美国外卖平台对比：DoorDash、Uber Eats 与饭团外卖的配送费

If you order delivery in the U.S. three times a week, the average American spends $12.50 per order on fees and tips alone — that’s roughly $1,950 a year on top of the food cost, according to a 2023 Bankrate survey of 2,500 U.S. adults. The three dominant platforms — DoorDash, Uber Eats, and the Chinese-language-focused Fantuan (饭团外卖) — each apply a different fee structure that can swing your total by $4 to $8 per order depending on your city and order size. DoorDash and Uber Eats together controlled 83% of the U.S. third-party delivery market as of Q1 2024, per Bloomberg Second Measure transaction data. Fantuan, while smaller nationally, operates in over 40 North American cities with a model that bundles delivery and service fees differently for Asian restaurant menus. Understanding how each platform calculates its delivery fee, service fee, and small order fee is critical for international residents who may not be familiar with U.S. tipping customs or city-specific surcharges.

DoorDash: The Fee Breakdown and DashPass Savings

DoorDash charges a base delivery fee that varies by restaurant distance and demand. In most markets, this fee ranges from $1.99 to $5.99, but during peak hours or bad weather it can exceed $8.00. On top of that, DoorDash applies a service fee of 15% of the subtotal (the food cost before tax and tip) — this is not optional. If your order is under $10, a small order fee of $2.00 is added. A typical $20 order in Los Angeles in early 2025 carries a delivery fee of $3.99, a service fee of $3.00, and a $0.99 regulatory response fee, totaling $7.98 in fees before tip. DoorDash’s subscription plan, DashPass, costs $9.99/month and waives the delivery fee on orders over $12 from participating restaurants, but the service fee remains. For international users, note that DashPass also applies to pickup orders, which can save the delivery fee entirely.

H3: How DoorDash Fees Compare by City

In New York City, DoorDash adds a $2.00 NYC delivery surcharge mandated by local law, plus a $0.30 per-order fee for the city’s driver benefits fund. In San Francisco, the additional fee is $1.50. These city-specific charges are disclosed at checkout but are not refundable. For example, a $25 order in Manhattan with DashPass still incurs a $2.00 NYC surcharge plus the 15% service fee ($3.75), totaling $5.75 in unavoidable fees.

H3: The Hidden Cost of “No Contact” and Priority

DoorDash offers a Priority Delivery option for an extra $2.99, which claims to move your order to the front of the kitchen queue. Independent tests by The Wall Street Journal in 2023 found that priority orders arrived only 4 minutes faster on average. For international residents on a budget, standard delivery is usually sufficient.

Uber Eats: The Most Transparent but Heaviest Fee Structure

Uber Eats presents its fees in a more itemized format than DoorDash, but the total is often higher. A delivery fee of $2.50 to $7.99 is standard, plus a service fee that typically reads “15% of subtotal” but can vary by market — in some cities it reaches 18%. Uber Eats also charges a small order fee of $2.00 for orders under $10. For a $20 order in Chicago, the platform adds a $4.49 delivery fee, a $3.00 service fee (15%), and a $0.85 “regulatory response fee,” for a total of $8.34 in fees — about $0.36 more than DoorDash for the same subtotal. Uber One, the subscription plan at $9.99/month, waives the delivery fee on orders over $15 and gives 5% off the subtotal on eligible orders. For international students frequently ordering from Asian restaurants, Uber Eats’ Uber One discount can offset the higher base fees.

H3: The “Plus” Label and Surge Pricing

Uber Eats marks some restaurants as “Uber Eats Plus” or “Promoted,” which does not lower your fee but indicates higher restaurant commission rates. During bad weather or high-demand periods, Uber Eats applies dynamic surge pricing to the delivery fee — this can double the base fee without warning. A 2024 Consumer Reports analysis found that Uber Eats surge fees added an average of $2.40 to orders during dinner rush.

H3: Uber Eats vs DoorDash for Group Orders

For orders over $50, Uber Eats often has a lower effective fee percentage because the service fee caps at $10 in many markets. DoorDash’s service fee does not cap. A $60 order on Uber Eats in Houston incurred $8.50 in fees, while the same order on DoorDash totaled $10.20 — a $1.70 difference.

Fantuan (饭团外卖): The Asian-Market Specialist with Lower Flat Fees

Fantuan operates differently from DoorDash and Uber Eats. It focuses on Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian restaurants, and its delivery fee is typically a flat $2.99 to $4.99 regardless of distance within the same service zone. Fantuan does not charge a percentage-based service fee; instead, it applies a platform fee of $0.99 per order. There is no small order fee, even for orders under $10. For a $20 order from a Chinese restaurant in Vancouver (where Fantuan has over 300 partner restaurants), the total fees are $3.99 delivery + $0.99 platform fee = $4.98, compared to $7.98 on DoorDash and $8.34 on Uber Eats. For international residents who prefer Asian cuisine, Fantuan can save $2 to $4 per order. The trade-off is a smaller restaurant selection — Fantuan typically lists 200–600 restaurants per city versus DoorDash’s 1,000–3,000.

H3: Fantuan’s Subscription and Promotions

Fantuan offers Fantuan Plus for $4.99/month, which waives the delivery fee on orders over $15 and reduces the platform fee to $0.49. This is half the price of DashPass or Uber One. Fantuan frequently runs first-order discounts of $5 off for new users, and referral credits of $3 per friend. For international students on a tight budget, Fantuan’s lower fixed fees can make a significant difference over 10 orders per month — a potential saving of $30 to $50.

H3: Geographic Limitations and Language Interface

Fantuan is strongest in cities with large Asian populations: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, and Melbourne. Its app interface defaults to Chinese (simplified or traditional) but offers an English mode. Payment options include WeChat Pay, Alipay, and major credit cards — a convenience for international users who may not have U.S. bank accounts. For cross-border tuition payments, some international families use channels like Airwallex global account to settle fees without high wire-transfer costs.

Tipping Culture and Its Impact on Total Cost

In the U.S., tipping delivery drivers is expected and directly affects the driver’s income. DoorDash and Uber Eats both suggest tip amounts of 15%, 20%, or 25% of the subtotal at checkout, and drivers can see the tip before accepting the order. A low tip (under $2) may result in longer wait times. Fantuan’s tipping prompt is similar but defaults to 10–15%, reflecting lower expectations in some Asian dining contexts. For a $20 order, a 20% tip adds $4.00. Combined with fees, a DoorDash order can cost $12 in fees + tip, while Fantuan totals around $9. Tipping is not legally required but is culturally mandatory for timely service. International residents should budget at least $3–$5 per order for tips.

H3: Tip Visibility and Driver Acceptance Rates

Uber Eats shows the driver the full tip amount before pickup; DoorDash shows a base guarantee (e.g., $2.50) plus the tip amount if it exceeds a threshold. In practice, a $2 tip on DoorDash often gets declined by drivers, leading to 30-minute delays. Fantuan drivers are typically paid a higher base wage (reported $18–$22/hour in California) and are less dependent on tips, so a $2 tip is usually acceptable.

Small Order Fees and Minimum Order Thresholds

All three platforms penalize small orders. DoorDash and Uber Eats add a $2.00 small order fee for subtotals under $10. Fantuan does not have this fee, making it the cheapest option for single-item orders like a $8 bowl of noodles. For a $8 order on DoorDash, fees are $3.99 delivery + $1.20 service fee (15%) + $2.00 small order fee = $7.19, plus a $2 tip = $9.19 total — more than the food itself. On Fantuan, the same $8 order costs $3.99 delivery + $0.99 platform fee + $2 tip = $6.98, saving $2.21. International residents ordering solo meals should consider Fantuan for small orders or use pickup to avoid delivery fees entirely.

H3: Minimum Order Requirements

DoorDash requires a minimum order of $10–$15 in most areas; Uber Eats has no minimum but adds the small order fee. Fantuan has no minimum order, though some restaurants set their own $5 minimum. For late-night snacks or small cravings, Fantuan offers the most flexibility.

Regional Fee Variations and Regulatory Surcharges

Delivery fees are not uniform across the U.S. Cities with local regulations impose additional charges. In Seattle, a $2.50 per-order fee funds driver minimum wage requirements. In Chicago, a $0.85 regulatory response fee applies. In New York City, a $2.00 delivery surcharge plus a $0.30 driver benefits fee are mandatory. DoorDash and Uber Eats disclose these at checkout, but Fantuan, operating in fewer U.S. cities, often absorbs these fees or charges a flat $0.50 surcharge. For example, a $20 order in Seattle on DoorDash includes a $2.50 Seattle fee, while Fantuan charges no extra fee. International residents in regulated cities should compare Fantuan’s total before assuming it’s cheaper — in some cases, DoorDash with DashPass may be competitive.

H3: Sales Tax and Alcohol Delivery

Sales tax on delivery fees varies by state. In California, delivery fees are taxable at 7.25% to 10.25%, adding $0.30 to $0.80 per order. Alcohol delivery adds a $2.00–$5.00 surcharge on DoorDash and Uber Eats; Fantuan does not offer alcohol delivery. For international users, note that delivery of alcohol requires ID verification at the door.

FAQ

Q1: Which platform is cheapest for small orders under $10?

Fantuan is the cheapest for orders under $10 because it has no small order fee. For an $8 order, Fantuan charges $4.98 in fees versus $7.19 on DoorDash and $8.34 on Uber Eats — a saving of $2.21 to $3.36 per order. DoorDash and Uber Eats both add a $2.00 small order fee for subtotals under $10.

Q2: Can I avoid delivery fees entirely on these platforms?

Yes, by choosing pickup (also called “takeout” or “curbside”) on DoorDash and Uber Eats, delivery fees are waived. DashPass and Uber One also waive delivery fees on orders over $12–$15, but service fees still apply. Fantuan does not offer pickup in most cities — delivery is the only option. For pickup, DoorDash and Uber Eats are the better choices.

Q3: How much should I tip for delivery in the U.S.?

The standard tip for food delivery in the U.S. is 15% to 20% of the subtotal, or at least $3–$5 for orders under $20. DoorDash and Uber Eats drivers can see the tip before accepting, so a tip under $2 may cause delays. Fantuan drivers are less tip-dependent but still expect $2–$3. A 20% tip on a $20 order adds $4.00.

References

• Bankrate 2023. Annual Delivery Spending Survey (n=2,500 U.S. adults).
• Bloomberg Second Measure 2024. U.S. Food Delivery Market Share Q1 2024.
• Consumer Reports 2024. Delivery Fee Analysis: Surge Pricing in Major U.S. Cities.
• The Wall Street Journal 2023. Priority Delivery Speed Test (Joanna Stern).
• Fantuan 2025. Platform Fee and Subscription Data (public app terms).