The Lieferando alternative with 0% commission
Lieferando (Just Eat Takeaway's German brand) brings reach – but typically costs restaurants around 13% to 30% commission per order. Akarien Direct is your own ordering system with 0% commission, your domain and full customer data.
What Lieferando actually offers
Lieferando is the German marketplace of Just Eat Takeaway, with significant reach and visibility in search. Hungry guests discover you there without knowing you first – that is its real value. In return, restaurants pay a per-order commission that often sits around 13% and can reach roughly 30% once delivery and marketing options are included.
What you give up on a marketplace
On a marketplace, you own neither the customer nor the relationship. The customer data, order history and direct channel sit with the provider, not with you. You also compete on the same page with dozens of nearby restaurants and depend on the platform's algorithm and fee structure.
How Akarien Direct works
Akarien Direct is your own online ordering system under your brand and your domain. Guests order directly from you – no middleman and 0% commission on every order. You keep all customer data and can bring regulars back on your own terms.
Combining both is often smartest
Lieferando and your own system are not mutually exclusive. Many restaurants use the marketplace to acquire new customers, then steer regulars to the commission-free direct channel. That way you only pay commission where it brings genuinely new reach – and save on every repeat order.
| Lieferando | Akarien Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| Commission per order | Often around 13%, up to ~30% with delivery and marketing | 0% commission |
| Customer data | Typically held by the marketplace | Fully owned by the restaurant |
| Own brand & domain | Presence in Lieferando's design | Your brand, your domain |
| Visibility / reach | High marketplace reach, new guests | You bring guests via your own channels |
| Direct guest contact | Mediated through the platform | Direct, no middleman |
| Dependence | Provider's algorithm & fees | Full control with the restaurant |
If your main goal is to be discovered by new guests, a marketplace like Lieferando still makes sense for reach. But if you want to keep your regulars, margins and customer data, Akarien Direct is the better foundation as a commission-free direct channel. Most restaurants are strongest with both – the marketplace for new customers, Akarien Direct for everything that comes back.
Delivery platform commissions compared
What restaurants give up per order, by model (own delivery or platform delivery). Every figure is sourced; last checked 29 September 2026.
| Platform | Own delivery / pickup | Platform delivery | Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akarien Direct | 0 % commission | 0 % commission (own delivery) | CH |
| Lieferando (DE)1 | 13 % | 25–30 % | DE |
| Uber Eats2 | 15 % | 32–35 % | CH, DE, BE, NL |
| Just Eat (CH)3 | 10–15 % | 25–33 % | CH |
| Smood4 | not published | 25–30 % | CH |
| Thuisbezorgd.nl5 | 13–14 % | 30 % | NL |
| Takeaway.com (BE)6 | 13 % | 30 % | BE |
- 1. Lieferando (DE): Since 2 April 2025 an additional 2.5 % service fee (max. €0.99) per delivery order, paid by the guest.
- 2. Uber Eats: Official Swiss price list: "Hell" 32 % with Uber couriers (35 % on Uber One orders), "Plus" 15 % with own couriers (13 % on Uber One), pickup 15 %, one-off activation fee CHF 600.
- 3. Just Eat (CH): No official price list; figures from Swiss media reports.
- 4. Smood: Smood stopped operating on 30 April 2026; the figures show its former commission according to Swiss media.
- 5. Thuisbezorgd.nl: Higher rate applies when Scoober couriers deliver.
- 6. Takeaway.com (BE): Higher rate applies when Scoober couriers deliver.
Sources
- Lieferando (DE) — Gastro Master – Lieferando-Provision 2026 (media / trade report, 2026-04-17; accessed 2026-09-15)
- Uber Eats — Uber Eats Merchants – Preise (Schweiz) (official price list; accessed 2026-09-29)
- Uber Eats — Nau.ch – Lieferdienste zocken Restaurants und Fahrer ab (media / trade report, 2021-03-03; accessed 2026-09-15)
- Just Eat (CH) — Beobachter – Profitable Schattenwebsites: So drängelt sich Eat.ch vor (media / trade report, 2021-03-26; accessed 2026-09-15)
- Just Eat (CH) — Sparissimo Food – How much does Just Eat charge Swiss restaurants in 2026? (media / trade report, 2026-08-28; accessed 2026-09-15)
- Smood — Blick – Migros will ihrem Lieferdienst Smood den Stecker ziehen (media / trade report, 2026-01-19; accessed 2026-09-29)
- Smood — Le Temps – Le livreur de repas Smood met la clé sous la porte (media / trade report; accessed 2026-09-29)
- Smood — htr.ch – Lieferdienste sind für Restaurants häufig kein rentabler Ersatz (media / trade report, 2020-04-20; accessed 2026-09-15)
- Smood — Nau.ch – Lieferdienste zocken Restaurants und Fahrer ab (media / trade report, 2021-03-03; accessed 2026-09-15)
- Thuisbezorgd.nl — De RestaurantKrant – Wat kost bezorgen via Thuisbezorgd? (media / trade report, 2020-10-22; accessed 2026-09-15)
- Takeaway.com (BE) — Cashdesk.be – Verschillen tussen Takeaway.com, Deliveroo, Foodora en Uber Eats (media / trade report, 2018-01-01; accessed 2026-09-15)
Apart from Uber Eats (Switzerland), the platforms do not publish binding price lists; rates depend on contract, volume and region. Payment processing and marketing fees usually come on top. No guarantee — check your own contract.
FAQ
How high is Lieferando's commission really?+
It varies by model and service level. For restaurants delivering themselves it often sits around 13%, while platform delivery plus marketing options can push it toward roughly 30%. Always check the current terms directly, as they can change.
What does Akarien Direct cost?+
No commission. You pay a fixed monthly price: QR Menu CHF 29, QR Menu + Table Ordering CHF 39, Website + Online Ordering CHF 79, Full CHF 129 – pay yearly and you pay for only 10 months. 14-day free trial, no setup fee, cancel monthly. Self-serve signup is currently open to restaurants in Switzerland (prices in CHF).
Do I have to cancel Lieferando to use Akarien Direct?+
No. Many restaurants run both in parallel, using the marketplace to find new guests while steering regulars to the commission-free direct channel. This combines reach with healthier margins.
Do I really own the customer data with Akarien Direct?+
Yes. Because guests order directly through your own system, the order data and contacts belong to you. That lets you reach regulars deliberately and build loyalty without depending on a marketplace.
Will I lose reach without Lieferando?+
A marketplace brings visibility to guests who don't know you yet – that is its genuine advantage. Akarien Direct doesn't replace that discovery one-to-one; it makes every repeat order commission-free instead. That's why combining both works best for many restaurants.
Keep 100% of your orders
Your own commission-free ordering system with Akarien Direct – your brand, your customer data, 0% commission, from CHF 29 a month. Currently for restaurants in Switzerland.