The food and beverage landscape is transforming right before our very eyes. Gone are the days when restaurants would be at full capacity and teeming with happy customers digging into delicious food. The COVID-19 pandemic has made that image seem like a memory of the past and ushered in the new age of the industry – online food orders and delivery.
When the pandemic was in its infancy back in 2019, the number of people using food delivery apps in Singapore was 1.81 million. This is expected to surge to around 3.5 million by 2024. With food delivery platforms like Deliveroo, Foodpanda and GrabFood reaping the rewards from a significant increase in orders, more and more companies are throwing the dice and trying their hand at tapping into the growing market, which is projected to be worth US$467 million this year. In Singapore, the revenue in the online food delivery app market has been steadily growing, and is expected to reach 1.8 billion US dollars in 2025.
Source: Statista
Who are the Major Players?
Currently, there are three big fish in the pond of Singapore’s sector for food delivery platforms and apps – Deliveroo, Foodpanda and GrabFood. Deliveroo and Foodpanda have established strong footholds in other countries as well, while GrabFood is a local Singaporean company that has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top.
In addition to the trio of powerhouses, AirAsia Food, Lalamove, Why Q, and Oddle have made their presence felt as well and have captured a portion of the market.
| Rank | Service | Unique Selling Point |
| 1 | GrabFood | Widest variety of food |
| 2 | Deliveroo | Provides all you need to get started (signage, a tablet, and a wireless printer etc) |
| 3 | Foodpanda | Robust and user-friendly website and mobile app |
| 4 | AirAsia Food | Caters to establishments of all sizes |
| 5 | Lalamove | ZERO commission required |
| 6 | Why Q | Accepts the largest range of payment methods (DBS Points, PayLah, Credit & Debit Cards) |
| 7 | Oddle | All-in-one online ordering system that streamlines all processes |
Choosing the Right Food Delivery Platform in Singapore
With so many players in Singapore’s food delivery space, working out which platform is best for your business can be perplexing. Should you opt for a bigger platform with an established customer base or go for a smaller food delivery company that better suits your needs? Before delving into the specifics to make a decision, let’s take a look at an overview of the basic features, strengths, and disadvantages of each platform in the table below:
| Feature | GrabFood | Foodpanda | Deliveroo | AirAsia Food | Lalamove | Why Q | Oddle |
| Availability | Widest variety in Singapore | Island-wide | Island-wide | Island-wide | Island-wide | Selected Areas | Island-wide |
| Commission Fee | ~30% + 7% GST | 35% + 7% GST | Not Available | 15% | ZERO | Variable, marks up if no commission payment | 10% per transaction |
| Free Marketing | Yes, for ‘Local Heroes’ | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Cashless Processing Fee | 0% (excl. Grab Pay) | Not Specified | Not Specified | Not Specified | Not Specified | Not Specified | Not Specified |
| Activation Fees | $100/outlet with own Android device, $300 with Grab device | $100 set-up fee | Up to $360 over 60 days | No set-up fee | No set-up fee | No set-up fee | No set-up fee and upfront costs |
| Payment Methods | Grab Pay, Credit/Debit Cards | Credit/Debit Cards | Credit/Debit Cards | Not Specified | Not Specified | DBS Points, PayLah, Credit & Debit Cards | Depends on Restaurant |
| Advantages | Highest market share, 24/7 delivery, link to Grabpay | User-friendly platform, wide variety of food, support for order management | Reliable night-time delivery, extensive support that includes 24-hour tablet support, tools, signage, rider network | Lowest commission, catering to all sizes | Optimised delivery route, 20 orders at once | Wide payment methods, corporate catering, meal plan options | Streamlining processes, direct diner-restaurant connection, use of third-party services for delivery |
| Disadvantages | Surge pricing at times | Not Specified | Not Specified | Not Specified | Only delivery service | Limited delivery area | Not Specified |
While each platform has its own strengths and disadvantages, you may still need more information to determine the right food delivery platform for your F&B business. So, we will explore their unique selling points further here with our insights for each platform:
1. GrabFood
Photo Source: GrabFood Official Website
Let’s start by looking at the company that 77% of Singaporeans used in the first half of 2020 – GrabFood. Established in 2018, it quickly rose to prominence as one of the top food delivery platforms in the country, especially after integrating with the Grab-sharing ride app.
Whether you are a start-up restaurant or a well-known eatery, GrabFood is the place for you as itfeatures both types of establishments. Furthermore, they have a broad range of local and international cuisines, meaning flavours from all over the world are welcomed with open arms.
GrabFood also provides an easy and efficient payment method called GrabPay, while they deliver all over Singapore, making them a restaurant’s dream.
GrabFood’s delivery fee ranges from $3 to $5 dynamically, and sometimes it will surge too.
Follow these steps to sign up as a partner of GrabFood:
- Make an appointment at our Grab Merchant Centre or sign up online
- Download the Grab Merchant-partner app
- Start receiving orders in 3 to 10 working days
2. Foodpanda
Photo Source: sg.everydayonsales.com
The first-ever delivery service in Singapore, Foodpanda has been around since 2012 and has already cemented its reputation as a leading platform in the country and around the world. One of their main incentives is directed towards entrepreneurs, whereby you put a copy of your menu online, and they will help you manage the orders and deliver the food.
With all types of food available on their app and their top-quality delivery services, Foodpanda is a strong contender when considering which food delivery platform is best for your business.
Follow these steps to sign up as a partner of Foodpanda:
- Sign up online
- Foodpanda sends the contract
- Sign the contract
- GO LIVE on foodpanda
3. Deliveroo
Photo Source: Food & Beverage Industry News
A global behemoth, Deliveroo is in its fifth year of operations and is already up and running in 11 countries. Every aspect of their business is perfect, and they have developed a reputation for their consistent service.
If you are a restaurant that caters to people with late-night cravings, then Deliveroo is the option for you as far as food delivery platforms are concerned. In addition to this, restaurants serving up delectable dishes from all over the world are well represented on their app.
Follow these steps to sign up as a partner of Deliveroo:
- Sign up: Partner with Deliveroo and tell us about your business
- Set up: Upload a menu and images of your food
- Sell: Start tracking orders in real-time via partner Hub
4. AirAsia Food
Photo Source: InsideRetail
Entering the food delivery platform market only recently, AirAsia Food is trying to make a big splash as fast as possible. Whether you are a big restaurant with multiple chains, a hawker serving scrumptious street food or operating out of a home kitchen, AirAsia Food will deliver your delicacies to the people of Singapore.
Follow these steps to sign up as a partner of AirAsia Food:Fill in the Sign up form and submit
5. Lalamove
Photo Source: Lalamove Singapore
Setting up its services in Singapore in 2014, Lalamove has a unique edge over many of the other food delivery platforms in the country. They deliver all over the country 24 hours a day as long as your restaurant is open. So, if you specialise in serving breakfast or cater to a more late-night crowd, your food will arrive at your customers’ doorsteps without fail.
Follow these steps to sign up as a partner of Lalamove:
- Fill in the Sign up form and submit
6. Why Q
Photo Source: WhyQ Facebook
Founded in 2017 by Rishabh Singhvi and Varun Saraf, WhyQ is a food delivery platform dedicated to delivering delicious, hot hawker food to your homes or offices. They tap into the needs of a buzzing, crowded CBD audience. During lunchtime, sometimes it is impossible to get a seat and food, so why not use WhyQ and wait in the office for your food to be delivered? WhyQ charges a flat S$1.50 per order, which is very competitive compared to established platforms like GrabFood, Deliveroo and Foodpanda.
Follow these steps to sign up as a partner of WhyQ:
- Fill in the Sign up form and submit
7. Oddle
Photo Source: Oddle Eats HK
Created by restaurateurs with a deep-rooted passion to shake up the industry, Oddle has one major vision – allowing eateries to grow and manage their businesses through an all-in-one online ordering system that streamlines all processes. Having really found its footing in Singapore, Oddle has expanded its operations globally as they are now located in over 10 countries with over 3,000 brands utilising its service. What makes Oddle the ideal delivery platform for food businesses in Singapore is the convenience they offer and their tried and tested method that has been a smashing success.
Follow these steps to sign up as a partner of WhyQ:
- Fill in the form here: https://oddle.me/contact-us
- Oddle’s Business Development Team will be in touch soon
Which Food Delivery Platform Will You Choose?
With a clearer idea of the different selling points for each of the food delivery platforms in Singapore, you will be able to pinpoint which one is best for your business. Whether you choose a big player like GrabFood or opt for one with a unique offering, such as Lalamove or Oddle, your success on any food delivery platform will come down to whipping up appetising food that really connects with your customers.
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