What Instacart+ gives you and what it costs

Instacart+ is a paid membership that reduces delivery fees and service fees on orders from Instacart, the grocery delivery platform. The membership costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year, and you can cancel at any time. Members get free delivery on orders over $35 from most participating stores, a reduced service fee (usually 0% instead of the standard 2%), and exclusive deals on certain items.

Without Instacart+, a typical grocery delivery order includes a delivery fee (usually $2 to $4), a service fee (2% of your order total), and sometimes a small order fee if you spend under $35. With the membership, you skip the delivery fee on may have access to orders and the service fee drops to zero, which means you pay only the item prices plus any applicable taxes and tips.

The membership applies to orders from most major grocery chains on the Instacart platform, including Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, and many regional chains. Some smaller or specialty stores may not participate in the free-delivery benefit, so Instacart shows you which stores may have access to before you place an order.

Key Takeaways

  • Instacart+ costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year and removes delivery fees on orders over $35 from participating stores.
  • Members pay zero service fee (normally 2% of your order) on all orders, which saves money even on small purchases.
  • The membership breaks even after roughly 10 to 15 orders per month, depending on your typical order size and store.
  • You can cancel your membership at any time with no penalty, and Instacart offers a free trial period for new members.
  • Instacart+ does not cover orders from restaurants or convenience stores on the Instacart Marketplace platform, only grocery delivery.

How the math works: when the membership pays for itself

Whether Instacart+ saves you money depends on how often you order and how much you spend per order. On a $50 grocery order without membership, you typically pay a $3 delivery fee plus a $1 service fee (2% of $50), totaling $4 in fees. With Instacart+, you pay zero fees on that same order, so you save $4.

If you order twice a week, that is roughly 8 to 9 orders per month. At $4 saved per order, you would save $32 to $36 per month, which covers the $9.99 monthly membership cost and leaves you ahead. However, if you order once a week or less, or if your orders are typically under $35, the math shifts. A $25 order without membership might cost $2 delivery plus $0.50 service fee; with membership, you would pay the full delivery fee because the order is under $35, so you save nothing.

Instacart publishes no official breakeven point, so the real answer depends on your store, your order size, and your ordering frequency. Many members find the membership worth it if they order at least twice a week from participating stores. If you order less often or prefer smaller trips, the monthly fee may exceed your savings.

What is included and what is not

Instacart+ covers grocery delivery from supermarkets and some specialty food stores. The membership includes free delivery on orders over $35, zero service fees on all orders, and access to exclusive member deals that Instacart highlights in the app. Some orders may also may have access to for faster delivery windows, though this varies by location and store.

The membership does not cover orders from Instacart Marketplace, which includes restaurants, convenience stores, and other non-grocery merchants. If you use Instacart to order from a local restaurant or a 7-Eleven, those orders are not may be able to access for Instacart+ benefits. You also cannot combine a grocery order with a Marketplace order under one membership discount.

Instacart+ does not waive the tip, which you add at checkout. Tips go to the shopper and are separate from delivery and service fees. Some members confuse the service fee (which Instacart+ removes) with the tip (which you choose), so it is worth checking your receipt to see what you are actually paying.

How to start and cancel your membership

To start Instacart+, open the Instacart app or website, go to your account settings, and select the membership option. Instacart usually offers a free trial for new members — typically 14 days — so you can test the membership before you are charged. After the trial ends, your payment method is charged $9.99 for the first month or $99 if you chose the annual plan.

You can cancel your membership at any time through the same account settings menu. If you cancel during a free trial, you are not charged. If you cancel after the trial ends, your membership stops at the end of your current billing period (monthly or annual), and you are not refunded for unused time. Instacart does not require you to give a reason or contact customer service to cancel.

If you have a monthly membership and want to switch to annual billing (or vice versa), you must cancel your current plan and start a new one. The new plan begins when ready, so you may have a gap or overlap depending on when your current billing cycle ends.

Instacart+ versus other grocery delivery memberships

Other grocery delivery services offer their own membership or loyalty programs. Amazon Prime members receive free delivery on Whole Foods orders over $100 (or $35 in some cities) as part of their Prime membership, which costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year and includes other benefits beyond grocery delivery. Walmart+ costs $12.98 per month or $98 per year and includes free delivery on Walmart grocery orders over $35, plus other Walmart services.

The main difference is scope: Instacart+ works across many grocery chains, while Amazon Prime and Walmart+ are tied to their own stores. If you shop at multiple chains, Instacart+ may offer more flexibility. If you primarily shop at one store, a store-specific membership or loyalty program might be cheaper or offer better discounts. Some grocery chains, like Kroger, offer their own free loyalty programs that provide discounts without a subscription fee, though they do not waive delivery fees.

There is no single "best" option — it depends on which stores you use, how often you order, and whether you value the other benefits included in services like Prime or Walmart+. Many people use Instacart+ alongside a store loyalty program to maximize savings.

Fees and charges you should know about

Instacart+ removes the delivery fee and service fee, but other charges may still explore. Instacart charges a small order fee (usually $2) if your order is under $35, even with membership. Some stores charge a markup on certain items, which is separate from Instacart's fees and appears in the item price. Taxes are calculated at checkout and are not waived by membership.

If you use Instacart's rush delivery option (faster than standard delivery), you may pay an additional fee even with membership. Instacart also charges a restocking fee if you return items after delivery, though this is rare and usually only applies to large returns. Always review your receipt before confirming payment to see the full breakdown of what you are paying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use Instacart+ for every order?

No. You can place orders with or without using your membership benefits. If you have a small order under $35 or are ordering from a non-participating store, you can choose to pay standard fees instead of using your membership. Instacart shows you the fee breakdown before you check out, so you can decide whether the membership benefit applies to that specific order.

Can I share my Instacart+ membership with family members?

Instacart+ is tied to a single account and cannot be shared across multiple user profiles or accounts. If you have a household account with multiple people, only the account holder receives the membership benefits. Family members would need their own Instacart accounts and separate memberships to receive the same discounts.

What happens to my membership if I do not order for a while?

Your membership continues to charge you each billing cycle whether you order or not. If you know you will not be using Instacart for a month or longer, you should cancel your membership to avoid paying for a service you are not using. You can restart it later whenever you are ready to order again.

Does Instacart+ work at all stores in my area?

Instacart+ works at most major grocery chains, but availability varies by location. When you open the app and enter your address, Instacart shows you which stores in your area participate in the free-delivery benefit. Some rural or remote areas may have fewer participating stores, so it is worth checking your local options before committing to the membership.

Can I get a refund if I was charged a delivery fee by mistake?

If you were charged a delivery fee on an order that should have may have access to for free delivery under your Instacart+ membership, you can contact Instacart customer service through the app to report the issue. Instacart reviews these cases and may issue a refund or credit to your account, though the process can take several days.