In most Polish cities Bolt has the highest demand. Uber is close behind. FreeNow is stronger in Warsaw and big cities. Best strategy - all three simultaneously.
What each platform is
Bolt
Estonian company, largest in Poland's ride-hailing segment. Over 5 million users, active in 36 cities. Commission: ~25%.
Uber
American giant, second platform in Poland. Active in 15 cities. Commission: 20-25%.
FreeNow (formerly mytaxi)
BMW/Mercedes-owned German platform, oriented toward premium segment. Active in 5 largest Polish cities. Commission: 7-12% (lowest).
Side-by-side comparison
| Parameter | Bolt | Uber | FreeNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commission | 25% | 20-25% | 7-12% |
| User base | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★ |
| Cities in Poland | 36 | 15 | 5 |
| Payouts | Weekly | Weekly | Daily |
| Foreign drivers | 40%+ | 30%+ | 20%+ |
Earnings comparison - specific cities
Kraków
Full-time, 8-10 hrs/day:
- Bolt: 5,500-7,500 PLN/month
- Uber: 5,000-7,000 PLN/month
- FreeNow: 4,500-6,000 PLN/month (fewer rides, but higher fares)
Warsaw
- Bolt: 7,000-9,000 PLN/month
- Uber: 6,500-8,500 PLN/month
- FreeNow: 6,000-8,000 PLN/month (strongest here)
Tarnów, Rzeszów, Lublin
- Bolt: 4,000-6,000 PLN/month
- Uber: 3,500-5,000 PLN/month
- FreeNow: unavailable
Strategy - run all three simultaneously
Experienced drivers keep all three apps open at the same time. This delivers:
- Maximum ride volume, no idle time
- Ability to pick best ride
- 15-25% higher earnings
Important: Departner helps drivers register with all three platforms simultaneously - standard practice.
Pros and cons of each
Bolt - pros
- Highest demand, most rides
- Active in small cities
- Frequent ride count bonuses
- Simple app
Bolt - cons
- Highest commission (25%)
- Lower fares than FreeNow
- Occasional support issues
Uber - pros
- Global brand - passengers trust it
- Good bonuses
- Uber Eats - additional delivery option
Uber - cons
- Lower demand than Bolt
- Stricter vehicle and driver requirements
- Fewer cities
FreeNow - pros
- Lowest commission (7-12%)
- Daily payouts
- Premium passengers, better ratings
- Higher fares
FreeNow - cons
- Only 5 cities
- Lower ride volume
- Higher car requirements (newer, cleaner)
Which platform is best for foreigners
Depends on your situation:
- Starting from scratch, want volume: Bolt
- Prefer comfort passengers: FreeNow
- Want global stability: Uber
- Maximum earnings: all three at once
In 90% of cases we recommend all three platforms together. Extra registration work - minutes. Extra earnings - 15-25%.