Bolt vs inDrive

Bolt vs inDrive: Why Drivers Are Comparing Now

Uber ended its ride-hailing operations in Nigeria on 2 September 2026, after 12 years, citing evolving business priorities across the continent. It left Uganda at the same time. For drivers and riders who built their routine around Uber, Bolt and inDrive are the two apps absorbing that demand, and many drivers are comparing them head to head for the first time.

The two apps work differently. Bolt sets the fare, as Uber did, and takes 20% commission on rides in Nigeria, according to its driver guide. In July 2025 Bolt denied reports of a rise to 24% and confirmed the rate was still 20%. Some drivers say the effective cut feels higher once other charges are added. inDrive lets riders and drivers agree the fare, and takes a service payment that varies by location; it says this averages about 10%, roughly half the 20–25% other apps charge.

Commission is now a live issue. After Uber's exit, the drivers' union AUATON asked for commission to be capped at 10% across ride-hailing apps. Neither app has announced a permanent change, so this page uses the current rates. inDrive has also run short promotions, such as a 0.1% peak-hour rate in Abuja, which aren't treated as its standing rate here.

💡 A Lower Commission Isn't Automatically a Higher Payout

It's tempting to read "inDrive takes less" as "inDrive pays more" — but that's not guaranteed. Because inDrive fares are negotiated per ride rather than platform-set, your actual earnings depend heavily on your ability to negotiate a fair price with each rider, local demand, and how many other drivers are competing for the same trip. A driver who negotiates poorly on inDrive can still end up with less in their pocket than a Bolt driver getting a higher, but fixed and predictable, fare.

The break-even is simple: with Bolt at 20% and inDrive at about 10%, inDrive leaves you ahead as long as your inDrive fares are no more than about 11% lower than your Bolt fares. Below that, Bolt's higher cut on a higher fare pays more.

In practice, most experienced drivers in markets where both operate run both apps side by side (multi-apping) rather than picking one exclusively — taking whichever ride pays better in the moment.

Who This Comparison Is For

This tool is built for Nigerian drivers deciding where to focus their time after Uber's exit, drivers already on Bolt wondering if inDrive is worth adding, and inDrive drivers curious whether Bolt's fixed pricing would net them more on a typical week. It's also useful for riders trying to understand why fares and driver availability have shifted since September 2026.

If you drive outside Nigeria, the same comparison applies, but the rates differ. Bolt charges 15% to 20% in most cities, and 25% in Poland, Romania and Portugal. inDrive's rate is set by location and shown in your app.

How To Use This Comparison

• Step 1: Pick your current platform — Bolt or inDrive.
• Step 2: Enter your monthly gross fares — what riders pay before any platform commission.
• Step 3: Choose your currency — defaults to NGN, since this comparison is built around the Nigerian market.
• Step 4: Review the comparison — see your estimated take-home on each platform and the gap between them.
• Step 5: Check the break-even — inDrive stays ahead as long as your negotiated fares are no more than about 11% below what you'd earn on Bolt. On ₦300,000 of Bolt fares you keep ₦240,000; to keep the same on inDrive you need about ₦267,000 in fares.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Help for Rideshare Drivers

To track your mileage deduction as a Bolt or inDrive driver — including Nigeria's FIRS reference rate — try the Mileage Deduction Calculator for inDrive. To compare fees across every gig platform, not just these two, use the full Platform Fees Comparison tool. For your exact take-home after fees on a single platform, try the Take-Home Pay Calculator.