Want To Build A Grocery Delivery App Like Instacart & Bigbasket - Here’s Everything You Need To Know!

The swift rise of digitalization has reshaped how we shop, and grocery ordering is no different. Grocery delivery services like Instacart or BigBasket leveraged this trend to boost their business. Apps like BigBasket, Instacart, and Kroger are trendsetters. 

If you are also looking to enter into this lucrative industry, it is the right time to launch your online grocery store, as demands in 2025 will be more.

Wondering how to create an app like Instacart? This blog will take you through some exciting stats, facts, revenue models, and more you need to start an online grocery delivery business successfully. 

Why Build An App Like Instacart? Top Reasons to Invest 

Throughout the global lockdown, Instacart emerged as a lifeline for countless households across the USA, and its impact endures despite the presence of other apps like DoorDash and others. By the conclusion of 2024, Instacart's recorded revenue stands at $852 million. 14 million users are using Instacart and shopping from 500 million products listed on this platform.  

The numbers are enough for the inspiration to start delivery services like Instacart for business. But why should you invest in an on-demand grocery delivery app like BigBasket or Instacart? Here are the top reasons: 

• The surge in the online grocery delivery market 

• Growing consumer demand 

• High revenue potential and multiple opportunities 

• Better consumer experience via integrating advanced technologies

• Competitive advantage 

Overall, investing in the Instacart clone app can set you up for long-term business success in the growing online grocery delivery market.

The Booming On-demand Grocery Delivery Market in 2025 

The existing online grocery customer base in the USA is 138 million, which is a significant portion, and in the future, it will rise as online grocery revenue is projected to reach $422 billion in upcoming years. It indicates that your investment in on-demand grocery delivery app development is worthwhile. 

If you want to know why the on-demand grocery delivery market is booming? There are multiple associated reasons. Most of the customers search for convenience, and apps like BigBasket, DoorDash, Kroger, and Instacart offer it ultimately. 

The other reasons include: 

Busy Lifestyle: In this fast-paced world, it is time-consuming to order groceries conventionally. On the other hand, with online grocery stores, you can order anytime, anywhere. 

Smartphone Revolution: Smartphones and mobile app development are key players in digitalization. Mobile apps made it possible to shop for groceries in fractions of seconds.

Pandemic’s Lasting Influence: The pandemic has changed shopping patterns. Instead of visiting the store physically, people prefer to order groceries contactless.

Expanding Grocery Delivery Options: Instant deliveries, pickup convenience, personalized offers, and more options attracted millions of users for online grocery ordering.    

All these reasons have fueled the grocery delivery market, which is set to be $1381.00 billion in 2029 at a CAGR of 10.07% (2025-2029).

Understanding the Business Model of an Instacart-like App 

Before starting a grocery delivery business like Instacart, it is essential to understand its business model. So, for your understanding, let’s break it down into key partners, key activities, value propositions, and more. 

• Key Partners: local grocery stores, supermarkets, grocery chains

• Customer Segments: users or shoppers who look for convenience in grocery ordering and stores that want to sell more. 

• Value Proposition: well-established network, multiple inventory sources, instant delivery, no need for warehousing, offering multiple convenient shopping options to customers.

• Instacart Channels: Android app, iOS app, website, internet marketing, press release, shoppers

• Key Activities: managing customers, local markets, supermarkets, and vendors, platform maintenance, payment processing, grocery delivery; and staff training

• Customer Relationship: Instacart maintains customer relationships through services, local stores, communities, and social media. 

• Key Resources: partnership with stores, vendors, and supermarkets; platforms; shoppers. 

• Revenue Streams: An app like Instacart earns through multiple revenue streams such as commissions, delivery fees, service charges, memberships, ads, and more.  

• Top Competitors: Instacart’s top competitors are Shipt, Amazon Fresh, BigBasket, Walmart, Fresh Direct, and DoorDash.           

Here some readers might ask what makes online grocery delivery stores like Instacart different from their competitors. So, it's like: 

• High customer retention

• Improved customer relationships through personalized offers 

• Fast delivery assurance

• Effective communication

• Attractive incentives for shoppers and more.  

End-to-end App Workflow For Your Business Like Instacart/Bigbasket

There are several critical stages that you need to go through while launching your delivery apps like Instacart or BigBasket. Regardless of the method you choose to develop your grocery delivery app, it is crucial to understand the entire process from the beginning to the end. 

Business Plan:

Lay the foundation of your app by developing a business plan, keeping your target audience, market, and business model in mind. 

UI/UX Design:

It will lead you to crafting seamless user experiences. Here experienced UI/UX designers will help you craft an intuitive interface for your app like Instacart.  

App Development:

Proceed with customized app development with the help of a trusted on-demand grocery app development company, implement advanced features, and integrate emerging technologies.   

Growth Marketing:

For business success, driving customer acquisition is a must. After developing the app, create marketing strategies with the help of experts. 

AI-Powered Analytics:

Leverage Artificial Intelligence for predictive analysis, customer behavior analysis, delivery optimization, inventory management, and personalizing services. 

Investor Deck:

It's worth it to pitch investors for the future growth of the business. So, create a fine pitching deck, connect with investors, and grow your business.

Read more: How Much Does It Cost to Build an App like Flipkart? 

High-end Features For Your Customized Instacart Clone App

The key components of every grocery delivery app are the user panel, admin panel, delivery agent panel, and vendor panel. All these contain some specific features that make an on-demand grocery app like Instacart complete. Let’s have a look at what these are:
 

Customer App & Website

• Login/Signup: Users can easily log in and sign up using their email, phone, or social ID.  

• Browse Product Listing: This feature showcases the product listing that a user can browse easily. 

• Advanced Search: The advanced search facility allows users to search for the exact product they need using filters and keywords. 

• Order Tracking: Users can track their order delivery in real-time, including the location of the package and delivery boy details. 

• Order History: This contains the details of previous orders placed by the customers on apps like Instacart. 

• Payment Modes: Allow your customers to pay for their order using their preferred methods, such as debit card, credit card, net banking, and wallet.   

• Schedule Delivery: Offers convenience to the users for scheduling their delivery and pickup. 

• Wishlist: Customers can save the products in a wishlist for purchasing later. 

• Offers & Coupons: Helps users to save costs and grab personalized offers. 

• Rate & Reviews: Users can provide their feedback about products and services. 

Admin Dashboard

• Centralized Management: Discover a distinctive and robust dashboard designed to view, track, and monitor all tasks. 

• Order Management: This feature offers a comprehensive view of all orders placed by customers and notifies the stores. 

• Payments & Commissions: The admin can manage payments and commissions in a click, such as setting commissions, delivery fees, and more. 

• Delivery Monitoring: Admin can easily assign delivery tasks to the agents and track the deliveries in real-time. 

• Business Analytics: Manage daily orders, track delayed deliveries, and handle cancelled orders using advanced, AI-powered analytics.     

Delivery Agent App

• Smooth Onboarding: The delivery agents can register on the platform hassle-free. 

• Order Notification: Deliver immediate order alerts on the driver’s app, featuring comprehensive grocery order information. 

• Route Optimization: In-app GPS and AI-powered navigation help delivery agents to optimize the route for fast delivery. 

• Proof Delivery: Delivery agents can collect delivery proof via images and digital signatures.

• Track Earnings: This feature helps agents to track their earnings on a weekly/monthly basis.

• In-App Navigation: The AI-driven geo-navigation feature helps in delivering stuff at accurate locations.

• In-App Chat: The powerful feature that connects customers and delivery agents for communication.

• Push Notifications: Notifies delivery agents in real-time for order status, any change, or update.

• Ratings & Reviews: Delivery boys can rate and review the customers.

Vendor Panel
 

• Order Dashboard: Vendors can handle, pack, or ship orders and also check incoming orders for products, amounts, and delivery addresses. 

• Order Alerts: Using AI automation, vendors can manage stock and inventory for smooth order processing. 

• Track Payments: The vendors can easily track received payments, payouts, and access history of past transactions. 

• Listing Management: This feature allows vendors to manage and upgrade product listings, pricing, offers, and more. 

• Location Management: Manage multiple store locations in a single click, track and monitor orders, and business on the go. 

• Order Approval: Based on inventory and stock, vendors can accept or reject the request, including notifying customers.

Read more: Ecommerce App Development Cost: A Comprehensive Guide

Revenue Streams - How Delivery Apps Like Instacart Make Money?

Developing an on-demand grocery app is okay, but for the business's success and revenue generation, it is important to understand the revenue model that apps like BigBasket or Instacart follow. It earns through multiple streams such as: 

• Delivery Fees - Instacart charges a delivery fee from customers for each order, and it varies from $3.99 to $9.99. In other conditions like surge pricing, climate, and others, delivery fees can be different.

• Service Fees - In standard terms, it can be 5%-10% of the total bill. There can be an additional fee also. Just as an example, if the weight of the parcel is more than the standard limit. 

• Subscription Plans - Apps like Instacart also earn through subscription fees. For a yearly subscription, it is $99, and this subscription is known as Instacart+ (formerly Instacart Express) and offers free delivery on orders of $10+. 

• Advertising & Promotions - Instacart allows stores and brands for product promotion and earns through it. The promotion price depends on products.  

• Retailer Commissions - Based on the agreement, the company charges a commission fee as a percentage of each sale.

Tech Stack That You Need to Build An App Like BigBasket and Instacart

You need a scalable and high-performing, feature-rich app for starting grocery delivery services like Instacart. For developing the app, the right selection of tech stack is essential for performance, scalability, and security. So, here is the tech stack 

Frontend (User Interface Development)

Mobile Apps: Flutter, React Native, Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android)
Web App: React.js, Angular, Vue.js

Backend Development

Programming Languages: Node.js, Python, Ruby on Rails, Java
Frameworks: Express.js (Node.js), Django (Python), Spring Boot (Java)

Database Management

Relational Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL
NoSQL Databases: MongoDB, Firebase

Cloud & Hosting Solutions

AWS (Amazon Web Services)
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Microsoft Azure

Payment Gateway Integration

Stripe
Razorpay
PayPal

Real-Time Notifications & Communication

Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)
Twilio (for SMS and calls)
SendGrid (for emails)

Analytics & Performance Monitoring

Google Analytics
Mixpanel
Firebase Crashlytics

DevOps & CI/CD

Docker & Kubernetes
Jenkins
GitHub Actions

Read more: How To Hire Dedicated Ecommerce Developers In 2025?

The Cost Estimation of Instacart-like Grocery Delivery App Development 

Now, you have gone through almost all the crucial points that you must know to start your grocery delivery business. Here you might have a question—how much does it cost to develop an app like Instacart? So, it depends on several factors, such as: 

• The complexity of features

The complexity is one of the influential factors that determines the development cost of an on-demand grocery mobile app. It works like the more the complexity, the more the cost. 

• Design requirements

The development cost is influenced by the importance of designing for crafting intuitive user experiences. A simple design is less costly than an appealing one.

• Technology stack

The technologies required to build the app impact the development cost, as some are open source, while others require a license fee for access. 

• Development team location

Hiring costs of developers differ from location to location. For example, if you want to hire on-demand ecommerce app developers in the USA, you have to pay costs accordingly compared to the other locations, like Europe or the UK. 

• App Maintenance & Support

Security upgrades, bug fixing, and maintaining the app in good shape are necessities for providing a seamless experience to the customers. 

The average cost to develop an app like Instacart varies from $20000 to $80000. The rest of the things depend on your exact requirements that you can discuss with a reliable ecommerce app development company. 

Conclusion: Start Your Grocery Delivery Business Today

The online grocery delivery market is rising exponentially, and the apps like Instacart, BigBasket, and others are on the top. These apps provide a super convenience to the users. But there are multiple opportunities that exist in the market that are yet to be grabbed. If you are ready to develop an application like the Instacart clone app, you are on the right path. All you need is an experienced team of developers that you can hire from IMG Global Infotech. We are a trusted ecommerce app development company and have experience of over a decade serving global clients. We can help you to develop an app like Instacart from end to end. Share your requirements with us and get your app today.