The UK food delivery industry is multi-billion-pound business and still growing. Every day, a small army of drivers carries takeaway food to homes, offices and workplaces across the country, and demand continues to outstrip driver supply. UK food delivery drivers typically earn around £13.54 per hour on average, according to Talent.com's 2026 UK salary data across the major platforms.
With so many newcomers considering food delivery as a career or side income, the first question most ask is: who are the best food delivery apps to work for in the UK? Here's a breakdown of the major platforms, what they typically pay, and the extras each one offers.
Uber Eats
Uber Eats is a spin-off from the global Uber rideshare business. Uber Eats launched in the UK in 2016 and now reaches more than 90% of the UK population. Drivers deliver food using cars, vans, scooters, e-bikes and bicycles to hundreds of thousands of customers every week.
Typical UK driver earnings: around £13.54 per hour on average per Talent.com's 2026 data, before fees and expenses.
Other financial benefits: Flex Pay can pay drivers within 48 hours of completing shifts. Quest bonuses (previously called "Boost") typically multiply earnings during peak windows.
Extras: Uber Pro is a tiered loyalty scheme with rewards that include fuel discounts and Open University tuition cover at higher tiers.
For drivers signing up to Uber Eats specifically, Uber Eats insurance for UK delivery drivers is the direct sign-up route for the hire and reward cover you legally need.
Deliveroo
Deliveroo is a UK-founded global business that started in London in 2013. Deliveroo has tens of thousands of drivers and riders across its UK network, delivering food from restaurants, supermarkets and convenience partners.
Typical UK rider earnings: driver-reported earnings vary significantly by city, shift timing and mode of transport, with car drivers typically earning slightly more per hour than bicycle riders due to faster trip turnover.
Other financial benefits: Deliveroo typically pays additional fees per order in selected cities at selected times, and some bonuses are available for bicycle and e-bike riders in specific zones.
Extras: Deliveroo Plus Perks is a rider-focused loyalty scheme with rewards ranging from discounted e-bike rentals to vehicle cleaning products.
For Deliveroo-specific sign-up, Deliveroo insurance for UK riders is the Zego route designed around Deliveroo's cover requirements.
Just Eat
Along with Uber Eats and Deliveroo, Just Eat is the third international giant operating in the UK food delivery market. Globally, Just Eat Takeaway processes billions of food orders every year.
Typical UK driver earnings: Just Eat offers two driver routes. Freelance "Scoober" couriers typically earn around £9.70 per hour; salaried drivers working at least 15 hours per week typically earn up to £10.20 per hour. Figures should be verified in the latest Just Eat driver agreement before committing.
Other financial benefits: Bonuses of up to £2.50 per trip for salaried drivers in some cities.
Extras: Zero commission for freelance drivers. Salaried drivers typically get pension, holiday pay, and sick pay, plus access to Just Eat-supplied bikes and e-bikes.
For Just Eat-specific sign-up, Just Eat insurance for UK delivery drivers is the Zego route.
Stuart
Stuart provides courier delivery services to restaurants, retailers and UK business customers. In some locations, Stuart also provides contract drivers and riders for Just Eat and other partners.
Typical UK earnings: Stuart operates guaranteed hourly rates with exact figures varying by city and shift type.
Other financial benefits: Stuart typically pays a small completion bonus per delivery on top of the hourly rate.
Extras: Stuart Perks is a loyalty scheme that rewards drivers and riders with prizes ranging from cheap fuel and discounted food and drinks to money off entertainment.
Which food delivery app should you choose?
Honest answer: the right platform depends on your vehicle, your city, and whether you want hourly guarantees or per-trip upside. Drivers with a car or scooter and flexibility typically stack two or more platforms to fill dead hours – Uber Eats for commuter lunches, Deliveroo for weekend dinners, Just Eat for salaried stability. Bicycle and e-bike riders tend to favour Deliveroo for the bike-specific bonuses.
Most UK food delivery drivers work across multiple apps in the same week. The one common requirement across every platform is the right insurance.
What insurance do you need to work for food delivery apps?
Food delivery insurance is a legal requirement for every UK food delivery driver. A standard motor policy (social, domestic and pleasure, or SD&P) doesn't cover paid delivery work.
UK drivers can either buy a dedicated hire and reward (H&R) policy on top of their existing personal insurance, or buy a Combo policy that covers both personal use and delivery work on a single document. Zego's food delivery insurance for UK delivery drivers typically covers work across Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat, Stuart and other partner platforms on a single policy.
Do you need hourly, monthly, or annual food delivery insurance?
Third party or fully comprehensive food delivery insurance can be bought by the hour, the month, or the year. Your working pattern decides which option fits best:
- Pay-as-you-go hourly insurance – ultra-flexible cover bought only when you're working, paid via a top-up app. Suits drivers who work intermittently. For a full breakdown, see our guide on how pay-as-you-go food delivery insurance works.
- 30-day monthly insurance – flexible short-term cover suited to seasonal drivers or drivers who also work in other industries.
- Annual insurance – long-term, cost-effective cover for drivers who work in food and parcel delivery full-time.
How fast can you get food delivery insurance?
Very fast with Zego. From quote to active policy typically in under half an hour. Zego's scooter delivery insurance for Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat riders and food delivery insurance for UK delivery drivers are both available with third party or fully comprehensive cover and hourly, 30-day or annual terms.
Download the Zego Delivery app and get a quote for pay-as-you-go cover – it only takes a minute.
References
Talent.com UK delivery driver salary data (2026, based on 10,000 reported salaries) – WebFetch-verified. Cited for the UK average delivery driver hourly rate (£13.54/hour) used to anchor realistic earnings expectations across Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat. https://uk.talent.com/salary?job=uber+eats+driver
