The best Instacart alternative depends on what you're buying and where you live. Some apps deliver from the local shops you already use, some run their own stock for very fast delivery, and some focus on organic, rescued or Asian groceries. Ten apps follow, in no particular order.
Instacart made it normal to have someone else do the weekly shop. But it isn't in every town, it isn't always the quickest, and some people want a specialist grocer, a UK service or an app that cuts food waste.
The ten apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order. Every description comes from the app's own App Store listing, read this week. If you've ever wondered about the people doing the shopping, my guide to what Instacart shoppers earn explains how batch pay and tips work.
Instacart alternatives at a glance
I checked the free plan column on each app's own App Store listing, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the page names a free app, a free version, a free plan, free posting or open source. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the page I read named neither, even where there's a download button, so check the tool's own page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Favor | Texas delivery app | Getting anything delivered in Texas | Trial only |
| FreshDirect | Online grocer | New York homes and offices | Not stated |
| Gopuff | Fast convenience delivery app | Last-minute essentials in minutes | Not stated |
| Mercato | Local grocer delivery app | Supporting local grocery shops | Not stated |
| Misfits Market | Grocery delivery that cuts waste | Rescued and organic groceries | Not stated |
| Ocado | UK online supermarket | A full weekly shop in the UK | Not stated |
| Shipt | Same-day delivery app | Same-day delivery from local stores | Not stated |
| Snappy Shopper | UK convenience store delivery | Topping up from the corner shop | Not stated |
| Thrive Market | Organic grocery membership | Organic and diet-specific groceries | Not stated |
| Weee! | Asian grocery delivery app | Asian groceries delivered coast to coast | Not stated |
Ten grocery delivery apps worth a look
Favor
Best for: Texans who want groceries, coffee and almost anything else delivered, with a membership that cuts delivery fees on most orders.
FreshDirect
Best for: Homes and businesses in the greater New York City area who want in-season food, local finds and easy meals in one order.
Gopuff
Best for: Late-night and last-minute needs, with thousands of items delivered in as little as 15 minutes and SNAP EBT accepted at checkout.
Mercato
Best for: Shoppers who'd rather order from independent local grocers, butchers and specialty stores than a national chain, delivered the same day.
Misfits Market
Best for: Households who want organic produce and pantry staples chosen to reduce food waste, built into a weekly order from hundreds of items.
Ocado
Best for: UK families who want a full weekly shop, including M&S food, with delivery slots from early morning until midnight.
Shipt
Best for: People who want same-day delivery from the local stores they already use, with digital coupons and personalised offers on top.
Snappy Shopper
Best for: Forgotten milk and same-day top-ups in the UK, ordered from a local convenience store and delivered in as little as 30 minutes.
Thrive Market
Best for: Shoppers who filter by diet, with organic and sustainable groceries and 90+ diet and lifestyle filters such as gluten-free and plant-based.
Weee!
Best for: Anyone missing hard-to-find Asian and global foods, shipped across the contiguous US with no subscription required to shop.
Which app suits which shop
- You need something in the next half hour: Gopuff.
- You want to support independent grocers: Mercato.
- You're after Asian groceries: Weee!.
- You live in Texas: Favor.
- You shop in the UK: Ocado.
If you pay with SNAP EBT, read this first
Not every delivery app can take SNAP benefits, and the ones that can still have limits. The USDA Food and Nutrition Administration says SNAP online is now available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, but only eligible food can be bought with SNAP benefits. Delivery fees and other charges can't be covered by them.
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So if you use EBT, check that the app or store is an authorised SNAP online retailer before you build a basket, and keep a second card ready for the delivery charge. At least one app on this list names SNAP EBT as a payment option on its listing.
Questions to ask before you switch apps
- Does it deliver to your address, and how soon?
- Does it shop from stores you know, or from its own stock?
- Does it replace missing items, and can you approve swaps?
- Is there a membership, and what does it change?
- Does it accept the payment methods you use, including EBT?
- Can you schedule a regular weekly order?
How to get the same shop for less hassle
Build your usual basket once and save it as a list, so a new app doesn't mean starting from scratch. Set substitution preferences before the first order, especially for anything you can't eat. And check the order the moment it arrives, because most apps only accept problems reported quickly.
If you plan the week's meals first, the shop gets easier. My ChatGPT prompts for a weekly shopping list can turn a meal plan into a list in a minute.
Do you make grocery delivery, grocery pickup or food shopping apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing an Instacart alternative
Start with who delivers to you, then decide what matters most: speed, your usual shops, or a specialist range. A fast convenience app is brilliant for the forgotten milk but rarely for the full weekly shop. If you use EBT, check the SNAP online rules before anything else.
And whichever app you choose, set your substitution preferences on day one. It saves more frustration than any discount code.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Instacart?
It depends on where you live and what you buy. Some apps suit fast top-ups, some suit a full weekly shop, and some suit specialist groceries.
Can I use SNAP EBT on grocery delivery apps?
Only with authorised SNAP online retailers, and the USDA says SNAP benefits can't cover delivery fees.
Which grocery app delivers fastest?
Apps that run their own stock can deliver in under half an hour, while shopper-based apps usually take longer.
Is there an Instacart alternative in the UK?
Yes. Several apps here deliver in the UK, from full weekly shops to quick top-ups from local convenience stores.
Do I need a membership for grocery delivery?
Not always. Some apps say no subscription is needed, while others offer a membership that changes delivery charges.
What should I do if items are missing?
Report it in the app as soon as the order arrives, because most apps have a short window for problems.
