Planning to launch a taxi booking app like DiDi in 2026? If yes, then you are on the right track. The ride-hailing industry is expanding every day as the users’ demand needs to be met with the highest quality app. Apps like DiDi are generating revenue of up to 550 million globally. Through this blog, we’ll explore must-have features and the development process to build an app like DiDi.
DiDi Taxi Booking App: Stats and Market Trend
- The ride-hailing industry is projected to reach $2.4 billion by 2030.
- The DiDi app is used by over 1.2 billion people worldwide.
- The ride-hailing industry overall could grow from an $87.7 billion market today to nearly $918 billion by 2033 as urban mobility and smartphone penetration expand.
What is Taxi Booking App – DiDi?
DiDi is a major Chinese mobility tech organization that provides numerous services, such as ride-hailing, taxi booking, car rentals, and bike-sharing.
Why Businesses Should Build a Ride-Sharing App like DiDi?
Below are the three prime reasons as to why businesses should think of investing in a ride-sharing app like DiDi in 2026:
1. Demand: The demand for taxi booking apps is rising worldwide. The user base for such apps is moving towards $2. 34 people by 2034. People are not using such apps just for special occasions nowadays, but they have become part of their daily lives. Individuals use taxi apps to go office, school, hospital visits, travel, and much more.
2. The Timelessness of Taxi Booking Model: An app like DiDi in China does not become popular overnight. The demand for ride-hailing app development is increasing because the model works across borders. Apps like these grow when the local market is well understood, and marketing is executed with the gained insights in mind.
3. DiDi’s Growth Reflects Consistency: Companies like such grow when the core is steady, and the market is gigantic. DiDi did well because of consistency, years of perfection, and a clear grasp of the industry.
How to Build a Taxi Booking App like DiDi in 2026?
Step 1: Creation of Roadmap
Before one starts with the development process, the team working on the project needs clarity. Start the process by defining;
- Target market (city, age group, regional level, or international)
- Problem you’ll be solving
- What would be the revenue model
Step 2: Platform Choice
This is the difficult part. Many companies find it difficult to pick which platform to use when developing a DiDi clone app. This choice has an impact on future scalability, timeliness, and cost; thus, it should be carefully considered.
There are three main choices;
- Android
- iOS
- Cross-platform
Step 3: Intuitive and Innovative UI/UX Design
Designing is the most crucial part of taxi booking app development. An app like DiDi needs to have an interactive and engaging UI and UX to keep customers interested. When users understand and can consume the app within seconds of logging in, it’s likely to generate automatically.
- Your app should be able to log in users within seconds
- Riders must know about the fares and costs instantly
- Drivers should be given clarity and reliable payouts
Step 4: Development Stage with Coding
The coding stage involves building the core functionalities of the DiDi clone app with the use of clean and scalable code. Developers integrate essential features, such as real-time, GPS tracking, secure payment gateways, driver and rider dashboards, and a notification system. Testing is also done alongside to resolve any bugs early and secure app stability.
Step 5: Testing of the App
The next significant step after developing code is to test the mobile app. Testing is not a choice, but a necessity; it saves your application from any harm or error in the future. In on-demand taxi app development, testing becomes all the more important as it targets consumers who use it on a regular basis every minute of the day. Therefore, the app needs to function seamlessly 24 hours a day without any glitches.
One should ensure to test for the following;
- App bugs and crashes: Before final launch, the best taxi app developers will make sure that there are no bugs or possible crashes. We at CodKnox will ensure that there is stability across all platforms.
- GPS reliability and accuracy: GPS integration should be able to offer real-time accuracy to drivers and users at all times.
- Payment methods: Our team would test multiple payment methods so that users do not face any issues later.
Step 6: App Launch
After the completion of testing, the next step is the launch of the taxi booking app. This particular stage involves publishing the app on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Our team at CodKnox can do this professionally by following both stores’ guidelines carefully. Before the launch date, make sure all app details are taken care of, such as SEO-optimized description, screenshots, pricing, and policies.
Step 7: Post-Maintenance and Updates
The next and final step in DiDi clone app development after launch is that of regular maintenance and ongoing updates. Ongoing tasks include;
- Bug fixes
- App feature enhancements
- App performance optimization
- Security updates and data protection
Key Features of a Taxi Booking App like DiDi
- Easy User Registration
Simple user registration is one of the most important features of a taxi booking app; such a process makes customers happy. The app can allow users to sign up using any of the following:
Mobile number,
Social login,
Email ID.
- Smooth Ride Booking
An on-demand taxi app development must have a smooth ride booking feature. It enables customers to choose their destination and pickup as per their choice within a few seconds. In addition, users should also get the choice to select vehicle type and ride preferences.
- Real-Time Tracking
Real-time GPS tracking provides riders to get notice of driver movement so that they can prepare, plus they get an idea of estimated arrival time, and route progress as well. This functionality strengthens transparency, safety, and reduces stress by notifying users.
- Secure Payment Options
A dependable taxi app tech stack supports secure payment methods, allowing encrypted transactions with cards, wallets, and UPI. This guarantees secure, cashless transactions, expedites the checkout process, and safeguards private financial data throughout each ride.
- Ratings and Reviews
A core driver and passenger app feature is reviews and ratings. This feature allows both, user and the driver to share their feedback after every trip. Additionally, this promotes accountability among drivers and gives users a chance to users to tell their ride experience.
- Call & Chat Features
By enhancing coordination and lowering ride cancellations, in-app call and chat services also indirectly promote the monetization of taxi booking apps. Secure communication facilitates the sharing of updates, clears up pickup confusion, and improves the entire ride experience.
Build a Robust DiDi-like Taxi Booking App with CodKnox
An app like DiDi is programmed to execute well among audiences and receive great outcomes, as such an app deals with immediate consumer needs. At CodKnox, our experts understand the needs and expectations of customers thoroughly, which helps us create an app that stands out in the market and gives strong competition.
Our seasoned developers make sure to integrate powerful features and tech that meet today’s user base requirements. If you want to create an app like DiDi in 2026, you can depend on us. We’ll listen to your project needs ardently and then offer an apt solution. To know more, get in touch with us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How much does taxi app development cost?
The cost of a taxi app depends on numerous factors, starting from an MVP, the price can range between $10,000 and $30,000. Other than that, an enterprise-level application costs between $150,000 and $300,000.
Q2. How does a taxi app earn money?
Taxi booking app monetization works through;
- Surge pricing,
- Commission per ride,
- Driver subscriptions,
- In-app advertising,
- Cancellation fees, &
- Partnerships.
Q3. What are the advantages of building a ride-sharing app?
Below are some of the most noticeable benefits of building a ride-sharing app;
- Expands a business’s reach by investing in the growing industry
- Companies can earn revenue through multiple streams via subscriptions, cancellation fees, and surge pricing.
- Enhances user experience and offers cost-effective transportation.
Q4. How much time does it take to develop an app like DiDi?
Developing an app like DiDi usually takes 3 to 6 months. However, the final timeline depends on numerous factors such as platform choice, tech stack, third-party integration, features, UI/UX design, testing phase, and scalability requirements.
