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E-Commerce · head to head

Checkout.com vs Instacart

Checkout.com logo

Checkout.com

E-Commerce

Your business deserves tailored pricing based on your needs

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Instacart logo

Instacart

E-Commerce

US and Canada grocery delivery and pickup marketplace with a paid membership tier

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Instacart has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Checkout.com no rate is published: the pricing page states fees are set per business profile and risk category, so no figure can be compared before contacting sales; Instacart item prices shown in the app are frequently higher than the same items in the physical store, and this markup is not clearly separated from delivery and service fees at checkout, making true cost comparison difficult.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Checkout.com and Instacart actually diverge.

Attributes where Checkout.com and Instacart differ
AttributeCheckout.comInstacart
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteFree to download; item markups plus delivery and service fees per order, optional subscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebiOS, Android, Web

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (E-Commerce).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Checkout.com

Nothing recorded that Instacart does not also cover.

Only in Instacart

  • Multi-retailer marketplace
  • Instacart+ membership
  • Same-day and scheduled delivery
  • Pickup option
  • Item substitution controls
  • Instacart Ads and retail media

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Checkout.com

  • Processing card payments across 150+ currenciesnot Instacart
  • Taking domestic payments in 45+ countriesnot Instacart
  • Interchange plus plus processing for a business that wants itemised card association and processor costsnot Instacart

Instacart

  • A household with limited time wanting groceries delivered same day from a familiar supermarket chainnot Checkout.com
  • A frequent orderer comparing whether an Instacart+ subscription pays off against per-order feesnot Checkout.com
  • Someone using SNAP EBT benefits at a participating retailer through the appnot Checkout.com
  • A shopper who wants to order ahead and collect at pickup to avoid the delivery fee entirelynot Checkout.com

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Checkout.com

  • No rate is published: the pricing page states fees are set per business profile and risk category, so no figure can be compared before contacting sales
  • Both a flat rate and interchange plus plus are offered without either being quoted, so a buyer cannot tell which model they will be given
  • Every route to a number runs through the sales team

Instacart

  • Item prices shown in the app are frequently higher than the same items in the physical store, and this markup is not clearly separated from delivery and service fees at checkout, making true cost comparison difficult.
  • Shoppers are a mix of employees and independent contractors depending on market and retailer, and gig-classified shoppers have raised pay and working-condition complaints that have drawn regulatory attention in several US states.
  • The service fee and delivery fee combination means a small grocery order can carry a large proportional surcharge, making Instacart uneconomical for frequent small top-up shops.
  • Item substitutions chosen by a shopper when stock runs out can differ meaningfully from what was ordered, and refund handling for a poor substitution requires customer support intervention.
  • Availability is limited to the US and Canada, and even within those countries, delivery zones and retailer coverage vary block by block in a way that is not obvious until you enter an address.

Pricing, plan by plan

Checkout.com

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Checkout.com review.

Instacart

Free
  • Pay per orderFree
    • Item prices often marked up versus in-store
    • Delivery fee varying by store and delivery window
    • Service fee of roughly 5 percent of order subtotal
  • Instacart+$9.99/month
    • Delivery fees waived on orders over a store minimum
    • Reduced service fees
    • Also offered at a discounted annual rate

Which should you pick?

Choose Checkout.com if

Nothing in the data separates Checkout.com from Instacart on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Checkout.com review

Choose Instacart if

  • You need multi-retailer marketplace.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want instacart+ membership.
Instacart review

Questions people ask

Is Checkout.com or Instacart better?
Neither clearly leads. Checkout.com starts at On request and Instacart at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Checkout.com or Instacart?
Instacart has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Checkout.com and Free for Instacart.
Does Checkout.com or Instacart run on more platforms?
Checkout.com runs on Web. Instacart runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Instacart for free?
Yes. Instacart has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Checkout.com starts at On request.
What is Checkout.com best used for?
Checkout.com is most often used for processing card payments across 150+ currencies, taking domestic payments in 45+ countries, interchange plus plus processing for a business that wants itemised card association and processor costs. Of those, processing card payments across 150+ currencies and taking domestic payments in 45+ countries are not what Instacart is typically brought in for.
What can Checkout.com do that Instacart cannot?
Instacart covers Multi-retailer marketplace, Instacart+ membership, Same-day and scheduled delivery, Pickup option.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Checkout.com: How is Checkout.com pricing structured?

Checkout.com offers flat-rate pricing based on your business profile and risk category. They also provide interchange++ pricing model showing transparent card association and processor fees. No setup fees, account maintenance fees, or surprise charges are applied.

Source
Instacart: Are Instacart prices the same as in the store?

Often not. Many retailers set higher item prices for Instacart orders than for in-store purchase, on top of delivery and service fees.

Checkout.com: Does Checkout.com offer pricing for nonprofits?

Yes, Checkout.com provides free payment processing for registered charities in countries where they operate. Contact their sales team to verify eligibility and activate the charity program.

Source
Instacart: Does Instacart+ pay for itself?

Only for households ordering often enough that the waived delivery fees exceed the subscription cost; occasional orderers usually do not break even.

Checkout.com: What support is included in Checkout.com pricing?

All plans include dedicated account management, risk and fraud management tools, and integration support at no additional cost.

Source
Instacart: Are Instacart shoppers employees?

It depends on the market and retailer; Instacart uses a mix of directly employed and independent contractor shoppers.

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