Food Aggregator Apps Vs New Multi-Delivery Apps: In-Depth Comparison

Tuhin Bhatt

Co-founder of Intelivita

  Published on January 18, 2024

  6 min read

The online food delivery industry is on a steady rise, and is expected to reach US$1.22 trillion by the end of this year alone.

If you’re looking to tap into this growing market, creating a food delivery app is a lucrative option.

That said, before investing in food delivery app development solutions, you need to determine a suitable business model first.

In this article, we’ll explain the pros and cons of both food aggregators and multi-delivery apps, as well as their key differences.

What is a Food Aggregator App?

A food aggregator is a web or mobile application that connects users with restaurants or eateries within a specific area.

It compiles menus and services from multiple restaurants, allowing users to browse, choose, and order food items through a centralized interface.

Here are some of the pros and cons of using a food aggregator app for customers:

Pros Cons
  • Convenience: Users can easily order food from the comfort of their home, and get it delivered straight to their front door. They can also access an extensive range of cuisines and dining options.
  • User reviews: Most food aggregator apps include restaurant reviews and ratings, helping users make an informed decision based on the experiences of others.
  • Order tracking: With real-time tracking, users can monitor their order’s status and the exact location of the delivery personnel.
  • Delivery fees: Some users may find the additional delivery fee to be a major drawback, especially if they order frequently.
  • Limited customization: When compared to ordering directly from a restaurant, food aggregators may offer limited personalization when it comes to special requests.
  • Potential delays: The delivery speed depends solely on each restaurant. Users should expect delays during peak hours, especially when they order from a smaller eatery.

For restaurants, partnering with a food aggregator also comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks:

Pros Cons
  • Increased visibility: Partnering with food aggregators expose restaurants to a broader customer base, far beyond their usual target areas.
  • Lower marketing costs: These platforms usually handle marketing and promotion, so restaurants don’t need to invest heavily in advertising.
  • Streamlined order process: Food establishments can fully focus on preparing and delivering orders rather than managing the entire customer interaction.
  • Commission fees: For each successful transaction, the food aggregator will charge a commission fee, which negatively affects the profit margins of smaller restaurants.
  • Limited branding: Restaurants may find it challenging to establish a distinct brand identity, as the interface tends to prioritize the aggregator’s branding.
  • Platform dependency: Relying solely on food aggregator platforms can diminish a restaurant’s control over its sales and customer relationships.

What is a Multi-Delivery App?

A multi-delivery app provides a one-stop solution for various delivery needs.

In addition to food, these platforms also offer delivery services for groceries, medicine, and even retail goods.

Unlike food aggregators, multi-delivery platforms usually have their own drivers, which mean more control over the delivery speed and workload.

From the consumers’ perspective, having multiple services available in a single app simplifies the user experience.

They no longer need to download and manage separate applications for various delivery needs.

That being said, the abundance of choices within a multi-delivery app may be overwhelming for some users.

Furthermore, since this type of app isn’t specifically made for food delivery, restaurants opting for this business model will find it even harder to establish unique positioning.

Differences Between Food Aggregator and Multi-Delivery Apps

Let’s compare these two business models further in terms of user experience, restaurant partnerships, delivery time, as well as cost and pricing structure.

Whether you want to create a food delivery app like Uber Eats or build a multi-delivery solution, this comparison will help you make an informed decision.

User Experience

Food aggregator apps are niche specific. They serve one main audience, which is customers looking for a convenient way to order food.

As such, the whole user interface is designed to serve this particular demographic, which results in a more personalized experience.

On the other hand, multi-delivery apps have far greater options users can choose from.

This can be overwhelming, and users might forget their purpose of opening the app in the first place.

Restaurant Partnerships and Options

Food aggregator apps focus on building relationships with a variety of restaurants within their niche.

This approach allows them to curate a selection of culinary options tailored to specific tastes.

In contrast, multi-delivery apps establish partnerships with a wide range of businesses beyond just restaurants.

While this diversity offers more options, it may result in a more general, less curated selection.

Delivery Time and Reliability

Food aggregators normally don’t have their own fleet – they rely on the manpower and resources of each restaurant for food delivery.

If you’re interested in this type of business model, remember that maintaining a stable and reliable delivery time is almost impossible.

This is because the delivery capabilities differ from one restaurant to another.

Unlike food aggregators, multi-delivery apps usually have some form of partnerships with drivers or third-party courier companies.

This method makes delivery time and accuracy more manageable, although it does require higher operational expenses.

Maintenance Cost

Speaking of expenses, running a food aggregator app is much more affordable than a multi-delivery app.

Why? Because you don’t need to worry about driver salaries and vehicle maintenance – the restaurants will be responsible for their own operational costs.

You only need to pay monthly fees to host and maintain your app.

You can even lower these costs by working with an app development agency that offers on-going support.

Intelivita is a prime example of such agencies.

Even after deployment, we’ll provide continuous performance optimization and bug fixing to keep your app running at its best.

Ready to Build Your Food Delivery App?

So, have you decided on a delivery business model?

Whether you want to focus on food delivery or provide an all-in-one solution, Intelivita is here to make your dream app become reality.

From designing a seamless navigation system to incorporating powerful app features like real-time order tracking, every element is customized to your needs.

Give our experts a call, and let’s build a thriving mobile app today.

Co-founder

Tuhin Bhatt is a co-founder of Intelivita, a leading Web and Mobile App Development Company. He helps passionate entrepreneurs build amazing tech products. Tuhin being a peoples man who has a passion to share his technical expertise with clients and other enthusiasts.

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