Free Food Delivery: Which UK Apps Offer It and When?

"Free delivery" on UK apps is rarely free in the strict sense. There is almost always a service fee or minimum spend behind it. But genuinely zero-cost delivery does happen. Here is when and how to find it.

The four legitimate routes to free delivery

1. First-order promos. Every UK platform runs aggressive first-order codes for new customers. Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat each offer 20-40% off plus free delivery on a first order, often valid for the first 2-3 orders rather than just one. Three new accounts (one per app) is £15-£30 of free savings.

2. Restaurant-paid free delivery. Some restaurants subsidise delivery to drive volume. Look for the "free delivery" badge on listings. Just Eat shows it most often, Uber Eats less so. This is genuinely free, with no minimum.

3. Subscription tiers. Deliveroo Plus (£3.49-£4.49/month) and Uber One (£5.99/month) include unlimited free delivery on eligible orders above a minimum threshold. Worth it only if you order 4+ times monthly from restaurants on the eligible list.

4. Promo events. Each platform runs a few "free delivery week" type events per year, usually around bank holidays or quiet trading periods (mid-January, late September). The free delivery is real but the service fee usually still applies.

What is not free delivery

Watch for these patterns that look free but are not:

  • "Free delivery on orders over £25": the platform has rolled the delivery fee into a slightly higher minimum spend or item markup.
  • "£0 delivery fee" with a £4.99 service fee: same money, different name.
  • First-order codes that expire silently: many apply only to the first order ever, not the first order this month.

A realistic strategy

Most UK customers do not need a subscription. The free-delivery wins come from rotating across apps and capturing first-order promos thoughtfully, then ordering during off-peak hours when delivery fees are naturally lower.

If you order more than 4 times a month and your favourite restaurants are all on Deliveroo Plus, the subscription pays for itself. Otherwise, comparison wins.

Do any UK delivery apps actually have free delivery?

Yes. Just Eat shows "free delivery" badges most often on independent restaurants, and all three platforms run free-delivery promos for new customers and during promo events. Subscription tiers also remove delivery fees on eligible orders.

Is Uber One worth it for free delivery?

Only if you order 4+ times per month and most of your favourite restaurants are on the eligible list. Below that frequency, the £5.99/month exceeds the savings.

How do I get free delivery without a subscription?

Use first-order promos on each platform, look for restaurant-paid free delivery badges, order at off-peak hours when fees are lower, and compare across apps to catch promo events.