Quick Facts
- Budget-conscious Canadian shoppers
- Urban dwellers avoiding harsh weather
- Busy families seeking grocery convenience
- Walmart requires $35 minimum for free delivery; orders below incur $7.97 fee
- Costco Grocery offers free delivery over $75 but doesn't serve northern territories
- Instacart prices are often higher than in-store to cover service costs
- Watch for 'drip pricing' where fees only appear at final checkout
For budget-conscious Canadians, Walmart and PC Express offer the best value with consistent pricing, while Instacart and SkipTheDishes prioritize speed and convenience at a premium cost.
Let’s be honest: in a Canadian winter, the best dinner reservation is often on your own couch. Whether it’s -30°C in Edmonton or raining sideways in Vancouver, food delivery apps have shifted from a luxury to a daily utility. But with rising service fees and inflation, picking the wrong platform can silently drain your wallet.
We’ve audited the current landscape to bring you a curated guide to Food Delivery in Canada. We aren’t just listing apps; we are analyzing which ones offer actual value versus those hiding heavy surcharges.

The State of Canadian Delivery: Convenience vs. Cost
Gone are the days when delivery was just for pizza. Today, you can have a five course meal or a week’s worth of groceries on your doorstep in under two hours. The global market reflects this shift; according to Grand View Research and Statista, the online food delivery sector has exploded, with estimates ranging from $323 billion to over $1.2 trillion by 2025 depending on the inclusion of grocery segments.
However, this convenience comes with a “Practitioner’s Warning”: fees are rising. As of late 2025, many platforms are under scrutiny for “drip pricing”—fees that appear only at the final checkout. Being a smart consumer means looking past the delivery fee and checking the service charges and small basket surcharges.
Top Grocery Delivery Apps in Canada
Grocery delivery is no longer just for saving time; it’s about avoiding the impulse buys that happen when you walk down the aisle. Here is where you should spend your money.
- Walmart Canada
Walmart remains the volume leader for budget conscious Canadians. Unlike some competitors that mark up shelf prices online, Walmart generally keeps pricing consistent.
The Hidden Gem: Watch the threshold. As of December 2025, you need to hit a minimum order of $35 (before taxes) to unlock free delivery or pickup. If you fall below that $35 line, you get hit with a flat fee of roughly $7.97. It’s a steep penalty for a small basket, so always bundle your purchases.
- Costco
Costco offers two distinct services: Costco Grocery (for non perishables via mail) and Same Day Delivery (powered by Instacart for fresh food).
If you are stocking up on pantry items, delivery is free on orders over $75. Below that, you pay a $3 surcharge per unit, which adds up fast. Note that as of late 2025, Costco Grocery still does not deliver to the Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut.
- Instacart
Instacart is the engine behind many retailers, including Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstore. It is ideal for people who value speed over price. A personal shopper picks your items and can deliver in as little as an hour.
Practitioner Tip: Be aware that item prices on Instacart are often higher than in store prices to cover the service costs. If you are worried about legitimacy when using new third-party services, check out our guide on how to verify if an online shop is legit.
- PC Express
PC Express is a staple for users of Loblaws, No Frills, and Real Canadian Superstore. It covers approximately 70% of Canadian households. Recently, they expanded their “Rapid Delivery” service (in partnership with DoorDash), which now serves over 8 million Canadians.
If you prefer to inspect your own produce but hate the checkout lines, this is your middle ground. You simply park in the designated spot, and they load your trunk. It’s arguably the most efficient “Click and Collect” system in the country.
Best Restaurant Food Delivery Apps
Craving a burger or late night sushi? The market has consolidated, leaving a few big players battling for your business.
- SkipTheDishes
Born in Winnipeg, SkipTheDishes is the homegrown hero of the Canadian market. Despite a significant corporate restructuring in 2024 that saw workforce reductions, it remains a dominant force with over 50,000 restaurant partners across the country.
It is often the most reliable option for smaller Canadian cities where international giants might have spotty coverage.
- DoorDash
DoorDash has aggressively expanded its footprint. Contrary to older reports, DoorDash is now fully active in smaller hubs like Collingwood, Ontario, serving local favorites like The Indian Spice Restaurant & Bar.
They have moved beyond just food; you can now dash retail items and convenience store goods. It’s a great all rounder if you need dinner and Tylenol in one go.
- Uber Eats
Uber Eats is the heavy hitter for major metropolitan areas like Toronto and Vancouver. However, users need to be vigilant. The “10 minutes or less” guarantee is largely a thing of the past.
The Fee Warning: In 2025, service fees are typically calculated as 10% of your order (min $2.00, max $4.00), but additional charges can apply. A major class action lawsuit filed in June 2025 highlighted consumer frustration with these “hidden” costs. Always review your receipt before tapping “Order.”
- Tim Hortons
You can’t talk about Canada without Tim Hortons. With nearly 6,900 locations worldwide and over 3,800 in Canada alone, their dedicated app is the fastest way to get your morning double double without waiting in line. It’s niche, but essential for the morning commute.
Beyond Food: Shopping in Canada
Canada offers a robust digital shopping landscape, but sometimes the best finds are offline. If you want to take a break from the apps and hunt for vintage treasures in person, check out our guide to the best flea markets in Canada.
For those looking to compare North American shopping hubs, you might find our analysis of shopping in New York City an interesting contrast to the Canadian experience.