Postmates vs. Caviar: Which Company Should You Drive For?

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(Disclosure – We independently research our content to provide free advice for you. We may get compensation if you sign up with services, or purchase products through our affiliate links.)

Becoming a delivery driver is one of the best ways to make quick cash. You set your own hours, choose the deliveries you want to take, and unlike rideshare services, you can do it all on your bike. Two of the most popular delivery services are Postmates and Caviar. While they both offer fantastic features, there are many differences between the two.

If you’re stuck choosing between becoming a Caviar driver or a working for Postmates as a courier, you’ve come to the right place! This article breaks down each service and compares the differences between them so that you can make an educated decision about which company you want to work with.

If you’re interested in Doordash, be sure to check out our Doordash driver guide.

Being a Postmates Driver

While there’s been a surge in food delivery services entering the market over recent years, Postmates stands out from the crowd. The company does encourage customers to order take-out, but their delivery offerings transcend food.

Clients can order anything, from groceries to electronics, and their Postmates driver will deliver it.

 

Offering such a variety of delivery options makes working for Postmates very appealing for drivers. Even in smaller cities where demand for couriers is lower, Postmates’ offerings make it easier for delivery drivers to find steady work because they’re not focused on one niche area of the market. Plus, you can work whenever you want, so there’s no pre-set schedules or minimum weekly hour requirement.

If this arrangement sounds perfect for you, take a closer look at the Postmates driver requirements, hiring process, and perks of the job before you apply.

Working For Postmates: Eligibility Requirements for Postmates Fleet

Before you can join the Postmates fleet, you’ll need to meet a few requirements:

• Age: To qualify as a Postmates driver, you need to be at least 18 years old.
• Transportation: Unlike rideshare companies, courier services offer the perk of delivery opportunities on non-four-wheeled vehicles, like bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles. You can also join the Postmates fleet with a standard car, truck, SUV, or van. In many markets, you can also deliver for Postmates on foot!
• Auto Insurance (if you’ll be driving): All on-the-road vehicles must be insured to meet your state’s minimum legal requirements, and you’ll need to provide proof of coverage to the company.
• Background Check: The company also requires their fleet to pass a criminal background check. This step is designed to protect their clients and the company itself.

Working For Postmates: Postmates Jobs Driver Earnings

When working for Postmates, you operate as an independent contractor, so there’s no hourly pay or yearly salary. There are also no set hours, so you get to create your own schedule, and consequently, your total earnings are dependent on your drive and the local demand.

Postmates jobs pay using a formula that covers a variety of factors. This includes:

• Order pickup: You get paid a certain amount for simply picking up the order.
• Time: If you arrive at the pickup spot and have to wait for the order, you’ll earn money for every minute that you wait.
• Miles: You’re also paid for each mile you travel between pickup and dropoff.
• Order drop off: You get paid a fee for dropping the order off.
• Blitz bonus: When a surge in demand occurs at your location, drivers are given a bonus for working.

The specific rates you’ll earn are dependent on your location. Fortunately, Postmates is transparent in their pricing, so you can see your city’s rates directly on their site.

How Much Do Postmates Jobs Pay (Driver Earnings)?

Postmates claims that drivers can earn up to $27 per hour, and Indeed.com seems to back them up, putting the average salary at around $24/hour. But the indeed.com numbers are an average for the whole couinty, and the number of variables in place make it impossible to provide a precise estimate for each market.

However, in most medium sized markets, Postmates couriers tend to earn about $10 – $15 per hour. In certain larger Postmates markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, drivers can earn significantly more.

The company also sends their drivers payouts after every trip, so you’ll have access to your earnings quickly. But there is a catch—the company charges a 15-cent fee for every direct deposit, which can add up quickly if you’re working frequently.

Special Perks of Postmates Jobs

As a Postmate, you have access to their Postmates Plus Unlimited service for customers, which includes free deliveries on orders that surpass $20.

You also get to avoid service fees from many of their partners in the area. To qualify for this perk, you need to complete a minimum of 25 deliveries per month. Every month that you reach this goal, the subscription will be applied to your Postmates customer account for the following month.

Drivers who manage at least 10 deliveries per month qualify for the Postmates’ PerkSpot program. This service gives you special discounts and savings opportunities at both local and national business who partner with the company. The discount program is only activated for a week after you’ve met your monthly goal, but it offers drivers the opportunity to score some great deals.

How to Become a Postmates Driver

 

Applying to join the Postmates fleet is a quick and easy process. Simply visit the Postmates’ fleet page, and enter your email and chosen password in the box that reads, “Sign up to get started.”

You can also click the button below to start your Postmates application.

 

After clicking “next,” the system will prompt you to enter all of the necessary information, including legal name, birth date, contact information, and address. Next, you’ll need to read and complete the Postmates fleet agreement before authorizing a background check. Finally, you’ll upload your profile photo and set up your direct deposit information while you wait for approval.

The vetting process usually takes around one to two weeks, but once you’re approved, the company will send you their new driver goodies. This package includes a delivery bag, which is incredibly helpful if you travel on two wheels, and a prepaid card that allows you to pay for the customers’ orders upon pickup. As soon as you receive this package, you can activate your card through the Postmates driver app and start accepting Postmates jobs.

Being a Caviar Driver

Caviar is another type of delivery service, but unlike Postmates, the company focuses exclusively on food, usually from higher end restaurants. Catering to such a specific market has its pros and cons. A single focus provides customers with an image that the company is specialized, which is likely to build loyalty and keep patrons coming back again. The focus on higher end restaurants can also lead to higher tips for drivers. On the other hand, it limits the market available for drivers.

 

The delivery service does offer one feature that gives it the upper hand: its commercial focus. Caviar makes it extremely easy for businesses to put in group orders for their teams, allowing each person to add their own dishes. Companies can also create corporate accounts so their employees can order on a regular basis as well as request catering. Since the size of the order is factored into a courier’s payment, this feature boosts your single-delivery potential earnings as a driver.

If this job sounds like a good fit for your needs, dive into the specifics of becoming a Caviar courier, below.

Eligibility Requirements for Caviar Couriers

To deliver for Caviar, you need to meet certain requirements, including:

• Age: Caviar couriers need to be at least 18 years old.
• Transportation: As with Postmates, you can drive for Caviar with traditional modes of transportation, including cars, trucks, bikes, and scooters.
• Experience: Unlike other courier services, Caviar gives priority to couriers that have at least two years of experience as a driver.
• Interview and orientation: After you’ve applied, you’ll receive a call or email to set up your interview and orientation at the local Caviar office. Instead of meeting someone individually, as with a traditional interview, they’ll simply check all of your information and documentation to ensure that everything matches. Then, you’ll take part in a 90-minute orientation session that walks you through company processes and how everything works.
• Background check: After you’ve made it through the onboarding process, the last step is a background check.

Earning Potential of Caviar Drivers

Instead of a set delivery amount for each location, Caviar uses its own algorithm to determine the driver’s earning for every single order. Their formula factors in mileage, expected time, and size of the delivery. Fortunately, drivers have the opportunity to view the prospective payout before accepting a delivery.

Like Postmates, Caviar also suggests that their couriers can earn up to $25 an hour. In this case, it seems to be a pretty accurate estimate, at least according to responses from some of the company’s couriers. Remember, there are many factors involved, so there’s no guarantee as to how much you’ll make if you drive for Caviar.

Special Perks of Being a Caviar Courier

One of the main perks of working for Caviar is their Cash App. This program allows Caviar couriers to process their payouts more quickly through the company’s own debit card. Instead of waiting for four to five days for your earnings to transfer, you’ll have instant access to the funds.

How to Become a Caviar Delivery Driver

 

 

The Caviar hiring process is fairly simple. To apply, simply click here, create an account, and click “Apply Now.” The system will then prompt you to fill out all of the required personal information. If everything looks good, they’ll contact you to arrange an orientation at their local office. You can also click the button below to get started.

 

Most cities offer a variety of orientation times, so you can pick the one that fits your schedule. For the event, you’ll need to take in your ID, proof of insurance (for cars and trucks), a photo of your bike, and your bank account information to set up direct deposit.

Postmates vs. Caviar: Which One Should You Drive For?

Now that you know the basics of becoming a Caviar and Postmates driver, which one will you choose? Since you operate as an independent contractor for both companies, you could actually work for both. This situation would allow you to increase your earning potential by covering a wider customer base.

With Caviar, you’ll have a more focused delivery job, concentrating mostly on higher end restaurants.

With Postmates, you’ll be delivering from a wider variety of places. As for which one you should sign up for first, we recommend Postmates, as it tends to be busier in most markets.

Choose a button below to get started.

 

 

 

If neither appeals to you, be sure to check out Doordash to see if it’s a better fit.