Australian shoppers looking for the most affordable way to get their groceries delivered from Woolworths now have a clear answer, following a detailed price comparison of three major delivery platforms. The analysis, conducted in January 2026, pitted DoorDash, Uber Eats, and the revived Milkrun service against each other to determine which offers the best value for a standard basket of goods.
The Basket and The Baseline
The investigation centred on a consistent order of six everyday items from a single Woolworths Metro store in Sydney. The basket included staples like a loaf of bread, a litre of milk, a block of cheese, a bag of pasta, a jar of pasta sauce, and a bunch of bananas. To ensure a fair comparison, the order was placed for delivery to the same address within a one-hour window on the same day.
The results revealed a striking disparity in the final checkout totals, highlighting how much the delivery platform itself can impact your grocery bill. While the base cost of the food items remained largely consistent, the fees, delivery charges, and promotional structures created a significant gap between the services.
Platform-by-Platform Breakdown
DoorDash emerged as the most expensive option for this particular basket. The total cost came to $31.45, which included a substantial $8.99 delivery fee and a $2.50 service charge. While the platform did apply a $5 discount, it wasn't enough to offset the high baseline fees, leaving it in last place for value.
Uber Eats secured the middle ground with a final total of $27.41. Its delivery fee was a lower $5.99, and it included a $1.50 service charge. Crucially, Uber Eats applied a more generous promotional offer of $15 off for first-time grocery orders, which dramatically reduced the overall cost and made it a competitive choice for new users.
The winner, and the cheapest method for this test, was the resurrected Milkrun service. The total came to just $25.90. Milkrun achieved this by charging no delivery fee for orders over $20 and applying a straightforward $5 discount at checkout. This simple, fee-free approach for standard-sized orders provided the clearest and most cost-effective total for the consumer.
Implications for the Quick Commerce Market
This price snapshot, taken in early 2026, illustrates the volatile and competitive nature of the rapid grocery delivery sector. The return of Milkrun, under new ownership after its initial collapse, appears to be shaking up the market with an aggressive, fee-averse strategy aimed directly at winning budget-conscious shoppers.
For consumers, the lesson is clear: loyalty to a single app can be costly. The pricing landscape is fluid, with platforms frequently adjusting delivery fees and launching targeted promotions. Savvy shoppers are advised to check multiple apps before completing their order, especially as first-time user discounts can create substantial but temporary savings.
The comparison also underscores the premium attached to ultimate convenience. While having groceries delivered in under an hour is a modern luxury, this test shows that service can add over 30% to the cost of a small basket. For those looking to minimise spending, the age-old advice of planning ahead for click-and-collect or larger, less frequent deliveries still holds significant financial merit.
As the battle for dominance in quick commerce continues, price will remain a key battleground. This analysis suggests that a transparent, low-fee model, as currently deployed by Milkrun, has strong appeal, potentially forcing the more established giants like DoorDash and Uber Eats to reconsider their fee structures to retain customers.
