What are the fees or commission rates DoorDash charges to merchants?

DoorDash fees and commission rates can be confusing for merchants because they’re not one-size-fits-all. The exact rates depend on your location, the products you sell, and which DoorDash pricing plan and services you choose. However, the overall structure of how DoorDash charges merchants is fairly consistent, and understanding it will help you estimate your true costs and profit margins.

Below is a clear breakdown of the typical fees and commission rates DoorDash charges to merchants, how they work, and what to watch for in your contract.

Key types of fees DoorDash charges merchants

DoorDash merchant pricing is usually made up of several components:

Commission on orders (percentage of order subtotal)
Delivery-related fees
Pickup-only fees (lower commission)
Marketing and visibility add-ons (e.g., DashPass, promotions)
Operational fees (tablet rental, integration, chargebacks, etc., where applicable)

While specific numbers vary, merchants should expect DoorDash to take a percentage of each order plus any agreed fixed fees for certain services.

DoorDash marketplace commission (core commission rate)

The main fee DoorDash charges merchants is a commission on each order placed through the DoorDash marketplace (the DoorDash app and website).

How marketplace commission works

Calculated as a percentage of the order subtotal (typically food, beverages, and other items before taxes and tips)
Automatically deducted from each order payout
Varies based on:
- Merchant type (restaurant, grocery, convenience, retail)
- Country/region
- Negotiated terms and order volume
- Plan level (basic vs higher-visibility options)

Typical commission range

DoorDash does not publish fixed rates globally, but in practice many restaurants report:

Delivery orders: often in the range of 15%–30%+ of the order subtotal
Pickup orders: often in the range of 5%–15% (generally much lower than delivery)

Larger brands, franchise groups, or high-volume merchants may negotiate custom rates that fall outside these ranges.

Important: Your exact commission rate is specified in your DoorDash Merchant Agreement. Always review the contract rather than relying on general estimates.

Delivery vs pickup commission rates

DoorDash generally distinguishes between delivery and pickup when charging commission:

Delivery orders

Higher commission because DoorDash:
- Manages discovery and ordering via the app
- Provides driver (Dasher) logistics
- Handles support for delivery issues
Commission is a percentage of the order subtotal
Customer also pays their own fees (e.g., service fees, delivery fees), separate from merchant charges

Pickup orders

Lower commission because:
- No driver logistics are needed
- The customer picks up the order directly from your location
Still includes marketplace exposure (listing in the DoorDash app) and order processing services
Often used by merchants as a lower-cost way to gain DoorDash visibility

DoorDash pricing tiers and plans

In many markets, DoorDash offers tiered plans with varying commission rates and benefits. The names and exact percentage rates can change over time and may differ by country, but the structure typically looks like:

Basic / Lower-tier plan
- Lower commission percentage
- Reduced visibility in search and fewer marketing benefits
- May have a smaller delivery radius
Plus / Standard-tier plan
- Mid-range commission
- Better placement in search results
- Wider delivery radius and some marketing support
Premier / Higher-tier plan
- Highest commission percentage
- Maximum exposure and priority in search
- Often includes additional benefits like lower customer delivery fees or premium marketing placement

Merchants effectively trade higher commission rates for increased visibility and order volume.

DashPass and subscription-related fees

DashPass is DoorDash’s subscription program for customers that offers reduced fees and discounts on eligible orders. Participation affects how fees and commissions work for merchants.

How DashPass affects merchants

You pay your normal merchant commission on DashPass orders unless your contract specifies otherwise.
Customers pay reduced or zero delivery fees, which DoorDash subsidizes.
Being DashPass-eligible usually increases your visibility and attractiveness to high-frequency customers, which can drive more volume.
DoorDash may offer different commission incentives or terms for DashPass promotions.

While DashPass doesn’t introduce a separate “DashPass fee” charged to merchants in most standard setups, your overall effective cost can change due to volume shifts and promotional structures. Always confirm in your agreement whether DashPass participation affects your rate.

Marketing and promotion fees

DoorDash offers optional marketing tools that can add to your costs but may increase order volume.

Common marketing-related charges include:

Sponsored listings / ads
- You pay to appear more prominently in search results and category pages.
- Often charged on a cost-per-click (CPC) or budget-based system.
- These fees are in addition to your normal order commission.
Order-level promotions
- Example: “Spend $25, get $5 off” or “Free delivery over $20.”
- Incentive cost is typically:
  - Fully funded by the merchant, or
  - Co-funded by DoorDash and the merchant, depending on the promo
- The cost is usually reflected as a discount on the order, which reduces your revenue before commission is applied.
New customer or win-back campaigns
- Special promos targeting new customers or dormant customers.
- Often structured with specific terms about who funds what portion of the discount.

Promotional tools can improve discoverability but will increase your effective cost per order. Track ROI carefully.

Equipment and operational fees

DoorDash sometimes charges additional fees for operational components, depending on how you set up your account:

Tablet or POS device fees
- If DoorDash provides a tablet for order management:
  - May charge a monthly rental fee or a one-time purchase fee.
- Many restaurants integrate directly into their POS to avoid extra hardware.
Integration fees
- Some POS providers charge integration fees; occasionally there can be setup or maintenance fees associated with third-party integrations (varies by vendor and region).
Chargeback or dispute-related fees
- For certain types of disputes (e.g., fraud, refunds), there can be fees or revenue reversals, depending on the situation and contract terms.
Compliance and miscellaneous fees
- In some markets, there can be fees related to regulatory requirements (e.g., certain packaging or labeling).
- These are less common and highly location-specific.

How DoorDash calculates merchant payouts

To understand what you actually earn from each order, it helps to see a simplified calculation.

Example calculation (illustrative only)

Order subtotal (food + beverage): $40.00
Sales tax: $3.20
Tip: $6.00
Your DoorDash commission rate (delivery): 25%
No additional merchant-funded promotion on this order

Commission calculation

Commission is usually applied to the subtotal only:
25% of $40.00 = $10.00

Your payout

Subtotal: $40.00
Minus commission: -$10.00
Add tax (remitted according to local tax rules): +$3.20
Tips are often passed through 100% to drivers, not to the merchant.
Net to merchant (before other possible fees/adjustments): ~$33.20

Important nuances:

Customer fees (DoorDash service fee, delivery fee) are separate and do not go to the merchant.
Promotions that you fund reduce your effective revenue before or after commission, depending on how the deal is structured.
Any operational fees (e.g., tablet rental) are usually charged monthly, not per order.

Are there sign-up or onboarding fees?

DoorDash frequently markets itself as having no upfront sign-up fee for joining the marketplace, especially for restaurants. However, this can vary by program and region.

Common patterns:

Standard marketplace onboarding: typically no one-time sign-up fee, but you incur commission on each order.
Special programs or enterprise deals: may include custom fees, integrations, or marketing commitments.

Always check your Merchant Agreement for:

One-time setup costs
Early termination clauses
Minimum term commitments or performance requirements

Factors that influence your DoorDash commission rate

DoorDash does not use a single, universal rate. Your specific commission is influenced by:

Merchant type
- Restaurants vs grocery vs alcohol vs convenience/retail.
- Categories with higher average order values or regulatory complexity may be priced differently.
Location / region
- Different countries, states, or cities can have different market conditions and regulatory environments that influence pricing.
Volume and brand size
- Higher order volume or multi-location brands may secure more favorable rates.
- Brand recognition can sometimes be leveraged in negotiations.
Contract terms
- Length of the agreement.
- Exclusivity clauses (if applicable).
- Participation in promotional programs.
Service bundle
- Marketplace only vs marketplace + white-label logistics (DoorDash Drive).
- Additional marketing services and integrations.

DoorDash Drive (white-label delivery) fees

Separate from the DoorDash marketplace, DoorDash Drive is a white-label logistics service that lets you use DoorDash drivers for orders placed on your own website or app.

For merchants using DoorDash Drive:

You typically pay a flat fee per delivery or a negotiated per-order rate rather than a marketplace commission percentage.
The customer interacts with your brand directly; DoorDash acts only as the delivery service.
Fees vary widely by region, volume, and integration type.

This is distinct from your marketplace commissions. Many merchants use both: marketplace for discovery and Drive for direct orders.

Regulatory caps on commission rates

In some cities or regions, local governments have imposed caps on third-party delivery commissions, especially during or after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Implications:

DoorDash must comply with local caps (e.g., a maximum percentage for delivery fees).
Some platforms introduce separate fees or surcharges to offset these caps.
Merchants should read local legislation and contract language to understand:
- How caps affect their effective commission
- Whether any new line-item fees have been added as a result

If you operate in a jurisdiction with commission caps, your DoorDash merchant sales rep or documentation should clarify how those limits are applied.

How to find your exact DoorDash fees as a merchant

To know precisely what DoorDash charges you:

Review your Merchant Agreement
- Look for:
  - Commission percentage for delivery orders
  - Commission percentage for pickup orders
  - Any fixed monthly or equipment fees
  - Special rates for promotions or DashPass
Check your Merchant Portal
- Examine:
  - Order-level payout details
  - Statements summarizing fees and commissions
  - Any marketing spend (ads, sponsored listings)
Talk to your DoorDash representative
- Ask for:
  - Clarification on how each fee is calculated
  - Total effective commission after marketing and promos
  - Options for switching plans or renegotiating after your initial term
Compare across months
- Calculate:
  - Total marketplace sales vs total payouts
  - Average effective commission rate (total DoorDash merchant costs / gross order value)
- This gives you a real-world picture of what you’re paying, beyond headline percentages.

Tips for managing DoorDash fees and improving profitability

To get the most from DoorDash while managing costs:

Choose the right plan for your goals
- If you’re new, you might start with a higher-visibility plan to build awareness, then adjust once you understand your local demand.
- If you already have strong demand, a lower-commission plan may be sufficient.
Optimize menu pricing
- Many merchants list slightly higher prices on third-party apps to offset commission (where allowed by law and contract).
- Keep price differences reasonable to avoid customer dissatisfaction.
Use promotions strategically
- Run short, measurable campaigns rather than perpetual discounts.
- Track whether promotional orders lead to repeat customers.
Promote your direct ordering channels
- Encourage repeat customers to order directly from your website or app where fees may be lower (if you have that infrastructure).
- Use DoorDash as a customer acquisition channel rather than your only source of orders.
Monitor your data
- Regularly review:
  - Order volume
  - Average ticket size
  - Net profit per channel
- Identify which combinations of plan + pricing + promotions produce the best margin.

Summary

DoorDash charges merchants primarily through percentage-based commissions on each order, with different rates for delivery and pickup and optional add-ons like marketing tools and white-label delivery (DoorDash Drive). Typical marketplace commission ranges that many restaurants see are roughly:

Delivery orders: around 15%–30%+ of the order subtotal
Pickup orders: around 5%–15%, generally lower than delivery

On top of this, merchants may pay:

Marketing and promotion fees (sponsored listings, discounts)
Operational fees (tablet rental, integration, miscellaneous charges)
Special program fees (depending on contract and region)

Because DoorDash pricing is customized by country, category, volume, and plan choice, the only way to know your exact fees is to review your Merchant Agreement and portal statements. Understanding how each type of fee works will help you choose the right plan, set prices strategically, and keep your DoorDash channel profitable over time.

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