inDrive has retained its position as the world’s second most downloaded ride-hailing app for the fourth consecutive year, according to Sensor Tower. This underscores its sustained momentum in emerging markets such as South Africa, where commuters are increasingly prioritising affordability, transparency and control over transport costs.
The milestone comes at a time when South Africa’s ride-hailing market is under growing strain from fuel price volatility, cost-of-living pressure and intensified competition among other ride-hailing platforms. For many local users, surge pricing and unpredictable fares have become a pain point, pushing demand toward models that offer clearer cost visibility.
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inDrive’s peer-to-peer pricing system allows riders and drivers to negotiate fares upfront, rather than relying on algorithmic price surges. This model has gained traction in price-sensitive environments like South Africa, where commuters often balance budget constraints with safety and reliability considerations.
“South Africans are feeling the pressure of rising transport costs, and they want more control over what they pay,” said Ashif Black, Country Representative for inDrive South Africa. “Our model gives both riders and drivers the ability to agree on a fair price, which builds trust, improves transparency and supports more sustainable earnings for drivers.”
A challenging economic landscape
Driver income remains a growing concern in the local gig economy, particularly as operating costs rise and regulatory compliance becomes more complex. inDrive’s lower commission structure enables drivers to retain a greater share of trip earnings, a factor that has contributed to platform adoption among drivers seeking stronger income stability.
“Drivers are at the heart of this industry,” Black added. “We help drivers maximise their take-home pay by taking a smaller commission and allowing open price negotiation while still offering competitive fares to riders. That balance is critical in South Africa’s current economic climate.”
The announcement also comes as South Africa formalises new regulatory requirements for e-hailing operators under amendments to the National Land Transport Act, introducing updated licensing, branding and safety obligations. As the sector becomes more regulated, platforms that can align compliance with affordability and service quality are likely to strengthen their position in the market.
inDrive makes strides globally
Globally, inDrive has surpassed 400 million downloads and operates in over 1,000 cities across 48 countries. Locally, since its establishment in South Africa in 2019, inDrive operates in nine cities (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, East London, Pietermaritzburg, Rustenburg and Polokwane) with an estimated 5,000 active drivers in the country and growing.
The company is accelerating its transition into a multi-service “super app”, expanding beyond ride-hailing into intercity travel, courier services, grocery delivery and financial services. This is a trend gaining relevance in emerging markets where users increasingly favour consolidated, everyday digital platforms.
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Technology continues to support this expansion, with machine-learning tools improving mapping accuracy, estimated arrival times and personalised service recommendations, while preserving user control over pricing decisions.
“South Africa is a strategic growth market for inDrive,” said Black. “We are investing in smarter technology, broader services and deeper local partnerships, while staying focused on fairness, transparency and meaningful value for everyday users.”
As competition in South Africa’s e-hailing sector intensifies, inDrive’s sustained download performance points to a broader shift toward flexible pricing models and multi-service platforms designed around local economic realities and user expectations.