Best Ride Hailing Apps in London for Drivers in 2024
Top Ride-Hailing Apps in London
- Uber
- Bolt
- Ola
- FreeNow
- Green Tomato
- Via
- Addison Lee
- Cab:app
Here is a description of each!
1. Uber
In 2023, Uber generated £29.75 billion in revenue. It was 16% more than in 2022. £15.68 billion came from ride-hailing, and the rest was generated from freight and delivery services. Did you know that 45,000 drivers are registered with the Uber platform in London? The values show Uber’s worth among drivers. London is not the only place where Uber operates. It offers services in 70 countries and 10,000 cities.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of Uber for drivers.
Pros | Cons |
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Key Considerations
- Pricing depends on the distance and duration
- It takes a 25% commission
- Bonuses depend on consecutive trips or leads
Vehicle Requirements for Uber
- The vehicle should be under 10 years old
- It should have 4 doors
- It must pass a vehicle inspection
- The cars shouldn’t have any damage or dent
Benefits for Drivers
- Medical insurance coverage
- Parental leaves added
- Gym/fitness facilities
- EV roadside assistance
Fares
| Base Fare | Per Mile | Per Mile Clean Air Free | Per Minute for Uber X | Minimum Fare |
| £2.10 – £2.60 | £1.16 – £1.37 | £0.15 | £0.11 | £4.30 – £5 |
Car Categories Ready to Go with Uber
- X
- XL
- Comfort
- Green
- Executive
- Luxury
- Assist or Access
- Pet
2. Bolt
Bolt is the biggest competitor of Uber in Europe. Riders from 40 countries and 300 cities use Bolt to move from one point to another. However, its market cap is still lower than Uber. Here are some benefits and drawbacks of ride-hailing on Bolt!
Pros | Cons |
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Key Considerations
- Rates depend on distance and ride duration
- Bolt takes 10-20% commission
- Cancellation fee applicable
- Bonuses based on consecutive trips
Vehicle Requirements for Bolt
- The car model year should be after 2000
- The vehicle should have 4 doors
- It must have a Hackney licence
- The car should be in good condition
- It must have a well-functioning radio and music player
- The vehicle should be fully insured
Fares
| Base Fare | Per Mile | Per Minute For Standard Category | Minimum Fare |
| £2.75 | £1.42 | £0.13 | £5.50 |
Car Categories Ready to Go with Bolt
- Standard
- XL
- Electric
- Comfort
- Executive
- Luxury
3. Ola
Ola, one of the famous ride-hailing apps in London, is an alternative when Uber goes down. It is one of the biggest competitors of Uber in the UK, New Zealand, India, and Australia, offering services in 250+ cities. It almost stands on the same stage as Uber and Bolt but does not offer food delivery services. Following Bolt, Ola is also taking part in the green revolution and promoting EVs to reduce carbon footprints.
Hidden Fact: Tencent gave approximately £1 billion to Ola so that it can compete with Uber efficiently.
| Pros | Cons |
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Key Considerations
- Rates depend on distance and ride duration
- Ola takes 18% commission
- Cancellation fee applicable
- Bonuses based on accepted rides percentage
- Congestion charge compensation is £1 per trip into the CC zone
Vehicle Requirements for Ola
- The car should be no more than 10 years old
- It should have 4 doors
- It must have at least 5 seats
- The vehicle must be PHV licenced
Fares
Base Fare | Per Mile | Per Minute for Standard Category | Minimum Fare |
£2.75 | £2.08 | £0.18 | £5.50 |
Car Categories Ready to Go with Ola
- Executive
- Comfort
- Comfort XL
4. FreeNow
FreeNow offers services in 100 cities in Europe. Its initial name was Kapten, but later, it was replaced with FreeNow. The company is a mix of mytaxi and Hilo, one of the leading ride-hailing apps in London. Recently, FreeNow launched e-scooters in London. Here are some perks and pitfalls of FreeNow.
Pros | Cons |
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Key Considerations
- Rates are fixed
- FreeNow takes a 15% commission
- Cancellation fee applicable
- Bonuses based on the number of trips
- Congestion charge compensation is £1 per trip into the CC zone
Vehicle Requirements for FreeNow
- The car should not be more than 10 years old
- Should have 4 doors
- Must have at least 5 seats
- Should be PHV licenced
- No cosmetic damage and dents
- No commercial branding
- The car should be Zero Emission Capable
- Must align the standards of Euro 6 Emission
Fares
| Base Fare | Per Mile | Per Minute For Standard Category |
| £3.20 | £2.74 | £0.48 – £0.69 |
Car Categories Ready to Go with FreeNow
- Standard
- Electric
5. Green Tomato
It is the best ride-hailing app in London that really cares about carbon footprints and gas emissions. It is carbon-neutral, in fact, carbon-negative with zero CO2 emission. Here are some bright and dark sides of driving with Green Tomato!
| Pros | Cons |
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Key Considerations
- Rates depend on distance and time of the day
- 0% commission rate
- Cancellation fee applicable
Multiple Bonuses Available
- Per week £50 in the form of a cash bonus – applicable after 15 peak-hours ride
- £100 bonus after 25 peak-hours ride
- Zero Emission premium– applicable for specific EVs and PHEV rides
Vehicle Requirements for Green Tomato
- The car must be PHV-licenced
- Must have valid MOT
- Should be fully insured
- Well-maintained good-conditioned
- Must have 4 doors
Fares
| Per Hour Peak Minimum | Per Hour Off-Peak Rate | Per Mile After Minimum Up to 25 Miles |
| £14.25 | £8 | £1.40 |
Car Categories Ready to Go with Green Tomato
- Classic
- Executive
- Luxury
- People Carrier
- Zero Emission
6. Via
It is another option for ride-hailing in London, initially known as ViaVan. The company is offering services in 20 countries and 400 cities to drive passengers to their destinations. It is the company that accompanied local transport authorities to improve the local and public transportation system. Besides this, it is an economical option that matches the requirements of multiple passengers who want to move to the same point and drive them in a single car. See the positive and negative sides of Via!
Pros | Cons |
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Vehicle Requirements for Via
- The car should be PHV licenced
- Must not be older than 2010
- Cars above the 2005 model are acceptable
- Should have leather interior
- Must be inspected by TfL
How Much Via Drivers Can Earn?
Via drivers can earn 160 GBP/day.
7. Addison Lee
It is one of the oldest ride-hailing companies in London- founded in 1975. The company provides private cars to passengers. Choosing Addison Lee is a good choice when one needs transport for business trips, causal rides, airport transfers, and A-1 rides. Most probably, the company is going to shine soon as it has recently signed a contract with ComCab, the black taxi operator in London.
8. Cab:app
Operating in 90 locations in the UK, the Cab:app offers safe rides, accessibility, quality services, and convenience. It is a good option to start driving as the company provides drivers the opportunity to become co-owners of the firm, taking advantage of the cashback profit share program. Furthermore, the Cab:app also gives customers Cab miles for rides when referring to friends and family members.
Features of Cab:app
- Fixed rates for specific destinations
- Accessibility option for wheelchair or hair loss
- Cash and online payment modes
- 24/7 customer support
Simple Self Drive: Leading Uber-Ready PCO Cars Hire Company in London
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FAQs
Hackney licence is for Hackney Carriage drivers – commonly named Black Cabs in the UK. The permit is proof of the driver’s eligibility to give pick-and-drop services to passengers, satisfying the safety standards set by the local council.
Remember, Uber does not accept Hackney licence. You must have a valid PCO licence to drive a car with Uber.
Uber is the best option for starting a ride-hailing in London. It offers the following benefits:
- Wide customer base
- Flexible working hours
- Excellent driver support
Second, comes Bolt and Ola, the prominent competitors of Uber in London.
Uber stands at the #1 position when it comes to exclusive bonuses. It offers:
- High rates
- Referral bonuses
- Increased earnings during peak hours
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