Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has revealed that the true battle in India is now Rapido vs Ola, not Uber vs Ola. In an interview to Nikhil Kamath on his podcast, he said, “Ola was our primary competitor. Now, the tougher competition in India is Rapido.”
The numbers explain why. Uber controls 50% of the ride-hailing market, Ola holds 30%, and Rapido has surged to 20%. Founded in 2015, Rapido began with bikes but now runs auto-rickshaws and cabs in 100+ cities. Its reach has turned it into India’s latest disruptor.
Rapido’s playbook is different. It charges drivers just 0 to 5% commission, compared to 18 to 22% on Ola and Uber. Subscription-based incentives have built loyalty while keeping fares affordable. The approach has struck especially well in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
By 2025, 2 million drivers were active monthly on the platform. Backed by a $200 million funding round, pushing valuation to $1.1 billion, Rapido also restarted bike taxi operations in Bengaluru after a court overturned the state’s ban.
Meanwhile, Ola has stumbled with glitches, high commission complaints, and problems in its EV business. Rapido filled the gap, drawing riders and drivers away.
The new landscape is clear: Rapido vs Ola defines the next stage of competition, with Uber still on top but watching closely. Rapido’s local-first model and driver-friendly economics are shifting India’s urban mobility game.
