The verdict in three sentences
Platforms like Glovo or Yango deliver an instant customer flow but take 18 to 30 % commission on every order — a tax that grows with volume. Below a certain threshold, this variable cost is acceptable; above roughly 600 to 900 orders/month, an own delivery app becomes more profitable. The 2026 build sits between 1,500,000 and 3,000,000 FCFA, a fixed cost that pays back faster the higher the volume.
Marketplace vs in-house app: the cost structure
The real question isn't "platform or not", but at what volume the fixed cost of an own app beats the variable commission. Here's the 2026 comparison.
| Criterion | Platform (Glovo/Yango) | Own delivery app |
|---|---|---|
| Commission/order | 18 to 30 % | 0 % |
| Setup cost | 0 FCFA | 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 FCFA |
| Couriers | Provided by platform | To recruit/manage |
| Brand control | Low | Full |
| Customer data | Owned by platform | 100 % restaurant |
| Customer flow | Immediate | To build |
| Client delivery fee | Set by platform | 1,000 to 2,500 FCFA, free |
| Break-even threshold | — | ~600 to 900 orders/month |
The own app isn't "free": it turns a variable commission into a fixed cost plus courier management. The math therefore depends entirely on volume.
The break-even threshold in numbers (2026)
| Monthly volume | Avg delivered ticket | Platform commission 25 % | Own-app monthly cost* | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 orders | 8,000 FCFA | 600,000 FCFA | ~450,000 FCFA | Platform (flow) |
| 600 orders | 8,000 FCFA | 1,200,000 FCFA | ~700,000 FCFA | Break-even |
| 900 orders | 8,000 FCFA | 1,800,000 FCFA | ~950,000 FCFA | Own app |
| 1,500 orders | 8,000 FCFA | 3,000,000 FCFA | ~1,300,000 FCFA | Own app clearly |
*Own-app monthly cost = build amortized over 24 months + couriers + hosting, 2026 order of magnitude.
Reading: around 600 to 900 orders/month, the 25 % commission exceeds the all-in cost of the in-house app. Many restaurants do both — platform for acquisition, own app for regulars.
Mini case study
Modou, a restaurateur in Dakar, does 1,000 orders/month, average ticket 8,000 FCFA — 8,000,000 FCFA in delivery revenue. On Glovo at 25 %, he pays 2,000,000 FCFA/month in commission. With an own app at 2,400,000 FCFA (amortized over 24 months = 100,000 FCFA/month) + 3 couriers (~600,000 FCFA) + hosting (30,000 FCFA), his cost drops to ~730,000 FCFA/month. Saving: ~1,270,000 FCFA/month. His app is repaid by the first month and a half's gap alone.
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FAQ
When does an own app become profitable?
As a 2026 order of magnitude, around 600 to 900 orders/month with a ticket of 4,000 to 12,000 FCFA. Below that, platform commission stays cheaper than the fixed cost.
Should I drop Glovo/Yango entirely?
No. The winning strategy is often hybrid: the platform acquires new customers, the own app retains regulars without the 18 to 30 % commission.
How do I manage couriers with an own app?
The app includes a courier module (assignment, real-time tracking, proof of delivery). You freely set the client delivery fee between 1,000 and 2,500 FCFA.
How long to deliver the app?
Between 6 and 10 weeks: ordering, Wave/Orange Money payment, courier module and real-time tracking.
Who owns the customer data?
With the own app, 100 % of the data (history, preferences, addresses) is yours — a marketing asset the platform never shares.
Let's talk about your project. We calculate your break-even threshold and build your own delivery app in 6 to 10 weeks. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
