Four big ride apps, four different ways to price a trip. Uber and Lyft set the price for you. Bolt does too, but often lower. inDrive lets you suggest a price and the driver can accept or counter. Here’s how they compare, so you can pick the one that fits your trip.
| Item | Approximate figure |
|---|---|
| Uber | about $12 to $25 |
| Lyft | about $12 to $25 |
| Bolt | often a bit lower than Uber |
| inDrive | you propose; often in a similar range |
How each app prices a ride
- Uber: the app shows a fixed price range before you book. It changes with demand and time of day.
- Lyft: the app shows a fixed price, usually in a similar range to Uber on the same route.
- Bolt: often a little cheaper than Uber on the same route, though not always.
- inDrive: you propose a price. Drivers can accept it, or offer a counter-price. You can negotiate in the app.
As a rough guide, a 5-mile city ride on any of these apps usually costs about $12 to $25, depending on the city, the time, and demand. Use it only as a starting point and compare the app’s price before you book.
Safety tools
Uber and Lyft both have trip sharing, emergency buttons, and PIN checks. Bolt and inDrive offer trip sharing and emergency support in most markets. For the full list of tools, check each app’s safety page.
Payment
All four apps accept a credit or debit card. Cash availability depends on the city. inDrive lets you agree on the price in the app, which can change how payment works in some markets.
Which one should you use?
- For the lowest price on a regular route: compare Uber, Lyft, and Bolt for the same trip.
- For control over the price: try inDrive, but compare it with another app first.
- For the most safety tools: Uber and Lyft have the most built-in options.
Frequently asked questions
Is inDrive safe to use?
It has safety features like trip sharing, but you should still check the driver and car before you get in, and compare the price with another app.
Which app is cheapest?
It depends on the route and time. Compare two or three apps for the same trip before you book.
My take
Use two apps and compare the price for the trip you take most. Keep the one that’s cheaper or faster for your route. Read Uber’s official safety page to see what you can expect in every trip.
Sources
These official pages were used for this guide: www.uber.com, www.lyft.com.
