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How Much Does Instacart Cost?

Last Updated on January 16, 2025
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by Certified CFA CFA Alexander Popinker

Grocery delivery services like Instacart exploded in popularity during the pandemic, offering convenient contactless shopping for everything from fresh produce to pantry staples. With a few taps on your smartphone, groceries arrive directly at your doorstep – no crowds, no checkout lines, no hassle.

But the sheer convenience of grocery delivery comes at a cost. Between delivery fees, service charges, driver tips, and markups, your Instacart bill can quickly escalate beyond what you’d pay at the store.

To help shoppers use Instacart affordably, this comprehensive guide examines every aspect of Instacart’s pricing structure. You’ll learn insider tips from experts on minimizing fees and even score free delivery. Let’s unpack exactly how much Instacart costs and how you can save.

How Much Does Instacart Cost?

The minimum cost for an Instacart order is around $5 including delivery and service fees for a small order, but total costs typically range from $10 to $25 per delivery depending on fees, tips, and markups, with some users reporting much higher costs approaching $50+ for large orders from expensive retailers. Overall, expect to pay $5 to $15 more per Instacart order compared to shopping yourself.

Instacart orders involve a combination of fees that make up your total cost:

Delivery Fees

This covers the base cost of having your order delivered to your home. Delivery fees typically range from $3.99 to $9.99 per order depending on factors like:

  • Delivery time – Faster deliveries incur higher fees
  • Order size – Orders below a certain dollar threshold see higher delivery charges
  • Location – Urban areas with dense stores tend to have lower delivery fees than more remote regions

During peak demand hours like weekends or holidays, delivery fees can surge even higher due to busy pricing.

Service Fees

This mandatory charge goes towards supporting operational expenses like maintaining the Instacart app and compensating workers. The service fee equals 5% to 10% of the total order cost.

The exact percentage varies based on the retailer and your location. Unlike delivery fees, service fees cannot be waived.

Retailer Markups

One catch of Instacart is that item prices are sometimes higher than the store’s in-person prices. Retailer markups add 5% to 20% to certain goods to compensate the store.

Some partner retailers like Costco have negotiated agreements keeping Instacart pricing matched exactly to in-store prices.

Tips

Tips are optional on Instacart orders, but encouraged as much of the shopper’s compensation comes from tips. The default tip amount shows as 5% but can be customized up or down.

Accounting for each of these cost components gives you a realistic idea of your total Instacart checkout amount.

According to a detailed breakdown from Teach Me Delivery, the default delivery fee is $3.99 for orders over $35. However, if the order is less than $35, the delivery fee can increase to $7.99 for standard delivery and up to $9.99 for one-hour delivery.

Another source, Konstantinfo, states that Instacart offers an optional membership called Instacart Express, which costs $99 annually or $9.99 monthly. Members enjoy free delivery on orders over $35 and lower service fees compared to non-members.

A report from Instacart Help outlines that service fees typically amount to about 5% of the order total, with a minimum fee of $2.00. This fee helps cover operational costs but does not go towards the delivery driver’s tip.

According to an article from CNET, customers may also encounter additional hidden fees that can increase their total bill significantly. For instance, a customer spending $200 on groceries might pay around $40 to $50 in fees and tips, depending on the specific charges applied during checkout.

Lastly, a discussion on Reddit reveals that users often report spending between $15 and $19 in fees for typical orders, along with tips that can range from $20 to $25. This feedback highlights the cumulative cost of using Instacart compared to shopping in-store.

How Instacart Delivery Works

For those unfamiliar, here’s a quick rundown of how Instacart works:

  • Browse and order groceries from local participating stores via the Instacart app or website
  • A personal shopper receives your order and handpicks items at the retailer
  • The shopper delivers your groceries directly to your doorstep

Instacart partners with over 350 national, regional and local stores including Kroger, Publix, Costco, Safeway, Petco and more. Shoppers can choose from over 25,000 grocery retailers across 5,500 cities in the U.S. and Canada.

Next, let’s break down the pricing on Instacart orders.

Instacart Express Membership Cost

Instacart Express is the company’s subscription membership program with two tiers:

  • $9.99 per month
  • $99 per year (equivalent to $8.25 monthly)

The main benefits of an Instacart Express membership include:

  • Unlimited free delivery on orders over $35
  • Reduced service fees compared to non-member orders

For frequent Instacart users – especially those placing multiple orders per month – an Express membership can quickly pay for itself through the delivery and service fee savings.

You might also like our articles about the cost of selling on Shopify, Amazon, or Stripe.

For non-Express orders under $35:

  • Delivery fee: $3.99
  • Service fee: $5 average on $30 order
  • Total Fees: $8.99

With Express membership:

  • Delivery fee: $0
  • Reduced service fee: $3 average on $30 order
  • Total Fees: $3

You break even on the $99 annual Express membership after just 14 orders. For Instacart power users, it clearly saves significant money.

Factors Influencing The Cost

Several factors influence your final checkout price:

Order Size

Orders under $35 pay a small order fee of $2 to $4 depending on your location. Hitting the minimum helps avoid it.

Delivery Time

Opting for same-day rapid deliveries incurs the highest delivery fees on Instacart. Placing orders 1-2 days in advance drops the delivery fee down to as low as $3.99 in many areas.

Peak vs Off-Peak Hours

During busy evenings, weekends and holidays, Instacart utilizes “Busy Pricing” with surged delivery fees due to high demand. When possible, order during slower weekday mornings or afternoons to avoid peak fees.

Retailer Selection

Choose a retailer that Instacart has negotiated set “in-store pricing” with to avoid variable markups. Costco and BJ’s Wholesale are typically safe options.

Location Differences

Delivery from stores outside your normal service area may result in higher fees based on logistics. Sticking to nearby retailers helps avoid unexpected add-ons.

Ways to Save Money

Instacart logoApply these strategies to keep your Instacart grocery delivery costs in check:

  • Get an Express membership if you use Instacart regularly to save on delivery fees and service charges
  • Stick to nearby stores within your delivery area to prevent logistical surcharges
  • Order early 1-2 days ahead for lower delivery fees when possible
  • Consolidate smaller orders to hit the $35 minimum and avoid small order fees
  • Use coupons & promos like percentage discounts and free delivery credits
  • Tip well on your first order to secure the best shoppers for future service
  • Review final prices carefully to prevent sneaky item markups

Combining these best practices makes Instacart grocery fulfillment more budget-friendly.

Expert Tips

To maximize savings on Instacart, experts recommend:

“Take advantage of seasonal promotions like free delivery or percentage discounts around major holidays to offset normal fees.” – Maxineblogs, Instacart content creator

“Consider splitting one large order with a neighbor, friend or family member when possible. The delivery fee stays the same but applied to a larger total order.” – Sanjay Gupta, avid Instacart user

“Carefully check items added to your cart to avoid sneaky markups or weights errors. This prevents overpaying.” – Sarah Johnson, grocery shopping writer

“Don’t forget to use any new customer welcome credits immediately, as those discounts usually expire after the first order.” – FrugalForLess blog

These pro tips will make your Instacart orders more budget-friendly.

Instacart vs Other Grocery Delivery Services

How does Instacart stack up against competitors like Shipt, Amazon Fresh and more? Here’s an overview:

Instacart

  • Delivery fees per order: $3.99 – $9.99
  • Service fees: 5% – 10% of order
  • Tipping encouraged

Shipt

  • $99 annual fee
  • Free delivery over $35
  • Tipping encouraged

Amazon Fresh

  • Free delivery for Prime members
  • No extra fees
  • Tipping optional

Uber Eats

  • Delivery fees per order
  • Service fees per order
  • Tipping encouraged

While Instacart offers flexible pricing, services like Shipt and Amazon Fresh may better fit budget-focused shoppers with flat fee structures.

Common Concerns

Despite its popularity, some common complaints about Instacart’s pricing include:

  • Lack of transparency in how service fees are calculated
  • Higher costs for groceries versus in-store prices
  • “Sneaky fees” like small order charges and busy pricing
  • Tip baiting issues when tips are removed post-delivery
  • Heavy emphasis on tipping to compensate for low base pay for shoppers

However, Instacart users point out the incredible time and hassle savings as justification for the costs.

Final Words

The value Instacart provides comes down to your grocery needs and priorities:

  • For large households or those valuing convenience, Instacart offers noteworthy time savings
  • An Express membership improves affordability for regular users
  • Shopping smart, using coupons and buying in bulk can maximize savings
  • Committing to a fixed Instacart budget prevents overspending

Approaching grocery delivery as an occasional splurge versus everyday habit keeps costs manageable. Used strategically, Instacart can fit into most food shopping budgets.

Factoring together all the fees, expect to pay $5 to $15 more per average Instacart delivery compared to shopping yourself. The convenience premium may be worthwhile when time is tight or you need essentials fast. Just be an informed consumer when using delivery apps to prevent “fee creep” from busting your grocery budget.

Answers to Common Questions

Why am I being charged extra on Instacart?

The most common reasons for unexpected charges on Instacart include:

  • Small order fee – Orders under $35 incur a $2 to $4 surcharge in most regions. Combining multiple smaller orders avoids this.
  • Busy pricing – During peak hours like evenings and weekends, fees are higher due to increased demand. Ordering at off-peak times can avoid extra costs.
  • Item markups – Some retailers on Instacart charge slightly more than in-store prices on certain items. Selecting partner stores using “in-store pricing” prevents this.
  • Reduced promos – Promotional discounts like first-time customer credits fall off after the initial order. The normal fees structure applies thereafter.
  • Service area differences – Delivery from stores outside your normal service area can result in higher fees due to logistics.

Checking your receipt and being aware of these common add-ons helps avoid surprise charges.

What is the downside of Instacart?

Potential drawbacks of Instacart include:

  • Higher costs – Delivery, services fees, and markups result in prices up to 20% over in-store.
  • Lack of transparency – Complete fee breakdowns aren’t always clearly presented upfront.
  • Product accuracy – Shoppers may occasionally misidentify items or missing requested items.
  • Delivery delays – Peak order volumes can sometimes delay deliveries.
  • Food quality – Temperature-sensitive items may suffer during delivery transit.

However, many users feel the convenience and time savings outweigh these limitations. Being an informed shopper, ordering non-perishables, and using Express can help maximize the benefits of Instacart.

How to avoid Instacart service fee?

While Instacart’s service fee is mandatory, there are a few ways to reduce it:

  • Become an Instacart Express member – Express members get reduced service fees compared to non-members.
  • Order from partner retailers – Some stores have lower service fees negotiated with Instacart.
  • Use promo codes and first-time order offers – New customer promotions can offset fees.
  • Increase order size – Since the fee is percentage-based, a larger total order reduces the relative fee.
  • Tip before delivery – Tipping ahead of time lowers the percentage service fee.

While the service fee can’t be eliminated entirely, an Express membership combined with smart tipping, large orders, and promotions can significantly minimize it.

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