With the food delivery market expected to grow by 12.33% annually from 2023 to 2027, the race is on to find the best app for your business or cravings.
As demand for convenience and variety increases, food delivery apps have become essential for both consumers and restaurant owners.
Whether you’re craving a meal from your favorite restaurant or managing delivery operations, choosing the right food delivery app is essential.
In 2024, the food industry is more competitive than ever, with numerous platforms offering a range of features tailored to meet different business needs.
So, in this blog, we’ve compiled a list of the best food delivery apps for businesses and customers, helping you select the perfect solution for your needs.
What are the Top Food Delivery Apps?
Below is a list of top food apps that help you pick the best one for your needs.
1. Gopuff
Gopuff is a versatile delivery service that provides a wide range of products beyond just food and beverages. Customers can order essentials like pet products, baby items, cleaning supplies, over-the-counter medications, electronics, and much more. This makes Gopuff a convenient option for quick and efficient access to various necessities, catering to diverse needs in a single platform.
Features of Gopuff
- Wide selection
- Contactless delivery
- Multiple payment options
- Customers get recommendations on items
- User reviews and ratings
- In-house warehousing
| Pros | Cons |
| Real-time access to inventory | Short product descriptions |
| Cost-efficient | |
| Fast delivery |
Pricing: Gopuff has different pricing options.
Order Fee: The Gopuff order fee starts at $3.95. Members of the Gopuff Fam subscription service are exempt from the order cost.
Priority Delivery: It has an optional cost.
Gopuff Fam: The Gopuff Fam subscription program, which costs $7.99 a month, provides double rewards points, free delivery on all orders, and no alcohol surcharges. There are two subscription options: monthly and yearly.
2. DoorDash
DoorDash is the most popular food delivery app in the USA. It is available in almost all cities and states across the United States. Customers can easily order groceries, gifts, flowers, and more.
DoorDash partners with over 390,000 restaurants, and it is available across the U.S., Canada, and Australia, offering a broad array of local and chain dining options. Its intuitive app interface and efficient delivery logistics ensure that meals arrive promptly.
Moreover, DoorDash helps restaurants expand their customer base. It allows them to reach new customers in nearby areas easily and quickly while reducing waiting time.
Features of DoorDash
- Contact free delivery
- Pre-ordering
- DashPass subscription
- Schedule deliveries
- Integrated point of sale
- Rating and review system
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy ordering process | High commission fees |
| Flexible schedule | |
| Riders can accept or decline orders |
Pricing: DoorDash charges merchants a commission ranging from 15% to 30% per order, depending on the partnership plan chosen, along with additional fees for delivery and payment processing. Customers also pay a delivery fee, which varies based on distance and order size.
If you have a restaurant and want to create the DoorDash alternative app, book a free demo with us and discuss your requirements.
Supercharge your deliveries with Enatega.
3. UberEats
UberEats has gained huge popularity due to its strong customer base. It is the best food delivery app that operates in more than 10,000 cities spanning 90 countries globally.
With the UberEats app, customers can order food, groceries, and even pharmacy items through the app or website. The app also has over 80 food categories you can choose from, including halal and gluten-free.
Features of UberEats
- Transparent pricing
- Vast restaurant selection
- Promotions and discounts
- Delivery tracking
- Multiple payment options
- Easy-to-use interface
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast and reliable delivery | Restaurants have no control over their brand and customer experience |
| Pre-ordering | Some restaurants charged more for food delivered via UberEats |
| Low marketing cost | Does not provide refunds or credits for issues like missing food time, late delivery, and cold food |
| Riders work at flexible hours |
Pricing: UberEats uses a dynamic pricing structure. The prices are adjusted in real-time according to demand fluctuations.
Below are the pricing plans to help you get a better idea.
| Plan Name | Delivery Fee | Pickup Fee |
| Lite Plan | 15% | 6% |
| Plus Plan | 25% | 6% |
| Premium Plan | 30% | 6% |
| Self-Delivery Plan | 15% | 6% |
Customer Fees
| Fee Type | Description |
| Delivery Fee | Varies based on demand, location, and courier availability. |
| Local Operating Fee | Covers costs from regulations on third-party delivery platforms. |
| Service Fee | Varies based on basket size; helps cover order-related costs. |
| Small Order Fee | Applies to orders below a certain subtotal. |
Membership Benefits
- Uber One: Offers a $0 delivery fee on eligible orders, discounts, and cashback on rides.
You can also create the UberEats clone app for your food business that helps you expand your reach.
4. Grubhub
Grubhub is a food ordering and delivery platform that accesses a wide range of more than 30,000 eateries located in more than 800 US locations. It is the most prominent food delivery app with easy-to-use features.
For restaurants, Grubhub helps to streamline the entire food delivery process. The restaurant owners can have access to a large pool of audience.
Features of Grubhub
- Deals and discounts
- No additional fees
- Location-specific restaurants and cuisines
- Gift card management
- Alerts/Notifications
| Pros | Cons |
| Real-time updates | Limited customization |
| Order tracking | Commission fees |
| Loyalty program | |
| Tipping for riders |
Pricing: Grubhub’s pricing model is flexible. Let’s look at the table and know the different pricing plans and their features.
| Pricing Component | Basic Plan | Plus Plan | Premium Plan |
| Marketing Rate | 5% | 10% | 15% |
| Delivery Fees | Higher fees paid by diners | Standard fees paid by diners | Standard fees paid by diners |
| Exposure Level | Basic exposure | Access to Grubhub+ diners | Highest exposure on the app |
| Custom Ordering Website | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Professional Menu Photos | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Supplemental Delivery | Pay only when using Grubhub drivers | Pay only when using Grubhub drivers | Pay only when using Grubhub drivers |
| Processing Fee | 3.05% + $0.30 per transaction | 3.05% + $0.30 per transaction | 3.05% + $0.30 per transaction |
| Subscription Fee | None | None | None |
If you want to create a Grubhub clone app for your restaurant, consult us and get the best app for your business.
5. Delivery.com
Delivery.com is an online ordering platform that allows users to order from grocery stores, restaurants, liquor stores, and more. It is a one-stop shop for customers to get what they want.
Customers earn delivery points with every order. They redeem them for credits, great prizes, and donations. The application is free to use without any subscription cost.
Features of Delivery.com
- Easy ordering process
- Customers earn points
- Order history
- Maps and geolocation
- Order status
| Pros | Cons |
| Track sales tax | Non-refundable orders |
| Provide catering services to offices |
Pricing: Below is a Delivery.com pricing structure.
| Pricing Component | Description |
| Delivery Fees | Varies by restaurant; typically $1-$5+ |
| Service Fees | Additional fee that may apply; varies by order |
| Minimum Order Amount | Some restaurants/stores have a minimum requirement |
| Tip | Customary to tip the driver; not included in the total |
6. ChowNow
ChowNow is another famous online food delivery business app that connects customers with local restaurants. It is designed specifically for restaurants, catering to their needs with a suite of features tailored to enhance their online presence and streamline their operations. Many people use this app as a way to find new restaurants and cafes in their area.
Features of ChowNow
- Customize food menu
- Track delivery location
- Commission-free online ordering system
- Support independent restaurants
| Pros | Cons |
| Pre-payment | The monthly subscription fee is high |
| Integrate with the existing system | |
| Provide marketing tools | |
| No hidden fees |
Pricing: ChowNow offers two pricing plans with different features, such as:
- ChowNow Pro: $199 / mo
- ChowNow Premier: $275 / mo
7. Seamless
Seamless is an online food ordering and delivery platform. With an extensive restaurant network and seamless user experience, it is one of the most well-known food delivery business apps. They offer exciting deals to make sure that users aren’t bored and use their app.
The goal of the Seamless app is to make it as easy as possible for users to find the food they want. People enjoy Seamless service, which has led to over 54,996 good ratings in the Google Play Store.
Features of Seamless
- Available on iOS and Android
- The app is free for all customers
- Contact-free delivery
- A wide range of local eateries are available
- No additional fees
| Pros | Cons |
| Reordering is available | High commission and service fees |
| Users can sign up for Grubhub+ to get a $0 delivery fee on eligible orders | |
| Restautant contact data |
Pricing: Seamless provides a subscription service called Seamless+ for $9.99 per month. It provides various perks, such as free delivery on eligible orders. Plus, the subscription can be canceled at any time.
8. Caviar
Caviar is available in 28+ cities all around the United States. This delivery solution is best for consumers to order food from local eateries. This food delivery app is well known for ordering in less than 30 minutes with affordable pricing.
Whether serving a small party of a few or hundreds, Caviar works directly with restaurants to deliver the greatest cuisine to its customers. Caviar collaborates with more than 400 culinary partners, such as food trucks, reputable eateries, and catering businesses.
Features of Caviar
- User-friendly app and website
- Promotions and offers
- Group ordering
- Schedule deliveries
- Top-rated restaurants
| Pros | Cons |
| Bill splitting | Order status is not up-to-date |
| No minimum order requirement | The expected earnings of riders are not correct |
| Offers discounts | |
| First free delivery |
Pricing: The cost of the Caviar food delivery app varies by area and may include restaurant and delivery fees.
Delivery fees: Depending on the area, Caviar delivery costs might vary from $1.99 to $8.99. DashPass, a membership service offered by Caviar, costs $9.99 a month and offers free delivery and discounted service fees for purchases of $12 or more.
Restaurant fees: Some eateries might charge a price for each order, such as a staff fee, a bag fee, or a fee imposed by the state or local government.
Promotions: Caviar offers promotions such as free delivery.
Moreover, restaurants pay Caviar a commission fee of 20–30%.
9. Postmates
Postmates is a famous food delivery business app with more than 600,000 restaurants, retailers, grocers, and more. It is a great platform that allows you to order food and goods from your phone and have them delivered to your door.
Features of Postmates
- Schedule delivery
- Instant delivery
- Customers can order from multiple restaurants
| Pros | Cons |
| Users who subscribe to the service get unlimited free delivery and exclusive discounts | Customization is not allowed |
| GPS tracking | |
| Fast delivery | |
| Pick-up option |
Pricing: The Postmates pricing plan is mentioned below.
- Delivery Fees
- For Partner Merchants, delivery costs between $1.99 and $3.99.
- For other merchants, it ranges from $5.99 to $9.99.
- If you have Postmates Unlimited, you can get free delivery on orders over $12 from Partner Merchants for a monthly fee of $9.99 or a yearly fee of $99.99.
- Service Fees
- There’s also a service fee, which is a small percentage added to the cost of your order.
- Merchant Commission
- Postmates takes a commission from merchants for each order they complete.
10. Zomato
Zomato is a leading online food ordering business app that provides users with a vast database of dining options based on location, cuisine, price range, and user reviews. Whether users are seeking a cozy cafe for brunch or a fine dining experience for a special occasion, Zomato helps them discover new culinary gems.
Further, Zomato app customer support is available and ensures that you do not face any problems while interacting with the delivery person.
Features of Zomato
- Table reservation
- Reviews and ratings
- Order tracking
- Different modes of payment
- Vast choices of restaurants
- Filter search
| Pros | Cons |
| Cashless transactions | High delivery charges during peak time |
| Promotions and discounts | |
| Brand recognition |
Pricing: Here is the Zomato pricing plan.
Platform Fee: Zomato charges a fee of Rs 5 for each food delivery order, in addition to the delivery charge. This applies in major cities like Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Lucknow.
Zomato Gold Members: If you’re a Zomato Gold member, you don’t have to pay the delivery charge. However, you still have to pay the Rs 5 platform fee. Gold members also enjoy other perks like discounts and free delivery after making an upfront payment.
How to Create a Food Delivery App?
Below are some steps to help you build a successful food delivery app.
1. Market Research
Conducting thorough market research is essential for understanding the food delivery industry. Start by identifying your target audience, which may include busy professionals, families, or students. Analyze competitors to know their strengths and weaknesses. Plus, keep an eye on current trends.
2. Select App Features
Choosing the right features for your food delivery app is vital to improving user experience and functionality. The relevant features make the app attractive to the users and they use it again and again.
3. Start Food App Development
Once the groundwork is laid, the actual development process can begin. Start with wireframing to visualize the app’s layout and user flow, which helps in planning the user interface and experience.
After wireframes, focus on the UI/UX design to create an engaging and intuitive interface that enhances user interaction. During the development phase, implement the chosen tech stack and ensure that all features are integrated properly.
4. App Testing
Testing is a phase in which you check that your app functions correctly and meets user expectations. Make sure that all features operate as intended.
5. Marketing
After the app is developed and tested, it’s time to focus on marketing to attract users. Start by establishing a strong brand identity with a memorable logo and engaging content that attracts your target audience.
Use social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to reach potential users. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and App Store Optimization (ASO) strategies are essential for increasing visibility in app stores.
How Much Does it Cost to Create a Delivery app?
The total cost of building the food delivery app will vary based on these factors:
- Specific business requirements
- Scope of the project
- Project Timeline
Check the table below and get an estimated cost of building the food delivery app.
| Factor | Estimated Cost |
| Basic Features | $10,000 – $30,000 |
| Advanced Features | Additional $20,000 – $50,000 |
| Platform | $15,000 – $50,000 |
| Design | $5,000 – $20,000 |
| Development Team | $25 – $150/hour |
| Time Frame | Varies based on urgency |
| Post-Launch Costs | $500 – $2,000/month |
| Total Estimated Cost: $10,000 – $100,000+ | |
Tips for Selecting the Best Food Delivery Business App
Below are some tips that help you in selecting the best food delivery business app.
- Always look for a food delivery app that has a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy to browse restaurants, view menus, place orders, and track deliveries. A user-friendly app enhances the overall experience and reduces frustration during the ordering process.
- Consider the variety and quality of restaurants available on the app. The best food delivery apps partner with a diverse range of restaurants, offering users access to a wide selection of cuisines that suit different tastes and preferences
- Pay attention to user reviews and ratings. Look for apps with positive reviews and high ratings, as they are more likely to provide a satisfactory experience in terms of food quality, delivery speed, and customer service.
- Opt for a food delivery app that offers real-time order tracking, allowing you to monitor the status of your delivery from the time it is placed until it reaches your doorstep.
- Choose an app that offers multiple payment methods and ensures secure transactions to accommodate your preferred payment preferences.
- Keep your food delivery app business plan in mind if you collaborate with any other food platform.
Supercharge your deliveries with Enatega.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a food delivery business?
A food delivery business is a type of service that facilitates the delivery of food from restaurants, cafes, or other food establishments to customers’ homes, offices, or designated locations.
- How to start a food delivery app business?
Below are some steps that help you to start a food delivery app business.
- Develop a business plan
- Choose your business model
- Create your menu and pricing strategy
- Hire the development team
- Start working
- Is the food delivery business profitable?
Yes, investing in the food delivery business is profitable. However, do proper research and then invest in the food business.
4. Which food delivery app is most profitable?
DoorDash is often considered the most profitable food delivery app. It leads the market in revenue and gross order value. However, profitability can vary by region and operational strategies.
5. What is the best delivery service for a small business?
The best delivery services for a small business are Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Postmates. Each offers features like a user-friendly interface, competitive pricing, and broad reach, making them suitable for various small business models.
6. How long does it take to create a delivery app?
Creating a delivery app typically takes 3 to 6 months. It depends on factors such as complexity, features, and the development team’s expertise. A simple MVP (Minimum Viable Product) may take less time, while a fully featured app with advanced functionalities can take longer.
Conclusion
The online food delivery business apps have played a vital role in shaping our dining experience. Whether you're craving comfort food from a local eatery or seeking a gourmet culinary adventure, the above-mentioned best online food delivery apps of 2024 have you covered. You can simply download the best app on a mobile phone and with just a few taps the order is placed.
Further, if you’re running a food business and planning to build a food app, then book a free demo with us and get the customized food app for your restaurant.
About the author
Hudaibia Khalid is the creative force behind the blog—a maestro of words and ideas. Her distinctive style not only imparts wisdom but also leaves an indelible mark, transforming each post into a captivating journey through her unique perspective on the world.
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