If you live in Dhaka, you probably have two or three ride apps on your phone and switch between them depending on the day. This comparison puts four of them side by side so you can choose with your eyes open.
The short answer
- Want one app for everything, with the fare upfront? Arohon.
- Already use a super app for food and payments? Pathao.
- Visiting Bangladesh with a foreign card? Uber.
- Happy to negotiate every fare? inDrive.
How the apps compare
- Bike: Arohon Yes, plus EV bike, Pathao Yes, Uber Yes, inDrive Varies
- CNG: Arohon Yes, Pathao No, Uber Varies, inDrive No
- Car: Arohon Car, Car Plus, Pathao Yes, Uber Yes, inDrive Yes
- Micro and Hiace: Arohon Yes, Pathao No, Uber No, inDrive No
- Intercity: Arohon 64 districts, Pathao Limited, Uber Limited, inDrive Limited
- Parcel: Arohon Yes, Pathao Yes, Uber No, inDrive No
- Food and medicine: Arohon Yes, Pathao Food, Uber No, inDrive No
- Ambulance: Arohon Yes, Pathao No, Uber No, inDrive No
- Rental with driver: Arohon Yes, drivers bid, Pathao No, Uber No, inDrive No
- How fares work: Arohon Upfront, Pathao Upfront, Uber Upfront, inDrive Negotiated
- Driver commission: Arohon Flat 2%, Pathao Reported 10% to 15% for bikes, Uber Reported 25% in 2019, later reduced, inDrive Varies
Commission figures for other apps are based on news reports and may have changed. Check each app for current terms.
Fares
All four apps show you a price before the trip, but they get there differently. Pathao, Uber and Arohon calculate an upfront fare from distance and time. inDrive lets you offer a price and drivers accept or counter.
What matters more than the headline fare is whether you actually pay it. When a driver gives most of the fare to the app, there is pressure to ask for extra, cancel, or suggest going offline. When the app takes almost nothing, that pressure disappears.
Commission: the number nobody talks about
Riders rarely see it, but commission shapes every ride. In 2019, thousands of drivers in Dhaka went on strike over a 25% cut. Since then many drivers have taken rides off the app to avoid fees altogether.
Arohon takes a flat 2%, plus a ৳3 safety charge and a small booking fee by fare. On a ৳100 trip the driver keeps ৳90. That is why drivers stay on the app, and why your trip stays tracked.
Services beyond the ride
This is where the apps really differ. Pathao is strong on food and courier. Uber and inDrive mostly stick to rides. Arohon covers the widest range: CNG, micro and Hiace for families, intercity trips, parcels across Dhaka or the country, food and medicine, a car and driver by the hour or month, airport rides at eight airports and ambulance booking.
Safety
Every enlisted ride sharing app in Bangladesh must verify drivers and support GPS tracking. On Arohon, every driver's NID, licence, vehicle registration, fitness certificate, tax token and photo are reviewed by the team before their first trip, and you see the driver's name, photo, car and plate before they arrive.
Our verdict
There is no single perfect app for everyone, but if you want one app you can use for almost every trip, with the price upfront and drivers who are not fighting the platform, Arohon is the one to try first in 2026.
Keep reading
- Book a ride
- Drive with Arohon
- Top 10 Ride Sharing and Travel Apps in Bangladesh (2026)
- Bike Ride Fare per km in Dhaka: 2026 Price Guide
FAQ
Is Uber cheaper than Pathao in Dhaka?
It depends on the time, route and vehicle. Compare the upfront fare in each app before booking.
What is the best Pathao alternative?
If you want bikes plus CNG, cars, intercity trips, parcels and ambulances in one place, Arohon is the closest all in one alternative.
Which app is best for intercity trips?
Arohon covers trips between any two of Bangladesh's 64 districts by car, micro or Hiace.