How Grocery Apps Can Save You Time (And Money)

Shipt:

A very convenient service: Not only can you able to get grocery shopping done without getting out of bed, it isn't a difficult process to do so all around. The app was very easy to use and showed available stores based on your location. The app makes it easy to browse items in different categories and there is a search field if you’re looking for something specific. You also have the option of requesting specific items not in the app.

One of the great things about using Shipt is the ability to monitor your cart total. This is great if you are a budgeter like myself! They also make it easy to shop deals and discounts.

Another great feature is the “Buy Again” category. This shows all of the items you have purchased in the past, making it easier to find items you buy on a regular basis.

You can even consult this feature when you’re building a shopping list based on your budget, as it shows the price of each item.

Instacart:

Depending on the store, and the items you’re purchasing, most are either the same price or have a slight markup. It will say on the Instacart website whether or not you can expect higher prices by shopping through their site.

Not all stores have markups so you just need to check ahead of the time before purchasing your items. Instacart does offer online coupons and sales so there’s plenty of opportunity to save money on your favorite items.

Here's how they charge: If you spend over $35 and opt for regular delivery (over 1 hour) then the delivery fee is $5.99. Clearly, it’s not difficult to spend over $35. And even if you don’t shop through Instacart all the time, $5.99 isn’t a bad price to pay to have someone shop for your groceries when you’re in a pinch.

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Walmart Grocery:

Their service is an expansion of the company’s existing delivery and pickup efforts, and costs $98 a year.

Previously, you could have items shipped to your nearest store for free, or to your home for a $9.95 delivery fee for each order. This new annual subscription will cost $98 for a year, or $12.95 a month, and allows you to skip the per-order fee. To use it, customers place their order on Walmart’s site or app, and can select a delivery time specifically for whatever works best for you.

They have also began including introducing free, one-day shipping for orders over $35, pickup towers at a great number of its stores, and even an in-home delivery service that will allow employees into your house to place groceries directly into your refrigerator.

Publix Delivery and Curbside:

Here's how they work: You can place orders on the Publix website, where you have the option of selecting delivery (via Instacart) or curbside pickup, and then like the rest of the other services on this list, you will have it delivered to you by a delivery driver that works for the service.

Publix was a pioneer in online grocery shopping, piloting curbside pickup in the late 1990s. But it wasn't as profitable as the company hoped, and its online ordering was extremely limited until 2016, when it launched a collaboration with Instacart.

Most industry insiders believe Amazon.com's $13.7 billion acquisition of Whole Foods Market Inc. has sparked a sense of urgency in the grocery industry. Publix and others are looking at ways to retain market share as Amazon storms onto their turf.

delivery.com:

Delivery.com isn’t the same as its competitors. Let’s see where it differs:

Delivery.com does not have as many restaurants in their network as but it does still have a sizable amount. It also serves merchants other than restaurants, like florists and grocers.

You can add descriptions for menu items, which are seen when the customer puts their cursor over the item. Also sections can have their own descriptions or notes.

Also there are other familiar capabilities on the right sidebar, like the ability to put a special up or see popular items.

safeway delivery:

Safeway works much like it's competitors, but comes with many great benefits. These benefits include:

Product details included photos, sizes, and price per weight to help you comparison shop. You can also use the Safeway Club Card (that you use in the store) which allows you to grab in-store specials online.

Occasionally you can find web-only specials. Some of their items are actually cheaper online than in the Safeway stores.

Unlike some of the other apps on this list, you can leave notes for your "personal shopper" that you'd like the really ripe avocados or the green bananas.

Previous orders are saved as well, so return shopping is even easier. "Express Shopping" lets you type in your list, instead of searching item-by-item.

Delivery charges can be discounted, depending on how long you want to wait for delivery. Four-hour delivery windows are less than two-hour delivery windows. Orders over $150 get a 50% discount on delivery charges. Add a 4-hour delivery window, and you get it delivered practically for free.

Delivery drivers will carry the order inside and place it wherever you'd like it. If drivers are going to be late, they call ahead. Usually that delay is only 10-15 minutes past the delivery window.

Safeway is generous with emailing good coupons for discounted or free delivery codes.

In checkout you can specify that if a product is unavailable, which substitutions are acceptable, if any.

Amazon Fresh:

AmazonFresh was started in 2007 (in limited markets) by the popular online marketplace, and aims to deliver you fresh groceries at a price and time that works best for you.

Also, as a result of Amazon acquiring Whole Foods, you can order Whole Foods items through AmazonFresh.

To start, you’ll need an Amazon Prime membership to access AmazonFresh, which costs $119 per year.

Previously, the Amazon Fresh service required users to pay $299 up front for a year of service (which included Amazon Prime), but in late 2016, Amazon made it possible to pay $14.99 monthly instead. Then, in October 2019, the company decided to make the base service totally free to Prime subscribers.

The produce quality from Amazon’s food delivery is good as all produce is packaged in individual plastic bags. Your mileage may vary depending on your location of course, but I had no problems with any produce delivered throughout the month.

Somewhere around 1,000 Whole Foods products are available to order through AmazonFresh, with more on the way. Most of them seem to be Whole Foods’ “low cost” 365 Everyday brand. You’ll find that product selection varies quite a lot by category. And luckily, Amazon has added a feature that lets you shop the specific Whole Foods that’s closest to your house, so you don’t need to guess about what’s actually available.