Instacart vs Shipt for Seniors in 2026

If you are looking for grocery delivery, two names keep coming up: Instacart and Shipt. They work the same way at first glance. A personal shopper picks your items at a local store and brings them to your door, often within a few hours. But the details make a real difference in what you pay and how the experience feels.

We compared both services side by side from the perspective of a senior 55 and older. We tested ordering from a computer instead of a phone, checked pricing structures, and looked at which stores each service reaches. Here is what we found.

How They Work — The Basics

Both Instacart and Shipt connect you with a personal shopper who goes to a local grocery store, picks your items, and delivers them to your home. You place the order through a website or app, choose a delivery window, and pay online. The shopper may text you if something is out of stock so you can pick a substitute.

The biggest difference is which stores each service works with. Instacart partners with more than 900 retailers nationwide. Shipt is owned by Target and focuses heavily on Target stores, plus regional chains like Meijer, H-E-B, and Kroger-owned stores in some areas. Your experience will depend a lot on which stores are near you.

Pricing — Memberships vs Pay-as-You-Go

Instacart Pricing

Instacart offers two ways to pay. You can pay per order with a delivery fee starting at $3.99, plus a service fee that varies by order size. Or you can join Instacart+ for $99 per year or $9.99 per month. Instacart+ members get free delivery on orders over $35, reduced service fees, and a few other perks.

For seniors ordering once a week, Instacart+ at $99 per year works out to about $1.90 per delivery. That is cheaper than paying $3.99 each time. You also get a free Peacock streaming subscription with Instacart+, though that may not matter to everyone.

Shipt Pricing

Shipt also has a membership model. Shipt Everyday costs $99 per year or $10.99 per month. All members get free delivery on orders over $35. Without a membership, you can still order but the delivery fee is higher than Instacart's per-order fee.

Shipt does not have a straightforward pay-per-order option without a membership the way Instacart does. If you only want to try grocery delivery once or twice, Instacart makes that easier.

Store Selection — What Stores Can You Shop?

This is where Instacart pulls ahead in most parts of the country. Instacart works with grocery chains in all 50 states including Kroger, ALDI, Publix, Wegmans, Costco (no membership required through Instacart), and many regional grocery stores. You can also order from CVS, Walgreens, Petco, and Best Buy through Instacart.

Shipt is strongest if you live near Target. Shipt shoppers are inside Target stores constantly and know the layout well. Shipt also works with Meijer, H-E-B, Winn-Dixie, and select Kroger-owned stores. But Shipt's store coverage is smaller overall. Before signing up, go to shipt.com and enter your ZIP code to see which stores are available in your area.

For most seniors, the deciding factor is simple: does the service deliver from the grocery store you already use? If you have shopped at the same Kroger or Publix for 20 years, choose the service that covers that store.

Website vs App — Which Is Easier for Seniors?

Both Instacart and Shipt have full-featured websites you can use from any computer. You do not need a smartphone or tablet to place an order. Go to instacart.com or shipt.com, create an account with an email address and password, and start shopping.

We tested both websites on a desktop computer with the browser zoomed to 125%, a common setup for seniors. Instacart's website handled the zoom better. The search bar, category buttons, and product cards stayed aligned. Shipt's website had a few layout issues at higher zoom levels, with text overlapping on category filters.

If you prefer using a tablet, both apps work on iPad and Android tablets and the touch targets are large enough for fingers that are not as steady as they used to be.

Delivery Speed and Availability

Both services offer same-day delivery in most areas. You can choose a specific time window or pick "Fast & Flexible" for the soonest available slot. In our testing across three cities, Instacart typically showed more available time slots than Shipt, especially during evening hours.

Shipt stands out in one way: because it has fewer customers, your shopper may have more time to focus on your order. Several Shipt shoppers report that they can spend more time communicating about substitutions than Instacart shoppers who are often handling multiple orders at once. If you are particular about substitutions, this matters.

Which One Works with EBT and SNAP?

Instacart accepts EBT and SNAP payments at participating stores including ALDI, Food Lion, and certain Kroger, Publix, and Safeway locations. You add your EBT card as a payment method and eligible items are marked with an EBT label.

Shipt does not accept EBT or SNAP as of July 2026. If you rely on SNAP benefits for groceries, Instacart is your only option between the two services.

Medicare Advantage Grocery Benefits

Some Medicare Advantage plans include a grocery allowance or meal delivery benefit. Both Instacart and Shipt work with certain Medicare Advantage plans, but the availability depends on your specific plan and carrier.

Call the member services number on the back of your Medicare Advantage card and ask: "Do you offer a grocery delivery benefit, and which delivery services do you partner with?" Some plans issue a prepaid debit card you can use on Instacart. Others have a specific partnership with one service. Do not assume either service will work with your plan without checking.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Instacart	Shipt
Annual Membership	$99/year	$99/year
Pay Per Order	$3.99+ per order	Limited availability
Store Count	900+ retailers	~130 retailers
Target Delivery	Yes	Yes (owned by Target)
Costco Without Membership	Yes	No
Accepts EBT/SNAP	Yes (select stores)	No
Website for Computer	Yes, zoom-friendly	Yes, minor zoom issues
Same-Day Delivery	Yes	Yes
Medicare Advantage Compatible	Some plans	Some plans

Who Should Choose Instacart

• You want the widest store selection and are likely to find your regular grocery store.
• You use EBT or SNAP benefits for groceries.
• You want the option to pay per order without an annual membership.
• You shop at Costco and do not have a Costco membership.
• You want to order from pharmacies like CVS in the same app.

Who Should Choose Shipt

• You do most of your shopping at Target and want a shopper who knows the store layout.
• You value more personal communication from your shopper about substitutions.
• You live near a Meijer, H-E-B, or other Shipt-partnered regional chain.
• You order frequently enough that the annual membership pays for itself quickly.

Try Both Before Committing

The smartest approach for a senior new to grocery delivery is to try both services using their introductory offers. Most new customer promotions cut the delivery fee or offer a discount on your first order. Place one order with each service and compare:

1. How easy was the website to use? Could you find your regular items without frustration?
2. How did the shopper handle substitutions? Did they text you and offer reasonable alternatives, or did they skip items?
3. What did the final total come to? Compare the receipt including all fees, not just the grocery subtotal.
4. Did the delivery arrive in the time window you chose? Late deliveries can disrupt meal planning and medication schedules.

After one order from each, you will have a clear answer. Most seniors find that one service simply feels easier to use. Go with that one.