The global transformation is undergoing a digital evolution, during which car rentals have gained significant popularity. In recent years, the requirement for car rental apps has increased a lot because users now prefer convenience, flexibility, and mobility solutions. Whether it’s for daily commuting, weekend getaways, or much more, users now want rental services to be just one click away.
This change has created an evolution in the car rental industry, moving away from outdated processes and paperwork to touchless solutions. In the pandemic, the growth accelerated further. Users now want apps that allow them to search and reserve vehicles without any third party. These platforms not only increase convenience but also simplify operations.
According to a report by Statista, it is predicted that by 2030, the UAE's car rental market will generate 87% of its total revenue through online sales, highlighting the importance of digital transformation in this space.
One such car rental app that dominates in this market is Ekar. It provides instant vehicle access, a simple interface, and hassle-free operation, making it a leader. Ekar's growth is an example of how technology can change mobility services.
So, are you thinking about how to develop a car rental app & software like Ekar? If yes, then creating an app like Ekar is not an option for businesses but a necessity to enter this market. As users in the UAE now want the top features and functionalities, startups and enterprises must think beyond basic car rental functionality to provide top-notch convenience and security.
This comprehensive guide covers all the essential aspects you need to know before starting a new venture or modernising an existing one. It includes features, tech stack, and the most important car rental development process.
Ekar is a car rental app founded by Vilhelm Hedberg in 2016. Being one of the best, Ekar is a leading car-sharing and car rental platform in the Middle East. When you need a car for just a few minutes, a couple of hours, or even several days, Ekar provides the convenience of renting a car directly through their smartphone.
The main idea in a car rental app like Ekar was the very high demand for short-term vehicle access, especially in big cities where owning a car can be expensive for users. Today, Ekar has expanded from a 15-vehicle pilot program with Etihad Airways to a multi-country service utilized by 200,000+ customers, resulting in an impressive total of 1.3 million booked trips.
Ekar works on a convenient rental system, which means offering cars based on minutes, hours, or days. This is best for users looking for a vehicle for a quick meeting, trip, or work. In the app-based solution, the pricing is transparent.
Ekar’s fleet has a large range of vehicles to fit different requirements and budgets:
Additionally, through eco-friendly travel, Ekar has saved over 1 million litres of fuel.
Ekar’s entire service is handled through a mobile application, and the approach to using it is easy to understand:
The contactless vehicle rentals are a significant reason behind Ekar's success, especially in a post-COVID world.
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While developing an app like Ekar for your business, it's very important to consider all the features that you are going to integrate, which are divided into three categories: user panel, driver panel, and admin panel.
This is the panel of the platform through which customers connect.
Registration & Login
To register, users are required to use their phone number. Additionally, add social login options or an OTP for more convenience and security.
Profile Setup
Upload a valid driver's license before renting a vehicle. This guarantees that only eligible people can access the cars.
Search Vehicles by Location, Time, and Category
Users should be able to search for vehicles based on:
A live map and filter options help in giving search accuracy.
Booking & Reservation System
Once a user selects a vehicle, the booking process should allow for:
In-App Payment Integration
The car rental app should be incorporated with numerous secure payment options, which include:
Trip Tracking & Management
This feature helps users provide real-time information about the trip, including the time remaining, distance travelled, and the option to extend if desired.
Customer Support
Provide users with a customer support feature where they can ask questions. It includes live chat, email assistance, and more. To address more questions before opting for support, add an FAQ section for better convenience.
Ride History & Invoices
Provide a feature in the car rental app for users where they can see past bookings, invoices that can be downloaded, and other information, as it helps build transparency.
Review & Ratings
Add a feature in the car rental app where users can provide their feedback and ratings for further improvement.
This is the panel where the drivers connect with the app.
Driver Authorization
Include a feature in the car rental software that allows chauffeurs to upload and verify their documents when creating a profile.
Ride Handling & Management
Give the authority to the driver to handle their trips and accept or decline requests.
Route Optimization
Optimise maps for chauffeurs to predict the shortest possible reliable route, so that they can do their job smoothly.
Multilingual Support
Provide a feature in the car rental software where the chauffeur has the choice to choose their preferred language.
Earning & Order Details
Add a feature in Ekar like app development to show the daily and monthly earnings, as well as how many rides they have completed.
The admin panel is where everything is controlled, like managing users, vehicles, and all the operations.
Dashboards With KPIs
There should be a dashboard in the car rental app that shows key performance indicators like:
User & Vehicle Management
In a car rental platform like Ekar, admins should be able to manage:
Booking History & Trip Logs
A feature of all logs of current and past trips helps in dispute resolution, auditing, and performance analysis.
Vehicle Maintenance Tracking
This feature helps admins to keep track of vehicles that require maintenance or have undergone maintenance. Moreover, add scheduled service alerts that will help reduce breakdowns and improve services.
Driver KYC Management
Provide a feature where admins can see, approve, or reject driver documents during onboarding. The system should flag invalid or false IDs.
Revenue & Report Analytics
This feature will help in:
Dynamic Pricing Control
Admins should have control over:
To stay ahead in the competitive market, your Ekar-like app must have advanced features that distinguish it from competitors. Here are a few additional features that can give your car rental app solution a competitive edge.
Add an in-app camera functionality that will help users and drivers easily upload their documents without any issues. It will also help in easily uploading pictures of vehicle damage.
Integrate CRM in the car rental app because it will allow the app's admins to maintain good relationships with the customers while giving out promotions.
Encourage users by integrating a loyalty & reward program where users get reward points for their booked services. These points can be redeemed for rides or any exclusive access.
Add support for voice commands to make it easy and simple for users to check for bookings, search vehicles without even typing.
Integrate a feature that allows users to rent multiple vehicles with ease. This is best for group travellers and corporate clients.
AI Integration in your Ekar-like software will match users with suitable vehicles based on their preferences and other aspects. This will help to increase user satisfaction and increase conversion rates.
Include a feature that allows users to report damage within the platform with image capture and timestamping options. It will help in reducing disputes, guarantee better transparency and increase claim processing.
In your Ekar-like software, add an instant pricing model that changes rental costs based on demand and vehicle availability. This helps maximize revenue while continuing to offer services in peak and off-peak periods.
Incorporate IoT capabilities to allow users to open and start vehicles directly from the app. For admins, it allows instant fleet monitoring and geofencing.
Incorporate smart contracts on blockchain to handle rental agreements and transactions. This guarantees tamper-proof records and decreased disputes between users and service providers.
This feature allows users to locate nearby vehicles using AR navigation. By pointing their phone camera, users can visually identify available cars and distance overlays, improving on-ground user experience.
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To make a car rental app like Ekar, you need the appropriate combination of technologies.
This is the part of the app that is directly seen and used by your customers and admin team.
Mobile App Development:
Flutter or React Native: With these tools, you can create an application that works on both Android and iOS. It will save time and cost.
Web Dashboard for Admins:
React.js or Vue.js: These technologies will be used to build the admin panel where your team manages bookings, users, and vehicles.
These technologies will be used to build the administrator panel where your team manages bookings, users, and vehicles.
The back end of the software handles user accounts, booking, payment, and notifications.
Node.js: Best for applications that should work in real time and require quick processing.
Django (Python) or Ruby on Rails: Perfect option to have in terms of quick development and highly secure apps.
Firebase: Adds real-time features like instant notifications.
Database:
These are the services your app connects to for maps, messaging, payments, and so on.
Cloud Hosting:
Privacy and safety of users' data should be guarded very carefully, and users should adhere to relevant legislations like personal identification and payments.
| Component | Technology | Purpose |
| Mobile App | Flutter / React Native | One app for both Android and iPhone |
| Admin Dashboard | React.js / Vue.js | Manage bookings, users, and vehicles |
| Backend | Node.js / Django / Ruby on Rails | Run the app’s core functions |
| Real-Time Support | Firebase | Notifications and updates in real-time |
| Hosting | AWS / Google Cloud / Azure | Keep the app online and stable |
| Maps & Location | Google Maps API | Show car locations, routes, and distance |
| Payments | Stripe / Razorpay / PayPal | Process secure transactions |
| Security | Encryption, GDPR, PCI-DSS | Protect data and meet legal requirements |
To create Ekar like app in 2026 requires precise planning and market understanding to create the best app for your business. Let’s discuss each phase of this development process:
To start the app development process of a car rental app, you need to first understand the geographical area where you plan to operate. This involves knowing the local culture, the requirements for rental services, competitors, and preferred payment methods.
Additionally, it is important to understand the legal implications prior to making the application, as that is important in order to run the operations well.
After the research and planning phase, find a reliable app development company that can turn your vision of a car rental app into reality. Find a company that uses the latest tech stack and has developed a similar kind of project. Also, look out for their personalised services and reviews because their expertise will define how well your app will turn out.
The next step is designing the UI/UX of a car rental app like Ekar. Start by mapping out the user journey. This means identifying every screen the user goes through, starting from the registration screen to the car return.
Next is to create the wireframes. Then transform the wireframes into clickable prototypes, which simulate the car rental app experience before writing any code.
Your design must be clean and mobile-first. One important consideration to keep in mind for the Gulf region is Arabic language support and a right-to-left layout.
Now, with the decided features and technology stack, the mobile app development services provider will build an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) that incorporates only basic features and functionalities.
Building and deploying an MVP has the primary goal of releasing as fast as possible and testing it with real people to receive feedback. Such preliminary feedback avoids wasting time and money on features that are not necessary for the users.
Once it is live, you can continue to work on improving the app with the feedback and with the reports from the technical side of the performance.
To operate like Ekar, your platform will require several integrations. This will include:
All of these systems have to work together in the background without slowing down the user experience.
Before you launch your application, it needs to go through testing to check if it is working as it should be:
Thoroughly executing these tests will help develop an app that is the best in the market.
Once the Ekar-like platform has been thoroughly tested, it is time to release it to users. Publish the app in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
After launch, you can promote the Ekar-like app with paid ads, social media, and more. Also, utilise the best SEO techniques to increase your app’s visibility.
Continuous maintenance of the app is required to ensure that it is working properly. Post-launch steps include:
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The cost to make Ekar like app depends on numerous considerations such as branding and styling, application development, regulations, and licensing. Here is a clear breakdown so that you can plan your budget.
One of the major cost factors is the complexity of the app. A basic car rental app will cost you less, while a fully integrated app with advanced features like AI-based analytics and real-time fleet management will cost you more.
Estimated Car Rental App & Software Cost Based on Complexity
| Level of Complexity | Cost (AED) | Timeline | Feature Integrated |
| Basic (MVP) | 30,000 – 45,000 | 6 – 8 Weeks |
|
| Standard | 45,000 – 75,000 | 8 – 12 Weeks |
|
| Advanced | 75,000 – 100,000 | 12 – 16 Weeks |
|
| Premium | 100,000 – 120,000 | 16 – 20 Weeks |
|
A clean and simple interface can be very crucial. Hire skilled app developers to build a layout that works smoothly can increase the overall cost to make Ekar like app.
The technology that powers your car rental application from the backend also matters. Your platform must support real-time booking and live GPS tracking. This backend infrastructure will also affect the cost to develop a car rental app.
Rules and operational costs differ from place to place and can impact the overall cost. For instance, the Saudi Arabia transport general authority has announced a new rule for car rental facilities to issue electronic contracts by 2026. This shows that each region has its own rules, which can affect the cost.
For incorporating keyless car access functionality, you will need to work with hardware devices such as OBD-II scanners or smart systems. This kind of integration is more costly and often requires coordination with various car manufacturers or hardware vendors.
Once you release your app, such as Ekar, you will be required to upkeep the same to provide a better experience to users. It is an ongoing cost (usually 10-15% of the total cost annually) that helps maintain your platform's relevance and security. The following are its major elements:
The development and running of an app like Ekar comes with its own set of problems. Some issues might appear in development, while others appear after development. Here is an overview of challenges that might occur and how you can overcome them:
The biggest user frustrations in the car rental app happen when booking a car turns out to be unavailable. So, accuracy in car status and location should be non-negotiable.
How to handle it:
Some users may try to book with fake identities or unpaid cards. This can result in stolen vehicles, damaged cars, or revenue loss.
How to handle it:
Cars require periodic maintenance. In some cases, users might return the vehicle with minor or serious damage. Tracking this manually for each and every vehicle is difficult.
How to handle it:
Many car rental startups fail as they expand because there is an increased complexity in the operations of dealing with several locations, various regulations, and larger fleets to handle.
Getting first-time users to try your app can be difficult in competitive markets where people are used to traditional rentals.
Overcoming these challenges from the start will set a strong foundation for your car rental app like Ekar.
A car rental business model is about good revenue streams that can make your app successful. Let’s explore how you can monetise your car rental app:
Many users now look for an f option where they can pay for services instead of paying for each booking. Subscription plans offer a stable income with customer loyalty.
Just like ride-hailing apps incorporate surge pricing in car rental apps as well, when there is demand.
Your app can become a marketing channel for related businesses. Think of services that your users already need when they rent a car.
If your app becomes popular, then brands will connect with you to show their ads within your app.
Many users want to pay more for luxury vehicles. Offering this option will increase the revenue as the booking price will increase.
Now, let’s discover the most popular car rental apps that are ruling the market worldwide besides Ekar. It is beneficial to know about these car rental apps before creating your own.
| Car Rental App | Downloads | Ratings | Main Differentiator |
| Zipcar | 1M+ | 4.1 | On-demand hourly car-sharing designed for urban users, eliminating the need for car ownership |
| Hertz | 1M+ | 4.3 | Global car rental network with airport integration and contactless rental experience |
| Avis | 1M+ | 3.6 | Wide vehicle variety with safety-focused services and premium add-on options |
| Skyscanner | 50M+ | 4.7 | All-in-one travel platform for comparing car rentals, flights, and hotels |
| Hotwire | 1M+ | 4.0 | Discount-based bookings with opaque pricing for lower rental costs |
| Udrive | 500K+ | 4.6 | Pay-per-minute car rental model with instant access and no subscription requirement |
1. Zipcar: A car rental app like Zipcar allows users to rent a car on demand. Users can book as many cars as they want using the application. This is a convenient alternative to car ownership that offers sustainability. This app is widely used in Canada and the USA.
2. Hertz: Besides Ekar, Hertz is also one of the best car rental apps. It provides the functionality to search for a car, book a rental, check order history, and much more. This car rental app, in Kuwait, provides contactless check-ins and add-ons.
3. Avis: It is a car rental company in New Jersey that provides cost-effective car rental options. This app offers a lot of car options, either a self-driven or a daily car. It also highly focuses on security, like roadside assistance, child safety seats, and much more.
4. Skyscanner: It is a popular travel search engine and mobile app that offers options to find car rentals, as well as book hotels and flights. It is highly used and popular in Los Angeles due to the extra services that attract users.
5. Hotwire: It is another popular car rental app that has been doing well in the market. It provides attractive loyalty and reward programs for its users. So, if you are thinking of investing in car rental app development services, now is the right time.
6. Udrive: Udrive is a popular car-sharing and rental service app operating in the UAE. It allows users to book cars according to their convenience, for minutes, hours, or days.
Sustainability, smart technology, and user expectations are the three main factors that will define the future of car rental apps. Here are some key trends:
The Middle East Governments are actively promoting electric vehicles to decrease emissions and dependency on fuel.
AI in rental apps helps set smart prices based on demand, location, weather, and other aspects.
Blockchain technology in rental app solutions allows secure and tamper-proof records of rental transactions.
Self-driving cars are in the early stages, but they are progressing very quickly. In the future, your rental app should integrate an autonomous car for a restricted area.
Environmental awareness is increasing, so rental apps that support sustainable practices will gain an advantage over others.
In conclusion, since the demand for mobility solutions is increasing in the Middle East, the need for rental apps is also increasing. Now is the right time to create a rental app like Ekar. From knowing the market needs to choosing a tech stack, every phase plays an important role in the success of your car rental app. Furthermore, the cost might vary according to your requirements.
If you are looking to bring your idea into a top-notch app, then partner with a custom mobile app & software development company that understands your needs and the local dynamics of the region to develop the best car rental app for your business in 2026.
If you still have any questions, then get in touch with us today!
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The cost to build an Ekar-like app in 2026 ranges from AED 30,000 to AED 120,000 depending on features and scale.
Yes, you can start with an MVP version as it is highly suitable for testing the market.
The time required to develop a car rental app like Ekar is 4-8 months, based on your requirements.
You can make both models work by owning a fleet or allowing third-party vehicle listing.
Car availability is tracked in real-time through GPS tracking, telematics, and IoT sensors in vehicles.
The legal requirements for launching the Ekar clone app require local transport permits, insurance, driver verification, and data privacy adherence.
You should include payment gateways like Stripe or Razorpay with PCI-DSS compliance in your car rental app.
Yes, users can unlock the car through the app using smart lock integrations.
You can monetise your car rental app through:
Yes, it is possible to launch your car rental app like Ekar in a specific city only. Also, if you want, you can scale to other cities as well.
To ensure that users don’t misuse or damage cars, include:
To maintain the cars in the car rental app, create scheduled maintenance logs and integrate reminders for service.
The best countries to launch a car rental business are:
Absolutely, you can integrate electric vehicles (EVs) into your Ekar car rental platform.
The kind of support you would need after the launch of the car rental app would be:
Yes, we provide white label car rental app solutions for businesses looking not to develop apps from scratch.
