With only a few taps, applications like Careem have revolutionized how we order our favorite meals, and the food delivery business is flourishing. With Careem Now (now part of Careem's super app), the ride-hailing behemoth from the Middle East, Careem, entered the food delivery market and now offers a variety of eateries, easy ordering, and real-time monitoring. If you're a business owner hoping to release a comparable app, you probably have the following questions: How much does it cost to build a food delivery app like Careem?
We'll examine essential characteristics, dissect the main cost-influencing aspects, and offer a precise cost estimate to help you along the way in this blog. This tutorial, which was written with a human touch, attempts to give you the information you need to collaborate with a Food delivery app development company and realize your idea. Let's get started!
Key Factors Influencing the Cost to Build a Food Delivery App Like Careem
The cost of developing a meal delivery app varies depending on a number of factors, making it a substantial investment. Here's a thorough examination of the factors that influence the price tag:
1. App Features and Functionality
Any meal delivery app's features are its core. Customers, restaurants, and delivery drivers may all benefit from the many user-friendly features of the Careem app. Costs are impacted by the time needed to build each feature. The essential features you'll require are listed below:
- Customer Panel:
- User registration and login (social media, phone, email)
- Using filters to browse restaurants (cuisine, rating, pricing)
- Menu exploration with images and customization options
- Placing an order and monitoring in real time
- Several payment gateways (cash on delivery, digital wallets, and cards)
- Order history, ratings, and reviews
- Push notifications for order updates and promotions
- Restaurant Panel:
- Dashboard for managing orders and menu updates
- Order acceptance/rejection with status updates
- Analytics for sales and customer preferences
- Commission and payout management
- Delivery Driver Panel:
- Order assignment and navigation with Google Maps integration
- Real-time tracking for customers and restaurants
- Earnings dashboard and delivery history
- Admin Panel:
- Restaurant and driver onboarding
- Order and payment monitoring
- Customer support and dispute resolution
- Tools for marketing (loyalty programs, promotions)
2. Platform Choice (iOS, Android, or Cross-Platform)
The platform you choose significantly affects costs. Options include:
- Native Apps: Distinct apps for iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin/Java) offer greater speed and user experience, but they also demand twice as much programming work. Native apps are ideal for markets like the Middle East with diverse device ecosystems.
- Cross-Platform Apps: By utilizing frameworks like Flutter or React Native, which allow for a single codebase for both iOS and Android, costs can be reduced by 30% to 40%. However, for more complex features like real-time tracking, they might perform poorly.
- Web App: In addition to mobile apps, a web-based platform for patrons or eateries might increase accessibility while increasing expenses.
Careem's wide user base is reflected in the fact that it offers both iOS and Android apps. It can be less expensive for companies to start with a cross-platform app and migrate to native apps later.
3. Design and User Experience (UI/UX)
Expenses are determined by:
- Custom vs. Template Design: Although more expensive, custom designs that are suited to your audience and brand (for example, Arabic RTL support for Middle Eastern customers) increase user engagement. Although less original, templates are less expensive.
- Complexity: Design hours are increased by responsive layouts, animations, and excellent graphics.
- Localization: Design efforts are enhanced by supporting multiple languages (English, Arabic) and cultural quirks.
With 88% of consumers abandoning apps with subpar design, it is imperative to invest in a sophisticated UI/UX. Ten to fifteen percent of your budget should go toward design.
4. Technology Stack
The tech stack powers your app’s performance and scalability. A typical stack for a Careem-like app includes:
- Frontend: Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android), or Flutter/React Native (cross-platform)
- Backend: Node.js, Python (Django), or Ruby on Rails for server-side logic
- Database: MongoDB or PostgreSQL for storing user, restaurant, and order data
- APIs: Google Maps for geolocation, Stripe or PayPal for payments, Twilio for notifications
- Cloud Services: AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for hosting and scalability
Complexity and expense are increased by cutting-edge technology like machine learning for route optimization or artificial intelligence (AI) for tailored recommendations. Although using open-source technologies can save costs, it's important to account for license costs for paid APIs (like Google Maps).
5. Development Team and Location
The expertise and location of your food delivery app development company play a major role. Options include:
- In-House Team: Full control but high costs for salaries, infrastructure, and hiring. Suitable for large enterprises.
- Outsourcing: Partnering with a food delivery app development services provider is cost-effective and accesses global talent. Rates vary by region:
- USA/Canada: $80–$150/hour
- Western Europe: $60–$100/hour
- Asia (India, Philippines): $20–$50/hour
- Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia): $40–$80/hour
- Freelancers: Cheaper but risky due to inconsistent quality and lack of post-launch support.
For a Careem-like app, outsourcing to a reputable company in Asia or the Middle East balances cost and quality. Ensure the team has experience in food delivery apps and offers maintenance services.
6. Third-Party Integrations
Careem relies on third-party services to enhance functionality, such as:
- Payment Gateways: Stripe, PayPal, or local options like PayFort
- Geolocation: Google Maps or Mapbox for tracking and routing
- Notifications: Firebase or Twilio for push notifications and SMS
- Analytics: Google Analytics or Mixpanel for user behavior insights
Each integration involves licensing fees or subscription costs, plus development time to ensure seamless performance. For example, Google Maps API usage can cost $200–$1,000 monthly for high-traffic apps.
7. Compliance and Security
Food delivery apps handle sensitive data (user details, payments), requiring robust security and regulatory compliance. Costs include:
- Security: SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and regular audits
- Compliance: GDPR (Europe), CCPA (USA), or UAE’s data protection laws
- Licenses: Business permits for food delivery operations in your target market
Non-compliance can lead to fines or user distrust, so allocate 5–10% of your budget for security measures.
8. Maintenance and Updates
Post-launch costs are often overlooked but critical. Maintenance includes:
- Bug Fixes: Resolving issues reported by users
- Updates: Adding new features, supporting new OS versions (iOS, Android)
- Server Costs: Cloud hosting fees, scaling for user growth
- Customer Support: Handling user queries and disputes
Usually, 15–20% of the original development expenditure is spent on annual maintenance. You must emulate Careem's dedication to user pleasure, which is demonstrated by its frequent upgrades.
Cost Breakdown to Build a Food Delivery App Like Careem
Based on the factors above, here’s a rough cost estimate for a Careem-like app in 2025:
Basic App (MVP)
- Features: User registration, restaurant browsing, order placement, basic tracking, single payment method, admin dashboard
- Platform: Cross-platform (Flutter/React Native)
- Design: Template-based with minimal customization
- Team: Outsourced to Asia ($30/hour)
- Development Time: 800–1,200 hours
- Cost: $25,000–$40,000
Mid-Level App
- Features: All MVP features, real-time tracking, multiple payment options, restaurant and driver panels, push notifications, basic analytics
- Platform: Native iOS and Android or advanced cross-platform
- Design: Custom UI/UX with localization (e.g., Arabic support)
- Team: Outsourced to Middle East ($50/hour) or Europe ($80/hour)
- Development Time: 1,500–2,500 hours
- Cost: $75,000–$125,000
Advanced App (Careem-Like)
- Features: All mid-level features, AI recommendations, in-app chat, multilingual support, loyalty programs, advanced analytics, robust security
- Platform: Native iOS and Android, plus web admin panel
- Design: Premium custom UI/UX with animations and RTL support
- Team: Experienced food delivery app development company in USA ($100/hour) or Middle East ($60/hour)
- Development Time: 3,000–5,000 hours
- Cost: $180,000–$300,000+
Additional Costs
- Third-Party APIs: $2,000–$10,000/year (Google Maps, payment gateways)
- Server Hosting: $1,000–$5,000/year (AWS, Google Cloud)
- Maintenance: $5,000–$50,000/year (15–20% of development cost)
- Marketing: $10,000–$50,000 for initial user acquisition
The average cost of a fully functional Careem-like software with native platforms is between $200,000 and $350,000, which includes initial development and a year of maintenance.
Cost-Saving Strategies
Developing a top-notch software doesn't have to be expensive. Here are some pointers for cost optimization:
- Start with an MVP: To test the market, release a simple app with the essential functions (ordering, tracking, and payments). Later, include more sophisticated services like loyalty programs or AI.
- Select Cross-Platform Development: To cut down on development time and expenses while still reaching iOS and Android consumers, utilize Flutter or React Native.
- Use Outsourcing Wisely: Select a food delivery app development services provider in an area that offers affordable services, such as India or the United Arab Emirates, but make sure to check their portfolio and customer feedback.
- Make Use of Open-Source Tools: Reduce licensing costs by using free frameworks and libraries.
- Give scalability first priority: As your user base grows, plan the backend to accommodate expansion to prevent expensive rebuilds.
- White-Label Solutions: Although they might restrict originality, platforms such as Deonde provide customisable meal delivery apps at reduced prices ($10,000–$50,000).
Why Invest in a Food Delivery App Like Careem?
By 2027, the worldwide food delivery business is expected to reach $1.2 trillion, with the Middle East experiencing strong growth as a result of urban lifestyles and high smartphone usage. The success of Careem demonstrates the potential of apps that blend dependability, diversity, and ease of use. Advantages consist of:
- Revenue: Revenue sources include in-app advertisements, subscriptions, delivery fees, and commissions (20–35% each order).
- Market Expansion: Reaching a large audience, particularly in tech-savvy areas like Dubai
- Client Loyalty: Experiences that are tailored (e.g., AI recommendations) increase in retention
- Scalability: Extend to other services, such as Careem's super app paradigm, or grocery delivery.
A well-designed software can provide substantial returns despite high upfront expenses, particularly in markets with intense competition.
Choosing the Right Food Delivery App Development Company
Choosing the correct development partner is essential to the success of your project. Here’s how to choose:
- Experience: Seek out a business that has a track record of success with meal delivery apps. Look through their portfolio to see projects like Careem, Uber Eats, and Talabat.
- Expertise: Verify that they provide end-to-end food delivery app development services, from design to maintenance, and are knowledgeable about the tech stack you have selected (such as Flutter and Node.js).
- Transparency: Choose a partner who offers precise deadlines, detailed cost estimates, and frequent updates.
- Updates: Verify that they provide bug patches, updates, and scalability support after the launch.
- Customer Reviews: To determine dependability, read reviews on websites such as Clutch or GoodFirms.
To make sure your app stands out, a reputable food delivery app development company can help you prioritize features, optimize costs, and enter new markets.
Conclusion
The general cost range for developing a food delivery app like Careem is between$25,000 and $350,000. Some of the factors include features, platforms, and development team. To ensure sustained success, budget for ongoing costs like marketing and upkeep ($5,000 to $50,000 per year). If you start with an MVP, choose reasonably priced development options, and collaborate with a trustworthy food delivery app development business, you may release a competitive app without going over budget.