Free tool
Online ordering cost calculator
Four ways to take the same monthly orders, costed side by side: marketplace only, your own site with third-party delivery, your own site with your own riders, and your own site with pickup only. Change any input and the table updates.
| Setup | Monthly cost | Per order | Share of revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketplace only | — | — | — |
| Own site + third-party delivery | — | — | — |
| Own site + own riders | — | — | — |
| Own site, pickup only | — | — | — |
Reading it
Enter your figures to compare.
Estimates on identical order volume. Costs only; it does not model how many orders each route would actually bring. Revenue = orders × average order value.
The four formulas
With R = monthly revenue (orders × average order value), N = monthly orders and D = delivered orders (N × share delivered):
- Marketplace only: R × commission % + N × other per-order charges. Delivery is assumed to be included in the commission tier; if your marketplace charges you separately for delivery, add it to the per-order charges.
- Own site + third-party delivery: R × processing % + platform subscription + D × (fee per trip − delivery charge collected).
- Own site + own riders: R × processing % + platform subscription + own riders monthly cost − D × delivery charge collected.
- Own site, pickup only: R × processing % + platform subscription.
"Per order" divides the monthly cost by N. "Share of revenue" divides it by R, which gives you an effective rate you can hold up against a marketplace commission.
What the table does not say
It does not say which setup brings the most orders. A marketplace listing puts you in front of people who have never heard of you; a pickup-only site relies on people who already have. Most restaurants end up running more than one route, which is why the direct ordering vs delivery apps comparison is about mix rather than replacement.
Own-rider cost is also lumpy. Two riders on shift cost the same on a quiet Tuesday as on a busy Saturday. If your delivery volume is uneven, a per-trip service for the peaks and your own rider for the base load often costs less than either alone; the delivery management page covers mixing them per order.
For the per-order view of what a delivery costs you and what to charge for it, use the delivery fee calculator.
Cost calculator questions
Why does every setup use the same number of orders?
To compare costs on like-for-like volume. In reality a pickup-only setup usually takes fewer orders than one with delivery, and a marketplace brings some customers a direct site will not. Treat the output as the cost of serving a given volume through each route, then apply your own judgement about which route would actually generate it.
What goes in "other marketplace charges per order"?
Any flat per-order deductions on your marketplace statement beyond the percentage commission: packaging charges, payment collection fees, or the per-order cost of promotions you run. Leave it at zero if your statement shows only a percentage.
What is a realistic third-party delivery fee?
It depends on city and distance. Per-trip courier services price by distance and vehicle; check a few recent quotes for your typical delivery and use that average. Tuckly has no courier integration outside India today, so treat this column as a cost model for a service you arrange yourself.
How do I estimate own-rider monthly cost?
Wages for the hours riders are on shift plus vehicle running costs, insurance and phone allowance. If riders also do other work in the restaurant, apportion the hours spent on delivery. The self-delivery page has a per-delivery version of this arithmetic.
Where does the subscription for a direct ordering platform come from?
From your quote. Tuckly charges a subscription and no commission; current plan pricing is confirmed in writing, see pricing. Other platforms may charge a lower subscription plus a per-order fee, which you can model by raising the processing percentage.
See what a direct channel would cost you
Plan pricing in writing, every cost line listed, and no commission on orders through your site.
Gateway fees, delivery and taxes are separate. Pricing