Grocery Delivery Apps in Canada Compared: Instacart, Walmart, PC Express & More

When you first arrive in Canada, getting groceries can be a challenge — especially before you have a car, learn the transit system, or figure out which stores carry products familiar to you. Grocery delivery and pickup services can bridge that gap, bringing food right to your door or having it ready for you to collect at a nearby store. In 2026, Canada has several major grocery delivery options, each with different pricing, selection, and coverage. This guide compares them so you can choose the best fit for your situation and budget.

Whether you are recovering from jet lag in your first week, dealing with a Canadian winter, managing young children without a car, or simply wanting to save time, grocery delivery can be a practical solution. Here is what you need to know about each major service available in Canada.

Instacart

Instacart is a third-party delivery platform that partners with multiple Canadian grocery stores. A personal shopper picks your items from the store and delivers them to your door.

Key Details

• Available stores: Loblaw, No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart, Costco, T&T Supermarket, Walmart (in some areas), Metro, Food Basics, and many others depending on your city
• Delivery fee: Typically $3.99 to $7.99 per order; free delivery on orders over $35 with Instacart+ membership
• Instacart+ membership: $99/year or $9.99/month — includes free delivery on orders over $35, reduced service fees, and 5% credit back on eligible pickup orders
• Service fee: Around 5% of your order total (in addition to the delivery fee)
• Tipping: Expected. The suggested default is typically 15%. Tips go directly to your shopper. It is customary to tip at least $5 to $10 or 10 to 15% of your order.
• Minimum order: $10 in most areas
• Speed: Same-day delivery, often within 1 to 2 hours

Newcomer tip: Instacart is especially useful if you shop at specialty stores like T&T Supermarket (Asian groceries) that may not have their own delivery service in your area.

PC Express (Loblaw Companies)

PC Express is the online ordering platform for Loblaw-owned stores, which are the largest grocery chain in Canada.

Key Details

• Available stores: Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Zehrs, Atlantic Superstore, Maxi, Provigo, Your Independent Grocer, and others
• Pickup: Free on orders over $35 (otherwise a $3 to $5 fee). You drive to the store and your order is loaded into your car.
• Delivery: Available in major urban areas. Delivery fee is typically $8 to $12 depending on your time slot and order size.
• PC Optimum points: You earn PC Optimum loyalty points on all purchases, same as in-store. This is one of Canada's most valuable loyalty programs.
• Tipping: Not required for pickup. For delivery, tipping is optional but appreciated.
• Selection: Extensive — nearly everything available in-store is available online, including weekly sale prices.

Newcomer tip: PC Express pickup is one of the most cost-effective options since there is no delivery fee on orders over $35 and no tipping expectation. If you can get to the store but want to save time shopping, this is a great choice.

Walmart Grocery Delivery and Pickup

Key Details

• Pickup: Free on orders over $25. Available at most Walmart Supercentre locations across Canada.
• Delivery: Available through both Walmart's own platform and Instacart in select areas. Delivery fees start at $7.97.
• Walmart+ (Delivery Unlimited): Not yet available in Canada as of early 2026. However, Walmart does offer reduced delivery fees for frequent orders through periodic promotions.
• Pricing: Walmart is generally one of the lowest-cost grocery options in Canada. Their Great Value store brand is particularly affordable.
• Tipping: Not required for pickup. For delivery, tipping is customary ($5 to $10 or 10 to 15%).

Newcomer tip: Walmart is often the best option for newcomers on a tight budget. Their store brand products (Great Value, Our Finest) are significantly cheaper than national brands, and the selection of international food products has expanded significantly.

Voila by Sobeys (IGA)

Key Details

• Available in: Ontario (GTA, Ottawa, Hamilton, and surrounding areas) and parts of Alberta and Atlantic Canada
• How it works: Orders are fulfilled from dedicated fulfilment centres (not from store shelves), which means better stock accuracy and product quality
• Delivery fee: $5.99 to $15.99 depending on order size and time slot
• Minimum order: $50
• Voila Pass: Monthly subscription options available for reduced or free delivery
• Tipping: Not expected — Voila uses employed drivers, not gig workers

Other Options

FreshCo (Online Ordering)

Sobeys' discount banner offers pickup in select locations. Prices are lower than Sobeys but selection is smaller. A good budget option where available.

Amazon Fresh / Amazon.ca Grocery

Available in the GTA and expanding. Requires an Amazon Prime membership ($99/year). Free delivery on orders over $50. Good for pantry staples, household items, and some fresh groceries.

Ethnic and Specialty Grocery Delivery

Depending on your city, you may find delivery options from ethnic grocery stores through platforms like:

• Chalo FreshCo — South Asian groceries available through FreshCo in select locations
• T&T Supermarket — Available through Instacart in many cities, or their own online ordering in select areas
• Local ethnic grocers — Many smaller shops now offer delivery through UberEats, DoorDash, or their own services

Cornershop by Uber

Available in select Canadian cities, Cornershop partners with local grocery stores and offers delivery within a few hours. It integrates with the Uber and Uber Eats apps, making it convenient if you already use those platforms for ridesharing or restaurant delivery. Pricing and fees are similar to Instacart.

Cost Comparison: A Typical $100 Grocery Order

Here is what a $100 grocery order might actually cost you on each platform, including fees and tips:

• PC Express pickup: $100.00 (no fees on orders over $35, no tip expected)
• Walmart pickup: $100.00 (no fees on orders over $25, no tip expected)
• PC Express delivery: $110.00 to $115.00 ($8 to $12 delivery fee, optional tip)
• Instacart (no membership): $122.00 to $130.00 ($5 to $8 delivery fee + 5% service fee + $10 to $15 tip)
• Instacart+ member: $115.00 to $120.00 (free delivery + reduced service fee + tip)
• Voila: $106.00 to $116.00 ($6 to $16 delivery fee, no tip expected)

As you can see, pickup options are the most budget-friendly, while delivery convenience adds $6 to $30 depending on the platform.

Tips for Newcomers Using Grocery Delivery

1. Compare prices across platforms — The same item can vary in price between stores. Use the Flipp app (free) to browse weekly flyers from all Canadian grocery stores.
2. Start with pickup if possible — It is significantly cheaper than delivery and still saves you the time of walking through the store.
3. Understand tipping etiquette — Tipping delivery drivers is customary in Canada, typically 10 to 20% of the order total or a minimum of $5. For pickup, tipping is not expected.
4. Check substitution policies — If an item is out of stock, most services offer a substitution. You can usually set preferences for each item (accept substitution, refund if unavailable, or choose a specific alternative).
5. Look for newcomer discounts — Some services offer first-order promotional codes. Check the app or website when you sign up.
6. Use the GST/HST credit — As a newcomer filing taxes, you may qualify for quarterly GST/HST credit payments that help offset the cost of essentials like groceries.

For more help managing your budget in Canada, try our cost of living calculator to see how grocery costs fit into your overall monthly expenses. And if you are exploring what other settlement tasks you need to tackle, our checklist has you covered.

See also: GST/HST Credit Guide for Newcomers

See also: GST/HST Rebate Guide for Newcomers