Top Apps for Taxi Drivers to Enhance Efficiency and Earnings

Is your taxi company looking for ways to run its business operations more efficiently and maximize earnings? If so, then you should consider looking into apps for taxi drivers. These apps will streamline operations, manage expenses, and maximize profits.

This article dives deeper into the taxi app solution by reviewing taxi booking apps, taxi navigation apps, and taxi expense management apps.

What is the current market growth of taxi app solutions?

The market for taxi app solutions has experienced significant growth over the past decade, driven by the rising demand for convenient, efficient, and on-demand transportation services. This growth has been fueled by smartphones' proliferation, GPS technology advancements., and changing consumer preferences toward ride-hailing services.

Current market overview

According to recent market reports, the global ride-hailing market size was valued at approximately $75 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 10% from 2022 to 2028. This growth is indicative of the increasing reliance on ride-hailing services worldwide.

What are the key features to look for in apps for taxi drivers?

We have found when choosing the best taxi apps to enhance your taxi driving business, you should consider the following key features:

• Real-time navigation: Look for a smartphone app that provides accurate, real-time tracking of navigation and traffic updates to help you find the fastest routes and avoid delays.

• Expense tracking: An app that tracks and categorizes expenses, including mileage, is essential for managing finances and maximizing tax deductions.

• Payment processing: Mobile payment processing capabilities are crucial for accepting card payments from passengers, offering flexibility and convenience.

• Integration: Choose an app that integrates seamlessly with other tools you use, such as accounting software and tax filing systems.

• User-friendly interface: Ensure the app is easy to use and does not distract you while driving.

What are the best taxi apps for drivers?

We have found the following smartphone apps to be the best taxi driver apps.

1. Shoeboxed - best taxi driver app for expense management

Shoeboxed stands out among the best apps for taxi drivers for its expense management features.

Shoeboxed is an expense management software designed to help individuals and businesses organize and manage their receipts, invoices, and other financial documents. It automates capturing, categorizing, and storing these documents, making it easier to track expenses, prepare for tax season, and maintain accurate financial records.

Shoeboxed is particularly beneficial for taxi drivers who need an efficient way to manage their expenses.

Expense tracking

Shoeboxed is a comprehensive expense management app.

Shoeboxed excels in expense tracking. Taxi drivers often have various business-related expenses, such as fuel, vehicle maintenance, and food purchases.

Shoeboxed's app helps drivers track these expenses on their mobile devices, allowing them to scan, digitize, and categorize their receipts while on the go. A driver can snap a picture of the receipt with their phone's camera and upload it directly into their Shoeboxed account.

The Magic Envelope service

Keep Shoeboxed's free Magic Envelope in the car for receipts while on the road.

The unique thing about Shoeboxed is its Magic Envelope.

Drivers can keep the Magic Envelope on their car's dashboard, where they can fill it with receipts as expenses occur, such as gas, so that receipts don't get lost or misplaced. The receipts can then be mailed in a postage-paid envelope to Shoeboxed, where they will be scanned, human-verified, and uploaded to your Shoeboxed account.

Shoeboxed is the only receipt scanner app that will handle both your paper receipts and your digital receipts—saving customers up to 9.2 hours per week from manual data entry!

Mileage tracking app

Shoeboxed's mileage tracking app is simple and accurate.

Shoeboxed is also a mileage tracker app that uses your phone's built-in GPS.

Once you sign up for Shoeboxed, open the app, tap the 'Mileage' icon, click the 'Start Mileage Tracking' button, and start driving! After clicking 'Start Mileage Tracking,' Shoeboxed begins tracking your location and miles and saving your route as you go.

It’s a good idea to drop pins if you make multiple stops along your trip. This helps keep the mileage tracking precise. For example, if you make any stops along the way and must pay for parking, you can still snap a photo and upload that receipt to your Shoeboxed account without stopping the mileage tracker.

Tap the 'End Mileage Tracking' button at the end of a trip. Shoeboxed will create a trip summary that includes the date, editable mileage and trip name, and tax-deductible and rate information. Click 'Done' to approve the summary and generate a receipt with your trip information, including a photo of your route on the map.

Shoeboxed will auto-categorize your trip under the mileage category for tax purposes.

Organization and categorization

Shoeboxed digitizes and organizes receipts.

Tracking paper receipts can be challenging and lead to clutter. Shoeboxed enables a taxi driver to declutter their workspace by scanning and digitizing their receipts using their phone's camera or sending them off in a Magic Envelope.

Once scanned, the expenses from the receipts are automatically categorized into 15 tax or custom categories.

Tax preparation

Shoeboxed boosts your taxi driver earnings by maximizing tax deductions.

Shoeboxed has been voted as the best receipt scanner app for tax season by Hubspot and given the Trusted Vendor and Quality Choice awards by Crozdesk.

Shoeboxed simplifies tax preparation for taxi drivers by providing them with accurate and organized expense records. During tax season, a cab driver can easily access their digitized receipts and generate expense reports for tax deductions.

Shoeboxed means more money in your pocket during tax season.

Time-saving for busy drivers

Manually inputting receipts into an expense tracking system can be time-consuming. Shoeboxed saves drivers time by allowing them to quickly capture and digitize receipts using their smartphones or sending them off to Shoeboxed in a Magic Envelope for Shoeboxed to scan for you.

One bookkeeper even stated that she saved 900 hours a year by using Shoeboxed.

Integrations with accounting software

Shoeboxed integrates with Wave, Xero, and QuickBooks.

Shoeboxed imports expense data by integrating with other tools you already use for your taxi business to maintain consistency across all platforms.

Shoeboxed integrates with various accounting and financial management software, such as QuickBooks and Xero. This integration allows a driver to import expense data into their preferred accounting software seamlessly.

Convenient and efficient

The Shoeboxed app is accessible anytime, anywhere, allowing taxi drivers to manage their expenses on the go. Whether at home or on the road, a taxi driver can easily access expense records and stay on top of their finances.

Shoeboxed provides drivers with a convenient and efficient solution for tracking and managing business expenses. By digitizing receipts, organizing expense records, and simplifying tax preparation, Shoeboxed helps drivers save time, reduce paperwork, and maintain financial control over their business operations.

Features:

• Receipt scanning and data extraction

• Expense categorization

• IRS-accepted receipt images

• Mileage tracking

• Integration with accounting software

Standout point:

• Shoeboxed is one of the best taxi driver apps for simplifying expense management. It automates the receipt capture and categorization, making tax preparation and expense tracking effortless.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use interface

• Saves time with automatic data extraction

• Ensures accurate and organized records

• IRS-accepted receipts aid in tax compliance.

• Comprehensive mileage tracking for travel expenses

Cons:

• The mileage tracker isn’t automatic. You’ll have to manually start and stop it, which actually gives you more control over tracking since you will need to separate business and personal miles.

Pricing:

• Plans start at $18 per month, with a 30-day free trial available.

2. Stride - best free taxi app solution for just mileage tracking

Stride offers a free mileage tracker for taxi drivers.

Are you looking for a free taxi app? Stride is a good option if you're just looking for a free app with a mileage tracker. However, it doesn't automate any of your other expenses. You have to log your expenses manually with Stride's app.

Features:

• Automatic mileage tracking

• Connects to your business bank account

• Tax deduction finder

• Connects to insurance plans

Standout point:

• Stride is one of the best free taxi driver apps

Pros:

• Intuitive user interface

• Free app

Cons:

• Limited features compared to some premium apps

• Occasional GPS tracking issues

Pricing:

• Free

3. Waze - best taxi driver app for navigation

Waze is a taxi app that provides real-time alerts.

Waze is a community-driven navigation app that provides real-time traffic information, route planning, and alerts about road conditions. 

Waze leverages user-generated data to offer an interactive and dynamic smartphone navigation experience. Users contribute information about traffic jams, accidents, speed traps, and other road hazards, which helps other drivers find the fastest and safest routes.

Features:

• Community-based traffic and navigation

• Real-time alerts for road hazards and traffic jams

• Speedometer and speed limit warnings

• ETA sharing

Standout point:

• Waze’s community-driven approach provides real-time updates and alerts from other drivers, enhancing navigation accuracy.

Pros:

• Free apps for taxi drivers

• Real-time, user-generated traffic updates

• Integration with music apps and taxi app

Cons:

• Taxi apps can be distracting with too many alerts.

• Dependent on user contributions for accuracy

Pricing:

• Free

4. Easy Taxi - one of the best taxi booking apps

Easy Taxi is a taxi booking app.

Easy Taxi is a mobile taxi booking app designed to connect taxi drivers with passengers quickly, efficiently, and conveniently. It has become one of the leading taxi booking apps. The app provides a platform for passengers to book rides quickly and for cab drivers to find more customers.

Features:

• User-friendly taxi booking software

• Real-time GPS tracking

• In-app payments

• Driver ratings and feedback

• Integration with local taxi services

Standout point:

• Easy Taxi is one of the best taxi booking apps. It efficiently connects drivers with passengers, provides a reliable platform for managing bookings, and enhances customer service.

Pros:

• Booking taxis is easy - enter your pickup location and destination, select service, and confirm booking.

• Simplifies fare collection with in-app payments

• Provides valuable feedback through taxi driver ratings

• Receive ride requests directly on your smartphone

Cons:

• Depending on the taxi service app and usage in your area

• Service fees may apply

Pricing:

• Free taxi driver app to download; service fees vary by region

How can taxi drivers compete with rideshare services like Uber and Lyft?

The rise of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft has significantly transformed the transportation industry, posing a challenge for traditional taxi drivers. However, with strategic approaches and leveraging technology, taxi companies and drivers can effectively compete and thrive in this competitive landscape.

Here are some key strategies to help a taxi driver to stay ahead of competitors:

Offer superior customer service

• Personal touch: Focus on providing a more personalized and friendly service. Building rapport with passengers can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth.

• Professionalism: Maintain a high level of professionalism. Dress appropriately, be courteous, and ensure your vehicle is clean and well-maintained.

• Customer feedback: Actively seek and respond to customer feedback. Addressing customer concerns promptly can improve service quality and customer satisfaction.

Leverage technology with unique and tailored features

• Navigation apps: Use reliable navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze for real-time traffic updates and efficient routing. This helps reduce travel time and fuel consumption.

• Expense management apps: Utilize apps like Shoeboxed for efficient expense tracking and mileage logging. These tools help manage finances and maximize tax deductions.

• Booking platforms: Register on apps like Easy Taxi, which connects drivers with passengers looking for rides.

Competitive pricing

• Transparent pricing: Offer transparent and competitive pricing. Display fare rates and avoid hidden charges. Competitive pricing can attract price-sensitive customers who might otherwise choose rideshare services.

• Discounts and promotions: Provide discounts and promotions during off-peak hours or for frequent riders. Loyalty programs can encourage repeat business and build a loyal customer base.

Diversify services

• Specialized services: Offer specialized services such as airport transfers, parcel delivery, or corporate transportation. These services can cater to specific customer needs and create additional revenue streams.

• Wheelchair-accessible vehicles: Provide wheelchair-accessible vehicles to cater to passengers with special needs, setting you apart from many rideshare services that may not offer this option.

Enhance payment options

• Multiple payment methods: Accept card payments using mobile payment processing apps. This makes it convenient for passengers who prefer not to pay with cash.

• In-app payments: Integrate with platforms like Easy Taxi that offer in-app payment options, providing passengers with a seamless and convenient payment experience.

Focus on driver safety and reliability

• Background checks: Emphasize the safety of your service by highlighting that a taxi driver undergoes background checks and regular vehicle inspections.

• Consistent availability: Ensure consistent availability, especially during peak hours and in high-demand areas. Reliable service can build trust and encourage repeat business.

Local knowledge and expertise

• Route knowledge: Use your local knowledge to navigate efficiently and provide informative insights about the area. This can enhance the passenger experience and set you apart from a rideshare driver who may rely solely on GPS.

• Tour guide services: Offer tour guide services for tourists. Your familiarity with local attractions, restaurants, and hidden gems can add value to the passenger experience.

Market your services

• Online presence: Create a professional online presence through social media and a simple website. Share positive customer reviews, promote special offers, and provide information about your services.

• Partnerships: Partner with local businesses, hotels, and event organizers to secure regular transportation contracts. Networking can help generate steady business and referrals.

Frequently asked questions

How can I ensure my taxi service is preferred over rideshare options?

Focus on offering superior customer service, maintaining professionalism, providing transparent and competitive pricing, and leveraging technology for efficient operations. Highlight the safety and reliability of your service to build trust with passengers.

Which feature is the most beneficial to drivers?

It's hard to beat Shoeboxed's Magic Envelope. With a plan that includes this postage-paid envelope, drivers can conveniently keep it on their dashboard and fill it with receipts while on the go. 

This keeps drivers from losing receipts and keeps the receipts all in one convenient place.

In conclusion

Making a profit as a taxi driver is achievable with strategic planning and efficient operation management. You can maximize your earnings by optimizing your schedule, using technology to enhance efficiency, offering excellent customer service, managing expenses, and diversifying your services. 

Despite the competition from rideshare services, focusing on quality, trust,  and efficiency in the taxi business can help you stand out and achieve profitability in the taxi industry.

Caryl Ramsey has years of experience assisting in bookkeeping, taxes, and customer service. She uses various accounting software to set up client information, reconcile accounts, code expenses, run company financial reports, and prepare tax returns. She is also experienced in setting up corporations with the State Corporation Commission and the IRS.

About Shoeboxed!

Shoeboxed is a receipt scanning service with receipt management software that supports multiple methods for receipt capture: send, scan, upload, forward, and more!

You can stuff your receipts into one of our Magic Envelopes (prepaid postage within the US). Use our receipt tracker + receipt scanner app (iPhone, iPad, and Android) to snap a picture while on the go—auto-import receipts from Gmail. Or forward a receipt to your designated Shoeboxed email address.

Turn your receipts into data and deductibles with our expense reports, including IRS-accepted receipt images.

Join over 1 million businesses scanning & organizing receipts, creating expense reports, and more—with Shoeboxed.

Try Shoeboxed today!