Confession time: I used to hate shopping for groceries.
I was tired of spending my entire Sunday shopping for groceries. It’s a huge time suck, and I’d always end up too exhausted to do anything else afterwards.
That’s when I discovered the world of online grocery delivery services. Very quickly, I discovered that these services are not created equally, and there are some important distinctions that set the most popular options apart.
Instacart and Misfits Market are two that I’ve relied on to fill my fridge (and pantry!), but after trying them both several times, one is quickly becoming my go-to choice.
Here’s how these grocery delivery services shake out:
If You Want to Save Money on Groceries… Misfits Market
Misfits Market takes the cake for saving money. I was especially impressed with the prices of Misfits Market’s high-quality, sustainable produce after being used to paying a premium for organic produce at local stores.
While Instacart partners with large retailers, Misfits Market cuts down on overall cost by partnering directly with farmers and suppliers. Because they cut out the middle-man, most items are more affordable than grocery store prices - turns out you can save big on rescued items.
And unlike Instacart, there is NO platform service fee or membership charge, and delivery is free once you meet your free shipping threshold (depending on your service area).
If You Want Finds From Beyond Your Local Grocery Store… Misfits Market
Because of Misfits Market’s unique sourcing model, I’ve discovered things that I would have never found in my local grocery stores.
It’s encouraged me to expand my taste and pick things I never would have tried, like romanesco broccoli and ataulfo mangoes. One of my favorite things about grocery shopping has become browsing through Misfits Market's impressive array of mismarked products, excess inventory, and niche snacks. My favorite find of this week? This street corn queso.
With Instacart, my delivery options are limited to the stores in my local area. If you don’t live near a grocery store or are simply unimpressed with your finds, I’d go with Misfits Market.
If You Want Delivery Right At Your Doorstep… Tie
Both companies offer direct delivery right to your door, covering most states within the U.S. Other than that, there’s several differences to note:
Instacart only offers free same-day delivery on orders over $35 if you pay for their membership, which is $99/year or $9.99/month. If you don’t have a membership, delivery fees start at $3.99 for orders over $35. However, you can still be charged a long-distance service fee on deliveries outside Instacart’s standard service area.
Misfits Market has a flat-rate based on zip code starting at $5.99 per order. I shop each week during my three-day shopping window, and my box arrives right at my door on my weekly delivery day (usually within 2 to 3 days after the close of my shopping window).
I can also get free delivery on orders over $60 (service area dependent)—no need to pay additional membership fees.
If you need same-day delivery and don’t mind extra fees, Instacart is a good choice. If you want to avoid all extra fees and like to stick to a routine, go with Misfits Market.
My Favorite Way to Shop for Groceries… Misfits Market
Misfits Market is the winner for me! Not only has it made grocery shopping actually enjoyable for me, I love that I’m giving my money to a company with a mission. We all live and eat on this planet together, and I appreciate that Misfits Market is working to cut food waste and build a more sustainable food system. 🌎
Try Misfits Market today - it’s so easy to get started. All you need is your zip code to join for free!
