The best Postmates alternatives for food and flower delivery are DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, and 1-800-Flowers. Postmates still exists inside the Uber system, but Uber completed its acquisition of Postmates back in 2020 [source: Uber]. That matters because many people now want the same “send almost anything” feel, not just another takeout app.
TLDR: If you want one app for dinner, snacks, and a bouquet, start with DoorDash or Uber Eats. For example, a Tuesday night order could be tacos, cold medicine, and flowers from a nearby store in under an hour, depending on your ZIP code. Instacart is better for grocery flowers and planned orders, while 1-800-Flowers is stronger for serious gifting. Expect fees to vary by store, city, distance, and time of day.
How We Picked These Apps
Postmates was popular because it felt flexible. You could order food, convenience items, drinks, and sometimes flowers without thinking too hard. So we judged each app by four simple points:
- Food delivery range: Restaurants, groceries, snacks, and prepared meals.
- Flower options: Bouquets, grocery flowers, florist delivery, or gift bundles.
- Speed: Same-day delivery mattered most.
- Order clarity: Fees, substitutions, tracking, and customer support.
The catch is that no single app gets everything right. Some are faster. Some have better flowers. Some bury fees until checkout, which gets old fast.
1. DoorDash: Best Overall Replacement
DoorDash is the strongest Postmates-style pick for most people. It covers restaurants, convenience stores, grocery items, alcohol in some areas, and flowers from select retailers. In many cities, it feels close to the old “get whatever nearby” model.
DoorDash works well when you need food and a small gift on the same day. You might order Thai food for dinner, then send flowers from a grocery store or local shop if the service is available nearby. The app also shows delivery times before checkout, which helps avoid surprises.
Best for: People who want one app for dinner, snacks, basic groceries, and flowers.
Watch out for: Service fees, delivery fees, small order fees, and menu markups. It drives me crazy that a simple order can look affordable at first, then jump hard at checkout. Always check the final total before paying.
2. Uber Eats: Best If You Already Used Postmates
Uber Eats is the most natural switch for old Postmates users. Since Postmates became part of Uber’s delivery system, many familiar features now sit under Uber Eats. The app supports restaurant meals, convenience items, groceries, alcohol in some areas, pet items, and flowers from select shops.
The tracking is usually clean. You can see the courier, route, and estimated arrival time. Uber One can also reduce delivery fees on eligible orders, which helps if you order often. Still, not every store qualifies, so read the checkout screen carefully.
Best for: Former Postmates users who want a familiar experience with broad delivery choices.
Watch out for: Availability changes by neighborhood. One user may see flowers and grocery shops. Another may only see restaurants. That can feel random, especially if you are sending a gift across town.
Image not found in postmeta3. Instacart: Best for Grocery Flowers and Planned Orders
Instacart is not a classic restaurant delivery app. It is better for groceries, household items, pharmacy goods, and store-bought flowers. If you want roses, tulips, a card, and dessert from a supermarket, Instacart can be very useful.
It is also good for practical flower delivery. Think less luxury florist and more “I need a nice bouquet today.” You can add chocolates, sparkling water, fruit, or a ready-made cake in the same cart. That makes it a smart option for birthdays, small apologies, or last-minute hosting.
Best for: Grocery runs, simple bouquets, and mixed orders with food and household items.
Watch out for: Substitutions. Flowers sell out fast. A shopper may replace pink roses with mixed blooms unless you set clear preferences. Take 30 seconds to mark replacements, or you may get something that feels off.
4. 1-800-Flowers: Best for Serious Flower Delivery
1-800-Flowers is the best pick when flowers are the main point. It is not a Postmates clone, and it will not bring you a burger from the place down the block. But it does offer flowers, plants, gift baskets, chocolates, fruit, and some food gifts.
This is the app to use when the gift matters. Anniversaries, sympathy flowers, formal thank-you gifts, and long-distance delivery are better suited here. You get more arrangement choices than most delivery apps, and the presentation usually feels more polished.
Best for: Real gifting, formal occasions, and flower-first orders.
Watch out for: Same-day delivery cutoffs. Prices can rise quickly after service charges and delivery fees. Also, restaurant-style speed is not the point here. Plan ahead when possible.
Quick Comparison
- DoorDash: Best all-purpose option for food plus nearby flowers.
- Uber Eats: Best fit for former Postmates users.
- Instacart: Best for grocery flowers, desserts, and household add-ons.
- 1-800-Flowers: Best for polished bouquets and gift delivery.
Which App Should You Choose?
Choose DoorDash if you want the closest everyday replacement for Postmates. It handles food well and often has flowers through grocery or retail partners. Choose Uber Eats if you already use Uber or miss the Postmates style.
Choose Instacart when the order includes groceries, cake, wine where allowed, or store flowers. It is best for building a full care package. Choose 1-800-Flowers when the flowers need to look intentional, not like an afterthought from a grocery shelf.
Our practical advice: keep two apps installed. Use DoorDash or Uber Eats for daily delivery. Use Instacart or 1-800-Flowers when the bouquet matters more than the meal. That gives you better coverage, fewer delays, and fewer awkward “sorry, this item is unavailable” moments.
