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Lyft and Uber are major players in the ride-hailing industry, offering similar car types, app interfaces, and features. What sets them apart is their pricing. Both apps calculate fares based on estimated time and distance, plus variable factors like location and demand, rather than fixed nationwide per-minute and per-mile rates. The best way to determine which is cheaper is by checking both apps’ price estimates before booking. Driver numbers for both platforms have changed significantly since 2018, and current counts are not provided in the sourced facts.
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Photo by Touristsecrets[/caption]
How do Uber and Lyft Work?
Uber was conceived by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp after they had trouble hailing a cab in Paris. In July 2010, the first Uber black car picked up a passenger in San Francisco. Users can book rides through the web, an Uber app on iOS, or the Google Play Store. Uber offers car categories from shared to private, sedan to compact minivans, and economy to high-end.
Lyft grew out of the Zimride app in 2007, originally helping students share rides home during semester breaks. Due to that limited market, they struggled to retain passengers. In 2012 they launched Lyft, connecting drivers and passengers for shorter, nearby trips. Riders access the app via the web, a Lyft app on iOS, or PlayStore.
The Types of Rides
These ride-sharing apps aimed to elevate ride-hailing standards in comfort and affordability. Both offer carpooling options that match you with nearby passengers on the same route at a cheaper rate. Lyft offers two carpooling options: a normal Shared ride and Shared Saver, where the passenger gets a cheaper fare but must walk to a pick-up location.
- Verdict: Lyft has better shared-ride options.
If you have a meeting to catch or a flight to take, carpooling may not work.
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A photo by Priscilla Du Preez from Unsplash[/caption]
Uber Economy
- UberX
UberX is a sedan for one to four passengers and is the cheapest private Uber option. Variants in the U.S. include Español (Spanish-speaking driver), Assist (driver helps seniors or partially handicapped passengers), and Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicles (WAV) (minivan with a ramp for motorized wheelchairs or scooters).
- Comfort
Comfort offers newer cars with extra legroom and experienced drivers. Drivers have a 10-minute waiting period before the Waiting Fee applies. Despite these perks, the price estimate is only US$3–4 more than UberX.
- UberXL
UberXL is a van or SUV for up to six passengers, ideal for airport trips with large baggage. Though the upfront cost may seem high, splitting it among six people brings the per-person cost in line with UberX.
Uber Luxury
- Select
This is the middle ground of UberX and Black. Select costs twice UberX but is around 20% less than Black. Drivers use luxury cars such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, or Audi.
- Black
With a professional driver in premium black cars, this option is almost three times the price of UberX. It suits meeting a high-end client or a memorable romantic dinner.
- Black SUV
Similar to UberXL, Black SUV offers space with additional luxury, at almost twice the price of UberXL.
- Lux
The most expensive Uber option. A professional driver in a luxury car, suggested for grand occasions. The price estimate can be almost five times UberX.
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A photo by Austin Distel from Unsplash[/caption]
Lyft Economy
- Lyft
A counterpart of UberX. The cars are also sedan cars that can fit up to four people. This is always the go-to type of Lyft car when you need a private car.
- Lyft XL
Similar to UberXL. Bigger groups prefer this option because if you will divide the rate it’s almost the same price per person as Lyft. Lyft XL is either a minivan or SUV that can fit up to six people or pieces of huge baggage.
Lyft Luxury
- Lux
Lux is the median between Lyft and Lux Black. It’s almost twice the price of Lyft but is 30% less than the Lux Black. Taking the Lux will let you arrive with flair without being heavy in the pocket.
- Lux Black
Lux Black is the most expensive four-seater which is almost three times the price of Lyft. The cars under the wing of Lux Black are only premier quality black cars.
- Lux Black XL
It’s similar to the Lyft XL but the vehicles used for Lux Black XL are more high-end. The price is also 60% higher than Lyft XL.
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Photo by Unsplash[/caption]
How does the price calculated on Uber and Lyft?
Just like other ride-sharing apps, the app generates a price based on your estimated time and distance to take you from your pick-up point to your drop-off point, then they make considerations based on what time of the day you booked the ride and route, on your choice of shared ride or private ride, and of course, the surge pricing. In short, the price estimate for Uber and Lyft is dependent on the ride’s length and duration.
For both apps, before you confirm to find you a ride, an upfront price is shown for you to skip the risk and guessing. With the upfront price shown before confirming, the passengers will be able to decide confidently.
At this point, you might already think that one ride-sharing app is cheaper than the other. But based on the app, with the pick-up point at Los Angeles International Airport and drop-off at Century City. The price for Lyft is US$28-32 while UberX is only US$23. Or, with a pick-up point at Los Angeles International Airport and drop-off at Venice Beach/Rose Ave, Uber Select is US$42 while Lyft Lux is only US$40.20.
- Verdict: Lyft can be cheaper, but Uber can also be cheaper depending on the time you booked and where you’re going.
Surge Pricing
The concept of surge pricing is balancing the supply and demand of these ride-sharing apps. It might sound intimidating, but the concept is simple. When there are many passengers booking in a specific area that has few drivers, the drivers are notified through the app of the hotspot and its corresponding surged prices. The prices surge to encourage the drivers to attend the hotspot. So, surge pricing plays a vital role in making sure that the passengers will be able to book a ride.
What is the accepted payment?
You can pay with cash, or securely key in your credit card or debit card details for a one-tap payment. You can also link accounts in PayPal, Venmo, digital wallets, and Uber gift cards. For Lyft, you may also use Apple Pay and Google Pay. When booking a ride, simply choose from your saved payment options.
If you need to add your Delta SkyMiles number to an existing reservation, that is handled separately through the airline or travel site, not through the ride-hailing app.
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A photo by Dan Gold from Unsplash[/caption]
Between Uber and Lyft which has more drivers?
With these numbers, we can’t really specify which one has more drivers. Especially, there are drivers who work part-time on both ride-sharing apps, somewhat simultaneously.
Which is better for drivers?
When drivers choose which app to work for, they consider safety, earnings, and system features. For safety, Uber offers a “Follow My Ride” feature that lets a driver’s family track their location. Uber also takes more days to process driver onboarding due to a thorough background check. Lyft has a similar tracking feature for passengers only, and processes documents within the week, which may suggest less rigorous vetting.
Popularity affects driver earnings. Some drivers report that four Uber rides equal one Lyft ride in frequency. Uber also offers back-to-back rides: as a driver nears a drop-off, they receive a notification for the next pickup, ensuring continuous earnings. In terms of the app, Uber’s overall system is considered better than Lyft’s. For example, if you need to modify a reservation on Expedia, the process is straightforward, but ride-hail app preferences come down to driver experience.
- Verdict: Most drivers prefer Uber.
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Photo by Unsplash[/caption]
Between Uber and Lyft which provides better customer service?
Deciding which offers better customer service is subjective. Both companies provide support through their website, email, in-app chat, and phone calls. However, Lyft tends to give more direct and clear responses that suggest a real person is assisting you.
Verdict: Lyft has better customer service.
Final Verdict
Unlike renting a car from rental car companies, Lyft and Uber both aim to get you where you need to go—work, the airport—without you driving.
Deciding which app is better is subjective, but with similar car types, the choice often comes down to price. If UberX costs the same as Lyft Lux, you choose Lyft Lux; if UberXL matches Lyft, you choose UberXL. We suggest checking both apps before booking to find the cheaper option. It takes a bit of effort, but a slight difference is still a difference.
Related travel guides: How To Use Wise For CHEAPER Travel Money & Spending and How Do I Turn Off The Trip Odometer.
