Grocery delivery services like Favor and Instacart have become increasingly popular over the past few years. They offer the convenience of having groceries delivered right to your doorstep without having to go to the store yourself. But with so many options out there, how do you know which service is the best choice for your needs?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the pros and cons of using Favor and Instacart for your grocery deliveries. We’ll look at pricing, delivery times, service areas, product selection, and more to help you decide which service is right for you.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Favor | Instacart |
| Pricing | No markups on items. Delivery fees $5-$10 plus 10% service fee. | Markups on some items. Delivery fees $4-$8 plus 5% service fee. |
| Delivery Time | Typically within 1 hour. | As fast as 1 hour, some stores offer 24/7. |
| Service Area | 100+ cities in Texas. | Available nationwide in 5,500+ cities. |
| Store Selection | Local chains like H-E-B and independent grocers. | National chains like Kroger and Costco. |
| Order Experience | Simple app and website. | Robust advanced ordering options. |
| Additional Services | Food and retail delivery. | Grocery pickup and Rx delivery. |
| Customer Support | Email, in-app, social media. | Phone, email, in-app, forums. |
Overview of Favor and Instacart
Favor and Instacart are both technology companies that provide on-demand grocery delivery services through mobile apps and websites. Here’s a quick rundown of each:
Favor
- Founded in 2013, based in Texas
- Uses independent contractors (“Runners”) to deliver orders
- Offers delivery from local restaurants and stores including groceries
- Mainly serves Texas cities like Austin, Houston, Dallas
Instacart
- Founded in 2012, based in San Francisco
- Works with local grocery stores to fulfill delivery orders
- Uses independent contractors (“Shoppers”) to shop and deliver
- Serves over 5,500 cities in the US and Canada
Key Differences Between Favor and Instacart
Now that we have covered the basic about them. Let’s do a detailed comparison of their features.
1. Pricing and Fees
One of the biggest factors in choosing a grocery delivery service is how much it costs. Here’s an overview of Favor and Instacart’s pricing models:
Favor
- Delivery fee of $5-$10 per order
- Service fee of 10% of order total
- Optional tip for delivery driver
- Prices for grocery items same as in-store prices
- Delivery minimums vary by city ($10-$15)
Instacart
- Delivery fee of $3.99-$7.99 per order
- Service fee of 5% of order total
- Optional tip for delivery driver
- Prices for items marked up compared to in-store
- Delivery minimums vary by store ($10-$35)
As you can see, delivery fees are similar between the two services. However, Instacart tends to have higher total costs due to item markups. With Favor, you’ll pay the same prices as you would in the store.
Also Read: Comparison Between Favor And Shipt.
2. Delivery Times
How quickly can you get your order? Here are the typical delivery windows for each service:
Favor
- Delivers in about 1 hour
- Offer same-day and scheduled deliveries
- Available during store hours only
Instacart
- Delivers in as fast as 1 hour
- Offers same-day delivery and scheduled deliveries
- Some stores offer 24/7 delivery
Both services aim to deliver orders within an hour when ordered for same-day delivery. Instacart has the advantage of 24/7 delivery from select stores.
3. Service Areas
Where you live is a key factor in which delivery service is available to you. Here are the service areas for each:
Favor
- Available in over 100 cities in Texas
- Main metro areas include Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio
- Expanding to some cities in other states
Instacart
- Serves over 5,500 cities in the US and Canada
- Available nationwide including major metro areas
- Can enter zip code on website to check availability
Instacart has the widest service area by far, available in most parts of the US. Favor is only available within Texas currently.
4. Grocery Store Selection
The variety of grocery stores you can order delivery from is another key difference:
Favor
- Delivers from local chains like H-E-B, Central Market, Randalls
- Also services some independent and ethnic grocers
- Inventory varies by local retailer
Instacart
- Partners with large national chains like Kroger, Costco, Aldi
- Also works with regional chains like Publix, Wegmans
- Offers store inventory from each retailer
Instacart gives you access to big national brands. Favor focuses more on local favorite stores in Texas.
5. Ordering Experience
Convenience and ease of ordering can make or break a grocery delivery app. Here’s how the order experience compares:
Favor
- Simple mobile app and website
- Browse local inventory by store
- Easy checkout with saved payment info
- Schedule deliveries or order ASAP
Instacart
- Intuitive mobile app and website
- Browse inventory from your chosen store
- Save delivery address and payment info
- Schedule deliveries in advance
Both services make it simple to browse, order, and pay for groceries through their apps or sites. Instacart offers a more robust advanced ordering experience.
6. Additional Services
Beyond groceries, here are some of the other services offered by each company:
Favor
- Food delivery from local restaurants
- Pickup and delivery from retail stores
- Alcohol delivery in select areas
- Household essentials like pet food and office supplies
Instacart
- Pickup from grocery partners at reduced rates
- Alcohol delivery from grocery partners
- Prescription delivery in select regions
Favor offers a wider variety of retail delivery options from local stores. Instacart focuses specifically on groceries, alcohol, and prescriptions.
Watch This Review Video:
7. Customer Support
If any issues come up, customer service is crucial. Here are some of the support options offered:
Favor
- In-app and email support
- Support center online
- Social media support on Twitter and Facebook
Instacart
- In-app messaging with shoppers
- Email and phone support
- Online help center with FAQs
- Community forums for customers
Both companies offer email and in-app customer support. Instacart also provides phone support and online community forums to help troubleshoot issues.
8. Key Takeaways
To recap the key differences:
- Pricing: Favor offers better value with no markups, while Instacart has higher fees and item markups
- Selection: Instacart has more national brand grocery partners, while Favor focuses on local Texas favorites
- Availability: Instacart serves more states and metro areas nationwide
- Convenience: Both are user-friendly with robust apps and websites
- Support: Instacart offers more ways to get questions answered
So which one is better for you? Keep reading for our recommendation.
Recommendation: Best Service for Each User
Based on this comparison, we recommend:
Favor for users in Texas
Favor is the best choice for those located in Texas cities. You’ll get better value on groceries from local stores you know and love. It’s a homegrown company tailored for Texas residents.
Instacart for all other US users
For anyone located outside of Texas, Instacart is likely your best option. Their nationwide coverage and partnerships with top national grocery brands make them a great one-stop delivery service.
To summarize:
- If you live in Texas – Choose Favor
- If you live outside Texas – Choose Instacart
Of course, it depends on your personal priorities. Maybe you only care about fastest delivery time or lowest fees. Evaluate what matters most to make the best decision for your needs.
Also Read: Is DoorDash Better Than Favor?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Still have some questions? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
Favor advertises deliveries within an hour. Actual delivery times depend on factors like number of orders, traffic, and weather. Priority orders may be fulfilled faster.
The Favor app allows you to browse inventory, place grocery orders, schedule deliveries, and track your Runner during delivery. Pay securely through the app and rate your experience.
Instacart requires a minimum order amount to place an order. Tipping is customary based on service provided. Only shoppers over the age of 18 can deliver alcohol orders.
Independent contractors sign up to work as Instacart shoppers. They accept delivery “batches”, shop for and deliver orders, and get paid per batch based on effort.
The Final Verdict
Grocery delivery services like Favor and Instacart provide invaluable convenience for many people. When choosing the best option, consider your location, preferred grocery brands, prices, and delivery needs. For most Texas residents, Favor is the top local choice. Those outside the state may be better served by national service Instacart.
Whichever service you choose, grocery delivery is a huge time-saver that has become essential for many busy households. Take advantage of same-day delivery that brings all your grocery necessities right to your home. The extra time and convenience is often well worth the fees.
Give Favor or Instacart a try the next time you need groceries. The apps, sites, and service make it as easy as a few taps to get your essentials stocked up so you can skip the store. Enjoy the added time and convenience that grocery delivery services provide!