Top 10 Food Delivery Apps & Platforms in the UK

In contemporary times, the rapid digitalisation of food delivery apps and platforms has revolutionized the food ordering and delivery industry. This digitally fueled approach of modern consumers has transformed the process of accessing and enjoying their food.

The food delivery industry in the United Kingdom has recorded an estimated market size of USD 31,120 million in 2024, increasing at a CAGR of 7.45% in the projected years of 2025- 2035. For food enthusiasts and entrepreneurs alike, the success of these platforms has sparked interest in launching new food delivery apps. Whether you’re a startup looking to enter the market or an established business aiming to improve your food delivery services, understanding the top apps and platforms in the UK is crucial.

In this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 food delivery apps and platforms in the UK, highlight their popularity and unique features, and discuss why launching a food delivery app in the UK is a smart move. We’ll also provide a step-by-step guide on how to create your own food delivery app. 

Top 10 Food Delivery Apps & Platforms in the UK

The UK food delivery market is competitive, with multiple food delivery partners offering unique services. Here are the top 10 food delivery apps and platforms that have captured the attention of both users and restaurant owners and have generated large profits in the food delivery industry.

1. Deliveroo

Founded Year: 2013
Annual Revenue 2024: £1.05 Billion 

Deliveroo is one of the most well-known food delivery platforms in the UK, boasting a vast network of restaurants and fast delivery times. It offers a wide variety of options from fast food to fine dining, and grocery with the added convenience of subscription services like Deliveroo Plus. The app’s intuitive interface and reliable delivery service have made it the go-to choice for many users. Its integration with local restaurants and flexibility in delivery options make it highly popular. The platform has completed around 147 million orders and partnered with around 163K restaurants, competing for the top spot in the food delivery app industry in the United Kingdom. 

2. Uber Eats

Founded Year: 2014
Annual Revenue: £3.15 Billion 

Uber Eats benefits from the established reputation of its parent company, Uber. The platform is known for its large restaurant selection, quick service, and user-friendly interface. Uber Eats acquires 27% of the market share in the food ordering and delivery industry. Its “Eats Pass” subscription packages offer benefits like free delivery and integrate well with Uber’s ride-sharing service, making it extremely convenient for users. Uber Eats’ international presence, coupled with its fast delivery times, makes it a major player in the UK. Furthermore, the platform has acquired Postmates since 2020 and established its services in the United States. 

3. Just Eat

Founded: 2001
Annual Revenue: £1.5 Billion 

Just Eat is a pioneer in the UK food delivery space and has maintained its dominance with a large customer base and extensive restaurant partnerships. The marketplace acquires around 45% of the UK food delivery market share. It offers a variety of cuisine choices, from takeout to gourmet meals. Just Eat’s ease of use, reliable service, and ability to cater to both large chains and independent restaurants make it a preferred option for UK users. Just Eat covers around 90% of the UK Postcodes and has registered over 35,000 restaurants.

4. Postmates

Founded: 2011
Annual Revenue: Acquired by Uber Eats in 2020

Postmates originated in the US and has now expanded its reach to the United Kingdom with Uber Eats. Furthermore, the food delivery marketplace has expanded its services in the UK and gained a solid foothold in urban areas, with the revenue driven by ads, loyalty subscriptions, merchant tools, and more. Postmates offers not only food delivery but also delivery of alcohol, groceries, and other essentials. Unique selling points of the platform that have assisted the platform to stand out in the competitive landscape are platform flexibility, range of services, real-time tracking, and more. 

6. Hungry House

Founded: 2006
Annual Revenue: Acquired by Just Eat in 2017

Hungry House was once an independent competitor in the UK, offering an easy-to-use platform for takeaway ordering. Now owned by Just Eat, it continues to serve a loyal customer base and provides another avenue for users to order food online. Hungry House had registered over 10,000+ local takeaway restaurants on the platform before merging with the industry giant of the UK- Just Eat. 

7. Gusto

Founded: 2012
Annual Revenue: £ 312 Million 

Gusto is a unique UK- based recipe box platform that delivers the meal ingredients to the customers. Unlike other food delivery platforms, Gusto focuses on meal kits and ingredients delivered to your door. Customers can select from a variety of recipes and enjoy the experience of cooking fresh meals at home. The app’s popularity is driven by the rise of home cooking and the need for convenience in meal preparation.

8. Papa Johns’

Founded: 1984
Annual Revenue: £1.5 Billion 

Papa Johns’ is a restaurant chain that primarily delivers pizza and operates on a niche-based business model. The restaurant has increasingly integrated food delivery into its business model. The food delivery app is popular in the UK due to its easy ordering process, reliable delivery, and regular promotions. With its focus on customization, customers can easily personalize their orders, and the company’s consistent quality has led to a loyal following. The Papa Johns’ app provides a seamless ordering experience and continues to expand its customer base across the UK.

9. Foodhub

Founded: 2017
Annual Revenue: £89.36 Million 

Foodhub is a UK-based app launched to offer unique selling points that assist in increasing business for small or new restaurants. FoodHub, UK aims to cut out third-party commissions by allowing users to order directly from restaurants at no commission. This model benefits both consumers and restaurant owners, as it lowers delivery costs. Foodhub’s transparency and focus on customer service make it a popular alternative to larger platforms. The marketplace has registered over 30,000 restaurants. 

10. Hungry Panda

Founded: 2017
Annual Revenue: £89.36

Hungry Panda, launched in the United Kingdom in 2017, is an Asian-specific cuisine marketplace that connects customers with restaurant merchants listed on the platform. It focuses on quality and providing a user-friendly interface to its users. Therefore, making it the leading global food delivery partener, specialising in Asian cuisine, and making it a favorite for foodies seeking fresh, local options. It’s a well-regarded app for those wanting to support smaller, independent Asian eateries in the UK.

These are the top 10 food delivery apps and platforms that have contributed a large revenue to the food delivery app industry. New business owners and entrepreneurs can conduct in-depth competitive analysis, develop a USP for their business, implementing the consumer feedback on their food delivery apps. Get a detailed competitive analysis of the apps in the table given below. 

Comparison Table of Top Food Delivery Apps & Platforms in the UK

Platform	Founded	Yearly Downloads	Business Model	Best Known For
Deliveroo	2013	60 Million+	Commission-based, Subscriptions	Fast Delivery, Wide Variety
Uber Eats	2014	40 Million+	Commission-based, Subscriptions	Integration with Uber
Just Eat	2001	50 Million+	Commission-based	Large Restaurant Network
Postmates	2011	25 Million+	Delivery Services & Commissions	Variety of Deliveries
Hungry House	2006	N/A	Commission-based	Takeout Options
Gusto	2012	2 Million+	Subscription-based	Meal Kits and Ingredients
Papa John’s	1984	N/A	Commission-based, Delivery-Only	Customizable pizza, Nationwide delivery
Foodhub	2017	N/A	Commission-free	Direct Orders from Restaurants
Hungry Panda	2017	N/A	Commission-based & Delivery services	Local Asian Cuisine Restaurant Focus

The food delivery app industry is brimming with new business models and unique business model ideas that assist in earning large profits by catering to the needs of consumers. While the industry is accommodating to new businesses, get more reasons why to launch your own food delivery app and platform in the UK. 

Why Launching a Food Delivery App in the UK is a Strategic Decision?

The UK food delivery industry has created a thriving ecosystem for food delivery services, for all user-types ranging from restaurant merchants, customers, and delivery agents, offering a mutually beneficial ecosystem, presenting significant opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to tap into this booming industry. Invest in the industry growing at a CAGR of 6% with estimated market revenue to reach £3.9 billion at the end of 2026. Here are some more reasons why launching a food delivery app in the UK is a smart move.

1. Growing Demand for On-Demand Convenience

Around 80% of the food delivery orders are placed through mobile phones. The busy and fast-paced lifestyle of urban populations in the UK has led to an increasing demand for convenience. People are looking for quick, easy ways to access food, whether it’s for a family dinner or a quick lunch at work.

2. Technological Advancements and Mobile Usage

With the rise of smartphones and mobile apps, more people are using their devices for everything, including ordering food. The increasing adoption of smartphones, along with the rapid advancement of mobile payment systems, has made it easier than ever to order food online. 

3. Diverse Culinary Culture

The UK is home to a diverse and multicultural society with a wide variety of food options. This cultural diversity has contributed to the growth of food delivery services, as consumers enjoy exploring new cuisines and experiences.

4. Consumer Trends Towards Convenience and Health

The growing trend of eating out less and cooking at home more has created a shift toward meal kits and home delivery of restaurant-quality food. Health-conscious consumers are also seeking nutritious, balanced meals that are easy to prepare or have delivered to their door.

5. Increase in Digital Payments

With the rise of digital wallets, contactless payments, and secure online transactions, the shift towards cashless payments has facilitated the ease of ordering food online. These platforms ensure secure payment transactions, which decreases fraudulent activities and increases customer satisfaction.  

6. Expanding Food Delivery Services Beyond Traditional Offerings

Food delivery platforms are no longer limited to just delivering fast food or takeaway meals. They now offer a wide range of services, such as grocery delivery, meal kits, gourmet meals, and even alcohol delivery. The flexibility and adaptability of food delivery apps are key drivers of their popularity in the UK. 

7. Strong Market Potential and Investment Opportunities

The food delivery industry in the UK is expected to continue growing, with both large companies and smaller independent startups seeking a piece of the market. Investors are actively looking to fund promising food delivery apps, given the industry’s potential. Launching a food delivery app provides entrepreneurs with an opportunity to tap into a thriving market that attracts significant consumer interest and investment.

8. Low Entry Barriers with Ready-Made Solutions

With the availability of ready-made food delivery software, launching a food delivery platform has never been easier. Entrepreneurs can bypass the complexities of building an app from scratch, reducing development time and costs. 

9. Flexibility in Business Models

Food delivery platforms offer flexibility in business models, from commission-based systems to subscription services and delivery-only kitchens. This allows entrepreneurs to customize their approach based on their target market, resources, and goals. 

Next, the blog acquaints new business owners with the steps to launch their food delivery app business in the UK. These steps are backed by proven business models and a strategic blueprint that have assisted aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners to attain success in the food ordering and delivery industry. 

Steps to Launch a Food Delivery App

Starting a food delivery marketplace requires careful planning and strategic execution. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you launch your own food delivery app and platform. 

1. Conduct Market Research

Before diving into the development of your app, it’s essential to conduct thorough market research. Analyze the UK food delivery market to understand customer preferences, identify competitors, and uncover gaps in the current offerings. This research will help you define your app’s unique selling proposition (USP) and create a service that stands out. Understanding local tastes, delivery trends, and consumer expectations will give you the insights needed to build a successful platform.

2. Establish an Online Presence & Choose the Right Technology

In today’s digital-first world, establishing an online presence is key to attracting both customers and vendors. To do this, you’ll need a well-designed and responsive website and active social media profiles. Your website should be optimized to handle orders, customer inquiries, and promotions, while social media will be your primary marketing tool for customer engagement.

To build a seamless and functional food delivery platform, you need to choose the right technology. Yo!Yumm is an ideal ready-made food delivery software solution for startups. It provides all the essential features such as vendor management, order tracking, payment gateway integration, and more, making it an excellent choice for food delivery businesses looking to save time and resources.

Yo!Yumm is designed to be scalable, customizable, and user-friendly, allowing you to launch your platform without the need for extensive technical expertise. With its intuitive interface, you can offer a smooth experience for both customers and vendors, ensuring a hassle-free food ordering and delivery process.

Key Features of Yo!Yumm includes

• Customizable UI/UX for tailored user experiences
  
• Real-time order tracking for customers and vendors
  
• Vendor dashboard for easy management of orders and payments
  
• Integration with popular payment gateways for secure transactions
  
• Mobile optimization to ensure the platform works seamlessly across all devices
  

By using Yo!Yumm, you can quickly get your app off the ground without the need to build everything from scratch, ensuring a faster time-to-market and reducing overall development costs.

3. Customize UI/UX and Branding

Once you’ve selected your technology platform, the next step is to focus on designing a user-friendly interface (UI) and creating an intuitive user experience (UX). The design should be clean, simple, and easy to navigate for both customers and vendors. With Yo!Yumm, you have the flexibility to customize the look and feel of your platform to reflect your brand’s identity. A visually appealing and functional app will enhance the user experience, which is critical for customer retention.

4. Launch and Promotion

After completing the design and functionality aspects of your app, it’s time for the soft launch. This phase allows you to test the platform with a small group of users, gather feedback, and iron out any issues. Early users can provide valuable insights into the app’s usability and identify bugs or areas for improvement.

Once you’ve made the necessary adjustments, it’s time for the official launch. Make sure to plan a targeted marketing campaign to spread the word about your new platform. Partnering with local restaurants, influencers, and food bloggers can help you gain traction and attract your first customers.

Conclusion

The UK food delivery market offers tremendous opportunities for startups and established businesses alike. With top food delivery apps like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat, there’s a high demand for efficient, customer-centric platforms. Similarly, launching your own food delivery app can be a lucrative business if you follow the right steps and choose the right tools, such as Yo!Yumm, to streamline the process.

By investing in market research, choosing the right technology, and focusing on user-friendly design, you can create a competitive food delivery platform that caters to the needs of modern consumers.

FAQs

What is the best food delivery app in the UK?

Deliveroo and Uber Eats are two of the most popular and widely used food delivery apps in the UK, offering a variety of restaurants, fast delivery, and excellent customer service.

Can I create a food delivery app without coding skills?

Yes, with a readymade software food delivery software like Yo!Yumm, you can create a fully functional food delivery app without needing to code. These platforms offer ready-made solutions that are customizable and user-friendly.

How much does it cost to develop a food delivery app in the UK?

The cost of developing a food delivery app in the UK depends on several factors, including app complexity, features, and the development approach chosen by the business owner. For a fully custom-built solution, the cost typically ranges from $40,000 to $100,000+, depending on requirements and scalability. In contrast, a ready-made solution like Yo!Yumm can be significantly more cost-effective, with pricing starting from around $3,000.

What features should I include in my food delivery app?

Your food delivery app must include essential key features such as restaurant and vendor management, real-time tracking, payment gateway integration, ratings and reviews, and order history.

How can I attract restaurants to join my platform?

By implementing effective marketing strategies, which include competitive commission rates, providing excellent support, and ensuring your platform has features that make it easy for restaurants to manage their orders and deliveries.