Swiggy and Zomato commission: what you really pay per order
The commission in your contract is only part of the cost. Here is everything that comes out of a delivery order before the money reaches you, and what you can do about it.
Rates differ by city, by restaurant and by contract, and the apps change their terms. The numbers below are examples, not any app’s published rates, last checked in October 2026. Your weekly payout statement is the final word. Not tax advice.
What comes out of each order
- Commission. A percentage of the food value. Restaurant associations have reported rates from about 8% to 28% depending on the outlet and the deal; many restaurants land between 18% and 25%.
- Payment or collection fee. A small percentage for handling the customer’s payment, usually around 2%.
- 18% GST on the commission and fees. The app bills you for its service, and GST is added on top. A standalone restaurant on the 5% GST rate can’t claim this back as input tax credit, so it is a real cost.
- Discounts you fund. “50% off up to ₹100” offers are often shared between the app and the restaurant. Your share comes off your payout.
- Ads and boosts. Paid visibility is billed separately or taken from payouts.
- TDS. The app deducts income tax at 0.1% of the order value. This is not a cost: it is credited to your PAN and adjusted when you file your return.
The 5% GST on the food itself is collected and paid to the government by the app, not by you. That is why it doesn’t appear in your payout either way.
A worked example
A ₹500 order (food value before GST), 25% commission, 2% payment fee, no discount, no ads:
| Food value | ₹500.00 |
|---|---|
| Commission 25% | − ₹125.00 |
| Payment fee 2% | − ₹10.00 |
| 18% GST on ₹135 | − ₹24.30 |
| TDS 0.1% | − ₹0.50 |
| Reaches your bank | ₹340.20 |
That is 68% of the menu price, before packaging and before any discount you fund. Add a ₹50 discount share and you keep about ₹306, or 61%. Try your own numbers in the commission calculator.
How restaurants protect their margin
- Price the app menu separately. Most restaurants list delivery prices 15–25% above dine-in. The calculator shows the exact price that pays you the same as a dine-in sale.
- Make app dishes that travel well and cost less. Combos and bowls with a lower food cost percentage carry the commission better than a plated main.
- Read the payout statement every week. Check commission %, discount share and ad charges against your contract. Mistakes happen, and only you will catch them.
- Turn delivery guests into direct guests. A regular who orders from you directly, by phone or WhatsApp, or who walks in and orders from the table QR, saves you the whole commission.
- Count the app channel on its own. Look at sales and costs for delivery apart from dine-in, so a busy app week doesn’t hide a loss.
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