Food delivery services have become an essential part of modern convenience, and DoorDash often stands out as a top pick. However, it’s not the only choice.
With food delivery sales expected to reach a projected market volume of $1.91 trillion by 2029, many restaurants are reevaluating their reliance on DoorDash. If high service charges are eating into your profits, exploring alternative platforms might be the key to boosting revenue and reaching more customers.
Whether you’re looking for affordable options, unique restaurant selections, or better coverage in your area, this guide dives into the top alternatives to DoorDash, showcasing their unique features and helping you choose the one that best suits your needs.
In this guide, we review the best DoorDash alternatives to help restaurants optimize operations, save on fees, and grow their customer base.
Key Takeaways:
- Restaurants can lower costs and improve profits by choosing platforms like Menulog and Order Up, which offer commission-free or lower-fee solutions.
- Platforms such as Uber Eats and Me&U provide advanced marketing tools, POS integrations, and loyalty programs to enhance customer retention and streamline operations.
- Specialized DoorDash alternatives like EASI cater to niche markets like Asian cuisine enthusiasts.
Menulog
Menulog is a popular local food ordering and delivery platform based in Australia and New Zealand, making it more segmented than services like DoorDash in the U.S.
It provides access to over 35,000 local restaurants and many platforms for direct online ordering.
Pros
- No commission fees for orders directly received through restaurant websites.
- Flexible option to deliver using their courier network.
- Supports local restaurants and offers lower fees compared to third-party services.
- Allow your restaurant’s driver to deliver by bike or on foot in urban areas.
Cons
- Limited to certain cities and urban areas.
- Delivery times can vary, especially during peak times.
- Lacks commission-free options for all transactions, leading to high fees per order for some users.
- Fewer bonus programs and incentives compared to alternatives like ChowNow and Grubhub.
Uber Eats
Another option for DoorDash alternatives is Uber Eats. Acquired by Uber, it is a food delivery and takeout platform that connects restaurant owners with customers in cities in the U.S. and globally.
It supports delivering food through companies like third-party drivers who can deliver on foot, by bike, or by car.
Pros:
- Operates in cities in the U.S. and internationally.
- Transparent delivery costs and service charges are shown upfront.
- Flexible delivery methods.
- Provides a management system and marketing tools for restaurant owners.
- Supports various payment methods, including split payments, and pays drivers per delivery.
- User-friendly ordering platform.
Cons:
- Limited availability in rural areas compared to several alternatives.
- Commission rates and delivery and service fees can be high, impacting restaurant owners’ profits.
- Lacks commission-free solutions.
- Earnings for drivers can fluctuate due to inconsistent orders and high fees in less busy cities.
- Higher costs per order for customers compared to some lower-rate competitors.
- Customer support may be slower than competitors in resolving ordering and delivery issues.
EASI
If DoorDash caters to the mainstream market, EASI focuses on Asian cuisines. It is a food and grocery delivery service known as the largest Asian food delivery platform operating across Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the U.K., the U.S.A, and Canada.
It connects users with over 25,000 restaurants in 30+ cities, catering to international cuisines and offering features like dine-in reservations, pickup options, and travel booking services.
Pros:
- A strong focus on Asian cuisines.
- Wide coverage in urban areas across multiple countries.
- Offers pickup to avoid delivery costs and allows dine-in reservations.
- Fast delivery times and multilingual customer support.
- Flexible payment options and frequent promotions for savings.
Cons:
- Limited availability outside certain cities and urban areas.
- Smaller customer base compared to global platforms like Uber Eats.
- Fewer features for restaurant owners to integrate with POS systems.
- May not be as appealing and limited for mainstream dining options.
Deliveroo
Deliveroo is a leading food delivery service operating in 10 markets worldwide, especially in the UK—though this option of DoorDash alternatives ceased operations in Australia in 2022. It partners with local restaurants, takeaways, and supermarkets.
This service focuses on convenience and flexibility, offering features like gift cards, workplace meal plans, and promotions.
Pros:
- Operates in major urban areas and cities across the UK and globally.
- Real-time order tracking and notifications for delivery updates.
- Special meal deals and discounts for cost savings.
- Business-friendly features like Deliveroo for Work cater to teams and offices.
Cons:
- Limited availability outside urban areas and smaller towns.
- Delivery fees and service charges can add up quickly.
Note: While Deliveroo is no longer available in Australia as of 2022, it remains relevant for international markets.
Order Up
Order Up is an online ordering platform designed for hospitality businesses in Australia. It supports table ordering, pickup, delivery, and room service, making it versatile for restaurants, cafes, and hotels.
Pros:
- Commission-free solutions that reduce costs for businesses.
- Supports POS integration and Google Food Ordering for seamless operations.
- Offers contactless ordering through QR codes for faster service.
- Flexible delivery options with partnerships with Uber Directs and DoorDash Drive for flat-rate fees.
- Allows businesses to promote their own brand and build a customer database.
Cons
- Limited to Australia, reducing global accessibility.
- May lack the extensive customer base of larger competitors.
- Relies on third-party drivers, which may impact delivery times in busy periods.
Me&U
Me&U is a mobile ordering and payment platform designed for hospitality businesses such as restaurants, bars, and cafes. It offers contactless solutions for order and pay services, enabling guests to view menus, place orders, and complete payments directly from their mobile devices.
With features like integrated POS systems, CRM tools, and loyalty programs, Me&U helps businesses streamline operations and enhance customer engagement.
Pros:
- Seamless integration with POS systems and marketing automation tools for CRM and targeted email and SMS marketing campaigns.
- Contactless ordering and payment for convenience and safety.
- Supports loyalty programs and personalized marketing for customer retention.
- Scalable for both single locations and multi-site businesses.
Cons:
- Limited to hospitality businesses, not a general food delivery platform.
- Requires internet access, which may limit functionality in areas with poor connectivity.
Comparison Tables for DoorDash Alternatives
To help you quickly evaluate the best DoorDash alternatives, we’ve summarised the key features, availability, fees, and the USPs of the top platforms in the table below.
| Platform | Availability | Fees | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menulog | Australia, New Zealand | Lower fees for direct orders | Flexible delivery, supports local businesses | Local restaurants in urban areas |
| Uber Eats | Global | Higher commissions | Flexible delivery options, POS integration, marketing tools, loyalty programs | Restaurants targeting global reach |
| EASI | Australia, NZ, UK, US, Canada | Varies by region | Focuses on Asian cuisines, multilingual support, dine-in reservations | Asian cuisine and urban markets |
| Order Up | Australia | Commission-free options | POS integration, QR-code ordering, branding support | Australian hospitality businesses |
| Me&U | Australia | No commissions | POS integration, CRM tools, loyalty programs, increased table turnover | In-house dining and hospitality |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you substitute on DoorDash?
Yes, DoorDash is one of the food delivery services that allows substitutions for online orders if items are unavailable. Customers can choose replacement preferences or rely on delivery support to make substitutions.
What is the difference between DoorDash and DashPass?
DoorDash is one of the leading ordering platforms for food delivery services, while DashPass is its subscription program that offers benefits like no delivery fees and reduced service charges.
Does DoorDash let you pay later?
Yes, services like DoorDash now offer pay-later options through select payment methods. Besides, it also features a split billing option for group orders.
Conclusion
Finding the right DoorDash alternatives can be a game-changer for restaurant owners aiming to reduce fees, improve delivery options, and grow their customer base. Exploring comparisons like Uber Eats vs DoorDash vs Grubhub, along with platforms such as Deliveroo and niche services like EASI, Order Up, and Me&U, can help you identify the best fit for streamlining online ordering and boosting customer engagement.
But selecting the right platform is just the first step. To stay competitive, leveraging SEO for Restaurants makes your restaurant more visible to local customers and drives consistent orders.
Contact us at SEO for Restaurants now for a free consultation and see how we can turn your online presence into a revenue powerhouse!
