Cheap Food Delivery App In India
Indian consumers have relied on food delivery giants like Swiggy and Zomato for their daily meals. However, there’s a new contender in town that’s flipping the script—and your burger bill. Rapido, best known for its bike-taxi services, is now entering the food delivery space with a game-changing promise: the same food at almost half the price.
From burgers to biryanis, Rapido is turning heads with its shockingly lower prices. The reason? A zero-commission model that could change the way Indians order food forever.
🍟 Swiggy vs Zomato vs Rapido: The Shocking Price Comparison
The Case of the McChicken Meal
Let’s break down the numbers with a real-world example—a McChicken burger meal from McDonald’s:
Swiggy: ₹450
Zomato: ₹400
Rapido: ₹230
Yes, you read that right. Rapido is offering the same meal at nearly half the price of Swiggy and significantly cheaper than Zomato. This isn’t just a discount—it’s a complete pricing revolution.
💡 How Is Rapido Offering Cheaper Food Delivery?
The Zero-Commission Model Explained
Unlike Swiggy and Zomato, which charge high commission fees to restaurants (up to 30%), Rapido takes zero commission. This allows restaurants to list their items at menu price, rather than inflating costs to make up for aggregator fees.
In a recent segment on NDTV Profit, business journalist Agneeveer Bhattacharya explained this disruptive strategy. According to him, “If something costs ₹200 in the restaurant, it will cost ₹200 on Rapido’s food delivery platform too.” That’s transparent pricing—no hidden charges, no inflated costs.
📉 The Hidden Costs of Swiggy and Zomato
Breaking Down the Extra Charges
Bhattacharya further revealed the cost breakdown that consumers unknowingly pay on traditional platforms:
On Swiggy:
Base Price: ₹199
Delivery Fee: ₹78
Packaging: ₹30
Platform Fee: ₹12
GST: ₹17
Total: ₹450
On Zomato:
Base Price: ₹199
Delivery Fee: ₹35
Packaging: ₹30
Platform Fee: ₹10
GST: ₹13
Total: ₹400
On Rapido:
Base Price: ₹199
Delivery Fee: ₹20
Packaging Fee: ₹0
Platform Fee: ₹0
GST: ₹10
Total: ₹230
This makes it evident: Rapido’s streamlined pricing model is a win for both consumers and restaurants.
🍽️ Why Restaurants Prefer Rapido’s Food Delivery Model
No Commission = More Profit
The high aggregator fees charged by Swiggy and Zomato have long been a pain point for Indian restaurants. In fact, many eateries inflate their online prices just to offset those fees. Rapido’s commission-free model eliminates this issue, allowing restaurants to retain more profit without passing extra costs to customers.
An NDTV Profit report confirms this growing discontent, citing the “mounting resentment among restaurants over high aggregator fees.” Rapido’s entry is well-timed to address this frustration.
🚴 Rapido’s Competitive Edge: A Massive Rider Network
Scaling Fast with 4 Million Riders
Rapido isn’t building from scratch. It already has an extensive network of over 4 million bike-taxi riders across India. This infrastructure gives it a significant logistical advantage, allowing rapid scaling in the food delivery space.
Its pilot program in Bengaluru has already shown promising results. If successful, Rapido could roll out this model in other metros like Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad—challenging the duopoly of Swiggy and Zomato.
🤑 What’s in it for You: Real Savings, Real Impact
No inflated food prices
No platform fees
No packaging charges
Transparent billing
Cheaper delivery
All these perks make Rapido the most affordable food delivery app in India right now. Whether you’re a college student on a budget or a family ordering in, this shift could mean hundreds of rupees saved every month.
🔮 The Future of Food Delivery in India
A Possible Industry Shake-Up
Rapido’s zero-commission, low-fee strategy has the potential to disrupt the Indian food delivery ecosystem. If widely adopted, it could force Swiggy and Zomato to rethink their pricing and commission structures, creating a more equitable system for restaurants and better value for consumers.
As Bhattacharya aptly put it, “As a consumer, this is what you stand to benefit, and this is how this will disrupt the space.”
📌 Conclusion: Time to Rethink Where You Order
With food prices rising and delivery charges creeping up, Rapido’s entry is a breath of fresh air. Their transparent pricing, zero commission model, and consumer-first approach make them a serious contender in the food delivery market.
Next time you’re craving that burger or biryani, maybe skip the usual apps and check Rapido first—your wallet will thank you.