Londoners have long relied on ride sharing apps to get from one part of the city to another, especially on those days when public transport is all messed up due to tube line maintenance works or strikes.
Uber has topped the commuters’ preference charts for years, and it has even managed to ward off similar competitors. However, a new rival has entered London’s ride-hailing scene and continues to make significant ground – Bolt.
Bolt is an Estonian transport network company that operates more or less on the same principle as Uber. Rumours of slightly cheaper fares has gathered the attention of city dwellers and increased the popularity of the app.
In this head-to-head comparison, we will evaluate each app’s strengths and weaknesses, so you can make an informed decision before using either of them.
Bolt vs Uber: A Brief History
A great starting point is to look into the history books to learn more about these apps.
Bolt made its entry on London’s on-demand transport scene in June 2019, after an unsuccessful attempt to enter the market in September 2017. In just a few months, the network expanded from 0 to over 30,000 drivers, now standing only slightly behind Uber in terms of popularity among drivers.
Based in Tallinn, Bolt has a presence in over 500 cities across 45 countries in Europe, Africa, Western Asia, and Latin America. It boasts over 150 million customers worldwide and collaborates with more than 3 million drivers and courier partners.
On the other hand, there is Uber. Uber is undeniably London’s ride-hailing leader. The company arrived in the city in 2012, and it now has around 45,000 drivers. That accounts for almost 36 per cent of all private hire and black cabs in the capital, with the company serving around 3.5 million users.
Bolt vs Uber: Fleet Breakdown
Both apps offer a wide range of fleet options that caters to the different needs of Londons punters.
Uber’s fleet is varied, providing several categories to choose from:
- Uber X: The standard option, UberX, offers affordable, everyday rides.
- Uber XL: The larger option, affordable rides for groups up to six.
- Comfort: Ride in newer cars with extra legroom.
- Green: A green option, sustainable trips in electric vehicles.
- Uber Pet: Pet friendly, ride with your pet.
- Exec: High end cars with top-rated drivers.
- Lux: Ride in luxury, the best cars with top-rated drivers.
Bolt offers an almost identical fleet offering:
- Bolt: The standard Bolt offering.
- XL: Suitable for larger groups, offering more seats and space.
- Comfort: Focuses on a more comfortable ride with spacious cars.
- Electric: Environmentally friendly option with electric vehicles.
- Pet: Allows passengers to travel with their pets.
- Executive: High-end cars for a luxurious experience, often with premium amenities.
- Luxury: Similar to Executive, offering luxury cars for a high-quality travel experience.
- Black Cab: Traditional black cab service, often with a local, experienced driver.
While both companies offer very similar options, the key differentiation is Bolt’s Black Cab service which was introduced in April 2023 providing a traditional and local cab experience, which is not available in Uber’s fleet.
Bolt vs Uber: App Usability
When comparing the user interfaces of Uber and Bolt, several key aspects stand out.
Uber’s app is renowned for its intuitive design and user-friendly experience. The interface is clean and minimalistic, with a strong focus on ease of navigation. Users can easily set their pickup and destination, choose their ride type, and see the fare estimate upfront. Features like real-time GPS tracking of the ride, easy access to previous trips, and seamless payment integration contribute to its popularity.
In contrast, Bolt’s interface, while also user-friendly, places a greater emphasis on simplicity and speed. The app is straightforward, with fewer steps required to book a ride, making it slightly more efficient for quick bookings. Bolt’s layout is uncomplicated, and the app provides essential information upfront, such as estimated time of arrival and fare. However, it might lack some of the more advanced features found in Uber’s app, such as detailed ride customisation options.
Both apps succeed in providing a smooth user experience but differ in their approach: Uber is more than a taxi app – it is now a feature-rich experience, offering different options for travel and delivery – while Bolt focuses on the taxi app basics, simplicity and speed.
Bolt vs Uber: Pricing Structure
At the start of 2023, Uber published a “rates in the UK” blog post which explains exactly how they charge per journey. In summary Uber’s upfront pricing system calculates the driver trip payment by estimating the duration and distance of a trip. It then applies a set of rates to calculate a basic payment. Adjustments are then made on-top of this basic fee to adjust for demand and supply. Unfortunately the fees do not stop there if you leave your driver waiting or there are toll/airport charges along the route.
On the other hand, Bolt state that the cost of a trip is determined by several factors: a base fare for pickup, a minute rate covering the trip’s duration, a distance rate based on the route length, and dynamic pricing when relevant. Similar to Uber, additional fees such as airport fees or wait time charges may also apply.
Bolt’s main advantage is the lower fees and commissions. The company charges 15 per cent commissions to its drivers – almost half compared to Uber – which means riders can also benefit from cheaper fares. However, don’t be too quick to jump in a Bolt car.
Currently, economy rides start with a £2.50 base fee and cost £1.25 per mile and £0.15 per minute, which is similar to Uber.
A difference in fees applies when you’re cancelling a ride, though. Bolt drivers can charge £5 if you cancel a ride, but charging the fee is discretional. In other words, you might get away for free if the driver is in a good mood.
Cancelling a Uber ride usually costs £10, and most drivers are charging the fee even when you have to cancel because they are late or their GPS retrieved an incorrect pick-up address.
Fare-wise, riders can expect similar costs to Bolt, but Uber’s ride cancellation fees are higher. On the bright side, the booking fee is lower, as Bolt charges both a fixed fee and a variable amount based on the length of your journey.
Bolt vs Uber: Safety Measures
Bolt and Uber prioritise rider safety, implementing various measures to ensure secure and reliable services.
Both apps encompasses extensive driver vetting processes, including thorough background checks and driving record reviews. Each company enforces strict vehicle requirements, requiring drivers to undergo regular safety inspections and adhere to local vehicle standards.
In terms of technology, Uber’s app is equipped with several in-app safety features such as an emergency button, real-time GPS tracking, and the option for riders to share their trip details with trusted contacts. They have also introduced ‘RideCheck‘ which can detect possible crashes or if a trip goes unusually off course.
The Bolt app features secure location sharing and an emergency assist feature, connecting riders directly to the Bolt welfare team. Like Uber, Bolt employs a user feedback system, leveraging rider ratings to uphold safety and service quality.
Availability and Coverage
While both apps boast significant availability, there are slight differences in their differences in their coverage and service reach.
Uber, with its longer presence and larger market share in the city, offers extensive coverage, ensuring that riders can access its services in virtually all areas of London. This widespread availability is bolstered by a large network of drivers, making it one of the most reliable choices in terms of finding a ride, even during peak hours or in less central locations.
Bolt, on the other hand, has been rapidly expanding its footprint in London since its introduction. While it may not yet match Uber’s extensive network, Bolt has made considerable strides in increasing its presence, especially in central and popular areas of the city.
Bolt’s growing popularity has led to an increase in the number of drivers and, consequently, a decrease in wait times for riders. In summary, while Uber leads in terms of overall availability across London, Bolt is quickly catching up, offering competitive service in many parts of the city, particularly in high-demand areas.
Promotions and Loyalty Programs
In a bid to attract and retain customers in the ever competitive ride-hailing market, Uber and Bolt offer various promotions and loyalty schemes.
For regular users, Uber have a partnership with Barclaycard where a rider can earn a free trip if they pay with their Barclaycard. Bolt have a rider referral scheme that grants users discount codes whenever their friends use the Bolt app.
Bolt vs. Uber – Which Is Better?
From an objective standpoint, Bolt could be Uber’s first serious competitor. Similar prices for the rider but more advantageous conditions for drivers might determine the latter to migrate to the new service.
Considering Uber’s uncertain future, Bolt could also take advantage of this situation and gain a fair share of users in the city.
Not only the prices are similar between the two, but the types of rides are also alike. You can choose from a variety of economy or executive vehicles, and Bolt might add wheelchair accessible vehicles in the near future too.
Bolt also wins when it comes to safety thanks to its in-app SOS feature and 24/7 support for all other issues.
It’s hard to deny that Uber is still the best option when it comes to ride-hailing in the capital. It has more drivers; thus, riders have more chances to find a suitable ride faster.
We don’t know what the future holds and how to odds will turn, but for now, Uber is undoubtedly a better app to download.
It is too early to estimate how many users prefer Bolt to Uber, but the constantly growing number of drivers suggests the service is quite popular among riders too.
