Amazon Flex and Uber Eats are both delivery apps for independent contractors in Canada, but they run on different clocks. Amazon Flex sells you scheduled blocks of parcel delivery, typically 2 to 4 hours, that start at an Amazon delivery station in a limited list of cities; Uber Eats lets you go online whenever you like and accept individual food or store orders, with the pay shown before you accept. Amazon Flex suits drivers with a midsize sedan or larger who like a fixed route and a known end time; Uber Eats suits people who want short, flexible sessions, and in some cities it also accepts bikes, scooters, and walkers.
The vehicle and tax basics for each side are in package courier work in Canada and food delivery in Canada. If you are still choosing among food apps, see Uber Eats vs DoorDash vs Skip.
How do Amazon Flex and Uber Eats compare in Canada?
Amazon Flex is scheduled parcel work in selected cities; Uber Eats is on-demand order delivery in many more places. The table uses each company’s Canadian pages as read on October 4, 2026.
| Factor | Amazon Flex | Uber Eats |
|---|---|---|
| Work model | Reserve a delivery block, collect parcels at an Amazon delivery station, deliver the route (Amazon Flex FAQ) | Go online when you want and accept individual orders (Uber Eats delivery) |
| Block or trip length | Blocks are typically 2 to 4 hours | Per order; you choose how long to stay online |
| Minimum age | 19 | 21 for car delivery, per Uber’s requirements list |
| Vehicle | 4-door midsize sedan or larger (SUV, van, truck with a covered bed); open-bed trucks are not eligible | Car (2-door or 4-door, 1990 or newer); bike, scooter, or on foot in select cities |
| Where | Amazon’s site lists areas in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario (Amazon Flex) | Major cities and many smaller ones across Canada |
| Pay shown | Paid by the block; Amazon says most drivers earn $22 to $27 an hour, depending on location and time taken | Pay for each order shown before you accept; 100% of tips |
| Payout | Weekly, processed Wednesdays for the previous seven days | Weekly automatic transfer to your bank |
| Expenses | You pay your own mileage, parking, and tolls | You pay your own vehicle costs |
| Background check | Yes, including motor vehicle records | Yes, criminal history, plus driving history for car delivery |
How do the schedules differ on Amazon Flex and Uber Eats?
On Amazon Flex you commit to a block in advance; on Uber Eats you decide minute by minute. That difference matters more than the pay rate for most side hustlers.
- Amazon Flex asks you to forfeit a block at least 45 minutes before it starts if you cannot make it, and to return undelivered parcels by 10 a.m. the next day. Amazon says blocks fluctuate week to week and are not guaranteed, and that you may land on an interest list if no spots are open in your area (Amazon Flex FAQ).
- Uber Eats has no shift to book. You can stop after one order. Demand rises and falls around meal times, so the income per hour depends on when you log on.
How does insurance differ between Amazon Flex and Uber Eats in Canada?
Both require your own personal auto insurance, and both add some coverage while you work, but the details change by province. Read your own policy and tell your insurer before you start.
| Province | Amazon Flex | Uber Eats (car) |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario and Alberta | Amazon’s policy is supplemental to your personal policy; loss or damage coverage only mirrors coverages you already carry (Amazon Flex FAQ) | Commercial policy from Economical; in Ontario, $2,000,000 third-party liability once a request is accepted, with contingent collision and comprehensive subject to a $2,500 deductible (Uber insurance) |
| British Columbia | Amazon says it cannot get coverage for independent partners there; a Delivery policy from ICBC is needed | Uber says most basic ICBC policies allow up to 6 days of commercial use a month; beyond that you need business coverage |
| Other provinces | Amazon Flex does not list them | Coverage varies; see Uber’s provincial table |
This is not insurance advice. Confirm with your insurer or broker in writing.
How much could you keep on Amazon Flex versus Uber Eats?
Neither app publishes a guaranteed rate, so compare your own logs after expenses. Amazon’s “$22 to $27 an hour” is its own statement about most drivers, not a promise.
Illustrative example
This is a teaching sketch with assumed numbers, not a quote, forecast, or average.
- Amazon Flex: assume a 3-hour block paid $72 and 60 km driven. At an assumed $0.25 per km for fuel and wear, vehicle cost is 60 × $0.25 = $15, so you keep about $72 − $15 = $57, or $19 an hour before tax.
- Uber Eats: assume 3 hours online, $66 in order pay and tips, and 75 km driven. Vehicle cost is 75 × $0.25 = $18.75, so you keep about $66 − $18.75 = $47.25, or $15.75 an hour before tax.
Swap in your own block offers, order pay, kilometres, and cost per kilometre. The app with the higher sticker pay can lose once kilometres and unpaid waiting time are counted.
Who should pick Amazon Flex or Uber Eats in Canada?
Pick by schedule, vehicle, and city. This is a decision rule from the published requirements, not a ranking.
| If you… | Lean toward | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Want a fixed start and end time | Amazon Flex | Pre-booked blocks |
| Have a small car, bike, or scooter | Uber Eats | Flex needs a midsize sedan or larger |
| Live outside the listed Flex areas | Uber Eats | Flex only operates in listed areas |
| Are 19 or 20 | Amazon Flex | Uber lists 21 as the minimum for car delivery |
| Want to fill odd 30-minute gaps | Uber Eats | No block to reserve |
| Want both | Both | You can run both apps on different days |
What mistakes do Canadian drivers make with Amazon Flex and Uber Eats?
The common mistakes are skipping the insurance call, counting gross pay as income, and accepting work your car cannot carry.
- Not telling your insurer. Both companies say your personal policy must stay in force; in British Columbia the rules are stricter.
- Ignoring kilometres. Neither app pays mileage. Track every business kilometre in a log.
- Booking a Flex block you cannot keep. Late forfeits and unreturned parcels can affect your standing.
- Turning up with a full car. Amazon says you may be turned away if parcels will not fit.
- Forgetting Ontario’s rules. Ontario’s Digital Platform Workers’ Rights Act requires at least the general minimum wage, determined for each work assignment performed or on a pay period basis; time waiting before an assignment starts is not part of a work assignment (Ontario).
Which tax rules apply to Amazon Flex and Uber Eats drivers in Canada?
Both are generally self-employment income reported on Form T2125, and you pay both halves of CPP contributions on net income. The CRA’s mandatory GST/HST registration rule for taxi and ride-sharing drivers is about carrying passengers, so parcel and food delivery generally follow the normal small-supplier test of $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters. If you drive passengers too, the passenger rule applies to you. Vehicle costs are claimed by business-use share, as explained in the CRA’s motor vehicle expenses page and in vehicle expenses for delivery and rideshare. A simple mileage and receipt tool such as FreshBooks TODO-AFFILIATE can help, but a spreadsheet works too. Where to keep the money is compared in Wealthsimple vs a bank business account.
This is not tax, legal, or insurance advice.
Which guides sit next to Amazon Flex vs Uber Eats?
This comparison sits beside package courier work, your first week of package courier work, food delivery in Canada, and what food delivery pays. For task-based gig apps instead of driving, see TaskRabbit vs Kijiji and Facebook for handyman work. For each platform on its own, read the Amazon Flex review and the Uber Eats courier review.
What are the common questions?
Is Amazon Flex or Uber Eats better in Canada?
Neither is better for everyone. Amazon Flex suits drivers with a midsize car or larger who want pre-booked parcel blocks in the areas Amazon lists. Uber Eats suits people who want to log on whenever they like, including by bike or scooter in select cities.
How old do you have to be for Amazon Flex and Uber Eats in Canada?
Amazon Flex says you must be 19 or older. Uber's Canadian delivery page lists 21 as the minimum age for delivering by car. Check the current requirements in each app before you sign up.
How much does Amazon Flex pay in Canada?
Amazon pays by the delivery block and says most drivers earn $22 to $27 an hour, with actual earnings depending on location and how long deliveries take. You pay your own mileage, parking, and tolls, so your net is lower.
Do I need special insurance for Amazon Flex or Uber Eats?
Both require your personal auto insurance to stay in force and add some coverage while you work in certain provinces. In British Columbia, Amazon says you need an ICBC delivery policy, and Uber says basic ICBC policies allow about 6 days of commercial use a month. Confirm with your insurer.
Do Amazon Flex and Uber Eats drivers have to charge GST/HST?
The mandatory registration rule for ride-sharing applies to carrying passengers. Parcel and food delivery generally follow the $30,000 small-supplier test. Delivery income is usually reported on Form T2125. This is not tax advice.
Which sources support this guide?
The rules, rates, and platform requirements in this guide are checked against these primary sources. Retail price ranges are labelled as ranges to verify locally, and they are not quotes.
- Frequently asked questions about Amazon Flex — Amazon
- Amazon Flex Canada — Amazon
- Become a delivery driver using Uber Eats — Uber
- Delivery driver insurance — Uber
- Rights and protections for digital platform workers — Government of Ontario
- When to register for and start charging the GST/HST — Canada Revenue Agency
- GST/HST for taxi and ride-sharing drivers — Canada Revenue Agency
- Calculating motor vehicle expenses — Canada Revenue Agency
- Form T2125, Statement of Business or Professional Activities — Canada Revenue Agency
- Contributions to the Canada Pension Plan — Government of Canada