In my previous post, The True Cost of a Car in Kenya: My Uber Driver’s Real-Life Maintenance and Fuel Ledger, we calculated that my absolute daily running cost is KES 2,987. That figure is the battlefield.
Now, we face the most common question among drivers: Which app is best for covering that cost and turning a profit?
I’ve looked at the question from two angles: the Driver’s Profitability and the Rider’s Price Sensitivity. This is a comparison built on data from the Nairobi streets, not just app marketing.
The Raw Financials (My View)
Let’s cut straight to the numbers. In a price-sensitive economy like Kenya, riders often choose the cheapest platform. But for the driver, a slightly higher fare can make all the difference to the bottom line.
The Commission Wars & The Negative Balance Trap
Contrary to popular belief, the apps operate on very similar commission structures once taxes are included. The real financial risk lies in their negative balance policies, which directly impact your cash flow and driving uptime.
| Platform | Base Commission | Driver Net (Approx.) | Negative Balance Rule (Cash Flow Risk) |
| Uber | 20.9 | 79.1% | Requests payment around -KES 1,500. Takes you offline if not settled in 3 days. |
| Bolt | approx 20.9 | 79.1% | Restricts to card/corporate trips if balance hits -KES 500 (or higher for some accounts). |
| Little Cab | approx 20.9% | 79.1% | Comfortable with anything less than -KES 500. Easiest to maintain uptime (can pay KES 50 to clear). |
The key takeaway here is clear: Little Cab is the most driver-friendly regarding cash flow risk. They allow you more float and flexibility to keep earning.
The Net Revenue Calculation (KES 1,000 Trip Scenario)
The apps have minimum fares (Uber/Bolt minimums are KES 220 for the lowest category), but the actual revenue is calculated based on time and distance. Let’s compare the revenue for a standard trip where the price to the client is KES 1,000, assuming no surge or traffic, and then see how each app handles deviations.
| Platform | Gross Fare (No Surge) | Driver Net Takeaway (79.1% of Gross) | Pricing Stability in Traffic/Detour |
| Uber | KES 1,035 | KES 818 | Prices change depending on circumstances/route changes. Generally stable. |
| Bolt | KES 1,000 | KES 791 | The worst. Map often suggests poor routes, and support often sides with the suggested route. |
| Little Cab | KES 1,080 | KES 854 | Best Priced. Known to accurately calculate time taken and distance covered. Drivers rarely complain. |
The Verdict on Fares: In non-surge conditions, Little Cab pays the highest net revenue for a comparable trip. Bolt often pays the least.
The Daily Break-Even Test
In our previous post, we established that your Minimum Gross Daily Revenue (GDR) required just to cover your running costs (fuel, maintenance, data, lunch) is KES 3,734.
Let’s see how many standard KES 1,000-fare trips you need to take on each app to hit that KES 3,734 operational break-even point:
| Platform | Net Takeaway per KES 1,000 Trip | Required Net Revenue | Trips Needed to Break Even |
| Little Cab | KES 854 | KES 2,987 | $\approx **3.5 \text{ Trips}**$ |
| Uber | KES 818 | KES 2,987 | $\approx **3.65 \text{ Trips}**$ |
| Bolt | KES 791 | KES 2,987 | $\approx **3.77 \text{ Trips}**$ |
The difference might seem small, but $0.27$ of a trip is money earned, not money spent. The highest-paying app gets you to profitability faster.
Beyond Commission (The Logistics & Risks)
Money isn’t just about commissions; it’s about cash flow, safety, and operational stability.
Cash Flow: Who Pays Faster?
For card and corporate trips, how quickly you get your money determines if you can afford to fuel up the next day.
| Platform | Payment Speed | Withdrawal Charges | Notes |
| Little Cab | Fastest (Same Day) | Charges apply (Predatory nature noted) | Corporate trips are paid out very quickly. |
| Bolt | Fast (Same Day) | Free (Used to charge, but now the best on fees) | Prompt, but requires a “clean account” for the last two months. |
| Uber | Slowest (Up to Monday) | Charges apply | Withdrawal requests are slow; if requested Friday afternoon, payment spills to Monday. Avoid picking card trips late Friday. |
Verdict on Cash Flow: Bolt is the best due to free and prompt payments. Little Cab is very fast but has higher withdrawal fees.
The Surge Factor
Surge is where the driver makes real money. It happens when demand exceeds available cars, typically during peak hours (morning/evening rush) or heavy rain.
- Uber gives surge in absolute figures (e.g., +KES 150 added). This is predictable.
- Bolt gives surge in multipliers (e.g., 1.5x, 2.0x). Multipliers can be explosive when demand is high.
- Little Cab typically does not have surge, which is the primary reason many drivers switch it off during peak hours.
Safety and Support
All apps claim to offer SOS assistance. However, support quality and safety features are a key determinant of driver comfort.
- Uber claims to have a personal accident cover for its drivers. This is a crucial, high-value benefit that competitors may lack.
- Bolt is known for being inflexible when issues arise, often defaulting to supporting the route suggested by the map, even if it’s illogical.
- Little Cab and other local apps like Yego (a personal favorite of mine) generally offer more personalized, albeit smaller, driver support.
The Verdict (The Action Plan)
The answer to which app is best isn’t simple; it’s a strategic calculation based on your current need (cash, volume, stability).
My Recommendation: Choosing Your Poison
| Scenario | Best Platform | Secondary Platform | Why? |
| Highest Fare/Pricing | Little Cab | Uber | Pays highest net revenue and prices are the most accurate in traffic. |
| Swift Payment (Card Trips) | Bolt | Little Cab | Payments are free and prompt. Uber is the worst. |
| Volume of Work | Bolt | Uber | Bolt has the largest client base and is available in every corner of the city. |
| Driving during Surge/Peak | Bolt | Uber | Multipliers (Bolt) offer the potential for higher explosive earnings than absolute figures (Uber). |
| Stability (Non-Surge Hours) | Uber | Little Cab | More stable rates and driver support presence in town/Westlands. |
| Distance (Long Trips) | Little Cab | Uber | Their pricing structure is fairest for long distances. |
Strategy: The Triple-App Hustle
You should never rely on a single app to cover your KES 2,987 daily operating cost. The smart strategy is to operate on all three and be strategic about when and where you use them:
- Work All Three: Have Uber, Bolt, and Little Cab running simultaneously to minimize dead time and maximize revenue per hour.
- Around Town/Environs: Use Uber and Little Cab for stability and fair pricing.
- Outside Town/Peak Surge: Turn on Bolt to capitalize on potential high multipliers.
Final Takeaway: Little Cab and Yego are financially superior regarding pricing and driver control, but you need the Volume and Surge from Bolt and Uber to ensure you hit your daily Kes 6,650 target (from our example calculation).
