How Much Does It Cost to Build a Bike Taxi App like Rapido in 2025?

Bike taxi apps are becoming more popular with increasing urban traffic, providing quick, affordable, and convenient transport options for users and extra income for drivers.

Highlights

• Rapido completed over 100 million rides, showing strong user trust and market traction.
• Bike taxi apps cut urban travel costs by nearly 40% compared to traditional taxis.
• Over 60% of bike taxi app users are daily commuters in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.

Co-Founder

Harsh Abrol

4 min read

With Over 14 years of Experience in the IT Field, Helping Companies Optimise there Products for more Conversions

Before jumping into development, it's important to understand how bike taxi apps work. The model is fairly straightforward. Users can book a ride using the app by selecting a pickup and drop-off location. A nearby bike rider accepts the request, picks up the passenger, and drops them at their destination. Payments are made through the app itself.

This business model benefits both users and riders. Users save time and money, while riders earn by completing multiple rides in a day. Apps like Rapido also include options for package delivery, providing extra income streams.

Essential Features of a Bike Taxi App

To build an app like Rapido, there are key features you’ll need to include. These are divided between different user types: passengers, drivers, and admins.

Passenger App Features

1. User Registration (via phone number, email, or social login)
2. Ride Booking (select pickup/drop locations)
3. Live Location Tracking
4. Fare Estimation
5. Multiple Payment Options (card, wallet, UPI, etc.)
6. Ratings & Reviews
7. Trip History
8. In-app Chat & Support

Rider/Driver App Features

1. Registration & Document Upload
2. Real-time Ride Requests
3. Navigation Support
4. Earnings Summary
5. Availability Toggle (Online/Offline status)

Admin Panel Features

1. User and Driver Management
2. Commission Settings
3. Payment and Transaction Monitoring
4. Ride Analytics and Reports
5. Promotions and Discounts

Cost Factors in Building a Rapido-like App

App Design

A clean and easy-to-use design is very important. Your app should work smoothly for all types of users, including those who may not be tech-savvy. The cost for designing both Android and iOS apps can range from USD 2,000 – USD 4,000 (INR 1.7 lakhs – INR 3.4 lakhs), depending on complexity.

App Development

App development is the most expensive part of building a bike taxi app. The cost varies depending on whether you hire freelancers, an in-house team, or a mobile app development company. Here's a quick breakdown:

1. Passenger App: Covers ride booking, tracking, payments, and ratings. Estimated cost: USD 8,000 to USD 14,000 (INR 6.8 lakhs – INR 11.9 lakhs)
2. Driver App: Used for accepting rides, navigation, and checking earnings. Cost ranges from USD 6,000 to USD 10,000 (INR 5.1 lakhs – INR 8.5 lakhs)
3. Admin Panel: Handles user, driver, and trip management, plus reports. Typically costs USD 3,000 to USD 5,000 (INR 2.5 lakhs – INR 4.2 lakhs)
4. Backend Development: Supports app functionality and real-time data processing. Estimated cost: USD 4,000 to USD 8,000 (INR 3.4 lakhs – INR 6.8 lakhs)
5. API Integration: Includes maps, payment systems, and notifications. Usually costs USD 2,000 to USD 4,000 (INR 1.7 lakhs – INR 3.4 lakhs)

Building the core of a Rapido clone app can cost between USD 23,000 and USD 41,000 (INR 19.5 lakhs – INR 34.8 lakhs). Adding extra features will increase the total budget.

Choosing the Right Development Team

You can either hire freelancers, build an in-house team, or work with an app development company. Each option has its pros and cons.

1. Freelancers may offer low costs but often lack long-term support.
2. In-house teams offer better control but come with high overheads.
3. App development companies offer structured services with timelines, QA, and maintenance, making them a practical choice for most businesses.

If you’re specifically targeting an Indian audience, collaborating with a app development company might help reduce the cost while ensuring the app meets regional user behavior.

Platform and Technology Stack

Your app should be available on Android and iOS, as both are widely used in India and other markets. Here’s a basic technology stack used in ride sharing app development:

1. Frontend: Flutter, React Native (for cross-platform), or Swift/Kotlin (for native apps)
2. Backend: Node.js, Django, Laravel
3. Database: MongoDB, PostgreSQL
4. Real-time Tracking: Google Maps API, Firebase
5. Payments: Razorpay, Stripe, Paytm

Using popular frameworks and technologies helps in faster development and better support.

Timeline for Development

The total time required to build an app like Rapido depends on the features and number of platforms (Android, iOS, Web). Here’s a rough timeline:

1. Requirement Gathering & Planning: 2–3 weeks
2. UI/UX Design: 2–3 weeks
3. Development Phase: 3–4 months
4. Testing & QA: 2–3 weeks
5. Deployment: 1 week

So the complete process can take around 4 to 6 months. Adding more features or changes can increase this timeline.

Post-Launch Maintenance and Upgrades

Once your Rapido clone app is live, you’ll still need to allocate a budget for ongoing support. This includes:

1. Fixing bugs or errors
2. Updating the app for new OS versions
3. Adding new features based on user feedback
4. Server maintenance

The yearly maintenance cost is generally USD 3,500 – USD 7,000 (INR 3 lakhs – INR 6 lakhs) of the initial app development cost.

Legal and Compliance Costs

If you're building an app for public use, especially in transportation, you need to follow local laws. This may involve:

1. Registering your business
2. Getting ride permits
3. Ensuring rider safety
4. Complying with data protection rules (e.g., GDPR, IT Act)

These legal costs can range between USD 800 – USD 2,500 (INR 68,000 – INR 2.1 lakhs), depending on your country or state.

Marketing and Launch Budget

Even the best apps need marketing to reach users. Your marketing costs may include:

1. Paid ads on Google or Meta platforms
2. Social media promotions
3. Influencer collaborations
4. App Store Optimization (ASO)

For a good launch, keep aside at least USD 2,500 – USD 5,000 (INR 2.1 lakhs – INR 4.2 lakhs) for marketing.

Total Estimated Cost in 2025

Taking everything into account—development, design, backend, legal, and marketing—here’s a realistic breakdown of the total cost:

1. Design: USD 2,000 – USD 4,000 (INR 1.7 lakhs – INR 3.4 lakhs)
2. Development: USD 23,000 – USD 41,000 (INR 19.5 lakhs – INR 34.8 lakhs)
3. Legal & Compliance: USD 800 – USD 2,500 (INR 68,000 – INR 2.1 lakhs)
4. Marketing: USD 2,500 – USD 5,000 (INR 2.1 lakhs – INR 4.2 lakhs)
5. Maintenance (Yearly): USD 3,500 – USD 7,000 (INR 3 lakhs – INR 6 lakhs)

Total Estimated Cost: USD 31,800 – USD 59,500 (INR 27 lakhs – INR 50.5 lakhs)

This estimate assumes you’re building from scratch. If you use a Rapido clone app or a ready-made script, your cost may drop by 30–40%, but customization might still be required.

Using Carpooling and Multi-Purpose Features

Many companies now combine carpooling app development with bike taxi services to provide wider options to users. A carpooling feature allows passengers to share a ride, which can reduce costs and carbon footprints. Adding this feature adds complexity but also increases the app’s value.

Integrating carpooling app development into your solution will cost more (an added USD 4,000 – USD 8,000 / INR 3.4 lakhs – INR 6.8 lakhs) but can open up a larger customer base and improve your position in the market.

Final Words

Building a bike taxi app like Rapido in 2025 is a smart business move. Urban travel is only going to get more crowded, and two-wheeler ride-sharing apps offer a practical way to beat the traffic while staying cost-friendly.

By understanding the complete structure—from essential features and app design to taxi booking app development and ongoing maintenance—you can plan your project better and avoid unexpected costs.

It’s important to work with the right team that has hands-on experience in ride-sharing app development. This ensures that your platform is built correctly from day one. If you're considering launching your bike taxi app, now is a good time to start. With smart planning and the right execution, your app can be up and running within months.

Build a Bike Taxi App like Rapido with Digittrix

With increasing demand for quick and affordable urban transportation, bike taxi apps have become a popular solution in many cities. Platforms like Rapido demonstrate how convenient two-wheeler rides can be for daily commuters. Developing a similar app involves careful planning, quality development, and clever execution.

At Digittrix, we specialize in bike taxi and ride-sharing app development. Whether you're looking to build a bike taxi app from the ground up or need a Rapido clone, we provide both custom-made solutions and ready-to-go options to suit your budget. Our team is dedicated to creating mobile apps that are fast, secure, and easy to use for both riders and drivers.

Curious about how much it will cost to develop a bike taxi app in 2025? Contact our experts today at +91 8727000867 or email us at digittrix@gmail.com for a detailed quote and guidance.