Swiggy Matches Zomato’s Platform Fee Hike: Are India’s Food Delivery Giants Quietly Fixing Prices?

India’s food delivery users are once again feeling the pinch. Within days of Zomato increasing its platform fee, Swiggy has followed suit—bringing both platforms to the exact same final charge.

The synchronized hike has sparked fresh concerns among users and analysts about pricing transparency and the growing dominance of a two-player market.

Swiggy Joins Zomato: Same Fee, Same Timing

In a move that appears more coordinated than coincidental, Swiggy has raised its platform fee to ₹17.58 (including GST)—exactly matching Zomato’s recently updated pricing.

While Swiggy’s previous fee stood at ₹14.99 and Zomato’s hovered around ₹14.75, both companies have now aligned their final consumer cost.

Platform Fee Comparison

This near-identical pricing has reignited debates about whether India’s food delivery space is becoming a duopoly with mirrored decision-making.

Why Are Fees Rising Again?

Both companies have justified the hike by citing operational and platform maintenance costs. However, industry observers point to deeper financial pressures.

1. Rising Fuel Costs

Global crude oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel due to geopolitical tensions, directly impacting last-mile delivery expenses.

2. Profitability Pressure

Swiggy and Zomato are under increasing pressure from investors to improve margins, especially as they continue to invest heavily in quick commerce services like Instamart and Blinkit.

3. Unit Economics Under Scrutiny

After years of aggressive discounts and cash burn, both platforms are now prioritizing profitability over growth—often at the expense of consumers.

Users Push Back: ‘Convenience Is Becoming Costly’

The reaction online has been swift and critical.

Many users have pointed out that platform fees have surged from ₹2 in 2023 to ₹17.58 in 2026, marking an increase of over 600% in just three years.

Common sentiments trending across social media include:

• “Food delivery is no longer affordable”
• “We are paying fees on top of taxes and delivery charges”
• “This feels like price fixing”

The growing frustration signals a tipping point where users may begin rethinking their reliance on delivery apps.

Is This a Duopoly Problem?

With only two dominant players controlling most of India’s food delivery market, critics argue that price alignment is becoming a pattern.

While there is no official indication of collusion, the repeated “follow-the-leader” pricing strategy raises questions:

• Are users left with real alternatives?
• Is competition truly driving pricing anymore?
• Or are consumers simply absorbing synchronized hikes?

New Challenger Enters: Can Rapido Disrupt the Market?

Amid rising dissatisfaction, new competition is emerging.

Rapido has entered the food delivery space with its service Ownly in Bengaluru, offering zero platform fees—at least for now.

This aggressive pricing strategy could:

• Attract price-sensitive users
• Pressure incumbents to rethink fee structures
• Break the growing perception of a closed duopoly

However, whether this disruption scales nationally remains to be seen.

The latest fee hike may seem small in isolation, but it reflects a larger shift in India’s food delivery ecosystem.

As Swiggy and Zomato continue to align pricing and chase profitability, users are beginning to question the real cost of convenience.

If rising fees continue unchecked, the market could face a critical moment—where customer loyalty gives way to price sensitivity, and new players find an opening to disrupt the status quo.

FAQs

1. What is the new Swiggy platform fee in 2026?

Swiggy has increased its platform fee to ₹17.58 (including GST), effective immediately.

2. Why did Swiggy and Zomato increase platform fees?

Both companies cite operational costs, rising fuel prices, and the need to improve profitability.

3. Are Swiggy and Zomato charging the same fee now?

Yes, both platforms now charge ₹17.58, leading to discussions about pricing parity.

4. How much have food delivery platform fees increased?

Since 2023, fees have increased from around ₹2 to ₹17.58—over a 600% rise.

5. Is there any alternative to Swiggy and Zomato?

Rapido has launched a food delivery service called Ownly in Bengaluru with zero platform fees, offering a potential alternative.