Instacart+ Review: Is the $99 Membership Worth It?

Is Instacart worth it? Instacart+ costs $99 per year or $9.99 per month. It may be worth the cost if you order groceries twice a month, and members may avoid delivery fee charges on qualifying orders. If you don't order as often, paying per order may cost less.

Below, you'll find a breakdown of the fees, a break-even example and a guide that can help you decide.

MoneyLion offers a service to help you find personal loan offers. Based on the information you provide, you can get matched with offers for up to $100,000 from our top providers. You can compare rates, terms and fees from different lenders and choose the best offer for you.

What Is Instacart?

Instacart connects you with personal shoppers who select and deliver items from your favorite local stores directly to your door. It's one of the most popular grocery delivery services available.

How Instacart Works

1. You pick your items online or through the app.

2. A personal shopper grabs everything from your list.

3. Your items are delivered 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+?

Instacart+ is a premium membership that offers extra savings and benefits for regular Instacart users. 

Instacart+ is available as either a monthly or annual subscription. Instacart+ members may get delivery fees waived on qualifying orders, though it depends on the restaurant or store. While you don't need a membership to use Instacart, Instacart+ can be a money-saver for frequent shoppers. 

How Much Is Instacart?

Standard, non-member costs: Anyone can use Instacart without a membership, but you'll pay more per order through:

• Delivery fees

• Higher service fees — these vary by location and order size

Instacart+ membership for frequent shoppers:

• Membership costs $99 a year or $9.99 a month

• Delivery fees may be waived on qualifying orders that meet the retailer's minimum

• 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% of your tip 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. 

Instacart+ Break-Even Example

Here's a quick break-even example using an order with a $3.99 delivery fee:

• Delivery fee without a membership: $3.99 per order

• Membership cost: $99 per year

Assuming a $3.99 delivery fee on each order, you'd pay about $99 in delivery fees after 25 orders. If you place 25 orders in a year, the annual membership could offset the delivery fees. Service fees, tips and other charges aren't considered in this example — these can vary by retailer and location.

Instacart+ Benefits: What's Included?

If you order groceries through Instacart more than twice a month, the Instacart+ membership can offer benefits that help pay for itself.

• Free delivery: Orders over $10 qualify for free delivery from grocery and retail stores. The minimum for Costco is at least $35 and eligible restaurants can be $25 and up. However, you'll still need to pay service fees, which can vary.

• Some reduction in service fees: One of the Instacart+ 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?

For some, Instacart is a budget-stretching splurge that's nice to have. Grocery delivery might seem like a luxury expense, but there's still real value, depending on your personal situation.

• Saves time: For busy parents or professionals working overtime, it's less about luxury and more about practical time management. Those service fees and higher prices may be a worthwhile trade-off for hours saved each week.

• Grocery costs: 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. 

• Using the app to save money: If you do decide an Instacart+ 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+ 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.

Key Terms

• Instacart+: Instacart's paid membership that waives delivery fees on qualifying orders for a flat annual or monthly fee.

• Delivery fee: A per-order charge that varies by retailer, delivery window and order total. It's waived for members on qualifying orders but still applies to non-members.

• Service fee: A charge on every delivery order that helps cover Instacart's operating costs. It isn't a tip and doesn't go to your shopper, and it applies to members and non-members alike.

• Order minimum: The smallest order total that qualifies for delivery — $10 for groceries and retail, $35 for Costco and $25 for eligible restaurants.

• Break-even point: The number of orders at which membership savings cover the membership cost — about 25 orders each year, if each order has a $3.99 delivery fee.

• Priority fee: An optional charge for a faster delivery window.

• Long-distance fee: An extra charge for deliveries over 30 minutes away or that include a toll.

Sources

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): Learning about budgets

• Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Real-Life Examples of Opportunity Cost

• CFPB: What is an annual percentage rate (APR) and why is it higher than the interest rate for my payday loan?

• CFPB: What is the difference between a loan interest rate and the APR?

• CFPB: What is a personal installment loan?

Parts of this article were created with AI assistance. MoneyLion editors reviewed, fact-checked and edited the final version and are responsible for its accuracy.