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Want to create a custom Android or iOS-based Uber-like application from scratch?
Not sure where to start?
Then this blog is for you.
This blog reveals how to make an app like Uber and everything else you need to know for uber like app development.
You will learn:
- The process of how does Uber work (Uber business model)
- How to create an app like Uber step-by-step process of development
- Uber app development cost
- Advanced and basic features of Uber app
- Uber-like app solutions for different industries
- Technology stack of Uber app
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
How to Make an App Like Uber? (Step-by-Step Process)
Whether you are looking for custom application development in Toronto, or hire freelance developers to make uber like app, below are the necessary steps you need to follow. Let’s have a look at the app development process.
Conduct Market Research
- Check the feedback of existing apps and analyze what users are looking for
- Find the challenges of your target audience
- Define the unique selling point (UPS) for your mobile app
- Device the business model you want to integrate into your mobile app
- Know how your Uber-like app will be a good solution for your target audience
- Create a customer journey map for your ridesharing app
- Know-how rivals position their company and do marketing campaigns
Make a List of Features for Your Taxi Booking Solution
Heat Maps
Imagine, you provide taxi booking services – where heat maps are a map view of the location and journey from geolocation API. Drivers can understand where the Uber passenger ratio is high and can switch to that position to quickly accept requests from the passengers.
Such a feature integration helps the service provider get instant feedback on where your customers’ focus is headed, so you can take data-driven actions to increase the retention for your custom Uber-like app.
Panic Button
This is the protection and security feature that should be integrated when you make an Uber-like app. For taxi-hailing services, this can be life-savour when passengers feel threatened or sense danger, they will click the panic button.
In case of emergencies for delivery men also, this will send push notifications to the admin, family member, and the company’s security department, so that they can take necessary precautions.
Edit/Cancel Order Service
Smart Analytics System
Booking History
Save/Favorites
Multiple-Language Support
Decide Mobile App Platform
- Geographical location
- Application development time
- Complexity of developing the app
Find Uber-like App Development Company
Develop Your Own Taxi Booking Solution like Uber
Test & Launch
- Smoke Testing – To test the function of critical component characteristics
- Functionality Testing – To test each feature of your custom Uber app
- UI Testing – To test the template layout defects, such as images, icons, navigation connections, buttons, etc.
- Performance Testing – To test the app’s speed, usability, and performance
For creating an app like Uber you must know your target consumers and assess their needs. For that, you have to make a list of the criteria mentioned below. Finding answers to the following points will help you to make your Uber-like app unique.
Then, finally analyze when, how, who, and what kind of services are preferred by your target audience and make a technical document for future references.
For any project, you must start with the basics features, especially when we consider thinking of how to make an app like uber. So here are the basic Uber app development features that will help you to kick-start your business with minimum resources.
| Admin App Features | Drive App Features | User App Features |
|---|---|---|
| Location & Rating Management | Registration | User Profile |
| Driver & Uber Management | Trip Alert | Book a Service |
| Booking Management | Trip pickup location | Fare Calculator |
| Vehicle Management | Push notifications | GPS Tracking |
| Check Ratings & Reviews | Route Optimization | Multiple Payment Options |
| Notification Management | Driver Delivery Reports | Push Notifications |
| Promotion & Offers Management | Earning Report | Rating & Review |
| – | In-app Messaging & Calling | In-app Calling |
| – | Accept Upcoming Rides | Travel History |
| – | – | Custom Support |
| – | – | Book for Other |
| – | – | Invite Friends |
To gain a competitive advantage, you must put more effort and integrate an advanced level of features.
Have an idea for creating an Uber-like app? Do you have a list of features to integrate into your app and want to know its development cost? Use our free mobile application cost calculator and get a free estimation.
[Bonus] 7 Advanced Features of Apps Like Uber
Here we have mentioned a few advanced Uber app features that you might want to consider when you think of how to create an Uber-like app. We have list-down the following features based on our experience of developing on-demand taxi solutions.
In Uber-like app development, this feature is to provide you with the right to edit/request to cancel an order from their account, in case of incorrect user data or a wrong ride is booked. However, this also comes with the payment process where if your app user does payment through cards, then you may have to refund the amount on ride cancellation or trip cancellation.
To help streamline the booking system and understand user behaviour incorporating analytics or the cost driver report feature will help track daily requests, reservation sources, released and missed requests. But, make sure the actions are only taken after using the proper data analytics framework for your on-demand service app.
That way, you will see where you need optimization and where it is going well with details from well-presented reports of your company.
Booking history is to allows users to save their trip history and add it to their profile. It will also be included in the driver’s app at the same time when you make an app like Uber. It allows users to review the specifics of the journey as appropriate, and drivers will be able to track their previous profits.
If passengers have to fly to the same day-in and day-out driver destinations, instead of clicking the same destination again and again, allow users to save their favourite destination and save their time. This simplifies the taxi booking process and boosts the overall service experience of riders with the app platform substantially.
To encourage users to choose you again, you need to include the ‘Multilingual Functionality’ in your passenger and driver app. It is regarded as an added benefit that enables travellers and drivers to have the luxury of selecting their chosen language.
While making your own Uber-like app, you need to decide on the mobile app platform.
So, what is a mobile app platform?
Mobile apps are based on two types i.e., Native mobile apps and Hybrid mobile apps. Native mobile apps are built for particular operating systems that can be either Android or iOS. While hybrid apps are built to work on both the platforms Android and iOS.
Deciding on the correct platform is crucial for the success of your mobile app. As of now, Google’s Android operating system has over 2 billion users worldwide. On the contrary, the USA has the largest users of the iOS operating system in the OS market. So, you have to make a decision very carefully as it directly affects the number of users you will have in future.
Moreover, to help you choose the right platform, consider the following three factors.
Still, if you are confused about choosing the right mobile app platform, hire a professional mobile app development company. The company will help you to decide whether you should build your taxi booking app for both Android and iOS platforms.
Want to Create an Uber-like App With Advanced Features?
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The next step to develop Uber like app is to decide which region you are going to outsource mobile app development. Based on that, you need to select the best Uber for X development company in the market, paying close attention to the portfolio, projects delivered successfully, number of years on the market, and communication processes.
Tip: Once you hire an app development company, give attention to the following point.
Tell the challenges you want to resolve on your custom Uber-like app. Make your vision clear to your hired product development team. This helps to improve the quality of your mobile app solution and it stands out from your competitors.
This stage for Uber-like app development involves a series of operations that are further divided into smaller individual tasks. To create an app like Uber, it is advisable to follow the agile methodology in the app development process. The agile technique is an iterative way of designing and evaluating applications.
Adding new functionality and consistently testing is done in every iteration of production. Each milestone is pre-planned and, according to the flow, the product is created.
The finished product must be checked manually by the quality control staff before you launch your Uber-like app. The testing team ensures that high app performance, secure functioning, and adaptable implementations of user interfaces are integrated successfully. This stage involves various testing such as
Such testing of each stage helps you to get a bug-free and effective Android and iOS app product that ultimately improves the user experience. Once the performance of the application meets the expectations, the app is launched on both app stores.
But, what is the cost of developing a custom Uber-like app solution?
How Much Does It Cost to Create an App Like Uber?
Any mobile app development is a complex process and Uber-like app development cost can vary depending on the various factors and also the platforms you are choosing like,
- Native iOS development for customer
- Native iOS development for delivery providers
- Native Android development for customer
- Native Android development for delivery providers
- Web development
- Back-end development
So, if you want to know in detail about the cost, here is an in-depth guide about cost of creating an app.
Let’s take an example, suppose the hours required in custom Uber app development range between 1000 to 1200 hours. So, to calculate the cost you can use the following formula, which will help you to calculate the cost.
If the app developer charges $70 per hour and the hours required to develop a custom Uber app are 1000, then the cost would be $70,000.
To make it short, the cost to build app like Uber is based on the man-hours used for particular feature integration. So, here is an estimated time frame for basic app functionality that you may want to incorporate while building an app similar to Uber. (Android, iOS)
How Long Does It Take to Make An App Like Uber on Android and iOS Platforms?
Here’s the list of features with its approximate hours to build for both platforms iOS and Android.
| Basic Feature | Estimated Man Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| iOS Hours | Android Hours | |
| User Profile | 22 | 28 |
| Email & Phone | 11 | 14 |
| User Profile | 22 | 28 |
| Name | 8 | 11 |
| Link Payment | 14 | 19 |
| Terms & Condition | 9 | 11 |
| Sign In | 8 | 11 |
| Push Notifications | 14 | 16 |
| Sliding Menu | 11 | 14 |
| Map View | 22 | 28 |
| Base View | 14 | 11 |
| Select Payment System | 11 | 14 |
| Driver Rating & Review | 17 | 21 |
| Choose Locations | 8 | 11 |
| Fare Rates Calculator | 12 | 14 |
| Support | 16 | 21 |
| Share | 22 | 28 |
| Total Hours | 241 | 300 |
Moving further, here are the 3 essential factors that will help you to make your car bookings app like Uber or Lyft successful in the long run.
Want to Know Exact Cost of Developing a Custom Uber-like App?
Let’s connect. Our professional mobile app consultants will give you costs by validating your mobile app idea.
3 Factors You Must Consider in Your Car Booking App
ETA and Fare Estimate
Professional Drivers and Data Security
Easy Booking for Any Kind of Vehicle
The main reason people use ride-sharing apps is, it saves a lot of time and energy for people compared to following the traditional method of booking a car.
Cab booking apps like Lyft and Transit show an estimated cost which is usually the maximum fare that will incur. This way the users don’t have to worry about high prices.
The Transit app lets you book cabs from other apps like Uber, Lyft and VIA and also shows the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) of a cab from all these apps. This way a user can choose the ride that is convenient for him/her.
Image Source: Transit App
How to provide such functionality in your ride-hailing app?
By using Machine Learning in your application. Just like the Transit app, you can generate crowdsourced transit data that will help to give an almost accurate ETA.
When you build a cab booking app, make sure you provide fare and time estimation functionality.
Lyft app promise that all the drivers are highly skilled and trained professionals. All the drivers go through extensive background checks before being appointed.
Apps like Uber and other ride-sharing apps follow the same process. This ensures the safety of the riders. In fact, even the vehicles should be maintained properly to avoid any unnecessary incidents.
Another important aspect is data security. No details of the user and driver should be available to a third party without authorization. Integrated payment gateways should safe too.
Image Source: Lyft App
The entire process of transactions should be fast, safe and transparent. Taxi app development is incomplete without this feature. This is why when you build an app like Uber, Transit or Lyft, safety and security are important concerns.
Satisfaction of customers is crucial to the success of any business. Booking a taxi via a taxi booking app should not be a strenuous task. The user just needs to enter pick-up and drop-off details to get an on-demand taxi.
When you develop a Lyft alternative, you must consider the demands and requirements of all the users, each user has a different set of requirements and they must be catered to.
Ridesharing apps don’t only provide a range of different cabs but also e-scooters, bikes, and other vehicles. Different vehicles make it easier for the user to choose a ride of his/her choice.
So, your app works as a long-distance ride-sharing app and allows your users to book rides for intercity travel.
When you build a taxi app, include features of a carpooling app and riders allowed to share a ride with others travelling the same route. This makes the commute budget-friendly.
So these were the basic factors of a ride-hailing app that you must consider when you build a cab booking app for your business. So, what are the technologies used to build such features and functionalities in taxi booking apps?
Technologies Used to Develop an App Like Uber
As a leading on-demand app development company in Canada, we have already developed over 50 Uber-like apps solutions. And, on the basis of our experience, these are the technologies that help to build a secure and scalable white-label Uber-like solution.
| Technology Stack | |
|---|---|
| Programming Languages |
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| IDE |
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| Cloud Storage |
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| Database |
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| Utilities |
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| Messaging Platform |
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| Libraries |
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| Analytics |
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| Deployment platforms |
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Uber-like Apps Developed by Us (Space-O)
We have designed and developed many on-demand service apps, contributing to the global community. A few of them are mentioned below.
On-Demand Ride-Sharing App in Virginia, USA
- Rider App/Passenger App
- Driver App
- Admin Panel
- Completed over 5K rides
- Over 2K drivers
- Automated taxi booking operations
- Track the efficiency of a fleet
- Reduced tedious manual assignments
On-Demand Marijuana Delivery App
- Customer side App
- Driver App
- Admin Panel
- Sell on a single platform a range of items
- Track orders at the convenience
- Increase and monitor profits with only a single tap
- Served over 2K clients
- About 500 clinics for medicinal marijuana
- Advanced business process
UpMaid: On-Demand House Cleaning App Like Uber
- Host App
- Contractor App
- Admin Panel
- Automated business process
- Improved revenue
- An online, seamless platform for Hosts and Contractors
- 100% personalized interaction with users
- Manage registration process, services & pricing
- Advanced analytics to stay up-to-date
On-Demand Photographer App
- Customer App
- Photographer App
- Desktop Panel
- Connected over 10,000 users to photographers
- Automated the process of hiring photographers
- Generates rare error reports easily with advanced analytics
- Manages all customers and photographers at ease
- Elevated ROI potential with just one solution
glspY on-demand ride-sharing app in Virginia, USA is a complete taxi booking app solution.
App Solutions We Developed:
With only a few clicks on the phone, individuals in Virginia will be booking a ride on the glspY app, while drivers can accept the service requests and earn money. Admin, on the other, manages all the activities with the least effort via the app.
How glspY App Helps Our Client to Offer Taxi Booking Services:
An on-demand Marijuana delivery app is an advanced featured-packed prescribed weed delivery solution for people in Arizona.
App Solutions We Developed:
This app solution developed by us allows users to order prescribed marijuana and get it delivered to their doorstep. It also makes it easier for our clients to list products and manage online ordering and delivery from one platform.
How This On-Demand App Helps Our Client to Take His Business Online:
UpMaid is an on-demand cleaning app developed by our mobile app developers, for people based in Canada.
App Solutions We Developed:
For cleaning service requirements, the host requests service in the app, while contractors search for these jobs on the app and apply. While the admin panel development manages the host and contractor through a single solution.
How UpMaid App Helps Our Client to Streamline His Business Process:
On-demand photographer app is the mobile solution to hire photographers and videographers for the people in the middle east.
App Solutions We Developed:
It enables clients to browse and employ an experienced photographer or videographer for various activities such as weddings, the launch of products, company workshops, and meetings.
How This On-Demand Photographer App Helps Our Client to Connect Over Photographers:
Looking to Hire Dedicated Mobile App Developers?
Get in touch with us. Our mobile app developers have experience building 300+ custom web and mobile apps. Let’s talk.
Uber for X: Uber-like Solution for All Industries
Moving forward, here are some of the top industries doing business by making Uber-like mobile apps see which ones you might invest in while you winder how to create an app.
Uber-like Solution for Transportation & Logistics
| Solution | Description | Top Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi Booking App | The taxi service app connects taxi drivers and riders in real-time whether it is for children, disabled persons, or women. |
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| Uber for Trucking | This helps to get access to trucks and drivers who help you to move your stuff. |
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| Uber for Tow Truck | Users can request tow trucks in the clone app if their vehicle stops unexpectedly in the middle journey. |
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| Uber for Private Jets | Such apps provide the opportunity to book exclusive, luxurious private jets with just one tap. |
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| Uber for Cargo Vans | It lets you transfer big items like furniture, mattresses, and even large pets by booking cargo vans in a click. |
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| Uber for Airports | For ride scheduling online, users can use drop-off on-demand services with the airport cab app. |
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Uber-like Solution for Food & Beverage
| Solution | Description | Top Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Uber for Delivery | This solution for online food ordering and delivery connects diners with nearby restaurants. |
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| Uber for Pizza Delivery | Enables customers to order pizza and get full visibility into the business workflow with one click for admin. |
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| Uber for Alcohol Delivery | Allows individuals from the comfort of their home to request their desired booze and deliver it anywhere, anytime. |
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| Uber for Grocery | Delivers food and groceries from the local shops or stores to your homes. |
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| Uber for Home Cooking | Delivers food packages to customers every week containing all the ingredients for the meals and recipes. |
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Uber like Solution for Healthcare and Medical
| Solution | Description | Top Apps |
|---|---|---|
| On-Demand Doctors App | It helps patients with video calls or texts to get in contact with doctors, making it easy for frequent users to share and address health conditions. |
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| Weed or Marijuana Delivery App | Allows prescribed patients to order online and get weed shipped to their doorsteps. |
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| Uber for Pharmacy | Customers can browse and order the prescribed medication from the native app and make payments using online payment options. |
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| On-Demand Ambulance | Helps consumers to book an ambulance in emergency situations. |
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Uber like Solution for Beauty & Wellness
| Solution | Description | Top Apps |
|---|---|---|
| On-Demand Beauty | Allows users to book specialist hairdressers and make-up artists for professional beauty and make-up services. |
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| On-Demand Massage App | With this on-demand Uber for X massage application, users can book a massage for themselves at the home, office, or hotel room at any time. |
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| Uber for Fitness | Enables fitness enthusiasts to directly book fitness sessions with a personal fitness coach through the app. |
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| Uber for Haircut | Allows frequent users to book in-office haircuts, in-home haircuts, beard trims, and blowouts within 30 minutes and have service professionals. |
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Uber like Solution for Travel & Tourism
| Solution | Description | Top Apps |
|---|---|---|
| On-Demand Travel Agent | Uber’s app for travel agents offers travelers comfort with the experience by travel agents organizing their tour. |
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| Uber for Tour Guides | Enables tourists to use a travel guide as per their bookings. |
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Uber like Solution for Local Business
| Solution | Description | Top Apps |
|---|---|---|
| On-Demand Home Cleaning/Handyman | It connects users looking for home cleaning services and maids to professional service providers. |
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| Uber for Home Painting | With such apps, users can browse and book a nearby home painting service provider with a few clicks. |
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| Uber for Locksmiths | Allows people to book locksmiths for accidentally locked cars, cupboards, and pet cages. |
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| Uber for Lawn Mowing | Customers can book an on-demand lawn mowing service and get an expert lawn mower anywhere they need it at their home or workplace. |
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| Uber for Snow Removal | Enables consumers with only a single click to book or arrange on-demand snow plowing services. |
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| Uber for Dry Cleaning | The app connects clients to local dry cleaners that will pick the clothes for dry cleaning. |
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| Uber for Plumbers | Such applications help users to locate plumbers for plumbing services online and schedule them at their convenience. |
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Still, do you have any questions about Uber-like app development? Check the following frequently asked questions section to find your answers.
FAQ About How to Make an App Like Uber
Which are the best apps like Uber?
- Lyft
- Curb
- Mytaxi
- Flywheel
- Gett
How does the Uber app work?
While thinking of how to make an app like uber, the first thing that comes to mind is how does Uber works. The logic behind the Uber-like app working is, you request a ride via a passenger app, and then the driver accepts the request near to your location. Once you reach your destination, you pay for the ride. That’s it. To get more information on the process, you can read these steps.
Step 1. Request a Service: The user creates the service request or ride request by mentioning the pickup and drop location for the service specifics (taxi-hailing, for example). Once they find ride options under a ‘book a ride’, they review the fare for the trip and pick from different car types as well.
Step 2. Matches the Request to Nearby Driver: Your request gets matched to the nearby driver available in your location. Then, either driver accepts or rejects the request. If drivers reject the request, then the app automatically matches the request to another driver nearby.
Step 3. Make Payment: Once you reach your destination, you pay the service amount to the car driver or delivery man (only if the cash on delivery option is chosen, in case available). Otherwise, you have to connect digital payment forms including credit card or debit card details, to the Uber app beforehand.
Step 4. Rate Service: Finally, service providers are rated on different bases by the customer after service is being delivered. It is a central element of the business logic of the Uber app. This suggests that prospective users are able to choose service providers accordingly.
Let’s Develop Your Own Uber App Solution Together
Building a Uber-like app takes time and investment for continuous improvement in your services. Because making a product that can globally create impact is not that easy. You continuously need to improve your app for your consumers. So, developing an app, which becomes a brand like the Uber app will empower you once you start planning for the long term.
If you need software developers to get developed your taxi app like Uber, get in touch with us. We offer custom software development services worldwide to upscale businesses. If you have more queries on how to make an app like Uber, write to us, and our expert mobile team will answer all your questions and provide you with a custom project estimate.
