India’s ride-hailing game has changed. In a recent chat on the People by WTF podcast (hosted by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath), Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi made it clear: Rapido has surpassed Ola to become Uber’s primary competitor in India.
What Makes Rapido a Tougher Competitor?
Rapido’s aggressive rise comes down to smart moves and a unique business model. The company charges just 0–5% commission per ride, compared with Uber and Ola’s 18–22% in most cases. That’s huge, for drivers, it means higher earnings, and that’s helping Rapido attract and retain more captains.
Our rapid expansion into more than 100 locations and the addition of services beyond bike taxis have been made possible by this commission structure. This tactic has undoubtedly worked well.
Market Share Shifts: Rapido’s Growing Influence
By April 2025, Rapido held about 20% of India’s ride-hailing market for all vehicle types. Ola had around 30%, and Uber led with about 50%. That kind of ground-gaining momentum is enough to make a CEO take notice and publicly point at you as the “tougher competition”.
Rapido’s gross order value (GOV) doubled from $500 million to $1.25 billion in FY25, a testament to its aggressive scaling.
Rapid Growth, But Profitability Remains a Challenge
Even with that growth, Rapido isn’t turning a profit yet. Dara Khosrowshahi was clear: growth is impressive, but sustainable profitability is the real test. Like many disruptors, Rapido is investing heavily, scaling fast but still burning cash in the process.
Road Ahead for Uber, Ola, and Rapido?
- Uber now views Rapido as its main challenger. That shift may shape its India strategy going forward.
- Ola continues to diversify, into EVs, AI, and other ventures, which may explain its dip in focus on ride-hailing alone.
- Rapido’s edge, simple pricing, locality, and fast execution, suggests it could continue to reshape urban mobility in India if it balances growth with financial discipline.
Rapido’s rise signals more than just competition, it shows how nimble startups can redefine legacy markets. With low commissions, wide reach, and bold expansion, Rapido is now the ride-hailing company that Uber watches most closely in India.
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