A complete 2025 guide to saving money on food delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy. Learn hidden tricks, discount codes, free delivery hacks, wallet rewards, and smart ordering tips for Indian users.
How to Save on Zomato & Swiggy in 2025 – Best Tricks, Codes, and Offers
Food delivery has become a normal part of life for millions of Indians. Whether it’s a late-night biryani, weekend pizza, or a quick lunch during work-from-home days, apps like Zomato and Swiggy have made ordering food incredibly convenient.
But convenience often comes with a price.
A ₹200 meal can easily become ₹350 after adding delivery charges, platform fees, taxes, and tips. Many Indians don’t realise how quickly these small expenses add up. If you order food even 3–4 times a week, you might be spending ₹3,000–₹8,000 every month without noticing.
The good news is that there are several smart ways to reduce these costs.
In this guide, you will learn:
- How to use hidden discounts and promo codes
- Tricks to reduce delivery and platform fees
- Smart ways to use memberships and cashback offers
- Common mistakes that increase your food delivery bill
If you love ordering food but don’t want it to destroy your monthly budget, this guide will help you save 20–50% on most orders in 2025.
Understanding Food Delivery Savings in India
Before jumping into tricks, it’s important to understand how food delivery pricing works.
When you order food through apps like Zomato or Swiggy, the total bill includes several components:
- Food price from the restaurant
- Platform or convenience fee
- Delivery charge
- GST
- Optional tip
Restaurants sometimes also increase prices on delivery apps compared to their in-store menu.
This means your ₹180 dosa might show as ₹210 on the app, and after charges it could reach ₹280.
Food delivery companies make money through:
- Restaurant commissions
- Delivery charges
- Subscription services
- Advertising on the app
Because of this business model, they frequently offer discounts and promotional offers to attract customers.
If you know how to use these offers correctly, you can reduce your bill significantly.
Saving money on food delivery is similar to other daily financial habits. Small changes can make a big difference over time. You can learn more practical strategies in our guide on saving money tips at
https://savewithrupee.com/15-daily-money-hacks-to-save-₹10000-this-year/
Key Benefits of Using Smart Saving Tricks
Using discounts and smart ordering strategies has several advantages.
1. Lower Monthly Expenses
If you order food regularly, even a ₹100 saving per order can save ₹2,000–₹3,000 monthly.
2. Better Value for Money
Instead of paying full price, you get the same food at a lower cost.
3. Access to Exclusive Deals
Membership users and credit card holders often get better deals.
4. Cashback Rewards
Many UPI and wallet apps offer cashback on food orders.
5. Budget-Friendly Lifestyle
These small savings help improve your overall personal finance planning. Learn more in our guide on personal finance planning at
https://savewithrupee.com/7-steps-to-become-financially-independent/
Step-by-Step Guide to Saving on Zomato & Swiggy
Let’s look at the most practical ways Indians are saving money on food delivery apps in 2025.
1. Use Membership Plans (Zomato Gold / Swiggy One)
Membership plans are one of the easiest ways to save money.
These plans usually offer:
- Free delivery
- Extra discounts on restaurants
- Priority support
- Exclusive offers
Example
Swiggy One membership may cost around ₹149–₹299 for 3 months, but if you order food regularly, you can save ₹30–₹60 per order.
After just 5–6 orders, the membership usually pays for itself.
2. Always Check Promo Codes
Promo codes change frequently.
Common types of codes include:
- WELCOME – For new users
- FLAT100 – Flat ₹100 off
- 60OFF – Percentage discounts
- REPEAT – For existing users
Before placing an order, always scroll down and check “Available Coupons” in the app.
Many users skip this step and end up paying full price.
3. Order from Restaurants with Free Delivery
Many restaurants offer free delivery deals during certain hours.
These usually appear as:
- Free Delivery
- ₹0 Delivery
- Swiggy One Restaurants
- Gold Partner Restaurants
Choosing these restaurants can save ₹40–₹70 per order.
4. Compare Zomato vs Swiggy Before Ordering
The same restaurant often appears on both apps.
But the price and offers may differ.
Example
Chicken Fried Rice:
| Platform | Price |
|---|---|
| Zomato | ₹210 |
| Swiggy | ₹190 |
After applying discounts, the difference could reach ₹80–₹120.
It takes just 30 seconds to compare both apps.
5. Use Cashback Apps and Credit Cards
Many Indian banks offer cashback on food delivery.
Common offers include:
- 10% cashback on credit cards
- UPI rewards
- Wallet cashback offers
Apps like Paytm, PhonePe, and Google Pay occasionally give scratch cards or cashback on food payments.
You can also explore more reward strategies in our guide on
passive income ideas at
https://savewithrupee.com/passive-income-ideas-in-india-2025-12-real-ways-to-earn-while-you-sleep/
6. Avoid Small Orders
Small orders usually have higher delivery charges.
Example:
| Order Amount | Delivery Fee |
|---|---|
| ₹150 | ₹60 |
| ₹400 | ₹0–₹20 |
A simple trick is to:
- Combine orders with friends or family
- Add a small item to reach the free delivery threshold
7. Order During Offer Hours
Most food delivery apps run limited-time deals such as:
- Lunch specials
- Late night discounts
- Weekend offers
These deals often give 30–60% off.
Comparison Table – Zomato vs Swiggy in 2025
| Feature | Zomato | Swiggy | Best Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Membership | Zomato Gold | Swiggy One | Depends on city |
| Delivery speed | Good | Very fast in metros | Swiggy |
| Restaurant variety | Very large | Large | Zomato |
| Coupon offers | Frequent | Frequent | Tie |
| Grocery delivery | Limited | Instamart available | Swiggy |
| Late-night delivery | Available | Strong presence | Swiggy |
Both platforms compete heavily, which is actually good for customers because it leads to more discounts.
Real-Life Example: How a Bangalore IT Employee Saves ₹2,500 Monthly
Rahul, a 28-year-old IT professional in Bangalore, used to order food 4–5 times per week.
His monthly food delivery spending looked like this:
| Expense | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Food orders | ₹4,500 |
| Delivery charges | ₹1,200 |
| Platform fees | ₹300 |
Total: ₹6,000 per month
After applying a few tricks:
- Swiggy One membership
- Promo codes
- Comparing apps
His new monthly spending became:
| Expense | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Food orders | ₹4,200 |
| Delivery charges | ₹0 |
| Discounts | −₹1,500 |
New total: ₹4,500
Savings: ₹1,500 every month
That’s ₹18,000 per year, which could easily go toward savings or investments.
If Rahul followed a strict monthly budgeting guide, he could redirect these savings into building an emergency fund. Learn more in our guide on emergency fund guide at
https://savewithrupee.com/emergency-fund-how-much-should-an-indian-household-keep-practical-guide-2025/
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many Indians unintentionally overspend on food delivery because of these habits.
1. Ordering Impulsively
Late-night hunger often leads to expensive food orders.
2. Ignoring Minimum Order Conditions
Sometimes discounts require a ₹299 or ₹399 minimum order.
3. Not Checking Restaurant Prices
Food prices on apps can be 20–30% higher than dine-in prices.
4. Forgetting Membership Benefits
Many users pay for Swiggy One or Zomato Gold but forget to use it.
5. Paying Extra for Priority Delivery
Priority delivery may add ₹20–₹40 unnecessarily.
Avoiding these mistakes can easily reduce your bill by ₹500–₹1,000 monthly.
Expert Tips to Save Even More
Here are some advanced tricks used by frequent food delivery users.
Use Multiple Accounts
New user offers are often the best.
Some families use:
- One account per family member
- One account per phone number
Track Weekly Spending
Food delivery expenses are often hidden lifestyle costs.
You can learn how to track them properly in our monthly budgeting guide at
https://savewithrupee.com/how-i-manage-my-own-monthly-budget-in-india-my-real-2025-example-with-actual-numbers/
Combine with Grocery Cooking
Instead of ordering daily, mix delivery with home cooking.
See affordable meal ideas in our guide on
cheapest healthy meals at
https://savewithrupee.com/cheapest-healthy-meals-to-cook-at-home-in-india-2025-low-budget-recipes-smart-tips/
Use Cashback Reward Apps
Some reward apps give points for purchases.
These can later be redeemed for vouchers or cash.
You can explore options in our article on cashback reward apps at
https://savewithrupee.com/7-best-apps-to-earn-cashback-while-shopping/
Pros and Cons of Food Delivery Apps
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very convenient | Can increase monthly spending |
| Huge restaurant variety | Delivery and platform fees |
| Easy payment options | Prices often higher than restaurants |
| Discounts and coupons available | Encourages impulse spending |
| Saves cooking time | Can affect health if overused |
The key is balance.
Food delivery is useful, but it should not replace regular home cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is cheaper: Zomato or Swiggy?
It depends on the restaurant and current offers. Sometimes Zomato has better coupons, while Swiggy offers lower delivery fees. Comparing both apps before ordering is the best strategy.
2. Is Swiggy One or Zomato Gold worth it?
Yes, if you order food more than 4–5 times per month. The free delivery and discounts can easily recover the membership cost.
3. Why are food prices higher on delivery apps?
Restaurants often increase prices on delivery apps to cover commissions charged by platforms.
4. How can students save money on food delivery?
Students should:
- Use student discounts
- Order in groups
- Use promo codes
- Limit orders to weekends
They can also explore budget-friendly meals and saving habits in our guide on financial planning for beginners at
https://savewithrupee.com/how-to-save-money-on-a-small-salary-₹10000-₹20000-full-practical-indian-guide-2025/
5. Are cashback apps reliable?
Most major cashback apps in India are legitimate, but always read terms and conditions before using them.
6. Is it cheaper to cook at home than ordering food?
Almost always yes. Cooking at home can cost 50–70% less than ordering food online.
Conclusion
Food delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy have made life easier for millions of Indians. But without careful spending habits, these small convenience expenses can quietly drain your monthly budget.
The good news is that saving money on food delivery is surprisingly simple.
By using:
- Membership plans
- Promo codes
- Cashback offers
- Smart ordering strategies
you can reduce your food delivery expenses by 20–50%.
Even saving ₹1,000–₹2,000 per month can make a big difference over a year. That money could go toward building savings, investing, or paying off debt.
Food delivery should be a convenience — not a financial burden.
If you apply the tricks discussed in this guide, you can enjoy your favourite meals while still keeping your finances under control.
For more practical money-saving ideas, explore other guides available on the Save With Rupee website. The sitemap of published articles used for internal linking in this guide can be found here: savewithrupee.sitemap.march 09
References
- Reserve Bank of India – Digital Payments Reports
https://www.rbi.org.in - Economic Times – Food Delivery Industry Updates
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com - Investopedia – Consumer Spending Behaviour
https://www.investopedia.com - Government of India – Digital Economy Initiatives
https://www.india.gov.in
Author Insight
In my own experience managing monthly expenses in India, I realized that the biggest financial problems were not due to low income, but due to lack of planning. For example, when my monthly income was around ₹25,000, I often ended up spending almost everything without saving anything at the end of the month.”
“I started tracking my expenses daily using a simple notebook. Within one month, I noticed that small, unnecessary expenses like frequent online orders and unplanned spending were taking a large portion of my income.”
“By making small changes—like setting a fixed budget for groceries, limiting online purchases, and saving at least ₹2,000 at the beginning of each month—I was able to reduce financial stress and slowly build better control over my money.” “These are simple and practical methods that any Indian household can follow without needing complex financial knowledge.”
Research Sources
- Reserve Bank of India – Financial Reports
- SEBI Investor Education
- Economic Times – Personal Finance
- Investopedia – Budgeting & Finance Basics
Disclaimer: This article is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Readers are advised to do their own research or consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.
