Ask any e-hailing driver in South Africa which platform is better and you'll get a different answer every time. Uber drivers say Bolt pays less. Bolt drivers say Uber eats too much commission. The truth? It depends on where you drive, when you drive, and how you run your numbers.
We're not here to pick a side. We're here to lay out the facts — fare structures, commission rates, ride volume, and what drivers are actually reporting — so you can make an informed decision.
The single biggest difference between the two platforms is what they take from each fare:
| Platform | Commission | What You Keep |
|---|---|---|
| Uber | 25% flat | 75% |
| Bolt | 15–20% (varies by city) | 80–85% |
On paper, Bolt looks better. You keep more of every rand earned. But commission is only part of the story.
Uber generally charges passengers more per kilometre and per minute. This means higher gross fares per trip, even after the bigger commission cut. Here's a rough comparison for a standard ride in Johannesburg:
| Metric | Uber | Bolt |
|---|---|---|
| Base fare | R20–R25 | R15–R20 |
| Per km | R9–R12 | R7–R10 |
| Per minute | R1.50–R2.00 | R1.00–R1.50 |
| Minimum fare | R25–R30 | R20–R25 |
Exact rates vary by city and change periodically. Uber tends to be 15–25% more expensive for riders, which translates to higher gross earnings per trip for drivers.
This is where Uber pulls ahead significantly. Despite Bolt's growing presence in South Africa, Uber still commands a much larger rider base.
What this means in practice: a driver on Uber might get 25–35 rides in a 10-hour shift, while the same driver on Bolt might get 15–22. More rides = more total earnings, even if the per-ride commission is higher.
Both platforms offer surge/pricing multipliers during peak demand, but Uber's surge tends to be more frequent and higher:
For drivers who strategise around surge, Uber can be significantly more lucrative during peak periods.
Let's cut to what matters — what do drivers actually take home? Here's a realistic weekly comparison for a Johannesburg driver working 55 hours:
| Metric | Uber | Bolt |
|---|---|---|
| Gross fares/week | R8,000 | R6,500 |
| Commission | -R2,000 (25%) | -R1,105 (17%) |
| After commission | R6,000 | R5,395 |
| Fuel cost | -R2,200 | -R2,200 |
| Car rental (R2,300/wk) | -R2,300 | -R2,300 |
| Data + wash | -R170 | -R170 |
| Net/week | R1,330 | R725 |
| Net/month | R5,719 | R3,118 |
📊 Key takeaway: Despite Bolt's lower commission, Uber's higher ride volume and fare rates mean most drivers earn more on Uber overall. But the gap narrows significantly if you're in Cape Town or Durban where Bolt is more competitive.
Most experienced South African drivers don't pick one — they run both apps simultaneously. Here's why:
The downside: managing two apps while driving can be distracting. Use a phone mount and stay safe.
Money isn't everything. Here are other differences that matter:
Our examples above are based on Johannesburg averages. Your actual earnings will differ based on your city, your car, your rental and your hours.
Use the FleetCalc profitability calculator to plug in your specific numbers — your rental, fuel costs, expected fares — and see your real take-home pay. Whether you drive for Uber, Bolt, or both, knowing your numbers is what separates profitable drivers from struggling ones.
🧮 Calculate My Earnings →It depends on your city and hours. Uber generally offers higher gross fares and more ride volume, but takes 25% commission vs Bolt's 15-20%. Net earnings are often similar, but Uber tends to edge ahead in Johannesburg while Bolt can be competitive in Cape Town.
Yes, most drivers run both apps simultaneously. This is actually the recommended approach — accept whichever ride comes first or pays more. More ride options means less dead time between trips.
Bolt charges 15-20% commission in South Africa depending on the city and service tier. This is lower than Uber's flat 25%, but Bolt typically offers fewer rides per hour.