Amazon Flex vs. Uber vs. Lyft (Definitive Guide) 

Choosing the best ride-hailing/ridesharing/delivery company is vital to your business or personal transportation needs.

As a passenger, getting to your destination safely, securely, and at a fair price are all key considerations.

As a potential driver, you want to understand the work involved, pay rates, and key differences that impact your experience.

In this guide, I have compared, ranked and reviewed the differences between Amazon Flex, Uber and Lyft, so whether you are a passenger or driver, you can pick the best option for your circumstances.

All three have pros, cons, and unique selling points, but which should you choose?

This post will compare Amazon Flex vs. Uber vs. Lyft regarding driving and delivery data to help you choose the best.

Keep reading to find out.

Amazon Flex

A subsidiary of Amazon, Amazon Flex enables drivers like you to deliver items, support Amazon, and make money in the process.

Use of your vehicle and possession of a current driver’s license is the main criteria.

Key Driver Features

• You will have a series of tasks they can complete while accessing the company’s vast infrastructure and technological resources.  
• You can be paid to complete these tasks, which range from driving people to delivering packages via Amazon’s Prime Now service.
• Flexible scheduling: You can schedule time slots in advance.
• Work by yourself. You’ll be aware of your potential earnings in advance.
• The software eliminates any uncertainty
• Direct deposit payments are made twice a week.

Cons

• Smaller vehicles and open-bed pickup trucks might not be eligible.
• You’ll be punished if you don’t cancel your scheduled block at least 45 minutes in advance.
• Due to the fluctuating workload, earning a consistent income is challenging for the flex driver.

Pricing

Most Amazon Flex drivers make an average hourly pay of between $18 and $25. But, of course, your location, whatever tips you receive, how quickly you can perform deliveries, and other factors will all affect your income.

Bottom Line

Unlike other driving and delivery apps, Amazon has revolutionized retail. No question there. With the launch of Amazon Flex, the tech giant could be on the cusp of another ride-hailing and delivery revolution. 

Uber

A multi-national corporation, Uber, is well-known for coordinating rides between passengers and drivers. Uber offers all kinds of rides for rent, from bikes to SUVs with eight seats.

Uber Technologies, Inc. is a mobility company established in the USA that offers services to customers. The company was started in March 2009 by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp. At the moment, Dara Khosrowshahi is the CEO.

Key Driver Features

• Your shift timing is up to you. Uber doesn’t give you a list of permitted working hours. You are free to work when you’re prepared and take breaks whenever you like.
• Drivers are free to request items from customers independently.
• A rider might add you as the “Recommended driver” if they are satisfied with your service. 
• You select who and where you will pick up. 
• The actions of the driver have added points. 

Cons

• How to categorize drivers for Uber is in question.
• Becoming an Uber driver takes time. 
• Uber uses Primetime and surge pricing.
• Drivers occasionally attempt to manipulate the system to maximize their profits.

Pricing

In general, Uber drivers receive $24.77 per hour in passenger fees. In addition, a third of all passenger fares, or $8.33, go to Uber in commissions and fees. 

Even after accounting for these costs being tax deductible, Mishel found that drivers still spend around $4.87 per hour on vehicle expenses, including gas and maintenance.

Bottom line

The Uber Driver app is ideal for all types of drivers, including food delivery drivers. The better the model and condition of your car, the more convenient it is for the consumer. It would help if you met all of the standard requirements for Uber drivers, including having a current driver’s license.

Lyft

 If you’re looking to make some extra money, Lyft can be a great option. Drivers may earn money by transporting customers and goods like meals to their destinations. It’s simple, easy, and fun.

Key Driver Features

• Up to three passengers may ride in a normal car with Original Lyft.
• Up to five passengers can travel in normal cars with Lyft XL.
• Lyft Lux offer premium black car service in posh cars.
• A high-end black car service that offers luxurious vehicles is called Lyft Black.

Cons

• All fees associated with this service are the responsibility of the drivers.
• If you want to generate money, you don’t get to drive whenever you want.
• A business rideshare insurance policy is required for drivers.
• With Uber and Lyft, the conditions of service can and do change regularly.

Pricing

According to estimates from Indeed and Glassdoor, a driver typically makes between $15 and $18 per hour or between $120 and $144 in eight hours.

So driving 40 hours a week, you can anticipate earning between $600 and $720, or between $2,400 and $2,880 per month before taxes and expenditures.

Bottom Line

If you enjoy being autonomous and controlling your schedule, Lyft is a fantastic career. However, you must live in your automobile to earn a respectable living. To earn at least $100 daily, you must work more than 50 hours per week.

FAQs

Let’s cover off the most frequently asked comparison questions.

Does Amazon Flex pay better than Uber?

Uber and Lyft are the best options if you are a driver.

Currently, Amazon Flex pays slightly more (1.78 percent) higher than Uber.

If you are interested in driving with Amazon Flex, you should know that they have different vehicles available for drivers: sedans, SUVs, vans, and compact cars (all with four-wheel drive).

There are no restrictions on what type of vehicle you can use for driving with them either.

How much can you earn with Amazon Flex?

Most delivery partners make between $18 and $25 per hour using Amazon Flex. But, of course, your location, whatever tips you receive, how quickly you can perform deliveries, and other factors will all affect your income.

You’ll also earn tips from customers who are happy with their service and leave feedback on the app or website where they ordered from. Tips can vary depending on how fast you deliver packages and how good of a job you do. 

For example, suppose a customer notices that their package arrived late but was still delivered before the estimated time given by Amazon Flex. In that case, they might tip more than normal because they appreciate that level of service from their driver (and want to ensure it continues).

Does Amazon Flex pay more than Lyft?

Consider food delivery as a baseline.

Amazon Flex is the highest-paying app, offering 3.69 percent more than Uber Eats, which comes in second.

Uber Eats pays 2.61 percent more than Doordash, 5.68 percent more than Lyft, and 4.88 percent more than Postmates. Uber Eats, which pays 3.38 percent more than No. 1, is the highest-paying app.

Find out more about Doordash.

Can passengers ride with Amazon Flex?

 Yes, you can ride with Amazon Flex. A valid driver’s license and the age of eighteen are prerequisites. A valid driver’s license and the age of eighteen are prerequisites. Below are other conditions to fulfill.

• An adult must operate the vehicle.
• The driver needs to have a two-wheeled bike or scooter, at the very least.
• A current driver’s license is required of the driver.
• The motorist needs a PAN card that is both authentic and current.
• The driver must consent to the company reviewing their background following the verification policy.
• Ideally, drivers have a four-door sedan, a truck with a covered bed, or a van.
• If the driver lives in the United States, they must have a social security number.

Is Amazon Flex considered rideshare?

Amazon Flex is one of the most popular options for rideshare drivers, but it has its limitations.

For example, you won’t make much money per hour if you work more than two or three hours daily. And even if you do, Amazon Flex doesn’t guarantee that your earnings will be paid out regularly.

Amazon Flex vs. Shipt

Amazon Flex and Shipt are both delivery services from the retail giant Amazon.

They are in direct competition with each other but have some similarities. For example, both services offer same-day grocery delivery from many stores, including Whole Foods and Target. Still, they take different approaches to solving the same problem: promptly getting food and other products to your door.

Amazon Flex vs. Instacart

 Amazon Flex is a new job-matching service from Amazon that matches delivery drivers with customers. It’s similar to the grocery delivery service Instacart but with one big difference: Amazon Flex pays its employees by the hour.

Instacart, on the other hand, is just like Uber Eats, except it doesn’t deliver groceries. Instead of getting paid by the hour or the mile, Instacart drivers are paid by the percentage of sales, which means they get paid 10% of sales they bring in. 

And while that means they don’t make much per delivery, they can make anywhere from $25 up to $75 or more per delivery depending on how busy their routes are.

Amazon Flex has been available since late 2017, and more than 50,000 people have participated in the program. 

While Amazon Flex is growing quickly and has over 200 employees now, it’s still not enough to compete with Uber Eats’ massive fleet of couriers and drivers who could essentially undercut the prices offered by Amazon Flex and other services like Postmates or Grubhub.

Amazon Flex promotional period

Amazon’s flexible promotional period allows you to take advantage of the best promotions in your area without worrying about having your inventory shipped during or after the holiday season.

Amazon offers a variety of different promotional codes and offers. Some are only available for a limited time, and some are available year-round.

Amazon Flex offers gas, tire, and auto maintenance discounts to save money. You can also get thousands of more deals with the free Stride app.

Visit the Rewards Details tab in Your Dashboard in the Amazon Flex app to view your discounts.

Conclusion/Round-up

Amazon Flex is a new exciting service. It’s designed to help delivery drivers make money using their vehicles as an on-demand driving experience.

Uber is the established operator. In many ways, Amazon Flex is similar to Uber but has a different approach to getting people involved.

You’ll have to decide which one appeals to you more.

If you already have a car and are looking to make some extra cash, perhaps ridesharing and Lyft is your best bet.

However, if you’re looking to start young and get in a bit of an internship setting, Amazon Flex may be the right way to go. 

It’s exciting to see so many different companies try their hand at the same idea, and it will be interesting to see how they all fare against each other.