ONDC for restaurants: how it works and how to register (2026)
Updated October 20, 2026
ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) is a government-backed open network that lets restaurants sell on many buyer apps at once, usually at lower commission than Zomato or Swiggy. You don't register with ONDC directly — you onboard through an ONDC "seller app" (Seller Network Participant), submit your GST, FSSAI and PAN, build your catalogue, and your menu then appears across participating buyer apps. Here's how it works, the documents you need, and what ONDC claims it costs.
Menuthere is not affiliated with ONDC or any ONDC seller app. Figures below are ONDC's own published claims and third-party reporting; confirm current terms with your chosen seller app and on ondc.org.
In short
- What it is: ONDC is a not-for-profit (Section 8) company incorporated on 30 December 2021, promoted with DPIIT backing, to build an open e-commerce network — the inter-operable "rails", not an app.
- How you join: through a Seller Network Participant (a seller app) — ONDC has no direct seller portal.
- Documents: active GSTIN, FSSAI certificate, PAN, business/financial details and a cancelled cheque.
- Commission: ONDC claims the industry standard of ~25–35% drops to ~8–11% on the network (ONDC's own figures).
- Still want 0%? Pair ONDC with your own 0%-commission ordering page.
alongside any network you join.
What is ONDC?
ONDC — the Open Network for Digital Commerce — is an initiative to make e-commerce open and interoperable, so buyers and sellers can transact across different apps without being locked into one platform. It was incorporated as a not-for-profit company under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, on 30 December 2021, promoted with the backing of India's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
Crucially, ONDC is not an app and not a marketplace. It is a set of open protocols. Restaurants join as sellers; customers order through separate buyer apps; and logistics providers on the network handle delivery. ONDC connects them.
The players
- Seller apps (Seller Network Participants): where a restaurant registers and manages its catalogue (e.g. seller apps run by various providers).
- Buyer apps: consumer apps where customers browse and order from ONDC sellers.
- Logistics participants: delivery partners on the network.
- The ONDC gateway: routes requests between them.
What ONDC claims for restaurants
On its own food & beverage page, ONDC states:
| ONDC's claim | Figure |
|---|---|
| Commission vs conventional platforms | Industry standard ~25–35% → ~8–11% on ONDC ("20% lower") |
| Restaurants on the network | 100K+ |
| Fill rate | 95–98% |
| On-time delivery | ~89% |
| Average delivery time | 31 min |
These are ONDC's figures, not independently audited here. The headline is the commission: ONDC's model is designed to be far cheaper than the 15%–30% restaurants commonly report on Zomato and Swiggy (see our Zomato and Swiggy pages).
Documents you need to register on ONDC
You register through a seller app, and the requirements mirror a normal marketplace onboarding:
| Document | Why |
|---|---|
| GSTIN (GST certificate) | Active GST registration is required to sell. |
| FSSAI certificate | Mandatory food-safety proof. |
| PAN | Business/owner tax identity. |
| Cancelled cheque / bank details | For settlement of payouts. |
| Business & financial details | KYC on the entity. |
| Menu catalogue + prices | Your items, descriptions and prices to list. |
How to register your restaurant on ONDC
- Choose a seller app (Seller Network Participant). ONDC has no direct government portal for sellers — you onboard through a seller app on the network. Compare their fees, supported buyer apps and logistics before you pick one.
- Register and complete KYC. Sign up (typically mobile + OTP), then enter your business KYC and upload GST, FSSAI, PAN and a cancelled cheque.
- Add bank details. So the seller app can settle your payouts.
- Build your catalogue. Create your menu items with descriptions, prices and images; set delivery options and availability.
- Go live. Once approved, your catalogue is published across participating buyer apps, and orders start coming through the network.
Because seller apps differ in fees and coverage, the "right" ONDC experience depends heavily on which seller app you choose.
ONDC is discovery too — keep a 0%-commission channel
ONDC lowers commission, but even ~8–11% is a cost on every order, and your experience depends on the seller app and buyer apps you're matched with. The one channel where you pay 0% commission and own the customer is your own direct link:
- A free online ordering page and QR code menu — Razorpay, Cashfree and UPI into your own account.
- WhatsApp ordering on your own number.
Use ONDC and marketplaces to be found; take your regulars on your own 0%-commission link. Compare all your options in ONDC vs Zomato vs Swiggy vs your own website.
FAQs
Do I register directly with ONDC?
No. ONDC has no direct seller portal. You register through a Seller Network Participant — an ONDC "seller app" — which onboards you, publishes your catalogue to the network, and handles settlements.
What documents do I need to join ONDC as a restaurant?
An active GST registration (GSTIN), an FSSAI certificate, your PAN, a cancelled cheque or bank details for payouts, your business and financial details, and your menu catalogue with prices.
How much commission does ONDC charge restaurants?
ONDC claims the usual ~25–35% platform commission falls to roughly ~8–11% on its network. Actual fees depend on the seller app, buyer app and logistics you use, so compare before you commit.
Is ONDC a government app?
ONDC is a not-for-profit company incorporated under Section 8 of the Companies Act in December 2021, promoted with DPIIT backing. It is a network of open protocols, not a government-run consumer app — customers order through independent buyer apps on the network.
Can I use ONDC and keep a 0%-commission channel?
Yes. ONDC still charges per order and your experience depends on the seller/buyer apps. Many restaurants also run their own direct ordering page, QR menu and WhatsApp ordering at 0% commission to keep their regulars and customer data.
Sources (3)
- ONDC food & beverage claims (~25–35% → ~8–11%, "20% lower", 100K+ restaurants, 95–98% fill, ~89% on-time, 31 min) — ONDC: https://ondc.org/pages/food-and-beverages.html (accessed 2026-10-21)
- ONDC incorporation (Section 8, 30 Dec 2021, DPIIT) and network-participant structure — Wikipedia, "Open Network for Digital Commerce": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Network_for_Digital_Commerce (accessed 2026-10-21)
- Restaurant registration happens via Seller Network Participants (no direct seller portal) and documents (GST, FSSAI, PAN, cancelled cheque) — Gofrugal, "ONDC for restaurants": https://www.gofrugal.com/blog/ondc-for-restaurants/ (accessed 2026-10-21)