The meal delivery app market is growing rapidly, driven by increased consumer demand for convenience and variety in food options. With advancements in technology and consumer behavior shifts, the industry is seeing a surge in engagement and revenue across global markets.
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Vandana Abrol 
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An enthusiastic developer and skilled business management expert with over a decade of experience in the field
Meal delivery apps are becoming more popular as people want more convenience in their daily lives. Apps such as HelloFresh provide meal kits, which allow customers to cook meals without having to shop for groceries. If you plan to create an app like HelloFresh, you need to know how much it will cost to make smart choices.
This article will step you through what affects the cost of developing an app like HelloFresh in 2025, and how much it would typically cost to build a meal delivery app or meal kit delivery app from scratch.
A meal delivery app lets you pick from different food choices on your phone. You can get ready-made meals, boxes with measured ingredients to cook, or groceries through these apps. Once you place an order, the app handles it and brings the food right to your home.
Take HelloFresh as an example. It's one of the biggest companies that sends out meal kits. These kits help people make healthy food at home without needing to go shopping.
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Before diving into the costs, it's essential to understand the features that make up a meal kit delivery app. If you're looking to develop a similar product, consider including the following features:
By integrating these features, the app will provide users with an intuitive experience, making it more likely for them to continue using the service.
When planning to create an app like HelloFresh, various factors influence how much the development process will cost. Here's a breakdown of the factors that determine the cost:
The app's complexity has a big impact on how much it costs to develop. A food delivery app with just basic ordering and payment features will be cheaper to make. But if you add things like real-time tracking chat support, personalized suggestions, and inventory control, the price goes up.
To create a meal planning app with extra functions such as custom meal plans for different diets, you'd need to spend a lot more money.
The platform you pick is another key factor in the cost. Making an app for both iOS and Android costs more because you have to build two separate versions. But if you start with just one platform, like Android or iOS, you can cut down on the overall development expenses.
The way your grocery delivery app looks and works plays a big role in how people use it. If you're planning to create a UI that's easy to use and keeps people interested, you'll need to spend more time and money. Making a design from scratch costs more than using ready-made templates.
The tech stack you pick for app creation controls costs. Using a strong adaptable system like React Native or Flutter might take longer to put into action, but it could work better for making apps that run on different platforms. In contrast, if you build separate apps for iOS and Android, you'll need different technologies and more people to code them.
Choosing the right app development company is important. The cost can change a lot based on whether you go with a freelancer, a team from another country, or a big well-known mobile app development company. The big companies might cost more, but they're often more dependable and know more about making complex on-demand apps like a meal kit delivery app.
After your app goes live, you'll need to keep it up to date. This means fixing bugs, making it run better, and adding new things users can do. Taking care of the app over time can cost a lot if many people start using it. You should be ready for ongoing expenses after you first launch it.
Adding services from other companies can make your meal delivery app better. You might need to add maps to find the best routes, ways for people to pay, or systems that suggest meals. These add-ons come with extra costs.
We can determine the budget for creating an app similar to HelloFresh after analyzing all cost-determining variables. These estimates represent primary measures and the final expenses will depend on the previously mentioned factors.
For a basic food delivery app with essential features such as meal selection, payment processing, and order tracking, the development cost can range from USD 2,000 - USD 5,000 (INR 1,50,000 - INR 3,00,000). This estimate assumes that the app will be built for a single platform (either iOS or Android) with a simple design and limited features.
If you plan to build a meal kit delivery app with additional features like personalized meal plans, subscription management, and advanced real-time tracking, the cost can range from USD 5,000 - USD 10,000 (INR 3,00,000 - INR 5,00,000). This includes both iOS and Android platforms, as well as a moderately complex design.
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For an advanced meal planning app with custom features such as AI-based meal recommendations, multi-language support, advanced analytics, and integration with grocery stores or kitchens, the development cost can range from USD 10,000 or more (INR 5,00,000 or more). This estimate would include a team of skilled developers, designers, and QA testers to build and maintain the app.
In 2025, developing an app like HelloFresh will require a significant investment, especially if you want to offer a high-quality meal delivery app or meal kit delivery app. The cost can vary based on the complexity of the app, the platform you choose, and the development team you hire. Expect to spend anywhere between USD 2,000 - (INR 1,50,000 to USD 10,000 (INR 5,00,000) depending on the features and functionality you include in the app.
The budget process must include regular costs that maintain the application along with needed upgrades and promotion expenses. Hiring a professional app development company with experience in developing on-demand apps will help ensure that your app meets your business goals and offers a positive experience for users.
The knowledge of construction expenses and specifications in grocery delivery apps and meal kit delivery apps will help you better organize the process of developing your app concepts.
Creating an app like HelloFresh for meal kit delivery is a great opportunity to meet the demand for convenient meal solutions. The app should offer a user-friendly interface, real-time order tracking, secure payment options, and a smooth checkout process to ensure the best experience.
If you're thinking of building a meal kit delivery app like HelloFresh, Digittrix can help. With 14 years of experience, we specialize in developing on-demand apps and have the expertise to bring your idea to life. Our team of expert developers will ensure your app is intuitive, functional, and effective for your business.
Ready to create your meal delivery app? Contact Digittrix today at +91 8727000867 or digittrix@gmail.com for a consultation.
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A meal kit delivery app should include features like user profile management, meal selection and customization, subscription options, secure payment gateways, real-time tracking, push notifications, and an admin dashboard for managing users and orders. These features enhance the user experience and make the app more functional.
The development time for a meal planning app depends on its complexity. For a basic food delivery app, it may take around 3 to 6 months, while a more feature-rich meal kit delivery app could take anywhere from 6 to 12 months. Apps with advanced features such as AI-based meal recommendations will take longer to develop.
Yes, you can develop your meal delivery app for either iOS or Android first. This approach is more cost-effective if you’re working with a limited budget. However, keep in mind that you may need to invest in a separate development process if you plan to expand to the other platform later.
After the initial launch of your food delivery app, there will be ongoing costs such as maintenance, updates, server fees, marketing, and customer support. Regular updates to fix bugs, improve features, and keep the app running smoothly are essential for long-term success.
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