✓ = Yes ✗ = No · Scores out of 100
Grocery delivery in Canada has grown rapidly, with major chains and third-party platforms competing across provinces. Instacart, PC Express (Loblaws), Walmart Grocery, Metro, and Save-On-Foods all offer delivery — but they differ in coverage, pricing, loyalty programs, and produce quality. This guide ranks the top 6 Canadian grocery delivery apps by the criteria that matters most for fresh produce.
Quick Answer: Best Canadian Grocery Delivery App
Instacart ranks highest for selection and convenience (score: 87) — it delivers from multiple stores including Costco, Loblaws, and Shoppers Drug Mart. PC Express is best for PC Optimum points and nationwide coverage. For checking produce freshness on arrival, PickFresh (score: 92) is the best companion app — scan any delivered fruit or vegetable with your phone to verify freshness.
1. Instacart — Best for Selection and Convenience
Instacart is the most versatile grocery delivery option in Canada. Rather than being tied to one store, Instacart lets you shop from multiple retailers — including Costco (membership required), Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, and local specialty stores. A personal shopper picks your items and delivers them same-day, usually within 1–2 hours. The app shows real-time photos of substitutions and lets you chat with your shopper.
- Delivery: Same-day, usually within 1–2 hours
- Coverage: Major cities and suburbs across all provinces
- Delivery cost: $3.99–$7.99 per order; free with Instacart+ ($12.99/month)
- Produce quality: Good — but depends on the shopper. Use PickFresh to verify.
- Best for: Multi-store shopping, same-day delivery, Costco delivery
2. PC Express (Loblaws) — Best for PC Optimum Points
PC Express is Loblaws' grocery delivery and pickup service, covering brands like Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, and Shoppers Drug Mart. It's the best option for PC Optimum members — you earn points on every order and can redeem points for discounts. The produce quality is consistently good, sourced from Loblaws' own supply chain. PC Express offers both delivery and curbside pickup at most locations.
- Delivery: Same-day and next-day; curbside pickup also available
- Coverage: Nationwide — most Loblaws, Superstore, and No Frills locations
- Delivery cost: $3–$9 per delivery; free with PC Insiders ($120/year)
- Produce quality: Good — consistent Loblaws quality
- Best for: PC Optimum members, curbside pickup, nationwide coverage
3. Metro — Best for Quebec and Ontario
Metro is the dominant grocery chain in Quebec and has strong presence in Ontario. The Metro delivery service (via Cornershop or their own platform depending on region) offers same-day delivery with a good range of fresh produce, including Metro's "Irresistibles" premium brand. Produce quality is consistently good, especially at Metro Plus locations.
- Delivery: Same-day in most urban areas of Quebec and Ontario
- Coverage: Quebec and Ontario primarily
- Delivery cost: $4–$8 per delivery; free with metro&moi offers
- Produce quality: Good — Metro's supply chain is reliable
- Best for: Quebec and Ontario residents, French-language interface
4. Walmart Grocery — Best for Budget
Walmart Canada offers the lowest prices on most grocery items, including fresh produce. The delivery service is available in most urban and suburban areas. Walmart's produce quality has improved significantly in recent years, though it's still supermarket-standard rather than premium. The biggest advantage is price — Walmart is typically 10–20% cheaper than Loblaws or Metro for the same items.
- Delivery: Next-day in most areas; same-day in some cities
- Coverage: Most urban and suburban areas across Canada
- Delivery cost: $5–$10 per delivery; free over $35 with Walmart+ ($12.97/month)
- Produce quality: Fair to good — check on arrival with PickFresh
- Best for: Budget shoppers, bulk buying, large families
5. Save-On-Foods — Best for Western Canada
Save-On-Foods is the leading grocery chain in British Columbia and has expanded into Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Yukon. Their delivery service covers western Canada with good produce quality and the More Rewards loyalty program. The store is known for its extensive local produce selection and BC-grown fruit.
- Delivery: Same-day in BC urban areas; next-day in other regions
- Coverage: BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon
- Delivery cost: $5–$10 per delivery
- Produce quality: Good — strong local BC produce selection
- Best for: Western Canada residents, local produce, More Rewards members
6. PickFresh — Best for Checking Produce Freshness
PickFresh isn't a delivery service — it's the best companion app for anyone who shops for groceries online in Canada. When your Instacart, PC Express, or Walmart delivery arrives, scan each fruit and vegetable with PickFresh's AI scanner to get an instant freshness score from 0–100. Low scores mean the produce is past its best — contact the retailer for a refund or replacement. PickFresh also includes a seasonal produce guide, recipe suggestions, and a pantry tracker that reduces food waste.
- Key feature: AI-powered freshness scanner (0–100 score)
- Also includes: Seasonal guide, recipe finder, pantry tracker, shopping list
- Cost: Free with core features; premium for unlimited scans
- Best for: Verifying delivery freshness, reducing food waste, seasonal shopping
Canadian Grocery Delivery: Price Comparison
| Provider | Delivery Cost | Subscription | Same-Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instacart | $3.99–$7.99 | $12.99/mo (Instacart+) | Yes (1–2 hours) |
| PC Express | $3–$9 | $120/year (PC Insiders) | Yes |
| Metro | $4–$8 | No | Yes (urban areas) |
| Walmart | $5–$10 | $12.97/mo (Walmart+) | Some cities |
| Save-On-Foods | $5–$10 | No | BC urban areas |
Provincial Coverage Guide
| Province | Best Options |
|---|---|
| British Columbia | Save-On-Foods, Instacart, PC Express |
| Alberta | PC Express (Superstore), Instacart, Walmart |
| Saskatchewan & Manitoba | PC Express, Instacart, Save-On-Foods |
| Ontario | PC Express, Instacart, Metro, Walmart |
| Quebec | Metro, Instacart, PC Express |
| Atlantic Provinces | Instacart, PC Express, local chains |
Tips for Better Online Produce Deliveries in Canada
- Choose winter carefully: In Canadian winters, produce can freeze during delivery. Choose time slots when temperatures are warmer, and bring deliveries inside immediately.
- Check items on arrival: Use PickFresh to scan produce immediately. Most Canadian retailers offer refunds on substandard fresh items within 24–48 hours.
- Use loyalty programs: PC Optimum, More Rewards, and metro&moi all offer significant value. If you shop regularly, the subscription passes pay for themselves within 2–3 orders.
- Order seasonal produce: See our seasonal produce calendar — in-season produce is fresher, cheaper, and lasts longer.
- Store correctly on arrival: See our fruit and vegetable storage guide — proper storage extends shelf life dramatically.
- Consider curbside pickup: If delivery is expensive or unavailable in your area, PC Express and Walmart offer free or low-cost curbside pickup at most locations.
Which App Should You Choose?
| If You Want... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Multi-store shopping and same-day | Instacart |
| PC Optimum points and nationwide coverage | PC Express (Loblaws) |
| Lowest prices | Walmart Grocery |
| Quebec or Ontario delivery | Metro |
| Western Canada, local BC produce | Save-On-Foods |
| To verify freshness on arrival | PickFresh (companion app) |
| Costco delivery without a membership | Instacart (mark-up applies) |
Costco Delivery in Canada
Costco doesn't offer its own delivery in Canada — it's available exclusively through Instacart. Non-members can order, but pay a 5% surcharge on all items. Costco members can link their membership to Instacart and avoid the surcharge. Costco produce through Instacart is generally good quality, and bulk buying can be cost-effective — but check each item on arrival, as large quantities mean more opportunity for one bad item to spoil the batch. See our fresh produce deals guidefor more cost-saving strategies.