Instacart
by Maplebear Inc. · Shopping & E-Commerce · Food & Grocery Delivery
Get groceries and household essentials delivered from your favorite local stores in as fast as one hour.
Quick Answer: Instacart has a verified Real Score of 3.6/5 based on 66,750 verified reviews, compared to its App Store rating of 4.7/5. Mixed reviews from verified users.
Real Score vs App Store Rating
App Store Rating
Includes unverified reviews
Verified Real Score
Based on 66,750 verified reviews
Gap Alert: Instacart's App Store rating is 1.1 points higher than its verified Real Score. This suggests that some store reviews may be inflated by fake or incentivized ratings.
Pros & Cons
What Users Love
- Delivers from stores you already shop at
- Same-day and fast delivery options
- Wide store selection
- Good communication with shoppers
Common Complaints
- Prices are marked up vs in-store
- Shopper quality varies significantly
- Service fees and tips add up
- Substitution choices can be poor
Verified Reviews (20)
Lifesaver for busy parents
With two toddlers, getting to the grocery store is a nightmare. Instacart delivers from Costco, Kroger, and Sprouts to my door. The markup is worth the time saved.
Hidden fees everywhere
The item prices are higher than in-store, plus theres a service fee, delivery fee, and expected tip. A $50 grocery run ends up being $75. At least be transparent about costs.
Instacart+ is worth it
If you use it regularly, the Instacart+ membership pays for itself quickly. Free delivery on orders over $35 and reduced service fees. No brainer for weekly grocery shoppers.
My shopper ignored all my notes
Left specific notes about ripeness preferences and substitution preferences. Shopper ignored everything. Got rock-hard avocados and wrong substitutions for 3 items. Frustrating.
Costco delivery is amazing
Getting Costco delivered without a membership (or with one for better prices) is incredible. No more fighting for parking or waiting in those massive checkout lines.
Good shoppers make all the difference
Had a 5-star shopper who communicated perfectly, picked great produce, and even arranged things nicely in bags. Next order had someone who mixed cleaning products with food. Wild variance.
Real-time chat with shopper is great
Being able to chat with your shopper in real-time about substitutions and preferences is a great feature. When used properly it ensures you get what you actually want.
Prices are marked up 15-20%
Compared prices on 20 common items between in-store and Instacart. Average markup was about 18%. Thats before fees and tip. Convenience has a real cost.
Priority delivery works perfectly
Needed groceries urgently for a dinner party and the priority delivery had everything at my door in 45 minutes. Slightly more expensive but worth it in a pinch.
Multiple stores in one delivery
Being able to add items from different stores in one order is convenient. Get specialty items from one store and basics from another. App makes this seamless.
Produce quality is a gamble
I never get good produce through Instacart. Bruised fruit, wilted vegetables, close-to-expiry dairy. Shoppers dont pick items with the same care I would. Major drawback.
Essential during illness
When my whole family had the flu, Instacart delivered medicine, soup, and groceries without us leaving bed. Literal lifesaver. The convenience is worth every penny in moments like this.
Tipping culture is awkward
Expected to tip before you even receive the service, and the suggested amounts are high. I tip well but the pre-tip model is uncomfortable. What if service is bad?
Good for specialty stores
Access to specialty stores like Sprouts, Eataly, and ethnic grocery stores is great. Things I wouldnt drive 30 minutes for are now delivered to my door.
Recipe integration is clever
The feature where you can add all ingredients for a recipe to your cart in one tap is brilliant. Takes the hassle out of meal planning and ensures you dont forget anything.
Availability issues
Many items show as available but then get marked out of stock during shopping. If half my list gets substituted whats the point? Inventory accuracy needs improvement.
Scheduled delivery is reliable
Scheduling delivery windows for the next day works well. Orders arrive within the selected timeframe consistently. Good for planning your day around grocery delivery.
Good concept, pricey execution
The concept is amazing and when it works well its wonderful. But the total cost (markup + fees + tip) makes it a luxury service rather than a practical grocery solution.
Better than other delivery services
Compared to Shipt and Walmart delivery, Instacart has the best shopper communication, store selection, and delivery reliability. Its pricier but the quality justifies it.
Changed how I grocery shop
Havent been to a grocery store in months. Instacart handles everything. The time I save (2-3 hours per week) is worth far more than the delivery fees.
Showing 1-20 of 12,847 reviews
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Last updated: April 2026