8 Best Grocery Delivery Services of 2024 | Fortune Recommends Health (2024)

Grocery delivery services offer a convenient and easy alternative to in-person grocery shopping. Research suggests that ordering groceries online can help improve diet quality, save money, and supply nutritious foods to areas with limited access. ( 1 )

However, what a meal delivery service offers vary from company to company. Some provide local, same-day delivery for when you’re in a pinch; others supply unique foods you may not find at your regular grocery store. To help you choose the right service for your lifestyle, our team evaluated dozens of grocery delivery options. We narrowed that list down to the eight best options.

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

Our picks for the best grocery delivery service

• Best healthy: Hungryroot
• Best organic: Misfits Market
• Best for families: Thrive Market
• Best fast: Instacart
• Best for bulk foods: Shipt
• Best variety: Fresh Direct
• Best for seniors: Walmart+
• Best cheap: Amazon Fresh

Compare grocery delivery services

Best healthy grocery delivery service: Hungryroot

Why we like Hungryroot as best healthy

Hungryroot is a hybrid grocery and healthy meal delivery service . It offers personalized meal plans, recipes, and the ingredients you need to cook healthy, delicious meals without leaving home.

You start by answering a few questions about your family size, dietary needs, health goals, and meal preferences. Then, Hungryroot will create a meal plan with suggested groceries and recipes. You can also choose your own meals and groceries if you prefer.

Meals come complete with recipe cards and everything you need to whip up a nutritious meal in under 20 minutes. For days when you’re pressed for time, there’s also a large selection of meals that include some pre-cooked ingredients and can be prepared in less than 10 minutes.

The service uses a credit system, with all groceries and meals assigned a certain credit value. Each plan size is allotted a certain amount of credits, allowing you to easily swap ingredients or add on grocery staples, filling your box until your plan’s credit value has been reached. Essentially, you can spend your credits any way you like.

Hungryroot offers basic groceries, including milk, fresh produce, cheese, and pantry staples. It also offers a decent selection of raw and prepared meats like burgers and meatballs, as well as sauces and condiments, vitamins and supplements, and prepared meals that can be heated and enjoyed within a few minutes.

“This offers the same convenience as if you were shopping down different isles of the grocery store, with fresh and frozen options,” Victoria Burgess, PhD, CSCS, CISSN notes.

Much of Hungryroot’s grocery selection includes humanely raised meat and dairy and mostly organic fruit, vegetables, and grains. To see what options are available, select the organic and non-GMO Project Certified filters.

Our product tester, who chose the minimal prep option, loved that her ingredients arrived pre-portioned and required minimal cooking equipment to cut down on clean-up time. She was notably impressed with the flavors of her meals, as well as the quality and freshness of the ingredients, giving Hungryroot 5 out of 5 stars for taste. However, she did mention that the ordering process was a bit confusing.

It’s worth noting the sodium content of some meals—several recipes contain over 1,000 milligrams of sodium. Being that the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for sodium is 2,300mg or less a day, this may not be appropriate for someone with certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure or advanced kidney disease. ( 2 )

What customers are saying

Out of all of the grocery delivery services we’ve reviewed, Hungryroot has the highest customer satisfaction on Trustpilot. Customers love the service’s flexibility, ingredient quality, and recipe selection.

Negative reviews mention occasional missing ingredients and late deliveries.

Specs

Best grocery delivery service for families: Thrive Market

Why we like Thrive Market as best for families

Thrive Market is a membership-based online grocery delivery service that stands out for its large selection of frozen and pantry staples, in addition to household items like bath and beauty products, baby items, and pet supplies.

The service partners directly with brands and farmers to keep costs low and quality high, offering mostly organic goods at discounted prices.

We appreciate Thrive Market’s large selection, offering over 5,000 groceries each week–with options for the entire family. You can choose any combination of nearly 100 filters to find products that fit your lifestyle needs. Some options include paleo, organic, gluten-free, certified kosher, and vegan.

We love that the service offers Thrive Market Guides, which can help with everything from meal planning to choosing the best skin care product for your needs.

The service also price matches, crediting you the difference between their price and the lower price you found.

Note that Thrive Market currently only offers fresh produce, eggs, dairy, and meat to a small number of members. However, all customers have access to frozen options, including sustainable seafood and pasture-raised meats.

You must have an active membership to place an order or view product options. You can choose a monthly plan for $12 per month or an annual plan for $60 per year.

Based on our cost comparison, your membership will likely pay for itself in savings. For example, a 20-count package of Aloha Mini Protein Bars in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough costs $34.99 on Amazon but only $30.99 through Thrive Market.

Still, if you’re unhappy with the service, you can cancel within 30 days for a full refund of your membership cost.

With a membership, you can order as you please without being tied to a subscription. However, if you choose to enroll in autoship, you’ll receive an additional 5-10% savings on products.

Members who receive SNAP benefits qualify for a free one-year membership, and the service’s catalog now features over 70% of SNAP EBT-eligible groceries.

What customers are saying

Customers like Thrive Market’s large selection of organic choices and product selection. One Google Play Store customer, Chelcie K., loves the service’s quality and services.

Critics mention difficulty canceling memberships, out-of-stock items, and dissatisfaction with needing a membership to view all available items.

“I can’t even shop without paying for a subscription? Uh-huh, ok. See ya,” wrote Stephen D., a Trustpilot reviewer.

Specs

Best fast grocery delivery service: Instacart

Why we like Instacart as best fast

Instacart can get groceries to you quickly when you’re in a pinch, earning our pick as the best fast grocery delivery service.

The service allows you to shop from local participating stores via their app or website. Then, one of Instacart’s personal shoppers will head to the grocery store, hand-pick your items, and deliver them to your door.

We love that you can chat with your shopper as they choose your items, which can be super helpful if an item you want is out of stock. Many brands also offer a library of recipes where you can automatically add the required ingredients to your cart without searching through the entire catalog.

“Being that Instacart works with your local grocer, you will often know what is offered and what you need before even opening the app, keeping search time down,” Burgess adds.

Instacart also offers customers the option to pick up their selected groceries at the store. According to Instacart, the service is available to over 95% of households in the United States and Canada. The company has partnered with thousands of brands, from local grocers to big-box stores like Walmart and Target.

We like that, with Instacart, you can shop from Costco and Sam’s Club without having memberships there (though prices will be higher). You can also purchase groceries from multiple stores when ordering. However, each store will likely have a different shopper and delivery time, separate delivery fees, and minimum purchase amounts.

One drawback of Instacart is that you may pay more for groceries overall. That’s because retailers control the prices of items on the Instacart marketplace, which can vary from the in-store prices in your area. Additionally, Instacart charges other fees, including a service charge to cover operating costs, long-distance fees for delivery routes over 30 minutes, and priority fees for orders that need to be delivered in under 30 minutes.

For example, when I went through the ordering process, I was charged a service fee of $4.50 on a $60 order.

Instacart doesn’t require a membership but offers Instacart+, which gives users access to ongoing discounts, free shipping on orders over $35, and reduced service fees. While a cheaper promotion is usually available for your first year of this membership, the general annual membership comes to $99.

What customers are saying

Loyal customers have praised Instacart on Trustpilot, particularly for its convenience.

However, some customers have expressed disappointment in the service, commenting on missed deliveries and poor customer service.

“I was missing items that I needed to cook with,” writes Cara S., another Trustpilot reviewer. “Instead of doing the right thing and refunding me for the whole order, since I could not use any of it, they refused to refund anything except the missing item. So all of the food that I bought to cook with, that I had to discard, was not refunded even though I could not use it due to their omission.”

Specs

Best grocery delivery service for bulk food: Shipt

Why we like Shipt as best for bulk food

Buying food or items in large quantities, also known as bulk shopping, can save you money on household supplies, shelf-stable goods, and frozen foods. ( 6 ) Like Instacart, Shipt is a grocery delivery service that lets you order from retailers like CVS, Publix, and Target and wholesalers like Costco, which sell bulk products at lower prices.

It’s important to note that you don’t have to be a Costco member to purchase from the store with Shipt, but you can link your account to receive discount pricing.

You may notice that Shipt prices may vary slightly from in-store prices. According to Shipt, this helps offset the cost of operations. For example, a loaf of bread may cost $0.50 more using Shipt.

Fortunately, Shipt offers in-store pricing from Target, Sephora, Walgreens, Petsmart, and more, so you’ll be charged the same as you would in-store. Additionally, the service offers plenty of in-app discounts to help members save money and offset markups and delivery fees.

With Shipt, you can schedule same-day deliveries or choose any delivery time that’s convenient for you. You can communicate in real time with your personal shopper in case you forget something or have a special request.

A Shipt membership costs $99/year or $10.99/month and unlocks access to more in-app discounts and free shipping on orders over $35. If you’re a student, you can take advantage of a discounted membership, costing $4.99/month.

If you choose not to purchase a membership, you’ll have to pay a $10 delivery fee in addition to service fees.

The Target-owned company doesn’t offer delivery from Sam’s Club or Walmart, so you might want to explore other delivery services for purchases from these stores.

What customers are saying

Most customers seem happy with Shipt, saying that the customer service and prices are some of the best in the industry. However, several Trustpilot reviewers have complained about unresponsive delivery drivers and poor communication. According to a few reviewers, tipping more may help improve service, leading to a better experience.

Specs

Best variety grocery delivery service: FreshDirect

Why we like FreshDirect as best variety

FreshDirect is a convenient grocery delivery service known for its large selection of reasonably priced grocery items. You get started by choosing your items from a broad range of categories, including:

• Prepared/deli
• Produce
• Meat/seafood
• Bakery
• Frozen
• Grocery (pantry items, snacks, beverages, beer/cider, baby, health and beauty, and pet)
• Wine and spirits

Like a traditional grocery store, FreshDirect offers brand-name and store-brand items, as well as basic household items like paper towels, toilet paper, and hair care.

You can also filter products to see only those on sale or USDA-certified organic and shop by recipes featuring seasonal ingredients.

Delivery fees start at $5.99, with most of the company’s service areas being eligible for same-day delivery. We like that you’re not bound to a subscription or have to pay for a membership, though if you order frequently, a membership will likely save you money.

A DeliveryPass membership includes unlimited free delivery and exclusive discounts. You can choose from three plans, starting at $39 for a six-month membership.

We dislike that the company has a very limited service area. Currently, FreshDirect only ships to a few states, including most of the New York City metropolitan area and select areas of southern Connecticut and northern New Jersey.

What customers are saying

Customers like FreshDirect’s convenience, ingredient quality, and variety. However, several customers reported billing issues, missing items, and difficulty using the service’s app.

Specs

Best grocery delivery service for seniors: Walmart+

Why we like Walmart+ as best for seniors

Walmart+ is a membership that allows you to enjoy same-day grocery delivery from your local Walmart store. Walmart+ is our pick as the best grocery delivery service for seniors since there’s the option to have the groceries delivered not only to your front door but also inside of your home.

Unlike many other grocery delivery services, we appreciate that Walmart does not mark up the prices of some grocery items like other services do. This means you’ll receive the same affordable prices as you would in-store.

Members receive free shipping on purchases over $35. If your order is under $35, you’ll have to pay a $6.99 fee. Non-members who live in the delivery area can place orders with a delivery fee of $7.95 to $9.95. There are also express shipping options which allow for delivery within 1-2 hours.

To place a delivery order, use the company’s website or app to choose a time slot that works for you. Then, you can browse through thousands of grocery items and home products, add them to your cart, and check out.

Once an associate gets your order ready, a local, third-party driver will bring your items straight to your door. Tips are encouraged, but not required.

We like that a Walmart+ membership unlocks additional cost-saving benefits, including discounts on fuel and prescriptions and free shipping from Walmart.com. It also gives access to the company’s new “Scan & Go” feature, which allows you to scan your items as you shop before paying for items using a self-checkout lane. In addition, you can also earn ‘Walmart bucks’ on certain marked items, which allow you to apply them to your cart during checkout and save a few dollars.

Unique to Walmart+ is that members can take grocery delivery to the next step by upgrading to Walmart+ InHome. This service is available every day and includes delivery to your door, garage, or inside your fridge by a trusted Walmart associate, even if you’re not home. This may be particularly helpful for older adults or people with limited mobility who are vulnerable to food insecurity. ( 7 )

With InHome, you won’t have to pay any tips since delivery drivers are paid by the hour through Walmart. However, the four-hour delivery windows are much longer than Walmart+’s one-hour windows, which could take up a good portion of your day if you want to be home when your groceries arrive.

One drawback is that Walmart+ can only deliver to people who live relatively close to the store, typically within 15 miles. To see if delivery is available in your area, create an account (or log in to an existing account), enter your address, and select delivery from the store.

I would personally like to see a feature where you can simply enter your address to check availability instead of going through the entire signup process first. For example, I live 16 miles from my nearest Walmart and was told that delivery is not available to my location. However, I had to complete the entire signup process before finding that out, which felt like a waste of time.

What customers are saying

Overall, customers are happy with Walmart+ grocery delivery. They love the service’s convenience and that their orders typically arrive on time and without missing items.

Specs

Best cheap grocery delivery service: Amazon Fresh

Why we like Amazon Fresh as best cheap

Available to customers in select U.S. cities, Amazon Fresh is a storefront and one of the best cheap meal delivery services that ships everything from personal care products to fresh produce, meat, and pantry staples straight to your door.

You can order from multiple brands, including Whole Foods, Happy Belly, and Amazon’s budget-friendly Fresh brand.

To get started, log in to your Amazon account and click on the “Grocery” tab in the top left corner. Depending on your city, different options may pop up, including Amazon Fresh, Bristol Farms, and Whole Foods.

Once you choose the store you want to shop from, you can begin selecting your items. We like that you can filter items and browse by category, as well as check out digital coupons and weekly sales in the deals category. Similar to the majority of other services, some foods are slightly marked up.

Once you’re ready to order, you can choose a specific delivery day and a two-hour window that works for you. Amazon Fresh also offers same-day delivery within five hours and rush delivery options that can deliver your groceries within an hour.

Orders can be placed through Amazon’s mobile app or website and are fulfilled at a local Amazon or Whole Foods store. If you buy items from different stores, you’ll have to choose a delivery window for each store and check out separately.

While a Prime membership is not required, it removes shipping and service fees on all orders over $100 with a two-hour delivery window. For orders under $100 with two-hour delivery windows, the service fee is $6.95 for orders between $50 and $100 and $9.95 for orders under $50.

Prime members also get exclusive discounts on groceries and can add a grocery subscription for $9.99/month, which includes unlimited, free same-day delivery for orders over $35. Customers with a registered EBT card on Amazon can get this subscription for half off, at $4.99/month.

Non-Prime members pay an additional fee, typically between $4.95-$13.95, depending on order size. So if you regularly order from Amazon Fresh, your Prime membership will pay for itself through savings on service fees and shipping alone.

What customers are saying

Customer reviews on Trustpilot are mixed. Positive reviews highlight the service’s convenient same-day delivery and affordable in-house brand prices. Trustpilot reviewer A.M. McQueen, who has been using Amazon Fresh for over a year, says she’s always had a positive experience.

Unfortunately, the service has quite a few negative reviews, with most critics complaining about canceled deliveries, poor customer service, and out-of-stock items.

“Been using Fresh since it started, and in the last 2 months, this service has gone downhill,” writes William F., another Trustpilot reviewer. “Never get same day or next day anymore (2-3 days most of the time) at all no matter how early you place your order and 3 hours or more passed the delivery time when they show up.”

Specs

How we test grocery delivery services

Grocery delivery services are becoming increasingly popular. But with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming and time-consuming to find the best one for your needs.

Our goal is to connect you with a grocery delivery service that aligns with your budget and lifestyle. That’s why our team of experts has spent hours testing and researching each service that we review.

You can find our full testing methodology here .

Testing criteria

Meal Choices—30%

If you’re paying for a subscription or delivery fee, we want you to be able to select from a wide selection of produce, protein foods, grains, and dairy/fortified soy products to create balanced meals. Here’s what we take into account for our meal choices rating:

• Multiple options
• Substitutions
• Guidance
• Label transparency

Food quality—30%

Your ingredients should arrive fresh and delivered at a safe temperature. We aim to match you with services that offer nutritious foods and adhere to food safety best practices during every stage, including storage and delivery. Here’s what we factor into a service’s food quality rating:

• Flavor
• Healthiness
• Freshness

Value—20%

Grocery delivery services can significantly vary in price, though some may offer additional perks that may end up being a better value for your money. Here’s what goes into a service’s value rating:

• Fair price
• Multiple quantity options
• Customization

Customer experience—20%

You work hard for your money. If your order is missing an item or you receive spoiled food, you deserve a service that will make things right. Here’s what we factor into a grocery delivery service’s customer experience rating:

• Packaging
• Ease of preparation
• Reviews
• Customer service

Benefits of grocery delivery services

Perhaps the most significant benefit of grocery delivery is that it saves you time—and often money. ( 8 ) You don’t have to worry about driving to and from the grocery store, impulse buying, and waiting in long check-out lines.

As a dietitian, I often recommend these services to my patients and older adults who may not have access to the grocery store often, which can leave them vulnerable to food insecurity.

I also appreciate that grocery delivery services allow you to browse through items at home, giving you more time to review nutrition facts labels, make healthier choices, and compare costs. ( 9 )

Another perk of shopping for groceries online is the ability to scroll through weekly deals and save by using digital grocery coupons.

How to choose the best grocery delivery service for you

Here are a few key things to consider to make the most out of choosing a grocery delivery service:

Cost

Check the minimum order and whether a membership fee is required. Depending on how much you’ll be using the service, a membership that offers free shipping and/or additional perks and discounts may end up saving you money in the long run.

For example, while Walmart doesn’t require a membership to receive deliveries, you’ll pay up to $9.95 for each delivery. A Walmart+ membership unlocks free delivery on orders over $35, fuel savings, and more.

Additionally, several grocery delivery services offer membership discounts for people enrolled in SNAP. Note that, per the USDA, delivery fees and other charges associated with grocery delivery services cannot be paid using SNAP benefits. ( 10 )

You may also see markups on products through some services such as Instacart, where select retailers may mark up prices as much as 15%. You can view each brand’s pricing policies on their website or app (if applicable).

Delivery area

Many services have limited delivery areas, especially Fresh Direct, which only delivers year-round to areas in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and other grocery delivery services will let you know if they serve your area once you enter your zip code. This allows you to see if services are available in your area before you start shopping. If you are looking for fast delivery within a few hours, finding a service that is in your immediate area is vital.

Variety

If you’re subscribing to a grocery delivery service to eliminate supermarket trips entirely, you’ll want to choose a service that has a large product selection, including your staple foods as well as household items, toiletries, and more.

On the other hand, if you still want to pick out your produce and meat by shopping in person, you may prefer a grocery delivery service such as Thrive Market which focuses on frozen foods and pantry staples.

What is the best grocery delivery service?

The best grocery service ultimately depends on your needs and why you’re using it. For this review, we chose Hungryroot as the best overall. Not only does the service offer single grocery items, but it also includes thousands of recipes with pre-portioned ingredients to save even more time in the kitchen.

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