Uber and Uber Eats are two popular ride-sharing and food delivery services, respectively. Both have their pros and cons, but which is the better option?
As Uber and Uber Eats grow in popularity, more and more people are wondering how the pay structure works for each. While there are some similarities, there are also some key differences that you should be aware of before you decide which platform to drive for. Here’s a look at the pay structures for both Uber and Uber Eats so you can make an informed decision.
Uber vs Uber Eats
With the explosion of gig work in recent years, an increasingly popular job are drivers for companies like Uber and Uber Eats. While they may at first appear to be similar jobs, there’s a few key differences between the two to consider.
Requirements
Becoming an Uber or Uber Eats driver is relatively simple and straightforward, although it does not guarantee employment. To become an Uber rideshare driver, you must meet certain requirements that include having a car, valid insurance policy, and a valid license.
Becoming an Uber Eats food delivery driver requires no car but demands a mode of transport such as your own bike or scooter in addition to valid licenses for bikes and scooters.
Generally, if you qualify to be an Uber rideshare driver, then you will most likely have the necessary qualifications to become an Uber Eats food delivery driver. However, the opposite does not apply; meeting the requirements for becoming an Uber Eats delivery does not guarantee acceptance as an Uber rideshare driver.
If someone is interested in becoming a rideshare or food delivery driver in Los Angeles, they are expected to meet the following requirements.
| Age Requirement | Vehicle Requirement | Driver Requirement | Smartphone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uber Drivers | 21+ years old | Varies | Valid California driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and vehicle registration | Uber app compatible smartphone |
| Uber Eats Drivers | 19+ years old | 2 to 4-door car no older than 20 years | Valid California driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and vehicle registration | Uber Eats app compatible smartphone |
| Uber Eats Bicyclists | 18+ years old | Bicycle | State Issued ID | Uber Eats app compatible smartphone |
| Uber Eats Scooter | 19+ years old | Motorized scooter under 50cc, no older than 20 years, and travels no faster than 30 mph | Valid California driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and scooter registration | Uber Eats app compatible smartphone |
Uber vs Uber Eats Pay
With Uber or Uber Eats, you are compensated for each ride or delivery rather than being given a certain amount per hour. Each service has its own fee structure, so it requires some research to figure out which rate works best for you.
Those who use Uber receive Standard base fare (which may vary per minute and mile), surge price, service fee, and booking fees as well as tips while those who opt for Uber Eats collect the fees associated with pick up, drop-off, mileage, and time as well as tips from customers. Ultimately, depending on your preferences and availability, both options provide lucrative income potential if utilized correctly.
How much do you make per delivery with Uber Eats?
Uber Eats is a great way for many to earn some extra income. So, how much can you make on Uber Eats?
Generally, your income will vary based on your location and the complexity of the delivery itself. It is possible to complete between one or two deliveries an hour and earn approximately 15 to 20 dollars per hour. Your earnings will also be based on tips received, how long it takes for you to finish the job, and how far away the destination is from your current location. All in all, Uber Eats can provide people with a great source of additional revenue.
How much do you make per trip with Uber?
Uber pays their drivers a competitive rate for all of their trips. Drivers net an average of $11 per trip, with most making in the range of $15-25 per hour. While it may be tempting to take as many rides as possible to make a higher wage, the characteristics of each ride are important; long rides often cover greater distances and have higher payouts than shorter ones.
If you’re looking to maximize your earnings, paying attention to longer trips from/to airport or out-of-town locations may be more beneficial than simply pushing yourself to complete more short rides in an hour.
So, which pays more Uber driver or Uber Eats?
With so many options for making money on the gig economy, it’s important to know which service pays the most. If you’re trying to decide between Uber driver and Uber Eats, you may be wondering which pays more.
While Uber Eats drivers earn more per hour than their ride-hailing counterparts, overall earnings from deliveries tend to be on par with services like rideshare or package delivery.
Of course, if your end goal is simply to make the most money out of your time, food delivery may not always be the best choice since your pay-per-hour rate would likely be lower than other types of services.
Nonetheless, taking orders and delivering food with Uber Eats is a great way to supplement your income in addition to driving or hopping onto a scooter when available.
Insurance Coverage
With ridesharing becoming increasingly popular, more and more people are hopping behind the wheel to make extra money working as an Uber driver.
Unfortunately, the standard auto insurance policies offered by most companies don’t cover rideshare activity if they ever find out you drove passengers for Uber. Fortunately, several insurers now provide tailored rideshare insurance policies designed especially for drivers embarking on this sharing economy endeavor. This offers peace of mind and ensures that you won’t be left in a lurch if your standard policy doesn’t cover everything.
Also reassuring is that you don’t need a special insurance policy if you plan to drive for Uber Eats since this type of driving is already covered under your comprehensive auto insurance policy.
Unique rules for rideshare drivers
Vehicle inspection
Vehicle inspection is an important part of being an Uber driver, and many cities now require them to be done at a specifically state-certified facility. The inspection is designed to make sure that basic safety components of the driver’s vehicle are in good condition, such as the brakes, tires, seatbelts and glass.
Uber will make sure that any required inspection is communicated to drivers via their app or email, and even offer links to free inspection locations for those who need it. Therefore, if you’re an Uber driver, vehicle inspections should always be on your radar.
Trade dress
Trade dress is an important part of the Uber experience, ensuring passengers can quickly and easily identify their ride. Not all cities require drivers to have it visible, but those that do may hand out stickers to drivers for free, or mail them on request.
Drivers can choose to display it using a sticker or plastic sleeve, though many will take it down after they’ve finished driving so that their car remains clutter-free. Either way, its presence makes drivers more recognizable out on the roads and helps to get riders where they need to go with ease.
Airport placard:
As an Uber driver, picking up and dropping off passengers at your local airport can be a great way to make some extra cash. To do so, however, you’ll need to get an airport placard, as many airports require these special permits in order to use their facilities.
Therefore, it’s important that you keep an eye out in the driver app for any links which would enable you to apply for one. With one of these placards you can start receiving those lucrative airport riders – so what are you waiting for?
Is Uber Eats driver the same as Uber driver?
If you’re wondering if becoming an Uber driver means automatically taking on Uber Eats orders as well, the answer is yes, but with a caveat. By signing up to be an Uber driver, you open yourself up to both ride and delivery requests. However, you can easily decide for yourself which type of gig (or gigs) you would like to take on by using the Trip Planner feature in the app. On this screen, simply tap on the settings icon located at the bottom right of the screen and turn on Deliveries. With this simple setting swap, you can now use your skills – whether it’s transporting people or preparing food – to make extra money through Uber Eats!
Is driving Uber better than Uber Eats?
Deciding between driving Uber and becoming an Uber Eats driver can be a difficult decision. Both have their advantages, but their differences should also be taken into consideration. Driving with Uber is more flexible and potentially more lucrative, while driving for Uber Eats gives a sense of stability and quicker earning potential. With both roles, drivers can take advantage of the convenience that comes from working on your own schedule or being able to switch between being a driver and delivering food quickly. Ultimately, each driver will find what works best for them in terms of balancing their workload with their goals and lifestyle commitments.
Conclusion
Becoming an Uber or an Uber Eats driver depends on multiple factors such as your driving skills, preferences, and ambitions.
Although there are pros and cons to both types of services, in general it appears that the Uber drivers tend to make higher income than Uber Eats. However, that’s not to say that Uber Eats driving might not be the best career path for you.
Driving for Uber Eats can help you build a reliable income quickly with flexible hours and no boss watching over you. It also has benefits such as insurance coverage with low entry requirements.
Ultimately, the decision is up to individual preference — whether it’s earning extra income during free time or building a career out of delivering people or foodstuffs — deciding between working as an Uber driver or as an Uber eats driver will always come down to personal preference.
