If you’ve ever ordered food online, you’ve likely used Zomato. But what if you could create something better — more local, more personalized, more human?
In this deep-dive guide, we’ll explore:
- How Zomato was built ?
- What is a Zomato Clone App ?
- What users love about it ?
- The Zomato business model explained
- Features of a Zomato Clone App You Should Know
- Why it’s not perfect — and how you can do better
- How to launch your Zomato alternative app
- How to create a multi-category delivery platform
- And why the future of food delivery apps belongs to creators like you
If you’re searching “how to build a food delivery app like Zomato” or aiming to launch a smarter Zomato alternative, this is your roadmap.
The Humble Start of a Giant: The Zomato Origin Story
Zomato began in 2008 as a small website called Foodiebay, created by two ex-Bain employees who simply wanted to make restaurant menus available online.
What started as a solution to office lunchtime frustration quickly evolved into a full-scale food delivery empire, redefining how millions experience dining.
Zomato processed over 1.4 million orders per day by 2024 and operated in more than 20 countries.
The takeaway: Building a Zomato alternative isn’t about cloning — it’s about solving a small but painful user problem beautifully.
What is a Zomato Clone App ?
A Zomato clone app is a ready-made food delivery app solution modeled after the features, workflows, and user experience of Zomato. It typically includes essential modules like restaurant listings, online ordering, live tracking, customer reviews, and admin control panels.
But a true Zomato clone isn’t just about copying — it’s about adapting. You can customize it to serve your region, niche, or audience with unique features that Zomato doesn’t provide.
💡 Start with the Zomato foundation — then evolve it into a platform that reflects your purpose and user needs.
Why People Love Zomato (And Keep Coming Back)
Zomato became a household name because it feels convenient, trustworthy, and fun. Here’s why users are emotionally attached to the app:
- Seamless food delivery from local favorites
- Ratings & reviews from real diners
- Live order tracking and status updates
- Amazing offers, discounts, and subscriptions
- Food discovery through stories, photos, and user experiences
These are must-study food delivery app features — not just to replicate, but to reinvent with deeper value.
- Quick Fact
Over 65% of Zomato users rely on the app’s reviews before placing an order.
Zomato Business Model Explained
Here’s how Zomato
makes money:
Revenue Stream | Description |
🍽️ Commissions | 15–25% per order from restaurants |
🚚 Delivery Charges | Paid by customers for convenience |
🥇 Zomato Pro | Subscriptions for free delivery, discounts |
📢 Sponsored Listings | Restaurants pay for better visibility |
🏭 Cloud Kitchens & White Label | Zomato owns/partners with virtual restaurants |
Want to design your own food delivery app business model? Use this table as a starting blueprint for monetization.
Features of a Zomato Clone App You Should Know
When developing a Zomato-like food delivery platform, here are some core features to include:
- Restaurant onboarding & dashboard
- Search, filters, and smart discovery tools
- Order tracking and live delivery updates
- Reviews, ratings, and photos
- Wallet and multiple payment gateway integration
- Push notifications and discount management
- Admin panel with analytics and controls
Why stick with the same old food-only clone? Build a multi-category super app that fits evolving user lifestyles.
But Zomato Isn’t Perfect — That’s Your Advantage
To build a better delivery app, you must understand what frustrates users and partners today:
- High Restaurant Commissions : Small eateries struggle to turn profits.
- Delayed Deliveries, No Personalization : Everyone gets the same generic service.
- Impersonal Support : Chatbots can’t help when a pizza shows up cold.
A 2023 survey found that 47% of small restaurants feel delivery platforms hurt more than help.
How to Solve Food Delivery Problems
Here’s how you can innovate where Zomato falls short :
- Allow restaurants to set flexible pricing and delivery zones
- Create user profiles that learn preferences over time
- Add emotion-based ordering — “Feeling sad? Craving spicy?”
- Offer small-scale real-time human support during peak hours
These features will set your app apart from standard Zomato clone apps and foster real loyalty.
Build Original Zomato-Like App: Go Beyond the Basics
Forget cookie-cutter clone scripts. Create something original :
- Make it hyperlocal — spotlight home chefs, food trucks, & hidden gems
- Use smart AI — personalize feeds with health, budget, and taste data
- Warm, story-driven design — make the app feel like a neighborhood hangout
- Build community — food memories, video reviews, and local shout-outs
If you’re researching “how to build food delivery apps with AI,” this is your launchpad.
Hyperlocal Delivery App Development in 2025: Features, Trends & Country Insights
Create Multi-Category Delivery App — One Platform, Many Experiences
Why stop at food? Modern users want one app for all their quick needs.
Add :
Grocery delivery
Medicine and pharmacy delivery
Birthday cake & bakery deliveries
Household & cleaning essentials
Coffee runs for office teams
Example: Glovo and Dunzo successfully added multi-category logistics — but there’s still local room to win.
Want to create your own multi-category delivery app?
A multi-category delivery app built by Ventagenie for real-world scale. See how it works.
Let Ventagenie help you build your next big idea.
How to Launch Your Zomato Alternative App (Step-by-Step)
- Start with Research
Interview local foodies, delivery riders, restaurant owners. Find pain points.
- Define Your Focus
Are you solving for student late-night cravings? Vegan discovery? Elder-friendly meals?
- Design the Experience
Don’t start with features — start with emotion. Build with UX empathy.
- Build with Purpose
Don’t just build a Zomato clone. Craft something soulful and unique.
- Launch Small
Begin in one neighborhood or niche. Validate. Improve.
- Market Stories, Not Just Tech
Share real food memories, chef journeys, customer transformations.
The Future of Food Delivery Apps: What Comes Next ?
Food delivery is evolving — from convenience to community :
- Zero-waste packaging and green deliveries
- AI-based health and mood food suggestions
- Chef storytelling instead of menu listings
- Community-first platforms built around neighborhoods
- Predictive ordering — food at your door before you ask
The future isn’t about faster pizza. It’s about emotionally intelligent delivery ecosystems.
Final Thoughts: Build with Vision, Not Imitation
You don’t need to copy Zomato.
You need to understand your user better than anyone else.
Create something:
- More local
- More helpful
- More emotionally intelligent
- Kinder to restaurants, riders, and communities
Now you know how to build a Zomato alternative — not from someone else’s script, but from your own story.
- Your Turn
What’s your idea for a local food or multi-service delivery app?
Drop your thoughts or startup dream in the comments — let’s build the future, one meal at a time.
- Comment Below
What’s the one feature Zomato is missing that you would love to see?
Whether you’re a solo founder or part of a growing startup — your idea deserves thoughtful execution. 🎯 Want to create a smarter, kinder Zomato alternative? Let Ventagenie help you bring your vision to life.
Talk to our experts — no pressure, just possibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A Zomato clone app is a food delivery application that replicates the core features of Zomato — such as restaurant listings, online ordering, real-time tracking, and user reviews. However, building a true Zomato alternative goes beyond cloning — it means creating something more personalized, local, and purpose-driven.
The cost to build an app like Zomato depends on features, design complexity, and scalability.
- Local restaurant owners looking to expand online
- Startups entering the food or delivery tech space
- Entrepreneurs targeting niche markets (vegan, organic, healthy meals)
- Communities needing hyperlocal, multi-service delivery solutions
To create your own Zomato-like app:
- Identify a core user pain point
- Choose the right development partner (like Ventagenie)
- Start small with a focused niche or city
- Build key features like restaurant onboarding, order tracking, and reviews
- Test, iterate, and scale with user feedback
Mr. Aniket D is a seasoned digital marketer with over 10 years of experience in market research, content strategy, and performance marketing.
He specializes in analyzing consumer behavior, identifying emerging market trends, and translating insights into actionable digital strategies.
His work focuses on blending research-driven content with SEO and lead generation to drive measurable business growth.
Known for his data-first mindset, Aniket helps brands make smarter, audience-focused decisions in competitive markets.
