Are grocery delivery apps worth it anymore?

Short answer: grocery delivery apps can still be worth it, but usually only when you’re paying for convenience, access, or time savings—not when your main goal is the cheapest grocery bill. For most people, they’re worth it if the all-in premium is roughly $5–$20 per order, and less so if frequent small orders push that to $25+ per trip.

Typical cost ranges (per order):

• Pickup / curbside: about $0–$5
• Delivery with tip/fees: about $8–$20 extra, sometimes $25+
• Membership plans: often $10–$13/month or $99–$139/year
• Item markups vs in-store prices: can add 5%–15% overall, sometimes more

Usually worth it when:

• You’re short on time and would otherwise spend 30–90 minutes shopping.
• You need groceries during illness, bad weather, childcare, work hours, or without reliable transportation.
• You place larger, planned orders instead of many small ones.
• You use store loyalty pricing, coupons, or a membership enough to offset fees.
• You value convenience and reduced impulse buying more than absolute lowest cost.

Usually not worth it when:

• You’re ordering small baskets several times a week.
• The app’s prices are clearly higher than in-store.
• You need exact produce/meat substitutions and end up dissatisfied with replacements.
• You already pass a store on your normal route.
• You forget to include delivery fees, service fees, tips, bag fees, and membership costs.

Practical rule: if the delivery premium is less than what your saved time is worth, it can be a good value. If not, pickup is often the better middle ground.

Caveat: prices, fees, and promos change often, so check the app against completed receipts or current checkout totals before deciding.