Instacart vs Uber Eats Referral Bonus (2026)
A detailed comparison of Instacart ($10 credit per referral) and Uber Eats ($10 credit per referral) in the Food Delivery category.
Last updated:
Verdict: Uber Eats Edges Ahead
Both Instacart and Uber Eats offer competitive referral programs. Uber Eats edges ahead with a 4.1-star rating.
Instacart vs Uber Eats: Referral Bonus Decision Card
Before you decide which referral link to share, check the variables that determine whether the bonus actually lands: how much you earn, what your friend earns, what they have to do to qualify, when the reward posts, and where the offer is available. Anything the provider has not confirmed is marked rather than estimated.
Instacart referral bonus at a glance
- You earn per referral
- $10 credit
- Your friend earns
- Up to $30 credit
- Qualifying action
- Must be a new Instacart customer, use your promo code, and place a first order of $35 or more. Residents of Washington state are not eligible.
- Payout timing
- Not confirmed — verify current terms
- Where it's available
- Not confirmed — verify current terms
- Referral cap
- unlimited
- Max earnings
- unlimited
- Last verified
- Jun 2, 2026
Uber Eats referral bonus at a glance
- You earn per referral
- $10 credit
- Your friend earns
- Up to $20 off first order
- Qualifying action
- Must be a new Uber Eats customer and place their first delivery order, which typically must meet a minimum subtotal (often $25 or more).
- Payout timing
- Not confirmed — verify current terms
- Where it's available
- Not confirmed — verify current terms
- Referral cap
- varies by market
- Max earnings
- varies
- Last verified
- Jun 2, 2026
These are referral-program terms as last verified by RefPerks — not financial, tax, or betting advice, and not a guarantee of payout. Providers change reward amounts, caps, and eligibility without notice, so confirm the current terms with the provider before sharing your link.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Instacart | Uber Eats |
|---|---|---|
| Referrer Bonus | $10 credit | $10 credit |
| Referee Bonus | Up to $30 credit | Up to $20 off first order |
| Payout Type | Credit | Credit |
| Commission Type | One-Time | One-Time |
| Max Referrals | unlimited | varies by market |
| Max Earnings | unlimited | varies |
| Conversion Difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Rating | 4.0 | 4.1 |
| How to Refer | Open the Instacart app, go to your account settings, find 'Refer friends,' and share your referral link. | Open the Uber Eats app, tap your profile, select 'Earn free food,' and share your referral code. |
| Referee Requirements | Must be a new Instacart customer, use your promo code, and place a first order of $35 or more. Residents of Washington state are not eligible. | Must be a new Uber Eats customer and place their first delivery order, which typically must meet a minimum subtotal (often $25 or more). |
| Last Verified |
Pros & Cons
Instacart
Pros
- +Grocery delivery has universal appeal
- +Unlimited referrals
- +Credit can be used at any Instacart partner store
- +Shopper referrals offer much higher payouts
Cons
- −Referrer earns $10 credit (not cash); friend gets the bigger perk
- −Friend must spend $35+ to trigger your reward
- −Not available to residents of Washington state
- −Credit may expire if not used within a set timeframe
Uber Eats
Pros
- +Global brand recognition lowers trust barriers
- +Many potential referrals already have the Uber app
- +Friend's welcome discount (up to $20) helps conversions
- +Uber Eats credit can sometimes be used for Uber rides
Cons
- −Credit, not cash — limited to Uber Eats spending
- −Referrer reward (~$10) is smaller than the friend's discount
- −Bonus amounts and referral caps vary by market
- −Smaller restaurant selection than DoorDash in some areas
Detailed Program Breakdowns
Instacart Referral Program
Earn a $10 Instacart credit when a friend signs up with your code and completes their first qualifying grocery delivery order.
Max earnings: unlimited
Max referrals: unlimited
Uber Eats Referral Program
Earn around $10 in Uber Eats credit (often as $10 off an order of $25 or more) when a friend signs up and places their first order using your referral code. Amounts vary by market.
Max earnings: varies
Max referrals: varies by market
Our Recommendation
Uber Eats edges ahead with a 4.1/5 rating, making it our top pick in this comparison. It offers $10 credit per referral with credit payouts.
That said, Instacart is still a solid program worth considering. The best choice ultimately depends on your audience — promote the platform your referrals are most likely to sign up for, as conversions matter more than raw bonus amounts.
For best results, consider promoting both programs and recommending whichever fits each individual referral's situation. Many successful referrers maintain active links for multiple programs in the same category.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which referral program pays more, Instacart or Uber Eats?
- Instacart offers $10 credit per referral while Uber Eats offers $10 credit per referral. Based on the maximum bonus value, Instacart has the higher earning potential per referral.
- Is Instacart or Uber Eats easier to refer friends to?
- Instacart has a easy difficulty level while Uber Eats has a easy difficulty level. Both programs have similar conversion difficulty.
- How do Instacart and Uber Eats pay referral bonuses?
- Instacart pays referral bonuses as credit with a one-time commission structure. Uber Eats pays as credit with a one-time commission structure.
- Can I promote both Instacart and Uber Eats referral programs?
- Yes, you can promote both Instacart and Uber Eats referral programs simultaneously. Many successful referrers promote multiple programs in the same category and recommend different options to different audiences based on their needs and preferences.
- Which has a higher rating, Instacart or Uber Eats?
- Instacart has a 4/5 rating while Uber Eats has a 4.1/5 rating on RefPerks. Uber Eats is rated higher overall. Ratings reflect the quality of the referral program from a referrer's perspective, including payout reliability, bonus amounts, and ease of conversion.
Related Comparisons
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DoorDash vs Uber Eats Referral Bonus Comparison
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DoorDash vs Grubhub Referral Bonus Comparison
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Grubhub vs Instacart Referral Bonus Comparison
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Where This Comparison Fits
Keep researching before you share a link — these pages cover the same programs from a different angle.
Explore Each Program
Get the complete breakdown of each referral program, including detailed tips, step-by-step referral instructions, and earning strategies.
Referral program terms may change. Verify current offers on the official website.