How to Create an App like Careem? [Cost in 2026]

People rarely wave down taxis anymore. Most open an app and expect a car within minutes. This shift has pushed many founders to explore partnerships with a taxi booking app development company to enter the on-demand mobility space. The demand is real.

In the U.S. alone, Uber drivers completed over 11.25 billion trips in 2024, showing how deeply app-based transport is now part of everyday life. As cities grow denser and car ownership becomes less attractive, demand for reliable, on-demand mobility keeps rising.

For decision-makers, this shift creates pressure. Basic taxi apps struggle to scale, lose users quickly, and fail to meet expectations around speed, payments, and trust. Creating an app like Careem can help businesses combat these challenges. Careem succeeds by combining strong technology with regional insight. That’s where a taxi booking app development company can help.

To make an app like Careem, you need to plan carefully, leverage new technology, and include features that are useful to users. As we go on in this blog, we’ll talk about how to make an app like Careem, what it truly takes to make one, and where most teams go wrong.

To develop an app similar to Careem, you need to plan carefully about what features users want and how you will use new technologies to provide those services. As this blog progresses, we will look at what it takes to develop an app like Careem in 2026 and the areas where other companies struggle in developing ride-hailing apps.

What is Careem App?

Launched in 2012 as a basic ride-hail service, Careem now encompasses everything related to mobility within the MENA region (Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia).

Careem succeeds for a simple reason. It understands local situations better than most global platforms. It supports cash payments, adjusts to regional regulations, and reflects everyday travel habits. By establishing itself in the different local cultures of its target markets, Careem has a great deal of credibility and trust, which helps create a better customer experience.

How to Create an App like Careem?

Let us look at the step-by-step process of how to develop an app like Careem.

Step 1: Market Research and Target Audience

The first step in order to create an app like Careem, you are required to understand the market and find your target audience. An in-depth competitive analysis is necessary regarding the gaps in the existing market and specific needs that your potential users are bound to face.

Step 2: Choose a Business Model

The next question is, how will you make money from your app? A business model dictates other aspects of your company, such as pricing and keeping existing users. Most ride-hailing services use a percentage-based commission as a revenue source; however, this is not the only model available. Based on the market that you are operating in, your customer might choose between subscription payments, a simple per-ride payment format, or a hybrid between the two. For example, if you provide bundled pricing for frequent rides and guaranteed income to drivers, that would be a good start.

Step 3: Design the UI/UX

The design of the application should be simple, intuitive, and easy to use. Your primary focus should be on providing a smooth experience, right from booking a ride to real-time driver tracking.

Step 4: Core App Development

Development usually involves three products running together: a rider app, a driver app, and an admin system. The rider app offers a solution for all bookings, trip details, payments, and assistance to riders. The driver app manages their trip requests, route navigation, daily earnings, and availability. The admin system provides full control over the pricing rules, onboarding of drivers, reviewing and resolving disputes, and the analytics of how well the app is operating. Here, stability is more important than speed. Bad backend logic causes payments to be late, wrong, or not go through at all.

Step 5: Integrate Payment Solutions

Payment methods are paramount in building trust with customers. Support multiple options based on local usage patterns, including cards, wallets, and cash, where required. Secure gateways and transparent fare breakdowns reduce disputes. Delays or failed transactions frustrate both users and drivers. Build payment flows that work even in low-connectivity situations, especially in emerging markets.

Step 6: Test and Launch

You need to thoroughly test your app for bugs and performance issues before going live. You can publish your app on major platforms to increase visibility, such as iOS and Android.

[Also read: How to Create Taxi Booking App Like Uber]

Features to Develop a Taxi App Like Careem

To develop a taxi app like Careem, you must add a number of key features that improve the user experience and ensure smooth functionality. These qualities are essential for enticing drivers and passengers while maintaining safety, convenience, and transparency.

1. User Registration and Profile Management

Allow users and drivers to create an account using their email address, phone number, or social network. Onboarding should be secure and seamless. Users must be able to manage their profiles, which includes updating payment methods, viewing ride history, and setting preferences.

2. Ride Booking and Scheduling

The user should be able to book their ride using only simple steps. The user can choose their pickup and drop-off locations using GPS. The app shows the different vehicle types available for their ride and also calculates the expected wait time. Additionally, the application allows for both immediate and scheduled rides so that users can gain flexibility while at the same time keeping the ride booking process fast and simple.

3. Real-Time GPS Tracking

The integration of GPS is the essential component that allows a taxi app to function properly. Once a user confirms their trip request, they can see in real-time the location of their driver, enhancing the overall experience. This also increases users’ knowledge and confidence in the use of the app.

For the driver, GPS allows for accurate navigation of routes to the pickup location and destination, awareness of current traffic conditions, and reliable routing, which helps the driver arrive at each of their rides on time.

4. Fare Calculation and Ride Estimation

An accurate fare estimator is essential so that it takes distance, time, and traffic conditions into consideration for setting the fare. Providing fare estimates before scheduling a ride informs users about the cost and prevents surprises at the end of the trip.

5. Multiple Payment Options

Careem gives users all the different ways they want to pay for their rides. Users can choose to pay with cash, or by using their stored credit or debit cards, or use Apple Pay with the Careem app on iOS devices. Users in supported markets can also make payments through their Careem Pay Wallet, which allows users to send, receive, and pay for bills as well as load funds into their wallets.

6. In-App Notifications

Push notifications are essential in order to inform users and drivers of ride confirmations, cancellations, and projected arrival times. Timely notifications help to retain engagement and facilitate communication.

7. Rating and Review System

You can add a two-way rating system which enables drivers and passengers to grade one another based on their experiences. This promotes trust and helps to maintain service quality by promoting positive behaviour.

8. Ride History & Receipts

Providing a ride history with downloadable receipts promotes openness. Users may simply log previous journeys and spending, which is useful for personal budgeting or business travel.

9. Customer Support

A dependable and easily accessible customer support tool serves as essential for addressing issues with bookings, payments, or disputes. Integrating live chat, email, or phone assistance directly into the app helps customers and drivers with speedy responses to their complaints, increasing overall satisfaction.

By implementing all of these features, you may create an app like Careem that is strong and user-friendly and assures a smooth ride for both passengers and drivers.

[Also read: Differences between ola and uber apps]

Careem App Development Tech Stack

Summary table of the tech stack needed to make a taxi booking app like Careem

As you are learning how to build an app like Careem that is strong and scalable you need to choose the right tech stack. A technology stack defines the performance and smoothness of the user experience of your application and whether it is scalable for future success. Let us understand these essential technologies needed to develop an app like Careem:

1. Frontend (User Interface)

Users interact with the front end, therefore it should be simple, responsive, and easy to navigate. There are two common technologies used for creating cross-platform taxi apps. They are:

React Native: A JavaScript framework used for building mobile apps for both iOS and Android. It allows for code reusability, faster development cycles, and efficient performance.

Flutter: Flutter is known for its flexibility, customizable widgets, and rapid development capabilities.
Both frameworks allow for the creation of highly responsive and visually appealing mobile interfaces.

2. Backend Development

The backend is responsible for processing and managing requests from the user and driver apps, handling data storage, and communicating with external services like payment gateways and GPS. Common backend technologies include:

Node.js: A popular choice due to its ability to handle multiple requests efficiently. It’s used for building scalable and fast server-side applications.

Python: Known for its readability and simplicity, Python is used for writing server-side code, APIs, and managing databases. It is commonly used in large-scale applications.

Ruby on Rails: A powerful web application framework for fast development, Ruby on Rails is used by companies looking for rapid app deployment and ease of maintenance.

3. Database

The database is a key component that stores information about users, drivers, rides, and payments. For a taxi app, the database must handle a high volume of transactions and queries. Common choices include:

MySQL: A relational database known for reliability and scalability, MySQL is ideal for managing large datasets.

PostgreSQL: Another popular relational database with advanced features like data integrity, making it suitable for complex queries and large-scale applications.

4. Payment Gateway Integration

A critical part of the taxi app is facilitating secure and fast payments. Popular payment gateways used in taxi apps include:

Stripe: A widely-used platform known for its easy integration, allowing for payments via credit cards, digital wallets, and more.

PayPal: A trusted name in online payments, PayPal provides secure transactions and multiple currency options.

Braintree: A PayPal-owned payment system offering flexibility in managing recurring payments and accepting various forms of payment, including cards and digital wallets.

5. Real-Time Notifications

To keep users informed about ride status, booking confirmations, cancellations, and driver arrival, real-time notifications are a must. Popular technologies for implementing notifications are:

Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM): FCM is widely used for sending push notifications to mobile devices in a scalable and reliable way.

Twilio: Known for providing SMS and push notification services, Twilio is ideal for businesses needing real-time communication with users and drivers.

6. GPS Tracking

Real-time location tracking is central to a taxi app, allowing users to track drivers, and drivers to navigate efficiently. GPS technologies used include:

Google Maps API: Google Maps is a top choice for integrating navigation and location services, providing accurate real-time positioning and route optimization.

MapBox: An alternative to Google Maps, MapBox offers customizable maps and precise navigation capabilities with global coverage.

7. Cloud Hosting

For data storage, backup, and management, a reliable cloud hosting solution is needed to handle a high volume of user and driver data. Popular cloud platforms include:

Amazon Web Services (AWS): AWS is the industry leader in cloud hosting, offering flexibility, scalability, and a wide range of tools to manage infrastructure.

Google Cloud Platform: Google Cloud offers similar scalability with easy integration with Google services and advanced machine learning capabilities.

Microsoft Azure: Known for its strong security features and wide range of services, Azure is a good option for businesses looking for a highly secure and reliable cloud environment.

8. Security and Authentication

Ensuring the security of user data, payment details, and driver information is crucial for any taxi app. Commonly used security measures include: OAuth 2.0: For secure user authentication and authorization.

SSL Encryption: For encrypting data transmitted between users and the server to protect sensitive information like payment details.

JWT (JSON Web Token): For ensuring secure data exchange and verifying user authenticity during transactions.

[Also explore: AI-Powered Taxi Booking App Development]

Cost to Create an App Like Careem

While you are exploring how to build an app like Careem, you must be aware of mobile app development cost of such an app. The cost to make a taxi booking app like Careem depends on several factors, such as the complexity of the features, platform selection, and development time. Here is a cost breakdown:

Careem Business Model

Careem is more than a ride-hailing company because it is a full-service ‘super-app,’ combining mobility, food and grocery delivery, logistics, and digital payments into one ecosystem. By doing this, Careem encourages users to visit the Careem app more frequently. This increases the number of times users return to the Careem app, increasing the lifetime value of the Careem App.

Careem has developed a multi-revenue stream, including commissions on rides and deliveries, monthly subscriptions (Careem Plus), B2B transport solution services, transaction fees for fintech solutions, and surge pricing. This model minimises the reliance on a single revenue stream (ride margin) and can support the long-term scalability of Careem across different regional markets.

Top 5 Taxi Booking Apps in Dubai

Dubai City is home to a growing ride-hailing market with several popular taxi-booking apps that offer reliable and convenient services to residents and tourists alike. Here are the top 5 taxi booking apps in Dubai:

1. Careem

As a market leader, Careem offers a wide range of transportation options, from economy to luxury rides. Its user-friendly interface, cash payment options, and regional focus make it highly popular.

2. Uber

Uber provides seamless transportation services across Dubai. With various ride options, including UberX and UberBlack, it caters to different customer needs.

3. Hala (Dubai Taxi)

Hala is a collaboration between Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Careem, allowing users to book Dubai’s official taxis through the Careem app, ensuring regulated fares and services.

4. RTA Smart Taxi

Developed by Dubai’s RTA, this app allows users to book official taxis quickly, ensuring safety and reliability with standardized fares.

5. S’hail

This app, also developed by the RTA, provides comprehensive public transportation options, including taxis, offering a one-stop solution for commuting across Dubai City.

Conclusion: Create an App Like Careem

Creating an app like Careem is a complex effort that demands more than technical execution. Success depends on clear planning, strong product decisions, and a deep understanding of how users and drivers behave in real markets. Platforms that focus on reliability, payment flexibility, and local relevance stand a far better chance of scaling. When built correctly, a Careem-like app can meet the growing demand for on-demand transportation while delivering consistent value to users, drivers, and operators.

To develop a taxi app like Careem, partner with a reputable mobile app development company in Dubai to align frontend performance, backend stability, and user experience from the start.

A strategic partnership with a company like NineHertz allows businesses to engage with their customer base throughout the entire lifecycle. Companies get support from product design, creation, and delivery through a full service-level agreement and support. A partnership with a solid support partner helps to minimize the risk of building a platform and control operating costs while creating a platform for growth in an ever-competitive environment for transport firms.

FAQ’s: Develop an App Like Careem

Let us discuss some of the frequently asked questions regarding how to develop an app like Careem.

Q.1 How to Build an App Like Careem?

To create an app like Careem, conduct extensive market research, outline your business strategy, design a user-friendly interface, and develop important features such as real-time tracking and payment methods.

Q.2 How Much Does it Cost to Develop an App Like Careem?

The cost to develop an app like Careem ranges between $50,000 and $90,000, depending on factors like design complexity, features, and platform.

Q.3 How Long Does it Take to Make an App Like Careem?

Developing an app like Careem can take approximately 6-12 months, depending on the development team, complexity of features, and testing phases.

Q.4 Which are Careem App Alternatives?

Some alternatives to the Careem app include Uber, RTA Smart Taxi, S’hail, and Hala (Dubai Taxi).