How to Create an App like Doordash?

Creating an app like DoorDash offers a lucrative opportunity in the rapidly growing on-demand food delivery industry. With more consumers opting for the convenience of having food delivered straight to their doors, the demand for efficient, user-friendly platforms continues to rise. 

To create an app like DoorDash requires the right set of technology, market research, partnerships with local restaurants, and optimizing the user experience for both customers and delivery drivers. From designing an intuitive interface to integrating advanced features like real-time tracking, payment systems, and personalized recommendations, there are several essential components that contribute to such apps’ success. 

This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process on how to create an app like DoorDash, covering key areas such as app development, business model selection, marketing, and scaling. Whether you're a seasoned developer or an entrepreneur with a fresh idea, this guide will help you navigate the complexities of launching a successful food delivery service.

Key Takeaways:

• The on-demand food delivery market is rapidly expanding, with increasing consumer demand for convenience, making it an attractive investment for entrepreneurs.

• Steps to build a DoorDash-like app include market research, choosing features, tech stack selection, designing, development, testing, launch, and marketing.

• AI integration enhances efficiency with personalized food suggestions, dynamic pricing, predictive demand forecasting, route optimization, and fraud detection.

• Building a DoorDash-like app can cost from $30,000 to $300,000+, depending on the complexity, features, technology stack, and development location.

• Monetization strategies include commissions from restaurants, delivery/service fees, subscription models, and advertising.

• Collaborating with experienced development companies, JPLoft ensures access to expert technology, strategic planning, AI capabilities, and end-to-end support.

All About DoorDash: A Food Delivery App

DoorDash is a leading on-demand food delivery app that connects users with local and national restaurants, offering a seamless way to enjoy meals, groceries, and essentials right at their doorstep. Founded in 2013, DoorDash operates in thousands of cities across North America, partnering with 390,000 restaurants to provide diverse cuisine options, from fast food to gourmet meals, as well as groceries and retail products.

DoorDash has made a place in the daily lives of 20 million people across America, with a net revenue estimated to be USD 11.895 billion in 2025. It stands out for making food delivery accessible, fast, and customizable while empowering local businesses to expand their reach without managing their delivery staff.

Key Features of DoorDash

• Real-Time Tracking: Monitor your order’s journey live, from kitchen preparation to delivery partner pickup and arrival, with accurate estimates based on traffic and weather.
• Flexible Delivery & Pickup: Opt for contactless delivery, traditional hand-off, scheduled delivery, or in-person pickup for added convenience and safety.
• Personalized Experience: Get AI-powered restaurant and food recommendations tailored to your cravings and past orders.
• DashPass Subscription: Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 fees at select merchants, plus exclusive offers for subscribers.
• Customer Support: Access 24/7 help for order tracking, payment, and delivery issues.
• Multi-platform Access: Available on iOS, Android, and the web for ordering anytime, anywhere.
• Restaurant Tools: Restaurants use DoorDash’s dashboard for easy order management, menu updates, and analytics to boost sales and efficiency.

Now that we’ve explored what makes DoorDash a leading food delivery app, let’s dive into how to make an app like DoorDash and why investing in it can be a game-changing opportunity for entrepreneurs and businesses with the help of the best on-demand app development company in the market.

Why Develop an App like DoorDash?

DoorDash like app development positions you to step into a lucrative, expanding market with proven demand and diverse income channels. There are several compelling reasons to develop an app similar to DoorDash, like:

1. Growing Market Demand 

The global food delivery market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 24% between 2023 and 2030, according to Business Of Apps, making it a thriving opportunity for new entrants. Users want services delivered without leaving their homes, and this includes food, groceries, pharmacy items, and specialty products. 

2. Support for Local Businesses

DoorDash helps small restaurants increase their visibility (e.g., a local pizza shop saw a 35% revenue increase after partnering with DoorDash) and reach customers beyond their usual foot traffic, often boosting their revenues significantly, which is why learning how to create an app like DoorDash can be a game changer for many businesses.

3. Multiple Revenue Stream Options

If you develop a DoorDash clone, it promises revenue through diverse sources like commissions (around 20% per order), delivery fees, subscription models for free delivery, and advertising fees from restaurants.

4. Technological Strength and Scalability 

Once you build a DoorDash clone, you can scale quickly by expanding to new regions or cities, acquiring more restaurants, or partnering with more delivery drivers. Utilizing cloud infrastructure allows you to handle a growing number of users and orders seamlessly, which is important as the business grows.

5. Customer-Centric Convenience

Food delivery apps save users time, allow easy payment through various methods, and provide benefits like online discounts, all of which contribute to customer retention.

It serves the booming demand, supports local businesses, provides scalable revenue opportunities, and leverages technology to enhance user experience and operational efficiency. With the mix of market trends, business benefits, and monetization options, recently, a large number of entrepreneurs have aimed to create an app like DoorDash.

With an understanding of the benefits of DoorDash like app development, along with the partnership of an experienced mobile app development company, the next step is to dive into the must-have features that will set your platform apart.

Features to Include in an App like DoorDash

Here are the key food delivery app features to include when you develop a DoorDash clone, ensuring a smooth, user-friendly experience for customers, restaurants, and delivery drivers: 

Advanced Features for Washos Clone to Stand Out:

The most trendy advanced features to integrate to develop an app like DoorDash:

• Contactless Delivery: Ensures safety by dropping orders at doorsteps.

• Scheduled Orders & Deliveries: Allow customers to plan orders ahead of time.

• Photo Verification for Deliveries: Drivers upload proof of delivery to reduce errors.

• Order Pooling: Combine multiple orders for shared delivery to save costs.

• Dine-In Reservations: Let customers book tables directly via the app.

These features together create an app that meets the expectations of modern users while supporting operational efficiency and scalability for restaurants and delivery partners. Success comes when you implement these elements wisely while working to develop a food delivery app like DoorDash.

Features define what your app can offer, but turning those features into a working product requires a clear roadmap. Let’s walk through the steps to develop a DoorDash clone.

Steps to Build an App like DoorDash

To create a food delivery app like DoorDash, a series of well-defined steps is involved that ensures a successful, user-friendly, and scalable platform. 

Below, we have provided a step-by-step guide to create a food delivery app like DoorDash with the latest market trends: 

Step 1. Market Research and Business Model Definition

Start an online food delivery business journey by analyzing the food delivery market, identifying gaps, and understanding customer needs, competitor strengths, and weaknesses. Define your target audience and choose a business model accordingly. Identify your unique value proposition that will make your app stand out.

Quantify the opportunity first. Size TAM/SAM/SOM for your initial city, map demand hotspots by cuisine and time of day, and study unit economics early: AOV, take rate, delivery fee, discounts, and CAC payback. Segment supply (independent restaurants, cloud kitchens, chains) and identify a wedge. Lock your compliance checklist and local permits before pilots, and outline revenue mix beyond commissions, like ads or subscriptions.

Step 2. Define Features and Functionalities

Clearly outline essential features for customers, restaurants, drivers, and admins. Prioritize core elements for each app module. Core features to build an app like DoorDash include: 

a) Customer App Features

• • User registration/login
  • Search & browse restaurants
  • Menu listings with customization
  • Order placement & scheduling
  • Real-time order tracking
  • Multiple payment options
  • Ratings & reviews
  • Offers, discounts, loyalty programs

b) Restaurant Partner App Features

• • Restaurant registration & profile setup
  • Menu management (add/edit items, pricing)
  • Order management & status updates
  • Payment tracking & earnings dashboard

c) Driver App Features

• • Driver registration & verification
  • Order requests & delivery acceptance
  • In-app navigation 
  • Delivery status updates
  • Earnings & withdrawal management

d) Admin Panel Features

• • Manage users: customers, drivers, restaurants
  • Analytics & reporting
  • Commission and payment management
  • Customer support tools
  • Promotional campaigns

Step 3. Choose the Right Technology Stack 

Select a technology stack that supports multi-platform development, scalability, and integration capabilities. You can choose the following most commonly used mobile app tech stack to develop a DoorDash clone to start with: 

• • App Frontend: Flutter, React Native (cross-platform), or Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android).
  • Web Panel: JavaScript, React.js, Angular, or Vue.js.
  • Backend: Node.js, Python (Django/Flask), or Ruby on Rails.
  • Database: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or MySQL.
  • Cloud Hosting: AWS, Google Cloud, Azure.
  • Utilities: Google Analytics, Stripe, Twilio, Sendgrid, Optimizely, and Segment
  • APIs: Google Maps (navigation), Stripe/PayPal (payments), Firebase (notifications).
  • DevOps: GitHub, Docker, Jenkins, WebPack, New Relic, Yarn, and Sentry
  • Business Tools: Jira, GSuite, and AdRoll

Step 4. Design UX/UI

Focus on creating an intuitive and engaging user interface tailored to each user group. Create wireframes and clickable prototypes. Focus on clean navigation, fast loading, and intuitive workflows. Ensure responsive mobile app design for all devices to ensure positive user experiences.

Build a design system with tokens, components, and clear motion rules so the entire suite feels consistent across customer, driver, and restaurant apps. Prioritize accessibility (WCAG), empty and error states, skeleton loading, and one-hand flows for riders and drivers. Restaurant tools should be tablet-friendly with large touch targets; driver UI needs glanceable steps, haptics for events, and offline tolerance.

Step 5. Develop MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

Build the MVP with essential features to launch initially. It should include user registration, menu listings, order placement, payment, and basic tracking. Set up separate apps/modules for customers, drivers, restaurants, and admin.

Launch in one micro-market to reduce noise and learn fast. Instrument everything: conversion at each step, D0 orders, D1/D7 retention, refund rate, and on-time delivery. Use feature flags for risky items, seed supply with a committed restaurant set, and run a tight support playbook for the first 1,000 orders. Aim for reliability over breadth; you can expand features once the core loop holds.

Step 6. Integrate APIs and Third-party Services 

Enhance functionality with the integration of third-party APIs for maps, authentication, payment gateways, real-time GPS tracking, push notifications, and chat support. This helps speed development and leverages proven technologies.

Treat integrations as products. Use sandbox keys first, add retries and idempotency for webhooks, and monitor each provider with separate dashboards and SLAs. Keep secrets in a vault, enforce least-privilege scopes, and validate payloads at the edge to prevent schema drift. For payments, align with PCI requirements and add basic fraud checks from day one.

Step 7. Testing and Quality Assurance 

Conduct thorough mobile app testing, including functional, performance, usability, and security tests. Address bugs and optimize app performance for a smooth launch. Test across every size of device and platform, like iOS and Android. Conduct beta testing with a smaller user group before full launch.

Define a test matrix across devices, OS versions, and network tiers, and automate the boring parts with unit, integration, and end-to-end suites (Appium/Detox). Load test surge scenarios like dinner peaks, rain spikes, and flash promos. Add contract tests for partner APIs, simulate GPS drift, and run security checks for auth, PII exposure, and payment flows before any public build.

Step 8. Launch and Development

Deploy apps to App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Use cloud servers (AWS/GCP) for scalability. Implement monitoring tools to track app performance and crashes.

Use staged rollouts (5% → 10% → 25% → 100%) with crash-free targets and rollback ready. Ship strong ASO: localized screenshots, concise copy, and keyword-aware titles. Stand up monitoring and on-call with clear SLOs for latency, availability, and order success, plus a war-room calendar for the first two weeks. Capture store reviews fast with polite in-app prompts after successful deliveries.

Step 9. Marketing and User Acquisition

Conduct marketing campaigns targeting customers, restaurants, and drivers. Use digital marketing, partnerships, and promotions to attract your initial user base. Launch promotions: free delivery, referral bonuses, first-order discounts.

Sequence the marketplace. Onboard supply first with a restaurant playbook, then activate demand via hyperlocal ads, map packs, and influencer tastings. Use referral loops (give/get), first-order promos with strict caps, and partnerships with housing societies or offices for bulk trials. Track LTV:CAC by cohort and city so you can throttle spend where payback slips.

Step 10. Collect Feedback and Iterate

Monitor user behavior and feedback continuously. Regularly update the app with new features, improvements, and bug fixes to enhance user satisfaction and retain customers.

Keep feedback always on. After each delivery, ask a quick “How was it?” with a one-tap issue report and a short in-app survey or NPS. Every week, review heatmaps and drop-offs, then rank fixes by reach, impact, confidence, and effort. Ship small, regular updates with a clear changelog. Retire features that don’t help, and highlight wins like faster checkout or fewer crashes so users feel real progress.

Step 11. Scale and Optimize 

Expand the app with advanced features like AI-driven recommendations, subscription plans, dynamic pricing, in-app chat support, and predictive analytics. Optimize backend infrastructure for handling growth and to avoid any type of food delivery app development challenges.

Expand city by city with zone design, batching and routing improvements, and smarter ETAs. Add AI-assisted recommendations, scheduled orders, subscriptions, and SLA-aware pricing to lift margins without annoying users. 

Under the hood, move to multi-region infra, a proper data stack for forecasting and fraud, and FinOps guardrails so cost per order trends down as volume grows. Keep compliance, audits, and SLAs tight as enterprise partners come in.

Following these steps methodically will help you understand how to make an app like DoorDash that is efficient, scalable, and poised for success in the competitive food delivery market. 

While understanding the steps for how to develop an app like DoorDash lays the foundation, integrating AI can take your platform to the next level, enhancing efficiency, personalization, and user satisfaction. Let’s explore how AI can be used to make an app like DoorDash smarter and more competitive.

Use AI to Make an App like DoorDash

AI has revolutionized food delivery apps like DoorDash, driving operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and business growth. Here’s how you can harness AI to successfully develop a food delivery app like DoorDash, with the help of an AI app development company that helps you bring real-world impact:

► Personalized Food Suggestions

How It Works: Machine learning algorithms analyze orders, browsing habits, and preferences to suggest dishes users are likely to enjoy.

Why It Works: Increases order frequency and customer retention by making the app feel tailored to each user.

► Dynamic Menu Management & Pricing

How It Works: AI helps restaurants automatically update menus, adjust prices based on demand, stock levels, and stay updated with food delivery app trends.

Why It Works: Maximizes revenue, reduces waste, and offers the right items/prices to match customer needs and market demand

► AI-Powered Chatbots & Voice Assistance

How It Works: Chatbots (NLP-based) can handle order queries, recommend items, and provide support. Hire dedicated developers for integrating voice assistants to let users order hands-free.

Why It Works: Reduces support cost, boosts accessibility, and offers engaging, responsive customer service

► Predictive Demand Forecasting

How It Works: AI anticipates surges in orders by evaluating historical patterns, weather, events, etc., adjusting staffing and incentives accordingly.

Why It Works: Prevents system overload, matches driver/supply with demand, boosts restaurant efficiency during rush hours

► Image-Based Food Identification

How It Works: Users can upload food images, and AI matches them to menu offerings using computer vision.

Why It Works: Streamlines ordering and taps into social media food trends

► Sustainability & Waste Reduction

How It Works: AI monitors the supply chain, predicts inventory needs, and suggests menu adjustments to avoid waste.

Why It Works: Supports eco-friendly operations and saves costs for restaurants

► Loyalty & Retention Optimization

How It Works: AI identifies at-risk customers and automatically delivers personalized discounts or offers.

Why It Works: Keeps more users active, lowering churn and improving return on investment.

Build an AI app along with these AI-rich features, and your app not only matches the evolving standards of food delivery giants but also delivers standout experiences. AI ensures each stakeholder gets a smarter, safer, and more rewarding experience. This benefits customers, restaurants, drivers, and the business itself.

While AI can significantly enhance the performance and user experience of your platform, it’s equally important to understand the financial investment required. Let’s now explore what's the cost to build an app like DoorDash.

How Much Does it Cost to Build an App like DoorDash?

To develop a DoorDash clone in 2025 can cost anywhere from USD 30,000 to USD 300,000+, depending on several factors such as features, complexity, technology stack, development location, and design. 

Here’s a cost breakdown to build a DoorDash clone: 

A] Cost Breakdown depending on App Complexity

Here’s a breakdown based on the complexity and features chosen to create a DoorDash clone:

B] Factors Influencing the Development Cost of a DoorDash-like App

• Complexity: More features (AI integration, analytics, chatbots, etc.), higher costs.

• App Platform: Native iOS/Android development is pricier than cross-platform solutions like Flutter or React Native.

• UI/UX Design: Professionally designed, intuitive interfaces command a premium.

• Development Team Location: Hiring developers in North America or Europe is more expensive than in other locations.

• Third-Party Integrations: Real-time tracking, payment gateways, GPS tracking, push notifications, etc., add to the budget.

• Testing & Maintenance: Ensuring a bug-free launch and continued reliability increases costs.

• AI & Advanced Features: Smart recommendations, dynamic pricing, and chatbots increase initial outlay.

All these factors contribute to the wide pricing range of what's the cost to build an app like DoorDash. Investing more typically results in a more robust, scalable, and competitive app. A full-featured app design to perform at DoorDash’s level will be an expensive but highly rewarding investment.

Next, we will look at ways apps like DoorDash maximize their earnings and how you can apply the same strategies when you create a DoorDash clone.

How to Monetize an App Like DoorDash?

There are various food delivery app monetization methods for apps like DoorDash that integrate the business into different revenue streams of the delivery ecosystem: consumers paying for convenience and features, restaurants paying for access and promotion, and expanded services bringing in additional customers and revenue streams. 

Here is a detailed explanation of how to strategically monetize and develop a DoorDash clone that generates sustainable revenue: 

1] Commission from Restaurants

Charge restaurants a commission fee ranging between 15% and 30% per order placed through your app platform.

Why it works: Restaurants gain access to a broader customer base and pay for the increased sales and exposure. Commission aligns your revenue with restaurant success.

2] Delivery Fees

Build an app like DoorDash that charges customers a delivery fee per order, varying by distance, demand, time duration, and location.

Why it works: Customers pay for the convenience of home delivery. Variable fees cover logistics costs and ensure profitability during peak and off-peak times.

3] Service Fees

Additional charges on orders to cover platform operational costs, usually a small fixed fee or percentage.

Why it works: Helps maintain platform functionality and customer support. Ensures the app can sustain quality service.

4] Subscription Model

Monthly subscription offering unlimited free or discounted deliveries on eligible orders.

Why it works: Generates recurring revenue while driving customer loyalty and increasing order frequency. Subscribers tend to order more often due to exclusive benefits and offers.

5] Advertising and Promotions 

Restaurants pay for sponsored listings and in-app ads to boost visibility and attract more orders.

Why it works: Provides restaurants with marketing opportunities directly linked to increased sales. Additional revenue from advertisers complements core income.

6] Grocery and Retail Partnerships

Create an app like DoorDash that expands delivery services beyond food to groceries, pharmacies, and retail items with commissions and fees.

Why it works: Diversifies revenue beyond just food delivery service. Takes advantage of the rising demand for all-inclusive on-demand delivery services.

The multifaceted approach maximizes overall profitability and customer retention while scaling the business effectively. This comprehensive monetization strategy is why food delivery app ideas like DoorDash remain highly profitable and attractive as a business model to emulate in 2025.

Partner with JPLoft and Build an App like DoorDash

Are you ready to enter the booming on-demand food delivery market with an app that matches DoorDash standards? Partnering with JPLoft, an experienced food delivery app development company, is your gateway to launching a powerful, scalable, and feature-rich platform tailored to your business needs. 

Why choose JPLoft? Because we understand that building a DoorDash-like app goes beyond just development. It requires strategic planning, cutting-edge technology, and a user-centric approach. Our team excels at crafting intuitive, visually stunning AI-powered apps with seamless user interfaces customized for customers, restaurants, and delivery drivers. 

JPLoft offers end-to-end services from product ideation and design to development, testing, deployment, and ongoing support. We leverage the latest technologies and best practices to deliver secure, scalable, and reliable apps on time and within budget.

Get in touch with JPLoft today and start your journey to build the next big name in the food delivery industry, now!

Conclusion

To create a food delivery app like DoorDash, we require a clear understanding of market needs, a robust technological foundation, and thoughtful feature integration. Success hinges on delivering seamless experiences for customers, drivers, and restaurants alike, with essential functionalities such as real-time order tracking, secure payment gateways, and AI-powered personalization. 

Investing in AI enhances efficiency by optimizing delivery routes, forecasting demand, and powering intelligent customer support. While the initial development cost and complexity may seem high, breaking down the project into manageable modules and adopting an agile approach ensures steady progress. 

Whether you’re a startup or an established business, if you make an app like DoorDash, it promises a venture with significant upside, provided you embrace innovation, execute with precision, and prioritize user satisfaction throughout the journey.