How many grocery orders a month do you need for Instacart+ to pay off?
About 2 orders a month, if you'd pay delivery fees anyway.
Instacart+ waives delivery fees over $35, which usually run $4 to $8. Two orders a month covers the $10 membership, and you break even on the first one if your fees average $5 or
Checked Sep 9
What's your typical order size?
Why?
Delivery fees are the math Instacart+ waives fees on orders over $35, and those fees typically run $4 to $8.
Membership costs $10 At $9.99 a month, two fee-waived orders usually cover it.
Other perks are small Lower service fees and 5% pickup credit rarely change the break-even much.
Fees vary by store, region, and order size, so your actual break-even could shift by an order.
If your situation is different
What's your typical order size: Under $35. Probably not worth it. Fees don't get waived under $35, so the membership only helps if you add pickup or priority perks.
What's your typical order size: $35 to $75. 2 orders a month pays for it. Standard delivery fees in that range usually run $4 to $8, so two orders covers the $10 fee.
What's your typical order size: Over $75. 1 order a month can pay for it. Heavier orders often carry higher fees, so a single large order might cover the membership.
Who is Instacart+ right for?
Right for
- People who order groceries online at least twice a month
- Households with orders over $35 each time
- Shoppers who value delivery over pickup
- Busy parents or caregivers without time to shop
Wrong for
- People who order less than once a month
- Shoppers who keep orders under $35 to save
- Those who live near a store and prefer pickup
- Anyone who only orders during free-trial promos
What does Instacart+ cost in 2026?
| Figure | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly membership fee | $9.99 a month, 2026 | This is the flat cost you need to cover with fee savings. |
| Typical delivery fee | $4 to $8 per order, 2026 | Waived on orders over $35, which is the core benefit. |
| Orders to break even | 2 per month, 2026 | Two fee-waived orders at $5 average cover the $10 fee. |
| Service fee reduction | 5% off service fees, 2026 | Small extra saving, usually $1 or less per order. |
| Pickup credit | 5% back on pickup orders, 2026 | Only helps if you use pickup, which defeats the delivery perk. |
What's the biggest Instacart+ mistake?
The biggest mistake is counting the 5% pickup credit and lower service fees as if they were big wins. They are not. The only number that matters is the delivery fee you would pay anyway. If your orders are under $35, the membership does nothing for you, and you are paying $10 a month for nothing. Check your last three receipts: if the order total was under $35, skip the membership.
How do you decide if Instacart+ is worth it?
- Look at your last three grocery delivery orders and note the order total and delivery fee.
- Add up the delivery fees you paid in the last month; if they total $10 or more, the membership pays for itself.
- Confirm your typical order is over $35, or the fee waiver never kicks in.
- If you order less than twice a month or your orders are small, keep paying per delivery instead.
People also ask
Does the $35 minimum apply to every store?
No, it's per order, not per store. The $35 minimum applies to each order you place, not to each store. You can split items across stores, but each order still needs its own $35.
Are service fees really lower with Plus?
Yes, but only on delivery orders. Plus cuts the delivery fee, not the service fee. You still pay the service fee on every order, so the savings come from skipping delivery fees.
ZapHog can make mistakes. Check important info.