Uber Eats vs. DoorDash vs. Skip: Which Pays More in 2026?

If you search "Uber vs DoorDash" on Reddit, you get a mess of conflicting opinions. One driver in Toronto says Uber is king; another in Edmonton swears by SkipTheDishes. Indeed.com won't help you here because they don't understand the algorithm.

The truth is, there is no single "best" app for the entire country. The "highest payer" depends entirely on where you live and how you drive.

In 2026, the game has changed. It is no longer just about base pay. It is about "Order Volume," "Tip Transparency," and "Zone Control." To make real money—we're talking $25 to $30 per hour—you need to know which app controls your specific neighbourhood.

Here is the definitive, street-level breakdown of the Big Three in Canada, designed to help you maximize your hourly rate.

1. Uber Eats (The Volume King)

Uber Eats is the "shotgun" approach. It has the highest number of users in major urban centers.

• The Strategy: Quantity over Quality.
• Best For: Downtown drivers (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver) and cyclists.
• The Pay Structure: Low base pay (sometimes $3.00), but frequent "Surge" pricing during dinner rush and rain/snow.
• The "Street" Consensus:
  • Pros: The app is the smoothest. You can log on/off whenever you want (no scheduling blocks). Instant cash-out is reliable.
  • Cons: "Tip Baiting" (customers removing the tip after delivery) is a rare but frustrating reality. You often don't see the full drop-off location until you pick up the food.
• Verdict: Use this if you are on a bike or in the city core. The short distances make up for the lower per-order pay.

2. DoorDash (The Suburban Dominator)

DoorDash has aggressively taken over the Canadian suburbs. If you live in Mississauga, Surrey, Laval, or Kanata, this is likely your bread and butter.

• The Strategy: Zone Control.
• Best For: Drivers with cars in the suburbs.
• The Pay Structure: Higher base pay on average than Uber. They use "Peak Pay" ($1.00 - $3.00 extra per order) to get drivers on the road.
• The "Street" Consensus:
  • Pros: Very busy in residential areas. The app tells you the total miles upfront.
  • Cons: The "Schedule" Game. In many markets, you have to fight for "Dash Now" slots or schedule your shifts days in advance unless you are a "Top Dasher" (which requires accepting bad orders).
• Verdict: The winner for reliable suburban income.

3. SkipTheDishes (The Canadian Veteran)

Skip is the "Old Guard." Founded in Winnipeg, it still holds massive loyalty in Western Canada (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta) and smaller Ontario towns.

• The Strategy: Transparency.
• Best For: Drivers in the Prairies and smaller cities.
• The Pay Structure: Often the highest "per order" average. They have a "Top-Up" program where if you keep your acceptance rate high, they guarantee a minimum payout (e.g., $6.50) per order.
• The "Street" Consensus:
  • Pros: Full Transparency. You see the pay and the destination before you accept. No guessing.
  • Cons: Strict scheduling. If you are late for your shift, they delete it. The app is clunky compared to Uber.
• Verdict: The best for "cherry-picking" high-value orders.

2026 Uber and SkipTheDishes Tax Guide: Every Deduction You Can Claim

The "Secret" to $30/Hour: Multi-Apping

The drivers making side hustle money of $1,000/week are not loyal to one app. They use all three.

How to do it properly:

1. Turn on Uber Eats and DoorDash at the same time.
2. Wait for a ping.
3. Accept a good order on DoorDash.
4. Pause Uber Eats immediately.
5. Deliver the food.
6. Unpause Uber Eats as you are walking back to your car.

Warning: Do not try to deliver two orders from two different apps at the same time ("Dirty Multi-Apping") unless they are going to the exact same street. You will get caught, customers will complain about cold food, and you will be deactivated.

Comparison Table: The 2026 Breakdown

Practical Questions Answered

"Does Acceptance Rate actually matter?"

Consensus: Only on DoorDash and Skip.

• Uber Eats: No. You can decline 99% of orders and still get offers.
• DoorDash: Yes. If you want "Dash Now" privileges (working without a schedule), you need to maintain a high rate (usually 70%+).
• Skip: Yes. To get the "Top-Up" minimum pay guarantee, you usually need to stay above 80%.

"Which app is best for taxes?"

They are all the same. They are "Digital Platforms." As of 2026, all three will report your earnings to the CRA. You must save roughly 25% of your earnings for tax season. None of them deduct tax for you.

"I drive an old beater. Which app is safest?"

SkipTheDishes. Because Skip tells you the destination before you accept, you can avoid orders that take you to highways, steep hills, or areas with massive potholes. Uber often hides the drop-off location, leading you into situations that are hard on your car.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which food delivery app pays the most in Toronto?

In downtown Toronto, Uber Eats generally pays the most due to sheer volume and short delivery distances. However, in the GTA suburbs (Brampton, Markham, Oakville), DoorDash often edges out Uber due to higher tips and larger family orders.

Can I work for Uber Eats and DoorDash at the same time?

Yes. This is called "multi-apping." It is perfectly legal and not against the Terms of Service, as long as you do not delay deliveries. Most professional drivers run both apps to minimize downtime between orders.

Does SkipTheDishes pay for gas?

No. None of the major apps pay for your gas directly. You are an independent contractor. However, you can claim your gas, car insurance (percentage), and vehicle maintenance as tax deductions when you file your CRA return.

Is it worth delivering food in 2026?

Yes, but only if you are strategic. The days of blindly accepting every order are over. To make a profit after gas and wear-and-tear, you should aim for a rule of thumb: $1.50 to $2.00 per kilometer. If an order pays less than that, decline it.

About the author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian career researcher and digital entrepreneur who studies hiring trends, labour market data, and real entry-level opportunities across Canada. He specializes in simplifying the job search for newcomers, students, and workers using practical, up-to-date information.

Sources

• Government of Canada (Self-Employed Tax Deductions): https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/sole-proprietorships-partnerships/business-expenses.html
• DoorDash Driver (Dasher) Help: https://help.doordash.com/dashers/s/dasher-support?language=en_CA&ctry=CA&divcode=ON
• SkipTheDishes Courier Hub: https://couriers.skipthedishes.com/help/

Note:

Job availability, wages, and hiring conditions can vary widely by province, employer, season, and experience level. All salary ranges and job examples in this guide are estimates based on current labour market data. Always confirm details directly with the employer before applying.