Swiggy vs. Zomato: Which Platform Is Better for Cloud Kitchens in 2025?

Why This Matters in 2025

The cloud kitchen space is booming in India—and with low overheads and high flexibility, more food entrepreneurs are entering the market. But your growth is heavily tied to one decision: Swiggy or Zomato? In 2025, both platforms have evolved rapidly, but they now cater to slightly different priorities for cloud kitchens.

Let’s break down the comparison on all fronts—from commission rates to visibility, performance marketing, and long-term profitability.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Swiggy vs. Zomato for Cloud Kitchens

Criteria	Swiggy	Zomato
Onboarding Time	Fast (3–5 days)	Medium (4–7 days)
User Base	Strong in Tier 2/3 cities	Strong in Tier 1 metros
Commission (Avg.)	22%–28% + GST	23%–30% + GST
Ad Campaign Flexibility	High—More real-time control	Medium—More static placements
Customer Support	Better post-onboarding follow-up	Strong onboarding but limited follow-up
Search Visibility Algorithm	Volume + Ratings Based	Ratings + Offers Based
Promo & Offers Tools	Better for bulk discounts, bundling	Better for "Buy 1 Get 1" or coupons
Data & Reporting Tools	Decent (via Swiggy Partner app)	Slightly more detailed dashboards
Brand Visibility for Cloud Kitchens	Medium	Higher due to aggressive search indexing
Suited For	Multi-brand kitchens, Tier 2 scale	Niche brands, metro-based cloud ops

Where Swiggy Wins for Cloud Kitchens

• Broader reach across suburban and Tier 2+ markets

• Better real-time ad campaign management (manual bidding, time slots)

• More reliable partner support after go-live

• Ideal for multi-brand setups looking to scale fast

Best for: Cloud kitchens targeting volume and high SKU play (combos, snacks, QSRs)

Where Zomato Wins for Cloud Kitchens

• Superior discovery in urban metros (great for niche or gourmet brands)

• More visual real estate for menu + promos

• Better for premium positioning and storytelling

• Algorithm rewards strong early customer reviews

Best for: Metro-based cloud kitchens with strong branding and food innovation

Bonus: Run on Both—but Smartly

Many successful cloud kitchens in 2025 use both platforms but prioritize based on use case:

Goal	Primary Platform
Launch new brand in Tier 2 city	Swiggy
Target high AOV urban audience	Zomato
Test bundled meal offers	Swiggy
Run influencer-backed premium drop	Zomato

Pro Tips from Spice Advisors

• Use dynamic menus to test pricing + bundling across both platforms.

• Run ads on Swiggy for immediate visibility + Zomato for mid-funnel retargeting.

• Collect data from both to optimize peak-time listings, offers, and SKUs.

• Build a WhatsApp CRM funnel to move repeat users off-platform and reduce dependency.

Final Verdict: Use Both, but Know Your Game

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. In 2025, both Swiggy and Zomato have unique strengths—and smart cloud kitchens know how to leverage both based on brand stage, city, and scale goals.

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