inDrive - Drive tracking & navigation

inDrive, previously known as inDriver, a trailblazing ride-sharing app operating in 600+ cities across 48 countries. Notably, it offers its services completely free of charge. It's a disruptive entry in the rideshare industry, evolving since its inception in 2013 and expanding globally. Its innovative rides are now available in the USA too! Being a fantastic taxi substitute for your travels, inDrive enables users to find rides or offer driving services through the app, ensuring convenience and flexibility, especially for trips in Miami.

Key Features: 

- More Control: Choose your driver and set the price for your ride.

- Fair Prices: Drivers incur fewer fees resulting in cheaper rides for passengers.

- Safety First: Robust safety measures, vetted drivers, and round-the-clock support.

As a driver on inDrive, you can potentially earn more than a regular cabbie by setting your schedule and selecting preferred rides.

Benefits for Drivers:

- Low Service Payments: Initial service charges are kept minimal and waived for half a year post-launch.

- Quick and Easy: Effortlessly request affordable rides by inputting start and end points, setting fare, and selecting a driver.

- Offer Your Price: Customize your rideshare experience by choosing your driver and determining the fare.

Why Choose inDrive:

Standout Qualities:

- Choose Your Driver: You have the liberty to handpick your driver based on various criteria. This freedom sets inDrive apart from typical taxi apps.

- Stay Safe: Detailed driver information is provided, along with the ability to share trip details with contacts.

- Add Extra Options: Specify any specific needs in the comments section to enhance your ride experience.

Disruption— A Product Review of the inDrive App

Before I tell you what my experience was like as a user of inDrive, if a product promises you the ability to set or negotiate the fare, what comes to mind?

I used to think the fares of other apps were overpriced. Finally, a chance for me to not be overcharged. Was I surprised? A little.

Firstly, there is a recommended fare. There is also a minimum fare.

By default, after selecting pickup and dropoff locations, the recommended fare comes up. You can find a driver without changing the fare. You can choose to change the fare, but you cannot go lower than the minimum fare. You can set any fare from the minimum to the recommended (or even more if you are feeling generous).

Screens showing the recommended fare and minimum fare for a ride I booked

What really gets my attention is this— a lot of people will be interested in how they’re in charge of their ride fares. But really, there’s not so much difference.

I learned negotiation by telling the market woman that I’m ready to pay 2,750 Naira for the tuber of yams she initially said would cost 17,500 Naira. Why wouldn’t an app that promises negotiation and goes ahead to limit my negotiating prowess with a minimum fare irritate me at first?

inDrive found a solid product moat, they were loud on the promise, and they delivered on it—maybe not up to the expectations of the users, in this case passengers, but we can agree that it is fair. It may just be irritating for a driver to see the fares some passengers will set if they have total freedom.

I am a Nigerian, and of course, I negotiate for about 55% of my purchases. And, yes, I want to negotiate my ride fares too. Even bus conductors don’t treat me that well.

I spoke with some other users of inDrive, and this is one of the things they like the most about the app. Being able to choose how much you will pay.

This is what the app looked like in 2019 (from a driver’s POV). The passenger would ideally see the recommended fare, and other options close to the recommended fare and select one. (Source)

UX

The inDrive app is one that, after I used it about three times, I could conclude they had some experienced people across the product teams. Unfortunately, I am not reviewing any of the early versions of the app, the app has undergone several iterations to get here; this is version 5.53.0. And, it is easy to use. Whether you are familiar with ride-hailing apps, or it is your first time, navigating the app to order a ride, choose your driver, cancel, or rate a driver after a ride is easy.

One particularly intriguing thing about the inDrive app is the time-to-value.

It took me less than 44 seconds after installing the inDrive app, to sign-in (which is the same process as signing up), and order a ride.

A screenshot from my stopwatch showing how much time it took me from opening the app to signup/login through to ordering my first ride. I carried out this test, ensuring I was not too fast.

The onboarding process was smooth, with no long forms, and just one simple verification. This means even if you never had the app previously, you can download, sign up, and find a driver all in under two minutes, and you will probably spend more time waiting for the app to get installed than signing up and getting your first ride. This is good because the churn during/after onboarding will be so minimal.

Ps: I also deleted other ride-hailing apps on my phone, and installed them afresh, the time taken for the process from the first click to when I ordered a ride for three different apps is shown in the screenshots below

The time it took from installing the app newly to when I ordered my first ride on three other ride-hailing apps.

inDrive came to the Nigerian market after popular companies like Bolt and Uber got here already. I’m not surprised they have as much traction as they do now. There used to be “Top 2” ride-hailing apps, Uber and Bolt, but now there’s a “Top 3”, with the newest member— inDrive. This feat can, to some extent, be a result of how much attention the team has paid to fine-tune the overall UX of the product.

The first time I used the inDrive app, I was in Akure, Nigeria, a city that is not as large or populous as Lagos, but I got a driver in no time.

When do passengers use inDrive?

Have you ever been in a store at the mall, and the prices you see are shocking, so you checked for the item on Jumia (or Amazon, with some quick currency conversion mathematics, LOL) to confirm you were not taken advantage of? Exactly! A few weeks into using inDrive, this is what the experience was like for me. I opened the app and attempted to book rides to verify that I had not been overcharged by the other ride-hailing app I initially wanted to go with. After many times when I found inDrive to be cheaper, I just opened it straightaway, no more comparisons.

Join as a Driver:

Opportunity for Drivers:

- Make Extra Money: Unique to inDrive, drivers can view the destination and price before accepting a ride, with the option to suggest an alternative fee.

Whether you seek a new driver app for your journey or need a ride in Miami, inDrive offers a distinct rideshare adventure as an excellent taxi alternative. Embrace inDrive for a custom ride or drive experience tailored to your preferences!