Features & Cost to Develop an App like Hala

The cost to develop an app like Hala (Hassan International) is one of the critical considerations that businesses take into account before venturing into the on-demand taxi service market.

Ride-hailing applications have transformed the way we travel in cities. Entrepreneurs and enterprises are looking at replicating the Hala magic and leaving a mark in the industry.

Awareness of the different building blocks that go into building an app, from features, functions, and attributes, helps organizations set a realistic budget and move towards the number-driven goal.

Our blog talks about a detailed cost breakdown of features to consider, monetization, and additional information to help you with your app development endeavor.

Embarking on the competitive platform, the cost to develop an app like Hala is an important piece of information you need to develop a results-oriented digital business approach.

Overview of Hala App

The Hala taxi booking application is your go-to reference if you want to learn how to build a taxi booking app.

Hala is a ride-hailing app popular in the Middle East. The taxi app facilitates taxi hailing through integrated local taxi services.

It allows riders to book taxis via their mobile app, while taxi drivers can accept ride requests through the Hala taxi driver app.

The Hala taxi app comes with a GPS-enabled live location tracker, an in-app payment system, and contact support. The real-time map functions help the drivers in finding their riders without getting lost in navigation. Hala for drivers also provides services that allow drivers to find passengers and get paid.

The features of the taxi booking app include – hailing cabs instantly, ride fare estimation, in-app payment, rating and reviewing taxi drivers, and an in-app contact support system.

These are among some of the basic features your taxi booking app should have. The Hala taxi app has a simple app design, making it easy to use.

Most taxi apps like Hala maintain a constant taxi fleet number, of which the majority comes from taxi drivers who subscribe to their taxi apps. With the taxi app, taxi riders have the best user experience, thus, remain loyal to the taxi app.

How Much Does it Cost to Develop an App like Hala?

Hala like app development cost, is not an easy thing to do. However, if you have an app idea like Hala, then getting to develop it will not be costly.

The average cost to develop an app like Hala will range from $25,000 to $ 60,000 or more. Several features and the quality you are expecting from the taxi app will also determine the cost to build an app like Hala.

These features include, but are not limited to, user registration, screen navigation, online booking management, ride fares, online payment, email and push notifications, and other features.

Also, the taxi app like Hala will determine how many hours it will take to design the app and other features that may arise.

For instance, the cost to develop a taxi app will increase if more work is required from your app design to the app user interface (UI), which will also require user experience (UX) testing and much more.

Factors Affecting the Cost to Build an App like Hala

Cost is a factor that keeps changing as per different factors.

Below are some of the factors that will play a great role in increasing the cost to develop an app like Hala.

App Platform

Deciding the kind of platform to be developed on will determine the cost of development. The app can be Android, iOS, or both platforms.

Developing an app on both platforms doubles the man-hours to be put into the app development and the testing, too.

This will definitely increase the development cost. For example, if you want to design your app for both Android and iOS users, then your Hala-like app development cost will be high compared to developing it for Android only or iOS alone.

Opting for a cross-platform app will be cost-effective, but with an increase in price and a reduction in quality.

You can determine the cost to build an app like Hala by looking at the region your app will be made in and the type of devices to be used there.

UI/UX Design

UI/UX is another vital factor that plays a critical role in the design of the taxi app.

The simpler the design is, the lower the cost to create an app like Hala will be. In case the design includes a more advanced interface with animations and other user interactivity, then it will take more time and money.

Good designs are the way of attracting users to the app you are trying to build.

High competition has forced all companies to build better, simpler, and more unique designs at a higher cost.

Features and Functionalities

The more functionalities and features you want to incorporate into your taxi app, the higher the cost to build an app like Hala.

The basic features include ride scheduling, fare estimation, etc., while advanced features like multiple drop-off stops, in-app taxi communication, driver and rider ratings will cost you more.

The integration of each functionality and feature into your taxi app involves more design, coding, integrations, and testing, among other functions.

Backend Integration and APIs

A strong backend system for the taxi app is highly required to ensure its scalability.

The development of a robust cloud backend, API integrations (maps, payment gateway, notifications, etc. ), and integration with databases.

This also includes the building of custom backend logic (more expensive) or the integration of pre-developed SaaS platform logistics (less expensive). This will increase the cost to build an app like Hala.

Third-party Integrations

Incorporating third-party services like payment gateways, map SDK, SMS services, and more, into the taxi app directly raises the Hala-like app development cost.

The integration services with API and the addition of license management for some services, too, increase the cost.

Also, maintenance costs like app updates, upgrades, and overall quality assurance.

Security and Compliance

The taxi app must have standard data security, privacy, and compliance levels with regard to local ride transportation guidelines and compliance.

Integrating and testing for advanced security features like end-to-end encryption, payment security, privacy policies, GDPR, etc., will also spike the cost to create an app like Hala.

You should make sure to invest early in cybersecurity to prevent high expenses in the future.

Developer Team Location and Expertise

Geographically, the cost to build an app like Hala also depends on the app developer team’s expertise and location.

The difference in charges for their services is clear: US/European developers cost way more than those of South Asia, Latin America, or Eastern Europe.

However, the latter has similar or lower-quality services but lower charges. App development with a professional team delivers better returns at a higher cost.

Simply speaking, app development outsourcing should balance well between remote technical team engagement and on-ground communication and project checks.

With the cost being clear, we will get to know those features that are important to have in Hala.

Features to Have in an App like Hala

Features you should have on your “Hala” Clone

Developing a taxi app like Hala would require more than just reserving a taxi; it also entails providing a smooth, intelligent, and secure experience for both riders and drivers.

In a world of mobility apps, you should have the perfect taxi app feature to produce one that is just as flawless.

8 of such ideal functions include;

1. Live Ride Tracking

Allow riders to see their cabs move on the map in real-time, from pickup to drop-off. It not only makes users trust the service but also gives them a clear picture of the driver’s location at any given point and even when the ETA will be.

2. Smart Fare Calculator

Show a rider an estimated fare before they book a cab ride. Distance-based, time-based, or surge, an accurate taxi fare calculator improves user experience as it prevents riders from facing hidden or unexpected fare surges.

3. Multiple Payment Modes

Accommodating flexible payment modes like Credit/Debit cards, digital wallets, or even cash would save a driver from a lot of friction during the checkout process. In turn, this would not only improve the rider’s experience but would also build their trust in the platform.

4. Ride Scheduling

Allow riders to book a ride at a later date and time, whether they need a ride in the morning or have a specific event in the evening.

5. In-App Chat & Call

Allowing in-app communication between a driver and passenger without having to share personal contact information with each other would help them to confirm pickup points or a set of instructions in the case of a specific trip.

6. Driver Ratings & Reviews

Allow riders to rate the experience they had and also to share a review of the driver they just had a ride with. This way, a new rider can get a feel of what they should expect from a driver or possibly a car.

7. SOS & Safety Features

The app would also have SOS buttons and ride sharing features where the rider can share the ride in real-time with family and friends and this would also include an instant share button that allows the rider to send the live location of the driver to family and friends, which would be essential for night rides and in the case of an emergency.

8. Ride History & Receipts

An app like Hala should also be able to show previous ride history as well as generate digital copies of receipts that include the trip time, routes, and total cost. This is important in the case of reimbursement, as it will make it easy for both the rider and driver.

All these Hala app features, when combined, would make up for a ride-hailing app that is not only competent but would also be user-friendly.

How Hala-Like Apps Can Make Money?

Are you thinking about building a successful ride-hailing app? Knowing the cost to develop an app like Hala is not enough.

You also need to understand how your Hala-like app can generate money once the app is launched.

A lucrative business model will lead to long-term growth and stability, help you attract investors, and keep your operations running at a profit.

Here are five tried and tested monetization models for you:

1. Commission-Based Model

The most used model is where the platform collects a fixed percentage of every ride fare, and the driver gets the rest of the amount. The more rides booked, the more you earn.

2. Surge Pricing (Dynamic Pricing)

Increase the prices during peak hours, or when the weather is bad, or in high-demand events. This can be done automatically by the app by increasing the fares when demand is high. The difference between the surge fare and the standard fare goes to the platform.

3. Subscription Plans for Drivers

Weekly/monthly subscription plans for drivers can be offered. A fixed amount will be charged to the drivers to use the platform and accept any number of rides for a specific duration. You earn a fixed amount from each driver that is paid irrespective of the volume of rides.

4. In-App Advertisements

Ads from third-party brands, local businesses, or fuel stations can be placed within your Hala-like app. Location-based or behavior-based in-app ads will allow you to monetize without hampering user experience.

5. Corporate Tie-Ups and Loyalty Programs

Drive Services can be provided to companies for their employees. Loyalty programs can be monetized with tie-ups from other brands by using reward points.

How Techanic Infotech Can Help You Develop an App like Hala?

At Techanic Infotech, we have a proven track record of developing user-friendly and scalable mobility solutions.

Being a taxi app development company , we offer a great combination of an intuitive UI/UX and a powerful backend solution to build your own Hala-like app.

Real-time GPS tracking of vehicles, in-app payments, multi-driver management, and more are some of the functional features we incorporate into the app to serve your drivers and riders effectively.

Whether you want to launch your mobility platform in a single city or start with one and scale to the world, we always provide the right mix of performance, innovation, and speed to market for you.

We don’t just focus on the feature set. We help you customize the features to best fit your business model. We also provide features like advanced analytics for you and ensure the app functions smoothly on various devices.

Conclusion

As appreneurs, it’s essential to understand the various monetization models. However, the secret sauce to profitability lies in aligning your monetization approach with long-term business objectives and user expectations.

While the cost of developing an app like Hala can vary based on features, platforms, technology stack, and geographic reach, the key to success is not just in the creation but in delivering value to users.

A well-designed ride-hailing app with an effective monetization strategy can recoup its development costs quickly and generate consistent revenue.

With the right guidance, a scalable roadmap, and a user-centric approach, your app can not only succeed in today’s competitive on-demand mobility market but also stand out as a trusted service.