Logistics
Uber Eats vs SPAR2U: The Ordering Experience
We placed two identical orders one minute apart through the SPAR2U app and Uber Eats app to compare the purchase experiences. Using the same SPAR store (SUPERSPAR Sunninghill), basket and delivery location, we compared everything from the final price to live updates, fulfilment and delivery times to see how each platform performed.
App Testing: The Order and Price
To keep the test as fair as possible, we made sure that none of the ordered items were on special – in order to keep the comparison in price as close as possible.
The basket contained a mix of everyday household and baking essentials:
| Items | SPAR2U | Uber Eats | Substitutes |
| Brown Bread | R16.59 | R23.00 | |
| Butter 500g | R99.99 | Butter 250g: R144.40 | |
| Peppermint Crisp | R61.99 | R68.00 | |
| Heavy Cream | R59.99 | R68.99 | |
| Tennis Biscuits x2 | R59.98 | R69.00 | |
| Caramel | R46.99 | Condensed milk: R49.80 | |
| Dish Washing Liquid 750ml | R39.99 | Dish washing liquid refill 750ml: R37.00 | |
| Dog Treats | R29.99 | R34.50 | |
| Total: | R415.51 | R494.69 | |
| Service Fee | R15.90 | ||
| Driver Tip | R10.00 | R10.00 | |
| Delivery Fee | R37.00 | R25.00 | |
| Total Purchase Order: | R462.51 | 545.59 |
Final Price: Uber Eats vs SPAR2U
The SPAR2U order came to R462.51 and the Uber Eats order cost R545.59. This left us with a difference of R83.08, making the Uber Eats order 18% more expensive than the SPAR2U order.
Real-Time Updates and Communication
After placing both orders, the apps provided live updates throughout the shopping and delivery process; from when the shopping started through to the final delivery time and driver tracking.
SPAR2U sent shopping updates and updated invoices showing the items being picked, packed, and eventually dispatched via email. On the other hand, Uber Eats sent push notifications to keep us updated on the progress of the order.
Both apps kept us in the loop throughout the shopping experience.
Delivery Times
With both orders placed, we began tracking the progress of the deliveries.
The following times were recorded:
| Stage | SPAR2U | Uber Eats |
| Order time | 09:30 | 09:31 |
| Time the shopper started | 10:06 | 09:33 |
| Time the shop was completed | 10:13 | 09:45 |
| Time order was dispatched | 10:30 | 09:54 |
| Delivery time | 10:50 | 10:07 |
Both orders were placed practically at the same time, just one minute apart, but Uber Eats started shopping way faster – their shopper started picking items just two minutes after the 09:31 order went through. SPAR2U took 36 minutes just to get started at 10:06.
Interestingly, SPAR2U was actually faster once they were in the aisles, taking only seven minutes to finish shopping compared to Uber’s 12 minutes.
The real gap opened up during dispatch and delivery, though. Uber Eats had the items out the door nine minutes after picking (09:54) and delivered them in 13 minutes flat at 10:07. SPAR2U sat waiting 17 minutes for dispatch, followed by a 20-minute drive.
All in all, Uber Eats crushed it: total time was 36 minutes end-to-end, while SPAR2U took 80 minutes. Uber beat SPAR2U to the doorstep by 44 minutes.
Final Time Comparison: SPAR2U vs Uber Eats
Overall, Uber Eats completed the order-to-door process in 55% less time than SPAR2U.
Order Fulfilment
When both deliveries arrived, we unpacked everything and compared the orders with our shopping list. The SPAR2U order was completed to a T, with all eight items delivered as ordered.
The Uber Eats order was a little different. We specifically ordered the same 500g butter from both apps, yet the Uber Eats order arrived with a 250g pack from a different brand instead and was more expensive. The same happened with the 750ml dishwashing liquid, which was suitably substituted with a 750ml refill bag.
Finally, the caramel, which wasn’t available on the Uber Eats app, was replaced with condensed milk.
SPAR2U Order
Uber Eats Order
Usually, the Uber Eats shopper is meant to contact you before making a substitution or replacement, but for this order they did not do so. So we only saw the replacements when the order arrived.
Our Final Take
Now that the groceries have been unpacked, here’s what we took away.
1. Shopping Time
The first big difference was how long it took for each order to get moving. The Uber Eats shopper started picking the order just two minutes after it was placed while the SPAR2U shopper only started 36 minutes later.
Interestingly, once shopping began, SPAR2U had the edge. The shopper completed the SPAR2U order in 7 minutes, compared with 12 minutes for Uber Eats.
2. Order Completion Time
The biggest difference came down to the overall delivery time. The Uber Eats order arrived 36 minutes after it was placed, while the SPAR2U order took 80 minutes to reach the door, but was still delivered within the allocated time 10–11 a.m. time slot.
The Uber Eats order arrived 44 minutes before the SPAR2U order.
3. Speed Isn’t Everything
Getting your groceries to the door quickly is great, but it’s not the only thing that matters. Price, product availability, substitutions, and updates from the app and shopper all play a massive role in the overall experience.
The Verdict Is In: Which Ordering Experience is Better?
After testing both ordering experiences, the choice of which delivery app to use for your next order ultimately comes down to your personal preference.
If speed is your priority, Uber Eats takes the cake for a quick and convenient shopping and delivery experience.
Or, if you are a bit more savvy about specials, price, promotions and combo deals, SPAR2U is your go-to platform.
What the test did show us is that the ordering experience is about much more than getting groceries to your door. From finding products and spotting promotions to watching an order move from confirmed to shopping to dispatched and finally delivered, every step contributes to the experience.
