In 2025, Indian food businesses have more choices than ever when it comes to online delivery platforms. While Zomato and Swiggy have dominated the market for years, ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) is now emerging as a powerful, government-backed alternative — especially for small and local food businesses.
The big question: Which platform should your restaurant choose — ONDC, Zomato, or Swiggy?
At Swigato India Solutions, we’ve helped hundreds of restaurants, cafes, and cloud kitchens navigate this very decision. In this blog, we break down the pros, cons, and ideal use cases for each platform so that you can make a smart, future-ready choice.
1. Zomato & Swiggy: The Giants of Aggregation
These two food aggregators have built powerful delivery networks and a strong consumer base in India’s urban markets. They offer:
Pros
- Massive reach across Tier 1 & Tier 2 cities
- Established logistics infrastructure
- High customer trust and brand recall
- Promotional visibility (banner ads, offer tabs)
- Built-in marketing tools (boost, priority listing)
Cons
- High commission fees (15%–35%) cut into margins
- Heavy dependence on aggregator policies
- Limited brand control (Zomato/Swiggy handle UX)
- Organic growth is hard without paid promotions
Swigato India Solutions helps food businesses manage their presence here with strategic onboarding, pricing setup, and profile optimization to drive better ROI on these platforms.
2. ONDC: The New Open Network Revolution
ONDC is an open-source, government-supported digital commerce platform that allows restaurants to sell directly to customers without relying on traditional aggregators.
Pros
- Much lower commissions (as low as 3–8%)
- More control over pricing, branding, and communication
- Sellers can choose their own delivery and payment partners
- Especially beneficial for Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, and local chains
- Built for long-term independence and scalability
Cons
- Still building customer awareness and app adoption
- Lacks the marketing muscle of Zomato/Swiggy
- You need to manage multiple parts (catalogs, logistics, payments)
With Swigato India Solutions, onboarding to ONDC becomes simple. We provide complete integration, catalog uploads, branding, and training so you can leverage the platform without technical hassle.
Platform Comparison Table
| Feature | Zomato/Swiggy | ONDC |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | 15–35% | 3–8% |
| Brand Control | Limited | High |
| Customer Base | Large (Tier 1 & 2) | Growing (Tier 2, 3 focus) |
| Marketing Tools | Strong, but paid | Basic, independent |
| Order Fulfilment | Handled by aggregator | You choose logistics partner |
| Support | Platform-specific | Community-driven, partner-led |
Swigato’s Recommendation: Use a Hybrid Strategy
Based on our experience, Swigato India Solutions often recommends a dual-platform or hybrid approach for most food businesses:
- Use Zomato/Swiggy for exposure and customer acquisition
- Use ONDC for better margins, loyal customers, and long-term scalability
- Diversify your online presence — don’t depend on one platform
This allows you to benefit from Zomato/Swiggy’s traffic while building your brand independence through ONDC.
How Swigato India Solutions Helps You Succeed on All Platforms
Whether you’re a first-time food entrepreneur or an established brand expanding into new markets, Swigato provides:
✅ Seamless onboarding on Zomato, Swiggy, and ONDC
✅ Menu and catalog design tailored to each platform
✅ Digital brand strategy for platform visibility and trust
✅ Ongoing account management to ensure consistent performance
✅ Compliance, pricing, and offer structuring
We’ve helped over 250+ food businesses go live, stay compliant, and thrive — with measurable growth in orders and ratings.
Conclusion
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing between ONDC, Zomato, and Swiggy. The best approach depends on your city, cuisine, team capacity, and business vision.
But no matter what path you choose, having an expert partner like Swigato India Solutions ensures you’re equipped with the right tools, strategies, and insights for sustainable success.
Get in touch with us for a free consultation and discover which platform mix works best for your restaurant.
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