Grocery app development projects still remain lucrative in this year and are not settling down in upcoming years. And the reason behind this is not only global technological advancement but also the rise of online shopping making everything easy and available on the tips. So if you are also looking to develop a grocery app like instacart you are at the right place.
In this blog we will cover all the important details on how to make an app like Instacart and what are the necessary pointers one needs to keep in mind while developing. The things that need to be taken care of such as features, cost and more to stand out of the crowd in the growing market.
So without thinking more let’s get started with the blog.
Global Market Stats of the Shopping Apps like Instacart
Here are some stats that show the global market of apps like Instacart Shopper are increasing rapidly and can be a long term benefit to invest for the business.
Do you know the global grocery delivery market worldwide is set to achieve a good revenue with US$770.90 Bn by 2024.
The market is expected to grow with a growth of US$ 1347 bn by 2029 which is 11.81% hike than the present year.
The average revenue per user (ARPU) in the Grocery Delivery market, it is forecasted to reach US$495.50 in 2024.
What Do You Mean By Apps Like Instacart And How Does It Work?
Instacart is an on demand grocery delivery app that allows customers to order groceries and related products delivered at their homes. It is not a unique approach that is different from others and emerged as a discovery but this is the service that is provided by the businesses to ease out the grocery buying process in the difficult time without worrying about going to the shop in person. Just click and order whatever you like in seconds!
Apps like Instacart are no different than any other food delivery apps. The food delivery app development companies can go for making Instacart like apps as well but they have some different functions that make them stand in the market. Delivery apps like Instacart have a list of grocery products and Instacart consists of two apps, one for customers and another for delivery partners.
Users can use the apps for ordering any grocery items, selecting and paying with the within app payment methods.
Secondly the delivery personnel can see the order at their app and when they see an order pop up they accept it, and deliver to the given place and complete the order.
Did you know the Instacart founder Apoorva Mehta tried more than 20 other services before he launched a really successful project.
Top Features to Include in Apps like Instacart Development
So as discussed before, grocery apps like Instacart usually involve two apps, one for the users and another for the delivery agents.
A. User Panel
Signup/Login
Users can easily create an account within the app, allowing them to log in with their registered credentials, such as a username and password. This ensures a secure experience, where personal information and preferences are saved for future visits.
Login with Social Media
Users have the convenience of logging into the app using their social media accounts. This feature streamlines the registration process, reducing the need for manual entry of credentials and allowing for a quicker access to shopping.
Category Selection
After logging in, users can select from various shopping categories. For instance, they can choose the fruits category to view and purchase a variety of fresh fruits, enhancing their shopping experience by allowing targeted browsing.
Bookmark Feature
Users can easily mark products they find interesting as favorites. This bookmark feature enables quick access later, allowing for a more personalized shopping experience without having to search again for the same items.
Add to Cart
Users can add products to their virtual cart, similar to a physical shopping basket. This feature allows them to select multiple items at once before proceeding to checkout, simplifying the purchasing process and enhancing user convenience.
Multiple Payment Options
The app supports various payment methods, allowing users to conveniently pay using credit or debit cards. This flexibility ensures a seamless transaction experience and accommodates users’ preferences for secure payments.
Review and Rating Feature
Users can provide ratings and reviews for products, contributing valuable feedback visible to all users. This feature fosters a community-driven approach, helping others make informed purchasing decisions based on real user experiences.
Checkout Feature
A seamless checkout process is essential for any marketplace application. Users can quickly review their cart, apply any coupons, and finalize their purchase with minimal steps, ensuring a user-friendly shopping experience.
Coupons and Promotions Feature
Users can easily access and utilize available coupons and promotions on specific products. This feature encourages engagement and helps users save money, making the shopping experience more rewarding.
Referral Feature
Users can refer friends to the app and earn rewards for successful sign-ups or purchases. This feature promotes word-of-mouth marketing while rewarding users for sharing their positive experiences with others.
Return and Replacement Feature
If users receive a faulty product, they can promptly request a return or refund through the app. This straightforward process ensures customer satisfaction and builds trust in the service.

B. Admin Panel
Login
The administrator can securely access the backend application by logging in. This feature ensures that only authorized personnel can manage the app’s operations and user data.
Dashboard
The admin dashboard provides a comprehensive overview of key business metrics and relevant information. This centralized view helps administrators monitor performance, track sales, and make informed decisions.
Return and Replacement Management
The admin has the authority to review and manage return and replacement requests from customers. They can approve or reject these requests based on the established guidelines, ensuring efficient customer service.
Business Reports Section
Administrators can easily filter and sort various business reports within this section. This functionality aids in analyzing performance trends, sales figures, and operational insights, facilitating data-driven decision-making.
User Management
The admin can oversee all users of the application through the admin panel. This feature allows for effective management of user accounts, including the ability to add, edit, or deactivate users as necessary.
Content Management
Administrators have the capability to manage all application content, including product descriptions, images, and promotional materials. This ensures that all information is up-to-date and engaging for users.
Payment Management
The admin can monitor and manage payment transactions efficiently. While clients handle taxes and commissions, the admin oversees the overall payment process, ensuring accuracy and timely processing.
Product Management
The admin can easily add or disable products in bulk from the admin panel. This feature streamlines inventory management, allowing for efficient updates and maintenance of the product catalog.
C. Grocery Delivery App Panel
Delivery Management Platform
A dedicated delivery management platform is essential for businesses to ensure timely deliveries and confirm receipt. It provides delivery personnel with the necessary information, improving efficiency compared to third-party apps.
Delivery Boy Login
Delivery personnel can log into the app to view all their assigned orders. This feature allows them to manage their tasks effectively, picking up orders sequentially and enhancing organization.
Delivery Boy Tracker
The app employs GPS tracking via Google Maps, enabling customers to monitor their deliveries in real-time. This transparency keeps customers informed and reassured about their order status.
Route Optimization
The application automatically calculates the shortest delivery route using Google Maps based on the customer’s location. This feature saves time and fuel, ensuring efficient deliveries and improving service speed.
Signature Feature
Users can confirm delivery by signing within the application. This feature adds an extra layer of verification, ensuring that the right product is received by the correct person, thus enhancing accountability.
Return Process from the App
Once a return is approved, the delivery person is notified, allowing them to collect or replace the product using the same delivery process. This streamlined approach simplifies returns and enhances customer satisfaction.
So these are some common features that one can opt for at the time of delivery app development. Other than this there can be more features that can be added as per the requirement of the users.
Cost To Develop An App Like Instacart
There are multiple factors that affect the cost of app development and the most common one is features that we have mentioned in the above section. As you keep on upgrading the features or have to add more features as per your requirement the cost can differ. Apart from this there are also other things that affect the development of apps like Instacart.
App Complexity
Higher the number of functions and features the more time consuming the process will be and higher the development cost will be. These all processes and the cost are interlinked to each other.
Third Party Integration
The app to stand out of the crowd needs to be different from others and need to function the best for the users. Thus, integrating third party apps can provide multiple advanced features to shopping apps like instacart.
Technology Stack
It is a very important factor that affects the food delivery app development. Different platforms require different technology. On the other hand, the latest technologies are also used to enhance the property of each feature. We at Octal have a team of expert developers who are well versed in the latest technologies and market trends that help you stand out of the market.
Geographical Location
This is also one of the factors that can make your project budget friendly. If you are looking for a cheaper option go for the regions who have low labor cost. This can help you with the selection of the best team within the budget. They also provide the same quality but are cheaper than other regions. Let’s have a look at a small table to see the difference and for better understanding. At the end the decision is yours.
Country | App Development Charges |
India | $10-$40 |
Eastern Europe | $30-$100 |
US | $70-$150 |
So for a little idea the mobile app development cost can range approx $ 15000 to $30000. This cost can go higher as well. Depending on the needs and project requirements by the client according to the type of audience they are focusing on and planning for the future.
Additional Costs ( Hidden Charges)
There can be some hidden charges as well available in the shopper apps like instacart.
Licenses
There can be some licenses also needed in the application. So this needs to be taken care of before the launch. So make sure to take all the necessary details from the mobile app development company you are opting for.
Maintenance Costs
Like all programs, the cost of mobile apps includes a maintenance component. To attract new users and maintain user engagement, the app needs to be updated on a regular basis with fresh features. The typical industry cost for app maintenance is between 15% and 20% of the initial development cost. The expenses associated with hosting, monitoring, interaction, and updates can be divided into many categories.

Conclusion
Coming to the end, hope you understood all the important points required to make the best apps like instacart. We tried to mention all the required features and the cost pointer that are necessary in the application to stand out in the market. Apart from this as well if you still face any query you can contact the skilled experts of Octal IT Solution who can provide you with detailed information. The team of experts are well acquainted with the latest trends and provide diverse categories of on demand app development solutions for small or big enterprises.