Top Cheapest Food Delivery App in 2026

More than half of consumers (63%) agree that food delivery is more convenient than dining out with family. (Lightspeed, 2025)

Opting for the cheapest food delivery app is a smart move, as restaurant industry statistics show that online ordering has become increasingly evident. 

Dining habits have shifted toward home and office eating. And enabling delivery and online ordering ensures your restaurant can reach customers who prefer off-site dining but still want to enjoy your restaurant’s food.

To help you do just that, this article offers the best budget-friendly delivery service for your restaurant, breaking down fees and other charges while highlighting smart options.

Why restaurant owners need a food delivery app

Industry experts have highlighted the significant impact of food delivery management software and apps on restaurant operations:

• According to A3Logics, a global IT services and consulting firm, the global food delivery market is projected to reach $1.41 trillion by the end of 2025, reflecting continued industry growth.

• Research from Restroworks, a cloud-based restaurant management platform, found that 84% of Gen Z consumers prefer using apps to order food delivery, highlighting a strong shift toward digital ordering habits.

• Fundera, a small business loan marketplace, reports that 60% of American consumers order takeout or delivery at least once a week.

• Purdue University's Consumer Food Insights Report found that nearly two-thirds of consumers have used a food-ordering app for takeout or delivery.

• Bloomberg Second Measure, a financial analytics service,  reported that major meal delivery services saw a 162% year-over-year sales increase in April 2020, highlighting the surge in app-based food ordering during periods of high demand.

• Digital ordering and delivery continue to reshape restaurant operations, with Lightspeed’s online ordering statistics reporting that they have grown 300% faster than dine-in traffic since 2014.

13 cheapest food delivery service for restaurant owners

With the rise of online restaurant order system and delivery, it's normal to question what food delivery app is cheapest. Here are the top options:

1. DoorDash

DoorDash is a leading on-demand delivery platform connecting consumers with local merchants. Its 2023 Community Impact Report highlighted that 88% of users value the platform for flexibility, 70% of merchants report increased profits, and nearly 1 in 5 independent merchants say their business wouldn’t exist without it.

DoorDash has become a go-to platform for restaurants looking to expand their reach. Understanding how its commission structure works is key to evaluating its cost-effectiveness.

Commission Fees (DoorDash Marketplace)

• Basic: 15% commission per delivery
• Plus: 25%commission per delivery
• Premier: 30% per order commission per delivery
• Pickup orders: 6% commission

Commerce Platform (Online Ordering) 

• Starter: $0 per month, 0% commission (card fees apply)
• Boost: $54 per store per month
• Pro: $249 per store per month
• Processing Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per online order

Note: With these plans, you own your website orders. There’s 0% commission, but standard credit card processing fees apply.

Customer Fees

• Delivery: $6.99–$10.99 per order

No commission rates. You only pay per delivery handled by Dashers.

• DashPass subscription: $9.99 per month or $96 per year (free delivery, lower service fees)
• Service fee: 10%–15% of subtotal
• Small orders: $2–$3 (orders under the minimum threshold)

Fees Not Charged: There are no setup fees, no subscription for the basic storefront, and no hidden service fees on website orders.

2. Uber Eats

Uber Eats is a global powerhouse in the food delivery industry. As of early 2025, it had an estimated 88 million users, highlighting its massive reach. In 2024, the platform partnered with over 1 million restaurants worldwide and is now active in 11,500+ cities across roughly 45 countries.

It's important to examine the platform's commission structure to understand how partnering with it benefits your restaurant’s profit.

Marketplace commission plans (Delivery and Pickup)

• Lite: 20% per delivery order
• Plus: 25% per delivery order
• Premium: 30% per delivery order
• Self-delivery: 15% commission
• Pickup: 7% (US) or  10% (Canada) commission

Webshop (Online Ordering)

• Processing fee: U.S: 2.5% + $0.29 per order; Canada: 2.9% per order
• Delivery fee: 25% may apply for self-delivery or Uber Direct
• Uber Direct flat fee: Starts at $6.99 per order
• Activation fee for new locations: $500 (one-time, deducted weekly)

Webshop uses a flat, usage-based fee instead of commission tiers since it is not a marketplace discovery product.

Customer Fees

• Delivery fee: $1.99–$5.99+ (varies)
• Service fee: 10%–15% of subtotal
• Small order fee: $2–$3 for orders under $12
• Uber One: $9.99 per month or $96 per year

Fees not charged: Restaurants do not need to pay a monthly subscription (unless using additional services), and there are no hidden platform fees beyond the listed commissions.

3. Grubhub

Grubhub is a leading online and mobile food delivery platform based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 2004, it connects consumers with local restaurants for delivery and pickup orders through its website and mobile app. 

As of 2025, Grubhub partners with over 375,000 restaurants across more than 4,000 U.S. cities.

With so many successful users, understanding its commission plans is essential for evaluating how it fits into your delivery strategy.

Marketplace commission plans

• Basic: 5% marketing commission
• Plus: 15% marketing commission
• All-Access: 20% marketing commission

Grubhub Direct (Online Ordering)

• Processing fee: 3.05% + $0.30 per order
• Setup fee: $99
• Hosting fee: $49 per month per location

No marketing commission applies to Direct orders.

Delivery service

• Grubhub Delivery: 10%

This applies when a restaurant uses Grubhub drivers to fulfill orders. The fee covers logistics, dispatching, insurance, and driver pay.

• Supplemental Delivery: 10%

This serves as backup or overflow delivery support when additional driver capacity is needed.

Note: No delivery fee applies when using your own delivery riders.

Customer Fees

• Subscription: Grubhub+ $9.99 per month (free delivery)
• Delivery fee: 10% (varies)
• Service fee: 10%–15% (varies)

Fees not charged: There are no commissions on Grubhub Direct (own orders), no additional hidden fees beyond processing and optional hosting/setup.

4. Robomart

Robomart’s RM5 is a fully electric, Level-4 autonomous mobile store designed to function as a moving retail unit. It features 10 climate-controlled lockers and a payload capacity of up to 500 pounds, allowing it to handle multiple orders in a single trip for improved efficiency.

Key details include:

• Pricing model

Robomart states a flat $3 delivery fee per order, with no traditional commission, service fees, or item markups.

• Cost efficiency

The company claims its model can reduce delivery costs compared to human-driven services, though actual savings may vary depending on market conditions and scale.

• Partnerships

In pilot operations, Robomart has mentioned collaborations with brands such as Unilever, Mars, and Fatty Mart. 

• Supported categories

Includes snacks, groceries, pharmacy items, café goods, ice cream, and fast food

Overall, the RM5 is positioned as a low-cost, autonomous alternative to traditional delivery platforms, focusing on simplified pricing and consolidated multi-order fulfillment.

5. Postmates

Postmates is a US-based on-demand delivery service that connects consumers with local restaurants, grocery stores, and convenience stores for quick delivery.

While there may be some confusion surrounding Postmates' existence following Uber Eats' 2020 acquisition, Postmates remains available for use by restaurant and convenience store partners and customers. Both platforms continue to operate independently.

Since Postmates has been fully integrated into Uber Eats following its acquisition, Uber Eats pricing is used as the baseline reference for Postmates operations

Marketplace commission plans (Delivery and Pickup)

• Lite: 20% per delivery order
• Plus: 25% per delivery order
• Premium: 30% per delivery order
• Self-delivery: 15% commission
• Pickup: 7% (US) or 10% (Canada) commission

Webshop (Online Ordering)

• Processing fee: U.S: 2.5% + $0.29 per order; Canada: 2.9% per order
• Delivery fee: 25% may apply for self-delivery or Uber Direct
• Uber Direct flat fee: Starts at $6.99 per order
• Activation fee for new locations: $500 (one-time, deducted weekly)

Note: Postmates does not have its own separate online subscription service for ordering. Instead, Postmates' features and services have been merged into Uber Eats, including the 

Webshop offering

Customer Fees

• Delivery fee: $1.99–$5.99+ (varies)
• Service fee: 10%–15% of subtotal
• Small order fee: $2–$3 for orders under $12
• Uber One: $9.99 per month or $96 per year

Fees not charged: Restaurants do not need to pay a monthly subscription (unless using additional services), and there are no hidden platform fees beyond the listed commissions.

6. ChowNow

ChowNow is a commission-free online ordering platform built specifically for restaurants that want to take control of their digital presence without giving a big cut of sales to third-party delivery apps. 

Instead of charging per-order commissions (like Uber Eats or DoorDash), ChowNow works on a flat monthly or annual subscription fee model.

Pricing Plans

Monthly: Hub $119, Pro $299, Premier $328

Annual: Hub $119, Pro $199, Premier $298

Additional Fees

• Payment processing fee: 2.95% + $0.29 per transaction
• Setup fee: $119–$499 one-time, depending on plan and onboarding needs

Optional hardware costs:

• Printer hardware: approximately $250–$420
• Apple Developer account for branded apps: $99 per year

Customer Fees

• Flex Delivery: flat $7.98 delivery fee per order.

ChowNow recommends splitting this fee 50/50 between the restaurant and the customer. In that setup, the customer typically pays $3.99 while the restaurant covers the remaining $3.99.

Although ChowNow includes delivery integrations through Flex Delivery, restaurants still pay separate delivery costs when using third-party courier networks like Uber Direct and DoorDash Drive. 

Fees not charged: No per-order commissions, service fees, or hidden delivery markups.

7. Toast delivery service 

Toast POS is a complete restaurant management software designed to save you money. Instead of paying solely for a delivery service, you invest in tools that streamline your restaurant operations.

With Toast, you get commission-free delivery and low delivery fees, giving you more control over your profits.

Monthly Plans

• Starter Kit: $0 per month
• Build Your Own: Custom pricing

Note: All monthly plans include a robust set of restaurant management features. To enable a digital storefront with delivery and online ordering, you simply add a fee. This allows you to maintain full control while avoiding steep third-party commission costs. 

Delivery Fees

• Uber Direct
  • $6.99 for deliveries under 6 miles
  • $8.74 for deliveries between 6–8 miles
  • $9.49 for deliveries between 8–9 miles
  • $9.99 for deliveries between 9–10 miles
• DoorDash Drive: $7.49 for 5 miles, +$0.50 per mile beyond
• Driver tip: 20% recommended

Customers can still adjust the tip amount before placing the order.

• Delivery service charge: $3.99

Fees not charged: No mandatory per-order commissions, no hidden platform fees, and optional subscriptions only for additional features.

8. Caviar

Caviar is a food delivery platform that connects customers with premium and local restaurants. Like Postmates, which Uber Eats acquired, Caviar was acquired by DoorDash in 2020, giving it access to similar features, pricing plans, and add-on options.

Today, Caviar mainly functions as a premium food delivery brand within the DoorDash ecosystem. In many cities, restaurants, drivers, logistics, and backend operations are shared with DoorDash. 

Marketplace (App Orders – DoorDash and Caviar)

DoorDash and Caviar operate under the same ecosystem, so their restaurant commission structure is generally aligned:

• Basic: 15% commission per delivery
• Plus: 25% commission per delivery
• Premier: 30% commission per delivery
• Pickup orders: 6% commission

Caviar uses the DoorDash logistics network, so fulfillment and core marketplace structure are shared

Commerce Platform (Online Ordering System – DoorDash Direct Ordering)

For restaurant-owned ordering channels:

• Starter: $0 per month + 0% commission (payment processing fees apply)
• Boost: $54 per store per month
• Pro: $249 per store per month
• Processing fee: 2.9% + $0.30 per order

Restaurants own customer data and orders. No per-order commission applies—only subscription plus processing fees.

Customers fee

Customer fees are similar across both platforms but may vary slightly depending on restaurant, location, and demand:

• Delivery fee: $6.99–$10.99 per order
• Service fee: 10%–15% of order subtotal
• Small order fee: $2–$3 (if below minimum order)
• DashPass subscription: $9.99 per month or $96 per year (Includes $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees)

Caviar may feel slightly more premium in pricing due to restaurant selection and branding, but the underlying fee system is still powered by DoorDash.

Fees not charged: No setup fees for basic storefront, no hidden service charges, commission-free for own site orders.

9. GloriaFood

GloriaFood is an online ordering and delivery system that offers a robust set of free features, with optional advanced tools available at a low cost.

It’s more than just a delivery platform. It’s a comprehensive restaurant management system. GloriaFood’s online ordering and delivery tools centralize all pickup, delivery, and dine-in orders, giving you complete control over your business operations in one place.

Pricing

• Free plan available

Optional add-ons

• POS system: $49 per month per location
• Online payments: $29 per month
• Marketing tools: $19 per month
• Website builder: $9 per month
• Branded apps: $59 per month

Delivery Model

• Delivery fees are fully controlled by the restaurant
• Supports in-house delivery or third-party couriers

Customers fee

• Delivery fee: Set entirely by the restaurant based on zones or the chosen delivery provider. GloriaFood does not standardize this.
  
• Online payment fees: Approximately 3.5%–5.5%, charged by the payment processor (not GloriaFood)

Note: GloriaFood is not a third-party delivery service like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grab. It’s a restaurant-owned ordering and delivery management system with geofencing capabilities. You can manage your orders and assign deliveries directly through GloriaFood if you already have a delivery team.

Fees not charged: No commission fees, no mandatory subscription, no hidden delivery markups.

10. Unihop

Unihop operates in all 50 US states and offers on-demand, same-day delivery from any restaurant. One of the best things about UniHop is that it charges no commission, plus there’s no monthly subscription, transaction fee, or setup fee. 

It’s perfect for groceries, food, retail items, transport goods, furniture, or even sending a package to a friend. 

This makes it an ideal solution for anyone just starting a business.

All you need to pay is the delivery fee:

• Standard store deliveries: $14.99, with no upcharges and no service fees.
• Long-distance deliveries: For deliveries over 15 miles, the fee increases by $1 per mile.
• Oversize Deliveries: Deliveries requiring a large vehicle start at $29.99.

Note: UniHop encourages users to reach out to support for any further questions about pricing.

Fees not charged: No commission, no monthly subscription, no transaction or setup fees, no service markups.

11. Square online delivery

Square Online Delivery is an online ordering system from Square that allows restaurants to accept orders through their own website or ordering page, with built-in delivery integration options. 

This means restaurants can offer delivery, but the actual delivery is fulfilled through the restaurant’s own staff or connected third-party delivery services, not by Square itself.

Pricing Plans

• Square free: $0 per month per location 
• Square Plus: $49 per month per location
• Square premium: $149 per month 

Processing Fees

• Free plan: 3.3% + $0.30 per order
• Plus: 2.9% + $0.30
• Premium: 2.9% + $0.30

Delivery is not included in Square’s pricing. Since delivery is handled through third-party integrations or the restaurant’s own drivers, any delivery costs (such as Uber Eats, DoorDash Drive, or other courier services) are charged separately by the delivery provider, not by Square.

Pro tip: Mix and match the cheapest options based on your needs to get the most cost-efficient setup for your restaurant.

Fees not charged: Square does not charge per-order delivery commissions, listing fees, mandatory driver fees, setup fees, or required ad spend.

12. Instacart 

Instacart is one of the best large-scale delivery marketplaces for retailers due to its strong logistics network and high customer reach. However, its merchant pricing is less standardized and more custom-negotiated compared to other delivery apps.

Merchant commission structure (industry estimates)

Instacart charges retailers a commission based on Gross Merchandise Value (GMV):

• Large chains: 15%–20%
• Mid-size retailers: 20%–25%
• Small retailers: 25%–30%

This is the primary fee retailers pay per order and varies depending on negotiation power, volume, and partnership structure.

Advertising fees (Very important revenue stream)

These are optional fees brands pay to get seen inside Instacart.

• Sponsored ads (CPC): $0.50–$2.00 per click
• Display ads (CPM): $10–$50 per 1,000 impressions
• Promotions: brand-funded discounts

You pay for better product placement, featured listings, and discounts that help you discover items faster.

Payment processing fees

• 2%–3% per transaction

Customers fee

• Delivery: $3.99–$9.99
• Service fee: 5% or $2–$10+
• Markups: 10%–25%
• Tips: 5%–20%

Fees not charged: Instacart does not charge setup fees, hardware fees, or listing fees, and advertising is optional.

13. Seamless 

Seamless is an online food ordering platform that operates within the Grubhub network, best known for serving densely populated U.S. cities such as New York. 

It continues to operate under its own brand identity in certain markets, allowing restaurants to receive orders through a familiar, locally recognized ordering channel while still being powered by Grubhub’s backend system for payments, logistics, and delivery fulfillment.

Marketplace Commission Plans

• Basic: 5% marketing commission
• Plus: 15% marketing commission
• All-Access: 20% marketing commission

Seamless/Grubhub Direct (Online Ordering)

• Processing fee: 3.05% + $0.30 per order
• Setup fee: $99
• Hosting fee: $49 per month per location
• No marketing commission on Direct orders

Delivery Service

• Grubhub Delivery: 10% (driver fulfillment, logistics, insurance)
• Supplemental Delivery: 10% (overflow driver support)
• No delivery fee if using your own drivers

Customer Fees

• Grubhub+ subscription: $9.99 per month (free delivery benefit)
• Delivery fee: 10% (varies)
• Service fee: 10%–15% (varies)

Fees not charged: Seamless does not charge commissions on Direct orders, hidden platform fees beyond processing and optional hosting/setup fees, or additional charges when restaurants use their own delivery drivers.

Comparison matrix: What is the cheapest food delivery app

Cheapest food delivery app overall: 

GloriaFood and Square Online Delivery. No commission fees, only standard payment processing fees, which makes them the most cost-efficient for restaurants that already have their own customers or want full control of online orders.

Next in cost: 

UniHop and Robomart.  No commissions or subscriptions, but they charge a flat delivery fee per order, which can still be affordable depending on order volume and delivery distance.

Higher fixed-cost setup: 

ChowNow and Toast (with delivery integrations). No per-order commission, but they involve monthly subscription fees plus separate charges for delivery couriers like Uber Direct or DoorDash Drive.

Higher percentage-based fees: 

Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, Seamless, Instacart, and Caviar. These platforms use marketplace commissions (around 15%–30% per order) plus service and delivery fees, but they also provide the widest customer reach and strongest built-in demand.

How to choose the right delivery app for your restaurant

1. Consider a restaurant ordering system

A major benefit of some restaurant ordering systems is that they operate on a commission-free basis.

Instead of paying a percentage on every single order, you might pay a flat monthly charge for the platform itself.

Using an online food order system like this is often a much better deal, as it allows you to keep more of your profit, especially as your online sales grow.

2. Consider a restaurant management platform

Choosing an all-in-one restaurant management software is one of the most cost-effective strategies for a restaurant today. This approach is advantageous because you get a full suite of integrated tools, like the best digital menu for restaurants and a third-party delivery app, or you can handle delivery in-house with your own team.

Instead of just getting one small piece of a service, you get an entire set of tools that work together perfectly. It's like buying a whole kitchen instead of just a single pan.

3. Choose the popular app, but budget-friendly 

Instead of just signing up, you need to choose a cheapest delivery food app partnership plan that gives you the best return on your investment and a high profit margin possible.

For a restaurant, choosing a premium plan on a popular delivery app is like buying a front-row seat at a big concert.

By paying a higher commission fee, you get increased visibility and a guaranteed way to stand out. Instead of being buried at the bottom of a long list of restaurants, your restaurant is featured at the top of the app's home screen, in special sections, and in search results.

This increased visibility is a form of advertising. With millions of people using the app, it puts your restaurant directly in front of a huge number of potential new customers.

4. Think of the customer's fee

Beyond the costs to your restaurant, you must also consider the fees charged to the customer, as this will have a major impact on your order numbers. If customers face a high combination of delivery fees, non-optional tips, service charges, and restaurant surcharges, they may choose not to order from you. 

The final cost to the customer can become so high that the fees alone are more expensive than the food they ordered, which is a major deterrent.

5. Balance quality and cost

Finding the cheapest food delivery app is important, but you don’t want a situation where customer orders are late, incorrect, or not delivered at all.

Beyond the cost, it’s essential to carefully review user and customer feedback to understand the app’s reliability and service quality. 

Disclaimer: Not all the cheapest food delivery app options have low quality, but expensive apps are expensive for a reason.

6. Compare options thoroughly 

Restaurant delivery platforms can be grouped into three types: restaurant management software, delivery marketplaces, and courier services. The right choice depends on your business needs and not just cost.

If you already have a strong brand, a restaurant management system lets you run your own online store and control orders with options to use your own drivers or third-party integrations. 

If you want more visibility and customer reach, delivery marketplaces are better since they handle marketing and bring in new customers. For catering or bulk delivery operations, courier services are more suitable because they focus on logistics and large-scale fulfillment.

Each option serves a different purpose, such as control, visibility, or logistics, so the best choice depends on your current stage and goals.

Bring your meals straight to your customers’ doors with the right delivery partner

When you choose the cheapest food delivery app, the goal isn't just to find the cheapest option. It’s about finding the one that generates the highest profit, where the return on your investment far exceeds what you spend on the delivery service.

As much as possible, be smart and do some research. Decide whether you will use a third-party delivery platform or a restaurant management software platform, which combines a delivery app, order management, and staff management into a single platform to help you.

To be clear, they are not two contrasting solutions but complementary strategies that you can use.

Be strategic and achieve the success that is waiting for you.

FAQS