Online grocery shopping in South Africa has matured rapidly. Several services now deliver in under an hour, compete aggressively on price, and offer loyalty rewards that can meaningfully reduce your monthly spend. Here is every major platform, what it costs, and who it suits best — so you can decide without guessing.
South Africa’s Online Grocery Market
South Africa’s on-demand grocery delivery market has become a genuine battleground, with Checkers Sixty60, Pick n Pay asap!, Woolies Dash, and Spar2U all competing for the same basket. Online retail revenue surged from R4.43 billion in 2013 to over R71 billion in 2023 and is projected to surpass R100 billion by 2026–2027, according to industry data. For South African consumers dealing with busy schedules and rising petrol costs, ordering online often makes financial sense even before factoring in the convenience.
The important thing to understand: these platforms are not all created equal. Some compete purely on speed, others on price, and some — like Makro — on sheer basket value for bulk shoppers. If you’re also trying to stretch your money across electronics and gadgets, our guides on the best gadgets under R200 in South Africa and cheap smartphones right now cover that side of smart spending too.
The Best Online Grocery Stores in South Africa
Checkers Sixty60
South Africa’s largest on-demand grocery delivery service, launched in 2019 and downloaded over 3 million times. Sixty60 promises delivery in 60 minutes, operates over 400 locations nationally, and offers in-store Xtra Savings pricing through the app — meaning you pay the same promotional prices online as you do in-store.
| Delivery Fee | ~R36 per order (subject to change) |
| Delivery Speed | 60 minutes (guaranteed) |
| Minimum Order | Check app — varies by area |
| Loyalty Programme | Xtra Savings (free) · Xtra Savings Plus (paid — free deliveries on qualifying baskets + 10% off in-store monthly) |
| Products Available | 10,000+ from dedicated fulfilment centres |
| Coverage | 400+ locations nationwide |
| Basket Price (9 items)* | ~R416.91 (Aug 2025 comparison) |
Pick n Pay asap!
Pick n Pay’s on-demand platform has undergone a complete technology overhaul and is now one of the fastest-growing in South Africa. The service recorded 44% year-on-year growth in early 2026, operates across 620 stores, and is supported by more than 2,500 drivers. With 44,000+ products available, it rivals Sixty60 on range and consistency. Smart Shopper rewards remain one of the most popular loyalty programmes in the country — and they stack on top of online orders. For budget-focused shoppers also looking at affordable tech, compare options like those in our budget electronics on Takealot guide to stretch your rand further.
| Delivery Fee | ~R35–R40 (subject to change; varies by area) |
| Delivery Speed | On-demand; under 60 minutes in most areas |
| Loyalty Programme | Smart Shopper points earn on online orders |
| Products Available | 44,000+ items |
| Coverage | 620 stores, expanding weekly |
| Basket Price (9 items)* | ~R427.91 (Aug 2025 comparison) |
Woolworths Woolies Dash
The premium option. Woolies Dash positions itself on quality, freshness, and exclusive product ranges including Simple Truth organic lines and premium ready-to-eat meals — not available anywhere else. Online sales via Dash contribute 6.6% of Woolworths’ total South African food revenue, demonstrating genuine consumer uptake. Woolworths confirmed in November 2025 that its delivery fee had increased to R45 per order — the highest flat fee among the major on-demand services — but the higher fee reflects a narrowly targeted quality proposition rather than mass-market pricing.
| Delivery Fee | ~R45 per order (subject to change) |
| Delivery Speed | On-demand; typically under 60 minutes |
| Loyalty Programme | WRewards (no dedicated Dash loyalty benefit) |
| Products Available | Premium range; organic, fresh, and specialty lines |
| Basket Price (9 items)* | ~R441.91 (Aug 2025 comparison — most expensive) |
Makro Online
Consistently ranked the cheapest grocery retailer in South Africa by BusinessTech’s monthly basket comparison — cheaper than Checkers, Pick n Pay, Spar, and Woolworths. Makro’s wholesale model passes bulk savings to shoppers. Its August 2025 basket of nine staple grocery items came to R352.55 — R89 cheaper than Woolworths and R75 cheaper than Pick n Pay. The catch: you need a free Makro card to shop, and the on-demand delivery model differs from the 60-minute competitors. Makro is best suited to planned, large-volume shops rather than convenience top-ups.
| Delivery Fee | Varies by order value and location (check site) |
| Delivery Speed | Scheduled / next-day; not on-demand 60-min |
| Membership Requirement | Free Makro card required to shop |
| Basket Price (9 items)* | R352.55 — cheapest of all major retailers (Aug 2025) |
| Best For | Bulk buying, non-perishables, household staples |
Spar2U
Spar’s on-demand platform launched as a direct competitor to Sixty60 and asap!, with a R35 delivery fee that has since been revised. Because Spar is a franchise model, prices and product availability can vary from store to store — which is both a strength (community-rooted local stores) and a limitation (less price consistency). Spar2U outperformed other platforms on fresh food pricing in some comparisons, ranking as the cheapest across food-only baskets in one BusinessTech analysis.
| Delivery Fee | ~R35–R40 (subject to change; franchise pricing varies) |
| Delivery Speed | On-demand; typically under 60 minutes |
| Loyalty | Spar Rewards (varies by franchise) |
| Basket Price (9 items)* | ~R409.91 (Aug 2025 comparison) |
| Note | Prices can vary by store location (franchise model) |
Shoprite Online (Click & Collect / Delivery)
Shoprite — the parent company of Checkers — also runs its own online ordering platform separate from Sixty60, with a click-and-collect option that bypasses delivery fees entirely. Shoprite’s basket of nine staples came to R415.91 in the August 2025 comparison — marginally cheaper than Checkers online. It is also one of the only major grocery retailers offering a unique loyalty benefit: the Shoprite Xtra Savings Funeral Benefit, which provides a R4,500 grocery voucher to a nominated beneficiary if the registered cardholder passes away after meeting monthly swipe criteria.
| Delivery Fee | Varies; click-and-collect option available (no delivery fee) |
| Basket Price (9 items)* | ~R415.91 (Aug 2025) |
| Loyalty Programme | Xtra Savings (same as Checkers) · includes Funeral Benefit |
Food Lover’s Market Online
Food Lover’s Market ranked as the second-cheapest grocer for staple basket items in the July 2025 BusinessTech comparison, with a basket price of R411.75 — R44 cheaper than the next competitor and only R59 more than Makro. It’s especially strong on fresh produce and is worth considering for fruit, vegetables, and butchery items if you have a store nearby. If you’re hunting for deals across different product categories, our guide to useful daily-life gadgets in South Africa pairs well for a full household shopping plan.
| Basket Price (9 items)* | ~R411.75 (Jul 2025 comparison — 2nd cheapest) |
| Ordering Method | Online delivery + Mr D partnership in select areas |
| Strength | Fresh produce, butchery, value staples |
Mr D Groceries
Mr D (part of the Takealot/Delivery Hero group) enables same-day grocery delivery by acting as a marketplace partner for Pick n Pay and other retailers. It functions alongside Pick n Pay asap!, meaning shoppers may find identical items priced differently across the two platforms from the same source store. A 2024 comparison by Supermarket & Retailer found that most products were cheapest through Pick n Pay directly — but Mr D remains useful for its intuitive app, fast delivery promise, and integration with Uber Eats infrastructure. Students in major cities may also want to check how Mr D compares when buying tech gadgets for student life — you may find broader value shopping strategies across the same apps.
| Delivery Fee | Varies (check app; similar to on-demand competitors) |
| Delivery Speed | On-demand; typically 45–60 minutes |
| Retail Partners | Pick n Pay, Food Lover’s, and others |
| Best For | City-based shoppers; existing Takealot / Uber Eats users |
Side-by-Side Comparison
*Basket figures based on BusinessTech monthly grocery comparison (9 staple items). Prices subject to change. Individual item pricing varies.
| Store | Delivery Fee | Speed | Basket Price* | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makro 💰 | Varies | Scheduled | R352.55 | Bulk / cheapest basket |
| Food Lover’s Market | Varies | Varies | R411.75 | Fresh produce value |
| Spar2U | ~R35–R40 | ~60 min | R409.91 | Local stores, fresh food |
| Shoprite Online | Varies / Free C&C | Varies | R415.91 | Click & collect savings |
| Checkers Sixty60 ⭐ | ~R36 | 60 min | R416.91 | Speed + loyalty rewards |
| Pick n Pay asap! | ~R35–R40 | ~60 min | R427.91 | Range + Smart Shopper |
| Woolies Dash | ~R45 | ~60 min | R441.91 | Premium quality / organic |
| Mr D Groceries | Varies | ~45–60 min | Check app | City users / Uber Eats |
How to Shop Smarter Online
The single biggest savings lever in online grocery shopping in South Africa is loyalty programme stacking. Checkers Xtra Savings Plus members who meet their basket minimum can effectively eliminate delivery fees on regular big shops — transforming the R36 fee into zero on every qualifying order. Similarly, Pick n Pay Smart Shopper points accumulate across online and in-store purchases, making asap! worth using even if prices are marginally higher on individual items.
For budget-focused households, the winning strategy is a split: use Makro for monthly bulk staples (oil, sugar, rice, cleaning products, canned goods) and supplement with Sixty60 or asap! for top-ups during the month. This approach consistently produces the lowest total monthly grocery spend. Students and families who also need to budget for technology and electronics will find electronics buying guides for South Africa helpful for managing spending across categories. Those exploring the broader consumer landscape can browse the full Best Buys in SA category for more reviewed guides.
More Shopping Guides From Uni24
The Best Online Grocery Store in South Africa
For most South Africans, Checkers Sixty60 is the best all-round online grocery service — fastest delivery, widest coverage, and the strongest loyalty programme when Xtra Savings promotions are factored in. If price per item is your only metric, Makro consistently undercuts everyone on a basket of staples and is worth the extra planning. Pick n Pay asap! is the strongest challenger, with an improved app and 44,000+ products. Woolies Dash earns its premium only if you specifically want Woolworths-quality fresh food and specialty lines. For the biggest monthly savings, combine Makro for bulk staples with Sixty60 for top-ups.
All delivery fees and basket prices are subject to change. Verify current pricing on each retailer’s app before ordering.
