Introduction
With the rise of urban mobility issues, fast and affordable transport solutions like Rapido have become the go-to choice for millions of Indians. Offering bike taxis, auto rides, and last-mile connectivity at low costs, Rapido has disrupted the traditional taxi booking space.
If you’re wondering How to Make an App Like Rapido in your city or region, this guide will show you exactly how to do it—from business strategy to app development and launch with expert tips from software development firms like Findthecoder.
1. Understanding the Rapido Business Model
What is Rapido?
Rapido is India’s leading bike taxi and auto-rickshaw aggregator offering cost-effective, quick rides in congested cities.
Key Features of Rapido’s Model:
- Real-time booking and tracking
- Two-wheeler and three-wheeler options
- Rider-partner network (called Captains)
- Commission-based revenue model
- Low operational costs compared to car taxis
Why Rapido Works:
- High fuel efficiency (bikes/autos)
- Easy maneuvering in traffic
- Lower fare compared to cab services
- High demand in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities
2. How to Start a Business Like Rapido: Step-by-Step
Before you jump into building the app, you must:
a) Define Your Niche
- Bike taxis only?
- Auto rickshaw aggregator?
- Include carpool or EV options?
b) Choose Your Region
Start with a single city or a few zones to test operations before scaling.
c) Legal Compliance
In India, some states restrict bike taxis. Ensure:
- Vehicle compliance with transport laws
- Valid driving license & insurance
- State or RTO permissions
d) Fleet Strategy
You can:
- Onboard freelance riders (similar to Rapido)
- Use a mix of in-house and partner vehicles
3. Business Models for Rapido-like Apps
1. Aggregator Model (like Rapido)
Connect drivers with passengers. Earn via commission on each ride.
2. Subscription Model
Drivers pay a weekly/monthly fee for platform access.
3. Franchise Model
Offer white-label rights to other regions under your brand.
4. Key Features for a Rapido-like App
You will need 3 main interfaces:
A. Passenger App
- Sign up / OTP login
- GPS location auto-detect
- Book ride (bike/auto)
- Real-time tracking
- Fare estimate
- In-app chat & support
- Payment options (UPI, cards, cash)
- Ride history
- Ratings & feedback
B. Captain (Driver) App
- Onboarding with documents
- Real-time trip alerts
- Accept/Reject rides
- Navigation & route assistance
- Daily earnings summary
- Payout withdrawal
- SOS button for emergencies
C. Admin Panel
- Manage users and drivers
- Monitor trip analytics
- Commission management
- Ratings & reviews moderation
- Complaints and refunds
- Zone/region-specific pricing
- Push notifications & announcements
Findthecoder offers all these modules in custom-built or white-label formats.
5. Recommended Tech Stack for App Like Rapido
| Component | Technology Stack |
| Mobile Frontend | Flutter / React Native (cross-platform) |
| Web Frontend (Admin) | React.js / Angular |
| Backend | Node.js / Django / Laravel |
| Real-time GPS & Sockets | Firebase / Socket.IO |
| Databases | PostgreSQL, MongoDB |
| Maps & Navigation | Google Maps API, Mapbox |
| Payment Gateways | Razorpay, Stripe, Paytm |
| Cloud Hosting | AWS, Azure, Google Cloud |
| Push Notifications | Firebase Cloud Messaging |
| OTP Verification | Twilio / MSG91 |
Note: Companies like Findthecoder can guide your tech decisions based on your budget and scale.
6. Designing the UI/UX
Key UX Goals:
- Simple 3-click ride booking
- Intuitive fare display
- Seamless payment & ride review
- Easy onboarding for drivers with minimal steps
UI Tips:
- Use high-contrast buttons for actions
- Keep map view as default on home screen
- Use icons and animations for better accessibility
Findthecoder design team specializes in mobile-first UX for transport taxi booking app development that retains users and reduces bounce rates.
7. Rider and Driver Onboarding Strategy
For Riders:
- Offer ride credits or free first ride
- Referral system for inviting friends
- Loyalty programs for frequent users
For Drivers (Captains):
- Fast onboarding with document upload
- Signup bonus or first 5 rides commission-free
- Weekly earnings previews to attract full-time drivers
Also, provide training videos and safety protocols within the app.
8. Monetization Strategies
Here’s how Rapido-like apps make money:
a) Commission per Ride
Charge drivers 15%–25% of every ride fare.
b) Surge Pricing
Higher fare during peak traffic or rain.
c) In-app Ads
Display banner ads for local businesses.
d) Subscription Model
Offer drivers unlimited ride access for a monthly fee.
e) Corporate Tie-Ups
Provide employee transport for companies or delivery support for e-commerce.
9. Marketing Plan to Compete with Rapido
To enter this competitive space, use hyperlocal marketing:
Digital:
- Facebook/Instagram ads targeting metro areas
- SEO-optimized city-based landing pages
- App Store Optimization (ASO) for visibility
Offline:
- Flyers at colleges & tech parks
- Referral stands at malls or bus stations
- Driver recruitment drives with incentives
Retention Tactics:
- Notify inactive users with discounts
- Offer wallet cashback
- Celebrate milestones with ride coupons
10. Challenges & Solutions
| Challenge | Solution |
| Legal bans on bike taxis | Start in states with legal clarity or offer EV/delivery model |
| Driver drop-off | Incentives & flexible commissions |
| GPS inaccuracy | Use dual map APIs for redundancy |
| Rider cancellations | Add cancellation fee policies |
| Safety | SOS button, driver rating system, 24/7 support |
11. Cost to Build a Rapido-like App
Here’s a general cost breakdown:
| Component | Estimated Cost (USD) |
| UI/UX Design | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Passenger App | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Driver App | $7,000 – $10,000 |
| Admin Panel | $5,000 – $8,000 |
| Real-time Tracking | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Payment Integration | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Testing & QA | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| Maintenance (Annual) | $5,000+ |
| Total | $35,000 – $55,000 |
You can reduce this by launching an MVP version first. Findthecoder specializes in MVPs to help you validate your idea fast.
12. Why Choose Findthecoder to Build Your App?
Findthecoder is a leading app development company with experience in:
- Taxi & bike-sharing apps
- Real-time logistics & GPS tracking
- Cross-platform mobile app development
- Scalable admin panels with analytics
- Post-launch tech support and feature enhancements
What sets them apart:
- 100% custom development
- UI/UX-first approach
- Quick go-to-market MVPs
- Affordable pricing for startups
Conclusion
The urban mobility space is growing rapidly, and launching a Rapido-like app gives you a front-row seat to this revolution. With the right business model, legal framework, rider-driver ecosystem, and a solid tech foundation, your app can compete — and even dominate — your target market.
The key lies in building a high-performing, intuitive app, and continuously improving operations based on user feedback.