No matter where you go, when you turn around on the road, you will see more cars than two-wheelers, right?
Now you might be wondering that everybody has four-wheelers but that’s not true at all!
Not everyone has the honor to buy a car. Today’s middle class is still riding on two-wheelers as they cannot afford the hefty maintenance cost of a car.
Thanks to car rentals, people can easily book a cab and go wherever they want to, without burning a hole in their pocket.
Did you know?
The car rental market demonstrated significant growth, registering a value of USD 119.28 billion in 2021. Projections indicate a robust upward trajectory, with the market anticipated to expand to USD 223.07 billion by 2027.
Since the craze of “Rental Cars” is peaking, businesses have opted for a car rental application to offer a seamless commuting experience while earning maximum profit (of course)!
Before we dive into car rental app development, let’s understand its meaning, working, Car rental app features and benefits.
Market Size of Car Rental Industry
- Revenue Growth: The industry is expected to experience robust revenue growth, with a projected annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.5% from 2020 to 2024. By 2024, the market volume is anticipated to reach an impressive US$105,285 million.
- User Penetration: User penetration is forecasted to increase steadily, reaching 7.1% by 2024, up from 3.6% in 2020. This indicates a growing number of consumers opting for car rental services globally.
- Average Revenue per User (ARPU): The average revenue per user (ARPU) is expected to be US$200.37, reflecting the potential for generating substantial revenue from each user utilizing rental car apps.
- Global Car Rental Software Market Growth: The global car rental application market witnessed significant growth, reaching US$101,729.76 million in 2021. Projections indicate further growth to US$188,933.23 million by 2027, at a CAGR of 9.25% between 2021 and 2027.
Understanding a Car Rental Application & its Working
Car rental apps are dedicated software applications designed for smartphones to offer customers a seamless and convenient way to rent vehicles. These user-friendly applications empower users to search for their desired car, select the appropriate rental option, and complete the payment process online.
Beyond the core rental services, these rental car apps provide a plethora of additional features to enhance the user experience. Customers can access exclusive offers, enjoy flexible booking options, and conveniently make advance online payments—all from the palm of their hand using their smartphones.
Here’s a breakdown of the step-by-step process involved in car rental mobile app development:
Step 1: Request a Cab
- Passengers open the car rental app and input their destination.
- They have the option to schedule their trip for a future time or book a cab instantly.
Step 2: Ride Accept
- The app displays the number of available cabs in the vicinity of the passenger’s location.
- The app automatically assigns a driver to the passenger’s request, and the driver receives a notification to accept or reject the trip.
- If the trip is rejected, the app assigns the request to another available driver.
Step 3: Travelling
- Once a driver accepts the trip, the passenger and driver initiate the journey.
- Some apps may require passengers to verify their identity by entering an OTP (One-Time Password) received on their mobile device.
- Passengers can track the progress of their trip in real-time through the app’s GPS tracking feature.
Step 4: Total Cost Display
- Upon completion of the ride, the rental car app notifies the passenger of the total trip price.
- The total cost of the trip is determined by factors such as the distance traveled, location, demand, peak hours, vehicle type, and weather conditions.
Step 5: Final Payment
- Passengers make the final payment through the app using their preferred payment method.
- They can also leave feedback for the service and rate the driver.
- Similarly, drivers can rate passengers, improving service quality and accountability within the car rental app ecosystem.
Essential Car Rental App Features to Include in Your App Development
Here are the best car rental app features to include;
1. Registration & Login
Allow customers to easily sign up and log in to the app to access its features and services.
2. Car Searching & Booking
Enable customers to search for available vehicles based on their preferences, check availability for specific dates, and seamlessly book their chosen vehicle within the app.
3. Payments
It is one of the best car rental app features where professional developers implement a secure and convenient payment gateway to facilitate online transactions, which ensures customers’ peace of mind regarding the security of their payments.
4. GPS-Infused Cars
Integrate GPS technology into rental vehicles to enable customers to share their location with the company for pick-up and drop-off purposes, enhancing overall efficiency and convenience.
If you want to incorporate this feature, make sure you hire an experienced mobile app development agency to help you.
5. Customer Reviews & Feedback
Allow users to leave reviews and feedback about their rental experience, fostering transparency and accountability while helping the business improve its services.
Additional Important Car Rental App Features
Super Admin App:
A centralized app for managing all aspects of the rental car apps.
- Management of Customers, Drivers, & Vehicles: Efficiently manage user accounts, driver profiles, and vehicle inventory.
- Management Dashboard: Provide a comprehensive dashboard for monitoring and analyzing various metrics and operations.
- Management of Pricing & Inventory: Set and manage pricing for rentals and maintain an up-to-date inventory of available vehicles.
- Management of Payments & Billing: Handle billing, invoicing, and payment processing seamlessly within the app.
- Customer Support: Offer customer support channels such as live chat, email, or phone to resolve queries and issues promptly.
Drivers’ App:
- Accept or Decline Booking Requests: Allow drivers to accept or decline ride requests based on their availability.
- In-App Navigation: Provide built-in navigation features to assist drivers in reaching their destinations efficiently.
- Trip History & Earnings: Enable drivers to view their trip history and earnings within the app.
- Contact Support & Report Issues: Allow drivers to easily contact support and report any issues or concerns.
- Account Settings: Provide options for drivers to manage their profiles, preferences, and settings.
Crucial Steps for Car Rental App Development
If you want to run into car rental mobile app development, it involves several crucial steps to ensure its success and effectiveness. After knowing the best car rental app features, here’s a breakdown of the key steps in the car rental app development process:
Unique Branding
Choose a unique name and design a captivating logo for your car rental service. Your branding will help distinguish your app from competitors and attract users.
Business Model Selection
Determine the most suitable business model for your car rental app, whether it’s a peer-to-peer model, a fleet-based model, or a hybrid approach. Selecting the right business model is essential for generating revenue and expanding your user base.
User Interface Design
Design an intuitive and user-friendly interface that provides a seamless experience for users. Focus on simplicity, clarity, and ease of navigation to enhance user satisfaction and engagement. If you don’t know about UI/UX design, it’s wise to hire a dedicated mobile app development agency for your business.
Development and Implementation
Utilize multi-language frameworks and advanced car rental app development tools to build the software infrastructure of your car rental app. Ensure compatibility across various devices and platforms for maximum accessibility.
Testing and Quality Assurance
Thoroughly test the app for functionality, performance, security, and compatibility to identify and address any issues or bugs.
Deployment and Launch
Once the rental car app is fully developed and tested, deploy it to the marketplaces such as Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Implement effective marketing strategies to promote the app and attract users.
Feedback and Iteration
Incorporate a feedback feature within the app to collect user insights and identify areas for improvement. Regularly analyze user feedback and usage data to refine the app and enhance its performance and usability through future updates.
Benefits of Car Rental App Development for Your Business
Let’s dive into the incredible benefits of car rental mobile app development for your business.
1. Increased Customer Engagement
Mobile apps allow car rental companies to engage with customers on a personal level, providing convenient access to information, reservations, and rental management, ultimately enhancing the overall customer experience.
2. Improved Customer Experience
Well-designed mobile apps offer a user-friendly and streamlined experience, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
3. Increased Visibility and Reach
Mobile apps enable car rental companies to reach a wider audience and expand their customer base by making it easier for potential customers to discover and interact with their services.
4. Enhanced Brand Recognition
Mobile apps reinforce the brand identity and values of car rental companies, improving overall brand recognition and reputation in the market.
5. Data Collection and Analysis
Mobile apps provide valuable insights into customer behavior, usage patterns, and preferences, enabling car rental companies to make informed decisions and optimize their services.
6. Competitive Advantage
By offering a user-friendly and convenient car rental application, companies gain a competitive edge in the industry, attracting and retaining customers more effectively compared to competitors who may not offer such features.
What is the Cost of Car Rental Mobile App Development?
The cost of developing a rental car app can vary significantly depending on various factors such as the complexity of features, the development platform, the geographical location of the development team, and the level of customization required. On average, the cost of car rental mobile app development can range from $5,000 to $50,000 or more. For a more detailed estimate tailored to your project’s requirements, you can try our Mobile App Development Cost Calculator. The price breakdown typically depends on the type of features and functionalities integrated into the app.
Basic car rental apps usually include features
- User Registration
- Search and booking systems
- Location services
- Payment integration, and reviews or ratings for vehicles.
However, more advanced apps with additional functionalities, such as GPS integration, real-time car availability tracking, multi-language support, user profiles, and customer service chatbots, can drive costs up to $50,000 or higher.
What are the Examples of Successful Car Rental Apps?
Here is a list of a few rental car apps that made their presence in the US. Let’s take a quick look at them.
- Turo
- kayak
- Getaround
- Zipcar
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car
- Alamo
Final Thoughts
The expansive and promising car rental app market presents ample opportunities for new entrants to thrive. Starting with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) can be a strategic approach to enter this dynamic industry and establish a foothold among competitors.
Developing a car rental application can provide a host of benefits for both customers and businesses alike. This is where the importance of EitBiz comes into play!
We are committed to staying ahead of the curve by embracing cutting-edge technology and staying open to incorporating new features and integrations to meet the evolving demands of your business. Whether you’re looking to enhance your current car rental operations or embark on a new venture, our team is dedicated to providing tailored car rental mobile app development services that drive success and exceed your expectations.
Partner with a leading mobile app development agency like EitBiz at +1(812)530-6300 or send us your queries to info@eitbiz.com today and our app developers will contact you at the earliest!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are the must-have features of a car rental app?
A car rental app should have essential features like user registration, car search filters, booking and payment options, GPS navigation, real-time vehicle tracking, push notifications, ratings, and reviews. It should also support secure user profiles, multiple payment methods, customer support, and vehicle availability updates for a seamless experience.
Q2. Why is GPS integration important in a car rental app?
GPS integration is crucial for providing users with accurate directions, real-time vehicle tracking, and the ability to locate nearby rental cars. It enhances the overall convenience and reliability of the service, allowing users to easily navigate to pick-up locations and optimize routes for better travel planning.
Q3. How much does it cost to develop a car rental app?
The cost of developing a car rental app can range from $5,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the complexity, features, platform (iOS, Android), and design requirements. Additional factors like back-end development, security, and integration with payment systems can also influence the total cost.
