How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Car Rental App Like Ekar?

Ever wondered how much does it cost to develop a car rental app like ekar? You're not alone.  

This cost to create an app like ekar typically ranges between $20,000 to $100,000 depending on various factors like features, tech stack, design, and a lot more. 

With the increasing demand for self-driving rentals and on-the-go mobility solutions, building a car rental app has become a hot trend for businesses. 

Whether you're a startup or an established rental service looking to go digital, understanding the cost breakdown is crucial before involving into the “development process.”

In this blog, we’ll dive deep into everything that influences the cost to develop an Ekar-like app, so you can plan smartly and invest wisely.

What is the ekar App?

ekar is a car-rental and car-sharing service in the middle east that offers self-driving cars and revolutionizes how consumers move around a city. Rather than owning a car or hiring a taxi, users simply choose a car they want to use and then pick up the vehicle when they are ready to go.

ekar is extremely convenient, less expensive than owning a car which makes it one of the best car rental apps. It is not just about the longer use of a car, but it is a worry-free method of transportation without the complications and costs associated with ownership. 

From quickly scheduling a drive to the grocery store, or on the weekend for a short trip away, ekar offers the consumer access to a car however they see fit.

Here’s a quick look at how ekar makes car rental seamless and simple:

• Sign Up & Verify: Users download the app, sign up, and upload their driving license for verification.

• Find & Book: The app shows available cars nearby. Users pick one based on availability, location, and time slot.

• Unlock & Drive: Once booked, users can unlock the car via the app and start driving—no physical keys needed!

• End Trip & Payment: After the trip, the user parks the car in an approved zone, ends the booking, and is charged based on time or distance used.

• Track & Manage: Users can track ride history, manage bookings, and access customer support all in-app.

ekar’s user-friendly process has made it one of the most preferred car-sharing platforms in the region. But how well is it really performing in the market? 

Let’s take a quick look at some key statistics that show just how impactful ekar has become.

Market statistics of Car Rental App

The car rental app industry is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by digital convenience and changing user preferences . Here's a snapshot of its market statistics and the broader industry trends: 

• According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, the global car rental market is expected to reach $146.3 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to $243.76 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 10.75%.

• ekar’s revenue has multiplied tenfold, driven by strategic tech partnerships and efficient operations.

• Market.us shows in the report that By 2027, around 70% of car rentals are expected to be booked online or through mobile apps, showing the rapid shift towards on-demand car rental apps.

• A significant portion of car rental revenues is shifting towards online platforms, emphasizing the importance of digital solutions in the industry.

• Global Market Insights reported that the U.S. car rental market was valued at $35.2 billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow at a 5% CAGR between 2025 and 2034.

These figures clearly show that even after several challenges of car rental apps, the industry continues to boom with impressive growth. With rising user demand and tech-driven trends, the market holds huge potential for new entrants.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop An App Like eKar?

When it comes to building an app, one of the first questions that comes to mind is, “ how much does it cost to create a car rental app like eKar?”

The overall eKar like app development cost can go from $20,000- $100,000+.

From design and development to deployment and maintenance, multiple factors come into play that influence the final pricing. 

Let's break down the major cost components that can help you to plan your project more efficiently. 

So, whether you are aiming to create a minimal viable product (MVP) or a fully-featured, premium platform, understanding these cost elements will help you make smarter investment decisions for your car rental business. 

There are many factors that influenced the cost to develop a car rental app like ekar. Here is the quick preview of the factors in detail.

Factors Affecting the Cost to Build an App Like ekar

Are you wondering about “how much does it cost to develop a car rental app like ekar?” Then, this section is for you.

Whether you’re looking to build a car rental app like Turo or an on-demand car rental app like ekar, knowing these cost drivers can help you plan better. 

The cost typically falls between $20,000 to $100,000 based on the complexity, features, design, and development team you choose.

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. App Types

The complexity of your app is one of the biggest cost drivers. A simple version of an on-demand car rental app like ekar with basic features will naturally cost less, whereas a full-fledged, feature-rich solution with advanced booking, vehicle tracking, smart payments, and AI-based suggestions will push the budget higher.

The more complex the functionality, the more time and specialized skills it will require, which impacts both cost and timeline.

2. Design Type (UI/UX)

Design is a crucial factor because users love apps that are not only functional but also look and feel great. The process usually starts with creating a wireframe that shows the basic layout of the app, and then a prototype that gives a clear idea of how the app will look and work.

A basic design with simple UI elements will be cost-effective, but if you opt for customized animations, detailed visuals, and an exceptional user experience. 

It will increase the cost to develop a car rental app like ekar. A well-designed app enhances engagement and user retention, making it worth the extra investment.

3. Development Team Location

Where your development team is based significantly impacts the cost to build a car rental app like ekar. Rates differ widely depending on regions due to labor costs, expertise levels, and market demands. 

You can hire mobile app developers from the US to ensure better communication, quality standards, and faster project coordination. While development costs might be higher, but the investment often pays off with superior results and reliability.

4. Platform Choice

Choosing the right platform is the first and most important step when calculating the cost to develop a car rental app like ekar. You must decide whether you want to launch the app for Android, iOS, or both. 

Native apps for a single platform are easier and cheaper to develop but will limit your audience reach. 

Meanwhile, building native apps for both platforms offers the best performance and access to a broader market but significantly increases the overall development time and budget.

Alternatively, cross-platform development using frameworks like Flutter or React Native allows you to build a single app that runs on both iOS and Android. This approach can be more cost-effective and faster to develop.

5. Features and Functionalities

The list of top features of a car rental app such as real-time GPS tracking, smart booking management, digital payment gateways, and customer support chatbots, greatly impacts the ekar clone app development cost. 

The more features you add, the more hours developers will spend coding, testing, and integrating these functions, which ultimately raises your investment.

6. Third-Party API Integrations

Integrating third-party services like payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal), map services (Google Maps), SMS/email notifications, or even IoT-enabled car locks can increase the cost to develop a car rental app like ekar. 

These integrations usually require licensing fees and additional development time, depending on the number and complexity of APIs used.

7. Tech Stack

After finalizing the platform, the next crucial factor is the technology stack you choose, which heavily influences how much it will cost to develop a car rental mobile app like ekar.

The tech stack covers everything like frontend development, backend development, cloud storage, AI-based smart features, data encryption, and more. The more complex and advanced your tech choices are, the higher your development cost will be.

8. App Testing

App testing is a critical step in the cost to develop a car rental app like ekar. Without thorough testing, even a perfectly developed app can face technical glitches, crashes, or security vulnerabilities after launch.

Investing time and budget in professional QA (Quality Assurance) ensures that your app runs smoothly across devices and platforms, helping you avoid costly post-launch fixes.

Depending on the complexity of features and the number of devices/platforms you want to test for, the cost to build a car rental app like ekar can vary significantly.

9. Launch of the App

The launch phase is more than just uploading the app on the App Store or Play Store. It involves thorough planning, marketing efforts, and compliance with store guidelines.

App listing fees, initial promotional campaigns, ASO (App Store Optimization), and post-launch support can impact the cost to create a car rental app.

When planning the cost to build a car rental app like ekar, it’s important to reserve a portion of your budget for a powerful launch strategy.

10. App Maintenance and Support

Once your app is live, regular updates, security patches, and new feature additions become essential. Many businesses underestimate the importance of app maintenance services while evaluating the cost to create a car rental app. 

You need to plan for 15–20% of your initial development cost annually for seamless app performance.

Planning your app strategically by deciding which features to prioritize initially can help you to launch an app faster and more affordably. 

But, most of the investors stuck on the question of how they can reduce the overall cost development. We have the answers to the question. Let’s discuss it in detail. 

How to Reduce the Overall ekar-Like App Development Cost?

Building an ekar-like app can be a significant investment, but with careful planning and the right strategies, you can optimize the costs. Here are some effective ways to reduce the overall cost to develop a car rental app like ekar:

► Focus on Core Features

Instead of adding every possible feature, prioritize the essential ones like booking, payment, and vehicle tracking. This will significantly reduce the ekar-like app development cost while ensuring the app’s functionality is robust.

► Choose a Cross-Platform Development Approach

Developing an app for both iOS and Android platforms can be expensive. Opting for a cross-platform solution like React Native or Flutter can reduce the cost to develop a car rental app like ekar while still offering good performance.

► Outsource Development

Hiring a development team from Eastern Europe or Asia (India/Philippines) can drastically lower your ekar clone app development cost compared to teams from North America or Western Europe, without compromising quality.

► MVP Development Approach

Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) — a simple version of the app with only essential features. This approach reduces initial costs and allows you to test the market before investing further.

► Utilize Open-Source Tools

Incorporating open-source libraries and frameworks can lower your cost to build a car rental app like ekar by reducing development time and the need for custom-built solutions.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly cut down on the cost to develop a car rental mobile app like ekar and still create a competitive and functional app.

How ekar-like Apps Make Money?

If you're planning to start a car rental business, understanding the revenue streams is key to building a profitable model. Ekar-like apps tap into multiple monetization strategies that ensure consistent income and long-term growth. 

Here's how they make money:

• Pay-per-minute/hour/day rentals: Users are charged based on the duration they use the vehicle. This is the core revenue stream for most car-sharing apps.

• Subscription Plans: Many platforms offer monthly or yearly memberships with added perks like lower rental rates, priority booking, or zero security deposits.

• Dynamic Pricing: Rates fluctuate based on demand, time of day, or location—boosting profits during peak usage times.

• In-App Advertisements: Some car rental apps partner with local businesses to show targeted ads, creating an extra revenue stream without affecting user experience.

• Corporate Tie-Ups & Fleet Rentals: Partnering with companies for employee transportation or fleet leasing can generate steady bulk revenue.

• Late Fee & Cancellation Charges: Extra charges for late returns or last-minute cancellations also contribute to overall earnings.

• Affiliate Services: Apps like ekar often integrate services like insurance, fuel, or car washes, earning commissions through affiliate partnerships.

Understanding these revenue models not only helps you validate your business idea but also directly impacts on how you develop a car rental app. The more features and monetization streams you plan to include, the higher the cost to build an app like Ekar will be. 

Why Choose JPLoft to Build Your ekar-like App?

If you're planning to enter the on-demand mobility space and want to launch an app like ekar, choosing the right tech partner can make all the difference. JPLoft is a trusted name for innovative tech solutions. 

As a leading car rental app development company, we bring years of experience, technical expertise, and industry insight to the table. From initial planning and wireframing to development, testing, and deployment, we handle everything with precision and passion. 

Whether you're looking to minimize the cost to develop an app like ekar or want to build a custom platform with advanced features, our team will tailor the development process to fit your budget, timeline, and long-term goals.

Final Wrap-Up

So, the question of "how much does an app like ekar cost?" isn't a simple one. We've explored, the answer is a dynamic figure influenced by numerous factors, from the complexity of features and the chosen platform to the location and expertise of the development team. 

Instead of thinking of it as an expense, think of it as an investment. This investment improves customer convenience and expands your reach in a society that is moving toward mobile. 

Building an app like ekar is a marathon, not a sprint, and it is not by accident. Building a successful app is a process that requires advance planning, smart decisions, and a willingness to grow in terms of scalability while understanding user needs and happiness.