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The Cheapest Rideshare Apps Ranked
Rideshare prices vary significantly depending on which app you use, where you are, and when you travel. While Uber and Lyft dominate the market, several smaller platforms consistently offer lower fares by cutting commission rates, eliminating surge pricing, or using shared ride models. Here is how the major rideshare options compare on price.
Empower: The Cheapest Option in Most Markets
Empower is consistently the cheapest rideshare app available. Unlike Uber and Lyft, Empower does not take a commission from drivers. Instead, drivers set their own rates and riders pay a small booking fee directly to the platform. This model typically results in fares that are 30 to 50 percent cheaper than Uber for the same route.
The tradeoff is availability. Empower operates in fewer cities than Uber or Lyft, and wait times can be longer because the driver pool is smaller. In cities where Empower has strong driver coverage, it is the clear price winner. Check the app to see if drivers are active in your area before relying on it for time-sensitive trips. If your trip is more than a short hop, check our guide to the best rideshare options for long distance trips.
Empower also does not use surge pricing. Your fare stays the same regardless of demand, weather, or time of day. This makes it particularly valuable during peak hours when Uber and Lyft prices spike. For a full comparison of all available apps, see our best rideshare apps guide.
UberX Share and Lyft Shared: Cheapest Big-Platform Option
If you need the reliability of Uber or Lyft but want to save money, shared rides are the cheapest option on both platforms. UberX Share and Lyft Shared match you with other riders heading in the same direction, splitting the cost of the trip.
Shared rides typically cost 30 to 50 percent less than a private UberX or Lyft ride. The tradeoff is a longer trip — you may pick up or drop off other passengers along the way, adding 5 to 15 minutes depending on the route. Shared rides work best for non-urgent trips where saving money matters more than saving time.
Shared rides are not available in all markets or at all times. During very low demand periods, you might request a shared ride and end up with a private car anyway (at the lower shared price). During very high demand, shared rides may be unavailable or barely discounted compared to regular fares.
Via: Cheapest for Urban Commuters
Via operates a shared ride model exclusively, using dynamic routing to group riders heading in similar directions. Fares are typically flat rate — you know the price before you book, and it does not change based on demand or traffic.
In cities where Via operates, fares are often 40 to 60 percent cheaper than a solo Uber or Lyft ride. Via achieves this by optimizing routes with multiple pickups and dropoffs, keeping vehicles full and costs low. The service works best in dense urban areas with high rider density.
Via's limitation is geographic coverage. It operates in a limited number of cities, primarily New York, Washington DC, and Chicago, along with several smaller markets through partnerships with local transit agencies. If Via is available in your city, it is one of the most affordable commuting options available.
Uber One and Lyft Pink: Subscription Savings
Both Uber and Lyft offer subscription plans that reduce per-ride costs for frequent riders. These subscriptions make sense if you ride regularly and want to stay on the major platforms.
Uber One costs $9.99 per month and provides 5 to 10 percent off eligible rides, reduced surge pricing, priority pickup, and free delivery on Uber Eats orders over $15. For riders taking four or more rides per week, the subscription typically pays for itself within the first week of the month.
Lyft Pink costs $9.99 per month and offers 5 percent off all rides, priority airport pickups, relaxed cancellations, and free Grubhub+ membership. The savings are slightly less than Uber One on a per-ride basis, but the Grubhub+ inclusion adds value if you also order food delivery.
Neither subscription eliminates surge pricing entirely, but both reduce its impact. If you regularly ride during peak hours, the combination of subscription discounts and reduced surge can save $50 to $100 per month compared to pay-as-you-go pricing.
Curb: Cheapest During Surge Hours
Curb connects you with licensed taxi drivers through a rideshare-style app. Because taxis use metered fares set by city regulators, prices do not surge during high-demand periods. This makes Curb the cheapest option specifically during times when Uber and Lyft prices spike.
During normal hours, Uber and Lyft are typically cheaper than a metered taxi. But when surge multipliers hit 1.5x or higher — rush hour, bad weather, events, late nights — a Curb taxi at its fixed metered rate will cost less than the surging rideshare fare. Smart riders keep Curb on their phone and switch to it whenever Uber or Lyft shows elevated pricing.
Curb is available in over 65 US cities and provides the same app-based experience as Uber: see your driver, track the car, pay through the app. The main difference is you get a licensed, regulated taxi driver instead of an independent contractor. For more on how taxi apps compare to rideshare, see our Uber vs taxi comparison.
Waze Carpool: Cheapest for Recurring Commutes
Waze Carpool matches commuters heading in the same direction for shared rides at cost. Drivers are not professionals — they are regular commuters who want to offset their gas and parking costs by picking up a passenger along their existing route.
Because drivers are not trying to profit, Waze Carpool fares are typically 60 to 80 percent cheaper than Uber for the same route. A commute that costs $25 on Uber might cost $5 to $8 on Waze Carpool. The platform caps what drivers can charge based on IRS mileage reimbursement rates.
The limitation is flexibility. Waze Carpool works best for regular commutes at predictable times — the same route every weekday morning and evening. It is not designed for on-demand rides to random destinations. If your commute is consistent and you plan ahead, it is the cheapest option available by a wide margin.
How to Get the Cheapest Ride Every Time
The cheapest ride depends on context. No single app wins in every situation. Here is a practical strategy for minimizing your rideshare costs.
Always compare prices across apps before booking. Check Uber, Lyft, and any regional apps available in your area. Prices for the same route at the same time can vary by 20 to 40 percent between platforms. Take 30 seconds to compare — it often saves $5 to $15 per ride.
Use shared rides whenever your schedule allows. UberX Share and Lyft Shared cut costs by 30 to 50 percent for a modest time tradeoff. If you are not in a rush, shared rides are the easiest way to save.
Avoid booking during peak surge times. If you can wait 10 to 15 minutes, surge pricing often drops significantly. Uber shows you the surge multiplier before you book — if it is above 1.5x, wait or switch to Curb for a metered taxi at the fixed rate.
Walk a block or two from high-demand pickup spots. Airports, stadiums, and concert venues trigger the highest surge zones. Walking a few blocks away from the venue before requesting a ride can drop you out of the surge zone and reduce your fare.
Schedule rides in advance when possible. Uber Reserve and Lyft Scheduled Rides lock in pricing before surge hits. For airport rides and early morning trips, scheduling eliminates the risk of surge pricing at departure time.
Subscribe if you ride frequently. At four or more rides per week, Uber One or Lyft Pink subscription savings exceed the $9.99 monthly cost. The math works in your favor within the first few trips.
Price Comparison by Scenario
For a standard 10-mile ride during off-peak hours, expect to pay approximately: Empower $8 to $12, Waze Carpool $4 to $7, Via $7 to $10 (where available), UberX Share $10 to $14, Lyft Shared $10 to $14, UberX $15 to $20, Lyft $15 to $20, and Curb taxi $18 to $25. These are national averages — your local rates will vary based on city, base fare structures, and regional pricing.
During surge pricing (2x multiplier), the same 10-mile ride looks different: Empower stays at $8 to $12 (no surge), Curb taxi stays at $18 to $25 (metered rate unchanged), UberX jumps to $30 to $40, and Lyft jumps to $28 to $38. This is why having multiple apps installed matters — the cheapest option during surge is completely different from the cheapest option during normal hours.
For business travelers concerned about expense management, Uber and Lyft provide the cleanest receipt integration. The slight premium over budget alternatives often pays for itself in reduced expense reporting friction. For overall transportation cost analysis, including whether ridesharing or car ownership makes more financial sense, see our detailed cost comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest rideshare app?
Empower is consistently the cheapest rideshare app, typically 30 to 50 percent less than Uber or Lyft. Empower does not charge drivers a commission, which allows lower fares. However, it is only available in select cities. For the widest availability at the lowest price, UberX Share and Lyft Shared offer 30 to 50 percent savings on the major platforms.
How can I avoid surge pricing on Uber and Lyft?
Wait 10 to 15 minutes for the surge to drop, walk a few blocks away from high-demand pickup locations like airports or venues, schedule your ride in advance using Uber Reserve or Lyft Scheduled Rides to lock in pricing, or switch to a taxi app like Curb where metered fares do not change based on demand.
Is Uber One or Lyft Pink worth it?
Both subscriptions cost $9.99 per month and save 5 to 10 percent per ride. If you take four or more rides per week, the subscription pays for itself within the first week. Uber One includes Uber Eats delivery benefits, while Lyft Pink includes Grubhub+ membership. For frequent riders, both are worth the cost.
Are shared rides safe?
Shared rides on Uber and Lyft use the same driver screening, GPS tracking, trip sharing, and safety features as private rides. The only difference is that other passengers may be in the vehicle. Both platforms verify all riders through their accounts. If you are uncomfortable sharing with strangers, private rides offer more control over your experience.
What is Waze Carpool and how is it different from Uber?
Waze Carpool matches regular commuters heading in the same direction, not professional drivers. Drivers share their existing commute route and pick up passengers to offset gas costs. Fares are capped at IRS mileage reimbursement rates, making it 60 to 80 percent cheaper than Uber. It works best for predictable, recurring commutes rather than on-demand rides.
Which rideshare app is cheapest for airport rides?
It depends on timing. During off-peak hours, Uber and Lyft are typically cheapest. During peak travel times with surge pricing, a taxi booked through Curb or at the airport taxi stand is often cheaper because metered rates do not change with demand. For scheduled departures, Uber Reserve with locked-in pricing provides the best price certainty. Always compare the flat-rate taxi fare at your airport against the rideshare estimate at your travel time.
Estimate your fare: Use our Uber cost estimator to see what your ride should cost.
