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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Postmates vs Instacart

Postmates 4.8★ · Free to download 60
Winner Instacart
Instacart 4.8★ · Free to download 75

Instacart is generally more reliable for grocery delivery with better customer service, while Postmates struggles with consistent delivery times and customer support.

Full reviews: Postmates · Instacart

Instacart offers a more reliable grocery delivery experience with generally positive feedback on shopper communication and customer service, despite some issues with delivery times and pricing. Postmates, while praised for discounts, faces significant criticism for inaccurate delivery times, high fees, and poor customer support regarding wrong or missing orders.

Head to head

Features & Selection tieR12R24R37R62
Postmates Postmates users appreciate the wide range of items available, with some mentioning the ability to order "almost anything" and even use Uber services through the app R24. However, some users note a lack of updated food spot choices and missing condiment options on menus R12R37.
Instacart Instacart is praised for its convenience in grocery shopping, allowing users to communicate with shoppers and make changes to orders R62. However, some users report issues with the app's interface for showing item sizes and store brands, and a bug affecting pictures and 'buy again' items for certain stores like Costco . There's also a desire for an allergy option .
Ease of Use tieR9R20R46R56
Postmates Postmates is described as "straight forward to use" and "easy to use" by some R20R46. However, others find the app buggy, requiring constant profile updates and unnecessary authentication, which can delay orders R9. Some users also dislike the current interface, preferring the original before Uber's acquisition R56.
Instacart Instacart is generally considered "very easy to use" and convenient R62. However, there are complaints about the inability to choose a preferred grocery store, with the app's AI picking it instead . Users also report difficulties adding items to an order before the deadline and issues with the website being "ridiculous to deal with" . The app is also noted as not being user-friendly for blind users due to lack of dark mode and accessibility issues .
Reliability & Delivery tieR12R13R19R35
Postmates Postmates users frequently complain about inaccurate delivery times, with advertised 15-minute deliveries taking an hour due to stacked orders R13R19. GPS accuracy for delivery is also cited as a problem, with drivers often going to the wrong apartment complex R12. Some users report receiving cold or badly prepared food R35.
Instacart Instacart also faces significant criticism for regular delays and not meeting promised delivery times, even with "Priority Delivery" R61R66. Shoppers sometimes deliver to the wrong address or provide incorrect items, and some users report orders not having a shopper available . However, many users still find it convenient and appreciate timely deliveries .
Price & Value tieR1R2R3R4
Postmates Postmates is widely criticized for high and "outrageous fees," with prices on the app being significantly higher (e.g., $15 more for a $100 order) than in-store, not including additional fees or tips R1R3R6R10. Users also report fake or unhonored promotions R4. Some feel the system is a "scam" and that they are charged more just for using the platform . However, others praise the "amazing deals" and "best discounts ever," often receiving 50% off R2.
Instacart Instacart users frequently complain about "crazy charges" and "ridiculous fees," with orders costing significantly more than expected (e.g., $11 of water costing $23, a $30 charge for two cake slices) . There are also reports of being charged for subscriptions never initiated . Some users find the Instacart+ membership worthwhile for business orders due to quick delivery and good customer service .
Customer Support edge: InstacartR6R7R15R17
Postmates Postmates receives overwhelmingly negative feedback for its customer service, described as "horrible," "weak," and "terrible" R15R21R22R25. Users report being charged for unreceived orders, denied refunds for wrong or missing items even with proof, and experiencing long wait times or no callbacks from support R7R15R17R21. Some feel they are treated badly and that the company doesn't care R6R25.
Instacart Instacart's customer service receives mixed reviews. Some users report positive experiences, stating that customer service has "always helped me with any sort of dilemma" . However, others describe customer support as "trash" and difficult to access, with issues like not receiving credits for lost orders for 7-10 days . There are also complaints about being unable to get a new copy of a lost receipt .
Pick Postmates if

You frequently find good discount codes and promotions for Postmates and are willing to overlook potential issues with delivery accuracy and customer support for a lower price R2.

Pick Instacart if

You prioritize grocery delivery and appreciate the ability to communicate with your shopper, and value generally responsive customer service when issues arise, despite occasional delivery delays and pricing concerns R62.

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews regarding pricing and delivery reliability, making it challenging to definitively declare a winner in those dimensions. Postmates' customer service reviews are overwhelmingly negative, while Instacart's are more mixed.

Frequently asked

Are Postmates and Instacart expensive?
Yes, both Postmates and Instacart are frequently criticized for high fees and inflated item prices compared to in-store costs R1R6R10. For example, Postmates users reported a $3 order becoming $12 with shipping, and a $100 order incurring a $15 tip for a short drive R3R1. Instacart users noted an $11 water order costing $23 and two slices of cake costing over $30 .
How reliable are delivery times for Postmates and Instacart?
Both Postmates and Instacart struggle with reliable delivery times, with many users reporting significant delays and inaccurate estimates R13R19R61R66. Postmates deliveries advertised for 15 minutes can take an hour due to stacked orders R13, and Instacart users paying for "Priority Delivery" still experienced orders arriving almost a day late R66.
Which app has better customer service?
Instacart generally has better customer service, with some users reporting positive experiences and help with dilemmas , although others find it difficult to access . Postmates, however, receives overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users frequently denied refunds for wrong or missing orders and experiencing poor support R21R22R25R33.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R12] Postmates 3/5 · US Could be better: App is great but could use some improvements, like the gps accuracy for the delivery needs to be improved a lot!!! So many times the drivers end up in the apartment next to mines instead of my actual apartment complex which is frustrating. Also you guys could use more updated food spot choices, there are so many businesses not included in the app!!!
  2. [R24] Postmates 5/5 · US Great app!: You can buy almost anything with little wait time. You can even uber!!!
  3. [R37] Postmates 2/5 · US missing options: many stores do not have condiments as an option on the menu.
  4. [R62] Instacart 5/5 · US My number one app to grocery shop!: Very easy to use. Can communicate with shopper, make changes. Great app!!
  5. [R9] Postmates 3/5 · US Buggy but works: Recent app for food ordering but annoying in the way they set up the process. You have to constantly update your profile and you put it in order and they require authentication. I missed the authentication process which is unnecessary given I’ve ordered over 40 times from this app and yet it delayed my order by 45 minutes the needless system of authentication. Doordash is much sim
  6. [R20] Postmates 5/5 · US Pretty happy: Not a big tech user but have found this app to be straight forward to use and the biggest plus is that it’s easy to resolve issues.
  7. [R46] Postmates 5/5 · US !: Easy to use . Simplicity. I stopped useing DoorDash due to service issues and food always missing. We will see how this goes. Lost faith in food delivery apps after that .
  8. [R56] Postmates 4/5 · US Too Similar to Uber Eats: I wish they’d revert to their original user interface before Uber bought them. I found that preferable.
  9. [R13] Postmates 2/5 · US Done with delivery apps: I wish delivery apps were honest about the time food will arrive. If you advertise something will take 15 minutes to get to you, honor it. But adding on time without any regard to the customers expectations is selfish. There’s no reason something says 15 minutes to order and get there when in reality it takes an hour. It takes an hour because you guys allow your drives to
  10. [R19] Postmates 1/5 · US Inaccurate delivery times: Postmates consistently provides inaccurate delivery windows. The other apps are much better and more reliable.
  11. [R35] Postmates 1/5 · US Not happy with: To much cold , or badly prepared food and we lose money because you don’t refund so we lose food and money ! You win period high fees plus plus plus plus .
  12. [R1] Postmates 2/5 · US Unfair system: Free delivery but minimum 15% tip to driver is unfair if my order is 100$ 15$ tip to the driver to drive 1.6 miles it unfair
  13. [R2] Postmates 5/5 · US Fooooodd: Yeeee I just got my food with that 50% off discount yuhhh Id buy more if they gave me a 60% off discount or a $20 discount with a minimum $20 purchase 😎😎
  14. [R3] Postmates 3/5 · US i just wanted mcdoanlds: why are my midnight cravings ($3 fries) rounding up to 12 dollars for shipping (i’m young i can’t get a job help)
  15. [R4] Postmates 1/5 · US Fake promo: 0
  16. [R6] Postmates 3/5 · US Prices: Most of us are aware that we are being charged more simply to use this platform but some prices are so egregious that it interferes with being able to tip the delivery person. That is awful. But you don’t care about that at all.
  17. [R7] Postmates 1/5 · US Scammed: Got charged for order I never received
  18. [R15] Postmates 1/5 · US UBER EATS IN DISGUISE - Asked me to dig through the trash after a month for a photo: Idgi Geraldine with Amex support messaged me after OVER a month later saying “oh sorry we’re backed up did you need help with this request” I explained the situation very reasonably and they said “since you don’t have a photo we can’t help you” it’s the PRINCIPLE like you don’t make a person dig through the trash?
  19. [R17] Postmates 1/5 · US Postmates stole my money: I placed an order for $38 including tip. The order went through, when I looked at the app. It asked me if I wanted to pay $1.49 for expedited delivery. I accepted this $1.49 charge. I then get a notification that I was charged $57. I called to get this corrected and was told there was nothing she can do. I asked to speak to a manager and was told they would call me in 2 t
  20. [R10] Postmates 1/5 · US Restaurant Grade & Pricing: I’m giving this app a low rating because food is grossly overpriced on the app. I recently went inside a see restaurant to see actual prices vs the app, it was $15 more on the app not including, their fees or the tip. I was also disappointed to see the restaurant had a “C” rating. I think it’s important to include the restaurants current rating to help people make an in
  21. [R61] Instacart 1/5 · US Regular delays: Instacart deceives its customers by regularly promising delivery times that it does not meet. Highly unreliable and feels dishonest. Deleting this app.
  22. [R66] Instacart 3/5 · US They are NOT HONEST about their delivery times! I paid extra for “Priority Delivery”! NOT REFUNDED!: They need to tell you if your order won't be filled the night you place it because they can't find a delivery person to fulfill it! I ordered something at 9:00pm one night & paid for priority delivery! Then it didn’t get delivered to me until almost noon the next day! I had ordered ice cream, a
  23. [R21] Postmates 1/5 · US Support is horrible!: I’ve had multiple wrong orders with images of the food and receipts. Even the images from the dasher themselves. Postmates won’t refund the wrong or missing items. They just have it listed as “your order isn’t eligible for a refund.” At least DoorDash refunds you if it’s wrong!
  24. [R22] Postmates 4/5 · US Great app but customer service is weak: I’ve been enjoying this app for years and I feel like they have been finding the sweet spot on delivering value with a lot of specials. That said, here and there there is something wrong with the order, and since there is no live customer service that you can easily access. I find it a little frustrating at those times.
  25. [R25] Postmates 1/5 · US Terrible customer service.: Such bad treatment that on principle, I cannot justify spending another cent with them or uber as a parent company. Hot tip!… Respect your customers and learn how to treat people better.
  26. [R33] Postmates 1/5 · US Wrong order no refund: I have been a loyal customer for years and have had numerous instances where food was missing but it was always made right with a refund. Yesterday I received someone else’s order instead of mine, so I submitted pictures of the order and the receipt which showed the name of someone else and a completely different order, and was told I was not eligible for a refund. The respo

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store