Grocery delivery is a lifesaver when you cannot get to the store, or when you simply want to skip the lifting and the lines. But the price you see at checkout is not the whole story. Membership fees, service fees, item markups, tips, and minimum order rules all change what you actually pay. This guide breaks down the real cost of five popular grocery delivery services so you can compare them honestly and choose the one that saves you the most money.
Why Compare Grocery Delivery Prices?
The advertised delivery fee is only one part of your bill. A service that charges $3.99 delivery can still cost more than one that charges $7.99, once you factor in the markup on every item and the service fee added at checkout. Seniors on a fixed income feel this difference quickly. A $5 hidden markup on a $50 order is 10% more food money gone, week after week.
We compared five services that most seniors can use nationwide: Instacart, Shipt, Walmart Grocery, Amazon Fresh, and Kroger. We looked at membership fees, per-order delivery fees, service fees, item markups, minimum order sizes, and tipping. The numbers below reflect typical pricing as of mid-2026. Local stores and promotions can change these, but the patterns hold.
The 5 Services We Compared
Each service works a little differently. Some own their inventory and deliver from their own warehouses. Others send a shopper to a local store on your behalf. That difference matters for price, because a personal shopper model usually adds a markup to cover the shopper's pay, while a warehouse model can charge closer to in-store prices.
- Instacart: A personal shopper buys your items at a local store and delivers them. Available from dozens of chains.
- Shipt: Same personal-shopper model, owned by Target. Membership required to order.
- Walmart Grocery: Walmart picks and delivers its own inventory. No membership required to order.
- Amazon Fresh: Amazon's own grocery warehouse. Requires a Prime membership for delivery.
- Kroger: Delivers from Kroger-owned stores, either by Kroger's own drivers or through Instacart in some areas.
Grocery Delivery Price Comparison Table
Here is the side-by-side breakdown. Prices are typical for a standard weekly order of about $50 to $75 of groceries. Your actual cost depends on your store, your location, and current promotions.
| Service | Membership | Delivery Fee | Service Fee | Item Markup | Min. Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instacart | None ($99/yr Instacart+ optional) | $3.99–$7.99 | 5% of order | 5–15% at most stores | $10 |
| Shipt | $99/yr or $10/mo required | Free over $35 | None | 10–15% built in | $35 |
| Walmart Grocery | None (Walmart+ optional) | $6.99 (free w/ Walmart+ over $35) | None | None — in-store prices | $35 |
| Amazon Fresh | Prime required ($139/yr) | Free over $35 (fees under) | None | None — Amazon sets prices | $35 (varies) |
| Kroger | None (Boost optional) | $4.95–$9.95 | None | None — store prices | $35 |
Tip is extra on every service. Plan on $5 to $10 per order.
Service-by-Service Breakdown
Instacart
Instacart is the most flexible service because it shops at dozens of store chains, from Costco and Publix to local grocers. That flexibility comes at a price. You pay a delivery fee of $3.99 to $7.99, a service fee of about 5% of your order, and often a markup of 5% to 15% on each item. A $50 grocery list can end up costing $60 or more before the tip.
Instacart+ ($99 per year) waives the delivery fee on orders over $35, but the service fee and item markups still apply. For seniors who shop at a store Instacart partners with and value choice over the lowest price, it works well. Order at Instacart and check your store's pricing before you commit.
Shipt
Shipt, owned by Target, requires a membership to order: $99 per year or $10 per month. Delivery is free on orders over $35, and there is no separate service fee. But Shipt builds a markup of about 10% to 15% into the item prices you see in the app. That means a $4 gallon of milk in the store may show as $4.50 in Shipt.
The membership pays off if you order often — roughly once a week — because you avoid per-order delivery fees. For occasional shoppers, the yearly fee plus the markup makes Shipt more expensive than pay-per-order options. Sign up at Shipt if you want a flat membership with no surprise delivery fees.
Walmart Grocery
Walmart Grocery is the clearest winner on price for most seniors. Walmart charges its own in-store prices with no markup, no service fee, and no required membership. The only cost is the delivery fee, which starts at $6.99 per order. Your first delivery is often free.
If you order weekly, a Walmart+ membership at $12.95 per month or $98 per year gives you free delivery on orders over $35, plus free shipping on other Walmart items. That is cheaper than Instacart+ and removes the item markup problem entirely. Start an order at Walmart Grocery to see your local prices.
Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh delivers groceries from Amazon's own warehouses in select cities. You need an Amazon Prime membership ($139 per year or $14.99 per month) to use it. Delivery is free on orders over $35, and Amazon sets its own prices with no markup on top. There is no separate service fee.
The catch is coverage. Amazon Fresh is available in fewer areas than the other services on this list. If you already pay for Prime and Fresh delivers to your zip code, it is a strong deal. If you would buy Prime only for groceries, the math is harder. Check availability at Amazon Fresh before you rely on it.
Kroger
Kroger delivers from its own stores in the regions where Kroger operates. There is no membership required, no item markup, and no service fee. You pay a delivery fee of $4.95 to $9.95 per order, depending on the time slot and distance. A Kroger Boost membership ($59 to $119 per year) waives delivery fees on orders over $35.
In some areas, Kroger hands delivery to Instacart, which means Instacart's fees and markups apply. Always check at checkout whether the order is fulfilled by Kroger or Instacart. Order directly at Kroger when you can.
Hidden Fees to Watch For
The fees that surprise seniors most are the ones that do not show up until checkout. Knowing them ahead of time helps you pick the right service and avoid sticker shock.
- Item markup: Instacart and Shipt raise the price of each item above the in-store price. You see one number in the app and assume it is the shelf price. It is not. Compare a few items to the store's website to see the gap.
- Service fee: Instacart adds a 5% service fee on top of the delivery fee and the markup. It is not a tip and does not go to the shopper. You can lower it in the app, but the default catches many seniors off guard.
- Small-order fee: Most services charge extra or refuse delivery if your order is under $35. Plan one bigger order instead of two small ones.
- Busy pricing: Instacart and Shipt raise delivery fees during peak times like Sunday afternoon and holidays. A $3.99 slot can become $9.99.
- Bag and fuel fees: Some stores add a few cents per bag or a small fuel surcharge. Small on their own, but they add up over a year.
How to Save on Grocery Delivery
💡 Save 20% or More on Every Order
Compare the same cart across two services before you check out. Build your list in the Walmart app, then rebuild it in Instacart. The price difference on a $60 order is often $8 to $12. Pick the cheaper one. Do this once and you will know which service wins for your usual store.
A few habits keep delivery costs low over the long run:
- Order once a week, not daily. One $7 delivery fee beats four $7 fees. Batch your groceries into a single larger order.
- Hit the $35 minimum. Every service on this list waives or lowers fees at $35. Add a few pantry staples if you are short.
- Try the yearly membership only if you order weekly. If you order less than once a week, pay-per-order beats any $99 membership.
- Tip in the app, not in cash, when possible. It is safer and the driver still receives it. Budget $5 to $10 per order.
- Use SNAP EBT if you qualify. Instacart, Walmart, and Amazon Fresh accept SNAP for eligible items. See our SNAP EBT grocery delivery guide for how it works.
Which Service Is Cheapest Overall?
For most seniors, Walmart Grocery is the cheapest option when you measure total cost per order. No membership is required, there is no item markup, and the only fee is delivery. If you order every week, Walmart+ at $98 per year pays for itself after about 14 free deliveries compared with paying $6.99 each time.
Amazon Fresh ties Walmart on per-order price, but only if you already pay for Prime and Fresh serves your area. Kroger is the cheapest option in its regions for the same reason — no markup, no service fee — but coverage is limited to where Kroger stores operate.
Instacart and Shipt cost more per order because of the item markup, but they are the only way to get delivery from stores like Costco, Publix, or a local chain that Walmart and Amazon do not carry. Use them when you need a specific store, and use Walmart or Kroger for the bulk of your weekly groceries.
For a deeper look at the cheapest services overall, read our cheapest grocery delivery guide and our which delivery service is cheapest comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest grocery delivery service for seniors?
Walmart Grocery is usually the cheapest option for seniors because it charges no annual membership, no service fee, and no markup on item prices. You only pay the delivery fee, which is often waived on your first order and on orders over $35 with a Walmart+ membership.
Does Instacart mark up grocery prices?
Yes. Instacart marks up item prices at many stores by about 5% to 15% on top of the delivery fee and service fee. This markup is built into the price you see in the app, so it is easy to miss. Stores like Costco and Publix may show in-store prices, but most partner stores include the markup.
Is Walmart grocery delivery really free?
Walmart grocery delivery is free on orders over $35 if you have a Walmart+ membership, which costs $12.95 per month or $98 per year. Without the membership, delivery fees start at about $6.99 per order. Your first delivery is often free even without a membership.
Which grocery delivery service has no membership fee?
Instacart, Walmart Grocery, Amazon Fresh, and Kroger all let you order without paying a membership fee. You pay per order instead. Shipt requires either a $99 yearly membership or a $10 monthly membership to place orders.
How much should I tip my grocery delivery driver?
A good tip for grocery delivery is $5 to $10, or about 10% of your order total, whichever is higher. Drivers rely on tips as a large part of their income. Tip more for heavy items, stairs, or bad weather. You can tip in the app before or after delivery.
Your Next Steps
Picking the right grocery delivery service comes down to one question: do you need a specific store, or do you just need your usual groceries at the lowest price? Answer that, and the choice gets simple.
- If you want the lowest total cost: Start with Walmart Grocery. No markup, no service fee, and a $6.99 delivery fee that drops to free with Walmart+.
- If you already pay for Amazon Prime: Check whether Amazon Fresh delivers to your zip code. If it does, you get free delivery over $35 at no extra membership cost.
- If you need a store only Instacart or Shipt carries: Use them for that store, but move your weekly staples to Walmart or Kroger to save on the markup.
- If money is tight: Call your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-677-1116 (Eldercare Locator) to ask about free or low-cost grocery delivery programs for seniors in your county.
- If you qualify for SNAP: Use a service that accepts EBT online — Instacart, Walmart, and Amazon Fresh all do. See our SNAP EBT guide.
Build the same grocery list in two apps and compare the total before you check out. That one habit will show you, in five minutes, which service keeps the most money in your pocket. Do it once, and you will know for the rest of the year.