Cost Estimate for Developing a Meal Delivery App Akin to Deliveroo
In the bustling world of technology, the food delivery industry has seen a significant surge in recent years. One such success story is Deliveroo, a popular app that connects users to local restaurants, even those without delivery services, making dining convenient for millions worldwide. But have you ever wondered how much it costs to develop an app like Deliveroo? Let's delve into the key factors that influence the development cost.
Factors Affecting the Cost to Develop a Food Delivery App
Feature Complexity
The number and sophistication of features significantly impact the cost. Basic apps with essential features like order placement and restaurant listing cost less (approx. $30,000–$60,000), whereas apps with advanced features such as real-time GPS tracking, AI recommendations, multiple payment options, and in-app chat can raise costs to $150,000 or more. More complex functionality requires more development time and resources.
Platform Choice
Whether the app is developed for iOS, Android, or both, or uses a cross-platform framework influences the cost. Native apps for each platform usually cost more because they require separate development efforts, while cross-platform can reduce costs but might compromise some user experience customizations.
Development Team Location and Type
The hourly rates vary greatly by region and team type (in-house, agency, freelancers, outsourcing). For example, developers in the US charge $150+ per hour, while outsourced teams in countries like India can charge as low as $18 per hour. This can hugely affect the total cost.
Design Quality and UI/UX Complexity
A highly polished, intuitive interface with custom animations increases design and development time and hence cost.
Third-party Integrations
Using APIs for payments, maps, push notifications, or other services can add licensing fees and integration time cost.
Maintenance and Updates
Post-launch support, bug fixing, adding features, and adapting to new OS versions require ongoing investment.
App Store Fees and Hidden Costs
These include developer accounts, app submission fees, and licensing, which add to the overall budget.
In rough terms, developing a food delivery app like Deliveroo may range approximately from $40,000 for a basic MVP to $150,000+ for a full-featured app, with timelines from 3 months (basic) up to 12 months or more for advanced solutions. The total cost is a function of the chosen feature set, platforms targeted, development team location and expertise, plus design and maintenance considerations.
The Deliveroo Success Story
Deliveroo, with its commission-based model, has been able to bag a total funding of $1.7 billion in around 13 rounds. The app offers its users a subscription plan for Deliveroo Plus that offers additional features and multiple advantages at a fixed cost. It operates in multiple countries across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, making dining a breeze for millions.
In addition to Deliveroo, companies like Appinventiv, a dedicated food delivery iOS and Android application development company, can help businesses navigate and capitalize on the growing demands of the food delivery sector. Appinventiv has helped KFC develop 7 food delivery apps globally, leading to a 22% increase in conversion rates, a 100% revenue uplift during peak holiday seasons, and a substantial 60% increase in repeat purchases.
As the food delivery market in Europe is expected to reach a valuation of $205.4 billion in 2028, witnessing a CAGR of 9.46% from 2024 to 2028, the potential for growth in this sector is immense. Whether you're a startup or an established business, now is the perfect time to venture into the world of food delivery apps.
- The cost to develop an app like Deliveroo is significantly influenced by factors such as the number and complexity of features, platform choice, development team location and type, design quality, third-party integrations, maintenance and updates, app store fees, and hidden costs.
- Deliveroo, with features like real-time GPS tracking, AI recommendations, multiple payment options, and in-app chat, falls into the category of advanced food delivery apps, which can cost $150,000 or more to develop.
- In terms of personal finance, investing in the development of a food delivery app like Deliveroo can range from around $40,000 for a basic MVP to over $150,000 for a full-featured app, with various factors affecting the total cost.
- For businesses looking to capitalize on the growing demands of the food delivery sector, technology companies like Appinventiv, specializing in food delivery iOS and Android application development, can provide valuable assistance in building and launching successful food delivery apps, as demonstrated by their work with KFC.
