How much does it cost to develop an app like Glovo in 2026?

A solid MVP with customer app, courier app, back office and merchant module typically costs between €25,000 and €60,000. Advanced features (multi-city, subscriptions, complex pricing) can push the budget above €80,000. A white-label SaaS solution costs €1,000–5,000 setup plus €50–600/month.

What features are essential in an app like Glovo?

Essential features include: user registration, address management, multi-category catalogue, cart and payment, real-time order tracking, push notifications, courier app with route optimisation, merchant dashboard, and admin back office.

Custom development or white-label for a Glovo-type app?

White-label lets you go live in weeks at low cost — ideal to validate your market. Custom development gives full control and scalability once your model is proven. FlexiApps recommends starting with turnkey, then evolving toward custom as your volume grows.

How long does it take to build an app like Glovo?

A white-label solution can be live in 2–4 weeks. A custom MVP typically takes 3–6 months. A full-featured multi-city platform can take 6–12 months depending on complexity.

On-Demand Delivery — 2026 Guide

Cost to Develop an App
Like Glovo in 2026

Estimate your budget, choose between custom and white-label, and launch a profitable multi-category delivery platform with FlexiApps.

Fatimazahra Daki

Digital Marketing Manager

June 2, 2026

12 min read

The success of Glovo has transformed on-demand delivery worldwide. This guide breaks down everything you need to plan and budget your own multi-category delivery platform in 2026.

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Estimated arrival: 12:45

Order confirmed

12:15

Being prepared

12:20

On the way

Driver approaching

Nearby

Burger Palace

★ 4.8 · 15 min

Fresh Market

★ 4.6 · Grocery

City Pharmacy

★ 4.9 · 20 min

What is the Glovo Delivery App?

Glovo is a multi-category on-demand delivery app that lets users order restaurant meals, everyday groceries, pharmacy items, flowers and gifts — all delivered in minutes. Available in 25+ countries, it has redefined consumer expectations for speed, real-time tracking and convenience. By 2026, the global on-demand delivery market continues to grow strongly, driven by heavy mobile usage, quick commerce and the lasting behavioural shifts that permanently changed how people order.

If you want to create a delivery app like Glovo, the two key questions are: how much will it cost, and should you build from scratch or use a white-label platform? This guide answers both.

The Complete Ecosystem of a Glovo-Type App

Building an app like Glovo is not just a single app — it's a complete ecosystem of interconnected products:

Customer AppiOS & Android — the core of your business.

Courier AppRoute optimisation, earnings tracking, status updates.

Merchant DashboardOrder management, menu editing, stats, promotions.

Admin Back OfficePlatform-wide management, analytics, payouts.

Customer App: Essential Features

Sign-up / LoginEmail, phone, Google, Apple, Facebook — fast flow.

Address managementGeolocation, multiple saved addresses, auto-suggest.

Catalogue & searchFilter by category, rating, distance, delivery time.

Cart & paymentVariants, promo codes, fee transparency, multi-payment.

Real-time trackingLive courier position, ETA, status notifications.

In-app supportChat with courier, restaurant or support team.

Push notificationsOrder updates and targeted promotions.

Order historyPast orders, one-click reorder, invoice download.

Merchant Dashboard

Restaurants and shops must be able to: manage their profile and catalogue, accept or decline orders based on workload or stock, track courier arrival in real time, view sales statistics and payouts, and launch promotions (discounts, free delivery, happy hours). This module can be a tablet app or a web back office — the simpler it is, the easier it is to onboard partners.

Courier App: Optimising Delivery

Couriers are the backbone of a Glovo-type platform. The courier app must allow them to: sign up with identity verification, receive and accept delivery requests with earnings estimates, follow optimised routes (Google Maps / Mapbox), update order status in real time, view their earnings history and bonuses, and communicate with customers and support. A good courier UX directly reduces delays and cancellations.

Custom Development vs White-Label

Custom Development — from scratch

Full control over features, UX and scalability. You own the source code and can integrate any business model. Higher initial cost (several months of development) and requires a strong technical team to maintain and evolve the platform.

White-Label / Turnkey Solution

Start from a battle-tested platform: add your branding, configure delivery zones, fees and payment methods, and go live in weeks. Much lower initial cost, already secure and scalable. Less flexibility for very specific features, some dependency on the provider for major changes.

💡 FlexiApps strategy: We recommend starting with a white-label solution to validate your market quickly, then investing in custom development once your order volume and profitability justify it. This staged approach optimises your total development cost over time.

Budget: Cost to Develop an App Like Glovo in 2026

Custom — MVP

Customer + Courier + Merchant + Back Office

€25,000 – €60,000

Professional UI/UX design
iOS + Android customer app
Courier driver app
Merchant dashboard (web or app)
Admin back office

Custom — Advanced

Multi-city, subscriptions, complex features

€80,000+

Multi-city / multi-country logic
Subscription & loyalty modules
Complex pricing engine
Advanced analytics dashboard
Third-party integrations (POS, ERP…)

White-Label / SaaS

Fast go-live, low initial cost

€1,000–5,000 setup

+ €50 to €600/month
Live in 2–4 weeks
Hosting & security included
Ideal for market validation

Ongoing — After Launch

Plan these costs upfront

+15–20%/year

Hosting & infrastructure
Maintenance & security updates
Marketing & user acquisition
Feature iterations

How to Choose the Right Budget for Your Project?

What is your 12–24 month objective?

Local test, national rollout or a specific niche? A local MVP needs a very different budget than a multi-country platform.

How many cities at launch?

Multi-city logic adds significant development complexity — both technically and operationally.

Tech-first or operations-first?

Is your competitive edge in the technology, or in your courier network, supplier partnerships and marketing? This determines where to invest first.

Monthly maintenance and marketing budget?

Plan 15–20% of initial development cost per year for maintenance, plus a dedicated marketing budget to acquire your first users and merchants.

Also building a meal kit subscription platform? Read our dedicated guide on the cost to develop an app like Goodfood — features, budget breakdown and cloud vs custom.

Read the guide →

Why Choose FlexiApps?

Since 2014 — On-Demand Delivery App Experts

FlexiApps supports project owners from idea to launch: market audit, architecture choice (SaaS, custom or hybrid), detailed cost estimation, then development, testing, deployment and post-launch support. We serve clients in Morocco, France, Belgium, Canada, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Explore our mobile development services and web expertise, or contact us for a free quote within 24 hours.

Conclusion

The cost to develop an app like Glovo in 2026 ranges from €25,000 for a solid custom MVP to €80,000+ for a full-featured multi-city platform — or as low as €1,000–5,000 setup with a white-label solution. The right approach depends on your market, your timeline and your budget.

Starting with a turnkey solution and evolving toward custom development once your model is validated is the most cost-efficient path for most projects. Contact FlexiApps today for a personalised estimate adapted to your specific context.

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