Are you wondering “How much does taxi app development cost”? Depending on your unique business needs, the cost to create a custom taxi booking app can range between $5,000 and $40,000.
Undoubtedly, investing in this industry would be a lucrative opportunity for business owners or startup entrepreneurs as it offers endless possibilities for growing ventures.
It is forecasted that the following industry will reach $234,621 million by the end of 2025. Sounds astonishing, Right? Hence, partner with any reputable taxi booking app development company today and begin your app development journey.
Below, in this blog post, we’ll highlight all the pertinent information associated with taxi booking application development costs.
Without further delay, let’s dive deeper together.
Table Of Contents
How Much Does Taxi App Development Cost?
When we talk about taxi app development cost, in general, there is no specific price range. Below the table highlights an estimated cost for taxi booking app based on app complexity.
Price Breakdown for Taxi Booking App Development Based on Complexity
App Complexity
Price Range
Simple Taxi App
$5,000 – $15,000
Medium-level Taxi App
$15,000 – $30,000
High-Complexity App
$30,000-$40,000
Variables Affecting Taxi App Development Cost
Some of the variables that affect the taxi mobile application development cost include;
Your App’s Niche
App’s Complexity
Targeted Audience
Features & Functions
UI/UX Design
Tech Stack
Third-Party Integrations
Developer’s Location & Their Expertise
And much more.
Also, if you want to determine in general “How much does it cost to make an app”, our mentioned blog will assist you with that.
Also, to quickly estimate the cost of your dream mobile app, you can utilize our mobile app development cost calculator. It will give you an approximate estimate of your application development costs.
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Key Statistics Associated to Taxi App Development
The taxi app market is poised to reach $283 billion in revenue by 2028, a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2028.
The sector is forecast to have a 3.46% growth per annum over the period from 2023 to 2027, estimated to be worth $379 billion by the end of 2027.
By 2027, approximately 1.45 billion people worldwide are anticipated to use ride-hailing and taxi services.
User penetration, which was at 17.4% in 2023, is forecasted to increase slightly to 18.3% by 2027.
The average revenue per user (ARPU) in this sector is projected to be $247.
Online sales in the ride-hailing and taxi industry are expected to make up 55% of total revenue by 2027.
In 2019, the global taxi industry is valued at $69.1 billion and is expected to raise $120 billion by 2027 with a CAGR of 12%.
As per research, most working professionals live out of their home town for doing a job, and as a result, they prefer to book a taxi for traveling. This has raised the demand for taxi apps like Uber to a great extent.
Factors Affecting Taxi App Development Cost
Considering taxi app development cost, there are various parameters involved in order to identify the precise cost.
Here is a quick overview on the factors that affect the taxi booking application development cost.
Factors
Description
App Platform
The choice of platform (iOS, Android, or both) affects development costs. Building for multiple platforms is typically more expensive than focusing on a single platform.
Features
The complexity and number of features impact development costs. Basic features like GPS tracking and ride booking are standard, while advanced features such as in-app chat and real-time driver monitoring increase costs.
App Design
App design can be basic or custom. Basic design uses pre-made templates and layouts, which are quicker and less expensive. Custom design offers a unique user interface but is more costly and time-consuming.
Tech-stack
The technology stack used in the development process impacts the app’s functionality and scalability.
Third-party Integration
Integrating with external services like payment gateways or mapping services can increase development costs.
Developers’ Location
The location of the development team can influence costs, as rates vary globally.
Maintenance and Updates
Costs associated with ongoing maintenance, updates, and support after the app is launched.
Let’s explore all the essential factors one-by-one that may impact taxi booking app cost.
1. Choice of Platform
First and foremost, you need to decide which platform you’ll be going to utilize for your app development.
In general, iOS & Android app development are most prevalent. Both of the following technologies has certain benefits and pitfalls and may eventually influence taxi app development cost. Hence, choose the one that best fulfills your business needs.
You can either go for any one of the technologies or you can opt for cross-platform application. However, developing a native application for a single platform would cost you more as compared to the cross-platform application.
Another imperative parameter that could significantly influence the taxi booking app development cost is the complexity and number of features you wish to integrate in your app.
Some of the basic features included in a simple taxi application include, GPS tracking, ride booking, user registration, and payment processing.
Though, advanced features like in-app chat, real-time driver monitoring, multiple payment methods, and integration with third-party services like payment gateways or mapping services can further enhance the overall app development cost.
We suggest you get an app developed similar to Uber, Lyft, or Careem. See how much does it cost to build an app like Uber, and get an estimate for your app today.
3. App Design
App design can be categorized into two main types:
Basic Design
This approach involves using pre-made templates and layouts, which can be quicker and less expensive. However, it may limit the visual uniqueness and customization options for your app.
Custom Design
A custom-designed app offers a unique and personalized user interface, enhancing user experience and branding. However, developing a custom design is usually more costly and time-consuming due to the need for bespoke design work as compared to basic design apps.
4. Timeframe and Urgency
The development timeline for a taxi booking app depends largely on the complexity of the app.
Simple App
Developing a basic taxi booking app, which includes essential features like GPS tracking, ride booking, user registration, and basic payment processing, usually takes between three to six months.
This timeline allows for the implementation of core functionalities that enable users to book rides, track their location, and make payments seamlessly.
Advanced App
An advanced taxi booking app, with more complex features such as AI-driven recommendations, multi-language support, and enhanced security measures, may require a longer development period.
Developing such an app could take anywhere from six months to over a year, depending on the size and expertise of the development team.
Advanced apps often require a larger team to handle the complexity and scale of the project, thus, leading to a longer development timeline.
The urgency of developing the app can also impact the timeframe. For instance, if there is a high demand for the app in the market or if there is a specific deadline to meet, the development team may need to expedite the process, which could affect the overall timeline and cost of the project.
5. Technology Stack
When we talk about taxi app development cost, the technology stack it utilizes also impacts the cost. The tech stack, or set of tools, determines how the app will be built and what features it can support.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the tech stack typically used for developing a taxi booking app.
React Native or Flutter are popular choices for building the user interface of cross-platform apps.
Back-End Development
Server-Side Programming
Node.js, Python, Ruby on Rails, or Java are commonly used for the server-side development of the app.
Database
PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB (for real-time location data), or Cassandra can be used for storing app data.
Real-Time Features
Real-Time Location Tracking
Web Sockets or Firebase Real-time Database can be used for tracking the real-time location of drivers and passengers.
Push Notifications
Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) for Android and Apple Push Notification Service (APNs) for iOS are used for sending push notifications to users.
Payment Integration
Payment Gateways
Integration with payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or Braintree allows users to make payments for their rides through the app.
Mapping and Navigation
Mapping Services
Google Maps or Mapbox can be integrated into the app for providing mapping and navigation services to users.
Database and Storage
Database
The choice between SQL or NoSQL databases depends on the data structure and scalability requirements of the app.
Cloud Storage
AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage, or Azure Blob Storage can be used for storing app data in the cloud.
Authentication and Security
Authentication
OAuth 2.0, JWT, or Firebase Authentication can be used for implementing user authentication and ensuring app security.
Each component of the tech stack plays a crucial role in the development of a taxi booking app, ensuring its functionality, performance, and security.
6. Third-Party Integration
Integrating third-party services into your taxi booking app can enhance its functionality and user experience.
Payment gateway options that support multiple payment methods can improve convenience for users.
Additionally, integrating services like metadata, Google Maps, push notifications, social media, SMS services, chatbots, and automated marketing tools can affect overall app development cost.
7. Developers’ Location and Hourly Rates
The location of the development team can significantly impact the cost of designing a taxi app.
Here’s an overview of typical expenses based on the developer’s location:
Location
Hourly Rate ($)
United States
$100 – $200
Western Europe
$80 – $150
Eastern Europe
$30 – $80
Asia
$15 – $60
India
$20 – $50
South America
$20 – $60
Africa
$15 – $50
8. Maintenance and Updates
Regular maintenance and updates are essential to keep it up-to-date and ensure optimal performance after the app is launched
This includes fixing bugs, strengthening security measures, and adding new features or upgrades to enhance the user experience.
Maintenance ensures that your application continues to run smoothly and securely.
To sum up, while the cost of developing a taxi app can vary based on the aforementioned factors, investing in a well-designed and feature-rich app can lead to greater user satisfaction and business success in the competitive taxi app market.
9. Additional Considerations
Apart from the above factors, there are other aspects that can influence the cost of taxi app development.
Geographical Location
The location of your development team can also impact taxi app development cost, as rates vary from one location to another.
Regulatory Compliance
Ensuring your app complies with local regulations and standards may require additional development effort and cost.
Integration with External Services
If your app needs to integrate with other services like payment gateways or mapping services, this can increase development costs.
Taxi App Development Cost Breakdown Based on Platforms (Android, iOS)
Undeniably, Android and iOS are the two biggest platforms. Both of them offer endless opportunities. If you want to discover Android app development cost or iOS app development cost, our following articles will help you with that.
Here is a detailed price breakdown for taxi application development based on Android and iOS platforms.
Development Stage
Android Cost
iOS Cost
Native Development
$8,500
$10,500
UI/UX Design
$3,000
$3,500
Backend Development
$4,000
$4,500
Admin Panel Development
$3,500
$4,000
Quality Assurance
$6,500
$7,500
Project Management
$3,000
$3,300
Third-party Integrations
$2,000
$2,500
Maintenance and Updates
$2,500
$3,000
Marketing and Promotion
$3,000
$3,500
Total
$34,000
$40,800
Keep in mind this estimate is subject to negotiation during the final agreement and can vary based on specific project requirements. Hence, get in touch with any trustable taxi application development company now and determine the exact cost associated with your business needs.
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Essential Features for a Cost-Effective Taxi Booking App
The answer to the query how much does taxi app development cost relies on the features and functions included in any application.
Here are some essential features for a cost-effective taxi booking app along with their brief descriptions.
Essential Features for a Taxi App
Description
User Registration/Login
Allow users to create accounts and log in to the app.
Ride Booking
Provide a user-friendly interface for booking rides.
Real-time Tracking
Enable users to track their ride in real-time.
Payment Integration
Integrate secure payment options into the app.
Rating and Feedback
Implement a system for users to rate their ride and provide feedback.
Driver and Vehicle Verification
Verify drivers and vehicles for user safety and service reliability.
Must-Have Components for a Taxi App Development That Aids in Determining Cost
Three distinct variants are involved when it comes to discovering the cost to build a taxi app,- an app for passengers, an app for drivers, and an admin panel.
Let’s unravel each type to understand their components and how they contribute to the overall cost.
App for Riders
Features
Description
User Account Management
Simple registration and login processes for easy access to the app.
Profile Management
Ability for users to easily edit and update their profile information.
Booking Management
Capability for riders to schedule and manage their cab bookings.
Payment Options
Support for multiple payment gateways to facilitate convenient transactions.
Notifications
Integration of notification features to keep passengers informed via various channels.
Real-time Vehicle Tracking
Ability for passengers to track the real-time location of their booked vehicle.
Fare Calculation
Automatic calculation of fare based on distance and time to provide transparent pricing.
Feedback & Rating
Option for passengers to rate their rides and provide feedback on their experiences.
App for Taxi Drivers
Features
Description
Driver Registration
Drivers undergo a registration process, and their profiles require approval from the admin before they can start offering services.
Profile Management
Drivers have the ability to edit their contact information, such as phone numbers and email addresses.
Booking Management
Drivers can accept or reject booking requests based on their availability and convenience.
Real-time Location Tracking
Drivers can track the real-time location of passengers and receive guidance on the shortest routes to their destinations.
Ride History Tracking
Drivers have access to their ride history, allowing them to view past trips and related details.
Earnings Overview
Drivers can view daily and weekly summaries of their trips and earnings, providing insight into their overall performance and income.
Management Dashboard
Features
Description
Ride Details
Admins have access to comprehensive information about active, completed, and booked rides.
Report Generation
Real-time charts track drivers’ activity, revenue from active trips, canceled trips, and ride rejection requests.
Revenue Oversight
Admins manage transactions and revenue through the revenue management feature.
Driver Oversight
Admins approve new drivers, and their profiles are displayed on a dedicated page.
Passenger Oversight
Admins can view and update user details to enhance the user experience.
Complaint Resolution
The admin addresses complaints filed by passengers to ensure customer satisfaction.
Top 4 Types of Taxi Application Development
When it comes to developing a taxi booking app, one of the crucial decisions to make is choosing the right business model. Eventually, it will impact your overall revenue in the long run.
Your business model not only shapes the development process but also influences the overall cost of creating the app.
There are primarily two types of taxi applications are accessible and are most prevalent;
Dedicated taxi booking apps
Taxi aggregator apps
Dedicated Taxi Booking App
This option is perfect for those companies which already have their own fleet of taxis and drivers. Along with running their business, the taxi booking app gives the opportunity for entrepreneurs to operate online, thus making it convenient for customers to access taxi services.
This maneuver contributes greatly in reaching a broad audience. In this model the interaction will be happening directly between customers and the taxis service without the presence of any intermediaries.
Clients will be putting pick up location address, car type, and other details. The taxi service then sends a driver to take them to the determined destination at the agreed fares.
Taxi Aggregator App
Many applications, like Uber, Careem, and Ola, use this model. It functions as a platform where vehicle owners and taxi companies can register their vehicles and offer transportation services to passengers.
Concretely, the taxi hailing apps are teamed up with drivers so as to offer rides. The aggregators usually charge a convenience fee to make up for the services they provide.
There are two ways to implement this model: either the simple taxi booking app or the on-demand taxi booking app.
Simple Taxi Booking App
This app can work without a server. This application is a one-stop shop where taxi drivers can advertise their services and the users can call directly and order their taxis through the application.
On-Demand Taxi Booking App
This model constitutes a server and has two separate apps one for the riders and another for the taxi drivers. It enables users to call a taxi any time they need or use built-in capabilities. Provided that this model also requires a higher investment, it turns out to be more helpful in the short term.
If you want to develop a taxi app similar to any one of the listed above? Explore our latest blog on “Taxi app development ideas”
Essential Tips & Tricks Taxi App Development
Developing a functional and profitable taxi ordering app calls for precise planning and implementation steps.
Here are some expert tips to help you develop a top-notch app that stands out in the competitive market.
1. Develop an MVP for Swift Market Entry
Kick off your app development journey by building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). MVP gives you an opportunity to launch with the feature that the users value the most and gather user feedback in the real world thus helping you make timely improvement.
If you create an MVP (minimum viable product) and release it early, then not only you will hasten the time-to-market of your product but also likely help you create a product that your customers will love.
2. Simplicity Reigns Supreme
Simplicity remains one of the most important factors for mobile apps to win over their users. Pay great attention to the development of an intuitive user interface that will be easy to navigate and comprehend.
One of the factors that made Uber as successful as it is today, is the simplicity of the service design, which was a key contribution to its quick and global spread. If you want to learn how to create an app like Uber, our following blog post will assist you in the best manner.
3. Define Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
The brand proposition to stand out in the market has to be compelling and memorable, that is why your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) should be something special.
USP (Unique Selling Proposition) has to demonstrate which tells about the reason that makes your app different compared to others and that users are going to pick your service instead of other available options.
Whether it is by offering competitive pricing, distinctive rewards, or outstanding service your USP should synchronize with the target audience and meet their specific requirements.
4. Explore Niche Markets
The taxi industry opens a plethora of niche segments that you can seize to position your business in profitability.
Amongst the services that can be implemented include the green electric taxis, on-demand bike taxis for the urban transport or the women-only taxis with females’ drivers.
Through tailoring your app to a particular niche, you can stand out from the crowd and gain a loyal customer base.
5. Monetization Strategy Matters
Pick one of the monetization strategies that have a synergy with your business plan and your user experience.
Whether it is a free-based model, subscription fees or in-app advertising, make sure that your revenue model boosts rather than demotes the user experience.
Establish transparency and fairness to build trust in your brand.
6. Embrace Cross-Platform Development
Extend your app’s reach by making it available for both iOS and Android operating systems.
Cross-platform development ensures coherent user experience regardless of device type, and at the same time, it helps you to save budgets and time to market.
HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS are some of the technologies that are used in creating interactive and engaging mobile apps and websites.
7. Prioritize Essential Features
Identify the app’s most important features and concentrate on them to create your app. Avoid the inclusion of superfluous functionality that not only impedes usability but also adds to expenses of development.
Conduct market research and user test activities in order to know what the important features for your particular target audience are and move them to the development roadmap accordingly.
8. Consider Outsourcing for Expertise
If your own team doesn’t have the right skill set or resources to develop the app, then you can choose to outsource the development process to a trusted app development company instead.
Through outsourcing, you can obtain niche talents and expertise, thereby lowering your development costs and speeding up time to market.
Find a reliable development partner who has gained the trust of consumers in building functional taxi booking apps and make sure they have captured all your distinct business objectives.
How Long Does It Take to Develop a Taxi Booking App?
The journey of developing a taxi booking app is an exciting one, but brings questions about the time and expense it takes.
In order to enlighten this, we have given the roadmap and cost estimation for the taxi booking apps categorically below.
Let’s talk about a taxi app that will give us an opportunity to discover the costs and benefits of making such an app.
Taxi Application Development Timeline & their Estimated Costs
App Type
Development Timeframe
Estimated Cost
Basic App
1-3 months
$5,000 – $15,000
Standard App
3-6 months
$15,000 – $30,000
Complex App
6-12 months
$30,000 – $40,000
Creating a mobile app for a taxi booking company requires careful implementation, designing and development. The cost and time frame mentioned above is just an approximation and the exact figure is dependent on the complexity of your idea and specific needs.
Taxi-booking clone apps are software systems that are specially intended to simulate the work of existing taxi-booking apps like Uber, Gett, Careem, Ola, and Lyft.
These clone apps provide the users with a familiar and hassle-free ride-hailing experience by mirroring the functionalities and user-interface characteristics of notable platforms.
Some of the most popular taxi apps with their development cost are;
1. Uber
Uber made the taxi business facile and more user-friendly via its application where people could book a cab, track a driver’s progress and make cashless payments.
Creating an Uber clone app implies creating a platform having characteristics similar to GPS tracking, real-time driver communication and payment integration.
The cost of building a taxi app similar to Uber can vary from $6,000 to $20,000.
2. Ola
Ola is a cab hailing app presently working in 250+ cities in India and has set its foot in many other countries. Creating the Ola clone app will require you to provide trip scheduling, driver tracking, and multiple payment options.
Building a taxi app like Ola is usually somewhere between $5,000 to $25,000.
3. Lyft
Uber’s counterpart in the market is Lyft, generally appreciated for its friendly driver culture as well as “instant tip” feature.
The functioning of a Lyft clone app includes features such as ride sharing, GPS tracking, live-location sharing, and much more. The price of creating a taxi app similar to Lyft is anywhere between $7,000 to $40,000.
4. Curb
Curb is an app like Uber, which allows users to connect with professional and licensed drivers. It comes with features including prepay pricing, various payment options and online tracking of the driver.
Besides, the app ensures security and reliability, as it addresses customers’ preference for easy access and efficiency. The expenditure for developing a taxi app like Curb varies from $5,000 to $50,000.
5. Gett
Gett is an app that connects taxi drivers with passengers who need on-demand transportation services in various cities all over the world.
It provides us with services such as ride planning, payment inside the application and discount programs for regular travelers.
The app highlights ‘ease of use’ and ‘reliable service’, which are the two main factors for the users that make it an attractive option when it comes to easy transportation solutions.
The successful implementation of a taxi app like Gett depends on meticulous work and user-oriented performance to retain the current travelers.
The cost for building a taxi app similar to Gett is estimated to be between $15,000 to $60,000.
6. Flywheel
Flywheel is a taxi app which is geared towards providing safe and reliable services. It provides functions such as flat fee, driver monitoring, and the opportunity to reserve rides in advance.
This service prioritizes customer service, ensuring safety and relentlessly pursuing high satisfaction.
The cost of creating an application like Flywheel is generally within the range of $5,000 to $50,000.
Want to Create a Taxi Booking Clone App?
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Final Thoughts
We hope you’ve learnt all the essential information associated with taxi app development cost. To summarize, there is no exact cost mentioned anywhere in order to build a taxi app, as a lot of variables come into play. Generally, taxi booking app development cost lies between $5,000 to $40,000. Some of them include;
In general, a basic version of an app could start at around $5,000 and can go up to $25,000. On the other hand, a complex, customized app might demand an investment of more than $40,000+. Well, in the end, the cost also varies based on the location and size of the development business.
Get your app developed now by partnering with any reliable app development company. This collaboration assures that your app not only meets but surpasses your expectations, delivering users an impressive yet superb app experience in the long run.
FAQ’s
How much does it cost to build a taxi app?
When we talk about the cost to build a taxi app, it depends on several factors. These factors include
The complexity of the app
The number of features & functions included
Targeted Platforms (iOS, Android, or both)
The location and size of the development team
Other additional services
In general, the cost of taxi app development lies between $5,000 to $40,000 based on app’s complexity and other various app parameters.
Is taxi booking app development a profitable venture?
Yes, taxi booking app development, indeed, is a profitable venture in the coming years, if approached correctly. The key to success lies in the following aspects;
Understanding the market
Identifying and meeting the needs of your target audience
And providing a reliable and user-friendly app.
Overall, it’s essential to conduct thorough market research, develop a robust app with essential features, and provide excellent customer service to ensure success in this competitive industry.
What features should be included in a ride-hailing app, and why are they important?
Following essential features must be included in your taxi booking app to stand out from the rest of the competition.
User registration and login
Ride booking and monitoring
Payment processing
Rating and feedback system
Driver and vehicle verification
These features are vital for providing a seamless and efficient user experience.
Which technologies are commonly used for taxi booking app development?
Commonly used technologies for taxi booking app development include Flutter, React Native, Node.js, Firebase, and much more.
These technologies are preferred for their flexibility, scalability, and intuitive performance.
Now, starting from Flutter and React Native, they allow for cross-platform development, which will eventually save time and money. On the other hand, Node.js provides a robust backend framework, while Firebase offers real-time database and hosting services.
Partner with us today at Trango Tech, and determine which technology would be best suited for your app needs.
How can I optimize the cost of developing a taxi booking app?
To optimize costs during taxi booking app development, consider the following strategies;
Prioritize essential features
Focus on developing the core features of your app first and add additional features in later updates.
Choose the right development approach
Consider using cross-platform development frameworks to build your app for multiple platforms simultaneously, reducing development time and costs.
Use third-party APIs
Instead of building certain functionalities from scratch, consider using existing third-party APIs to save time and resources.
Outsource development
Consider outsourcing development to regions with lower labor costs to reduce development costs.
By implementing these strategies, you can optimize the cost of developing a taxi booking app while still delivering a high-quality digital application to your customers.
How can I minimize expenses during taxi app development?
To minimize costs, first and foremost, prioritize essential features for the first version and add more in later updates.
We recommend you to consider cross-platform development technology so that you can save hefty amounts on your taxi booking application development.
Plus, we suggest you outsource your taxi application development project to regions like the USA, UK, and other Gulf regions to get premium quality apps.
Mariam Amin is an Electronics Engineering graduate. As a content marketer working in the app development company, with her insights on engineering and digital strategy, she showcases informative guides and content that is built on imparting knowledge. When away from marketing and the digital landscape, you can find her looking over the food industry, and fitness trends, and catching up on a documentary or a movie.