Marketing Strategy
Grubhub vs DoorDash Fees for Restaurants (2026)
Grubhub and DoorDash price delivery differently, which makes the headline numbers hard to compare. Grubhub lists a 5%, 15% or 20% marketing commission, then adds a delivery fee starting at 10% if its drivers deliver, plus payment processing. DoorDash lists 15%, 25% or 30% on delivery orders and says that rate includes credit card processing. Both pages were opened on 2026-10-24.
This guide is for US restaurant, café and takeaway owners picking between the two marketplaces. Rates can differ by market (Grubhub points New York City owners to a separate price list), so confirm yours in your own account before signing.
5-20%→
Grubhub marketing commission, Basic to All-access
Grubhub merchant page, checked 2026-10-24
10%+→
Grubhub Delivery fee, starting at
Grubhub merchant page, checked 2026-10-24
15-30%→
DoorDash delivery commission, Basic to Premier
DoorDash merchant page, checked 2026-10-24
6%→
DoorDash pickup commission, all plans
DoorDash merchant page, checked 2026-10-24
Estimates for illustration; actual numbers vary.
How Do Grubhub and DoorDash Fees Differ?
Grubhub splits its charge in two. The marketing commission pays for being listed and promoted. A delivery fee applies only if you use Grubhub's drivers. Payment processing is separate, and Grubhub's footnote says its pricing "does not include payment processing fees". The page does not give the processing rate, so this article does not either.
DoorDash charges one percentage on delivery orders. It says the commission covers listing, marketing, Dasher logistics, customer support and credit card processing. It also lists no activation, subscription, software or cancellation fee.
| Grubhub | DoorDash | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry tier | Basic: 5% marketing commission | Basic: 15% delivery |
| Middle tier | Plus: 15% | Plus: 25% |
| Top tier | All-access: 20% | Premier: 30% |
| Delivery by the platform's drivers | Fee starting at 10%, on top | Included in the percentage |
| Own drivers | Self Delivery: no delivery fee | Not shown as a separate plan |
| Pickup | Not priced separately on the page | 6% on all plans |
| Payment processing | Extra; rate not shown | Included in delivery commission |
| Setup or monthly fee | "No platform or maintenance fees" | None listed |
| Contract | Not stated on the pricing page | "No contract"; switch any time |
What Do You Get at Each Tier?
Grubhub's three tiers differ in how much customers pay for delivery. Basic has a standard customer delivery fee, Plus a lower one and All-access the lowest. All three include placement in the Grubhub and Seamless apps, a free menu photoshoot, access to Grubhub+ members, up to $500 a month in promo credit and a monthly ad credit equal to your commission rate on ads you buy.
DoorDash works the same way. Basic lists you to nearby customers. Plus widens the delivery radius, lowers the customer delivery fee and reaches DashPass members. Premier reaches the widest range and adds automatic ads. Intro rates are 0% for the first 7 days on Basic and 30 days on Plus and Premier.
Lower customer fees matter because shoppers compare. A cheap tier with a high customer delivery fee may bring fewer orders. That is the trade you are really buying.
What Does $10,000 in Orders Cost?
Every input below is an assumption. Say a restaurant has $10,000 of monthly order subtotals delivered by each platform's drivers. For Grubhub, assume the 10% delivery fee (a "starting at" figure) applies to the same subtotal. Processing is left out for Grubhub because the rate is not published on the page.
| Tier | Grubhub: commission + 10% delivery | DoorDash: all-in |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $500 + $1,000 = $1,500, plus processing | Basic: $1,500 |
| Middle | $1,500 + $1,000 = $2,500, plus processing | Plus: $2,500 |
| Top | $2,000 + $1,000 = $3,000, plus processing | Premier: $3,000 |
On these assumptions the two platforms land on the same number before Grubhub's processing fee, so DoorDash is the cheaper of the two once processing is added. If you deliver with your own staff, the picture changes. Grubhub Self Delivery removes the delivery fee, which leaves a 5% to 20% commission plus processing. Check your real statement to see whether the 10% is charged on the subtotal as assumed.
How Do You Check the Real Cost on Your Own Orders?
Rates on a pricing page are a starting point. Your statement shows what you actually paid. Pull one month of payouts from each platform and work out three numbers: total fees divided by order subtotals, the share of orders that used the platform's drivers, and any ad or promotion spend.
Compare those percentages with the page. If a platform's total is higher than the plan rate plus the items you chose, ask the rep which line explains the gap. Grubhub's page also lists an ad credit equal to your commission rate on ads you buy, so log ad spend separately and see whether the credit offsets it.
Keep the test fair. A tier that looks cheap but brings few orders can cost more per dollar of profit than a pricier tier with steady volume, so count orders as well as fees.
Which Should You Pick?
- Own a delivery driver or two? Look at Grubhub Basic with Self Delivery. A 5% commission is the lowest rate on either page.
- Need drivers? Compare DoorDash Basic or Plus with Grubhub plus delivery. DoorDash is simpler to model because one number covers drivers and processing.
- Want the widest customer reach? DoorDash Plus lists DashPass members; Grubhub Plus and All-access list Grubhub+ members. Ask each rep for orders per week in your zip code before paying for the top tier.
- Listing on both? Only do it if each app brings different customers. Our multi-platform delivery strategy guide shows how to check.
- Have regulars? Both offer commission-free ordering (Grubhub Direct, DoorDash Online Ordering). Online Ordering still carries a payment processing fee. See our online menu website setup guide.
For the rest of the budget, see how to split a restaurant delivery marketing budget.
FAQ
Is Grubhub cheaper than DoorDash?
Grubhub's entry commission (5%) is lower than DoorDash Basic (15%). Add the 10% delivery fee and processing and the totals are close or higher. If you use your own drivers, Grubhub Self Delivery removes the delivery fee.
Does Grubhub charge a monthly fee?
Its page lists no initiation or ongoing maintenance fees for the marketplace and says you pay a marketing fee per order. The page does not state contract length.
Is there a contract with DoorDash?
DoorDash's pricing page says no contract, no penalty, and that plan changes take up to five business days.
Why is the Grubhub commission called a marketing commission?
Grubhub describes it as a fee you pay per order once it has brought you customers. It is not charged for a listing alone.
Do prices vary by city?
Yes. Grubhub notes pricing in select markets may differ and has a separate New York City price page. Grubhub also says local regulations may limit the fees it can charge.
Does either platform have ads?
Both. They are optional and cost extra. Our delivery app marketing strategy for restaurants covers when it pays off.
Sources
- Grubhub for Restaurants: Pricing and fees (opened 2026-10-24)
- DoorDash for Merchants: Commission rates and pricing (opened 2026-10-24)
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Nataliia
Local marketing strategist with 10+ years at global agencies — OMD, Dentsu, GroupM, and BBDO. Now helping small businesses get the same data-driven edge. Based in Europe, working with clients in the US, UK, Australia, and beyond.
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