Alternatives to Uber in London: Taxi, Rideshare & Cab Services

Many Londoners no longer rely on a single app when booking a ride. Travel habits have changed, and people now switch between different Uber alternatives depending on the situation. A licensed driver booked through a black cab app may suit one journey, while private hire platforms or familiar taxi apps London users trust can work better for another. These services differ in how they operate, how they price journeys, and what level of service they offer. Knowing what each option is designed for makes it easier to choose confidently, without defaulting to the same app every time.

At Mobion, we regularly analyse the mobility market to understand how people move around the city. Let’s explore the available alternatives.

Top 3 Uber Alternatives in London by Service Type

In London, booking a ride rarely feels like a fixed routine. People switch between services depending on traffic, location, or how rushed the trip is. Some options are better for quick city journeys, others still rely on street pickup, and a few are built around sharing a route. This mix explains why several ride models continue to coexist.

Taxi services

App-based taxi services are often the first option people open when they want something similar to Uber, but without relying on one platform every time. A typical london taxi app focuses on fast booking, broad coverage, and predictable pickup, rather than trying to replace street hailing altogether.

• Key platforms: Bolt, FREE NOW, Addison Lee
• Market presence: Together, these services make up a noticeable share of app-based taxi bookings across London. Bolt tends to appear more often in outer areas, where price can influence the choice. FREE NOW is commonly picked for its mixed fleet, while Addison Lee remains closely associated with scheduled rides and airport travel.
• Best suited for: Short city journeys, airport transfers, and trips planned ahead, especially when waiting for a street pickup does not make sense.

For taxi operators that want to build their own branded booking experience instead of relying solely on third‑party platforms, Mobion taxi service software offers a scalable way to launch and manage an app-based solution tailored to their market.

Cab services

Cab services follow long-established rules and remain closely tied to central London. Their key difference is simple: licensed vehicles can still be picked up directly from the street, without depending on an app.

• Main operators: Black Cab, Dial-a-Cab, Green Tomato Cars
• Market presence: In busy central districts, cab services continue to handle most street-hail journeys. Black cabs are especially common around stations, theatres, and commercial areas, whether booked through a london black cab app or hailed on the spot.
• Best suited for: Central London travel, late-night rides, and situations where immediate pickup matters more than digital booking.

Ridesharing services

Ridesharing plays a much smaller role in day-to-day travel around London. Unlike taxis, these services are built around sharing a journey with others heading in a similar direction, which changes how and when they are used. This is usually what people mean when they talk about rideshare london options.

• Leading platforms: BlaBlaCar, Liftshare, Karos
• Market presence: Compared with taxis, ridesharing represents only a limited share of trips. Most usage is tied to intercity routes or regular commuting rather than short urban journeys.
• Best suited for: Planned travel, longer distances, and situations where splitting costs matters more than speed or flexibility.

Best taxi apps in London

Bolt

Bolt is widely used in London, particularly outside the busiest central areas. It is often chosen for lower average fares and a simple booking flow. Short trips typically start at around £5–£6, while a 3–4 mile ride often falls in the £10–£15 range, depending on traffic and demand. The app is straightforward and quick to use.

FREE NOW

FREE NOW is well established in London and popular for offering both licensed taxis and private hire vehicles in one app. Fares are usually mid-range: short trips often start from £6–£7, while a typical 3–4 mile journey costs around £12–£18. The app is intuitive and works well for mixed travel needs.

Addison Lee

Addison Lee is a well-known name in London, particularly for pre-booked rides and airport transfers. Prices are generally higher than app-only competitors, with short trips often starting around £8–£10 and a 3–4 mile journey averaging £15–£22. The service is valued for reliability and clear booking confirmation.

Best cab apps in London

Black Cab

Black Cab services remain one of the most recognisable ways to get around central London. Fares are regulated and based on distance and time, with short trips often starting around £7–£8. A typical 3–4 mile journey usually costs £15–£20. Black cabs are valued for local driver knowledge and immediate street availability.

Dial-a-Cab

Dial-a-Cab is one of London’s long-standing cab operators, offering phone and app-based bookings. Pricing follows licensed taxi rates, with short journeys typically starting around £7 and medium trips averaging £14–£20. The service is often chosen for reliability and advance bookings rather than spontaneous street pickups.

Green Tomato Cars

Green Tomato Cars focuses on low-emission and hybrid vehicles, positioning itself as an environmentally conscious cab option in London. Prices are usually in the mid to upper range, with short trips starting at around £8–£9 and a 3–4 mile ride costing roughly £16–£22. The service is mainly used for pre-booked journeys.

Best London rideshare apps

BlaBlaCar

BlaBlaCar is usually associated with trips that start in London but do not stay there. Most users open the app when they already know where they are going and when. Prices are based on sharing fuel and travel costs, so longer routes often start from £5–£10. This is not a last-minute option, but it can be a very affordable one.

Liftshare

Liftshare is mostly used by people who travel the same route more than once. It is common among commuters heading to the same workplace or area. Costs are shared between passengers and drivers, which can noticeably reduce travel expenses over time. Flexibility is limited, but for regular schedules, that is often acceptable.

Karos

Karos is less visible to the general public and more common inside companies. It is usually introduced as part of workplace mobility or sustainability programmes. Employees travelling similar routes are matched together, often with support from the employer. Outside of that context, the app has limited use.

Key differences between taxi, cab, and rideshare services

Taxi apps, cab services, and ridesharing platforms often end up in the same conversation, even though they are used for very different reasons. The real difference is not the name of the service, but how the journey happens. Some trips are booked on the spot, others need planning. Some are private, others shared. When these options are compared directly, it becomes easier to see which one actually fits the trip.

Which service works best for different trips in London

How to choose the right Uber alternative in London

There is no single service that works best for every trip in London. The right choice usually depends on context rather than brand loyalty. Understanding how different options fit specific situations makes day-to-day travel easier and more predictable.

To choose the most suitable service, it helps to keep a few practical points in mind:

• Consider where your trip starts. App-based taxi services tend to work well across most areas, while licensed cabs are often more convenient in central zones and busy locations.
• Think about timing. Late-night travel, peak hours, or busy stations can change which option is available fastest.
• Decide how flexible you need to be. Some services are better for planned journeys, others are designed for quick, on-demand pickups.
• Factor in the type of journey. Short city rides, airport transfers, and longer planned trips often suit different service models.
• Avoid relying on one app only. Keeping more than one option available usually leads to better coverage and fewer delays.

London’s ride market is flexible by design. Choosing the right service is less about finding a single “best” app and more about matching the service to the trip. If you want to explore how mobility platforms are built and optimised for different use cases, Reach out to us.