How to Cancel Instacart+ (Express) in 2026 (Stop Paying $99/Year for Groceries)
Updated 2026-02-26 · 6 min read
💰 The Hidden Costs Beyond the Membership Fee
Instacart+ costs $99/year or $9.99/month and promises free delivery on orders over $35. But free delivery doesn't mean free service — you still pay service fees (5-10% of order), marked-up item prices (15-20% above in-store), and tips. A $100 grocery order on Instacart can cost $120-$135 total. With Instacart+, you save ~$3.99-$7.99 on delivery per order. You'd need to order 13-25 times per year just to break even on the $99 membership — roughly once every 2-3 weeks.
Step 1: Cancel Instacart+
On the website:
Go to instacart.com
Click the menu (three lines) → Your Instacart+ membership
Click Cancel membership
Instacart will offer a retention deal — typically a free month or reduced rate
Click Continue to cancel
Access continues until the end of your billing period
In the app:
Open Instacart → Account → Instacart+ membership
Tap Cancel membership
If billed through Apple/Google, cancel through your device's subscription settings
Is Instacart+ Worth It? The Math
Delivery fee without Instacart+: $3.99-$7.99 per order
Service fee: 5% (even with Instacart+, reduced from ~10%)
Item markup: 15-20% above in-store prices on average
Break-even: ~13-25 orders/year at $3.99-$7.99 saved per order
If you order weekly: You save ~$200-$400/year in delivery fees minus the $99 membership = $100-$300 net savings. Worth it
If you order 1-2x/month: You save $48-$192 in fees minus $99 = breakeven to slight loss. Not worth it
The real cost: Instacart encourages impulse ordering. People who cancel Instacart+ and shop in-store typically spend 20-30% less on groceries overall
💡 Free Delivery Hack
Many grocery stores offer free delivery directly through their own apps — Walmart+ ($12.95/month), Costco Same-Day, Amazon Fresh (free with Prime on $100+ orders), and most Kroger-owned stores. These have in-store prices without Instacart's markup. Check if your local store has their own delivery service before paying Instacart's premium.
Alternatives
Store pickup (Free): Most grocery stores offer free curbside pickup — same convenience, no delivery fee, no markup
Walmart+ ($12.95/month): Free delivery from Walmart, in-store prices, fuel discounts, Paramount+ included
Amazon Fresh (with Prime): Free delivery on orders over $100 ($150 for non-Prime). In-store prices
Costco same-day delivery: Available without Instacart+ through costco.com. Markup is lower than Instacart
Your store's own app: Kroger, Publix, Safeway, H-E-B, and most chains have their own delivery with no markup
Meal planning + weekly shopping: One planned trip per week saves more than any delivery subscription
💸 Real Savings
A family spending $200/week on groceries through Instacart pays ~$30-40/week in markups and fees (even with Instacart+). Shopping in-store or using free curbside pickup saves $1,560-$2,080/year in hidden costs. That's not including the $99 membership fee. Total savings from canceling Instacart+: $1,659-$2,179/year.
After Canceling
You can still use Instacart — just without free delivery and with higher service fees
Order history saved: Your past orders, favorites, and lists remain