Zomato vs Swiggy: Which Platform is Better for New Restaurants?

Introduction 

If you're a new restaurant entering the online delivery space in India, you've probably asked yourself: "Should I start with Zomato or Swiggy? Or both?" This blog breaks down the core differences, advantages, and challenges of each platform—so you can make an informed decision that boosts your visibility, orders, and profitability from Day 1.

1. Market Reach & User Base

Platform	Monthly Active Users (India)	Strength
Zomato	70M+	Strong in North & Tier-1 Cities
Swiggy	75M+	Dominant in South, better Tier-2 penetration

Verdict:

• Zomato is better if you're in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, or Gurgaon.

• Swiggy wins in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Tier 2 cities like Coimbatore or Vizag.

2. Commission & Cost Structure

Platform	Commission Range	Ad Spend Minimum	Payment Settlement
Zomato	22%–28%	~Rs. 300/day	T+3 working days
Swiggy	22%–30%	~Rs. 500/day	T+2 working days

Verdict: Both platforms are comparable, but Zomato offers slightly lower entry ad budgets, while Swiggy has faster payouts.

3. Discoverability & Onboarding Support

• Zomato:

  • Easy onboarding for new restaurants.

  • Better early-stage visibility in metro areas.

  • More flexible on listing creatives and menu design.

• Swiggy:

  • Stricter listing standards, but supports with delivery logistics and deeper insights once you're live.

  • Great for high-order volume kitchens.

Verdict:

• Zomato is better for fast onboarding and brand-new launches.

• Swiggy gives more long-term order volume potential with proper optimization.

4. Ad & Promotion Ecosystem

Feature	Zomato	Swiggy
Sponsored Listings	✅	✅
Platform Ads	✅	✅
Custom Offers	✅	✅
CRM/Retargeting	❌	✅

Verdict: Swiggy offers better backend analytics and ad retargeting. Zomato is easier for simple promos and visibility boosts.

5. User Behavior & Ordering Patterns

• Zomato users:

  • Often check reviews and photos.

  • More brand-conscious and dine-in friendly.

• Swiggy users:

  • Faster conversions.

  • More impulsive; prefer discounts and quick delivery.

Pro Tip: Restaurants with strong branding should lean toward Zomato, while delivery-focused setups with efficiency and pricing advantages can win on Swiggy.

Final Verdict: So, Which One is Better?

Scenario	Recommendation
New restaurant in metro	Zomato first, Swiggy later
Cloud kitchen or delivery-first	Start with Swiggy
Low marketing budget	Zomato for easier onboarding
Looking to scale fast	Use both, but invest in Swiggy ads

Need Help Launching on Swiggy or Zomato? Spice Advisors offers full-service onboarding, listing optimization, ad setup, and performance tracking so you can focus on great food—we’ll handle the growth.

WhatsApp us today!