Food Delivery – Cheapest UK App for Takeaways, Groceries and Fast Food

Ordering a takeaway in the UK has become a game of price roulette. With Just Eat, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Foodhub all vying for your order, the final cost can vary wildly depending on the app, the restaurant, and the time of day. This guide breaks down which service is actually cheapest for your specific need—whether that is a Friday night curry, a quick McDonald’s fix, or a weekly grocery shop.

The market has evolved rapidly. What was once a simple choice between a few local takeaways is now a crowded landscape of premium delivery networks, subscription perks, and surplus food platforms. Understanding the true cost requires looking beyond the headline delivery fee.

Which Food Delivery Service is Cheapest in the UK?

Multiple comparisons confirm that no single app maintains the lowest prices across all order types. The cheapest option shifts based on postcode, restaurant choice, basket size, and the time of day. However, patterns do emerge for specific categories.

Key takeaways from the research:

• Just Eat is repeatedly described as the best value for many UK customers, especially for smaller orders and independent takeaways, because fees and markups are often lower.
• Uber Eats tends to be competitive for fast food and late-night coverage, with a broader reach in some areas.
• Deliveroo is often strongest for premium restaurants and subscription users, but is frequently more expensive on fees.
• Foodhub is mentioned as a lower-cost takeaway platform in some comparisons, sometimes undercutting the big three on traditional takeaway pricing.
• Too Good To Go is typically the cheapest per meal option when the goal is the lowest price rather than ordering a specific restaurant item, because it sells surplus food at a discount.
• For groceries, the best value is usually supermarket delivery direct rather than through an app.

Fee patterns cited in the results show a clear hierarchy. A comparison article reports average price premiums over ordering direct of about 21% for Just Eat, 25% for Uber Eats, and 31% for Deliveroo. On a £30 order, that source estimates added costs of roughly £6.30 for Just Eat, £7.50 for Uber Eats, and £9.30 for Deliveroo.

Can I Order Groceries Through Food Delivery Apps?

Yes, but the availability varies significantly by app and location. This is one of the most significant developments in the UK food delivery sector in recent years.

Which Apps Offer Grocery Delivery Besides Restaurants?

Just Eat has the widest grocery integration, offering delivery from Asda, Co-op, and Morrisons across thousands of locations. Deliveroo partners with Co-op, Sainsbury’s, and M&S in select areas. Uber Eats offers limited grocery options, typically from corner shops and convenience stores rather than major supermarkets.

Foodhub does not currently offer grocery delivery. For a full weekly shop, ordering direct from supermarket websites—such as Ocado, Tesco, or Sainsbury’s—remains cheaper than using a food delivery app for the same items.

Do Just Eat and Deliveroo Deliver from Supermarkets?

They do, but only for a limited selection of items. Grocery delivery prices vary by retailer and slot, and peak-time delivery is usually more expensive. A grocery comparison guide notes that services can have low headline delivery charges, but the total depends on minimum spend, delivery-slot pricing, and whether there is a subscription or free-delivery threshold.

How Do Food Delivery Apps Work in the UK?

The process is broadly similar across all platforms. Users open the app, enter their postcode, browse available restaurants, add items to a basket, and proceed to checkout. The app calculates the total, including the cost of food, a delivery fee, and often a service fee.

Payment is handled through the app. Orders are sent to the restaurant, and a driver collects the food and delivers it to the specified address. Most services now offer real-time tracking, contactless delivery, and the ability to leave delivery instructions.

Which App Has the Fastest Delivery?

Deliveroo typically advertises 20–30 minute delivery in city centres, but actual times depend on distance and kitchen capacity. Uber Eats can be very fast in dense urban areas, especially for fast food. Just Eat, with its wider geographic coverage, may have longer wait times in smaller towns.

Which Food Delivery Service Delivers in London and Other UK Cities?

All four major services operate in London, but coverage varies elsewhere. Just Eat has the widest reach, covering the entire UK including smaller towns and rural areas. Deliveroo is strongest in major cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. Uber Eats covers over 70 UK cities, with a focus on urban and suburban areas. Foodhub has been expanding rapidly, reaching many smaller towns that the larger apps do not serve well.

The best approach for any location is to open each app and check which restaurants are available for delivery to your specific postcode. Coverage is dynamic and changes frequently.

What Are the Best Food Delivery Options for Fast Food?

All major services deliver from the biggest fast food chains. McDonald’s is available on Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats. KFC is listed on Just Eat and Uber Eats, with some locations on Deliveroo. Burger King partners primarily with Deliveroo and Uber Eats.

For fast food specifically, Uber Eats tends to be competitive on pricing, especially for chain restaurants. Deliveroo may charge higher fees for the same meal. Just Eat can be a strong option for local fast food takeaways and independent fried chicken shops that are not part of a national chain.

Timeline: Evolution of Food Delivery in the UK (2010–2025)

1. 2010: Just Eat IPO on London Stock Exchange, dominating online takeaway orders.
2. 2013: Deliveroo launches in London, introducing premium delivery from high-end restaurants.
3. 2016: Uber Eats enters UK market, expanding fast food delivery.
4. 2020: Pandemic drives massive growth; all services add contactless delivery and grocery partnerships.
5. 2023: Foodhub reaches 30,000 UK partner restaurants, gains popularity as low-cost alternative.
6. 2025: AI-powered recommendations and drone delivery trials by Deliveroo and Just Eat.

What Is Certain and Uncertain About Food Delivery Costs?

How Does Competition Shape the UK Food Delivery Market?

Just Eat remains the largest by restaurant count, but Deliveroo leads in city-centre delivery speed. Uber Eats benefits from global brand loyalty and its subscription model. Foodhub is growing among cost-conscious consumers by charging no commission to restaurants, which allows lower prices for customers.

Users often underestimate total cost: delivery fee plus service fee plus tip. Services with free delivery, such as Foodhub and Uber One, attract price-sensitive users, but restaurant markups may offset savings. Comparing the final checkout total remains the only reliable method.

What Do the Sources Say About Pricing?

Consumer comparisons consistently point to Just Eat as the best value for mainstream takeaway orders, with Foodhub as a lower-cost alternative on some orders. For cheapest groceries, the results point to ordering direct from supermarkets.

“No single app is always cheapest. Multiple sources say the winner changes by postcode, restaurant, basket size, and time of day.”

— Choose Out AI

“Just Eat is repeatedly described as the best value for many UK customers, especially for smaller orders and independent takeaways, because fees and markups are often lower.”

— Groupon UK

What Should You Do Next When Choosing a Delivery Service?

The practical takeaway is simple: check the checkout total on at least two apps before confirming your order. For takeaways, start with Just Eat and Foodhub. For fast food chains, compare Uber Eats and Deliveroo. For groceries, go direct to the supermarket. For those looking to save on kitchen basics, see Kitchen Cupboards – Best Budget Units, Doors and Paint Tips 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions