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E-Commerce · head to head

Instacart vs Volusion

Instacart logo

Instacart

E-Commerce

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Volusion logo

Volusion

E-Commerce

Ecommerce platform for growing online businesses

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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.; Volusion pricing details not shown on main website
  • They diverge on capability: Instacart covers Multi-retailer marketplace, Volusion covers Website builder.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Instacart and Volusion actually diverge.

Attributes where Instacart and Volusion differ
AttributeInstacartVolusion
Pricing modelFree to download; item markups plus delivery and service fees per order, optional subscriptionsubscription
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb
FoundedUnknown1999

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Instacart

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

Only in Volusion

  • Website builder
  • Product catalog
  • Shopping cart
  • Payment processing
  • Inventory tracking
  • Order management
  • Email marketing
  • SEO tools

What people use each for

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

Instacart

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

Volusion

  • Small to medium business e-commerce storefrontsnot Instacart
  • Inventory and product managementnot Instacart
  • Omnichannel selling across platformsnot Instacart
  • Email marketing and customer engagementnot Instacart

Where each one falls short

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

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.

Volusion

  • Pricing details not shown on main website
  • Requires migration effort for existing stores

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Volusion

Free
  • Free TrialFree
    • Store builder
    • Product management
    • Basic analytics
  • Professional$35/month
    • All free features
    • Advanced tools
    • Email marketing

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Volusion if

  • You need website builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want product catalog.
Volusion review

Questions people ask

Is Instacart or Volusion better?
Neither clearly leads. Instacart starts at Free and Volusion at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Instacart or Volusion?
Instacart starts at Free and Volusion at Free.
Does Instacart or Volusion run on more platforms?
Instacart runs on iOS, Android, Web. Volusion runs on Web.
Can I use Instacart for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Instacart best used for?
Instacart is most often used for a household with limited time wanting groceries delivered same day from a familiar supermarket chain, a frequent orderer comparing whether an instacart+ subscription pays off against per-order fees, someone using snap ebt benefits at a participating retailer through the app, a shopper who wants to order ahead and collect at pickup to avoid the delivery fee entirely. Of those, a household with limited time wanting groceries delivered same day from a familiar supermarket chain and a frequent orderer comparing whether an instacart+ subscription pays off against per-order fees are not what Volusion is typically brought in for.
What can Instacart do that Volusion cannot?
Instacart covers Multi-retailer marketplace, Instacart+ membership, Same-day and scheduled delivery, Pickup option. Volusion covers Website builder, Product catalog, Shopping cart, Payment processing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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.

Volusion: What payment methods does Volusion accept?

Volusion supports multiple payment options including Stripe, PayPal, Venmo, and Amazon Pay through integrations with certified technology partners.

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.

Volusion: Is there a contract requirement to use Volusion?

No contract is needed. Volusion offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, and you can cancel anytime.

Source
Instacart: Are Instacart shoppers employees?

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

Volusion: What support is available to Volusion users?

Volusion provides free 24/7 customer support. Users also have access to a help center and can connect with SEO specialists, web designers, and marketing professionals through Marketing 360.

Source
Volusion: What features are included with a Volusion store?

Core features include inventory management, unlimited product options, responsive themes, site builder, SEO management, newsletters, CRM system, and payment processing capabilities.

Source
Volusion: Can I integrate third-party applications with my Volusion store?

Yes, Volusion offers "dozens of powerful apps and integrations created by our certified technology partners" to add advanced functionality to your site.

Source
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