Uber vs Lyft: An Overview of the Services

Uber vs Lyft: An Overview of the Services

Before diving too far into the comparison, it is important to outline some key points: what are each of the services?

What Is Uber?

Uber, founded in 2009 in San Francisco by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp, is a global ridesharing company. It connects passengers with drivers via an app, exemplifying the sharing economy.

The service, with over 110 million users, uses dynamic pricing, adjusting fares based on demand. Challenges include reliance on smart devices and variable driver quality.

Uber is a major player in consumer transport and food delivery.

What Is Lyft?

Lyft, founded in June 2012 in San Francisco as Zimride, is a prominent rideshare app that directly competes with Uber. Initially aimed at carpooling for college students, it rebranded as Lyft and expanded citywide.

Known as a safer alternative during Uber’s controversies, Lyft operates in the United States and Canada, offering various ride options and loyalty rewards.

It has also faced and addressed sexual assault accusations with enhanced safety features.

Main Similarities and Differences

Uber and Lyft are leading ridesharing apps offering convenient alternatives to traditional taxis.

Both enable passengers to request and pay for rides via smartphones and have expanded into food delivery. However, they differ in operation and market reach.

Lyft operates exclusively in the U.S. and Canada, focusing on a range of services from regular vehicles to luxury options. Uber, with a broader global presence, offers varied services including SUVs and wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

Cost-wise, Uber generally undercuts Lyft. Both face challenges in workers’ rights within the gig economy, highlighting issues like wage disputes and job security.

Despite their operational differences, the user experience heavily depends on the individual drivers, making each ride unique.

Uber vs Lyft: Services & Options

While both apps let users order a ride from their smartphones, they have notable differences in their services and options.

Uber Services

Uber is a global player in not only transportation, but logistics as a whole. They offer a wide variety of services to meet the needs of pretty much whatever you can think of.

Uber offers a variety of rideshare services, catering to diverse needs:

• UberX: The standard service for up to four passengers in an everyday car.
• Uber Pool: Allows ride-sharing with others, reducing fare costs.
• Uber Comfort: Provides newer cars with extra legroom.
• UberXL: Suitable for groups of six.
• Uber Black and Uber Lux: High-end services with luxury vehicles and top-rated drivers.
• Uber SUV: Luxury service for six passengers.
• Uber Taxi: Supports local taxi services.
• Uber Green: Offers rides in electric vehicles.
• Uber WAV: Wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
• Uber Flash: Quick rides in either UberX or Uber Taxi.
• Uber Pet: Accommodates riders with pets.
• Uber Auto: Auto-rickshaw service.

While availability varies by location, you can generally find a good handful of these services in most cities, with most major cities having nearly all.

Besides rides, Uber also provides:

• Electric bike and scooter rentals in select cities.
• Uber Eats for restaurant food delivery.
• Uber Connect for package delivery between locations.
• Transit information in the app.
• Uber Freight connecting truckers with freight shippers.
• Boat transportation in some areas.

Lyft Services

Lyft, like Uber, offers a variety of services, but with its unique features and options, it caters to a slightly different user experience.

Lyft Ride Services

Lyft’s range of ride services includes:

• Lyft: The standard service for direct, private rides.
• Lyft XL: Suitable for larger groups.
• Lyft Lux: Offers rides in large, luxury vehicles with top-rated drivers.
• Priority Pickup: An upgrade option for quicker driver response.
• Preferred Mode: Allows riders to set preferences for noise level, temperature, and provides newer vehicles and high-rated drivers.
• Shared Rides: A cost-saving option by sharing the ride with others.
• Lyft Wait & Save: Ideal for those not in a hurry, offering rides at reduced costs.

Additional Lyft Services

Lyft also extends beyond just ride services:

• Bike and Scooter Access: Users can unlock bicycles and scooters through the app.
• Transit Schedules: The app provides local public transit information.
• Rental Car Reservations: Users can book rental cars directly through the app.
• Food Delivery: Similar to Uber Eats, but less extensive.

Uber vs Lyft: Availability

One of the reasons Uber has remained the most popular rideshare app is its availability.

Uber Availability

Since Uber was the first rideshare app, it has excellent availability.

The number of Uber drivers increases daily.

Drivers flock to it for potential customers, and Sprint and AT&T have it preinstalled on some of their smartphones.

Uber Coverage Areas

Uber is available in over 10,000 cities in 63 countries.

Even the listed cities extend to the surrounding regions.

For example, I have used Uber in West Palm Beach, Florida, which fell under the Miami city listing despite being 75 miles away.

Number of Uber Drivers

Uber currently has 3.5 million active drivers.

This number decreased from five million Uber drivers as many could not find work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 3.5 million drivers serve 93 million monthly consumers.

Uber riders decreased from 111 million to 93 million (by 16.2%) from 2019 to 2020.

In early 2021, the number of drivers logging into the Uber app shrank by 37.5%.

Uber Wait Time After Requesting a Ride

The median wait time after requesting an Uber ride is three minutes and eight seconds in the outer boroughs of New York.

However, the time depends on the number of drivers and riders in the region.

If your area has a high demand for drivers, you may end up waiting 20+ minutes for someone to arrive.

After the pandemic restrictions were lifted, not all Uber drivers returned to work.

Uber drivers increased by 4.4% in May 2021, which modestly decreased wait times.

If you want to reduce your wait time, you can schedule a ride in advance.

Lyft Availability

If you live in the United States or Canada, you have the option to use Lyft.

Lyft Coverage Areas

Lyft is available in 321 cities in North America.

Like with Uber, I can take a “Miami” Lyft in West Palm Beach.

Number of Lyft Drivers

Currently, Lyft has around one million drivers, down from two million pre-pandemic.

Lyft has approximately 12.5 million monthly riders, down from 22.3 million the year before.

This statistic shows a 43.9% decrease.

The number of drivers logging into the app in early 2021 dropped by 42.3%.

Lyft Wait Time After Requesting a Ride

After requesting a ride, you can expect to wait between 5-20 minutes.

Some cities may have shorter times.

As with Uber, COVID-19 increased average wait times for Lyft due to fewer drivers returning to work.

However, they have seen thousands of new drivers sign up since May 2021.

Across the United States, wait times have decreased about 15% as they gained 10% more drivers.

You can schedule a ride one week in advance to reduce wait times.

Section Summary

Now, let’s compare and contrast Uber and Lyft availability.

The Main Similarities in This Category

Uber and Lyft are both widely available in the United States and Canada, each having over one million active drivers in North America.

They have comparable wait times due to their similar availability.

Also, you can schedule rides in advance.

The Main Differences in This Category

Uber has global availability and over three times as many drivers.

There are significantly more regular users, so drivers have more potential customers.

Also, Uber lost a smaller percentage of drivers and riders in 2020 compared to Lyft.

Contrarily, Lyft has seen a greater percent rise in active drivers in 2021 with measurable decreases in wait time.

Also, they lost fewer net users of the app.

Uber vs Lyft: Fees & Pricing

Uber and Lyft charge riders based on the time and distance of the route.

They also have base fares and other fees that increase the cost of a trip.

Uber Fees and Pricing

Uber’s fees and pricing intertwine with each other, and you see the final cost when you look to book a trip.

Uber Fees

Uber’s fees include:

• Base fare
• Service fee
• Booking fee
• Surge pricing
• Time rate
• Distance rate
• Cancellation Fees
• Duration rate
• Tolls and surcharges
• Minimum fare

The base fare and amount charged for duration and distance vary between cities.

You can check the value here.

Also, the requested vehicle changes the base fare.

The service fee comes from the driver, and it varies with each trip.

It is the difference between rider fare and driver earnings, excluding miscellaneous fees.

The service fee funds promotions and app updates.

The booking fee is usually a flat fee, but some cities vary the cost based on distance.

It goes to cover background checks, insurance protection, operational costs, and regulations.

If you order a ride during a busy time, you will get a surge multiplier to your cost that you may not see.

Uber also calls it dynamic pricing.

If you encounter any toll costs, route changes, discount promotions, or long wait times, you might get additional fees and other pricing alterations.

Each city has a minimum fare set, but there is no maximum.

Uber Pricing

You can see the pricing upfront before booking your trip.

Uber calculates the total fare using this formula:

((base fare + distance rate + duration rate) * surge multiplier) + other fees

You can decrease the amount you pay by opting for discounts and using Uber promo codes.

Uber will cover the cost to the driver with the money gained from the service fee.

While you can see the upfront price in the United States, some countries provide a range.

Uber Driver Tipping

Uber drivers do not make as much as the passengers pay since Uber takes the service and booking fees.

Sometimes Uber takes 42.75% of the rider’s payment.

Drivers need to pay for gas, insurance, car payments, vehicle maintenance, tolls, permits, and license fees.

While Uber does offer their drivers bonuses, UberX drivers need tips to cover their costs.

You should tip either in-app or with cash and try to pay 10-20% of the ride fare.

You can change your tip based on the service provided.

Lyft Fees and Pricing

Lyft provides upfront fare estimates to the riders that encompass a few fees and base prices.

Lyft Fees

Lyft has a handful of fees that vary based on city and car type. They include:

• Base fare
• Cost per minute
• Cost per mile
• Minimum fare
• Maximum fare
• Lyft platform fee
• Service fee
• Third-party fees
• Prime Time demand

The base fare comes from your city and the requested car, and it is a flat rate.

Costs per minute and mile come from your trip’s estimated duration and distance, but they may change based on the actual ride.

Minimum fares ensure the driver and platform get paid a decent amount, while maximum ones limit the cost of long-distance trips.

The Lyft platform fee varies with each ride. It helps with app maintenance, updates, and promotions.

The service fee is a flat rate that covers Lyft’s operations, such as background checks, insurance, and operating costs.

Each region has a different service fee.

Third-party fees include venues and airports, and they change based on your location.

Prime Time pricing is a multiplier that accommodates the demand in the area.

Lyft Pricing

As with Uber, Lyft gives you an upfront cost, but it may change en-route if the ride takes longer or you add stops.

Also, the upfront cost excludes tolls, so you might have to pay for the driver’s crossing and return toll.

Other additional fees include damage or lost-and-found items, which you could expect from all rideshare drivers.

You can estimate the cost using Lyft’s website or our Lyft estimate calculator.

Lyft Driver Tipping

Lyft drivers have to cover their gas, insurance, vehicle maintenance, car payments, and tolls.

While drivers get reimbursed for required tolls, they might not for optional ones.

Lyft may take up to 42.75% of what the rider pays, so you will want to tip your Lyft driver.

Aiming for a 10%-20% tip should boost their hourly pay and help cover their expenses.

Section Summary

While they have different names, Uber and Lyft pricing is relatively similar.

The Main Similarities in This Category

Some of the fees that occur in both apps include:

• Minimum fare
• Duration and distance costs
• Base price
• Service fee
• Surge/Prime Time pricing
• Uber’s booking/Lyft’s service fee
• Uber’s service/Lyft platform fee
• Tolls, surcharges, and third-party fees

Both apps have the driver pay for tolls initially and have the rider reimburse them through their payment.

They each say they take only 20-25% of what the rider pays while often taking more.

Each gives a cost estimate that rarely varies. You also need to tip drivers.

The Main Differences in This Category

Uber adds surge pricing faster than Lyft, which helps drivers earn more at the cost of the rider.

The apps have different costs per mile and minute, but usually, they balance to around the same price.

Uber vs Lyft: Ease of Use

While Uber and Lyft have user-friendly apps, they have a few key differences.

It takes you on the shortest possible path and has a solid GPS to spot drivers and riders.

As a user, you can readily spot the driver as you see their car’s model, color, and license plate.

You can see your approximate arrival time before booking the Uber.

If you take an Uber at night, you can view the app in dark mode to avoid straining your eyes.

The dark mode also helps the driver see the road better.

However, drivers cannot see the rider’s profile picture when picking them up.

This feature makes it more challenging to spot the rider.

The map has issues with zooming and navigation, putting drivers on unusual paths.

The developers encourage the drivers to navigate via Waze rather than Lyft when traveling.

You can see the car’s model, color, and license plate to help identify the driver.

The GPS lets the driver see the rider’s location as well.

Lyft lets you see the rider’s profile picture, which can help identify them as a driver.

However, they do not have a dark mode, which can be dangerous for drivers at night.

Section Summary

Let’s compare the ease of use.

The Main Similarities in This Category

Both Uber and Lyft let you see the driver’s picture, car model, color, and license plate.

You can track the location of your driver to see how far they are from you.

They both let the drivers navigate using the app as well.

The Main Differences in This Category

Lyft does not let you see the arrival time before booking, while Uber does.

Also, Uber has more updates than Lyft and functions better.

Uber has a dark mode, but Lyft lets you see the rider’s profile picture.

Uber vs Lyft: Safety

Uber and Lyft both have safety issues, yet they have taken many measures to improve their platforms.

Uber Safety

Uber has had its fair share of criticism, which allowed it to implement new safety features.

Uber Driver Vetting & Qualifications

Uber conducts background checks on its drivers to ensure they have a clean driving and criminal record.

They also require them to have liability insurance.

Each city varies for the minimum required age and car requirements, and not all inspect your vehicle.

They may not require the same insurance coverage as well.

Uber drivers do not get special training or licensing either.

Uber’s website has safety resources but no required coursework.

Other Uber driver requirements include:

• Valid driver’s license
• At least one year of US driving experience, or three if you are under 23
• Four-door vehicle
• Proof of residency
• Proof of vehicle insurance

Uber App Safety Features

Uber lets its users see their driver’s license plate, picture, car model, and color.

They can see the ratings of the driver and rider to feel safe about who you are interacting with.

The app has location sharing if you notify Uber of any safety issues.

You can contact an emergency dispatcher on the app.

Also, you can share your location with your friends and family.

You will get your account removed if you drop under a specific rating threshold.

They keep your personal information private so that a driver or rider cannot track you down after reporting them.

Notable User Safety Incidents

Some notable user safety incidents include:

• A driver kidnapping and sexually assaulting a drunk woman
• A driver abducting a CEO
• A driver hitting a passenger with a hammer

A 2018 CNN investigation showed that 103 Uber drivers were accused of sexual assault.

Lyft Safety

Lyft first rose to popularity as a safer alternative to Uber, but their rise came with some allegations.

Lyft Driver Vetting & Qualifications

General Lyft driver requirements include:

• Valid driver’s license
• Criminal background check
• Clean driving record
• Vehicle registration
• Car insurance
• Four-door vehicle

As with Uber, the age, driving experience, and car requirements depend on the city.

However, they have a mandatory safety education program to help the drivers make a welcoming environment for their riders.

Lyft performs annual background checks and monitors driving records throughout the year.

Lyft App Safety Features

Lyft has many safety features in place.

It lets you see the driver’s photo, car model and color, and license plate.

You can also see their rating.

Riders can share their location with family and friends, but drivers cannot do the same.

You can contact emergency services on the app, and Lyft will contact you if they detect anything unusual in your ride.

They won’t match you with a poorly rated driver, and they remove users with ratings below a specific threshold.

Notable Lyft Safety Incidents

Some notable Lyft safety incidents include:

• A driver masturbating while watching a rider in their rearview mirror
• Lyft telling a woman they fired a driver who assaulted a woman, and then she spotted the driver on the road with a Lyft sign
• Lyft responding to allegations months to years later than the reporting

In the 2018 CNN investigation, at least 18 Lyft drivers were accused of sexually assaulting their passengers.

Section Summary

Here is a comparison of the platforms’ safety.

The Main Similarities in This Category

Both apps let you contact emergency dispatchers, share your location, view your driver, and rate their performance.

You can see the car’s and driver’s appearance to help identify them as well.

They vet their drivers thoroughly and check that they have clean records.

The Main Differences in This Category

Uber has a higher number of safety issues, yet they do not have a required educational program.

On the other hand, Lyft does not act on the assault allegations for months to years after the accusation.

Uber has better safety measures for the drivers, but Lyft beats out Uber for the riders.

Uber vs Lyft: Customer Service

Uber and Lyft have similar customer support services.

Uber Customer Service

Uber customer service is very robust for both drivers and riders.

Uber has a dedicated help center for drivers and riders.

They can contact Uber via email, webchat, in-app support, and phone.

The customer support team runs 24/7, and you can use the FAQs.

They keep records of previous contacts with customer service.

However, you need to contact Uber with a topic-specific form.

Lyft Customer Service

Lyft customer service is also there to help when you have an issue.

Lyft has the same features as Uber, but they offer a general contact form to save you time.

Also, you can get more personable support from Lyft since they lack Uber’s market share.

They are friendlier as well.

Section Summary

Since both companies have grown massively, they do not have the most personal customer service.

The Main Similarities in This Category

You have plenty of customer service options from both companies:

• Webchat
• Email
• Phone
• In-app
• Contact form
• FAQs

The Main Differences in This Category

Since Lyft is smaller, the customer service team seems less overwhelmed and offers friendlier support.

Also, they save you time with a general contact form.

Who Pays More: Uber or Lyft?

Both apps consider their drivers as independent contractors, so they do not receive benefits.

As such, the drivers need more pay.

How Much Do Uber Drivers Make?

Uber drivers have more payment opportunities than Lyft as they have more customers in more cities.

The company takes about 25% commissions from each fare.

They incentivize drivers to take riders in high-traffic times with high surge multipliers.

Drivers get all their tips and bonuses.

How Much Do Lyft Drivers Make?

Lyft has fewer ride opportunities, but the company takes only a 20% commission.

They have Prime Time pricing that does not increase the costs as much, but more riders may opt for cheaper Lyft fares.

Drivers get their tips, but Lyft does not have as many bonuses.

Section Summary

Let’s compare how much Uber and Lyft drivers make.

The Main Similarities in This Category

Both drivers get all their tips and receive most of the rider’s fare.

However, the rideshare companies each take a cut.

The Main Differences in This Category

Uber takes a more significant cut on average, but they give the drivers more opportunities to make more money.

However, Lyft drivers feel more satisfaction with the company and report slightly higher pay per trip.

Since Uber has more users, many drivers work for both companies.

They make more money from Uber but more per trip from Lyft.

Conclusion: Which is Better – Uber or Lyft?

Comparing Uber vs. Lyft can be a hard task, as neither rideshare service consistently comes out on top.

If you need access to more service options in more cities — especially those abroad — Uber is a clear winner.

However, Lyft has many smaller triumphs, including a slightly better high-demand pricing reputation and a more convenient support channel.

Overall, your choice depends on what you’re looking for, what city you’re located in, and more.

If price matters the most to you, it may even depend on the exact time of day.

Of course, you always have the option to use both services, or choose another one entirely.

Each app has its advantages and disadvantages, so let’s see which is better for you.

1. Which Is the Cheapest Option?

The cheapest option depends on the time of day and city.

If there is minimal traffic and demand, Uber will probably be more affordable than Lyft.

However, Lyft puts on a smaller surge charge than Uber, making it cheaper on busy days.

2. Which Is Better for the Everyday Rider?

The everyday rider would probably prefer Uber.

You can choose more vehicle options to meet your needs.

It has wider availability and accommodates more people.

3. Which Is Best for Businesspeople?

Businesspeople would benefit from the luxury options from Uber and Lyft.

The drivers act cordially, and you get a nicer vehicle.

However, Lyft drivers are more talkative, so you might want Uber for a quieter ride.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about Uber and Lyft.

Alternatives to Uber and Lyft

While Uber and Lyft are the main contenders in the rideshare world, they are by no means the only options out there.

The ridesharing boom has inspired dozens of competitors to appear throughout the United States and beyond, some with their own unique niches.

Here are three popular alternatives you can use instead of Uber and Lyft:

1. Via

Via rideshare is a shared car service that helps users connect to drivers and other passengers along the same route.

It essentially provides the same service as UberPool and Lyft Shared, keeping costs low in cities like Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

It’s one of the few widely known competitors to the rideshare giants’ true shared ride services.

2. Wingz

If safety and scheduled rides are your priority, Wingz is a great alternative for you.

This rideshare service can get you to flights, important meetings, and other places right on time with rides scheduled up to two months in advance.

Even better, Wingz drivers attend a formal training and have even more record checks than the standard Uber or Lyft driver.

Wingz is currently available in 15 U.S. cities, including Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco.

3. MyTaxi (FREE NOW)

Some consumers still prefer taking taxis due to the fact that drivers are fully licensed and well-regulated by cities around the world.

MyTaxi (now FREE NOW) is an excellent solution for riders who want the taxi experience in Europe with the convenience of Uber and Lyft.

By using this app, you can hail a trusted ride easily, track it in real time, and make your transactions cashless.

Before You Go…

Uber and Lyft are two ridesharing companies that help users travel from Point A to Point B.

They have their pros and cons, but each is an excellent option for American drivers and passengers.

If you have any other questions about rideshare apps, check out Ridester.com to find out more.