers Say

Shoppers often share their experiences on Reddit and other forums. Many say they can make $100–$120 per day, but they emphasize the impact of:

.Gas expenses

.Car wear and tear

.Taxes

.Market demand

Some shoppers also complain about Instacart’s priority system: high-rated shoppers see orders first. New shoppers start with high priority, but if their rating drops, available orders can decrease significantly. This is why many Instacart shoppers also work for DoorDash, Grubhub, or Uber Eats.

Most shoppers agree that Instacart is best as a part-time income boost, not a full-time job.

Typical Earnings Range

Most shoppers report earning:

$10–$25 per hour, depending on:

.Your city

.Customer tips

.Your rating

.Your shopping speed

Your earnings usually increase after you gain experience and learn to shop faster and make better decisions about which batches to accept.

Pros & Cons of Working for Instacart

Pros

.Above-average hourly earnings for gig work

.Potential for large tips and high-pay batches

.Very flexible schedule

.Less driving compared to food delivery apps

.Available in many markets

.You keep 100% of your tips

.Access to perks through the Cart Star program (e.g., gas discounts)

Cons

.Ratings can affect your ability to get orders

.Small or rural cities often have lower pay

.Earnings can fluctuate

.Gas and car maintenance are your responsibility

.You must handle your own taxes as a contractor

Overall, Instacart is a realistic way to earn a few hundred extra dollars per month, but not ideal as a long-term primary income.

How to Become an Instacart Shopper

To qualify, you must:

.Have access to a reliable vehicle

.Be at least 18 years old

.Be legally eligible to work in the U.S. or Canada

.Pass a background check

.Be able to lift up to 40 lbs

.Own a smartphone capable of running the shopper app

Sign-up is simple—download the Instacart Shopper app and fill out your application. Background checks may take up to 10 business days.

In busy markets, new applicants may also be placed on a waitlist.

What Working for Instacart Looks Like

Once approved, here’s what a typical workflow includes:

1. Accepting Orders

You go online in the app and view available batches. Each batch shows:

.Items in the order

.Estimated pay

.Delivery distance

.Store location

.Tip amount

Choose a batch, head to the store, and start shopping.

2. Shopping for Items

The app guides you through the store, showing item locations and letting you scan barcodes.

If items are out of stock, you may:

.Offer replacements

.Choose a similar item

.Ask the customer via chat

.Issue a refund through the app

3. Checkout

Use your Instacart payment card (provided by the company) to check out.

4. Delivery

Place items carefully in your car and follow the app’s navigation to deliver.
Many customers choose contactless delivery, while others may have specific instructions.

Once you confirm delivery (and upload a photo), you receive pay usually within 30–60 minutes.
Tips may process slower.

5. Ratings Matter

Customers rate you out of 5 stars. Higher ratings = earlier access to the best orders.
Low ratings may lead to fewer batches—and in extreme cases, account deactivation.

Reviews From Other Shoppers

Here’s what some Instacart shoppers say about the job:

.“I would never rely on Instacart as my main income. It’s too inconsistent.”

.“It depends heavily on your location. Some days I barely hit $100.”

.“I make about $700 a month doing this for fun.”

.“Instacart used to pay better. Now it’s harder to hit $100 a day.”

Opinions vary, but the general theme is:
Great side gig, bad full-time job.

Alternatives Similar to Instacart

If you want to diversify your income, here are similar delivery apps:

.DoorDash – Food delivery with high order volume

.Uber Eats – Another top-paying food delivery option

.Gopuff – Deliver snacks and essentials from micro-warehouses

.Shipt – Instacart’s main competitor

.Amazon Flex – Earn $18–$25 per scheduled hour delivering Amazon packages

.Roadie – Deliver packages for businesses or individuals

.GoShare – Delivery jobs requiring vans or trucks

.Walmart Spark – Walmart’s version of Amazon Flex

If you prefer food delivery over grocery shopping, DoorDash or Uber Eats may be better choices.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is Instacart safe?

Yes, but use common sense—avoid late-night orders in unsafe areas.

How does Instacart pay shoppers?

Weekly direct deposit, or instant cash-out for a $0.50 fee.

Is Instacart considered a good job?

It depends on your expectations. Consider hourly earnings, expenses, and stress level.

Is Instacart difficult?

It’s more complex than food delivery because it involves shopping, replacements, and communication.

Can shoppers make a lot of money?

Most earn $15–$25/hour, but hitting higher numbers consistently is rare.

Can you make $100 a day?

Yes—if your market is busy. Slow days may require using multiple apps.

Does Instacart still pay well after taxes?

Yes, but you’ll need to track expenses yourself and save for tax season.

So, Is Instacart Worth It?

Instacart is worth it if you want:

.A flexible side gig

.Decent hourly earnings

.Minimal interaction with coworkers

.Extra monthly income

It’s not ideal if you want:

.A stable full-time job

.Completely online income

.Work with no driving involved

Give it an honest try—if it doesn’t fit your market or schedule, apps like Uber Eats or Shipt may perform better.