Let’s start with a simple truth, most people love the idea of having groceries, food, medicines, and random last-minute items delivered right to their door. Sometimes within 20 minutes. It’s that nice, lazy convenience we’ve all gotten used to. That’s exactly why apps like Dunzo took off.
People who want to start a business all want to know, “How much does it cost to make an super app like dunzo?” Not everyone can use the same answer.
But if you want to make a real Dunzo clone, a grocery delivery app, or a firm that sends you your prescription, stick with me. We’ll speak about all the real prices, important features, and smart ways to save time that can help you Build a Delivery App like Dunzo faster and better.
First, What Even Is a “Dunzo-Like App”?
At a glance, Dunzo might look like a simple delivery app. But there’s more to it. It’s a multi-service or “super app”. In one place, it lets you:
- Order food from restaurants
- Get groceries delivered
- Send a courier across the city
- Refill your medicine cabinet
- Even shop from local stores
And all of it happens within one app, without opening five different ones depending on what you need. That’s what you’ll want to think about replicating, convenience in a single interface.
So… What Determines the Cost?
This isn’t just about hiring a developer and launching an app in two weeks. Creating something like Dunzo takes planning, and money. But where exactly does that money go? Let’s break it down.
1. Are You Building for iOS, Android, or Both?
If you’re just testing waters, launching on one platform might be fine. But eventually, you’ll need to be on both ios app developers and Android. Building separately (what devs call “natively”) will cost more. But you can save a good chunk if you go cross-platform, using tech like Flutter or React Native.
2. How Many Features Are You Starting With?
You’ve probably heard the term MVP, Minimum Viable Product. That’s the smallest working version of your app. Think: log in, browse, place order, make payment, track delivery. That version is much cheaper to develop.
Now, if you start adding things like loyalty points, referral coupons, smart search, chat support, real-time driver tracking, well… Food Delivery App Development Cost goes up. Not saying don’t do it, just plan for it.
3. Design, It’s Not Just About Looks
Good design isn’t just about pretty buttons. It’s about how smoothly someone can use your app without thinking. The fewer taps it takes to order that bottle of shampoo, the better you’re doing.
Shortcuts in design can hurt user experience. So if you’re working with a tight budget, don’t skip UX. A clunky UI can ruin everything, no matter how advanced the backend is.
4. Do You Need Real-Time Tracking, Payments, Notifications?
These are the bits people don’t always think of in the beginning.
You’ll likely need:
- Live location tracking (thanks to Google Maps or alternatives)
- Payment gateways (Stripe, Razorpay, PayPal, depending on region)
- Notifications (like Twilio, Firebase, or One Signal)
- SMS alerts, if you’re serving areas with low internet
Each of these adds to your bill, some charge per message, some per user, and your dev team will spend hours making sure everything works smoothly.
5. Where’s Your Tech Team Based?
Here’s a reality check: If you hire developers in the US or Europe, expect to pay five times more than someone in India or Dubai. That doesn’t always mean better quality, it often just means higher overhead.
If you’re working with an experienced team like Appikr in Dubai, you get the perfect balance: regional insight, skilled engineers, and better communication, without the scary Silicon Valley price tag.
6. What About After the App Is Live?
Some founders think they’re done once the app hits the Play Store. Not even close.
You’ll have to handle updates, fix bugs, scale servers when traffic grows, and answer confused users. Post launch, save around 15–20% of your total Dunzo Alternative App Development cost just for ongoing support. It’s not a “maybe”, it’s a must.
The Big Question: How Much Will It Cost to Build an App Like Dunzo?
Okay, let’s talk about the numbers. Keep in mind that these prices are just preliminary guesses based on what we know about the market. They aren’t set in stone.
A modest version, which is all you need to start and test, will cost between $20,000 and $50,000.
A full-service company with a lot of features It could cost $150,000 or more to make a software package like Dunzo that you would be happy to show investors.
A white-label A Dunzo clone is a setup that has already been made, but you can tweak it to match your needs. Dunzo app development cost might cost between $10,000 and $40,000 USD, depending on what alterations you want to make.
Things move faster when you get White-Label Dunzo Alternative App. You don’t have to start from scratch; instead, you can tweak an existing framework or give it a new name to fit your business. It’s like buying a house and sprucing it up instead of Build App like Dunzo one from scratch.
Things You Should Remember That Are Important for Grocery Delivery App Development Solution
To make the app operate, you will need three major dashboards: one for the customer, one for the development medicine delivery app partner, and one for you or your management team (the admin panel).
For customers, must-haves include:
- Easy sign-up (phone/email or OTP)
- Homepage with product categories
- Multiple payment methods (digital wallets, card, COD)
- Order history and receipts
- Live order tracking with ETAs
- Support chat or call-back request
For drivers or partners, you’ll want:
- Order assignment and delivery routing
- Map-based turn-by-turn navigation
- Earnings dashboard
- Order confirmation tools (like OTP)
- Status updates (En route, Delivered, Returned)
For the admin (you), you’ll need tools like:
- Analytics dashboards (number of orders, success rate, revenue, etc.)
- Customer management tools
- Vendor management (if you’re working with merchants)
- Commission and payout tracking
- Control over promos, coupons, and geofencing
Why Build Dunzo alternative with a Dubai-Based Tech Partner?
Here’s something not many talk about, launching in Dubai gives your startup visibility in a fast-adapting digital market. The city’s infrastructure, rising consumer demand, and startup-friendly ecosystem give you an edge.
Plus, working with a mobile app development company in Dubai, like Appikr, means your project is handled locally with global reach. You also get access to bilingual teams, timezone convenience, and people who understand MENA-region business culture.
Smart Ways to Stay on Budget
No one wants to overspend. So here are a few tips to keep your development cost low without cutting too many corners:
- Start small, scale later – Get feedback early, expand strategically
- Use cross-platform tech – Saves time and money, especially for v1 launches
- Pick ready-made solutions if you’re tight on time – Customize a white-label app
- Work with a reliable team – One that offers everything from UI to server setup. One team, less confusion
Closing Thoughts
Competing with Dunzo might sound huge, but being “another Dunzo” isn’t the goal. Maybe your idea is faster medicine delivery in smaller cities. Or a food+grocery combo app for your region. Or something niche no one’s tapped into yet.
As far as cost goes, start thinking upwards of $20,000 USD for a basic version and prepare for $100K+ if you’re going all in. Realistically, speed and strategy matter more than being packed with features on day one.
Need help figuring it out? Appikr has been building delivery apps, ride-hailing platforms, medicine marketplaces, you name it. Based in Dubai, fueled by experience, and 100% ready to help you launch smart.
