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.