How Much Does Delivery & Orders Software Cost? A UK Small Business Pricing Guide

What Is Delivery & Orders Software and Do You Need It?

Delivery and orders software helps UK small businesses manage incoming orders, coordinate drivers, and keep customers informed — all from a single platform. Whether you run a restaurant, a local courier service, or an e-commerce operation, the right tool can save hours of manual work every week.

With the rise of platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat, many small businesses are juggling multiple order streams simultaneously. Without dedicated software, mistakes and delays become costly — both financially and reputationally.

How Is Delivery & Orders Software Typically Priced?

Most delivery and orders software follows one of three pricing models: flat monthly subscriptions, per-order fees, or a freemium model with paid upgrades. Understanding which model suits your order volume is essential before committing to any platform.

UK small businesses should also factor in setup costs, integration fees with existing POS systems, and any transaction charges applied by payment processors such as Zettle or SumUp. These can add up quickly if not accounted for upfront.

A Closer Look at the Key Options for UK Small Businesses

Deliverect

Deliverect is priced at approximately £70 per month and is designed for food and hospitality businesses that receive orders from multiple delivery platforms. It centralises all incoming orders into a single dashboard and integrates directly with your existing POS system, eliminating the need for multiple tablets cluttering your counter.

One of its standout features is menu management — you can update pricing, item availability, and descriptions across all connected platforms simultaneously. For busy kitchens or small restaurants trying to stay competitive, this alone can justify the monthly cost.

• Centralises orders from Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Just Eat, and others
• Integrates with popular POS systems used in UK hospitality
• Streamlines menu updates across all platforms at once
• Best suited to food businesses with moderate to high order volumes

Shipday

Shipday offers a free tier that makes it particularly appealing for startups or very small businesses just beginning to manage deliveries. The free plan includes order management and driver coordination tools, giving you a solid operational foundation without any initial outlay.

Its real-time tracking feature lets customers follow their delivery live, which meaningfully improves customer satisfaction and reduces inbound enquiries to your team. As your business grows, paid plans are available with additional features and higher order limits.

• Free tier available — ideal for businesses starting out
• Manages both orders and driver assignments in one place
• Real-time customer tracking improves delivery experience
• Scales with your business as order volumes increase

What Other Costs Should UK Businesses Budget For?

Beyond the software subscription itself, consider how your delivery platform will connect with your accounting software. Popular UK tools such as Xero, FreeAgent, and Sage can often integrate with order management platforms, which is particularly important for Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliance — a legal requirement for many UK VAT-registered businesses.

GDPR is another consideration, especially if your software stores customer addresses, contact details, and order histories. Ensure any platform you choose stores data on UK or EU-compliant servers and has a clear data processing agreement in place.

How to Choose the Right Option for Your Budget

Start by calculating your average monthly order volume and whether you operate across multiple delivery platforms. If you are a single-channel business or just launching, Shipday's free tier is a sensible starting point that carries no financial risk.

If you run a food business receiving orders from several third-party platforms and need seamless POS integration, the £70 per month investment in Deliverect is likely to pay for itself in time saved and errors avoided. Always request a demo or trial period before committing to a paid plan.

Quick Pricing Summary

• Shipday — Free tier available; paid plans for growing businesses
• Deliverect — From approximately £70/month; best for multi-platform food businesses
• Additional costs to consider: POS integration, payment processing (Zettle, SumUp), accountancy software compatibility
• Compliance costs: ensure GDPR and Making Tax Digital requirements are met

The right delivery and orders software does not need to be expensive to be effective. Match the tool to your current needs, keep an eye on hidden costs, and revisit your choice as your business scales.