Top Apps Like Instacart + How to Develop a Similar Grocery Delivery App

Let’s be honest – we all love the convenience of getting things delivered right to our doorsteps. Who wants to step out for a packet of chips when you can just tap your phone and have it delivered in minutes? From clothes to groceries, we’ve embraced the convenience of shopping online, and groceries are no exception. Today, more than ever, we’re choosing to skip the grocery store and have everything we need delivered straight to our homes, saving time and effort.

This shift in consumer behavior has opened up a massive opportunity for businesses to tap into the growing market of grocery delivery apps. With more people opting for the convenience of online shopping, there’s a rising demand for reliable, fast, and easy-to-use grocery platforms. For businesses, this is the perfect time to invest in building a grocery delivery app. 

Not only can they cater to the growing need, but they can also benefit from a steady stream of customers seeking convenience in their everyday shopping.

What is Grocery App Development?

Grocery app development is the process of creating mobile platforms that allow users to shop for groceries online. These apps provide an intuitive interface for browsing, selecting, and purchasing items, followed by fast and efficient delivery to the customer’s doorstep. With the growing preference for online shopping, businesses are increasingly investing in grocery app development to meet consumer demand for convenience, speed, and reliability.

What is Instacart and How Does It Work?

Instacart is a leading grocery delivery service that connects users to their favorite grocery stores through an app. It allows customers to shop for groceries, which are picked by personal shoppers and delivered to their doorstep. Instacart operates by partnering with grocery chains, offering a wide variety of products, from fresh produce to packaged foods, making the entire shopping process easy and fast.

Apps Like Instacart: Top Grocery Delivery Platform Alternatives

The success of Instacart has inspired several other grocery delivery platforms, each offering their own unique twist. Here’s a list of some of the most popular apps like Instacart, what sets them apart, and where they operate:

1. Shipt

Shipt offers same-day delivery from local stores, making grocery shopping fast and flexible. What makes Shipt stand out is its personalized shopper experience. Customers can communicate directly with their assigned shopper to modify or add items. It operates widely across the United States in over 5,000 cities. Users appreciate its reliability and friendly service.

2. Amazon Fresh

Amazon Fresh is Amazon’s dedicated grocery delivery service, offering a wide range of groceries, household items, and everyday essentials. The app’s seamless integration with Amazon Prime and Alexa voice ordering makes it incredibly convenient. Available in major cities across the USA, UK, and Germany, it enjoys positive reviews for its speed and product variety.

3. Walmart Grocery Delivery

Walmart’s grocery delivery app allows users to shop from their extensive range of groceries and household supplies. Its biggest advantage is competitive pricing and wide product availability. Operating across almost all major cities in the USA, the app is popular among budget-conscious shoppers.

4. FreshDirect

FreshDirect specializes in delivering fresh groceries directly from farms and local producers to customers’ doors. It is unique for its focus on fresh, high-quality produce and pre-prepared meal options. Currently serving New York City and surrounding areas, it is praised for its freshness and quality.

5. Peapod

One of the pioneers in online grocery delivery, Peapod partners with local grocery chains to deliver fresh food at customers’ preferred time slots. Its scheduling flexibility and easy-to-use interface make it popular. Peapod operates in the Midwest and East Coast regions of the USA, and customers really like it for convenience and reliability.

6. Postmates

Although Postmates started as a restaurant delivery app, it has expanded into grocery and convenience store deliveries. What sets it apart is its "anything, anytime" model. Users can order groceries, alcohol, or even pharmacy items. Postmates operates in most major US cities and users enjoy its versatility.

7. Glovo

Glovo is a multi-delivery app, offering groceries, restaurant meals, and even courier services. Its unique selling point is delivering almost anything a user requests, beyond groceries. Glovo is very popular in Europe, Latin America, and parts of Africa, and maintains a solid reputation with.

8. Blinkit

Blinkit (formerly Grofers) is an India-based grocery delivery app that specializes in delivering essentials and groceries within minutes. What makes Blinkit unique is its hyperlocal delivery model. Most orders are fulfilled within 10–20 minutes. It started its operations in major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata, but it now has presence in over 44+ cities. Blinkit is praised for its speed and user-friendly interface.

9. Carrefour Now

Carrefour Now, powered by the global retail giant Carrefour, delivers groceries quickly from their physical stores. What makes it unique is the assurance of brand trust and the availability of exclusive Carrefour products. It mainly operates in France, Spain, and other parts of Europe, and users appreciate its product quality and speed.

10. Getir

Getir is a rapid grocery delivery app based in Turkey, known for ultra-fast deliveries, often within 10–15 minutes. Unlike marketplace models, Getir owns its inventory and operates micro-fulfillment centers. It has expanded rapidly across Europe, with operations in the UK, Germany, Netherlands, and more. Its speed and minimalist app experience make it a strong competitor in the quick-commerce space.

Key Features Your Grocery Delivery App Must Have

To build an app like Instacart, it’s essential to incorporate the right mix of features that ensure smooth user experience, effective order fulfillment, and efficient business management. Here’s a list of must-have features for your app:

• User Profile and Registration: Allow users to create personal profiles with saved preferences, delivery addresses, payment information, and order history. Implement social media logins for easy access.
• Product Search and Catalog: Integrate a vast catalog of products with an easy-to-use search functionality with filters for product categories, price ranges, and brands. Categorize products by type (e.g., vegetables, fruits, dairy) and store for better navigation.
• Real-Time Order Tracking: Provide users with the ability to track their order from when it’s picked up by the shopper to when it arrives at their doorstep.
• Multiple Payment Gateways: Offer various payment methods like credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and cash on delivery for smooth transactions.
• In-App Chat and Support: Implement chat features for real-time communication between users and personal shoppers or customer support.
• Store and Inventory Management: Allow store owners to manage their inventory and update product details in real-time.
• Ratings and Reviews: Enable users to rate and review their experiences with both products and personal shoppers. Customers can provide feedback on products and services, helping build trust and improve quality.
• Push Notifications: Keep users informed with alerts about their order status, promotions, discounts, and new product arrivals.
• Admin Dashboard: An admin panel to manage users, orders, and payments, analyze data, and generate reports. This provides business owners with control over inventory, sales, and customer data.
• Delivery Management: Real-time GPS tracking to monitor deliveries and allow customers to track the location of their groceries.

How Grocery Delivery Apps are Profitable for Businesses

Grocery delivery apps can be highly profitable due to the recurring nature of grocery shopping. Businesses can monetize through multiple channels:

• Delivery Fees: Charge a fee for delivering groceries, especially for express services.
• Commission from Stores: Take a percentage of each sale made through the platform from partnered grocery stores.
• Subscription Models: Offer users the option to subscribe for regular deliveries or free shipping.
• Advertising: Display ads for products or brands within the app, generating additional revenue.

With a strong business model and the right features, grocery apps can tap into a market that continues to expand as more consumers embrace the convenience of shopping from home.

Cost Breakdown to Build a Grocery Delivery App Like Instacart

The cost of building a grocery delivery app similar to Instacart depends on several factors, including the app’s complexity, design, tech stack, features, and the location and experience of the development team. Here’s a detailed look into the key components that affect the overall budget:

1. App Design (UI/UX)

A well-designed interface is crucial for grocery apps where ease of navigation and clarity are key.

• Basic UI/UX design: $5,000 – $10,000
• Advanced, customized design: $12,000 – $20,000

This includes user research, wireframing, prototyping, and polished visual designs.

2. Mobile App Development

App development involves both frontend (what users see) and backend (server-side management) work.

• iOS or Android (Single platform): $20,000 – $40,000
• Both platforms (iOS + Android): $35,000 – $70,000

Building a hybrid app (React Native, Flutter) can sometimes be slightly cheaper than developing two separate native apps.

3. Web Admin Panel Development

The admin panel allows business owners to manage orders, track deliveries, control inventory, and view reports.

• Basic Admin Panel: $8,000 – $15,000
• Advanced Admin with detailed analytics: $15,000 – $25,000

4. Third-party Integrations

Third-party services such as payment gateways, maps (Google Maps API), real-time notifications (like Firebase), chat support, and analytics tools add convenience but come with additional setup and licensing costs.

• API Integrations: $3,000 – $10,000

5. Real-time Features

If you want live order tracking, real-time chat between shoppers and users, and instant updates, developing real-time functionality can add:

• Real-time systems (live tracking, chat, notifications): $7,000 – $15,000

6. Testing and Quality Assurance (QA)

Thorough testing ensures your app runs smoothly across different devices, OS versions, and network conditions.

• Manual and automated testing: $5,000 – $12,000

7. Post-Launch Support & Maintenance

After the app goes live, you’ll need ongoing support for updates, bug fixes, security patches, and feature enhancements.

• Annual Maintenance Cost: Generally 15%–20% of the total development cost.

Overall Estimated Cost to Develop App Similar to Instacart

MVP (Minimum Viable Product) Grocery Delivery App: $30,000 – $50,000

A basic version with core features like user registration, browsing products, cart, payment, and order tracking.

Full-fledged App like Instacart: $70,000 – $150,000+

Advanced features like multi-store management, personal shopper chat, loyalty programs, real-time analytics, complex admin panels, and marketing integrations.

Additional Factors That May Affect the Cost

• Customization Level: Highly customized apps with special animations, complex filters, and loyalty programs can cost more.
• Location of Development Team:
• North America: $100 – $200/hour
• Europe: $50 – $100/hour
• India and Southeast Asia: $25 – $50/hour
• Technology Stack: Native apps (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android) usually cost more than cross-platform ones (Flutter, React Native).
• Marketing and Launch Costs: Don’t forget budgeting for app store optimization (ASO), marketing, and promotions after launch.

The more features, scalability, and customizations you want, the higher the investment, but with the booming grocery delivery market, the returns are equally promising if done right.

Trends and Future of Grocery Delivery Apps

The industry of grocery delivery is moving faster than ever, and it's not slowing down anytime soon. With consumers demanding even quicker, more personalized services, businesses are stepping up their game by embracing the latest technologies and innovations. Here are some key trends shaping the future of grocery delivery apps:

1. Faster Deliveries with Micro-Warehousing

More companies are investing in dark stores and micro-fulfillment centers to promise deliveries within minutes rather than hours.

2. Personalization Powered by AI

Apps are using AI and machine learning to offer smarter product recommendations based on past orders, dietary preferences, and even real-time weather conditions.

3. Eco-Friendly Deliveries

As sustainability becomes a bigger priority, grocery apps are experimenting with electric vehicles, eco-packaging, and carbon-neutral delivery options.

4. Subscription and Loyalty Programs

Subscription models offering free deliveries, special discounts, or early access to deals are becoming increasingly popular to keep users loyal.

5. Voice Shopping and Smart Integrations

Integration with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant is making it even easier for users to add items to their cart hands-free.

6. Drone and Robot Deliveries

While still in the early stages, some companies are testing out drone and autonomous robot deliveries for groceries, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

The grocery delivery industry is only going to get more exciting from here. Businesses that stay ahead of these trends will be the ones winning over tomorrow’s customers.

Now is the Time to Build Your Own Grocery Delivery App Like Instacart

As grocery delivery apps like Instacart continue to set the bar, there's never been a better time to build your own platform, and capture the growing market of online shoppers. The industry is booming, and the right features paired with innovative technology such as real-time tracking and AI-powered personalization can help your app stand out. 

Softices can help you build a smooth, user-friendly grocery delivery app that keeps up with the latest trends and ensures customer satisfaction. Let us be your partner in developing a mobile app that brings convenience and growth to your customers.