How To Build An App Like BlaBlaCar?

Ride-sharing apps and carpooling apps are quite popular among users around the world. The reason behind their popularity is they can significantly reduce CO2 emissions. Some estimates suggest that every car taken off the road through carpooling reduces greenhouse gas emissions by tons annually.

So when we talk about carpooling, the first thing that comes to mind is the BlaBlaCar app. This carpooling service is gaining popularity for its unique and flexible taxi services.

Now the best part about this French carpool service is this acts as a bridge between car owners and passengers who want to share the fare and travelling for long-distance rides.

The biggest problem this carpool service solves is; it reduces traffic and pollution. Apart from this users can save a significant amount of commuting expenses by carpooling, cutting down the fuel costs, tolls, parking fees & maintenance expenses.

Moreover, the revenue in the car-sharing market reached US$2.89Bn in 2023 with an annual growth rate of 2.82% of CAGR which results in a projected market volume of US$3.23 Bn by 2027.

The number reflects the market potential of the car-sharing app and doesn’t show any sign of slowing down any time soon. So if you want to create a carpool app we got you covered.

In this blog, we shall be discussing how to create a carpool app like BlaBlaCar, how much it costs to create it, and its essential features. Let’s dive in!

BlaBlaCar: An Overview of Market Leading Car Pooling App

By going through the market overview we are giving you a closer look at the most popular community-based travel service and the market potential of carpooling apps.

In the last three months, blablacar’s ranking has increased from 34,993 to 38,672 with annual revenue of $200M -$500M.

Now, if we look at the wider side the revenue in ride-sharing market is projected US$429.10 Billion in 2023. And revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate of 4.30 % resulting in a project market volume of US$ 507.90 billion by 2027.

Apart from this, in the ride-sharing market, the number of users is expected to amount to 3,467M users by 2027. The user penetration is projected to be 41.4% in 2023 and 43.7% by 2027. This will be the cherry on the cake if you want to invest in this niche.

Now let’s shed some light on the BlaBlaCar App:

BlaBlaCar was founded in 2004, and it’s popular for providing carpooling services around the world. This carpooling service provides a platform for the drivers and the passengers to connect.

Moreover, the fixed commission is charged by the BlaBlaCar, by going through its website passengers can book rides and vehicles to travel around the cities.

The motive behind developing this ride-sharing app is to solve users’ daily commuting issues. It is available on Android and iOS platform as well as serve its users with a user-friendly website.

BlaBlaCar shows that there will be 26M unique active members in 2022. This shows the growing demand for these services if you create an app like BlaBlacar. In other words, you can generate millions of dollars out of it.

Speaking of which, there are many who are confused between carpooling and taxi booking app development. Let’s clear that out in section below.

Carpooling Apps Vs Taxi Booking Apps

Now let’s discuss the most common misconception between these ride-hailing services. These services sound similar but very different when it comes to the functioning and audience they serve.

Let’s take a look at the difference between carpooling apps and the best taxi apps.

Ultimately, whether you want to build a car pooling app or Taxi Booking apps the choice depends on you. Let’s move to next section.

How BlaBlaCar App Works?

Several carpooling apps are available in the market if you want to know – ‘how to build a ridesharing app like BlaBlacar’, first you must know it’s working.

1. Place a Request

By going through the BlaBlaCar app search for the rides available on the requested routes, and after that place a request to book a car service.

2. Booking Request Acceptance

Now, it’s up to driver to accept or reject the ride. If the ride gets accepted driver will reach the location within the given time and date.

3. Money Transfer

After the ride is completed the passengers have to pay the amount with cash or any means whichever is suitable to them. To prevent scams it is advisable to pay within the app. This is made possible via payment gateway integration in app.

4. Rating and Reviews

Lastly, both drivers and passengers can provide reviews and ratings based on their trip experience.

This is how carpooling services work, now if you want to build an app like BlaBlacar, something interesting waiting for you in the next section.

Top 5 Successful Carpooling Applications

In this section, you’ll discover top 5 successful carpooling apps that revolutionize the commuting experiences of users.

Why Create A Carpooling App Like BlaBlaCar?

Since, the Bla Bla app launched in the market, it has inspired several others to develop carpooling app and contributed to the ridesharing market as a whole.

We have already discussed the market of ride-sharing services, this market has potential. And there are businesses out there who are willing to develop an app like Blablacar.

Now, let’s discuss several reasons to build a carpool app at the current time.

Reason 1: Better for environment

Carpooling services help in reducing environmental pollution. It is reported that 1.5 M tonnes of CO2 has been saved in 2022 with BlaBlaCar’s services which has helped in improving air quality.

Reason 2: A Humane Approach

Each travel journey connects users from diverse backgrounds fostering meaningful interactions. Around 90 M trusted human connections have been made within the community of BlaBla services.

Reason 3: More Affordable

Carpooling services are an affordable solution that enables passengers and drivers to share the cost of carpooling services.

Now let’s discuss some features that you should include in this app, in the next section of the blog.

Features To Include In the BlaBlaCar Clone app

Now if you are willing to develop a ridesharing app like Blablacar or want to build app like Lyft, the first foremost thing to discuss with the mobile app development company is the features that you are including in it.

Well, the basic features are divided into three sections, User Panel, Driver panel, and Admin panel. Let’s take a look.

Advanced Features for Ridesharing App

An important part of answering how to build an app like BlaBlaCar is choosing not only basic feature, but a healthy amount of advanced features, creating a perfect blend.

Therefore, let’s look at advanced features.

• Advanced booking

Carpooling app platforms like BlaBlacar and apps like GrabTaxi can schedule rides in advance. This feature is helpful for passengers to plan their journey ahead of time and provide security for the ride.

• Most loved driver demands

Speaking of best with this feature passengers can send requests to ride with specific drivers they’ve previously travelled with. This will help in enhancing user experience.

• Waitlisting

In such situations where all the available ride slots are full, users can join a waitlist. If a spot becomes available due to cancellation the next person on the waitlist gets the opportunity to enjoy the ride.

• Choose desired vehicles

This feature provides flexibility for users to choose the desired vehicle that suits their needs whether they require SUVs or more luxurious rides.

• Route Tracking

User can track their route during the ride, seeing the path taken by the driver. This feature provides visibility throughout the journey and ensures passengers about their security.

• Track earning

For drivers, this feature allows them to track their earnings and monitor their payments.

• Data management

This involves maintaining and managing the data collected by the app, such as user profiles, ride histories, preferences, ratings, and reviews.

Lastly, each of these features contributes to enhancing the overall user experience within the carpooling ride-sharing platform. Now the question is how to make an app successful, to know more jump into the next section.

Technology Stack for Carpooling App Development

The right tech stack is essential to make a carpooling app successful. Whether you create a Robotaxi app or build a Carpooling app Like BlaBlaCar right tech stack is a must during app development.

1. Programming Languages

The success behind the best driving direction apps is the right programming language. If you want your carpooling app to be successful in no time you must choose programming languages such as:

• Swift
• React Native
• Flutter
• Java

2. Backend Framework

For backend framework, the first choice of Android app developers is Node.JS with Express.js, Ruby on Rails, Django, or Laravel for building server-side logic & APIs

3. Primary Database

If you want to make an app like BlaBlacar use databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MongoDB for storing user data, ride information, preferences, and other app-related data.

API Management

Most Android & iOS app developers utilize tools such as RESTful APIs, GraphQL, or MongoDB for managing communication between frontend and backend APIs to ensure smooth data exchange.

Now you know the tech stack, it’s time to learn the development process in the next section.

How To Build An App Like BlaBlaCar?

Finally, we reached the most awaited section, now you can develop a ridesharing app like Blablacar by following each step. Let’s go.

Step 1: Ideation

The first thing to do is to come up with an idea to start the development process. Now there is no shortcut to get the ideas out of your head. Simply, brainstorm the ideas related to your niche and jot them down in the notebook.

Do this until you are satisfied with the result. All you have to do is think about your app niche, target audience, security, testing, monetization, idea and you are good to go.

Step 2: Research

Now that you have an app idea, just make sure that it can work. For this, you need to do extensive market research which is very important to make your mobile app successful.

By doing market research you need to make sure that your product is marketable and can generate good revenue.

This stage is the most crucial because you get to know about the market gaps and the loopholes in your competitors’ apps. You can research your competitors such as car rental app like Turo, Carma Pooling, Geet, etc.

Step 3: Planning

In this stage, you are one step closer to developing your app. The app planning starts by creating a roadmap for your app. Now how you can do this?

First, you have to hire mobile app developers ask them about the app development timeline, and decide on the app features and software development methodologies.

After that choose the right tech stack such as:

• Languages: Java, Swift, JavaScript
• Frameworks: Node.JS, Express.js
• Databases: PostgreSQL/ MySQL / MongoDB

Lastly, don’t forget to choose a platform that includes:

• iOS
• Android

Step 4: App Designing

Features are the most crucial part of the app. If you want to make your app successful you have to decide on the right set of features. Since it is the first thing users encounter while using your app.

Ask your team of UI/UX designers to create a visually appealing interface for the app. Your app become successful in no time if your app provides a good user experience.

Step 5: Backend Development

In this process, the team of expert developers writes clean code. This is where the source code of the BlaBla mobile app is written.

Simply, all the hard work is done in this stage like writing codes and working with mobile app development frameworks and payment gateway integration in taxi app. After that, all you have to do is test.

Step 6: Testing

App Testing is crucial when it comes to mobile app development.

After developing the carpooling app, ask your team of testers to test the app rigorously. Now if they find any bugs and errors they can eliminate them in this process before deploying the app in the market.

Step 7: Deployment

If you are satisfied with the testing results, you can easily deploy your app in the market. It highly depends on the platform you choose between iOS and Android app development.

Lastly, don’t forget about app marketing it’s crucial to market your app to make it successful.

Also Read: How to Launch An iOS App in App Store – How To Publish Android App in Play Store.

Step 8: Maintenance

After deploying the app in the market, you have to invest in the app maintenance services in order to make your app successful in the long run.

By regularly maintaining and updating will help you to remove bugs and errors in your app.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Carpooling App Like BlaBlaCar?

When it comes to cost the BlaBlacar app development cost depends on several factors such as the platform you chose, features, complexity of the app, and the developer’s location.

It is crucial to give the exact cost of a carpooling app like BlaBlacar. But if you want to derive the exact taxi app development cost there is a formula:

Developer cost per hour * Development time = Total cost of product

Therefore, the average cost of the BlaBlaCar app can be anywhere between $20,000 to $60,000 or more depending on the project’s complexity.

If you want an accurate cost estimation, it is advisable to consult with the on-demand app development company.

Carpooling App Monetization Model

So, how do you make money with a carpooling app?

Well, there are various app monetization strategies that we can use here. Let’s look at some of them below:

• Advertisements

This is the most common model that helps carpooling apps generate revenue from ads. Most advertisers pay the app owner for ad placement based on the number of clicks or views ads receive.

• In-App Purchase

With this model, users can buy additional features, services, or subscriptions within the app. For the carpooling app users get extra benefits like priority booking, ad-free experiences, and access to exclusive features.

• Cancellation Fees

Most carpooling apps implement cancellation fees as a source of revenue, users are charged for canceling a fee or booking a ride after a specific timeframe.

• Freemium Model

In this model, you’ll get the basic features of the app for free helpful in attracting a large user base. This can also be called a subscription-based app.

How Nimble AppGenie Can Help You to Build a Carpooling App?

BlaBla is the best carpooling platform in the world. This app is well-planned with multiple revenue generation streams and with 100% success rate in business. This is what makes us a market leading taxi app development company.

Our team has experienced designers and developers that follow agile methodology so your product can get developed within the given timeline. As of now, we have developed an on-demand taxi mobile app – Pearl Cab, we are the most reliable and techno-driven company.

To get your project done feel free to ask about taxi booking app development cost and features, and we will provide you with the best possible solution.

Conclusion

Carpooling apps have been popular among users for the past few years.  These services are best for reducing traffic congestion as well as air pollution. Most people prefer these taxi rides for long distances as they are pocket-friendly.

If you want to develop an on-demand app whether it is an e-scooter app or an app like the BlaBlacar app you need to hire an app development company with experience in developing taxi apps.

FAQs

Niketan Sharma

Niketan Sharma is the CTO of Nimble AppGenie, a prominent website and mobile app development company in the USA that is delivering excellence with a commitment to boosting business growth & maximizing customer satisfaction. He is a highly motivated individual who helps SMEs and startups grow in this dynamic market with the latest technology and innovation.