Zomato, just last year, increased its platform fee from Rs 6 to Rs 10 ahead of the festive season. Now, the food delivery giant is at it again, raising the charge by another Rs 2. This nearly 20% hike takes the fee to Rs 12 per order, up from Rs 10.
The revised platform fee will apply across all cities where Zomato operates. The company, owned by Eternal Ltd, has implemented the increase amid the ongoing festive rush, when order volumes typically surge. Gold members are also not exempt from this and have to pay Rs 12 as a platform fee when ordering food.
Swiggy too raised platform fee
The hike follows Swiggy’s move to raise its platform fee for food delivery to Rs 14 from Rs 12, inclusive of GST, in select pin codes amid a surge in demand during the festive season. According to an ET report, the increase is temporary and will be rolled back once order volumes stabilise.
Zomato introduced the platform fee in 2023 at Rs 2 per order, while Swiggy implemented it at Rs 7.
Eternal reported a steep 90% YoY drop in net profit to Rs 25 crore in Q1FY26 despite 70% revenue growth. On the other hand, Swiggy’s losses doubled to Rs 1,197 crore on heavy Instamart spends, though revenues surged 54% to Rs 4,961 crore.
‘Soon they’ll be more than food order’
One social media user said, “Soon platform fee will be more than the food order.”
Another added, “Zomato increases platform fee by Rs 2. No of orders per day is ~25 lac. This translates to 15 cr incremental revenue per month and 180-200 cr yearly.”
“Uninstall these food delivery apps, problem solved. In their apps, they always show a price higher than the original price, then they will add the platform fee, delivery charges and GST. If the product cost is Rs 100, if you buy the same product from these apps, it costs at least 120 or 130,” commented a third.
A fourth posted, “Either Zomato thinks that the consumer is stupid, or they just don’t care anymore. In the past year, I’ve seen the Platform Fee increase up to Rs 10, and now it’s gone up by Rs 2 again, bringing it to a total of Rs 12. The same order in Zomato and Swiggy has a difference of almost Rs 25!”