How Much Does It Cost To Create An App Like Too Good To Go?

Food waste is a global issue, with around one-third of all food produced being wasted annually. Apps like Too Good To Go help combat this problem by redistributing surplus food. The demand for waste food management apps is rising, with the food delivery app market expected to grow significantly.

Highlights

• Approximately 931 million tons of food are wasted annually, which is 17% of global food production (Source: UNEP, 2021).
• The online food delivery market is projected to reach $500 billion by 2030, growing at 10% annually (Source: Statista, 2023).
• The app has over 80 million users worldwide and rescues 200,000 meals daily from waste (Source: Too Good To Go, 2023).
• Food waste contributes to 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, worsening climate change (Source: Food and Agriculture Organization, 2021).

Co-Founder

Vandana Abrol

4 min read

An enthusiastic developer and skilled business management expert with over a decade of experience in the field

Worldwide concern about food waste is now being resolved through practical applications like Too Good To Go. The app enables users to connect with restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores that distribute their leftover food at reduced prices. Many businesses seek to develop apps that address food waste while creating financial benefits. But how much does building a food waste app like Too Good To Go cost? Let's break it down.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Development

The cost of developing a waste food management app depends on multiple factors, including design, features, development team, and platform choice. Below are the key factors that influence the budget:

App Platform (iOS, Android, or Both)

The selection of the platform determines major cost aspects. Developing an application for Android and iOS together will lead to higher costs than developing it for one operating system alone. The development of an app through working with a Mobile app development company becomes beneficial when your target users prefer Android systems.

Users who need their business solutions to function across Android and iOS devices should seek Android and iOS app developers who build suitable codebases to minimize expenses.

Core Features and Functionalities

The complexity of the app’s features plays an important role in determining development costs. Below are some key features of a food waste app like Too Good To Go:

1. User Registration & Login: Allowing users to create accounts using email, phone numbers, or social media logins.
2. Restaurant & Store Listings: A directory of businesses offering surplus food.
3. Live Inventory Management: Real-time updates on available food items.
4. Payment Integration: Secure online payment options such as credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and UPI.
5. Push Notifications: Alerts for new deals, order updates, and discounts.
6. Geolocation & Map Integration: Helps users find nearby food deals.
7. Ratings & Reviews: Enables customers to share their experiences.
8. Customer Support & Chat: A help desk for user queries and concerns.

The cost of mobile app development increases as each additional feature is implemented based on its complexity during programming.

UI/UX Design

A user-friendly interface design with visual attractiveness delivers satisfaction to users. The implementation of a practical food ordering system with efficient pickups needs dedicated investment into UI/UX design for creating a user-friendly interface. Design expenses depend on the quantity of screens, custom animations, and interactive elements. 

Technology Stack

The choice of programming languages and frameworks affects development costs. Generally used technologies for building food waste apps include:

1. Frontend: React Native, Flutter (for hybrid apps), Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android)
2. Backend: Node.js, Python, Ruby on Rails
3. Database: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Firebase
4. Cloud Services: AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure
5. Payment Integration: Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay

A hybrid app development company may use React Native or Flutter to build an app that works smoothly across multiple platforms, reducing costs compared to separate native apps.

Development Team & Location

The cost of hiring an app development team depends on their location and expertise. Below is a general estimate of hourly rates in different regions:

1. USA/Canada: USD 100 - USD 150 (INR 8,000 - INR 12,500) per hour
2. Western Europe: USD 80 - USD 120 (INR 6,500 - INR 10,000) per hour
3. Eastern Europe: USD 40 - USD 70 (INR 3,300 - INR 5,800) per hour
4. India & Southeast Asia: USD 20 - USD 50 (INR 1,600 - INR 4,100) per hour

For those looking for budget-friendly options, hiring an experienced Android and iOS mobile app developer can significantly reduce costs while ensuring quality work.

App Maintenance & Updates

Following the application launch users need regular updates together with security patches and bug fixes. The annual maintenance costs mean 15-20% of the complete development expenses.

Estimated Cost Breakdown

The estimated cost to build an app like Too Good To Go varies based on its complexity:

Basic Version App: A basic version with minimal features will cost around USD 2,000 - USD 5,000 (INR 1,50,000 - INR 3,00,000).

Moderate Complexity App: A moderate complexity app with more advanced features will cost approximately USD 5,000 - USD 10,000 (INR 3,00,000 - INR 5,00,000).

Advanced Features App: An advanced app with AI-based recommendations, custom UI, and real-time tracking can cost between USD 10,000 or more (INR 5,00,000 or more).

A basic food waste app with minimal features will cost around USD 2,000 to USD 5,000 (INR 1,50,000 - INR 3,00,000). If you include advanced features such as AI-based recommendations, custom UI, and real-time tracking, the cost can go up to USD 10,000 (INR 5,00,000) or more.

Additional Cost Considerations

Third-Party API Integrations

The implementation of third-party integrations in the app including Google Maps, Stripe or Twilio requires additional charges to be incurred. Every usage-related fee from APIs should be integrated into the overall cost estimation.

Marketing and Launch Costs

Launching a mobile app successfully requires marketing efforts, including digital advertising, SEO, and social media advertisements.

Legal and Compliance Costs

The food waste application needs to meet food safety guidelines and data security regulations. Seeking legal help along with privacy policy creation and performing compliance tests will lead to additional expenses.

Ways to Reduce Development Costs

1. Use a Hybrid Framework: Choosing hybrid development reduces costs compared to building separate apps for Android and iOS.
2. Outsource Development: Working with an offshore Android app developer can cut expenses while maintaining quality.
3. MVP Approach: Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with essential features and scale gradually.
4. Third-Party Integrations: Instead of building everything from scratch, integrate existing APIs for payments, maps, and notifications.
5. Pre-Made Templates: Using pre-designed UI components reduces design and development time.

Final Words

Developing an app delivers value to businesses by reducing food waste through efficient operations. Several key factors determine project costs during on-demand app development including selected features alongside selected platform type and workforce position alongside ongoing maintenance costs. A fully functional app like Too Good To Go can range between USD 2,000 - USD 10,000 (INR 1,50,000 - INR 5,00,000), depending on its complexity.

A mobile app development company enables businesses to develop their comparable food waste application through a seamless approach. Businesses that optimize their development strategies will establish an efficient and revenue-generating solution to address food waste.

The development expense is subject to management through strategic planning and partner selection along with gradual enhancement of application features. Developing food waste applications through correct planning systems becomes both powerful and financially advantageous for businesses.

Build an App Like Too Good To Go with Digittrix

A food waste management app like Too Good To Go is essential for reducing food wastage, connecting users with surplus food, and promoting sustainability. It should include a user-friendly interface, real-time inventory updates, secure payment options, and a seamless ordering system. To provide the best experience, the app should ensure smooth navigation, interactive features, and verified customer reviews.

If you're considering building a custom waste food management app like Too Good To Go, contact Digittrix.

Create your on-demand food waste app with us! We are a leading mobile app development company with 14 years of experience and a team of expert developers at Digittrix.

If you're interested in building an app but unsure where to start, schedule a consultation today with our expert technical managers by calling +91 8727000867.

You can also write to us with your queries at digittrix@gmail.com.