published -
Apr 30, 2025

Speed vs Storytelling: UX Lessons from Zepto and Bistro

Speed vs Storytelling: UX Lessons from Zepto and Bistro

Fast Isn’t Always Friendly: A UX Showdown Between Zepto and Bistro

Let’s start with a simple truth:
Frictionless doesn’t always mean unforgettable.

In our design sprints, we often hear this sacred chant:

“Make it fast. Make it seamless. Cut the clicks.”

Cool. But here’s a spicy counter-thought:
Speed isn’t the same as satisfaction.
Sometimes, what really sticks… is the story.

Zepto: Built for Speed, Not Emotion

Zepto is that friend who shows up on time, every time, no drama.
You open the app. You blink. The groceries are at your door.

The UX? Clean. Cold. Clinical.
No fluff. No soul. Just pure utility.

And while that’s a win for busy Tuesday mornings…
It’s also why you never talk about Zepto at dinner.

There’s no romance in the transaction. No emotional footprint.
You don’t remember the product. You remember the promise: 10-minute delivery.

But here’s the rub:
You’re loyal to the outcome. Not the experience.

Bistro: The Warmth of a Scroll

Now flip the script.

Bistro’s UX is slower.
More visual.
More human.

It doesn’t rush you to checkout. It invites you to explore.

  • That handcrafted jam? There’s a story.
  • That organic coffee? There's a spotlight on the roaster.
  • That homepage? Feels like a Sunday morning market stroll.

It’s not trying to be fast.
It’s trying to be felt.

And that matters. Because…

People don’t come back for faster clicks.
They come back for how your product made them feel.

The Myth of Frictionless UX

We’re not saying slow is better. But here’s the twist:
Friction isn’t always the enemy.

Sometimes, a tiny pause—a scroll, a story, a subtle animation—adds meaning.
It turns your app from a transaction into a journey.

What users say they want:

"Just make it fast."

What they actually return for:

Emotion. Connection. A vibe.