Instacart in Canada: Complete Grocery Delivery Guide for 2026

Grocery delivery has exploded in popularity across Canada. Instacart has become one of the most-used services, offering delivery from banners like No Frills, Loblaws, Costco, Metro and many others. But how do you use it smartly without letting fees eat into your savings?

How Does Instacart Work?

Instacart is a platform that connects consumers with personal shoppers:

1. You choose your store on the app or website
2. You select your products from the online catalogue
3. An Instacart shopper goes to the store, does your shopping and delivers it
4. You pay for products + service fee + tip

Fees to Expect

• Delivery fee: $3.99 to $7.99 per order (free with Instacart+)
• Service fee: ~5% of your order total
• Price markup: Prices on Instacart are often 10-15% higher than in-store
• Tip: Recommended 10-15% (the shopper does real physical work)

Real cost: On a $100 order, you'll pay about $120-130 total. That's the price of convenience.

Which Stores Are Available in Canada?

Major banners on Instacart:

• No Frills — Low prices, good selection
• Loblaws — Large selection, local products
• Metro — Available in many regions
• Costco — Ideal for bulk buying (no membership needed via Instacart)
• Shoppers Drug Mart — For pharmacy and household products
• Canadian Tire — For non-food items

The Costco Without Membership Trick

A little-known advantage: you can order from Costco via Instacart without being a Costco member. Prices are marked up about 10%, but it's sometimes still cheaper than regular grocery for bulk sizes.

Instacart+: Is It Worth It?

The Instacart+ subscription costs $99/year (or $9.99/month) and offers:

• Free delivery on orders of $35+
• Reduced service fees
• Exclusive offers

The math: If you order at least twice a month, the subscription pays for itself in delivery savings. For a family that orders weekly, it's a no-brainer.

How to Save on Instacart

1. Combine with Flyer Deals

Flyer discounts are often reflected on Instacart. Check JustShoppingSmart to identify the best deals of the week, then order those products on Instacart as a priority.

2. Order in Bulk

The bigger your order, the more the service fees are diluted. Aim for orders of $100+ to minimize the percentage impact of fees.

3. Choose the Right Time Slot

• Scheduled delivery: Cheaper than express delivery
• Off-peak slots: Early morning or late evening = lower fees
• Avoid Sunday afternoon: That's peak demand, fees are often higher

4. Use Promo Codes

Instacart regularly offers:

• New user codes: Often $20-30 off your first orders
• Seasonal promotions: Discounts on delivery fees
• Cashback through apps like Rakuten

5. Be Flexible with Substitutions

When a product isn't available, the shopper suggests a substitution. If you accept substitutions:

• You sometimes get a larger size for the same price
• Your order is complete (no missing items)
• The shopper may choose an equivalent product that's on sale

Instacart vs Alternatives

| Service | Delivery Fee | Price Markup | Stores |

|---------|-------------|--------------|--------|

| Instacart | $3.99-7.99 | 10-15% | No Frills, Loblaws, Metro, Costco |

| PC Express | $0-3 | 0% | No Frills, Loblaws (pickup) |

| IGA Delivery | $4.99-9.99 | 0% | IGA only |

| Walmart Delivery | $0-7.97 | 0% | Walmart only |

| Metro Online | Varies | 0% | Metro only |

Best value: PC Express for pickup (no markup + free over $35 at No Frills). Instacart is ideal when you need home delivery or want to combine products from multiple banners.

When to Use Instacart vs Going to the Store?

Use Instacart when:

• You're short on time (busy day, sick kids)
• You want to avoid impulse buys (you see the total in real time)
• You need Costco products without a membership
• It's -30°C outside (welcome to Canada!)

Go to the store when:

• You want the lowest possible prices
• You're buying fresh fruits/vegetables (you pick the quality yourself)
• You want to take advantage of last-minute clearance deals
• You have paper coupons or in-store-only offers

The Optimal Strategy: JustShoppingSmart + Instacart

Here's the ideal weekly routine:

1. Thursday: Check JustShoppingSmart for the new deals
2. Plan: Let the tool generate your meal plan based on flyers
3. Decide: Go to the store for fresh produce, order the rest on Instacart
4. Save: By planning with deals, you more than offset delivery fees

With this approach, you get the convenience of delivery while keeping your savings through smart planning. A family can save between $1,500 and $2,500 per year even while using Instacart regularly.