With dozens of apps and services vying for attention, choosing the right food delivery option in the UK can be overwhelming. Prices vary widely, coverage differs by postcode, and grocery delivery has become a mainstream feature. This guide provides a fact-based comparison of the cheapest services, the best apps, and how to get groceries delivered – all grounded in 2025 data.
The UK food delivery market has matured rapidly. What began as a handful of takeaway aggregators has expanded into a complex ecosystem of restaurant delivery, grocery partnerships, and subscription models. Whether you are looking for the cheapest meal or a late-night grocery run, understanding the differences between platforms can save both time and money.
Which food delivery service is cheapest in the UK?
Cheapest Service
A comparison of delivery fees, service charges, and minimum order amounts across Just Eat, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Foodhub to identify the most budget-friendly option.
Best App for Selection
Which platform offers the widest choice of restaurants, cuisines, and grocery partners? Includes Just Eat, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Takeaway.com.
Grocery Delivery
Overview of supermarket partnerships: Asda, Ocado, Co-op, Morrisons, Aldi, and how they integrate with delivery apps.
Fast Food Delivery
Quickest options for fast food; includes McDonald’s, KFC, and local takeaways available on major apps.
- Just Eat offers the widest restaurant and grocery selection in the UK, including partnerships with major supermarkets.
- Deliveroo and Uber Eats are the most popular for fast delivery, with average wait times under 30 minutes in major cities.
- Foodhub consistently offers discounts of up to 30% off selected orders, making it a strong contender for cost-conscious users.
- Price comparison reveals that ordering directly from supermarket websites (e.g., Ocado, Asda) can be cheaper than using third-party delivery apps due to markup and service fees.
- Delivery fees vary significantly by location, time of day, and demand; Uber Eats and Deliveroo use dynamic pricing, while Just Eat often has flat fees.
| Service | Coverage | Average Delivery Fee | Grocery Partners | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Just Eat | UK-wide (most towns) | £2.50–£4.00 | Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Aldi (via partners) | Largest restaurant selection; no subscription needed |
| Deliveroo | Major cities and towns | £2.50–£5.00 (dynamic) | Waitrose, Budgens, Co-op | Deliveroo Plus subscription; fast delivery |
| Uber Eats | Major cities and towns | £2.00–£5.00 (dynamic) | Morrisons, Sainsbury’s (limited) | Uber One subscription; integrated with Uber app |
| Foodhub | UK-wide | £1.50–£3.00 | None | Up to 30% off; no service charge for orders over £15 |
| Takeaway.com | UK-wide (via app) | Varies by restaurant | Limited | Owned by Just Eat; same network |
While apps like Uber Eats advertise large discounts, users note that item prices within the app are often inflated compared to in-store or pickup prices, which can negate the discount value. Foodhub avoids this by charging “the same quality meal… without charging you anything extra” – as reported in a comparison of UK food delivery apps.
What are the best food delivery apps in the UK?
Selecting the best app depends on what matters most: price, selection, speed, or grocery availability. Each major platform has distinct strengths.
Just Eat – best for variety
Just Eat holds the largest restaurant selection in the UK, commanding around 45% market share. Just Eat offers a service charge of 99p to £2.49 depending on basket size. Its grocery partners include Co-op and Sainsbury’s, making it a one-stop shop for both takeaways and essentials.
Deliveroo – best for premium dining
Deliveroo focuses on high-end restaurant options and fast delivery in major cities. Its service fee varies by order value. A subscription (Deliveroo Plus) costs £20 per month for free priority delivery, though the service fee still applies to orders below a certain threshold.
Uber Eats – best for frequent discounts
Uber Eats advertises discounts of around 25% on many orders. However, users have reported that menu prices on the app are often higher than those charged directly by the restaurant, offsetting some of the savings. The service fee depends on order value and includes dynamic pricing during peak times.
Foodhub – cheapest overall
Foodhub is consistently identified as the cheapest food delivery service in the UK. It charges a single delivery fee with no additional service fees and offers discounts up to 30% on selected orders. The platform does not currently offer grocery delivery.
Can you get groceries delivered through food delivery apps?
Yes. Major food delivery apps have expanded into grocery delivery, partnering with leading supermarkets. The options vary by platform and location.
Tesco Groceries – most downloaded grocery app
According to Statista, Tesco Groceries was the most downloaded food delivery app in the UK in 2025, with millions of downloads. It offers the widest range of supermarket items and dedicated delivery slots.
Just Eat grocery delivery
Through its app, Just Eat delivers groceries from Co-op and Sainsbury’s, covering fresh fruit, household essentials, and frozen meals. This integration allows users to add a pizza and a pint of milk to the same basket.
Uber Eats grocery options
Uber Eats offers grocery delivery as an additional service, though its supermarket partnerships are more limited than Just Eat’s. It works with Morrisons and Sainsbury’s in select areas.
Gopuff (formerly Gorillas/Getir) is the standout for 24/7 delivery of groceries and essentials in London, filling gaps left by other services. It is not available nationwide.
How to find fast food delivery near me?
Fast food delivery is widely available through all major apps. McDonald’s, KFC, and local takeaways are listed on Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats. The best way to see what is available near you is to install the app and allow location access.
Using the apps to find nearby options
Each app uses your device location to show available restaurants and estimated delivery times. Delivery fees and minimum orders vary by distance, so comparing a few apps for the same address can reveal significant price differences.
Fast food on a budget
For the cheapest fast food delivery, Foodhub often has the lowest fees. However, the selection of fast-food chains on Foodhub may be smaller than on Just Eat or Uber Eats.
Some apps raise menu prices above the restaurant’s in-store prices. A user comparison on Reddit highlighted that Uber Eats menu items can be noticeably more expensive than ordering direct, even with advertised discounts.
Is food delivery available across the UK?
Coverage varies significantly by service. Just Eat has the widest reach, operating in most towns across the country. Deliveroo and Uber Eats are concentrated in major cities and large towns, with some smaller towns having limited or no service. Foodhub claims UK-wide coverage, though its restaurant density is lower in rural areas.
For grocery delivery, dedicated supermarket services like Tesco Groceries and Ocado cover large parts of the UK, but not all postcodes. Always check availability by entering your address on the app or website.
How has food delivery evolved in the UK?
- 2000 – Just Eat founded in Denmark; enters UK market in 2006.
- 2013 – Deliveroo launches in London, focusing on high-quality restaurant delivery.
- 2015 – Uber Eats expands to the UK.
- 2019 – Foodhub gains traction with commission-free model for restaurants.
- 2020 – COVID-19 pandemic drives massive growth; grocery delivery partnerships accelerate.
- 2023 – Major platforms introduce subscription tiers (Deliveroo Plus, Uber One) and expand grocery offerings.
- 2025 – Dynamic pricing, AI-driven route optimisation, and increased focus on sustainability become standard.
What can you be sure of when ordering food delivery?
| What is known | What remains uncertain |
|---|---|
| Delivery fees and minimum orders vary by platform and location. | “Cheapest” depends on individual order value, location, and time – no single service is always cheapest. |
| Just Eat has the widest restaurant coverage in the UK. | Coverage area expansions and changes happen frequently; check app for current availability. |
| Foodhub offers the most consistent discount (up to 30%). | Promotions and discounts are time-limited and may not apply to all restaurants. |
| Grocery delivery is available from Asda, Ocado, Co-op, Morrisons, and Aldi through various channels. | Delivery times are estimates and can be affected by traffic, weather, and demand. |
How do the major food delivery services compare?
A comprehensive analysis of the top services reveals key differences across cost, selection, speed, and user experience. Just Eat excels in variety and grocery integration. Deliveroo and Uber Eats lead in speed and premium options. Foodhub is the go-to for budget-conscious users who prioritise low fees over maximum choice. For a well-organised kitchen to store your takeaway leftovers, consider the Best Integrated Fridge Freezer 2025 and the Kitchen Units – Complete UK Buyer’s Guide for 2025.
When choosing a service, consider your primary need: cheap restaurant meals, fast delivery, or grocery shopping. No single platform wins on all fronts, but the trade-offs are clear.
Where can you find reliable information about food delivery?
The OFCOM online food delivery market report provides data on market shares, consumer behaviour, and regulatory considerations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published a grocery delivery market study that examines competition and pricing. Consumer surveys from Which? and reviews on Trustpilot offer real-world experiences.
Statista tracks UK food delivery market revenue and app download statistics, offering a useful benchmark for popularity and growth trends.
Source: Statista UK Food Delivery Market
What does the future of food delivery look like?
The industry is expected to see continued growth in grocery delivery, with more supermarkets partnering with apps. Potential regulatory changes regarding delivery driver rights and gig economy classification may reshape operating models. Increased use of AI for route optimisation and personalised recommendations is likely, along with expansion of subscription bundles. Sustainability efforts, including electric vehicles and reduced packaging, are becoming a priority for major platforms.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Deliveroo rider?
A Deliveroo rider is a self-employed delivery driver who delivers food and groceries from restaurants and shops to customers using a bicycle, scooter, or car. Riders are paid per delivery plus tips.
What is DX delivery?
DX is a logistics and delivery company in the UK, primarily used for business-to-business and e-commerce parcel delivery, not typically for food delivery. It is not a direct competitor to food delivery apps.
What is Relay delivery?
Relay is a last-mile delivery service that partners with retailers and restaurants. It is not a consumer-facing app; businesses use Relay for same-day delivery logistics.
How to find delivery driver jobs?
Delivery driver jobs are available through platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Just Eat (via partners), and logistics companies. Apply directly on their websites or job boards like Indeed. Requirements include a valid driver’s license, vehicle, and smartphone.
What is Takeaway.com?
Takeaway.com is a food delivery platform owned by Just Eat Takeaway.com. It operates in several European countries, including the UK, where it offers restaurant and grocery delivery through its app.
Does Asda offer delivery?
Asda offers online grocery delivery through its own website and app. It is also available via Just Eat’s platform in selected areas for convenience items.
Is Ocado delivery good?
Ocado is a dedicated online grocery retailer with a strong reputation for reliability and product range. It is not available through restaurant delivery apps; orders are placed directly on the Ocado website or app.
How do Morrisons home delivery slots work?
Morrisons offers home delivery through its own website and via Uber Eats in certain locations. Delivery slots can be booked in advance, with charges varying by time and order value.
Does Aldi offer delivery?
Aldi does not offer direct home delivery of groceries. Some items are available through third-party platforms like Just Eat’s grocery service in partnership with local stores, but selection is limited.
Henry William Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for NorwichWire.co.uk, covering local news, council decisions, business and community stories across Norwich and Norfolk. He works under Editor-in-Chief William Hargreaves and Managing Editor Clara Benson, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.