Have you ever faced a situation where you have been waiting so long for a cab and it doesn’t arrive? Or felt unsafe during the ride, or did not get the ride at an affordable price? Due to these problems, apps like Bolt have completely transformed the transportation services. With a single tap, you will be able to get affordable, quick, & dependable rides in less time.
In 2025, developing a ride-hailing app like Bolt has taken a new approach. Due to the high demand for the ride-hailing app, new apps need smart and user-friendly solutions.
Research says that the market of Taxi app development is estimated to reach $132.7 billion by 2029. Building an app like Bolt requires a flexible & stable platform. If businesses want to stand out, then they need to offer something unique that their competitors are not providing. They should try to provide quick bookings, smooth navigation, & scalable services. By understanding from Bolt, an App developer in Dubai can develop a ride-hailing app that meets the needs of modern users.
In this blog, you will learn about the process of ride-hailing Taxi app development. We will also explore features, tech stack, costs, and other important information.
What do you mean by Bolt App?
Bolt is a ride-hailing On-demand app development that helps users book their rides online. This app allows drivers to sign up and also helps to arrange routes, get available taxis, and use GPS for the destination. The reason behind the popularity of the Bolt app is its focus on security and equal treatment for both user and driver. As soon as you book the ride, the top driver will come to pick you up, and the user will get a smooth ride experience. So, to stand out, develop an app like Bolt, you need to develop something unique in your ride-hailing app.
- The market of Taxi app development is estimated to reach $132.7 billion by 2029.
- It is also estimated that revenue will reach $139.6 billion in the year 2025.
- It is anticipated that ARPU is worth $0.55K.
- The market is anticipated to see a CAGR of -1.26% from 2025 – 2029, a little decline over the coming period.
- In the coming years, there will be a sudden increase in the ride-hailing industry in the UAE.
Corporate Model of a Ride-Hailing App like Bolt
A concise and deliberate corporate plan model is important for the success of the ride-hailing platform. Build a taxi app like Bolt, work as a digital bridge between users and drivers, offering fast, flexible transportation services by focusing on convenience & affordability. In this model, the ease of ride transactions & the generation of profit through supplementary services, commissions, & service charges. Mainly, a ride-hailing app is developed around 3 elements that work together to provide a smooth ride experience to all three parties.
Passenger App
The passenger app enables users to book a ride easily, just by putting in their pick-up and drop-off locations, selecting the type of ride they want, and choosing the desired payment options. It makes sure a user-friendly experience with the right fare estimation, real-time tracking, & the option to rate the driver after every trip.
Driver App
The driver app will send a notification to the driver about the ride request, & they have the choice to decline or accept the ride, based on the availability. It provides important elements like in-app tracking, GPS navigation, & complete ride information, allowing drivers to handle their schedules & income effectively.
Admin Dashboard
The admin dashboard offers complete control & management of platform operations. From handling user accounts to monitoring rides and managing payments, resolving issues, the dashboard enables the app to work smoothly with no compromise on quality standards. Also, help in making data-based decisions through comprehensive reporting features & analytics.
Core Features To Develop An App Like Bolt
When you think of developing an App like Bolt, you should know about the main features that you should include in your ride-hailing app. Bolt keeps adding new features that make it easy and safe to use. So, businesses should try to add unique features that make their app stand out.
Driver Match
Driver matching is a complex but very engaging aspect of Taxi app development. An app uses the latest technology that helps to connect nearby drivers with users. It will help to reduce the distance between them. The mobile app development company in Dubai will connect with the nearby driver, and it is easy for them to reach the pick-up point fast with less usage of gas.
Service Selection
Users should be able to access as many ride options as possible. Bolt provides a lot of service options to users and tries to provide them with full comfort as they are using their own vehicle. So, your app should provide different vehicle options, as users can choose as per their convenience and get the nearest drivers quickly.
Ride Booking
Users will be able to book a ride in advance, and once they book a ride, they will be able to track it through the digital map. Also, if they turn on their location service, the driver will know where they have to go. Users will not have to type their location manually every time they book a ride.
Real-time Tracking
Users able to track their ride in real-time & able to share their ride with their family & friends. They can call or chat with the driver in real-time through the app and know when they will reach their location, or if the driver finds it difficult to find the user’s location. It will help to maintain smooth communication between the driver and users.
GPS Map Integration
You should app GPS map integration into your app to make it simple to use, able to keep track, and you can plan accordingly. This feature will help users and drivers to find out the location of each other and know which vehicle they booked, and get the ride faster. It will help them to keep track of when the driver will arrive and how much time it will take.
Safety Features
Your app should contain different safety features that will protect both users and drivers. You should include ride sharing, real-time feedback, and a support feature in your app. So that users will feel safe while travelling.
Cross-Platform Support
If you only develop an app for either iOS or Android, you may not be able to reach more users. As Bolt works on every device, you only need an internet connection. So, try to build an app with cross-platform support so that it will be accessible to every user.
Tech Stack Needed for Building an App like Bolt
A successful ride-hailing app like Bolt needs you to use the right tech stack. Implementing the right technologies will result in high performance, security, and scalability of a ride-hailing app. Let’s have a look at the tech stack that you need to build a taxi app.
Backend Development
The backend will handle all the main functions of the app, where the data is stored & user interaction will take place. Node.js is used for real-time data processing. And Ruby on Rails ensures fast development with stability, while Python provides scalability & flexibility. These tech stacks will help manage multiple users at one time.
Programming Languages:
- Node.js, Python (with frameworks like Django or Flask)
- Ruby on Rails, or Go.
Hire our Node.js developers for backend development; they will help to build the app based on your specific requirements. Whether you want a dynamic app, a sturdy e-commerce platform, or a real-time utility, our specialists have the knowledge to deliver top-notch app solutions, tailor-made to your desires.
Frontend Development
The front-end development or user interface is the most important aspect that you need to look at while building a ride-hailing app. The interface should be engaging and easy to use. React Native is good for cross-platform development, & it will save cost & time. Use Swift for iOS & Kotlin for Android, which will help to provide a smooth user experience.
Frontend Development:
- Native Development: Swift or Objective-C for iOS, Java or Kotlin for Android
- Cross-Platform Frameworks: Flutter, React Native, or Xamarin
Real-Time Analytics
Ride-hailing app operates mainly on real-time analytics. Software like Mapbox and the Google Maps API are used to provide real geolocation. This will help to activate real-time tracking that will reduce the distance between the driver and the user. This will help to get the current information.
Analytics and Monitoring:
- Google Analytics
- Mixpanel
- Custom solutions
Database
The right database will help to handle and store all its important data. MySQL & PostgreSQL take care of speed & reliability. An appropriate database will help to retrieve the data fast, which is needed for real-time app performance.
- Databases:
- Relational Databases: PostgreSQL or MySQL for structured data
- NoSQL Databases: MongoDB & Cassandra
Security Features
When you are using a ride-hailing app or any other app, security is the top priority. The use of TLS/SSL encryption makes sure that user data & payment information are secure. With high security, you will be able to gain user trust & ensure secure transactions all over the app.
- Implementing encryption
- Secure authentication (e.g., OAuth)
- Data privacy
Read More: Taxi App Development Cost in UAE vs Qatar vs Saudi Arabia (KSA) – A 2025 Comparison Guide
Building Process: Steps to Create an App Like Bolt
The success of developing a ride-hailing app like Bolt needs proper planning & execution of the app in the right manner. With the help of an experienced firm that provides On-demand app development, it can be good for you in the Taxi app development.
1. Planning
Before you start to build a taxi app, you should do proper research about the market. It will help you know about the marketplace you are entering. You should carefully examine your competitors, target audience, & know about the features & technology they are using. So, you should build a ride-hailing app with unique features & the latest trends that meet the needs of modern users.
2. Develop an MVP
Before your final launch, you should go for MVP. At this stage, you will get a basic idea of how the app will work in the future. You can take help from a custom mobile app development company in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and, Bahrain to make the process easy and fast. They will suggest top options as per your needs & preferences.
3. Choose the Right Tech Stack
When you build an online cab booking app, you should focus more on choosing the right tech stack, as it is important for the success of your ride-hailing app. By taking help from app developers in Dubai, you will be able to select the right tech stack as they will suggest the best by knowing about your needs.
4. Hire a Development Team
By hiring an experienced app developer in Dubai, you will be able to get the high-performing, user-friendly app, tailored to meet your business needs. They will use the latest technologies to build your App like Bolt that will be easy to use with no compromise on quality.
5. Develop Your Bolt-like App
After giving careful attention to the above steps, you should start the development of your app, in which you should look for frontend and backend development. The user interface and the functionality of your app should be speedy, engaging, and easy to use.
6. App Testing
Once development is done, go for testing. You should do a QA check and look for manual and automated testing. This will help you to know about the performance of the app, and if there is any glitch or error, you can overcome it at an early stage.
7. Launch & Promote
Now, you can launch your ride-hailing app on the right app store. You should keep on checking the app and get real-time user feedback, so that if any changes are required, you can make them immediately.
How Much Does It Cost To Develop An App Like Bolt?
When you think of building an App like Bolt, the first thing you will be eager to know is the cost of development. And the cost of taxi app development depends on different factors like the type of app, features, location, & more, and we have mentioned them below.
| App Type | Estimated Cost | Core Features |
|---|---|---|
| MVP Version | $25,000 to $50,000 | Basic ride booking |
| driver and rider registration | ||
| Payment gateways | ||
| GPS tracking | ||
| Full-Fledged App | $60,000 to $150,000+ | Advanced search |
| ride-sharing | ||
| driver rating system | ||
| real-time notifications | ||
| Multi-Service App | $100,000 to $250,000+ | Food delivery |
| scooter rentals | ||
| car-sharing | ||
| integrated multi-service platform |
Also Read: How Much Does it Cost to Build an App Like Hala Taxi in 2025?
Design & User Experience
The success of the Bolt app is that they are able to provide a smooth user experience and engaging interface. So, if you also want the success of your app, you should go for sleek designs that will attract users easily.
Features & Intricacy
The development cost of a ride-hailing app mainly depends on the complexity of the features that you want to integrate into your app. So, if you integrate advanced features such as real-time tracking, payment gateway, & in-app chat, it will cost you more.
Security & Compliance
You should spend a little extra on the user data security & compliance with rules such as PCI-DSS & GDPR. This will ensure that users ‘ data is protected and help in building trust.
Platform Integration
It depends on you on which platform you want it to launch (Android or iOS). But if you go cross-platform, it can cost you a little more, but save time. So, it depends on your choice.
Conclusion
Developing an App like Bolt needs more than just an app idea; they demand a proper business model, advanced technology, user-centric design, & a deep insight into the market. From building strong rider & driver apps to make a strong admin dashboard, everything should work smoothly to deliver a reliable, smooth, & efficient experience.
So, building an App like Bolt needs deep tech expertise, and it is important to hire an experienced ride-hailing app development company like TechGropse that has built a few of the strong & highly engaging taxi apps across the UAE & other regions.
FAQs
The app developed by TechGropse ensures a smooth experience for both riders & drivers. Our developers built a taxi app by using the latest technologies to make user-friendly, engaging, & high-performing apps.
Choosing the right tech stack is very important for scalability & performance. We use the latest technology, API integration, and database for developing an app like Bolt.
So, the development cost will depend on the features, type of app, and development team that you want to develop. The estimated cost of developing a ride-hailing app will cost you between $100,000 – $250,000+.
Node.js is used for real-time data processing. And Ruby on Rails for fast development with stability, while Python provides scalability & flexibility. This will help manage multiple users at one time.
To stand out from other ride-hailing apps, you should develop your USP that your competitors are lacking. It consists of providing an excellent user experience, focusing on safety & trust, and leveraging the latest technology.
If you want to build an app like Bolt, you need to include these key features, like in-app chat, payment gateways, ride history, feedback, & ride sharing.
Hello All, Aman Mishra has years of experience in the IT industry. His passion for helping people in all aspects of mobile app development. Therefore, He write several blogs that help the readers to get the appropriate information about mobile app development trends, technology, and many other aspects.In addition to providing mobile app development services in USA, he also provides maintenance & support services for businesses of all sizes. He tried to solve all their readers' queries and ensure that the given information would be helpful for them.
