Quick Summary: Do you have a restaurant or hotel and want to develop a food ordering app for the same? Do you want to know the cost to develop a food ordering app like DoorDash? If yes, then you have reached the correct place. This blog will cover everything from development cost, factors, strategies to reduce the food delivery app development cost.

The food delivery industry is booming, and with the success of giants like DoorDash, entrepreneurs are eager to take a bite out of the market. But before you dive into app development, one thing that comes to mind is — how much does it cost to develop a food ordering app like DoorDash? To know the DoorDash app development cost, you need to read the blog till the end.

With a 65% market share In the US, DoorDash was the industry leader in online meal delivery as of February 2023. This makes DoorDash more successful in the restaurant business. Mobile apps for food delivery benefit business owners in addition to consumers. So, if you are a food startup and want to invest in food delivery app development, then now is the correct time.

This blog aims to serve as your guide through the financial complexity of creating your own food delivery business, regardless of your experience level as an entrepreneur or hobbyist.

So, let’s begin.

 

What is A Doordash App? 

DoorDash is a prominent app that helps users order food from nearby restaurants and bars. They may order food to be brought right to their door, browse through a large selection of cuisines, and make their orders.

DoorDash is the best food delivery application. Features of the app include easy payment choices, personalized delivery options, and real-time purchase tracking.

DoorDash is a handy option for those who want to eat restaurant-quality cuisine without having to leave their homes. It is available in many places worldwide.

It is becoming a popular platform for diners searching for something to eat and for businesses trying to reach a wider audience by offering delivery services. So, if you are planning to build your own food ordering app, then you must know the development cost.

 

Market Stats of Food Delivery Industry

 

Source: Statista

• It is anticipated that the online food delivery sector would generate US$1.22 trillion in sales by 2024.
• With a predicted compound yearly growth rate (CAGR 2024–2028) of 10.06%, the market is anticipated to reach a value of US$1.79 trillion by 2028.
• A revenue rise of 20.3% is projected for the grocery delivery industry in 2025.
• In 2024, the grocery delivery business is expected to generate US$0.79 trillion in revenue.
• In the grocery delivery sector, the average revenue per user (ARPU) is anticipated to reach US$505.10 by 2024.
• By 2028, there will likely be 2.5 billion consumers in the meal delivery sector.
• By 2024, the market for meal delivery services will have a user penetration rate of around 27.5%.

 

Cost To Develop A Food Ordering App Like DoorDash

The cost to build a food delivery app like DoorDash is estimated based on several factors, but we intend to provide you with an estimate of the cost to develop a food ordering app like DoorDash. This estimate will resemble the cost to develop an app like Seamless.

Typically, it can range from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on the features you want to include and the resources needed to take your app from its idea phase to its official release phase. Let’s have a look at the table showcasing the cost as per the complexity level.

 

App Complexity	Cost Estimation
Simple app	$10000-$14000
Moderate app	$15000-$20000
Complex app	$25000

 

Now that we’ve covered all you need to know about joining the market for on-demand food delivery apps and the likely costs associated with doing so.

You will be in a better position to discuss expanding your app in a manner that makes it ready for the food delivery future with your choice of an ewallet app development company if you are aware of what the future holds for the food delivery app industry.

Factors Affecting The Cost To Develop A Food Ordering App Like DoorDash

Several factors can influence the cost to develop a food ordering app like DoorDash. Here are some key considerations:

 

 

● Features & Functionality

The cost to develop a food ordering app like DoorDash, is mostly determined by the features that are desired. You will pay more for advanced features than for simple ones.

However, including a few cutting-edge features might help you outperform the competition. Additionally, it is vital to know that payment gateway integration can increase the cost to develop a food ordering app like DoorDash.

 

● Development Team

First things first: if you outsource your app development team, the final product will always be delivered successfully and on schedule for less money.

Select the Android or iPhone app development company with a dependable and experienced portfolio, even if each one has a distinct price approach. Here, the experts advise going with quality rather than quantity.

 

● UX/UI Design  

Selecting an appropriate design is the most crucial part to develop a food ordering app like DoorDash. To do this, you may need to consider your customers’ perspectives and provide your consumers with an easy-to-use interface. The simpler and more sophisticated interface comes at a significant mobile app development cost.

 

● App Platform

While selecting the best app development platform for your food delivery service, you can’t ignore the subject of Android vs. iOS. You may also choose a cross-platform to develop a food delivery app like DoorDash on both platforms, but be aware that this might increase the cost of development.

 

● Location of Development Team

Countries vary in what they charge each hour. In comparison to Asian nations, where the typical rate ranges from $15 to $25/hr depending on the app’s complexity, hiring a food delivery app development services provider may cost you twice as much or even three times as much.

 

● App Security

Users are concerned about a number of things, most notably data privacy and app security. Furthermore, official clearance is required in accordance with Google’s app release requirements. To ensure complete privacy and security, your developer must adhere to particular protocols while providing software testing services.

The backend must, above all, have secure code that is virus-free, error-free, and crashes seldom. Your testing team must also do ethical hacking assessments to ensure the product will repel hacking attempts.

 

● Technology Stack

Developers need to create both an admin interface and food ordering apps in order to launch a food delivery business like Uber. Which tech stack to choose depends on whether an app is being developed natively or cross-platform.

While cross-platform development is less costly but has some performance-related problems, native app development is more expensive but produces superior results.

 

Tips to Reduce the Cost To Develop A Food Ordering App Like DoorDash

Now that you know the factors that affect the cost to develop a food ordering app like DoorDash. It is vital to know the strategies which can help in reducing the food ordering app development cost. So, below are some of the popular cost reduction tips given by a mobile application development company.

 

 

● Prioritize MVP Features

Begin with the MVP approach. Identify essential features that are crucial for the app’s functionality. Start with basic functionalities like user registration, restaurant listings, menu browsing, ordering, and payment processing. Additional features can be added later as the app gains traction.

 

● Choose the Right Technology Stack

Opt for cost-effective and efficient technologies for app development. Consider using open-source frameworks and libraries to save on licensing fees. Additionally, explore cross-platform development tools to create a food ordering app for multiple platforms simultaneously, reducing development time and costs.

 

● Implement Scalable Architecture

Design the app architecture with scalability in mind to accommodate future growth without incurring significant infrastructure costs. Utilize cloud-based services and serverless architecture to scale resources dynamically based on demand, thus minimize the cost to develop a mobile app like DoorDash.

 

● Streamline Development Process

Adopt Agile methodologies to streamline the development process and ensure efficient collaboration among team members. Break down the project into smaller sprints to iterate quickly, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments, reducing the overall development time and costs.

 

● Utilize Third-Party APIs and Services

Hire mobile app developers who can integrate third-party APIs and services for functionalities like maps, payment processing, and push notifications instead of building them from scratch. This not only saves development effort but also reduces maintenance overhead and ensures compatibility with established platforms.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Maintain An App Like DoorDash?  

Maintaining an app like DoorDash can vary in cost depending on several factors. Typically, it can be around 15-20% of total development app cost.

Also, the cost to maintain a mobile app includes hosting fees for server maintenance, ongoing development to fix bugs and improve features, customer support, and marketing efforts to attract and retain users. Here’s a breakdown:

 

 

1. Hosting and Infrastructure:

This covers the expenses for servers, databases, and other infrastructure components needed to keep the app running smoothly. Costs here can depend on the scale.

 

2. Technical Support:

Ensuring that the app is bug-free and providing timely support to users requires a dedicated team. This could include developers, QA testers, and customer support representatives, adding up to ongoing payroll expenses.

 

3. Updates and Maintenance:

Regular updates are crucial to keep the app compatible with new devices and operating system versions. These updates may also include adding new features or improving existing ones, which incurs development costs.

 

4. Security:

Protecting user data and the app itself from cyber threats is paramount. Investments in security measures such as encryption, monitoring, and audits are necessary ongoing expenses.

So, if you have an outdated food delivery app like DoorDash and want to update it with new features, then it is advisable to consult with a food delivery app maintenance services provider like Dev Technosys.

 

How Can Dev Technosys Help You With Food Delivery App Development?  

Dev Technosys is a top on demand app development company that creates high-quality apps that streamline food delivery and make eating enjoyable. Our professionals will provide online food ordering and restaurant development solutions, regardless of how you want to advance the food and restaurant industries.

We specialize in offering your clients online food ordering, a digital food menu, online payments, and much more with our responsive restaurant mobile app solutions.

Furthermore, our developers have experience in developing some of the most successful restaurant app development projects and have taught us a lot about how to combine labor with cutting-edge technology to get the greatest outcomes.

So, what are you thinking? Drop your requirements with us and we will deliver a robust food delivery app within your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. How to Develop a Food Delivery App?

If you want to develop a food ordering app like DoorDash, below is the process of food delivery app development:

• Do Market Research
• Define Features List
• Design UI/UX
• Choose Platform
• Start the App Development
• Test your app
• Launch and marketing

2. How Long Does It Take To Build A Food Ordering App Like DoorDash?

The complexity, features, and team productivity all affect how long it takes to develop an app for food delivery. More complex applications may take up to 8 months to complete, whilst simple versions might take 2-4 months. The timeframe is affected by elements such as design, development, testing, and iterations.

3. What Are the Features Of Food Delivery App?  

The food delivery app features are essential to integrate when you develop a mobile app. So, below are the best food delivery app features that you must take a look:

• Intuitive Menu Display
• Real-time Order Tracking
• Push Notification
• Payment Option
• Loyalty Programs

4. How Do Online Food Delivery Apps Make Money?

There are several methods for a meal delivery service to generate revenue. This is a list of various well-known meal delivery app revenue models.

• Commission on food orders – For every order that is placed via your platform, you have the ability to charge a restaurant a tiny commission fee.
• Premium subscription model – You may provide your consumers with several options to access premium services like free delivery, discounts, and app membership by introducing a subscription model.
• Delivery charges– There are eateries without employees who can deliver the order. Thus, in this instance, you charge a delivery fee and they make use of your delivery personnel.