The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), a government-developed technology platform, is taking on food delivery giants like Zomato and Swiggy by eliminating the need for a third party. ONDC enables restaurants to sell directly to consumers rather than through a food delivery app.

Despite the fact that it was launched in September 2022, the platform is gaining popularity now. According to reports, ONDC recently surpassed the 10,000 daily order mark and is widely used by people who compare prices with Swiggy and Zomato and discover that ONDC is significantly less expensive. Aside from food, the platform also provides groceries, home décor, cleaning essentials, and more.

How to use it?

ONDC can be accessed through the UPI platform Paytm. Users can simply type ‘ONDC’ in the search bar, and a variety of options will appear on the screen, ranging from groceries and cleaning essentials to the food store. To order food, users can type 'ONDC Food' and browse through the cuisine options available. The platform shows a list of restaurants, and users can place an order just like they would on Swiggy or Zomato. However, since ONDC is relatively new, not all restaurants are selling their food through this platform yet.

The launch of ONDC is a significant development in the Indian food industry, as it provides a direct link between restaurants and customers. This eliminates the need for a third-party aggregator, which often charges a commission of up to 30% on each order. The ONDC platform is likely to be a game-changer for small restaurants and home chefs, who can now reach a larger customer base without having to pay exorbitant commissions.

The popularity of ONDC is expected to grow in the coming months as more people become aware of its benefits. The platform is likely to give tough competition to food aggregators like Zomato and Swiggy, which have dominated the market for several years. The government's move to launch ONDC is in line with its push for Digital India and will help boost the growth of the digital economy in the country.