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A simple food order has turned into a viral debate about the rising costs of online food delivery. Sunder recently shared his experience on X (formerly Twitter), questioning whether the convenience of home delivery is worth the steep markup.
Swiggy Order with 81% Higher Bill
“Hey @Swiggy, please explain. Why does ordering food in the app cost 81% more than buying the same food from the same outlet, just 2 kms away? Is this the real cost of convenience? The extra that I have to pay to get the food delivered is INR 663,” Sunder wrote.
He detailed his order: 10 pieces of porotta, chicken 65, chicken lollipop, and chicken thokku biryani. At the restaurant, the bill was ₹810, including GST. The same order on Swiggy came to ₹1,473 - highlighting a difference of over ₹660.
Hey @Swiggy, please explain. Why does ordering food in the app, 81% expensive than buying the same food from the same outlet, just 2kms away. Is this the real cost of convenience ? The extra that I have to pay to get the food delivered is INR 663. pic.twitter.com/rvLghtJJ3H
— Sunder (@SunderjiJB) September 7, 2025
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Swiggy Rs 14 Platform Fee Hike
This incident comes soon after Swiggy introduced a Rs 14 platform fee hike.
The company says the increase is meant to cover rising operational costs, including delivery logistics, maintaining the app, and ensuring the safety of delivery personnel. While Rs 14 might seem small for a single order, it can make a noticeable difference on larger orders or orders with multiple items.
For regular users, even a small addition can add up over time, making online food delivery feel more expensive compared to dining in.
Many customers are now realizing that these extra charges, combined with restaurant-set markups, can push the final bill much higher than expected. Some industry observers note that such fee increases are part of a broader trend, and consumers are becoming increasingly aware of how convenience comes at a cost.
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Netizen’s Reaction
The post sparked a heated discussion online. Many users expressed frustration over the growing price difference. One user commented, “Every time it happened, but people don’t care, that’s why they are charging too much.”
Another added, “Swiggy and Zomato both keep inflating prices compared to what you’d pay in-store. Convenience comes at a huge cost.”
However, some defended the extra charges. A netizen pointed out, “You want the safety of the app, delivery on time, customer service, variety at your fingertips… either pay the premium or get it yourself.”
Swiggy responded by emphasizing that restaurant partners set the prices. A representative from Swiggy Cares said, “We’re trying to maintain transparency in our services. Prices might differ online and offline as it is the sole discretion of the restaurant.”