Choosing between Amazon Flex and DoorDash? This guide has everything you need to decide.
Quick Answer: Which Is Better?
Choose Amazon Flex If:
- - You want guaranteed hourly pay
- - You prefer scheduled blocks
- - You like predictable income
- - You have a larger vehicle
Choose DoorDash If:
- - You want work-anytime flexibility
- - You enjoy customer interaction
- - Tips are good in your area
- - You have any vehicle (including bikes)
Many successful drivers do BOTH platforms to maximize earnings!
Table of Contents
1. Platform Overview
Amazon Flex and DoorDash are two of the largest gig delivery platforms in America, but they operate very differently. Understanding these differences is key to choosing the right one for you.
Amazon Flex
- Type: Package & grocery delivery
- Founded: 2015
- Available: 50+ US cities
- Model: Scheduled delivery blocks
- Pay: $18-25/hour base
DoorDash
- Type: Food & retail delivery
- Founded: 2013
- Available: 7,000+ US cities
- Model: On-demand orders
- Pay: $2-10/order + tips
Fundamental Difference
Amazon Flex: You grab a scheduled "block" (3-5 hours), pick up packages from a warehouse, and deliver them along a predetermined route. Pay is guaranteed for the block.
DoorDash: You go online whenever you want and receive individual delivery offers. You accept or decline each order. Pay depends on tips and order volume.
2. Pay Comparison: Who Pays More?
This is the question everyone wants answered. Here's the honest breakdown based on 2026 driver data.
2026 Pay Rates Comparison
| Metric | Amazon Flex | DoorDash |
|---|---|---|
| Base Hourly Rate | $18-25/hour (guaranteed) | $2-6/order base |
| Average Hourly (with tips) | $20-28/hour | $15-30/hour |
| Surge/Peak Pay | $25-40/hour | $25-45/hour |
| Slow Period | $18-22/hour | $8-15/hour |
| Tips | Grocery only (avg $5-15/block) | Every order (avg $3-8/order) |
| Pay Consistency | Very Consistent | Highly Variable |
Amazon Flex Wins When:
- - You want guaranteed income
- - It's a slow delivery day
- - You work base-rate blocks consistently
- - You get grocery blocks with tips
- - Surge blocks are available
DoorDash Wins When:
- - Tips are generous in your area
- - It's dinner rush (5-9 PM)
- - Peak pay bonuses are active
- - You're in a high-demand zone
- - You cherry-pick high-paying orders
The Verdict on Pay
Amazon Flex offers more consistent earnings with less stress. DoorDash has higher ceiling potential but also lower floors. For reliable income, Flex wins. For maximizing peak hours, DoorDash can win big.
3. Schedule Flexibility
Flexibility is often the main reason people choose gig work. These platforms offer very different approaches.
Scheduling Comparison
Amazon Flex Scheduling
- How it works: Grab blocks 24-48 hours in advance
- Block lengths: 3, 3.5, 4, or 5 hours
- Minimum commitment: Once you grab a block, you must complete it
- Cancellation: Can forfeit blocks (affects standing)
- Competition: High - blocks disappear in seconds
Best for: Planned schedules, consistent workers
DoorDash Scheduling
- How it works: Dash Now or schedule ahead
- Session lengths: Any length you choose
- Minimum commitment: None - stop anytime
- Cancellation: End dash with no penalty
- Competition: Varies by zone saturation
Best for: Spontaneous work, unpredictable schedules
Flexibility Winner: DoorDash
DoorDash clearly wins on flexibility. You can start and stop whenever you want, take breaks between orders, and have zero commitment. Amazon Flex requires planning ahead and committing to your scheduled block time.
4. Requirements & Sign-Up
Platform Requirements Comparison
| Requirement | Amazon Flex | DoorDash |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 years old | 18 years old |
| Vehicle Type | 4-door car, SUV, or van (mid-size+) | Any car, scooter, bike, or walk |
| Driver's License | Valid US license | Valid license (not for bike/walk) |
| Insurance | Personal auto insurance required | Personal auto insurance required |
| Background Check | Criminal + driving history | Criminal + driving history |
| Smartphone | iPhone or Android (recent model) | iPhone or Android |
| Sign-Up Time | 1-3 weeks (waitlist possible) | 1-7 days typically |
Key Difference: Vehicle Requirements
Amazon Flex is stricter - you need a mid-size or larger vehicle to fit packages. DoorDash accepts any mode of transportation, making it accessible to more people. If you have a compact car or no car, DoorDash is your only option.
5. Day-to-Day Work Experience
A Typical Amazon Flex Shift
- 1 Arrive at warehouse 10-15 min early
- 2 Check in via app, get assigned cart
- 3 Load 25-50 packages into your car
- 4 Follow app navigation to each stop
- 5 Deliver, photo, repeat for 3-5 hours
- 6 Return undeliverables to warehouse
Packages: 25-50 per block | Stops: 20-40 | Interaction: Minimal
A Typical DoorDash Shift
- 1 Go online in the app from anywhere
- 2 Receive order offer with pay/distance
- 3 Accept or decline (your choice)
- 4 Drive to restaurant, pick up food
- 5 Deliver to customer, possibly interact
- 6 Get next order or stop anytime
Orders: 2-4/hour | Stops: Varies | Interaction: Frequent
Work Experience Summary
Amazon Flex Experience:
- - More physical (heavy packages)
- - Less customer interaction
- - Predictable route each block
- - No waiting at restaurants
- - Clear start and end time
DoorDash Experience:
- - Less physical (food bags)
- - More customer interaction
- - Unpredictable order flow
- - Restaurant wait times
- - Freedom to stop anytime
6. Vehicle Wear & Expenses
Both platforms put miles on your car, but the type of driving differs significantly.
Expense Comparison
| Expense Factor | Amazon Flex | DoorDash |
|---|---|---|
| Miles per Hour | 15-25 miles | 10-20 miles |
| Driving Type | More highway, suburbs | More city, stop-and-go |
| Brake Wear | Lower | Higher |
| Gas Usage | Moderate | Moderate |
| Parking Hassles | Low (residential) | High (restaurants) |
| Estimated Cost/Hour | $3-5/hour in expenses | $2-4/hour in expenses |
Net Profit Consideration
While Amazon Flex drives more miles, the consistent higher pay often results in better net profit. DoorDash has more stop-and-go which is harder on your car, but covers fewer miles. Both work out to roughly similar expense ratios when factoring in the IRS mileage deduction ($0.67/mile in 2026).
7. Tips & Bonuses
Amazon Flex Tipping
- Logistics (Packages): No tips
- Whole Foods: Tips common, $5-25/block
- Fresh: Tips common, $3-15/block
- Tip Timing: Appear up to 24 hours later
- Average Tip: $8-15 per grocery block
Pro tip: Grocery blocks often pay less base but earn more total with tips. A $48 Whole Foods block can net $60-80 with tips.
DoorDash Tipping
- Every Order: Tips on almost every delivery
- Average Tip: $3-8 per order
- Tip Timing: Visible before accepting order
- Hidden Tips: Orders over $4 may hide tip amounts
- Tip Percentage: Varies by customer generosity
Pro tip: DoorDash shows partial tips upfront. A "$6.50 for 2 miles" order might actually pay $10+ once the hidden tip reveals.
Bonuses & Incentives
Amazon Flex Bonuses
- - Surge pricing (bad weather, high demand)
- - Reserved block offers (loyalty reward)
- - New driver bonuses (varies by market)
- - Holiday surge rates
DoorDash Bonuses
- - Peak Pay ($1-5 extra per order)
- - Challenges ($50 for 15 deliveries, etc.)
- - New Dasher bonuses (up to $500)
- - Large order program
8. Pros & Cons Breakdown
Amazon Flex
Pros
- Guaranteed pay per block
- No restaurant waiting
- Less customer interaction
- Predictable shift lengths
- Higher minimum hourly rate
Cons
- Must schedule blocks in advance
- Competitive block grabbing
- Stricter vehicle requirements
- Heavy lifting required
- Can't stop mid-block
DoorDash
Pros
- Work anytime, no scheduling
- Stop anytime you want
- Any vehicle works
- Tips on every order
- Choose which orders to accept
Cons
- Inconsistent earnings
- Restaurant wait times
- Low base pay without tips
- Customer interaction required
- Slow periods earn little
9. Multi-App Strategy: Using Both
Here's the secret many top earners know: you don't have to choose just one. Using both platforms strategically can maximize your earnings.
The Best Multi-App Strategy
- 1 Use Flex as your base income - Schedule blocks for guaranteed pay
- 2 DoorDash between blocks - Fill gaps with on-demand orders
- 3 DoorDash during Flex slow days - When no blocks are available
- 4 Prioritize Flex surge blocks - When available, they pay more than DoorDash
- 5 DoorDash dinner rush - 5-9 PM can outpace Flex base rates
Sample Multi-App Weekly Schedule
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Flex Block 8-12 | Break | DoorDash 5-9 |
| Tuesday | DoorDash 10-1 | Flex Block 2-6 | Break |
| Wednesday | Flex Block 9-1 | Break | DoorDash 6-9 |
| Thursday | Break | Flex Block 1-5 | DoorDash 6-9 |
| Friday | Flex Block 8-12 | Break | DoorDash 5-10 |
| Saturday | Flex Block 7-11 | DoorDash 12-3 | DoorDash 5-9 |
| Sunday | Flex Block 8-12 | Break | Break |
This schedule combines ~25 hours Flex + ~20 hours DoorDash for maximum earnings.
10. Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Amazon Flex If You:
- - Want predictable, guaranteed income
- - Prefer scheduled work over spontaneous
- - Are introverted or dislike customer interaction
- - Have a mid-size or larger vehicle
- - Are physically fit (heavy lifting required)
- - Are 21 years or older
- - Live near an Amazon delivery station
Choose DoorDash If You:
- - Want complete schedule flexibility
- - Have unpredictable availability
- - Enjoy meeting people and quick interactions
- - Have any vehicle (or bike/scooter)
- - Prefer lighter work (food bags vs. packages)
- - Are 18-20 years old (Flex requires 21)
- - Live in a restaurant-dense area
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Does Amazon Flex or DoorDash pay more?
Amazon Flex typically pays $18-25 per hour with guaranteed block rates, while DoorDash averages $15-25 per hour including tips but with more variability. Flex offers more predictable income, while DoorDash has higher earning potential during peak times with good tip luck.
Is Amazon Flex better than DoorDash?
It depends on your preferences. Amazon Flex is better for guaranteed hourly pay and scheduled blocks. DoorDash is better for flexibility to work anytime and potential for high tips. Many drivers do both to maximize earnings.
Can you do Amazon Flex and DoorDash at the same time?
Yes, you can work for both platforms. Many drivers use DoorDash between Flex blocks or multi-app during slow periods. However, you cannot accept DoorDash orders while actively on an Amazon Flex block.
Which has better hours - Amazon Flex or DoorDash?
DoorDash offers more flexibility - you can dash anytime without scheduling. Amazon Flex requires grabbing scheduled blocks in advance. DoorDash is better for spontaneous work; Flex is better for planned schedules.
Which is easier - Amazon Flex or DoorDash?
DoorDash is generally easier to start and do - lighter items, flexible timing, less physical. Amazon Flex involves more physical work but is more straightforward once you're doing it (follow route, deliver packages, done).
Essential Gear for Flex + DoorDash Drivers
The right equipment works across ALL delivery apps and is 100% tax-deductible
iOttie Phone Mount
Essential for navigation
Insulated Delivery Bag
Better tips on DoorDash
Anker 20000mAh
All-day battery life
VIOFO Dash Cam
Protect from false claims
Ready to Start Earning?
Now you know the differences. Many successful drivers use both platforms for maximum flexibility and earnings!
About Glen Meade
Founder of FlexDriverGuide and SideQuestHustle.com. I've spent years researching gig economy platforms and interviewing hundreds of drivers to bring you strategies that actually work. My goal is to help you maximize your earnings while avoiding common pitfalls.