Quick commerce, or Q-commerce, has revolutionized the way consumers purchase groceries and daily necessities. Platforms like Instamart, backed by Swiggy, have demonstrated how the 15–30-minute delivery model can wreak havoc on traditional retail. But Instamart isn’t the only game in this space. Around the world, a frenzy of rivals and grocery delivery upstarts are trying to create their own versions of end-to-end instant-delivery ecosystems.
In 2025, UK consumers will have more choice than ever – the same in India, Europe, and beyond. With Getir’s promise of a 10-minute delivery and Tesco Whoosh using a supermarket-backed model, happiness truly is a way to get food delivered. For businesses and entrepreneurs, discovering Instamart-like apps is necessary to gain insight into the wider Q-commerce world and identify potential areas for innovation.
This post outlines the 21 top Instamart alternatives in 2025 and provides an overview of each of them with their unique offerings and key features. Whether you are a consumer trying to find the fastest delivery app or a small business owner researching your competition before building your own app, this ranking will provide an overview.
Getir
Getir is one of the best Deliverr alternatives in the UK and has already built a massive presence in Turkey, building out into London and other key European cities. With its ultra-fast 10–15 minute delivery model, Getir was the first company to use dark stores (micro warehouses) located at the heart of each urban community. Getir is a Thing, unlike Instamart, which is integrated with Swiggy’s broader food delivery hyper-mega-stack. Getir will offer only instant grocery and essentials delivery. Its model is super scalable, with an enormously large rider fleet and a fantastic consumer experience. For UK users, Getir is perhaps the nearest comparison for Instamart in terms of speed, convenience, and product range.
Features of Getir:
- 10 to 15-minute groceries in cities
- Runs through dark stores and micro-warehouses.
- Great selection of groceries, snacks, and household goods
- Sweet, smooth experience on the app with various methods of payment.
Zapp
Zapp (Quick commerce _ p2p) Zapp is a quick commerce company founded in London. It operates as a premium version of Instamart. In contrast to Instamart, which addresses daily products for the mass audience, Zapp focuses on convenient, 24/7 access and a professional assortment. It is particularly popular among time-pressed professionals and late-night shoppers, delivering about 20-minute groceries plus alcohol and personal care products. Its rider fleet is all full-time and trained for reliability, which makes Zapp a great option for those who like fast deliveries but also value the quality of service. For businesses, Zapp shows how quick commerce can invest in the niche, high-value segments of the UK.
Features of Zapp:
- You can select. If you live in one of the following London postcodes, 24/7 delivery will be offered: SW2, SW9, SW12, and Zone 1.
- Core on premium / convenience-driven products
- 20 MINUTES = Time to deliver for an average order
- Dedicated fleet ensuring reliable operations.
Gorillas
It was then adopted into the UK market by Gorillas from Germany, offering a sustainable, community-based alternative to Instamart, and promptly made a name for itself. Whereas Instamart is known for its connection with Swiggy, Gorillas stands out by focusing on eco-friendly operations, a “living wage” for riders, and curated product offerings. It delivers in 10-15 minutes from dark stores, but it also places a strong emphasis on partnering with local producers alongside eco-conscious brands. Gorillas, in the UK, is pitching itself to urban consumers concerned about both speed and sustainability. Less mass expansion, more connecting with environmentally conscious customers.
Features of Gorillas:
- 10–15 minute fast grocery delivery
- Emphasize green and recyclable products.
- Alliance with local brands and producers
Tesco Whoosh
Tesco Whoosh is the supermarket’s rapid delivery service, and is one of the more established Instamart alternatives in the UK. Unlike Instamart, which leans on micro-warehouses and dark store builds, Tesco Whoosh uses the grocer’s national network of supermarkets. Customers can put in a grocery order on the Tesco app and have it delivered within 60 minutes, encompassing a broader range of products than Instamart or Getir can match. Tesco also includes its well-known Clubcard loyalty scheme, which offers customers value through discounts and rewards. Whoosh offers the convenience of a supermarket chain at a quick-commerce pace for many UK shoppers.
Features of Tesco Whoosh:
- Grocery delivery in 30–60 minutes
- Nationwide coverage across the UK
- Compatibility with Tesco’s Clubcard loyalty scheme
- Massive library of products, with the supply chain to support them
Also Read: How To Build An App Like Tesco
Amazon Fresh UK
Amazon Fresh, instead, is another one of the best alternatives to Instamart in the UK, providing grocery delivery using Amazon’s sprawling ecosystem. Amazon Fresh may not always compete with Getir or Zapp’s 10–20 minute delivery windows, but it offers an unmatched product range and pricing competitiveness, with Prime integration to boot. Shoppers can order thousands of grocery items, fresh produce, and household goods with same-day or next-day delivery in dozens of urban markets. One of the things that really stands out for Amazon Fresh is its integration with Amazon Prime, which should make it very appealing to the millions of existing Prime members. It is not pure quick commerce like Instamart, but its size and convenience make it a dominant player in the UK grocery delivery space.
Features of Amazon Fresh UK:
- Same-day and next-day grocery delivery
- Large product selection, including fresh produce and household goods
- Included with Amazon Prime. Additional References (0) There are no additional references for this article.
- Trustworthy national/ countrywide logistics and delivery network
Deliveroo Hop
Deliveroo Hop is the quick-commerce grocery division of Deliveroo. It’s a direct rival to players such as Instamart and Getir. Deliveroo Hop, which will operate in London and other large UK cities, pledges to deliver within 20 minutes by leveraging both dark stores and retailer partnerships. Its biggest strength is, in fact, Deliveroo’s already massive rider network, which gives it the scaling potential without having to take on the overhead of building logistics from scratch. Deliveroo also flips out groceries from its large partners such as Morrisons, Co-op, and Waitrose — so users get both variety and speed. For lots of UK consumers, Deliveroo Hop combines the trustworthiness of a familiar brand with the convenience of quick commerce.
Features of Deliveroo Hop:
- 10–20 minute delivery times
- Integration with Morrisons, Co op & more retailers
- Utilizes for fulfillment both dark stores and retail stores
- Good delivery network with the Deliveroo riders
Uber Eats Grocery
Uber Eats, meanwhile, has lengthened its remit to include groceries, so in the UK at least it’s a strong Instamart alternative. Uber Eats currently delivers groceries in as little as 30 minutes, if not faster, depending on location, by working with retailers such as Sainsbury’s and Asda. Whereas Instamart operates via its own dark stores, Uber Eats has the inherent advantage of building on an existing food delivery ecosystem — with scale and flexibility. It’s worldwide brand recognition and tie-in with the Uber app could give it an advantage, especially among customers already using Uber for rides and food. It may not promise 15-minute delivery every Time, but its reach and reliability make it a formidable rival in quick commerce.
Features of Uber Eats Grocery:
- Gets to you in 30 minutes or less in most of the city
- Wide coverage from a partnership with UK supermarkets
- Accessibility to the Uber ecosystem (ride, eat, and grocery)
- Reputable global brand with a good history of clients
Co-op on Demand
Co-op has leaned on-demand grocery delivery, including through tie-ups with platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and its own app. This makes it a convenient alternative to Instamart, especially outside of London, where niche Q-commerce startups don’t always reach. The strength of Co-op is being a community-focused retailer: making sure essentials are available quickly and cheaply. And while deliveries typically come in under an hour, Co-op’s broad store footprint means that customers in towns and smaller cities can still receive near-instant grocery delivery — a market Instamart’s dark store model often neglects.
Features of Co-op On Demand:
- 30–60 minute delivery windows
- Community-based store partnerships
- Coverage in cities and suburbs
- Cost-effective wholesaler pricing over premium Q-commerce apps
Sainsbury’s Chop Chop
Sainsbury’s Chop Chop is one of the UK’s first forays into fast grocery delivery; it was launched long before Q-commerce went gangbusters around the world. The service is centered on small baskets, fast delivery orders, and these are frequently delivered in less than 60 minutes. It doesn’t, of course, go toe to toe with Instamart’s 15–30 minute promise, but it does have the benefit of Sainsbury’s national footprint and trusty brand. Customers can get essentials, snacks, and household products quickly, so it may be a draw for those seeking a hybrid of speed and trustworthiness in terms of supermarket-backed service.
Features of Sainsbury’s Chop Chop:
- Grocery delivery within 60 minutes
- Powered by Sainsbury’s existing stores
- Ideal for small-basket orders
- Trusted UK supermarket brand backing
Ocado Zoom
Ocado Zoom is Ocado’s response to the quick-commerce revolution. Though Ocado is a colossus of the United Kingdom grocery delivery business, its Zoom service sells groceries in under 60 minutes, which puts it more in the realm of Instamart’s model. Unlike Getir or Zapp, Ocado comes with a strong track record for fresh produce, quality groceries, and cutting-edge logistics. Zoom is currently available in certain areas of London, with further expansion in the pipeline. For consumers, Ocado Zoom is a hybrid of supermarket-quality groceries with the speed needed for Q-commerce, serving as a luxury Instamart alternative.
Features of Ocado Zoom:
- Delivery within the hour, where available
- Quality grocery and fresh produce products
- Supported by Ocado’s leading logistics technology
- Expanding coverage across the UK
Asda Express Delivery
Ryan Dempsey Asda has extended its delivery universe with the launch of Asda Express Delivery, a new delivery option that delivers across the UK in as little as one day, as reflected in the Department for Health data released at 2 pm. While Instamart is relying on its dark-store-first model, Asda Express takes advantage of the grocery retailer’s huge network of supermarkets and convenience stores to deliver local orders at speed. This makes it an appealing Instamart alternative in the UK — not least for some of the regions where newer Q-commerce startups like Getir or Zapp don’t operate. For the customers, it is Asda’s low prices (rock bottom) that make them shop here, and the availability of a wide range of products all over the UK makes it convenient.
Features of Asda Express Delivery:
- Same-day delivery, typically in as little as 60 minutes
- Wide UK coverage with the use of supermarket stores
- Competitive pricing on the many products they offer
- Asda Rewards and loyalty offers included
Aldi on Deliveroo
Aldi, the discount grocer, has partnered with Deliveroo to provide near-instant delivery on its groceries in the UK. Aldi does not have a stand-alone quick-commerce app of its own, but the partnership allows shoppers to order essentials and get them delivered in as fast as 30 minutes. That places Aldi among the cheaper Instamart alternatives, utilizing Deliveroo’s extensive rider fleet to keep costs down. It’s particularly helpful for small-basket orders (where sensitivity to cost is higher), making it a unique proposition compared with premium rivals such as London-headquartered Zapp.
Features of Aldi on Deliveroo:
- Grocery delivery in 30–40 minutes
- Ability to get the cheaper products from Aldi
- Fueled by Deliveroo’s extensive fleet of riders
- *Available in selected cities within the UK
Waitrose Rapid
Waitrose Rapid is the supermarket chain’s rapid-delivery service, providing groceries in less than 2 hours in cities. It’s not as snappy as Instamart’s 15- to 30-minute model, but then again, it’s made for pricier shopping lists of sustainable groceries and organic produce, plus luxury essentials. Waitrose calls on its brand heritage to find a niche in the UK’s Q-commerce market. It’s not so much about those ultrarapid instant purchases as the melding of speed with quality, an obvious departure from Instamart’s commodified approach.
Features of Waitrose Rapid:
- Groceries in 2 hours or less
- Quality product selection, such as organic and premium quality products
- Trusted UK supermarket brand
- In cities such as London
Iceland Swift
Iceland, the traditional home of frozen food, has jumped into quick commerce with Iceland Swift, its rapid delivery service for groceries. Really don’t mean to sound like Hao, but for essentials and frozen meals, that’s four. Iceland Swift operates deliveries in around an hour, which it says is the sweet spot between supermarket same-day services and Instamart-style Q-commerce. Its biggest draw, however, is its broad availability across Iceland (mostly out of London). The service’s strength is its availability nationwide, not just in and around London. Iceland Swift is a trustworthy substitute for Instamart for families who are on the lookout for low-cost, frozen groceries that you can eat straight from the refrigerator.
Features of Iceland Swift:
- Frozen and Essential Goods delivery windows of 60 minutes
- Dense UK-wide coverage via Iceland Outlets
- Freeze the food box and family essentials.
- Priced more competitively than premium Q-commerce apps
Morrisons with Amazon
Morrisons has teamed up with Amazon Fresh to offer groceries in one hour, delivered in selected cities across the UK. Combining Morrisons’ well-established supermarket supply chain with Amazon’s cutting-edge logistics and Prime integration, this is a potent Instamart rival. Customers also have access to a broad range of products and Amazon’s ultra-fast Same-Day, One-Day, and Prime Now delivery on the Morrisons service. This partnership is news that no one asked for, yet feels like a win-win (at least from the consumer standpoint) to most UK households — supermarket prices with Amazon’s get-it-now elegance.
Features of Morrisons with Amazon:
- One-hour or less delivery in certain areas
- More products available in Morrisons stores
- Pair with Amazon Prime for added value
- Powerful logistical help from Amazon’s delivery machine
One Stop Express Delivery
Tesco convenience store chain One Stop has launched Express Delivery services in some UK towns and cities. It doesn’t promise the 15-minute model of Instamart, but it offers groceries and essentials delivered within an hour, which could be practical for suburban areas overlooked by startups like Getir or Zapp. Based on the Tesco supply chain, One Stop Express packs in value and selection, providing an affordable alternative to Instamart for those living outside major metro areas.
Features of One Stop Express Delivery:
- Groceries delivered within 60 minutes
- Powered by Tesco supply chain and stores
- Competitive pricing and home essentials concentration
- Penetrating coverage outside of London in smaller towns
Jiffy (London Startup)
Jiffy was one of London’s homegrown Q-commerce startups offering groceries and household products in 15 minutes from what are known as dark stores. It was smaller than Getir or Gorillas, but Jiffy focused on local neighborhoods with a hyper-targeted strategy. Underpinning it was a community-based approach to operations and the curation of its product catalogue, making it particularly popular with younger urban professionals. Although Jiffy had struggled with funding, it’s a potential indicator of how niche players can position themselves to still try to be an alternative to Instamart by prioritizing local relevance over scale.
Features of Jiffy:
- 15-minute grocery delivery promise
- The dark store model targeted London neighborhoods.
- Curated selection of products designed for younger customers
- Focused hyperlocal operations
Fancy Delivery
Fancy is a UK quick-commerce company. (The description could do with some tightening: Fancy presumably does not deliver modern ceremonial clothes, or courier it to your door.)Founded in 2019 in London by Tamil Nadu-born Indian businessman Surinder Arora.Categories: Online delivery of snacks and essentials. What does it do? The model started out snacking-centric, aimed at college students and city professionals. With deliveries in 20-30 minutes, Fancy tried to be the fun, casual Instamart competitor with solid branding and a lean toward impulse buys. It lacks the product assortment of bigger players, but its niche proposition and tight control on inventory cater to a user base that is loyal. Fancy demonstrates that quick commerce can work at scale with a certain audience, even if it doesn’t need national distribution.
Features of Fancy Delivery:
- Delivery in 20–30 minutes in some UK cities
- Stock up on snacks, drinks, and essentials.
- Student-friendly branding and pricing
- Niche appeal with youth strength products
Boots Rapid Delivery
Boots, the UK’s biggest pharmacy chain, has diversified with the rapid delivery of health, beauty, and wellness products. It may not directly challenge Instamart’s groceries, but Boots Rapid serves another key consumer need: instant access to medicines, skincare, and hygiene essentials. The service works quickly, too — orders are often delivered in under an hour, pulling ahead of Instamart as an option for health-minded shoppers. By going after another vertical, Boots illustrates how Q-commerce can branch out from groceries.
Features of Boots Rapid Delivery:
- Pharmacy and wellness: Now available for delivery in less than 60 minutes
- Extensive UK-wide coverage via Boots stores
- Emphasize health care and skin care products.
- National Brand You Can Trust with a strong customer base.
Co-op Deliveroo Expansion
It has expanded Co-op beyond its own on-demand offering. Co-op has extended its reach through large-scale Deliveroo partnerships that span 1,200 stores across several UK sectors and thousands of UK postcodes. Delivery usually takes 20–30 minutes, and is one of the most widely available Instamart competitors in the UK. Whereas smaller startup rivals can provide community store access and affordability on a small scale, Co-op offers reach on both fronts — especially in places where Getir and Zapp aren’t running in the first place. This hybrid model — combined with platform partnerships — shows it can scale without the need for dark stores alone.
Features of Co-op Deliveroo Expansion:
- 2=20— 30 minute delivery available in thousands of UK postcodes
- Fueled by Deliveroo’s massive rider network
- Widespread, including suburbs and semi-rural areas
- Inexpensive essentials with Co-op’s community retail touch
ALSO READ: TikTok Alternative
Sainsbury’s via Uber Eats
Sainsbury’s, along with Chop Chop, has also teamed up with Uber Eats in an effort to bolster its grocery delivery operation. Customers can order essentials and small-basket groceries, delivered in under an hour, providing a convenient and dependable Instamart alternative. Sainsbury’s product selection, combined with Uber’s logistics platform, makes it a serious competitor not only to other dark store startups but also to established supermarket chains. This partnership combines speed, brand trust, and great value for UK shoppers.
Features of Sainsbury’s through Uber Eats:
- Average delivery time is 60 minutes in partnered locations.
- Powered by Uber Eats logistics platform
- Add the whole of Sainsbury’s popular grocery range to your basket.
- Works seamlessly with Uber’s suite of apps
Conclusion
The UK no longer has a flagship platform for the quick commerce revolution. Whereas Instamart has demonstrated the opportunity of 15–30 minute grocery delivery, consumers now have access to myriad options—from Getir’s ultra-rapid dark store execution through Tesco Whoosh-backed-by-supermarkets play or scale-driven ecosystem approach of Amazon Fresh. All 21 of the Instamart alternatives we checked out have their own specific value proposition, be it speed, cheapness, small-batch premium product sourcing, or sustainability. And that’s what make instacart a prime example of grocery app development.
For businesses — the message is clear: Q-commerce ain’t going nowhere. There’s only more demand for immediate grocery delivery and small-basket convenience, and startups as well as incumbents are battling it out to win market share. Whether you’re a consumer searching for an app that best suits your requirements or a business wanting to develop something like Instamart, you must consider investing in the burgeoning grocery sector now because it’s 2025 already.
And if you’re thinking of building your own app so you can go head-to-head as one of the Q-commerce players, bestech with their expertise can help you build a custom platform that’s fast, scalable, and compliant – a game changer when it comes to UK consumer buying behavior.
FAQs
What are the best Instamart alternatives in the UK?
Among the best contenders to Instamart in the UK are Getir, Zapp, and Tesco Whoosh, as well as grocery-backed services such as Asda Express, Co-op On Demand, and Ocado Zoom.
What are the apps like Instamart in terms of speed?
Apps like Getir, Zapp, and Gorillas promise 10- to 20-minute delivery windows — the closest you will get to Instamart’s vision of quick commerce.
Is there something cheaper than Instamart?
It depends on the provider. Aldi on Deliveroo, Co-op and Asda Express are cheaper in line with the supermarket’s prices, while Zapp and Waitrose Rapid are positioned as premium services.
Is it possible to develop an app like Instamart on my own?
Yes. Businesses can develop their own, custom Instamart-like apps with features that include real-time order tracking, dark store integrations, rider app, and subscription models. The typical development cost of a similar social networking App is between £100,000 (basic set of features) and £300,000+ for more complex Apps.
How do Instamart clones generate revenue?
Most of the alternatives monetize through delivery fees, membership models, vendor commissions, and sponsored listings. Some, like Amazon Fresh, also use a broader ecosystem (Prime subscriptions).
What Instamart alternative operates in most parts of the UK?
21 Best Instacart Alternatives in 2025
Quick commerce, or Q-commerce, has revolutionized the way consumers purchase groceries and daily necessities. Platforms like Instacart, backed by Swiggy, have demonstrated how the 15–30-minute delivery model can wreak havoc on traditional retail. But Instacart isn’t the only game in this space. Around the world, a frenzy of rivals and grocery delivery upstarts are trying to create their own versions of end-to-end instant-delivery ecosystems.
In 2025, UK consumers will have more choice than ever – the same in India, Europe, and beyond. With Getir’s promise of a 10-minute delivery and Tesco Whoosh using a supermarket-backed model, happiness truly is a way to get food delivered. For businesses and entrepreneurs, discovering Instacart-like apps is necessary to gain insight into the wider Q-commerce world and identify potential areas for innovation.
This post outlines the 21 top Instacart alternatives in 2025 and provides an overview of each of them with their unique offerings and key features. Whether you are a consumer trying to find the fastest delivery app or a small business owner researching your competition before building your own app, this ranking will provide an overview.
Getir
Getir is one of the best Deliverr alternatives in the UK and has already built a massive presence in Turkey, building out into London and other key European cities. With its ultra-fast 10–15 minute delivery model, Getir was the first company to use dark stores (micro warehouses) located at the heart of each urban community. Getir is a Thing, unlike Instacart, which is integrated with Swiggy’s broader food delivery hyper-mega-stack. Getir will offer only instant grocery and essentials delivery. Its model is super scalable, with an enormously large rider fleet and a fantastic consumer experience. For UK users, Getir is perhaps the nearest comparison for Instacart in terms of speed, convenience, and product range.
Features of Getir:
- 10 to 15-minute groceries in cities
- Runs through dark stores and micro-warehouses.
- Great selection of groceries, snacks, and household goods
- Sweet, smooth experience on the app with various methods of payment.
Zapp
Zapp (Quick commerce _ p2p) Zapp is a quick commerce company founded in London. It operates as a premium version of Instacart. In contrast to Instacart, which addresses daily products for the mass audience, Zapp focuses on convenient, 24/7 access and a professional assortment. It is particularly popular among time-pressed professionals and late-night shoppers, delivering about 20-minute groceries plus alcohol and personal care products. Its rider fleet is all full-time and trained for reliability, which makes Zapp a great option for those who like fast deliveries but also value the quality of service. For businesses, Zapp shows how quick commerce can invest in the niche, high-value segments of the UK.
Features of Zapp:
- You can select. If you live in one of the following London postcodes, 24/7 delivery will be offered: SW2, SW9, SW12, and Zone 1.
- Core on premium / convenience-driven products
- 20 MINUTES = Time to deliver for an average order
- Dedicated fleet ensuring reliable operations.
Gorillas
It was then adopted into the UK market by Gorillas from Germany, offering a sustainable, community-based alternative to Instacart, and promptly made a name for itself. Whereas Instacart is known for its connection with Swiggy, Gorillas stands out by focusing on eco-friendly operations, a “living wage” for riders, and curated product offerings. It delivers in 10-15 minutes from dark stores, but it also places a strong emphasis on partnering with local producers alongside eco-conscious brands. Gorillas, in the UK, is pitching itself to urban consumers concerned about both speed and sustainability. Less mass expansion, more connecting with environmentally conscious customers.
Features of Gorillas:
- 10–15 minute fast grocery delivery
- Emphasize green and recyclable products.
- Alliance with local brands and producers
Tesco Whoosh
Tesco Whoosh is the supermarket’s rapid delivery service, and is one of the more established Instacart alternatives in the UK. Unlike Instacart, which leans on micro-warehouses and dark store builds, Tesco Whoosh uses the grocer’s national network of supermarkets. Customers can put in a grocery order on the Tesco app and have it delivered within 60 minutes, encompassing a broader range of products than Instacart or Getir can match. Tesco also includes its well-known Clubcard loyalty scheme, which offers customers value through discounts and rewards. Whoosh offers the convenience of a supermarket chain at a quick-commerce pace for many UK shoppers.
Features of Tesco Whoosh:
- Grocery delivery in 30–60 minutes
- Nationwide coverage across the UK
- Compatibility with Tesco’s Clubcard loyalty scheme
- Massive library of products, with the supply chain to support them
Also Read: How To Build An App Like Tesco
Amazon Fresh UK
Amazon Fresh, instead, is another one of the best alternatives to Instacart in the UK, providing grocery delivery using Amazon’s sprawling ecosystem. Amazon Fresh may not always compete with Getir or Zapp’s 10–20 minute delivery windows, but it offers an unmatched product range and pricing competitiveness, with Prime integration to boot. Shoppers can order thousands of grocery items, fresh produce, and household goods with same-day or next-day delivery in dozens of urban markets. One of the things that really stands out for Amazon Fresh is its integration with Amazon Prime, which should make it very appealing to the millions of existing Prime members. It is not pure quick commerce like Instacart, but its size and convenience make it a dominant player in the UK grocery delivery space.
Features of Amazon Fresh UK:
- Same-day and next-day grocery delivery
- Large product selection, including fresh produce and household goods
- Included with Amazon Prime. Additional References (0) There are no additional references for this article.
- Trustworthy national/ countrywide logistics and delivery network
Deliveroo Hop
Deliveroo Hop is the quick-commerce grocery division of Deliveroo. It’s a direct rival to players such as Instacart and Getir. Deliveroo Hop, which will operate in London and other large UK cities, pledges to deliver within 20 minutes by leveraging both dark stores and retailer partnerships. Its biggest strength is, in fact, Deliveroo’s already massive rider network, which gives it the scaling potential without having to take on the overhead of building logistics from scratch. Deliveroo also flips out groceries from its large partners such as Morrisons, Co-op, and Waitrose — so users get both variety and speed. For lots of UK consumers, Deliveroo Hop combines the trustworthiness of a familiar brand with the convenience of quick commerce.
Features of Deliveroo Hop:
- 10–20 minute delivery times
- Integration with Morrisons, Co op & more retailers
- Utilizes for fulfillment both dark stores and retail stores
- Good delivery network with the Deliveroo riders
Uber Eats Grocery
Uber Eats, meanwhile, has lengthened its remit to include groceries, so in the UK at least it’s a strong Instacart alternative. Uber Eats currently delivers groceries in as little as 30 minutes, if not faster, depending on location, by working with retailers such as Sainsbury’s and Asda. Whereas Instacart operates via its own dark stores, Uber Eats has the inherent advantage of building on an existing food delivery ecosystem — with scale and flexibility. It’s worldwide brand recognition and tie-in with the Uber app could give it an advantage, especially among customers already using Uber for rides and food. It may not promise 15-minute delivery every Time, but its reach and reliability make it a formidable rival in quick commerce.
Features of Uber Eats Grocery:
- Gets to you in 30 minutes or less in most of the city
- Wide coverage from a partnership with UK supermarkets
- Accessibility to the Uber ecosystem (ride, eat, and grocery)
- Reputable global brand with a good history of clients
Co-op on Demand
Co-op has leaned on-demand grocery delivery, including through tie-ups with platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and its own app. This makes it a convenient alternative to Instacart, especially outside of London, where niche Q-commerce startups don’t always reach. The strength of Co-op is being a community-focused retailer: making sure essentials are available quickly and cheaply. And while deliveries typically come in under an hour, Co-op’s broad store footprint means that customers in towns and smaller cities can still receive near-instant grocery delivery — a market Instacart’s dark store model often neglects.
Features of Co-op On Demand:
- 30–60 minute delivery windows
- Community-based store partnerships
- Coverage in cities and suburbs
- Cost-effective wholesaler pricing over premium Q-commerce apps
Sainsbury’s Chop Chop
Sainsbury’s Chop Chop is one of the UK’s first forays into fast grocery delivery; it was launched long before Q-commerce went gangbusters around the world. The service is centered on small baskets, fast delivery orders, and these are frequently delivered in less than 60 minutes. It doesn’t, of course, go toe to toe with Instacart’s 15–30 minute promise, but it does have the benefit of Sainsbury’s national footprint and trusty brand. Customers can get essentials, snacks, and household products quickly, so it may be a draw for those seeking a hybrid of speed and trustworthiness in terms of supermarket-backed service.
Features of Sainsbury’s Chop Chop:
- Grocery delivery within 60 minutes
- Powered by Sainsbury’s existing stores
- Ideal for small-basket orders
- Trusted UK supermarket brand backing
Ocado Zoom
Ocado Zoom is Ocado’s response to the quick-commerce revolution. Though Ocado is a colossus of the United Kingdom grocery delivery business, its Zoom service sells groceries in under 60 minutes, which puts it more in the realm of Instacart’s model. Unlike Getir or Zapp, Ocado comes with a strong track record for fresh produce, quality groceries, and cutting-edge logistics. Zoom is currently available in certain areas of London, with further expansion in the pipeline. For consumers, Ocado Zoom is a hybrid of supermarket-quality groceries with the speed needed for Q-commerce, serving as a luxury Instacart alternative.
Features of Ocado Zoom:
- Delivery within the hour, where available
- Quality grocery and fresh produce products
- Supported by Ocado’s leading logistics technology
- Expanding coverage across the UK
Asda Express Delivery
Ryan Dempsey Asda has extended its delivery universe with the launch of Asda Express Delivery, a new delivery option that delivers across the UK in as little as one day, as reflected in the Department for Health data released at 2 pm. While Instacart is relying on its dark-store-first model, Asda Express takes advantage of the grocery retailer’s huge network of supermarkets and convenience stores to deliver local orders at speed. This makes it an appealing Instacart alternative in the UK — not least for some of the regions where newer Q-commerce startups like Getir or Zapp don’t operate. For the customers, it is Asda’s low prices (rock bottom) that make them shop here, and the availability of a wide range of products all over the UK makes it convenient.
Features of Asda Express Delivery:
- Same-day delivery, typically in as little as 60 minutes
- Wide UK coverage with the use of supermarket stores
- Competitive pricing on the many products they offer
- Asda Rewards and loyalty offers included
Aldi on Deliveroo
Aldi, the discount grocer, has partnered with Deliveroo to provide near-instant delivery on its groceries in the UK. Aldi does not have a stand-alone quick-commerce app of its own, but the partnership allows shoppers to order essentials and get them delivered in as fast as 30 minutes. That places Aldi among the cheaper Instacart alternatives, utilizing Deliveroo’s extensive rider fleet to keep costs down. It’s particularly helpful for small-basket orders (where sensitivity to cost is higher), making it a unique proposition compared with premium rivals such as London-headquartered Zapp.
Features of Aldi on Deliveroo:
- Grocery delivery in 30–40 minutes
- Ability to get the cheaper products from Aldi
- Fueled by Deliveroo’s extensive fleet of riders
- *Available in selected cities within the UK
Waitrose Rapid
Waitrose Rapid is the supermarket chain’s rapid-delivery service, providing groceries in less than 2 hours in cities. It’s not as snappy as Instacart’s 15- to 30-minute model, but then again, it’s made for pricier shopping lists of sustainable groceries and organic produce, plus luxury essentials. Waitrose calls on its brand heritage to find a niche in the UK’s Q-commerce market. It’s not so much about those ultrarapid instant purchases as the melding of speed with quality, an obvious departure from Instacart’s commodified approach.
Features of Waitrose Rapid:
- Groceries in 2 hours or less
- Quality product selection, such as organic and premium quality products
- Trusted UK supermarket brand
- In cities such as London
Iceland Swift
Iceland, the traditional home of frozen food, has jumped into quick commerce with Iceland Swift, its rapid delivery service for groceries. Really don’t mean to sound like Hao, but for essentials and frozen meals, that’s four. Iceland Swift operates deliveries in around an hour, which it says is the sweet spot between supermarket same-day services and Instacart-style Q-commerce. Its biggest draw, however, is its broad availability across Iceland (mostly out of London). The service’s strength is its availability nationwide, not just in and around London. Iceland Swift is a trustworthy substitute for Instacart for families who are on the lookout for low-cost, frozen groceries that you can eat straight from the refrigerator.
Features of Iceland Swift:
- Frozen and Essential Goods delivery windows of 60 minutes
- Dense UK-wide coverage via Iceland Outlets
- Freeze the food box and family essentials.
- Priced more competitively than premium Q-commerce apps
Morrisons with Amazon
Morrisons has teamed up with Amazon Fresh to offer groceries in one hour, delivered in selected cities across the UK. Combining Morrisons’ well-established supermarket supply chain with Amazon’s cutting-edge logistics and Prime integration, this is a potent Instacart rival. Customers also have access to a broad range of products and Amazon’s ultra-fast Same-Day, One-Day, and Prime Now delivery on the Morrisons service. This partnership is news that no one asked for, yet feels like a win-win (at least from the consumer standpoint) to most UK households — supermarket prices with Amazon’s get-it-now elegance.
Features of Morrisons with Amazon:
- One-hour or less delivery in certain areas
- More products available in Morrisons stores
- Pair with Amazon Prime for added value
- Powerful logistical help from Amazon’s delivery machine
One Stop Express Delivery
Tesco convenience store chain One Stop has launched Express Delivery services in some UK towns and cities. It doesn’t promise the 15-minute model of Instacart, but it offers groceries and essentials delivered within an hour, which could be practical for suburban areas overlooked by startups like Getir or Zapp. Based on the Tesco supply chain, One Stop Express packs in value and selection, providing an affordable alternative to Instacart for those living outside major metro areas.
Features of One Stop Express Delivery:
- Groceries delivered within 60 minutes
- Powered by Tesco supply chain and stores
- Competitive pricing and home essentials concentration
- Penetrating coverage outside of London in smaller towns
Jiffy (London Startup)
Jiffy was one of London’s homegrown Q-commerce startups offering groceries and household products in 15 minutes from what are known as dark stores. It was smaller than Getir or Gorillas, but Jiffy focused on local neighborhoods with a hyper-targeted strategy. Underpinning it was a community-based approach to operations and the curation of its product catalogue, making it particularly popular with younger urban professionals. Although Jiffy had struggled with funding, it’s a potential indicator of how niche players can position themselves to still try to be an alternative to Instacart by prioritizing local relevance over scale.
Features of Jiffy:
- 15-minute grocery delivery promise
- The dark store model targeted London neighborhoods.
- Curated selection of products designed for younger customers
- Focused hyperlocal operations
Fancy Delivery
Fancy is a UK quick-commerce company. (The description could do with some tightening: Fancy presumably does not deliver modern ceremonial clothes, or courier it to your door.)Founded in 2019 in London by Tamil Nadu-born Indian businessman Surinder Arora.Categories: Online delivery of snacks and essentials. What does it do? The model started out snacking-centric, aimed at college students and city professionals. With deliveries in 20-30 minutes, Fancy tried to be the fun, casual Instacart competitor with solid branding and a lean toward impulse buys. It lacks the product assortment of bigger players, but its niche proposition and tight control on inventory cater to a user base that is loyal. Fancy demonstrates that quick commerce can work at scale with a certain audience, even if it doesn’t need national distribution.
Features of Fancy Delivery:
- Delivery in 20–30 minutes in some UK cities
- Stock up on snacks, drinks, and essentials.
- Student-friendly branding and pricing
- Niche appeal with youth strength products
Boots Rapid Delivery
Boots, the UK’s biggest pharmacy chain, has diversified with the rapid delivery of health, beauty, and wellness products. It may not directly challenge Instacart’s groceries, but Boots Rapid serves another key consumer need: instant access to medicines, skincare, and hygiene essentials. The service works quickly, too — orders are often delivered in under an hour, pulling ahead of Instacart as an option for health-minded shoppers. By going after another vertical, Boots illustrates how Q-commerce can branch out from groceries.
Features of Boots Rapid Delivery:
- Pharmacy and wellness: Now available for delivery in less than 60 minutes
- Extensive UK-wide coverage via Boots stores
- Emphasize health care and skin care products.
- National Brand You Can Trust with a strong customer base.
Co-op Deliveroo Expansion
It has expanded Co-op beyond its own on-demand offering. Co-op has extended its reach through large-scale Deliveroo partnerships that span 1,200 stores across several UK sectors and thousands of UK postcodes. Delivery usually takes 20–30 minutes, and is one of the most widely available Instacart competitors in the UK. Whereas smaller startup rivals can provide community store access and affordability on a small scale, Co-op offers reach on both fronts — especially in places where Getir and Zapp aren’t running in the first place. This hybrid model — combined with platform partnerships — shows it can scale without the need for dark stores alone.
Features of Co-op Deliveroo Expansion:
- 2=20— 30 minute delivery available in thousands of UK postcodes
- Fueled by Deliveroo’s massive rider network
- Widespread, including suburbs and semi-rural areas
- Inexpensive essentials with Co-op’s community retail touch
ALSO READ: TikTok Alternative
Sainsbury’s via Uber Eats
Sainsbury’s, along with Chop Chop, has also teamed up with Uber Eats in an effort to bolster its grocery delivery operation. Customers can order essentials and small-basket groceries, delivered in under an hour, providing a convenient and dependable Instacart alternative. Sainsbury’s product selection, combined with Uber’s logistics platform, makes it a serious competitor not only to other dark store startups but also to established supermarket chains. This partnership combines speed, brand trust, and great value for UK shoppers.
Features of Sainsbury’s through Uber Eats:
- Average delivery time is 60 minutes in partnered locations.
- Powered by Uber Eats logistics platform
- Add the whole of Sainsbury’s popular grocery range to your basket.
- Works seamlessly with Uber’s suite of apps
Conclusion
The UK no longer has a flagship platform for the quick commerce revolution. Whereas Instacart has demonstrated the opportunity of 15–30 minute grocery delivery, consumers now have access to myriad options—from Getir’s ultra-rapid dark store execution through Tesco Whoosh-backed-by-supermarkets play or scale-driven ecosystem approach of Amazon Fresh. All 21 of the Instacart alternatives we checked out have their own specific value proposition, be it speed, cheapness, small-batch premium product sourcing, or sustainability. And that’s what make instacart a prime example of grocery app development.
For businesses — the message is clear: Q-commerce ain’t going nowhere. There’s only more demand for immediate grocery delivery and small-basket convenience, and startups as well as incumbents are battling it out to win market share. Whether you’re a consumer searching for an app that best suits your requirements or a business wanting to develop something like Instacart, you must consider investing in the burgeoning grocery sector now because it’s 2025 already.
And if you’re thinking of building your own app so you can go head-to-head as one of the Q-commerce players, bestech with their expertise can help you build a custom platform that’s fast, scalable, and compliant – a game changer when it comes to UK consumer buying behavior.
FAQs
What are the best Instacart alternatives in the UK?
Among the best contenders to Instacart in the UK are Getir, Zapp, and Tesco Whoosh, as well as grocery-backed services such as Asda Express, Co-op On Demand, and Ocado Zoom.
What are the apps like Instacart in terms of speed?
Apps like Getir, Zapp, and Gorillas promise 10- to 20-minute delivery windows — the closest you will get to Instacart’s vision of quick commerce.
Is there something cheaper than Instacart?
It depends on the provider. Aldi on Deliveroo, Co-op and Asda Express are cheaper in line with the supermarket’s prices, while Zapp and Waitrose Rapid are positioned as premium services.
Is it possible to develop an app like Instacart on my own?
Yes. Businesses can develop their own, custom Instacart-like apps with features that include real-time order tracking, dark store integrations, rider app, and subscription models. The typical development cost of a similar social networking App is between £100,000 (basic set of features) and £300,000+ for more complex Apps.
How do Instacart clones generate revenue?
Most of the alternatives monetize through delivery fees, membership models, vendor commissions, and sponsored listings. Some, like Amazon Fresh, also use a broader ecosystem (Prime subscriptions).
What Instacart alternative operates in most parts of the UK?
Tesco Whoosh, Asda Express, and Co-op Deliveroo tie-ups now serve more UK postcodes than niche Q-commerce startups.
