Taxi Booking App Features: How To Build An App Like Uber?

Posted on 9 December 2024
|5 min read|
App Development
Building a Taxi Booking App_ Here’s a Feature Checklist You Can’t Miss

table of contents


    Everyone has used a ride-sharing app such as Ola or Uber, right? They’ve made it simple to get about town. We no longer hail cabs on the street. With a few taps on your phone, you’ll be on your way. The world has really changed, and so have the expectations of passengers. People now want even more — from real-time tracking to easy payments, the demand for next-gen features of the taxi booking app is higher than ever.

    If you want to build an app like Uber, the right taxi booking app features can really set you apart, but it’s also important to think about the cost to build a taxi booking app. With the right development team, you can create an app that’s easy to use, efficient, and packed with features customers love.

    How to Build an App like Uber?

    Uber started out as just a simple taxi booking app, but it has grown into so much more. Uber, originally known as Ubercab, is now one of the biggest companies for mobility as a service. Based in San Francisco, Uber operates in over 70 countries and 10,000 cities around the world. It’s not just about hailing a cab anymore – Uber offers everything from food delivery to freight transportation. Simply put, Uber has completely changed the way we think about getting around.

    If Uber’s success has you thinking, “I’d love to build an app like that,” you’re in the right place! Here are a few steps you must follow to build an app like Uber. We’ll get into the features of the taxi booking app, the development process, and of course, the cost to build a taxi booking app. Let’s get started! 

    1. Conduct a Thorough Market Research

    To build an app like Uber, you have to start by reviewing feedback from existing apps like Uber and identifying what users love and what needs improvement. This helps you understand your target audience and their pain points. Next, define your unique selling proposition (USP) – what will make your app stand out? Will it be faster rides, lower fares, or unique features? Also, consider the taxi booking app features that will address these needs and improve the user experience.

    • Map out the customer journey to ensure the app is intuitive, from booking a ride to payment.
    • Study competitors and their marketing strategies to learn from their strengths and weaknesses.
    • Lastly, gather data on when and where your target users prefer to book rides.

    This research will help you create an app that fills gaps in the market and meets customer demands, while also helping you estimate the cost to build a taxi booking app. 

    2. Must-Have Features of the Taxi Booking App

    Once you have researched completely, you have to list a few taxi booking app features. Here are a few must-haves.

    Admin App FeaturesDriver App FeaturesUser App Features
    Location and Rating ManagementUser RegistrationUser Profile
    Driver and Service ManagementTrip NotificationsService Booking
    Booking ManagementPickup Location for TripsFare Estimator
    Vehicle OversightPush NotificationsReal-Time GPS Tracking
    Ratings and Reviews MonitoringDriver Delivery ReportsPush Notifications
    Promotions and OffersAccepting new Ride RequestsRating and Review System
    Notifications ManagementIn-App Messaging and CallingIn-App Calling
    Ride History

    3. Advanced Features you must Consider

    When it comes to building an app like Uber, you don’t just want to replicate what’s already out there. Instead, you need to go the extra mile and offer more advancements that can truly set your app apart. Think about adding advanced features of the taxi booking app that make the user experience smoother and safer.

    • Heat Maps: Shows areas with high passenger demand. Helps drivers position themselves in busy locations for quick ride requests and helps improve service based on customer preferences.
    • Panic Button: Provides passengers with an emergency alert option. Sends notifications to admins, security, and contacts, ensuring help is available if needed.
    • Edit/Cancel Order Service: Allows users to modify or cancel bookings easily. Provides flexibility and enables refunds for canceled trips paid via cards.
    • Smart Analytics System: Collects data on ride requests and user behavior. Helps identify trends and areas for improvement, leading to better decision-making and app optimization.
    • Booking History: Stores past trips for passengers and drivers. Passengers can easily rebook, and drivers can track their earnings and ride history.
    • Save/Favorites: Lets users save frequent destinations for easy access. Saves time by eliminating the need to re-enter addresses for regular trips.
    • Multi-Language Support: Enables users and drivers to select their preferred language. Enhances accessibility and makes the app more inclusive for a diverse audience. 
    Learn the key features for a successful taxi app
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    4. Choose A Mobile App Platform

    One of the first decisions you must make while preparing to build an app like Uber is selecting the best mobile app platform. So, can you tell me what that means? To be more specific, native applications and hybrid apps are the two most common types.

    One example of a system-specific app is iOS, which is designed for iPhones, and Android, which is designed for most other phones. Apps like this are known to be more efficient and feature-rich. However, if you want to expand your audience reach without having to construct two distinct applications, hybrid apps are a great option since they can be used for both iOS and Android app development.

    How can you then choose the optimal choice for your app?

    • Exactly where are your users? Phones used by people in various regions of the globe vary. While iPhones rule in certain regions, Android reigns supreme in others.
    • Approximately how much time do you have? Because it only requires one set of source codes to run on both iOS and Android, a hybrid app may help you meet your tight release deadline.
    • How complex is the application? A native app might be the way to go if your software offers a lot of special features.

    Still not sure? No problem! A professional mobile app development team can help you make the best decision based on your needs. 

    5. Find the Right Company to Build an App like Uber

    When you want to build an app like Uber, then choosing the right development company would be a very critical step in achieving that. The company you are going to choose will play like a partner throughout so do your homework first of all, check their portfolio about how many successful projects they have accomplished and for what long time they have been doing this business.

    You would want a company that knows the inside and out of taxi booking app features, whether it is iOS app development or flutter app development. Also, make sure that the communication style works well with you.

    6. Development of the App

    It’s when you’ve chosen your team that the real fun starts. This will require some planning in building your taxi booking application. Well, that is where agile comes in. Agile simply means the app is built incrementally adding new features and testing as it is being developed. It’s just like a series of mini-projects to the final product.

    With this agile approach, you can always improve your app while in the development stage in such a manner that every feature actually works before working on it.

    7. Test and Launch

    Before launching any type of Uber-like app in a market, one would want everything to work perfectly, and that’s precisely when you test your application. The app undergoes different kinds of tests:

    • Smoke Testing (basic checks)
    • Functionality Testing (making sure all features work)
    • UI Testing (ensuring the layout looks good)
    • Performance Testing (checking speed and usability).

    Once everything passes the tests and the app runs smoothly, it’s time to launch it on the App Store and Google Play.

    Related Article: What is AI TRiSM?

    Cost to Build a Taxi Booking App like Uber

    The cost to build a taxi booking app can vary widely depending on the features you want to include and the complexity of the app. The more advanced the taxi booking app features, like real-time GPS tracking, payment integration, and ride history, the higher the cost. The design is also a key factor; a user-friendly, attractive app needs careful planning. You also need to consider development and code optimization for smooth performance across platforms like iOS and Android. 

    Additionally, backend development ensures all processes run smoothly. The location of the development team plays a significant role in the overall cost, as rates vary from region to region. Ultimately, building an app like Uber requires a balanced approach between functionality, design, and development to get the right price for your business.

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    Building the Next Generation of Taxi App with Innvonix

    If you’re looking for the right company to help you build an app like Uber, Innvonix is here to guide you every step of the way. We don’t just create apps; we help you craft a taxi booking app that’s one step ahead of Uber!

    With our expertise, we’ll ensure your app includes the best taxi booking app features to make your business stand out. Whether it’s smooth design, smart functionalities, or top-notch performance, we’ve got it all covered. And the best part? We do it all within your budget. Our team at Innvonix is ready to turn your idea into a reality that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. So, let’s get started and make your taxi booking app the next big thing! 

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