By the Tuncer Technologies team ·
Third-party delivery marketplaces are a fast way to get orders, but their commissions add up. That is why many restaurant owners and local delivery operators start asking the same question: how much would our own app cost?
The honest answer depends on one decision more than any other: are you building from scratch, or configuring a platform that already works? This guide explains both, the costs people forget, and our own fixed prices.
The short answer
- From-scratch custom app: typically the most expensive route. A real delivery service needs more than one app: a customer app, a driver or rider app, a merchant or kitchen view, an admin dashboard and a backend that connects them. Each part takes design, building and testing.
- Ready-made platform, configured for you: you get proven apps with your name, logo and colours, set up for your business. Much faster and usually far cheaper, with less freedom to change how everything works.
- Ordering through your website only: for a single restaurant, a good website with a menu and an order or enquiry form can be enough to start.
What a delivery app actually includes
People often picture "the app" as one thing on a phone. A working delivery business usually needs:
- Customer app for browsing, ordering, paying and tracking.
- Driver or rider app for accepting jobs, navigation and proof of delivery.
- Merchant app or view so restaurants can accept orders and mark them ready.
- Admin dashboard for orders, pricing, zones, staff and reports.
- Backend that holds the data and sends notifications.
- A connected website so customers can find you on Google.
A quote that covers only "a customer app" is not comparable to a quote for the full set.
Costs people forget
- App store accounts. Apple's Developer Program is USD 99 a year and Google Play has a one-time USD 25 registration fee. These are paid by you, in your name.
- Store review. Apple and Google review every app. Rejections happen, and someone has to answer them.
- Payment gateway fees. Card payments carry processing fees from the payment provider.
- Maps and SMS. Map, location and SMS services can charge by usage.
- Maintenance. Phones and operating systems update every year. An app that nobody maintains slowly breaks.
Custom build or ready-made platform?
Choose a ready-made platform if your service works like most delivery or pickup services: customers order, a rider delivers, you manage it all from an admin panel. You launch in weeks, not months.
Choose a custom build if your workflow is genuinely different and that difference is your business advantage. Start with a small first version (an MVP) that does one core job well.
If you are not sure, a short paid discovery to agree the scope and estimate is cheaper than building the wrong thing.
Our fixed prices (Tuncer Technologies)
Prices below are as of 23 October 2026 for the United States and Australia, paid by card in USD; the checkout always shows the current price.
| Item | What you get | Price (USA / Australia) | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickup and delivery package (/store/A01) | Customer and driver apps, connected site, backend and admin, 2 training sessions | USD 2,495 | 3 to 5 weeks |
| Food delivery package (/store/A04) | Customer, merchant and driver apps, connected site, backend and admin | USD 3,995 | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Food app maintenance (/store/A09) | Routine monitoring and updates, up to 5 technical hours a month | USD 299 / month | Business hours |
| Custom mobile MVP (/store/D07) | From-scratch estimate, up to 5 agreed screens, one core workflow | From USD 5,995 (deposit online, final price after discovery) | 6 to 10 weeks |
| App Store + Google Play publishing (/store/L04) | Listing, build upload, up to 2 review responses per store | USD 249 (launch special) | 5 days |
The packages are our ready-made platforms configured with your branding. Store developer accounts, payment fees and usage-based services such as maps and SMS are not included and are paid by you. Just need a restaurant website with your menu first? Our restaurant website is USD 899.
Not sure which one fits? Run our free website audit on your current site, or start with requirements discovery (USD 199).
FAQ
How much does it cost to build a food delivery app?
With a ready-made platform configured for you, our food delivery package with customer, merchant and driver apps, admin and a connected site is USD 3,995. A from-scratch custom app is a much larger project; our custom mobile MVP starts at USD 5,995 for one core workflow.
Do I own the app?
You own your store listings, accounts, branding and data. The ready-made platform software is licensed for your business, not sold as exclusive source code. If you need exclusive rights, that is a separate custom quote.
Can I avoid marketplace commissions with my own app?
Your own app lets you take orders without a marketplace commission on each order, but you still pay card processing fees, maintenance and your own marketing. Many restaurants use both.
How long does it take?
Our delivery packages take 3 to 6 weeks, plus the time Apple and Google need to review the apps.
Do I need monthly maintenance?
We strongly recommend it. Phones, stores and libraries change every year, and maintenance keeps the apps working and updated.