As a ridesharing driver, you come across some interesting apps that can help you make more money out of your daily shift. There are in fact a plethora of options from the useful to the bizarre. This article is written with usefulness in mind, and I have picked out the five best apps that I use daily and know that is used by most of the experienced ridesharing drivers to maximize their income.
Some of the apps are free; others have a subscription, you must decide which ones provide you with good ROI. Remember, not every app that’s free gives you positive ROI. Sometimes the time spent playing around with them can be detrimental. As for the apps that a monthly fee, only the ones that have proven their worth are entertained here.
1. Mystro
I must open with Mystro; this is a great app with only two downsides that can be negated when considering its impact on ROI.
Mystro is a ride filter that helps you negotiate requests, but not from just one company such as Uber or Lyft, it works with both, so if you have an account with both, you can set Mystro to negotiate both apps. This means you end up driving once for Uber, and then for Lyft, it all depends on the filter elements you set.
Basic filter elements can include requesting a ride that is only 5 minutes away and only from customers with a 4.8 rating and above. Or you could set it to accept only surge 1.5x rides. Once the automation features are set, Mystro will accept and deny rides based on the criteria you preset. This generally creates a seamless shift for you and provides a hand of great ROI.
The downsides are that it is only available on Android since iOS blocks automation apps like Mystro.
There have been some issues with its performance, and several critics claim that it “bugs out” occasionally.
Customer service for Uber drivers is only available through email, no phone support.
Bottom Line
This is a great automating ride request app that creates a seamless ride for properly set filters. (That means you set the filter per your area and time of work to meet a seamless ride maximizing income).
The downside is that it does sometimes stick, and you must reset the system.
Cost: $11.95/month or $99.95/year
Trial Period: 30 Days
2. FarePilot
FarePilot is one of those hidden gems that you either know of or don’t. If you know of it, you swear by it, as I do. If you don’t know of, you lose out on an amazing tool. So, what’s so special about FairPilot. Let’s start by discussing the boonies. Yup, you got a ride, and it took you out into the boonies, now how do you get back with a ride? Yup, you got it, FairPilot.
This little app is amazing, it’s not to be used in the city or in your regular spots, but when you start to drive out of your regular area, don’t get uncomfortable and start cussing about the loss of fare back home. Turn on FairPilot and wait for it to suggest the closest location to pick up a fare. Remember, if you have Mystro, they work well together. FairPilot will send you to where Mystro will find you a request (Just remove the Mystro filters when in the boonies).
FairPilot works well; it is based on a database of information that is supplied by users that have the device. It collects pickup locations, frequencies of use and collates it into a tight little data package. This means it can tell you where to find the best places for fares.
Bottom Line
FairPilot makes you money by saving you money. Its algorithm will take you to the closest source of income, and as such, you don’t waste gas driving around empty. The downside is that it is a power hog and will use up your battery life. So, plug your mobile into the car battery source, or use a Samsung Galaxy 7 that seems to handle such a load. Now for the amazing why is it a gem comment? Because…it’s Free.
Cost: Free
3. Rydar
On occasions, you get an app that has no cons, and this is one of them. Even the price is so reasonable as to be a joke.
So, what us Rydar and why is it so brilliant?
Rydar is like a virtual assistant that has a degree in hospitality statistics as well as a CPA. It basically provides you with so many features you wonder why Uber didn’t create this as part of their app in the first place. It comes in two modes, free with limited access for 14 days and then a pro version that’s very economical to the pocket, and a premium version with full access to features. Honestly, don’t even think about not buying the premium version, it will pay you back on the first day of use.
Let’s look at its features;
- It provides a list of local concerts, events, and games with approximate crowd sizes.
- It gives you a map of ridesharing favored bars, clubs, and restaurants.
- It offers you a sort of directional filter called the “waypoint” feature,
- It will track your mileage.
- It scans and notifies you of surge alerts and notifications.
- It is an expenses tracker and income recorder.
- You can download its reports to excel.
As a business owner seeking advantages over the competition this is a must-have a tool, MUST HAVE, you will never work another day without it linked up and running.
Bottom Line: Perfection
Cost: $29.99 a year for the Pro version and $59.99 a year for the Premium version. Or, pay a monthly subscription that costs more in the long run, of $4.99 or $8.99 a month.
Free Trial Period: 14 days
4. Surge Chaser
You know how every ridesharing genius tells you not to chase the surge, well guess what, one of those geniuses must have been crying when this came out. This is the ultimate surge chasing app, although it doesn’t let you chase a surge after the fact, it informs you when the surge is coming so you don’t need to chase it. You just need to watch the map and drive casually to the surge as it happens.
Personally, this is a unique app that not everyone will want, but it does have its detractors, and the reality is that it works well. If you work surge hours and want to be sure to catch any extra surges in any area you are driving through, just prime this app and let it alert you.
Bottom Line
This is a replacement for that lost Uber feature that would notify you of surges. It’s a nifty app for “power drivers,” however, not everyone will enjoy it. It’s a psychological thing, although there are moments, as with any app that technical issues stop it from alerting you.
Free Trial: 30 days
Cost: 4.99/month, $14.99 for 3 months, or $44.99/year
5. Voxer
If you want a cool walkie-talkie style app for use while driving, then Voxer is the one for you. It’s not a ridesharing app per se.; it’s a messenger type app like WhatsApp and Skype but without all the bells and whistles. It concentrates on direct audio communications and is literally a walkie-talkie type app.
Bottom Line
If you want a simple app that gives you direct communications with anyone for free (or whatever you pay for your Wi-Fi package) then Voxer is the one to get. You can also stream video over it and send photos. So, whenever you are driving and feel like a chat with your better half, this is the one for you. The only issue you can get with this, is the same issues any communications system has, Wi-Fi or mobile connectivity. It’s only as good as the line you have.
Cost: Free for basic version but you can upgrade to PRO for $3.99/month or $29.99/year.
Free Trial Period: 7 days for PRO.
