Step-by-Step Guide to Build a Shipt Clone

The digital transformation of everyday services has significantly reshaped how consumers interact with essential goods. One such shift has been witnessed in the on-demand grocery delivery business, which has grown exponentially in recent years. Changing lifestyles, increased smartphone penetration, and the push from the pandemic have all contributed to a booming online grocery economy. In fact, the global online grocery market is projected to exceed $800 billion by 2027, signaling a massive opportunity for new players.

Among the pioneers leading this transformation is Shipt, a U.S.-based same-day delivery service acquired by Target. Shipt has not only set a benchmark for user experience but also inspired entrepreneurs to replicate its success model. This brings us to the concept of a Shipt Clone — a highly customizable solution for those aiming to build a grocery delivery app like Shipt.

A Shipt Clone App enables startups, retailers, and aggregators to launch a grocery delivery platform efficiently without the complexity of developing it from scratch. This guide explores everything you need to know about the Shipt clone — from its features and revenue streams to development steps and associated costs.

What Is a Shipt Clone App?

A Shipt Clone App is a pre-built grocery delivery app solution that replicates the functionality, features, and user experience of the original Shipt app. It is developed to provide similar services such as real-time order tracking, scheduled deliveries, multiple payment options, and more—while allowing room for customization based on the brand and market needs of the entrepreneur.

A Shipt clone app typically consists of four modules:

• Customer App: For browsing products and placing orders
• Delivery Agent App: For managing delivery schedules
• Admin Panel: For overseeing operations and analytics
• Store Panel: For managing inventory and orders

Why Choose a Shipt Clone for Grocery Delivery App Development?

The on-demand grocery delivery app market is highly competitive, but a Shipt clone gives new entrants a strategic advantage. Here’s why:

• Faster Time-to-Market: Speed is crucial in a fast-evolving digital economy. A Shipt clone comes preloaded with essential features and a robust backend, significantly reducing time-to-launch.
• Lower Development Costs: Custom app development can cost tens of thousands of dollars. A clone solution offers a more budget-friendly approach, making it accessible for small businesses and startups.
• Customizability and Scalability: Modern clone scripts are built to be flexible. You can customize everything from the UI/UX to feature sets and third-party integrations. Additionally, they can scale as your business grows.
• Proven Business Model: A Shipt clone mirrors a model that has already proven successful. Entrepreneurs can focus more on operations and user acquisition than market validation.

Must-Have Features for your Shipt Clone App Development

A successful grocery delivery platform hinges on a user-friendly experience, operational efficiency, and strong vendor coordination. A Shipt clone app should include essential features that ensure seamless ordering, real-time tracking, and effective management for all stakeholders.

Customer Panel

• User Registration & Login (Social & Email)
• Location-based Store Discovery
• Product Listings & Filtering
• Add to Cart & Checkout
• Multiple Payment Gateways
• Real-time Order Tracking
• Ratings & Reviews

Delivery Agent Panel

• Profile Management
• Accept/Reject Orders
• Route Navigation via GPS
• Order Status Updates
• Earnings Dashboard

Admin Panel

• Vendor/Store Management
• Product & Inventory Control
• User & Delivery Personnel Management
• Commission & Payout Settings
• Reports & Analytics
• Coupons, Offers & Promotions

How a Shipt Clone App Generates Revenue

A Shipt clone app generates revenue through commission fees, subscription plans, and advertising opportunities. By connecting customers with personal shoppers and retailers, it leverages multiple monetization strategies to ensure profitability.

• Commission on Orders: The platform earns a fixed percentage or variable commission from every transaction made through the app, creating a steady revenue stream linked directly to sales volume.
• Delivery Charges: Customers are charged flat or dynamic delivery fees based on factors like distance, order size, or delivery time, adding an additional source of income per order.
• Vendor Subscriptions: Grocery stores and vendors pay a recurring monthly or annual fee to list their products and access the app’s customer base, ensuring predictable and recurring revenue.
• Ad Placements: Local businesses can promote their products or services within the app through sponsored listings and banner ads, providing targeted advertising opportunities that generate extra income.
• Premium Services: The app offers value-added options such as express delivery or loyalty subscription plans, allowing customers to pay for enhanced convenience and benefits, thus increasing overall profitability.

Cost Breakdown for Shipt Clone App Development

Creating a Shipt-like grocery delivery app involves several cost components, from feature development to long-term maintenance. The overall budget can vary depending on your approach and the complexity of the platform. Let’s explore the key factors that influence development costs:

• App Features and Functionality: The more advanced the features (real-time order tracking, multiple payment options, vendor management, etc.), the higher the development cost. A basic MVP will cost less, but a full-featured solution requires more time and resources.
• Design and User Interface: A clean, user-friendly UI/UX is essential to retain customers. Custom designs and animations can increase costs, whereas using standard design templates is more affordable.
• Platform Choice (iOS vs Android): Building the app for one platform costs less than launching on both. Cross-platform development is often considered to reduce costs and ensure wider reach.
• Third-Party Integrations: Integrating payment gateways, real-time chat, maps, or analytics tools adds to the overall development and maintenance costs due to API usage and customization.
• App Maintenance and Updates: Post-launch expenses include bug fixes, OS updates, and performance improvements. Regular maintenance ensures smooth user experience but should be budgeted separately.
• Development Approaches: When building a Shipt-like app, there are two main approaches: custom development and ready-made software. Custom builds offer flexibility but require more time and a higher budget, while ready-made solutions are faster to launch and more cost-effective.

Approaches to Building a Shipt Clone App

When it comes to building a grocery delivery platform like Shipt, businesses generally consider two major approaches: custom development and ready-made software solutions. Each approach has its own set of advantages and limitations. Your choice should depend on factors like budget, time-to-market, scalability, and desired customization.

1. Custom Development:

Custom development involves building your grocery delivery app like Shipt from scratch. This approach provides complete control over every aspect of the platform—from features and integrations to UI/UX and scalability. It’s ideal for businesses with unique requirements or long-term growth plans, though it demands a higher budget, longer development time, and ongoing technical involvement.

Pros:

• Highly customizable to suit unique business needs
• Full control over design, features, and functionality

Cons:

• High upfront cost and longer development timeline
• Requires a dedicated development team and ongoing technical support
• Risk of delays and budget overruns

2. Ready-Made Software:

Ready-made software offers a faster and more cost-effective way to launch a grocery delivery app like Shipt. A Shipt clone app is a perfect example—it includes essential features and functionalities like real-time order tracking, smart search, loyalty programs, buyer and delivery agent apps, and an admin panel. These platforms are pre-built yet customizable, enabling entrepreneurs to launch a branded, feature-rich app in a shorter timeframe while focusing on scaling the business efficiently.

Pros:

• Faster launch with reduced development time
• Cost-effective compared to building from scratch
• Tested and refined by multiple users
• Often includes essential modules like order management, delivery tracking, and user apps

Cons:

• While ready-made software may take some time to learn initially, the onboarding process equips users with a solid understanding of its features and workflows, enabling them to use the platform more confidently and effectively in the long run.

How Growcer Can Help Build a Shipt – Like App

When it comes to launching your own Shipt-like grocery delivery platform, Growcer by FATbit Technologies stands out as a comprehensive and trusted solution for entrepreneurs across the globe. Unlike basic clone scripts, Growcer is a full-fledged, ready-made grocery marketplace platform built to help businesses launch quickly, operate smoothly, and scale effortlessly.

Growcer isn’t just about replicating Shipt—it’s about equipping you with a future-ready, feature-rich architecture tailored to modern grocery delivery operations. From customer-facing apps and vendor panels to delivery agent modules and an advanced admin dashboard, every component is designed to support real-time, multi-party coordination.

With its modular structure, intuitive user experience, and strong customization capabilities, Growcer enables you to create a grocery delivery solution that reflects your unique business model and branding. Whether you’re targeting a hyperlocal market or planning to scale nationwide, Growcer helps you to build a scalable, efficient, and impactful Shipt clone—with faster time-to-market and lower development overhead.  

Explore Growcer’s Demo:  

• Front End
• Buyer
• Seller
• Admin 

Final Thoughts

Building a grocery delivery platform like Shipt doesn’t have to be a complex and expensive venture. With the help of a well-crafted Shipt clone script, entrepreneurs can quickly enter the market with a tested, scalable, and customizable solution. Whether you’re a startup founder or a traditional grocery business looking to go digital, leveraging a clone app is a smart and cost-effective way to build a grocery app like Shipt.  

Growcer, a ready-made, feature-rich grocery delivery software, simplifies the journey by providing all the essential features that enables businesses to launch quickly and scale sustainably. If you’re looking to capitalize on the rising demand for on-demand grocery services, now is the perfect time to build a Shipt-like app and make a lasting impact in your local or global market.  

FAQ’s

Q 1. Which is the better approach to build an app like Shipt — custom development or a ready-made software ?  

Ans – Both approaches have their advantages, but a ready-made Shipt clone solution is often the better choice for entrepreneurs looking for faster time-to-market, lower development costs, and pre-tested features. It allows full customization, supports scalability, and significantly reduces the risks involved in launching a new platform. Custom development, on the other hand, is ideal for businesses with unique requirements and larger budgets.  

Q 2: Do I need technical knowledge to build a grocery delivery app like Shipt?  

Ans – Not necessarily. Shipt clone solutions come with an easy-to-use admin dashboard that allows you to manage everything from inventory to user activity without coding knowledge.  

Q 3: How secure is a Shipt clone app in terms of user data and transactions?  

Ans – Security depends on the vendor. A trusted provider like Growcer ensures data encryption, secure login, and GDPR compliance to protect user information.  

Q 4: Why should I choose Growcer to build a Shipt-like grocery app?  

Ans – Growcer is a white-label, ready-to-launch grocery delivery solution with advanced features, customization options, and 1-year free technical support.