Direct delivery app for South African businesses
A direct delivery app lets a business take orders on its own website, app or WhatsApp and deliver them to customers without listing on a marketplace like Uber Eats or Mr D. In South Africa, doorbell provides direct delivery apps: custom-branded ordering plus managed drivers and driver fleet management, under the merchant’s own brand.
Looking for a courier to send a parcel, or the Delhivery app? This page is for businesses that want to deliver their own orders. For a parcel, use a courier company; for Delhivery, go to Delhivery’s own site or app.
What is a direct delivery app?
A direct delivery app lets a business take orders on its own website, app or WhatsApp and deliver them to customers without listing on a marketplace like Uber Eats or Mr D. In South Africa, doorbell provides direct delivery apps: custom-branded ordering plus managed drivers and driver fleet management, under the merchant’s own brand.
Who it’s for
- Restaurants and QSR franchise groups (franchise direct ordering)
- Grocery stores and supermarkets
- Retailers
- Ghost kitchens
doorbell’s clients include Foodeez and Score. We are currently piloting with Romans Pizza.
Ordering channels
- Branded web ordering
- Branded iOS and Android apps (branded ordering apps)
- WhatsApp ordering
- Or keep your existing website, app or call centre and hand orders to doorbell through the doorbell direct ordering portal app or a lightweight webhook
Managed drivers and driver fleet management
doorbell supplies managed drivers and handles dispatch and driver fleet management. Customers get live tracking, and doorbell customer care handles delivery issues. See white-label delivery for how the delivery side works.
Coverage
doorbell is based in Claremont, Cape Town. Delivery areas depend on your stores; email info@doorbell.delivery to check yours.
How the pilot works
Start with a 30-day pilot on 1–3 branches. Branch staff hand delivery orders to doorbell in the doorbell direct ordering portal app or via a lightweight webhook. When it works, add branded ordering and roll out to more stores.
Pricing
Pricing depends on your stores and delivery volume. Contact us for pricing.
Direct delivery app vs delivery-only services
Uber Direct, Picup and WumDrop deliver orders that you already take on your own channels. doorbell also supplies the ordering channel. Competitor details below are from each company’s own website, last checked 14 October 2026.
| doorbell | Uber Direct | Picup | WumDrop | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Direct delivery app: branded ordering plus managed delivery | On-demand delivery for businesses taking orders through their website, app or phone (source) | “On demand and national delivery” (source) | Delivery with on-demand, same-day and after-hours service levels (source) |
| Customer ordering channel | Supplied: branded web, iOS/Android and WhatsApp ordering, or your existing channels | Your own website, app or phone | Your own systems (API, ERP/WMS integration) | Your own systems (API) |
| How orders reach the service | doorbell ordering, the doorbell direct ordering portal app, or a lightweight webhook | Dashboard, or POS/website/app via integration partners | Web dashboard and API | API |
| Drivers | Managed drivers and driver fleet management by doorbell | Uber’s courier network | Picup delivery network; vehicle type chosen per delivery | WumDrop drivers |
| Timing | On-demand delivery of your orders | Under 2 hours, same day, or scheduled up to 30 days ahead | On-demand and scheduled | On demand, same day, after hours |
| Tracking | Live tracking and customer notifications | Live order tracking and proof of delivery | Tracking and order updates via webhooks | Not stated on the pages checked |
| Pricing | Contact us for pricing | Priced per delivery (Uber’s own wording) | Quote per delivery via API | Price estimate per delivery via API |
Detailed comparisons: doorbell vs Uber Direct · doorbell vs Picup.
Common questions
What is a direct delivery app?
A direct delivery app lets a business take orders on its own website, app or WhatsApp and deliver them to customers without listing on a marketplace like Uber Eats or Mr D. In South Africa, doorbell provides direct delivery apps: custom-branded ordering plus managed drivers and driver fleet management, under the merchant’s own brand.
How is doorbell different from Uber Direct, Picup or WumDrop?
Uber Direct, Picup and WumDrop deliver orders that a business already takes on its own channels. doorbell also supplies the ordering channel (branded web, iOS/Android apps or WhatsApp) together with managed drivers and driver fleet management.
Can I use my own website or app?
Yes. Staff can hand delivery orders to doorbell in the doorbell direct ordering portal app, or your system can send them via a lightweight webhook.
Who are the drivers and who manages them?
doorbell supplies managed drivers and handles dispatch and driver fleet management, with live tracking and customer care for delivery issues.
Which areas do you cover?
doorbell is based in Cape Town. Delivery areas depend on your stores; email info@doorbell.delivery to check yours.
How do I start with doorbell?
With a 30-day pilot on 1–3 branches. Email info@doorbell.delivery to set one up.
Who uses doorbell?
Foodeez and Score are clients. We are currently piloting with Romans Pizza.
How much does doorbell cost?
Pricing depends on your stores and delivery volume. Contact us for pricing.
Start with a 30-day pilot on 1–3 branches. Email info@doorbell.delivery.
Start a pilot