How Much Does It Cost To Develop An Food Delivery Application Like Zomato?

In today’s digital world online apps have become an essential part of our daily lives. With just a few and easy taps on a smartphone, people can order anything from their favorite food to their favorite cloth. Among the multiple apps in the market, Zomato has set the benchmark by connecting a wide range of restaurants, offering choice of food to the users. 
 

As the demand for food delivery services continues to grow, many businesses are looking at this industry as an exciting opportunity. However the questions that arise in mind are “What does it really take to build a food delivery app, how much does zomato like app development cost?”

This cost to develop an app like Zomato blog aims to answer these questions by mentioning essential features, cost to build food delivery apps like zomato, factors that affect the food delivery app development cost. Whether you are a business owner wanting to expand your business or an entrepreneur looking to start a new one, this blog will help you understand what it takes to create an app that stands out in the competitive market.
 

What is a Zomato-like App?

A Zomato-like app is a platform that allows users to browse restaurants, place food orders, and get meals delivered to their doorstep. These apps also offer various features for restaurant owners to manage their menus, orders, and customer interactions, making it a critical part of the food delivery ecosystem.

Why Food Delivery Apps Are Thriving Across Startups and Enterprises?
 

The food delivery market is experiencing exponential growth due to factors like increased internet penetration, mobile usage, and consumer demand for convenience. With platforms like Zomato, Uber Eats, and Swiggy leading the way, food delivery apps are becoming essential tools for both consumers and businesses. Whether you're a small startup with limited resources or a well-established enterprise, investing in a food delivery app can provide a significant return on investment (ROI).

Market Overview of Food Delivery Apps like Zomato
 

​As of 2025, the global food delivery industry has experienced significant growth, with market valuations exceeding previous projections. In 2024, the market revenue was approximately $380.4 billion and is expected to reach $618.4 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% from 2025 to 2030.
 

• Increasing Smartphone Penetration: With more than 3 billion smartphone users worldwide, food delivery apps are accessible to a vast audience.

• Urbanization: As more people move to cities, the demand for convenient food delivery services increases.

• Changing Lifestyles: Consumers are shifting toward on-demand services, preferring the convenience of ordering food from their smartphones.

Key Features of a Zomato like App Development
 

A well-designed food delivery app must have a comprehensive set of features tailored to different user needs. Let's break down some of the most essential features for each stakeholder in the app ecosystem:

For Users:
 

• Easy Registration and Login: Simple sign-up options (email, phone, social media) to ensure a smooth onboarding process.

• Personalized Recommendations: AI-based systems that recommend dishes and restaurants based on user preferences and order history.

• Real-Time Order Tracking: Users can track their orders from the restaurant to their doorstep, ensuring transparency.

• Multiple Payment Options: Secure payment gateways that offer credit/debit card payments, wallets, and even cash on delivery.

For Restaurants:
 

• Menu Management System: Allows restaurants to easily update their menu, pricing, and availability.

• Promotions and Offers Management: Restaurants can offer discounts and promotions to attract more customers.

• Revenue Analytics Dashboard: Provides insights into sales, order volumes, and customer preferences, helping restaurants optimize their operations.

For Delivery Partners:
 

• Route Optimization with GPS: Helps delivery partners choose the fastest route, saving time and improving delivery efficiency.

• Earnings Tracker: Allows delivery partners to monitor their earnings and manage payouts seamlessly.

• In-App Communication Tools: Enables real-time communication between delivery partners, customers, and restaurant staff.

For Admins:
 

• Centralized Control Dashboard: Gives administrators the ability to manage users, restaurants, and delivery partners in one place.

• User and Partner Management: Admins can verify, approve, and manage new users and partners.

• Revenue and Reports Management: Admins can track earnings, commissions, and overall app performance.

Factors Affecting the Cost to Build Zomato like App

App Features and Complexity
 

A basic and simple food delivery app with core functionalities like user registrations, restaurant listing, add to cart option and food tracking option will cost less in comparison to the fully featured app with advanced and personalized features like restaurant recommendations, discounts options, rewards and AI-driven chat support.

Development Platform Selection
 

Whether you want to build a food delivery app like zomato for Android, iOS or both the users influences the cost. Choosing the right platform according to the demand in your area will help you to attract a targeted audience accurately. 

Developers Team Location

The geographical location you choose to hire a dedicated remote developers team significantly impacts the cost of make an app like zomato. For example:

India and Southeast Asia: $25–$50/hour

Eastern Europe: $50–$100/hour

North America: $100–$200/hour

Third-Party Integrations

Integrating third party features like payment gateways, maps for navigation and tracking orders and cloud services for data storage are essential but increases the cost for implementations and usage. 

Maintenance and Upgrades

After launching the zomato-like app, maintaining the app according to the users requirements, fixing bugs and implementing new features can boost the cost to 15% to 20% of the actual development cost of zomato like App.

Read Also >> Cost to Build Resturant Booking App

Zomato App Development Cost: Complete Breakdown

The cost of making an app like Zomato for stratup can ranges between $15,000 to $30,000, it depends on several factors, including the complexity of features, development team, and the geographical location of your development team. Let’s explore the main cost components:

Initial Discovery and Planning
 

This phase involves defining the app’s scope, features, and target audience.

App Complexity and Features
 

• Basic Features (MVP): A minimum viable product (MVP) with basic features like user registration, search, and payment integration will cost around $15,000 to $30,000.

• Advanced Features: If you include advanced features like AI-based recommendations, real-time tracking, and multiple payment integrations, the cost can rise to $50,000 to $100,000.

• Enterprise-Grade Features: For large-scale apps with high user traffic, advanced analytics, and robust security measures, the cost can exceed $200,000.

Design (Wireframes, Prototypes, UI/UX)
 

Hiring a UI UX desginer for design phase could cost between $3,000 to $7,000, depending on complexity.

Development (Frontend, Backend, APIs)
 

Mobile App Development costs can range from $20,000 to $100,000 or more, based on the platform and features.

Testing, QA, and Debugging
 

Quality assurance tester for hire will cost around $5,000 to $10,000, ensuring the app runs smoothly across devices.

Deployment and Post-Launch Support
 

Post-launch activities, including deployment, support, and updates, can cost around $3,000 to $5,000.

Platform Choice: iOS, Android, or Cross-Platform
 

• Native Apps: Developing separate apps for iOS and Android can cost more, typically ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 for each platform.

• Cross-Platform Apps: Using frameworks like Flutter or React Native allows you to target both iOS and Android users for $50,000 to $120,000.

Read Also >> Cost to Develop Grocery Delivery App

Technology Stack for Zomato Like App Development
 

When it comes to developing an app like Zomato, choosing the right technology is critical. Here’s how different technologies can be categorized based on your needs:

Basic Technologies:
 

For startups or businesses with limited resources, starting with essential features can help minimize costs. Basic technologies include:

• User Authentication: Using Firebase or OAuth for quick and secure login/signup.

• Payment Integration: Implementing Stripe, PayPal, or Razorpay for basic payment functionality.

• Database Management: Using MySQL or PostgreSQL for handling data storage.

Advanced Technologies:
 

For businesses looking to scale quickly and provide a better user experience, incorporating advanced technologies is a great choice.

• AI-Powered Recommendations: Using machine learning models to suggest restaurants or dishes based on user preferences.

• Multi-Language Support: Enabling app localization for different regions to cater to a global audience.

• Dynamic Pricing Models: Incorporating algorithms that adjust pricing based on demand, time of day, or distance.

Emerging Technologies:

For enterprises or those looking to future-proof their app, integrating emerging technologies can provide a competitive edge.

• Chatbots for Customer Support: Automating customer service using AI chatbots that handle queries, complaints, and order tracking.

• Blockchain for Secure Transactions: Enhancing payment security with blockchain technology, ensuring transparency and reducing fraud.

• AR/VR for Enhanced User Experience: Allowing users to visualize menu items in augmented reality before ordering.

Build the Best Zomato like Food Delivery App with IMG Global Infotech

IMG Global Infotech offers end-to-end development solutions to create a feature-rich, scalable, and user-friendly food delivery platform and instant delivery apps like blinkit. From restaurant listings and real-time tracking to AI-based recommendations and multi-payment options, we integrate cutting-edge features to enhance user experience. Whether you are looking for zomato like app development for startup or an enterprise, our expert developers craft custom Android, iOS, and web-based solutions tailored to your needs.

Conclusion

Developing a food delivery app like Zomato is not just a technical venture but a strategic business decision that can help to grow opportunities. The food delivery market is expanding like never before, with the right blend of features, cutting-edge technology and user-friendly interface your app can stand out in this competitive market.
 

For both startups and enterprises, creating a Zomato-like app can unlock a wide range of opportunities in the booming food delivery industry. The potential for growth, scalability, and profitability is immense, especially with the growing demand for convenience and on-demand services. By carefully planning your app’s features, selecting the right technologies, and understanding the cost breakdown, you can develop a successful food delivery platform that meets the evolving needs of consumers.
 

As we know, the cost to develop a food delivery app like zomato can vary according to the complexity, platforms and features you require in your application. Investing in quality and scalability is crucial for long-term success. A well-designed app can streamline operations for restaurants, enhance convenience for users, and empower delivery partners, creating a win-win ecosystem for all stakeholders. You can hire a food delivery app development company to build a app for you business growth.