I strongly encourage everyone who uses these apps to try delivering for them for a night or two. Just get a feel for what it's like. I do it as a hobby kind of and they're all bad for their various reasons. Uber Eats tells you what you stand to make up front but that depends on tip, which isn't guaranteed. Postmates is the only one that tells you what's in the order before you accept it (I can't carry a pizza and prefer to avoid fountain drinks). But you just don't know what it's like to deliver for the apps until you try it.

DoorDash will steal from their workers tips if you pay it in-app.

The societally disruptive idea of not paying your workers is the great "innovation" of the gig economy. The oldest grift there ever was.

Seems like the better advice is to not use Doordash. Doordash likes it when you let them advertise lower prices and then help pay for their labor costs via unstated cash tips. Workers might like it too to avoid taxes, but that’s opposite to my interests.

Yes, I agree, but that's the reason why people are recommending to not tip in-app.

I would also support tipping via Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle for those who aren't willing to keep cash on hand. The goal is to tip out of band to prevent the usual gig app shenanigans, further harming gig workers beyond the usual gig work transactional arrangement.

If you don't want to support the "gig economy" then it is better not to use the apps. Cash payments will never lead to improvements in working conditions, pensions or health insurance.