Delivery Commission Calculator
Delivery app commission calculator: compare direct orders with DoorDash, Uber Eats or Grubhub. Enter order value and commission rate to see the real cost.
On a $28.00 order at 25% commission you lose $7.00 per order. Taking those orders directly through WhatsApp, Instagram, or a QR menu keeps that money in your business.
How delivery-app commissions work
Delivery marketplaces like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub typically charge restaurants a commission of 15–30% on every order, plus card and service fees. On thin restaurant margins, a 25–30% cut can turn a profitable order into a break-even one. This calculator shows exactly how much each order — and each month — costs you, so you can compare it against taking orders directly.
How to use it
- Enter your average order value — the typical ticket size.
- Enter how many orders per month come through the app.
- Enter the app's commission rate (check your statement — many are 25–30%).
The result is what you lose to commissions per order, per month, and per year — money you keep when customers order directly through WhatsApp, Instagram, or a QR menu.
A worked example
A restaurant takes 400 orders a month through an app at an average of $28 per order, on a 25% commission plus 3% payment processing. Commission alone is $2,800 a month; with processing it is $3,136, or about $37,600 a year. If a third of those customers are regulars who could be moved to direct ordering, the restaurant keeps roughly $12,500 a year that currently goes to the platform — enough to fund a part-time rider and still come out ahead.
What the commission rate actually includes
- Marketplace commission — the headline percentage, usually 15% for pickup-only listings and 25–30% for delivery.
- Payment processing — a further 2–3% on most platforms, sometimes bundled into the commission, sometimes itemised.
- Promoted placement and ads — optional, but many restaurants pay 5–15% more to stay visible. Enter your true all-in rate from your statement, not the rate on the sign-up page.
- Tablet or subscription fees — flat monthly charges on some plans. Add them to the monthly total the calculator gives you.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to take orders directly?
Usually, yes. Direct ordering avoids the marketplace commission entirely; your only cost is the payment processing fee (typically ~3%) and whatever delivery costs you. The trade-off is that you drive your own demand rather than borrowing the app's.
Should I raise my app prices to cover the commission?
Many restaurants list higher prices on delivery apps to offset the fee. Check your platform agreement first; some require price parity. Either way, keep your direct-ordering prices lower so customers have a visible reason to switch.
What commission rate should I enter if I use several apps?
Run the calculator once per app with that app's order count and rate, then add the results. Blended averages hide the platform that is costing you most.