Zomato vs Swiggy: Which Platform is Right for Your Restaurant?

If you’re a restaurant owner trying to decide between Zomato and Swiggy, you’re not the only one facing this choice. Both food delivery platforms can help you bring in more orders and connect with new customers. However, they operate in slightly different ways, so it’s important to figure out which one aligns best with your restaurant’s needs. Zomato shines when it comes to getting your restaurant seen, thanks to its search listings and customer reviews, whereas Swiggy really stands out for its speedy delivery and strong support for restaurant partners.

When it comes to costs, both platforms do charge commissions, but the rates can vary based on your location and the type of food you offer. Many restaurant owners mention that Swiggy might take a slightly larger share, but it also offers better delivery tracking and broader coverage in certain cities. On the flip side, Zomato gives you more control over your restaurant’s branding and provides useful insights through its dashboard. Both apps let you run special discounts and join promotional campaigns to attract more orders.

Plus, both Zomato and Swiggy frequently run food delivery coupons and deals for customers. These promotions can really drive traffic to your restaurant, especially during weekends, holidays, or big sale events like Swiggy Food Fiesta or Zomato Carnival. Participating in these campaigns can give your restaurant extra exposure and boost orders without having to spend a lot on advertising.

This blog will break down all the key differences between platforms, covering things like delivery performance, how they reach customers, commission fees, and how each handles special offers and deals. Whether you’re looking to boost your restaurant’s online visibility or increase your daily sales, this simple guide will help you pick the right delivery partner for your needs.

Which Delivery Platforms are Better for You?

What are Zomato and Swiggy?

Zomato and Swiggy are two of India’s biggest food delivery platforms, helping restaurants connect with millions of customers through quick and easy online ordering. As a restaurant owner, partnering with either of these platforms allows you to reach new audiences without managing your delivery team. Customers simply browse your menu on the app, place an order, and the platform handles the rest from pick-up to doorstep delivery.

Zomato, founded in 2008, started as a restaurant discovery platform and quickly evolved into a food delivery giant. Known for its detailed reviews, user ratings, and strong visibility features, Zomato helps restaurants build their online reputation. It operates in over 1,000 cities across India and offers powerful tools like the Zomato dashboard and loyalty programs like Zomato Gold. Restaurants can also benefit from trending Zomato Coupons, which attract customers with exciting discounts and offers.

Swiggy, launched in 2014, has become synonymous with fast delivery and strong logistics. It serves 680+ cities and is especially popular in metro areas. Swiggy emphasizes speed, accurate delivery, and repeat customer loyalty through programs like Swiggy One. For restaurants, this means more frequent orders and strong delivery ratings. To further increase reach, restaurants can take part in seasonal Swiggy Coupons and app-wide promotions that drive high traffic.

Customer Reach and Coverage

Zomato: Zomato is available in over 1,000 cities across India, making it a great choice for restaurants in both big cities and smaller towns. With millions of users, it helps restaurants reach more customers and boost daily orders, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Swiggy: Swiggy operates in 680+ cities and is known for its fast delivery and easy-to-use service. It performs best in metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, making it ideal for restaurants in high-demand urban areas that want to deliver quickly and keep customers satisfied.

Pro Tip: If your restaurant is in a major city like Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore, both Zomato and Swiggy can bring in good orders. But if you’re based in a smaller town, Zomato may give you better customer reach.

Delivery Time Speed 

Swiggy: Famous for getting food to you super quickly, with most orders arriving around 10 to 15 minutes. It’s a great option if you need your food hot and fresh.

Zomato: A little slower, but you can still count on it, with orders typically taking 35 to 40 minutes. It works well for many types of food, just not quite as fast as Swiggy.

Pro Tip: If your restaurant specializes in dishes like biryani, pizza, or fried snacks that need to be piping hot upon arrival, Swiggy might be the way to go.

What About Costs?

When you list your restaurant on Zomato or Swiggy, both platforms charge a commission on every order. This fee usually ranges between 15% to 25%, depending on your agreement with them and the type of restaurant you run.

Zomato: They have this thing called Zomato Gold, which is a special program. It gives customers discounts on both dining in and ordering delivery. This is a great way to pull in customers who love a good deal, and often, they end up ordering more food than they initially planned. If your menu has pricier items, these customers might place bigger or more frequent orders.

Swiggy: Swiggy, on the other hand, offers a program named Swiggy One. It’s quite similar, giving subscribers free deliveries and other nice benefits. This plan encourages customers to order from partner restaurants over and over again, which is fantastic for getting repeat business.

Which One Markets You Better?

Zomato: With Zomato, you can get noticed by having your restaurant pop up higher in search results when you sign up for their marketing programs. If you’re offering discounts or participating in paid campaigns, you’ll likely see more orders rolling in. This is a smart move for restaurants aiming to catch the eye of people who are specifically looking for certain types of food or deals.

Swiggy: Swiggy, on the other hand, makes sure your restaurant stands out using banners, pop-up ads, and special offers right inside their app. These promotions often show up on the main screen or in the top deals area, which is a great way to draw in more customers, especially if you’re running a limited-time offer. This approach is perfect if you’re looking to quickly increase your orders and stay fresh in customers’ minds.

Reviews and Ratings

Zomato: Zomato lets diners share detailed thoughts about their experience at your restaurant, how the food tasted, if it was fresh, how friendly the staff was, and even the overall vibe of the place. These reviews are public and can be seen by anyone browsing for food options nearby. If your restaurant consistently serves great food and gets positive feedback, you could earn a strong rating like 4.5 stars, which builds trust and attracts more new customers. Zomato’s review system is a powerful tool to boost your online reputation and grow your business.

Swiggy: Swiggy focuses more on the delivery side of the experience. Customers usually rate things like whether they received the correct order, how quickly it was delivered, and how good the packaging was. You may not get long written reviews, but your rating still reflects your service quality. Many top-performing restaurants on Swiggy maintain a 4.5-star rating just by ensuring fast, accurate, and well-packed deliveries. If your team is quick and careful, Swiggy highlights that strength through strong delivery ratings.

So, Which Platform Should You Choose?

Ideally, you’d use both Zomato and Swiggy if you can. This way, you reach more diners and give your business a much-needed boost. Lots of restaurants use this approach to get the best of both worlds. However, if you’re just launching and need to focus on one platform for now, here’s a handy guide to help you make that decision.

Choose Zomato if you want to attract both dine-in and online customers. It helps people discover your restaurant through reviews, ratings, and listings, making it ideal for boosting visibility and foot traffic.

Choose Swiggy if your restaurant is in a metro city and speed is your priority. It’s perfect for cloud kitchens and takeout joints that focus on quick delivery and repeat customers. Swiggy’s strong delivery network makes it ideal for fast-paced urban areas.

In short, Zomato is better for visibility and reputation, while Swiggy is great for speed and delivery efficiency. Pick the one that matches your restaurant’s goals and location best, or use both if you can.

Final Thoughts 
When deciding between Zomato and Swiggy, think about what your restaurant needs most: visibility or delivery speed. Zomato is ideal if you’re focused on building a strong brand through reviews and attracting dine-in as well as delivery customers, especially in smaller towns. Swiggy is better suited for metro cities and restaurants that prioritize fast, reliable delivery and want repeat orders through its strong logistics and loyalty program.

If possible, listing your restaurant on both platforms can help you reach a wider audience and boost your daily orders. Each platform has unique strengths, so choose the one that best matches your goals, location, and customer preferences, or use both for maximum impact.