How food delivery and rideshare are becoming one connected economy in 2025
Both industries are converging into one ecosystem, where food, transport, and digital media operate as interconnected lifestyle services.
• Food delivery has rebounded post-pandemic, while rideshare continues its steady climb, both surpassing 400 million downloads each
• Asia now leads the world in both categories, particularly fueling over half of global food delivery growth.
• Ad spend is skyrocketing, especially on streaming and mobile platforms, as companies fight for visibility in mature markets.
Just a few years ago, food delivery apps were struggling to find their post-pandemic footing. After the lockdown highs faded, downloads dropped, spending slowed, and many questioned whether the “order-in” economy had peaked. But 2025 is telling a different story.
According to Sensor Tower’s State of Food Delivery & Rideshare Apps 2025 report, downloads are climbing again, ad budgets are swelling, and the global fight for convenience is entering a new phase, one defined by consolidation, collaboration, and calculated aggression.
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- How Uber led a $4.2 billion gig economy boom in Q2 2025
- Ride-hailing platform inDrive to launch services in Bengaluru and Pune
- Tunisia suspends Bolt and other ride-hailing apps
From Decline to Revival
Following the global reopening in 2022, the food delivery market faced a natural correction and began to slow down as consumers returned to restaurants. Yet by 2023, a steady rebound began to take shape, and by the first half of 2025, global food delivery downloads had climbed to nearly 450 million.
