In the fast-paced world of on-demand transportation, ride-hailing apps like Hala Taxi have become game-changers in urban mobility. For entrepreneurs and businesses looking to build their own taxi booking app, one of the most critical questions is: how much does it cost to build an app like Hala Taxi?

In this blog, we’ll break down the features, factors influencing cost, and a rough price estimate. We’ll also touch on how financial application development trends, custom fintech software development services, and fintech application development play a crucial role in making such apps robust and scalable.

Understanding the Hala Taxi Model

Hala Taxi is a Dubai-based ride-hailing service that integrates RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) taxis into an easy-to-use mobile application. It’s a hybrid between private ride-booking services and public transport regulation, offering users the convenience of real-time booking, tracking, and digital payments.

To replicate this model, your app needs to offer:

• User and Driver Apps (iOS & Android)
  
• A Web Admin Dashboard
  
• GPS Navigation & Real-time Tracking
  
• Payment Gateway Integration
  
• Ride History & Booking Management
  
• Rating & Review System
  
• Notification System
  
• In-App Chat & Support
  

Core Features You’ll Need to Build an App Like Hala Taxi

Building an app like Hala Taxi requires two separate apps (User & Driver) and an admin backend. Here are the must-have features:

1. User App Features

• User Registration/Login (via email, phone, or social media)
  
• Ride Booking Interface
  
• Real-time Ride Tracking
  
• Fare Calculation
  
• Payment Options (Card, Wallet, Cash)
  
• Trip History
  
• Ratings & Feedback
  
• Push Notifications
  

2. Driver App Features

• Driver Profile Management
  
• Trip Notifications
  
• Start/End Ride
  
• Earnings Report
  
• In-app Navigation
  
• Trip Acceptance/Decline
  

3. Admin Dashboard

• User & Driver Management
  
• Analytics and Reports
  
• Fare and Commission Management
  
• Dispute Handling
  
• Promotions & Discount Management
  
• Service Area Configuration

Factors That Influence the Cost of Developing a Hala Taxi-Like App

1. App Platform (iOS, Android, Web)

Building separate native apps increases costs, while cross-platform frameworks like Flutter can help reduce development time and expenses.

2. App Complexity & Features

More advanced features (like AI-based driver matching, route optimization, surge pricing algorithms) require more time and skilled developers.

3. Design & User Experience

Investing in a seamless, intuitive UI/UX boosts engagement but also increases design hours and cost.

4. Backend Development & APIs

The backbone of your app – handling bookings, payments, GPS, and notifications – must be scalable and secure.

5. Fintech Application Development Integration

Payment gateway integration is critical. Here, fintech application development expertise ensures secure transactions, fraud detection, wallet services, and smooth digital payments.

6. Location-Based Services

Real-time tracking and navigation use GPS APIs like Google Maps, which may incur usage costs.

7. Testing and QA

Rigorous testing is needed across devices, platforms, and user scenarios to ensure reliability.

Estimating the Development Cost

Here’s a breakdown of hours needed to build an MVP of a Hala Taxi-like app:

Module	Estimated Hours
User App	300 – 350 hrs
Driver App	250 – 300 hrs
Admin Panel	200 – 250 hrs
Backend & API Integration	200 – 300 hrs
UI/UX Design	100 – 150 hrs
QA & Testing	100 – 150 hrs
Total	1,150 – 1,500 hrs

With ProtonBits charging $25 per hour, here’s a rough cost estimate:

• Minimum Development Cost: 1,150 hrs × $25/hr = $28,750
  
• Maximum Development Cost: 1,500 hrs × $25/hr = $37,500
  

---

Why Fintech Application Development Matters in Ride-Hailing Apps

A taxi booking app like Hala doesn’t just need ride matching; it needs secure, seamless digital payment processing. That’s where fintech application development plays a pivotal role. Integrating fintech ensures:

• Multiple digital payment options
  
• Digital wallets for riders and drivers
  
• Transaction history and invoices
  
• Real-time commission management
  
• Instant driver payouts and withdrawals
  

By partnering with a development company skilled in financial application development, you ensure your app complies with industry standards for secure transactions, fraud detection, and scalability.

Importance of Custom Fintech Software Development Services

No two ride-hailing businesses are the same. That’s why custom fintech software development services offer a competitive advantage. Custom solutions allow:

• Unique business logic implementation (e.g., multi-currency support, tipping systems)
  
• Localized fintech integrations (e.g., Razorpay for India, Stripe for the USA, or PayTabs for MENA)
  
• Onboarding KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures
  
• Loyalty programs and cashback features
  
• Integration with third-party financial services
  

Whether it’s offering wallet recharge bonuses or dynamic fare pricing, fintech customization empowers your business model.

Tech Stack Recommendations

To build a scalable app like Hala Taxi, here’s a recommended tech stack:

Frontend:

• Mobile: Flutter or React Native (for cross-platform) / Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android)
  
• Web: React.js, Angular

Backend:

• Node.js, Ruby on Rails, or Laravel
  
• Database: PostgreSQL, MongoDB
  
• Cloud Services: AWS, Google Cloud, Azure
  
• Real-Time Features: Firebase, WebSocket
  
• Payment Gateways: Stripe, Braintree, PayPal, Razorpay

Why Choose ProtonBits for Taxi App Development?

ProtonBits is a leading mobile and web app development company specializing in building scalable, secure, and performance-driven applications. With over a decade of experience in financial application development and custom fintech software development services, we deliver end-to-end solutions tailored to your business goals.

Our Core Strengths:

• Dedicated mobile app development team
  
• Expertise in fintech application development
  
• On-time delivery and agile methodology
  
• Transparent pricing model at $25/hour
  
• End-to-end support: From ideation to post-launch maintenance
  

Whether you’re a startup or a large fleet operator, ProtonBits has the technical expertise and industry insights to deliver a product that competes with the best.

Conclusion: Final Cost and What to Expect

So, how much does it cost to build an app like Hala Taxi? Based on feature requirements and complexity, the estimated development cost ranges from $28,750 to $37,500.

This includes:

• App Design (UI/UX)
  
• User and Driver Apps
  
• Backend System
  
• Admin Panel
  
• Third-party API Integrations
  
• Testing & Deployment
  

With ProtonBits charging just $25/hour, you get high-quality, scalable development services that meet global standards at a fraction of the cost compared to large agencies.

If you’re ready to disrupt the transportation space or enhance your existing fleet management solution, let ProtonBits help you build the next big ride-hailing app powered by robust fintech application development principles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)