People living in big cities with busy traffic and a lack of parking space often avoid taking their cars and prefer using cab services online. Therefore, creating an app similar to Uber is a smart move for business owners and transportation providers. The market for developing ride-sharing apps has never been as saturated as it is now. As more people try to get a piece of the pie, new apps are constantly emerging, driven by Uber and its enormous popularity.
Currently, Research and Markets predicts that the on-demand market segment will increase by an astounding $4.75 billion between 2022 and 2026, at a CAGR of 60.77%. This indicates that if you’re considering releasing a new ride-sharing service or making an app like Uber, this is the right time! However, it’s always preferable to conduct adequate market research and analysis before trying anything revolutionary.
This blog will take you on how to make an App Like Uber. It’s essential to comprehend what an Uber-like app development process comprises. So, let’s begin!
How Does Uber Work?
An application called Uber is used all over the world. These apps aim to facilitate travel requests by automatically identifying locations. The application then matches your requests with the nearest accepting driver. You can rate the ride after you’ve taken it and paid for it.
Further, let’s look into the reasoning for Uber’s operations before getting into the technical aspects.
How Was It Created?
Uber started in San Francisco by sponsoring multiple events and transporting customers to their houses, investing a considerable amount in self-promotion. Seems impressive, no? This strategy gave Uber recognition, and now, today, Uber is available everywhere and has significantly become one of the leading travel apps globally.
People in New York took 462,113 Uber rides in January 2019 regularly. Fun fact: Uber Eats even saw a 200% rise in sales in 2020. the ride-hailing component of the company faced severe declines both during and after the pandemic.
Uber doesn’t have a fleet of its own! The application instead links drivers and passengers. Uber’s entire process is summed up into these steps:
Step 1: A customer requests a car with a pre-determined destination in the app. The app displays the ride’s fare, which can change based on the service and app type.
Step 2: The passengers confirm the pickup spot in the ride confirmation stage.
Step 3: Uber connects that request with the closest driver. The drivers have the option to accept or reject the request. The app switches to different drivers if a ride request is declined by one.
Step 4: After completing a ride, payment is made automatically through a payment account or credit card. The app offers payment methods, including Android, PayPal, and Apple Pay. Users can accept the default driver’s tip option or modify it.
Step 5: The Uber app includes rating as a core feature. Both drivers and passengers can rate each other. Uber ensures the best possible experience for everyone.
Now that we have seen what Uber is and how it works, it’s time to understand how to build an app like Uber using this step-by-step guide and what functionalities and features you can use.
Essential Features to Consider
Let’s look at the key features for drivers and riders to understand better how to create an app like Uber.
1. Passenger Features
The main passenger features of an app like Uber are listed below.
- Choosing a location on a map
- Rate the trip
- Wait for the ride to be confirmed by the closest driver
- Follow the rider’s movement and track location
- Payment for a ride through different means
- Rating of a driver and the riding experience
2. Rider Features
The rider features are:
- Accept a ride request from a passenger
- Get guidance on how to get to the passenger
- Each trip’s revenue and rate passengers
3. Driver Features
Let’s look at how to build an app like Uber from the standpoint of adding features for drivers:
- Driver Verification: This should be performed by the administrative panel because it necessitates validating a driver’s license, auto insurance, and other relevant verifications.
- Trip Alert: This feature allows drivers to accept or decline new trip requests by notifying them when they are made. Information regarding the passenger’s location, review, route, etc., is included in the feature.
- Push Notifications: These notifications are used to alert users to changes in the route, pickup location, request progress, and other information.
- Navigation and Route Optimization: Integrating Apple or Google Maps enables drivers to reach the pickup point more quickly.
- Revenue Reports: This function enables drivers to look at their daily or monthly earnings statistics and provides information about their revenue.
- Messaging: In your taxi app, like Uber, messaging enables direct communication between drivers and passengers.
Uber-like app development may also incorporate some complex features and basic ones. However, you can always approach a top-notch app development company for guidance on features.
- Passenger Destinations: Drivers can choose a ride just with their desired destinations.
- Quests Earnings: This allows drivers to increase their pay by completing a set number of trips.
- Waiting Time: If a passenger must wait more than five minutes, there is an extra fee.
- Heat Maps: Drivers can plan and manage their routes with high passenger density.
- Dispatch Forward: This feature lets the driver accept another trip while performing a current ride.
Taxi Booking App Admin Panel
There is an admin panel that manages all of the Uber app-processed rides. You must design an app similar to Uber with an admin panel that serves as a command center for administrators to manage users, drivers, orders, payments, reviews, etc. The admin panel includes:
- Driver and passenger management
- Locations management
- Fare management
- Taxi booking management
- Notifications management
- Feedback management
- Payment management
- Best routes management
- Promotions and discounts creation and management
- Passenger and user support
- Integration with a variety of analytics tools (potential AI and ML integration for improved in-app analytics)
Features Aligned with Technologies
The proper functioning of the Uber app is primarily dependent on the following fundamental features. Let’s explore each one’s technology stack in more detail!
1. Geolocation
A taxi booking app uses geolocation as its primary technology. Any app that functions similarly to Uber needs to be closely related to navigation and mapping tools like:
- CoreLocation framework is used by iOS devices to determine a device’s location, while Android uses Google location APIs.
- Using MapKit for iOS to offer the driver directions and provide point-to-point navigation. Android OS makes use of the Google Maps Android API.
- Google Maps is incorporated into the iOS and Android app versions for mapping. The Uber taxi booking app also has the option to use other mapping software companies to provide its services.
2. Push Notification and Messaging
Push notifications and messaging within the app are crucial technical factors to consider. When you decide on Uber-like app development, remember that communication occurs at every stage, including when a passenger sends a request, a driver accepts it, the ride is canceled, etc.
Using Twilio as a text message provider during the app development is a wise choice. You can also use Apple Push Notifications Service to add push notifications to an iOS app and Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) to add push notifications to an Android app.
Since push notifications can occasionally go unnoticed and SMS notifications won’t function if the device is offline or unavailable, they are just as crucial to integrate.
3. Registration and Profile Management
User registration and profile management are crucial for travel app development to help you understand your user base. Allowing user registration using Gmail or Facebook has recently become standard across all app categories.
A simple identity setup (picture, name, phone number) should be possible on the profile. Finally, a rating/review function should be made available to users. Doing so lets you acquire vital user insights, discover their main problems, and use that information to improve your business.
4. Payment Gateway Integration
Payment gateway integration is one feature that needs to be included in apps like Uber. Such apps should use a pay-off payment card mechanism to reduce human mistakes. It is vital to adhere to specific criteria and national policies for securely processing sensitive data to move forward with payment integration. As a point of reference, the US has PCI (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards).
It is possible to use Braintree (like with the Uber cab app) or Stripe, which is used by its primary rival taxi app service in the USA, Lyft, to integrate payment capability.
5. Schedule A Ride in Advance
Uber has introduced this advanced feature a couple of years back. Using this feature, customers can more precisely plan their trips by scheduling a ride in advance (within 15 minutes to 30 days).
This function can use a Rails library such as Sidekiq or a platform-specific alternative. As a result, the task is set to “order a taxi on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at a specific address” and at that exact time.
6. Ride Cost Estimation
The customer can use this feature to calculate the total cost of a trip in advance. Experts with sufficient skill can create this algorithm. The method to determine the overall cost is as follows:
Initial cost of vehicle delivery plus (distance x cost per kilometer) x the availability of drivers.
You can also consider the Uber car model, which affects the whole service cost.
7. Book A Ride for Others
This feature is typically relatively easy to add when creating your Uber-like app. You can designate a user as a family member on your profile so that you can book a cab for them. The cab booking information will then be sent to this person through notification (like an SMS).
Development Process of Building an App Like Uber
App development process like Uber involves different steps. Therefore, we have discussed everything in detail, from market research to post-launch. Have a look!
1. Market Research
Conduct market research, list the key competitors, look into consumer pain points, behavior, and preferences, and take industry growth insight to build an outstanding app that stands out from the crowd. Creating a unique solution rather than a replica of an already successful app like Uber, Lyft, or others is the primary ingredient in the success recipe.
2. Right Tech Stack
A similar app to Uber can be made using various technologies. These days, you may either create a hybrid app that works on both iOS and Android or a native one that only runs on one of those two platforms. Although establishing a hybrid app can appear more cost-effective, doing so is not as beneficial because hybrid apps don’t provide a fantastic user experience. You can outsource Uber app development project to get an exceptional app with the perfect tech stack for your business.
3. UI/UX Design
Ride-sharing services must have an attractive and simple UI/UX because they are customer-focused. Many things can be said about what makes a good design, but to keep this definition to just two things is simplicity and clarity. For a design that stands out, follow these two simple rules.
4. App Development and Testing
Plan, code, build, test, and repeat in the production of apps using continuous integration. With manual and automated tests, quality assurance is ensured throughout the development of the cab service app. The Scrum framework is typically used by development teams, who break the work into brief iterations, each followed by a demo. You can also hire a company for software testing services to get better outcomes.
5. Launching The App
Release involves beta testing, optimizing the product page/store presence, uploading assets required by law and promotional materials, and doing everything else required for your app approval to proceed as smoothly as possible. Launch preparation is crucial if you want your Uber app development process to succeed and stand out in the competition.
6. Post-Launch Strategies
Identifying issues, keeping track of the app’s statistics, improving the product, and more. Your Uber-like app maintains its appeal and adapts to market changes and users’ feedback.
How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App Like Uber?
Numerous factors influence the app development cost; here are some:
- Use of Android/iOS technology
- The location of the app development company
- The hourly rates
- Number of functions and features
- Integrations of the development team’s rates and skills
- Software testing services
- Creating a maintenance schedule and more.
The total cost of development will depend on the level of complexity, the features you choose, and the platform specifics.
Dominate The Industry with Your Next Cab Booking App!
The taxi booking app market is now more cutthroat than ever. However, everything is achievable with a distinct value proposition, a solid project vision, and a trustworthy app development business. You can use our feature list to build a taxi app for your business or connect with our experts to pick features based on your USP and company objectives.
We can assist with any advice you may need regarding creating a taxi app. Moreover, we can also assist you in grocery delivery app development. Contact us to kickstart your project now!
