If you’ve ever looked at an Uber price, thought “okay,” then checked again 60 seconds later and got a totally different number… yeah. It’s not your imagination.

Here’s the part that should make you pause: an NBER working paper released in November 2025 found that for identical trips there are meaningful price differences between Uber and Lyft—and yet only 16.1% of people who open one of the apps also open the other. The authors estimate that these tiny “search frictions” add up to over $300 million per year in extra gross bookings in New York City alone. In other words: a lot of riders are overpaying simply because they don’t compare.

That’s exactly where fare-compare apps come in. They reduce the “ugh, I don’t want to check five apps” problem—so you can pick the cheapest (or fastest) ride with less effort.

Below is a simple, practical guide to how these apps work, plus 5 solid options you can use to pay less.

What “Fare-Compare Apps” actually do (and why they save you money)

Fare-compare apps fall into two buckets:

  1. True ride price comparison apps
    These pull live quotes (and ETAs) from multiple ride providers, so you can see your options side-by-side before you book.
  2. Trip-planner apps that include ridehail as an option
    These are mainly transit/navigation apps, but they’ll show ridehail options (sometimes with prices/ETAs) alongside transit, walking, biking, etc. This still saves money because it helps you avoid “defaulting” to the first ride button you see.

Why comparison matters: ride prices move with supply/demand, driver availability, traffic, and fees. There isn’t one app that’s always cheaper—so your best strategy is to compare in the moment.

A quick “this is real money” example (using the research)

The NBER study found an average 14% price difference between Uber and Lyft for the same trip. So if your ride is $25 in one app:

  • 14% of $25 = $3.50 potential savings

If you take just 2 rides a week, that’s about:

  • $3.50 × 2 × 52 = $364/year

Not life-changing, but absolutely noticeable—especially if you’re watching your budget.

App #1: Obi (best “one screen” price comparison for ridehail)

Obi is designed specifically for comparing ride options and prices across multiple services in one place.

What it’s like to use (real-world feel)

You type your destination, and Obi shows a list of providers with live prices and ETAs. I found it easiest when I was in a hurry and just wanted the cheapest option without opening multiple apps.

Pros

  • Shows multiple ride services in one view, so you don’t have to bounce between apps.
  • Helpful when traveling because it surfaces local ride providers you might not think to download.
  • Makes “compare first” feel automatic, which is the whole point.

Cons

  • You still end up booking through the underlying provider, so you may get pushed into another app anyway.
  • Coverage and available providers vary a lot by city—sometimes the list is amazing, sometimes it’s basically “Uber + one more thing.”
  • Like any aggregator, if a provider changes access rules, what Obi can show may change too.

App #2: Google Maps (best for quick “fastest vs cheapest” checks)

Google Maps added a ride services tab specifically to help you compare options without opening a bunch of apps. It’s a surprisingly good “default” comparison tool because you’re probably already using Maps.

What it’s like to use

When you search directions, you can switch to ride services and see fare estimates and pickup times from multiple partners. It’s perfect for that moment when you’re deciding: “Do I ride, take transit, or walk 12 minutes and ride from there?”

Pros

  • You can compare ride options right where you already plan trips.
  • Good at showing tradeoffs (pickup time vs cost) fast.
  • Useful when you’re in an unfamiliar area and don’t want to install five new apps.

Cons

  • You’ll often see estimates, not the final number you’ll be charged.
  • The partner list depends on location; in some places you won’t see much variety.
  • If you’re trying to squeeze every dollar, you’ll still want to confirm the final in-app price before booking.

App #3: Apple Maps (best if you’re on iPhone and want simple booking)

Apple Maps supports ride booking through compatible ridesharing apps. It’s straightforward and very “Apple-ish”: fewer knobs, less clutter, works smoothly when it works.

What it’s like to use

You search a destination, tap the ride option, and Apple Maps shows ridesharing options it can connect to. It may share your location with those apps to estimate wait times and fares (you can turn this off).

Pros

  • Clean experience—great if you hate juggling apps.
  • Convenient for quick checks (especially if you already live in Apple Maps).
  • Easy to control which ride apps can connect in settings.

Cons

  • Works only in select areas and with compatible apps (so it’s not universal).
  • You’ll still rely on the rideshare app for the actual booking flow and final price.
  • Not as “comparison-first” as dedicated fare comparison tools.

App #4: Citymapper (best for big-city “should I take transit instead?” math)

Citymapper is a city navigation app that’s very good at showing realistic trip options. In the UK specifically, it also displays fares next to routes and does fare math (including England’s bus fare cap logic).

What it’s like to use

You plan a trip and see multiple modes. The value here isn’t only comparing Uber vs Lyft—it’s comparing “ridehail” vs “transit + a short walk” in a way that feels practical, not theoretical.

Pros

  • Strong at showing cheaper non-ride options (the easiest savings is often “don’t take a ride the whole way”).
  • The app does fare calculations for many public transport options (in supported regions).
  • Great when you’re balancing time, cost, and complexity (kids, groceries, late nights, etc.).

Cons

  • Fare display features vary by city/country; it’s not the same experience everywhere.
  • Ridehail comparisons aren’t the main focus, so it may not feel as direct as a dedicated comparison app.
  • Best value is concentrated in the cities Citymapper supports deeply.

App #5: Transit (best for mixing ridehail + public transport to cut cost)

Transit is built for multimodal trips. The key money-saving trick: using ridehail for the “hard part” (first/last mile) and public transit for the expensive middle.

Transit also supports ordering ridehail services in-app in many places, and its support documentation lists specific ridehail providers it works with (including Uber and Lyft, plus others depending on country/city).

What it’s like to use

You plan your trip, and Transit shows different ways to get there—sometimes combining ridehail and transit. It’s especially good when transit is close-but-not-close-enough, and a short ride replaces a long walk.

Pros

  • Makes it easy to replace a full ride with a cheaper hybrid trip.
  • Shows ridehail options nearby, with wait times, and can book in-app for certain providers.
  • Clear list of supported ridehail services, so you know what to expect.

Cons

  • Depending on the provider, you may still be redirected to the provider’s app to finish booking.
  • You have to be okay with “two-step” trips (ride + transit), which isn’t for every situation.
  • Like all multimodal planners, the best results depend on how good your local transit data is.

Practical tips to pay less (without turning it into a hobby)

These are the habits that actually moved the needle for me—without spending your life refreshing price screens:

  • Always do a 10-second compare before you book.
    The NBER research basically says most people don’t—and that’s the whole reason savings exist.
  • Treat price and pickup time as a combo.
    The cheapest ride that arrives in 14 minutes isn’t always “cheapest” if you’ll miss a reservation or pay a late fee somewhere else.
  • Use a “walk a little” strategy.
    Open your trip in a planner (Google Maps, Citymapper, Transit), then see what happens if you walk 5–10 minutes to a less congested pickup spot. Even when prices don’t drop, ETAs often improve.
  • Be careful with cancellations.
    Comparison apps reduce bad picks, but once you request a ride, don’t keep “shopping” unless you’re willing to eat a cancellation fee.
  • Watch fees and surcharges, not just base fare.
    In some cities, add-ons can be a meaningful chunk of the total. (And they can change over time due to local rules.)

What’s changing right now (trends that affect what you’ll pay)

A few developments are shaping ride costs and how easy it is to compare:

  • Price comparison still isn’t “built in” for most people.
    The November 2025 NBER paper highlights that the friction is behavioral (habit) and structural (limits on easy third-party price comparison).
  • Rideshare pricing hasn’t necessarily been exploding everywhere lately—but it’s uneven.
    Uber has publicly talked about how prices are estimated and what factors affect them, but what you experience depends heavily on your city, timing, and local fees.
  • Autonomous rides and new ride types are expanding, but “cheaper” isn’t guaranteed.
    As robotaxis expand via partnerships and new markets, the “premium vs price” tradeoff is becoming real in some cities—meaning comparison matters even more.

The bottom line

Fare-compare apps don’t use magic—they just make it easier for you to do what most riders still don’t do: check more than one option.

If you want the simplest approach, start with Google Maps or Apple Maps (because you already have them). If you want the most direct “show me the cheapest ride right now” experience, Obi is the clearest fit. And if your best savings come from doing less ridehail overall, Transit and Citymapper help you spot the cheaper mix fast.

Sources: