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How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like Zomato?

Building an app like Zomato in the U.S. market involves factors, all of which affect development costs.
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Developing an app like Zomato, a leading food delivery platform, comes with its own set of challenges and complexities that influence the overall cost. Food delivery apps, especially those with integrated restaurant listings, menu options, payment systems, and real-time tracking, require not only strong technical development but also a deep understanding of user behavior and market dynamics.

In the U.S. market, where convenience and quick access to food delivery services are key drivers of customer demand, creating an app like Zomato requires meeting high standards in both design and functionality. The app needs to facilitate seamless navigation for food selection, ensure real-time updates on order status, and provide a safe and reliable payment experience.

However, building such an app requires much more than just these core functionalities. It involves designing a smooth user interface (UI), integrating third-party services (such as payment gateways, GPS tracking, and delivery management systems), and ensuring strong back-end infrastructure to handle large data loads. Additionally, adherence to U.S.-specific regulations, particularly around data privacy and security, plays a crucial role in both the development process and cost.

This article will break down the different factors that affect how much it costs to build an app Zomato, focusing on the unique complexities involved in building a food delivery app for the U.S. market.

Platform and Device Compatibility

The platform choice is a major factor in the development cost of a food delivery app like Zomato. In the U.S., the two dominant platforms are iOS and Android, with each offering different user demographics and preferences.

iOS vs. Android:

iOS typically attracts a more affluent demographic in the U.S., which is beneficial for food delivery services targeting users willing to pay for premium delivery options, tips, or expedited services. However, Android holds a larger share of the U.S. market overall, especially among users who prefer budget-friendly options.

To ensure the widest reach, you will likely need to develop for both iOS and Android. Developing for two platforms means coding for both operating systems separately, which leads to higher costs. Alternatively, using cross-platform development tools like React Native or Flutter can save on costs by allowing the same codebase to be used for both platforms, though this can sometimes result in performance compromises.

Expanding Beyond Mobile:

In addition to mobile custom app development, Zomato-like apps may benefit from expanding compatibility to other devices, such as tablets, wearables, and desktop platforms. For example, tablets can provide an enhanced experience for restaurants or delivery drivers managing orders on larger screens. A web-based version of the app could also provide users with the option to place orders from their desktops.

For food delivery apps, especially in the U.S., integration across different platforms offers users more flexibility and convenience, but it also requires more design and development time, increasing the overall cost.

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Design and User Experience (UX/UI)

User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design play a critical role in the success of a food delivery app like Zomato. The design should prioritize ease of navigation, fast ordering, and smooth payment processes.

U.S. User Preferences:

U.S. consumers expect food delivery apps to be intuitive, fast, and visually appealing. The interface should clearly showcase restaurants, menus, and offers in a way that’s easy to navigate. A good UX/UI design in this market focuses on simplicity, with a clean layout that allows users to place an order with minimal steps.

For food delivery, users value quick access to key information: restaurant details, delivery time, and menu options should all be easy to find. Designers should also focus on providing a smooth checkout experience that minimizes friction. For example, offering multiple payment options (credit/debit cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay) increases user convenience.

While a high-quality UX/UI design can significantly enhance user engagement, it can also increase development costs due to the time needed for prototyping, testing, and revisions to meet U.S. user expectations.

Integrations with Third-Party Services or External Systems

A Zomato-like app requires various third-party integrations to provide a seamless experience for users and restaurants.

  • Payment Processors: Integration with third-party services such as Stripe or PayPal is essential for processing payments securely. These services usually charge transaction fees, which should be factored into the overall budget.
  • Mapping & Geolocation Services: GPS integration via APIs like Google Maps or Apple Maps is crucial for location-based restaurant discovery and order tracking.
  • Delivery Logistics: To optimize delivery routes, integrate third-party services like Uber Eats or local delivery management platforms. These systems handle order dispatching, driver tracking, and real-time communication.
  • Rating & Review System: Integrating a third-party review platform or creating a custom review system allows users to leave feedback, helping to build trust within the app.

These integrations involve additional development effort and come with associated costs for third-party services, but they are essential for offering a robust, competitive food delivery app.

Database & Back-End Infrastructure

A food delivery app like Zomato requires strong backend architecture to support its various features. The backend handles the management of restaurant data, user profiles, orders, and payment information. It also supports real-time data syncing for features like order tracking and delivery updates.

  • Scalable Databases: As the app grows, the database must be able to handle large amounts of data, including user profiles, orders, payment history, and restaurant menus. Popular database systems like PostgreSQL or MongoDB may be used, but the choice will depend on your app's scalability requirements.
  • Cloud Infrastructure: Using cloud services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure is critical to ensure high availability, especially as your app scales. These platforms offer scalable solutions that handle peak loads, ensuring the app performs well even with thousands of active users at the same time.
  • Security: With payment processing and sensitive user data involved, robust security measures like data encryption and secure server configurations are essential. This ensures the app meets compliance standards and protects user information.

These back-end components require careful planning and will add to the development costs, especially as you scale your app and add more features.

Ongoing Maintenance and Updates

Once your food delivery app is live, it will require regular maintenance to stay functional, secure, and competitive. For instance, the app will need to stay updated with the latest versions of iOS and Android, fix any bugs, and introduce new features based on user feedback.

Updates and Bug Fixes:

Regular updates are necessary to keep the app compatible with new operating system versions and address any issues users may encounter. Ensuring that features like order tracking, payment processing, and menu updates function seamlessly is critical for user satisfaction.

Security and Compliance Updates:

For apps handling sensitive user data, regular security patches are required to maintain data privacy and security. Compliance with U.S.-specific regulations like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) can also add ongoing costs.

Team Expertise and Location

Building a Zomato-like app requires a team of experts, including mobile app developers, back-end engineers, UX/UI designers, and security specialists. The expertise required for a food delivery app includes:

  • Mobile App Developers: Developers experienced in both iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin or Java) will be necessary to build a responsive, functional app.
  • Back-End Engineers: These developers ensure that the app’s back-end can handle large data, payments, and real-time updates while maintaining scalability and security.
  • UI/UX Designers: Designers will ensure the app is intuitive and meets the needs of users. Their role is especially important for creating a seamless ordering experience.
  • Security Experts: These professionals ensure that user data is kept safe and that the app complies with data protection regulations.

Whether you choose to work with a U.S.-based team or offshore developers, the location will significantly impact the cost. U.S.-based development teams are more expensive but offer greater proximity for collaboration, while offshore teams can provide a cost advantage, though challenges like communication and time zones may arise.

Hidden Costs & Miscellaneous Factors

QA & Testing: Ensuring the app is fully functional and secure requires thorough testing. This includes load testing, security testing, and compatibility testing across different devices and networks. These testing phases can increase both time and cost.

App Store Fees and Guidelines: Both Apple and Google charge fees for submitting your app to their respective stores. App Store submission fees for iOS are typically around $99 annually, and the Google Play Store charges a one-time fee of $25. Both platforms have guidelines that need to be followed, particularly regarding security and data privacy.

Legal and Compliance Costs: Legal fees to ensure compliance with U.S. data privacy laws and payment processing regulations (e.g., PCI-DSS) should be factored into the development cost. Regular audits may be necessary as your app handles more data.

What Makes a Zomato-like App Unique in Terms of Development?

Food delivery apps like Zomato are unique due to their combination of real-time location tracking, payment processing, and the need for seamless integration with restaurants and delivery services. U.S. consumers demand convenience, a smooth user experience, and a high level of personalization, making the app’s design and backend infrastructure crucial for success.

The integration of third-party services like payment processors, mapping tools, and real-time tracking requires careful planning and adds complexity to the development process. The competitive nature of the food delivery market also means that your app must differentiate itself with unique features and a top-notch user experience.

Want to see your app idea brought to life? 

At Scrums.com, our expert team of U.S.-focused developers can customize your project, advising you on the most efficient ways to build your app. Whether it’s a food delivery app, social platform, or fintech tool, we’re here to create something exceptional. Reach out for a custom development estimate today, and let’s turn your vision into reality!