January 22, 2026
Over the years, several taxi businesses have grown rapidly with different and unique business models and have become top-notch names in the ride-hailing industry. And let us be real with you that Meru Cabs is among those names. Many entrepreneurs and startups have been inspired to start a taxi app business like this. Do you want to build a taxi app like Meru Cabs, too?
If so, keep in mind that building a successful app involves knowing user needs, choosing suitable features, meticulously building the software, and upgrading it frequently. Do you want to know how? Keep reading this post! Below, we have shared a detailed guide on building a taxi app like Meru Cabs in a clear and simple way.
About The Original Platform – Meru Cabs
Meru Cabs is one of India’s first and most trusted taxi services, allowing passengers to schedule a journey swiftly and conveniently. It started out as a radio taxi service in 2007. Later, it introduced a mobile-friendly ride booking feature via its website and app, making it easy for customers to hire a cab. The software can be used for personal or professional travel, airport travel, out-of-town travel, and city travel.
What Meru Cabs Features
Here are the features of the app to retain its users:
- Reservations In Advance
To avoid tension at the last minute, the app allows users to book a cab for later in the day or even up to a week in advance.
- Live Cab Tracking
After booking, the audience can watch their booked taxi’s movement on a map and see where it is and when it will reach them.
- Cashless and Simple Payments
People can pay for the ride without cash by using in‑app wallet options and digital payment choices.
- Safety Help
The app gives safety options like tracking trips and emergency alert features so users can experience safe travelling.
- Extra Ride Choices
In some places, Meru offers shared ride options and special services like female drivers for women riders, making travel more flexible.
How Its Business Works
Meru Cabs makes money by providing cab services that link drivers and clients. Meru Cab’s business model relies on a combination of ride fees, driver agreements, and additional services to maintain operations and expand. Here are some key points on its business model:
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Calls and App Booking Fees
Meru charges a fee for each ride that is completed when riders make reservations via the Meru app, website, or call center. As more people use the platform, this fee- which is a portion of what passengers pay for the service- increases.
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Ride Earnings from Drivers
Meru works with drivers who pay a fixed daily fee or share a part of each ride’s earnings. This allows Meru to earn regularly as more drivers complete rides on the platform each day.
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Corporate Travel Services
Meru also earns by offering business travel services. Many companies use Meru for employee transport or airport travel, which brings in additional revenue beyond regular everyday rides.
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Extra Services and Ads
Besides taxi rides, Meru earns from advertising on cars and adding useful services that riders or brands may pay for. These small additions help increase overall income.
Meru’s business model is built on combining reliable ride services with simple earning methods that work well for both drivers and customers. These clear points help the company stay active in a busy taxi market.
Steps To Build a Taxi App Like Meru Cabs

Explore these points on how to invest in a Meru Taxi app step by step:
Plan Your Idea Clearly
Consider your preferred type of taxi service first. Decide whether it will concentrate on city rides, airport flights, or longer outstation journeys. Also, determine who will use your app and the problems it will solve for them. Knowing what features are essential and how to differentiate your business from others is made easier with careful planning.
Choose the Right Features
List the features you want your app to have. This can feature ride history, safe payments, real-time taxi monitoring, simple ride scheduling, and emergency warnings. To make the features easy for people to comprehend and utilize, keep them simple. Add only what is required for a safe and easy journey.
Select the Platform
Select the platforms on which your app will function. It can be made for iOS, Android, or both. A web version can reach more clients because some users prefer to book rides online. Selecting the appropriate platform guarantees that more users can easily utilize your software.
Create an Easy-to-Understand Interface
The app needs to allow users to pay and track their taxi and book rides easily. Simple buttons, clear menus, and step-by-step instructions make it possible for even the least technical user to use the app with ease. A clean and intuitive UI results in a better user experience .
Build the App with Good Technology
Hire tech-advanced development professionals who can help you build full functioning app. A competent team also assists in adding new features without disrupting the software, so that it remains highly captivating.
Test the App Carefully
Make sure your software works properly before launching the platform. Examine every feature of your platform to see if anything is slow or inaccurate. For example, try arranging rides, making deposits, and tracking live. Monitoring assists you in identifying issues early on, assuring users enjoy a flawless app interface and don’t run into any problems.
Launch and Promote
Start promoting your app and releasing it in app stores. To draw users, employ social media, local advertisements, and internet promotion. Urge them to give your service a trial and tell their friends about it. A successful launch makes your software more visible and rapidly grows its user base.
Keep Updating and Improving
After the app launches, pay attention to user comments. Resolve any issues promptly and incorporate practical elements that facilitate travel. Regular updates boost user trust in your service and preserve the app’s dependability. By continuously improving, your taxi app can grow and remain competitive in the market.
Development Cost Of Taxi App Like Meru Cabs
Understanding the Meru app investment cost also plays an essential role in developing a platform. Since the total cost varies greatly according to the features, design, and level of complexity of the app, there is ultimately no set pricing.
Explore this table for a clear analysis of development cost so you know what to expect:
| App Type | Features Included | Estimated Cost (USD) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic App | Core ride booking, basic map tracking, simple payment | $10k – $50k | Startups testing the idea or small cities |
| Clone | White-label app with similar offerings | $10k – $25k | Test the concept with a small investment |
| Mid-Level App | Multiple payment options, ride scheduling, live chat, and an admin panel | $50k – $150k | Businesses wanting a stronger user experience |
| Advanced App | Surge pricing, AI suggestions, multi-city support, analytics, full admin tools | $150k – $300k+ | Large platforms aiming for long-term growth |
| Platform & Region Factors | Android, iOS, or both; the developer location affects cost | Varies | Helps plan the budget according to resources |
| Extras & Ongoing Costs | Updates, server hosting, marketing, support | Varies | Needed to keep the app running smoothly |
Conclusion
At last, all we would say is that you can invest in a taxi app development like Meru Cabs to scale in the ride-hailing sector. You can develop an app that is unique and offers customers genuine value if you have the correct strategy, features, and technology.
This process is considerably simpler when working with a top taxi app development company like RichestSoft. RichestSoft has years of expertise creating unique taxi booking apps that function flawlessly on iOS and Android. We assist you with updates and upcoming revisions, as well as preparation and launch.
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