How Much Does a Taxi App Cost in Dubai?

Are you curious about building a taxi app like Uber? 

If you’re thinking of investing in an app like Uber, it requires a bit more than just coming up with an idea.  

You need to be well aware of what features you are looking to add in your Uber like taxi app. These individual features will set your app apart from the rest and make it a significant solution for customers. 

It will also decide how much your taxi app is going to cost. 

If you’re wondering how much does a taxi app like Uber going to cost based on the different features it is well equipped with? That’s what we are going to help you with. The short answer is:  

• An Uber-like app development can easily fall somewhere within the range of $50,000 to $150,000 for a single platform (iOS or Android).
  
• If you opt-in to add multiple platforms and additional features, it eventually drives up the cost.

So here’s the next question, you might be thinking how these figures are calculated? 

In this guide, we are going to answer some of the basic questions about creating a taxi app like Uber for your business. We will talk about the key factors, the app’s complete cost breakdown, and what role does the development plays in it. Are you a startup or an entrepreneur planning to build the next Uber-like taxi app? If you’re wondering, “How much does it cost to build a taxi app like Uber?” read on. 

How Does a Taxi App Like Uber Work? 

Pretty much all taxi apps nowadays are based on the same working principle as that of Uber. It has the same set of basic features and functionalities. However, these features may differ based on what part of the world you’re living in. Let’s say if you’re residing in a poor part of the world, there’s a high chance you may find apps with less luxury options. But, if you’re in the United States, here’s what Uber offers:  

UberX:

• Description: The most affordable private ride option, typically accommodating up to 4 passengers.
• Vehicle Type: Standard sedans.

UberXL:

• Description: Suitable for groups or those needing more space, accommodating up to 6 passengers.
• Vehicle Type: Larger vehicles such as SUVs and minivans.

Uber Comfort:

• Description: Offers newer, more comfortable cars with extra legroom and top-rated drivers.
• Vehicle Type: Newer sedans with more legroom.

Uber Black:

• Description: A premium ride option with high-end vehicles driven by professional drivers.
• Vehicle Type: Luxury cars like BMW, Mercedes, and other high-end brands.

Uber Black SUV:

• Description: A premium ride similar to Uber Black but with larger luxury SUVs, accommodating up to 6 passengers.
• Vehicle Type: High-end SUVs.

Uber Green:

• Description: An eco-friendly ride option using hybrid or electric vehicles.
• Vehicle Type: Hybrid and electric cars.

Uber Pool (or UberX Share):

• Description: A shared ride option where passengers can share the ride with others heading in the same direction, making it a more affordable option.
• Vehicle Type: Standard sedans.

Uber WAV:

• Description: Rides in wheelchair-accessible vehicles for those needing special assistance.
• Vehicle Type: Wheelchair-accessible vans.

Uber Lux:

• Description: The most luxurious ride option, offering high-end luxury vehicles.
• Vehicle Type: Premium luxury cars.

Uber Connect:

• Description: A delivery service for sending packages.
• Vehicle Type: Standard sedans and larger vehicles depending on the package size.

Uber Pet:

• Description: Designed for those traveling with pets, ensuring the vehicle is pet-friendly.
• Vehicle Type: Standard sedans and larger vehicles with pet-friendly features.

What Uber Plans for the Future? 

Uber is constantly expanding its operations and always coming up with more user-friendly options for its customers. It invests its time and energy in exploring newer initiatives and increasing its offering within the United States. Here are a few future plans that Uber has in the bag for its customers. 

Autonomous Vehicles:

• Uber has been investing in self-driving technology to eventually roll out autonomous vehicles, which could revolutionize ride-sharing by reducing costs and increasing safety.

Uber Air (Uber Elevate):

• Uber has been exploring the concept of urban air mobility through Uber Elevate, which involves developing a network of electric air taxis to provide fast, efficient, and eco-friendly transportation in urban areas.

Expansion of Uber Green:

• Increasing the availability and promotion of eco-friendly ride options by expanding the fleet of hybrid and electric vehicles, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable transportation.

Integration with Public Transit:

• Partnering with public transportation systems to offer seamless integration, allowing users to plan their trips and pay for public transit within the Uber app. This aims to provide a comprehensive transportation solution.

Advanced Safety Features:

• Enhancing safety features for both riders and drivers, such as improved background checks, real-time verification, and advanced in-app safety tools like emergency buttons and live GPS tracking.

Expanded Delivery Services:

• Growing its delivery services beyond food (Uber Eats) to include groceries, retail items, and more through partnerships and new service models like Uber Connect.

Subscription Plans:

• Offering more subscription-based services like Uber Pass, which provides benefits such as discounted rides and deliveries for a monthly fee, to encourage user loyalty and provide more value to frequent users.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure:

• Investing in EV charging infrastructure to support the growing fleet of electric vehicles and incentivize drivers to switch to EVs, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
  

Micro-Mobility Options:

• Expanding micro-mobility solutions such as electric bikes and scooters to provide more convenient and eco-friendly options for short-distance travel in urban areas.
  

Enhanced Accessibility Features:

• Improving services for riders with disabilities by increasing the availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles (Uber WAV) and other assistive technologies.
  

Rural and Suburban Expansion:

• Increasing focus on expanding services in rural and suburban areas to provide reliable transportation options outside of urban centers.

What Does a Taxi App Such as Uber Constitutes? 

When you plan to invest in a taxi app project, there are three different versions of the app that you will need to create. 

All three of these app types work in tandem in order to provide you with the necessary service. 

These 3 different types of apps are categorized as; 

Driver App – The driver app version is specifically designed for drivers. It is equipped with a number features such as accepting trips, checking trip details, getting paid for services and tracking all the payments. 

Passenger App – This app version is specifically used by passengers only. The app allows riders to book rides based on the most suitable option (i.e. the most affordable option). You can also rate drivers based on the service delivered. 

Admin Panel – As a business owner, you will have access to the admin panel and it’s the part of the app that you will most likely use the most. Admin panel will allow you to control the app, moderate passengers & drivers, view reports and study analytics. 

Factors That Influence Uber Like Taxi App Development Cost? 

So now we understand the anatomy of the taxi app, let’s explore what are some of the factors that influence the Uber like Taxi App development cost. While some aspects relate to the app design and its features, others simply focus on the business side of things & the development options you choose. 

Let’s check these factors one by one. 

Vendor Type 

First things first, an Uber-like app development requires deep technical knowledge. It will need developers to put in hundreds of hours to nail the project successfully. 

When you consider it as a business idea, you can’t rely on ChatGPT powered codes or Open-source codes, but instead, you require professional developers working on it. 

Now when it comes to hiring professional developers, you have a number of options. 

You can hire them in-house – That means you will have to keep them on a monthly salary ( i.e. bringing them on a payroll to be more specific). Bringing developers onboard has its own fair share of challenges, such as office costs and other bureaucratic problems. If you’re a large organization with 100s of employees, then bringing a full-time resource won’t be much of a problem. However, if you’re just a startup working on tight budgets and set deadlines, hiring in-house developers isn’t a wise decision. 

You can outsource app development – So let’s say you don’t have the kind of budget required to onboard a development team in-house, then what’s the next best option you have? It’s finding a third-party company to outsource your app development. When you choose to outsource your taxi app development, you can save up the hassles of confronting bureaucratic moments. All you have to do is find a suitable vendor and they will take the burden of developing the app off your shoulders. 

Note – Where can I find a taxi app developer? Well, there are plenty of platforms online. You can find them on Clutch, GoodFirms, Manifest and many other online platforms that help users find & evaluate service providers. 

You can hire a freelancer – Last but not the least, if you can’t afford to onboard an in-house team or if you’re struggling with outsourcing your app development to a third-party service, you can always opt-in for a freelancer. Now, when you onboard a freelancer, there are no guarantees on the quality of work you will receive. Freelancers might not weigh much on the pocket, but get ready to receive an app that’s definitely not up-to-mark. You will have to go to-and-fro with them for changes and often then not, you may find them a bit moody. If you’re a good communicator and have room for error-handling, then a freelancer might come in handy. Otherwise, we don’t recommend freelancers. 

Supported Platforms

When designing a taxi app such as the one like Uber, it’s important that you select the right mobile operating system. This can only be achieved if you’re aware of who your target audience is. One of the common mistakes that people often make is that they assume things; for instance, they think that a majority of their users will primarily use the app on Android, when there are plenty of other platforms including iOS. Before making any platform related commitments, always study your target market, and check what platform they choose. Who knows what you are going to find will surprise you. 

Many times, app developers often skip this essential step. If by chance, you skip this step and make wrong assumptions, you can often end up draining your money on the wrong horse. Therefore, it’s important that your investment money must go into a platform that brings you a good number of users. 

Here’s a common question that we often get asked: 

Why not just develop an app for both platforms?

Now there are two things; 

1. It may be a viable option if your target market is equally distributed among both platforms. 
2. What if your taxi app didn’t work and you made a major investment in both the versions. 

A more effective approach is to start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) on one platform to validate the concept and gain user feedback. This step will eventually reduce the financial risk allowing the developers to iterate improvements before committing to a full-scale, cross-platform launch. 

The Feature Set 

Another deciding factor of how much your Dubai based taxi app is going to cost is its required feature set. The number of features and the versatility of it often decides how much the taxi app is going to cost. 

User Registration and Profiles

• Simplified Sign-Up Process: Users can sign up quickly using their email, phone number, or social media accounts, reducing the barrier to entry and making it easy for anyone to start using the app.

• User Profiles: Each user profile stores personal preferences, such as preferred payment methods and ride types, for a customized and convenient experience.

• Payment Methods: Users can add and manage different payment options, including credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and cash, providing flexibility and convenience.

Real-Time Ride Tracking

• GPS Integration: The app uses pre-installed GPS to track the user’s location, enabling precise pick-up and drop-off points.

• Driver Location Tracking: Users can see their driver’s location in real-time, enhancing transparency and reducing wait times.

• Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA): The app provides users with an accurate ETA, helping them plan their journeys better.

Multiple Ride Options

• Variety of Ride Types: The app offers a range of ride options, from standard cars to luxury vehicles, catering to different preferences and budgets.

• Ride Sharing: Users can opt for ride-sharing to split the cost with others traveling in the same direction, making rides more affordable.

In-App Payment Integration

• Multiple Payment Options: The app supports various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and cash, ensuring ease of payment.

• Fare Estimation and Billing: Users receive an estimated fare before booking and a detailed bill after the ride, providing transparency in pricing.

Ride Scheduling

• Advance Booking: Users can schedule rides in advance, ensuring they have a vehicle ready at their desired time.

• Notifications and Reminders: The app sends notifications and reminders for scheduled rides, helping users stay organized and on time.

Safety Features

• Emergency Button: An in-app emergency button allows users to quickly contact local authorities in case of an emergency.

• Ride Sharing Details: Users can share their ride details with friends and family, enhancing safety and peace of mind.

• Rating Systems: Both drivers and passengers can rate each other, promoting accountability and improving service quality.

Driver Profile and Ratings

• Driver Profiles: Users can view detailed driver profiles, including photos and vehicle information, before the ride.

• User Reviews and Ratings: Users can leave reviews and ratings, helping maintain high service standards and assisting others in making informed decisions.

In-App Messaging and Calls

• Secure Communication: The app facilitates secure messaging and calls between drivers and passengers without revealing personal contact details, ensuring privacy.

• Push Notifications: Users receive real-time push notifications about ride status, keeping them informed throughout the journey.

Ride History and Receipts

• Past Rides Access: Users can view details of their past rides, including trip information and costs.

• Downloadable Receipts: Ride receipts can be downloaded and emailed, making expense tracking and reimbursement easy.

Loyalty Programs and Discounts

• Rewards System: Frequent users can earn rewards, encouraging loyalty and repeat business.

• Promo Codes and Offers: The app offers promo codes and special discounts, attracting new users and retaining existing ones.

Multi-Language Support

• Language Options: The app interface is available in multiple languages, making it accessible to a diverse user base.

Split Fare Option

• Fare Splitting: Users can split the fare among multiple passengers, making group travel more convenient and affordable.

Favorite Locations

• Saved Places: Users can save frequently visited locations, allowing for quicker and easier bookings.

Advanced Route Optimization

• Smart Routing Algorithms: The app uses intelligent algorithms to choose the fastest or most cost-effective routes, enhancing efficiency.

• User-Preferred Routes: Users have the option to select preferred routes, customizing their travel experience.

Accessibility Features

• Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicles: The app provides options for wheelchair-accessible vehicles, catering to users with mobility needs.

• Special Needs Services: Additional services are available for passengers with special needs, ensuring inclusivity.

Ride Feedback and Support

• Feedback System: Users can provide feedback after each ride, helping to improve the service continuously.

• 24/7 Customer Support: The app offers round-the-clock customer support, addressing user concerns and issues promptly.

Technology Stack 

The technology stack which you select will directly impact the cost of your taxi app. If you want to make a more informed decision, it’s essential that you are well aware of which platforms you’re planning to launch your app on. A technology stack is made up of different components for mobile, front-end, back-end & database. All these components together make the bulk of how your app will perform overall. 

Mobile Technology Stack 

When you opt-in to create a mobile application, you have two essential platforms to consider; you need to decide whether you want to build your mobile app on Android or iOS. 

Each platform functions on a different technology stack. 

 Front-end Technology Stack 

The front end of the mobile app is one that users normally interact with. If you want to give your end-user a consistent user-experience, you need to guarantee that your front-end is on-point. 

The key components usually include: 

Back-end Technology Stack 

The backend is responsible for managing user accounts, preparing data and dealing with related queries. Listed below are the common components which are associated with the app development project. 

Database Technology Stack

Database is just as important as any other component of your technology stack; database works as the backbone of any mobile app. The type of database you integrate with the mobile app also plays a significant role on the cost of the mobile app. 

Above are a few quick reference tables for each technology stack and how it helps business owners make better decisions. It’s always best to select the most suitable components for their app development project. Based on what you choose will define the overall cost of your taxi app in Dubai.

Time Taken to Build a Taxi App 

Normally, an app development company such as Branex follows a five step development process. 

They will focus on UI/UX design, native app development, backend development, web development and last but not the least, testing & quality assurance of the taxi look-alike mobile app. 

One way or the other, the cost to develop a taxi booking app is directly proportional to this time. 

To give you a more clearer understanding on the time required to build a taxi app are as follows: 

UI/UX Design – (450 hours) 

A good UI sets the first impression about the app and therefore, investing in a taxi app’s UI/UX is what makes the user experience enjoyable. 

People only choose to continue interacting with a taxi app when they go through a smoother navigation experience, one that sets a lasting impression. 

Approximately, 200 hours is normally spent in the UI/UX design side of things. 

Front-end App Development – (450 hours) 

All the features which are brainstormed during the UI/UX design phase are typically implemented during the front-end development. Most taxi apps have many complex features such as user registration, notification, payment integration, vehicle tracking, fare calculation and booking history. 

All of these features when combined translates into a working mobile app solution. 

On average, it takes around 450 hours for developers to handle the front-end aspect. 

Back-end App Development – (200 hours) 

The backend is just as crucial for a taxi-based app, just as much as the front-end development. 

Backend development usually involves taking care of things such as database handling, data resource connection, payment platforms and successful taxi business operations. 

Although complex, it only requires around 200 hours to accomplish.

Web Development – (200 hours) 

No app is complete unless it has a decent website. 

While overall smooth functioning of the taxi booking app is one part of the play, no business model is complete unless it isn’t appearing on Google Search and other online platforms. 

On average, it takes web developers around 200 hours to develop a decent website.

Testing & Quality Assurance – (200 hours) 

Last but not the least, testing and quality assurance is the last and final step in the taxi app development process. Right before an app launches, it should undergo rigorous testing phases to see if there are any bugs or performance-related issues. If such issues exist, it can hinder your taxi based app’s success. 

To make sure your taxi based app works effectively, what you need is a dedicated team of testers who constantly work with the development and design team to troubleshoot problems in real-time. 

They ensure the app is functioning correctly before the final launch is released in the market. 

Quality assurance & testing can easily take around 200 hours for completion. 

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Taxi App in Dubai? 

Now, here comes the big question that we have all been waiting to get answered. 

Based on all that we have discussed, how much does it actually cost to build a taxi app? 

So what we have read so far, we can extract a ballpark figure on the exact cost of a taxi app in Dubai. The amount may differ depending on the business model and the features which are included. 

For a UI/UX designer in the UAE, the hourly rate for mid range UI/UX designer is approximately around AED 184 to AED 363 according to Clutch Marketplace. If you’re looking for a low end budget rate for UI/UX designer, the hourly rate for a UI/UX designer in UAE can range up to AED 92 to AED 180 as per PayScale. If you’re looking for a UI/UX designer with a better skillset, the rates can go up to AED 257 to AED 551. 

For 450 hours of work; 

As per Bayt.com and Offshore TechTeam, the hourly rate for a front-end app developer in the UAE varies on factors such as experience, skill level and the specific city within the UAE. The average hourly rate of front-end app development in the UAE region is approximately AED 134 equivalent to $36.5. 

For 450 hours of work; 

For backend app development, the hourly rate for backend app developers in the UAE can vary depending on experience, skills, and the specific project requirements. On average, the hourly rate for backend developers in the UAE is approximately AED 150 to AED 200 (about USD 41 to USD 54)​. 

For 200 hours of work; 

The hourly rate for web developers in the UAE can vary based on experience, skills, and the nature of the project. On average, web developers in the UAE can expect to earn the following rates:

• Entry-level Web Developers: Around AED 92 to AED 147 per hour.
• Mid-level Web Developers: Approximately AED 184 to AED 367 per hour.
• Senior-level or Highly Experienced Web Developers: Between AED 367 and AED 735 per hour​. 

For 200 hours of work; 

Lastly, the UAE hourly rate for testing & quality assurance (QA) role in software development for specific job requirements can go as much as AED 110 to AED 220 or even a bit more on the higher side. 

For 200 hours of work; 

Given these figures, the total cost for each role varies widely, making it a significant challenge to budget accurately and manage expenses. Here are the challenges you may face when hiring separate developers.

1. High Costs: Hiring individual specialists often leads to higher costs due to the aggregated hourly rates.
2. Coordination Issues: Managing multiple developers can lead to communication gaps and project management challenges.
3. Inconsistent Quality: Different developers might have varying levels of expertise, affecting the overall consistency and quality of the final product.
4. Time Management: Synchronizing different schedules and ensuring all parts of the project align can delay the timeline.
5. Administrative Overhead: More time and resources are required to handle contracts, payments, and communications with multiple entities.

The Branex Advantage

Branex offers a comprehensive solution to these challenges by providing a one-size-fits-all package at a more affordable and manageable price. Here’s why Branex is the optimal choice:

• Integrated Team: Branex brings together a team of seasoned professionals across all required roles—UI/UX designers, front-end and back-end developers, web developers, and QA testers—ensuring seamless collaboration and consistent quality.
• Cost-Effective Packages: By offering bundled services, Branex can significantly reduce the overall costs compared to hiring individual freelancers or specialists.
• Streamlined Communication: With a single point of contact for the entire project, Branex simplifies communication, project management, and coordination.
• Quality Assurance: Branex ensures that all aspects of the project meet high-quality standards, providing a reliable and polished final product.
• Efficient Delivery: With a well-coordinated team working under a unified project plan, Branex can deliver projects on time and within budget.

By choosing Branex, businesses can avoid the complexities and high costs of piecemeal hiring, benefiting from an all-in-one solution that delivers superior results at a competitive price.

Are you looking for a taxi app solution? Contact us today.