Anyone can use Instacart, but an Instacart Plus membership ($99/year or $9.99/month) can help reduce costs by eliminating delivery fees on orders over $35 and reducing some service fees.
Is Instacart worth it for real? 🤔 Or are you better off sticking to your regular grocery runs? While the convenience of grocery delivery is tempting, understanding Instacart’s true costs is key before you commit.
We’re going over everything to know about how Instacart Plus works, Instacart Plus benefits, and everything to know about the Instacart price tag – including fees – to help you decide if the service deserves a spot in your monthly budget. 🛒
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What is Instacart?
Instacart is a popular grocery delivery service that connects you with personal shoppers who select and deliver items from your favorite local stores directly to your door. 🚗🏠
It’s an app that functions as your personal grocery shopping helper and lets you shop from your favorite local stores without ever leaving your couch. You simply pick your items online, and a personal shopper grabs everything from your list and delivers it straight to your door.
Whether you need last-minute ingredients for dinner or want to knock out your entire weekly grocery run, Instacart’s shoppers can typically deliver within hours or at a time that works best for you. Plus, you can chat with your shopper in real-time if they need to swap out any out-of-stock items.
What is Instacart Plus?
Instacart+ (or Instacart Plus) is a premium membership that offers extra savings and benefits for regular Instacart users.
Instacart + is available as either a monthly or annual subscription, and members enjoy free delivery on orders over $10 to $35 (depends on the restaurant or store) and reduced service fees on all their grocery deliveries. While you don’t need a membership to use Instacart, Instacart+ can be a money-saver for frequent shoppers.
How much is Instacart?
The cost of using Instacart depends on whether you’re a regular user or paying an Instacart membership fee. And remember that even with a membership, you’ll still need to factor in service fees and tips for your shopper. 💡
Standard (non-member) costs: Anyone can use Instacart without a membership, but you’ll pay more per order through:
Regular delivery fees on every order
Higher service fees (varies by location and order size)
Instacart+ membership for frequent shoppers:
An Instacart annual fee is $99/month, while an Instacart monthly fee is $9.99/month
Free delivery on orders over $10 to $35
Reduced service fees on all orders
New users can try it with a free trial
Additional fees to keep in mind: Whether you’re a member or not, some extra costs may apply.
Long-distance fees (for deliveries over 30 minutes or including tolls)
Priority fees (optional, for faster delivery windows)
Convenience fees (for late-night or 30-minute deliveries)
Local taxes where applicable
Tips for your shopper (100% goes directly to them)
The bottom line: It’s difficult to calculate exactly how much Instacart will cost you, as fees vary based on your location, order size, delivery distance, and whether you opt for priority delivery or late-night service. While Instacart+ members save on delivery fees and service charges, you’ll still need to factor in variable fees and shopper tips when budgeting for your grocery delivery.
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Instacart Plus benefits: what’s included? 🛍️
If you order groceries through Instacart more than twice a month, the Instacart Plus membership can offer benefits that help pay for itself.
Free delivery: Orders over $10 qualify for free delivery (note that the minimum for Costco is $35+ and eligible restaurants can be $25+). However, you’ll still need to pay service fees, which can vary.
Some reduction in service fees: One of the Instacart Plus benefits available is offering lower service fees on every order, helping cut down the extra costs that typically come with grocery delivery.
Multi-store shopping: You can typically order from different stores without paying multiple delivery fees, as long as each store order meets the minimum. Variety of delivery options: Although Instacart is mostly known for delivering groceries. Users can also order alcohol and flower deliveries through the app.
Is Instacart worth it for your budget? 🤔
💰 While grocery delivery might seem like a luxury expense, the real value depends on your personal situation. For some, Instacart is a budget-stretching splurge that’s nice to have.
👨👩👧👦 For others, like busy parents or professionals working overtime, it’s less about luxury and more about practical time management – making those service fees and higher prices a worthwhile trade-off for hours saved each week.
🧮 To decide if it’s worth it for your budget, you’ll need to consider what your grocery trips currently cost you. Beyond just the bill, factor in gas, vehicle expenses, and most importantly – ⏰ your time.
💡 If you do decide an Instacart Plus membership is worth it, make sure to explore some money-saving hacks while using the app. This includes making sure you meet the minimum order threshold on every order as an Instacart Plus member, shopping during off-peak hours, and using store promotions wherever possible.
Can you get free Instacart with Amazon Prime?
No, Amazon Prime and Instacart are separate services. While Amazon Prime doesn’t include Instacart benefits, each platform has its own grocery delivery options. If you’re already an Amazon Prime member, you may want to explore Amazon Fresh, as Prime members can get free Whole Foods delivery on orders over $100.
Other guides worth exploring
Before settling on a delivery membership like Instacart Plus, it helps to compare all your options. Other major retailers provide their own membership perks and delivery benefits. Check out our detailed cost breakdowns of popular alternatives to find the best fit for your shopping habits and budget.
FAQs
Is Instacart free?
While anyone can download and use the Instacart app, you’ll pay delivery fees, service fees, and slightly higher item prices on each order with an Instacart Plus membership.
How much is an Instacart membership?
An Instacart+ membership costs $9.99 monthly or $99 annually, offering free delivery on orders over $10 (subject to the store or restaurant) and reduced service fees.
How much is Instacart without a membership?
Without an Instacart+ membership, you’ll pay standard delivery fees ($3.99-$9.99 per order), higher service fees that vary by location and order size, plus any additional fees for priority delivery or long-distance orders.
Is Instacart Plus worth it?
If you order groceries at least twice a month and typically spend over $35 per order, Instacart+ may be worth it, though you’ll still need to factor in tips and service fees.
Can you use Instacart without a membership?
Yes! While you don’t need a membership to shop with Instacart, it may be worthwhile looking into an Instacart+ membership if you use the service frequently and are looking for options to save.
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