Build 10-Minute Grocery Delivery Apps Like Zepto

The pandemic changed the way people live and shop. Weekly grocery runs or long delivery slots now feel outdated.

Imagine placing an order and getting groceries at your doorstep in just 10 minutes. That is the promise of Zepto, and it has completely changed the game. The demand is massive, and early movers always win the market.

From a startup lens, a 10-minute delivery app like Zepto is the perfect case study. It is not just about fast delivery. It shows how smart strategies, bold execution, and the right business model can create rapid growth in today’s market.

Now, let’s get real. You are here to learn about the features, the costs, and the fastest way to launch.

That is exactly what this guide covers. We will show you the step-by-step process to build app like Zepto. From setup to scaling, from features to real profit, everything is inside. If you are serious about launching apps like Zepto, your journey starts right here.

What is Zepto, and Why Has It Become So Popular?

Zepto is an on-demand grocery delivery platform that delivers everyday essentials to your doorstep in minutes. Zepto was conceived out of frustration. Most of the delivery services took days to deliver groceries and household items, leaving the customers waiting. Zepto jumped the gap and made instant delivery a reality.

When Zepto led the way, other apps such as Zepto encouraged scores of new business owners. Several startups partnered with leading mobile app development firms to create app like Zepto for the expanding 10-minute delivery segment, also referred to as quick commerce. 

These companies operate on a smart inventory model that draws goods from local micro-warehouses, or dark stores. This arrangement provides them with a definitive edge over the ancient traditional marketplace model.

The grocery delivery business, founded by the founders of Zepto, has been expanding at over 200 percent annually. That growth is being spurred by the 10-minute delivery concept and creating enormous opportunities for the future. It also underscores the benefits that are most important in a grocery delivery app, all centered on delivering products to customers more quickly.

So, why has Zepto become so popular? 

The reason is straightforward. It established trust by emphasizing speed, ease of use, and technology-based operations. That combination became a favorite in major Indian cities.

Here is what sets Zepto apart:

• 10-Minute Promise: Groceries arrive in 10 minutes or less in more than 90 percent of cases. This works because of over 200 dark stores spread across key city locations.
• Simple App: Zepto’s app scores above 4.5 stars on both Google Play and the App Store. Shoppers can place an order in under a minute, making the process fast and stress-free.
• Smart Inventory: Real-time tracking and demand forecasting keep accuracy at 98 percent. That means fewer canceled orders and happier customers.
• Appeal to Young Shoppers: Quick delivery, mobile-first design, and a modern brand image attract millennials and Gen Z, who now make up most of Zepto’s customer base.
• Tech-Powered Operations: Advanced systems optimize routes, track inventory, and cut average delivery times by as much as 30 percent. AI tools also predict restocking needs and manage logistics at scale.

A 10-minute delivery app like Zepto proved that when speed, simplicity, and technology come together, grocery shopping changes forever.

Business Model of a 10-Minute Delivery App with a Difference

Building out a 10-minute delivery app like Zepto is not just about speed. It is about changing habits, winning over customers, and instilling loyalty, which is for the long term. If you want to develop apps like Zepto, you will do better to focus less on fast riders and dark stores. Instead, put in smart strategies that make shopping a breeze and a pleasure.

Here is a set of ideas that will make your Zepto like app development project stand out:

Hyper-Personalized Shopping

Customers enjoy it when brands know their stuff. Use AI to track what they buy, what they prefer to eat, or when they shop. Then, push tailored product suggestions and micro-offers that feel custom-made. The more a user feels like the app is for them, the more they will return.

Mood-Based Experiences

Shopping is never just about buying; it’s an emotion. Why not design your app around moods and moments?  Include easy single-tap solutions like “Movie Night Snacks,” “Work-from-Home Essentials,” or “Romantic Dinner.” This transforms routine grocery runs into joyful, occasion-driven shopping.

Smart Substitution Alerts

Out-of-stock items ruin the experience. Instead of disappointing users, instantly suggest smart alternatives with side-by-side comparisons. Show pricing, brand, and quality differences. This helps users make quick decisions, reduces cancellations, and builds long-term trust in your Zepto like app development model.

Social and Collaborative Shopping

Why shop alone when it can be shared? Allow families or roommates to build lists together, add reminders, or split orders when collaborative shopping increases basket size and adds a social layer that keeps people hooked on your apps, like Zepto.

Green and Conscious Choices

Today’s consumers want convenience without guilt. Highlight eco-friendly products, reduce packaging, and reward sustainable choices with loyalty points or discounts. By combining speed with sustainability, your brand earns both loyalty and respect.

Engaging Wait Experience

Even 10 minutes can feel longer if customers just stare at a blank screen. Add gamified progress bars, fun facts, or product tips during the wait. It turned what was into an entertainment to make customers feel engaged instead of impatient.

Instant Gratification and Impulse Buying

Quick commerce thrives on urgency. Use flash sales, one-click add-ons, and personalized promotions to trigger impulse buys. This not only boosts basket value but also reinforces the instant-gratification loop that makes users open your app like Zepto again and again.

Key Features to Include When You Build an App Like Zepto

If you want to win in quick commerce, speed is only half the story. Making apps like Zepto must also be simple, reliable, and built to grow. At the core, every grocery delivery platform has three main panels:

• Customer Panel: Enhances the shopping experience and fosters user retention.
• Delivery Partner Panel: Enables drivers to fulfill orders promptly and stay on schedule.
• Admin Panel: Controls business performance and operations in the background.

Let’s break each one down.

Customer Panel

Here at the core of it is what this panel presents to you with the 10-minute delivery app, which must include elements such as:

• Easy Onboarding: Allow us to have fast sign-up via social media profiles, phone numbers, email IDs, and OTP verification for smooth access.
• Home Page: Present a large choice of products and categories at the nearest store. Also include an option to view and repeat previous orders for your convenience.
• User-Friendly Interface: Design a clean and easy-to-use interface in the Zepto style.
• Clear Navigation: Design simple and intuitive categories that will enable users to find products quickly.
• Personalized Offers: Present data on regional, cultural, and social trends to put forth personalized product recommendations and targeted promotions, which also include past purchase and browsing history.
• Push Notifications: Alert users of our flash sales, deals, and discounts, which will, in turn, increase engagement and app usage.
• Order Cart: Present at all times a cart screen that updates easily to show what is in the cart and billing info.
• Simple Checkout: Streamline your purchase process in a few easy steps to see an increase in conversions.
• Real-Time Order Tracking: Customers can track the progress of their order from acceptance through packaging, transit, and to the doorstep.
• Accurate Delivery Address & Location: Identify users’ exact locations and bring to them the closest store for fast delivery.
• Multiple Payment Options: Support a variety of payment options, which include cash on delivery, credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and net banking.
• Schedule Delivery: Let customers pick out their preferred delivery times, which in turn will help them plan their shopping better.
• Improved Product Search: Present smart search, which also includes keyword suggestions for a better and faster user experience.
• Wishlist & Cart Sharing: Allow users to put items on wish lists and to share shopping carts with family and friends.
• Recommended Products & Price Comparison: Present tailored product recommendations and also allow for price comparison, which in turn will inform decisions.
• Multilingual Support & Voice Search: Present a variety of languages and voice-enabled search options for our users.
• Rewards & Coupon Codes: Increase brand loyalty with discount promotions, reward schemes, and exclusive deals.
• Review & Ratings: Allow customers to post reviews of products and services.
• Customer Support: Offer support to customers with their order issues and resolution.

Delivery Partner Panel

This is the backbone of your operations. For a Zepto like app development journey, empower drivers with:

• Dashboard: Help delivery drivers log in to see completed and scheduled deliveries as well as earnings and performance reports.
• Easy Registration & Profile Management: Simple registration, which includes basic personal info, and we have tools to manage your profile, which includes bank details.
• Instant Updates: Notify delivery agents at the time of order acceptance.
• In-App Wallet: Show tips, report earnings, present incentives, and handle withdrawal requests in the app.
• Delivery History: Agents will see their past deliveries and present orders.
• Real-Time Delivery Tracking: Provide live shipping updates and arrival tracking.
• Delivery Proof: Gather customer signatures or photos for proof of delivery.
• Delivery Reattempts: Allow resits if the first attempt is a failure.

Admin Panel

The core components of the system. When you develop an app like Zepto, admins need strong tools like:

• Comprehensive Order & Agent Tracking: Track and report on order status and delivery agent availability as it happens.
• Picking Stage Management: Modify these order processing stages, which include “Not Picked, “Picked, “In Review, and “Removed.
• Assign Pickers & Drivers: Automatically, we will do the pick from the stores and inform the delivery boys of new orders.
• Order Label Generation: Create and print out labels for easy order bag scan.
• Customer Notifications: Notify users instantly when their orders are out for delivery or at pick up.
• Promo Code Management: Run discount campaigns and affiliate marketing promotions.
• Inventory Management: Manage stock and product SKUs for each distribution center or dark store.
• SEO & Mobile Responsiveness: Improve the app for search engines and also see to it that performance is smooth across all devices.
• Account & Earnings Management: Track and report on dark store and delivery personnel performance.
• Analytics & Reporting: Review and analyze performance data to improve operations.

Step-by-Step Guide to Create an App Like Zepto

So you've made up your mind to build app like Zepto and enter the emerging quick commerce space. That is a clever idea. Consumers are searching for instant grocery delivery, and witness shoppers' affinity for convenience. But how do you get started? 

Here's the step-by-step approach that shows how to create app like Zepto and turn it into a successful venture.

Step 1: Identify Your Audience

When it comes to creating one of the best Zepto like apps, the first step is knowing your audience. Do you have working professionals on the go who are searching for groceries after work? How about regular family shoppers? Or nighttime students wanting an on-the-go snack? Knowing your demographics, their likes, dislikes, and pain points, will help you make all future decisions.

Step 2: Assess Market Demand

Before taking the plunge into app development, conduct market research of your target cities. See what your competition is offering, their pricing, delivery time, and whatnot to do. Conduct surveys or focus groups to obtain customer feedback. The more research you conduct, the better your success rate in penetrating that market.

Step 3: Define Your Unique Value Proposition

In the marketplace place there are already numerous such options like Zepto, so why do you think that your app will receive the customer's choice? Perhaps you are the one providing eco-friendly packaging, hyper-local farm products, or a more competitive price. 

A well-defined value proposition is the secret to the success of your brand. It is what will inform people that your 10-minute delivery app is unique from the rest of the grocery apps available, and that is why they should remain with you. 

Step 4: Create a Business Plan

Every successful startup starts with a plan. Write down your goals, financial projections, and revenue model. Decide how you’ll make money through delivery fees, subscription models, or partnerships. Your business plan should also include marketing strategies and scaling opportunities. Flexibility is key because markets change quickly.

Step 5: Build a Skilled Development Team

You cannot create app like Zepto without the proper team. Recruit qualified developers, designers, and project managers who are familiar with app development and logistics systems. Seek professionals who have experience working on delivery apps. Encourage collaboration and maintain open communication, ensuring everyone remains on the same page.

Step 6: Design a User-Friendly Front End

User experience matters most for grocery apps. Your site and app should be simple, fast, and easy to use. Shoppers need to be able to view, add, and check out within a minute. Present your designs to actual shoppers, solicit their feedback, and make improvements from there.

Step 7: Add Must-Have Features

Core functions of an app such as Zepto involve registration, product surfing, safe payments, live tracking of orders, and customer care. Emerging functions can propel your app forward, such as AI-based suggestions, reward programs, or voice search. Just ensure all functions smoothly complement each other, providing a trouble-free experience.

Step 8: Establish Efficient Logistics

Technology alone will not make your app a success. Logistics is the key. Create dark stores or tie up with local stores in hotspots. Use route optimisation software for faster deliveries. Make delivery agents trained to handle multiple orders at one time. Efficiency here is what makes a 10-minute delivery app like Zepto.

Step 9: Test and Iterate

Test all elements before going live. Test app performance, payment gateways, notifications, and security. Deploy beta versions to small segments of users for real-world feedback. Enhance based on that feedback for improved performance. Iteration is the secret to the success of a stable Zepto like app development project.

Step 10: Launch and Promote

Time to live. Release your app on Google Play and Apple App Store. Promote it with digital marketing, influencer campaigns, and referral programs. Offer first-order discount deals to attract initial customers. Remember that even the best apps need robust promotion to become visible.

Step 11: Monitor and Adapt

Once you release the app, the job doesn't stop. Monitor user activity, delivery times, and customer satisfaction. Release frequent updates that encompass repairing bugs, incorporating new features, and enhancing the purchasing experience. Remain flexible and prepared to adapt to the market trends. That is what will ensure you long-term success.

Cost of Zepto Like App Development

The cost to build app like Zepto 10-minute grocery delivery depends heavily on how sophisticated the app is, the features it has, the fee charged by the development team, and where they are located. 

For a simple app with normal features, the cost is typically between $10,000 and $40,000. But if you need a sophisticated app with exclusive features such as AI suggestions, live tracking, and seamless logistics management, the cost can range from $30,000 to $60,000. 

These figures are approximate, and the actual cost can vary. To get the most accurate cost, it is advisable to prepare comprehensive project specifications and quote a professional app developer. This will enable you to know the cost according to your specific requirements.

Build Your 10-Minute Delivery App Like Zepto with 7Span

Zepto's journey is a remarkable example of how innovation, technology, and customer-centric strategies can drive explosive growth for a startup. Making apps like Zepto a success has been built on core pillars such as speed, technology, hyper-localization, customer trust, and scalability. These factors have disrupted the grocery delivery space, allowing Zepto to continue its rapid expansion.

Whether you're looking to build a B2B marketplace, a peer-to-peer delivery service, or something entirely different, 7Span can create a customizable platform tailored to your business model. 

We have helped businesses scale by developing robust infrastructures that are primed for growth, alongside creating specialized grocery delivery software that supports both present and future needs.

If you're ready to scale your food delivery app, just like the Zepto model, with a custom tech-powered platform, get in touch with 7Span today. Let’s collaborate on creating grocery delivery software that drives growth and positions you as an industry leader!