Food Delivery Price Comparison

The Hidden Cost of Delivery Apps

When you order $30 worth of food on a delivery app, you don't pay $30. Delivery fees, service fees, small order surcharges, and tips can add $8-15 to your total — a 25-50% markup. The exact amount varies dramatically between platforms, which is why comparing before you order can save hundreds of dollars per year.

Platform Comparison at a Glance

Why Fantuan Is Cheapest for Asian Food

Fantuan (founded in Vancouver) charges only 5% service fee vs 15% on UberEats and DoorDash. For a $30 Asian food order, that's $1.50 vs $4.50 in service fees alone. Fantuan also has the lowest delivery fees ($1.99-3.99) and the largest selection of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese restaurants in Metro Vancouver — including many that aren't available on other platforms.

Subscription Plans: Worth It?

If you order delivery 3+ times per week, subscription plans save money. Uber One ($9.99/mo) waives delivery on $15+ orders. DashPass ($11.99/mo) offers $0 delivery on $15+. Skip Plus ($8.99/mo) provides free delivery on $15+. Break-even is typically 3-4 orders per month.

Example: $30 Chinese Food Order in Richmond

You want to order $30 CAD of dim sum from a Richmond restaurant. Here is what you would pay on each platform with a 12% tip and 4km delivery distance:

• Fantuan: $30 + $2.99 delivery + $1.50 service (5%) + $1.50 GST + $4.20 tip = $40.19 CAD
• SkipTheDishes: $30 + $4.49 delivery + $3.00 service (10%) + $1.50 GST + $4.20 tip = $43.19 CAD
• DoorDash: $30 + $5.49 delivery + $4.50 service (15%) + $1.50 GST + $4.20 tip = $45.69 CAD
• UberEats: $30 + $5.99 delivery + $4.50 service (15%) + $1.50 GST + $4.20 tip = $46.19 CAD
• Direct from restaurant: $30 + $3.50 delivery + $0 service + $1.50 GST + $4.20 tip = $39.20 CAD

The difference between cheapest (direct at $39.20) and most expensive (UberEats at $46.19) is $6.99 CAD per order. If you order delivery twice a week, choosing the cheaper option saves approximately $727 CAD per year.