# Uber vs Empower Driver

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Uber at 17M against Empower Driver's 2.7K. Uber also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.6) and chart position (#1 vs #152). Empower Driver's advantage is monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Uber holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Uber has 17M ratings behind it against 2.7K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Uber's written reviews are positive against 62% of Empower Driver's.

Uber ships an update weekly, Empower Driver fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Uber | Empower Driver |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (17M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uber-rides-eats-hotels/id368677368/reviews)** | [4.6 (2.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/empower-driver/id1486383191/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **17M** | 2.7K |
| Positive reviews | **68.8% of reviews** | 62.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Best chart rank | **#1** | #152 |
| Size | 401 MB | 63 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Uber Technologies, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/368677371) | [Yazam Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1454849874) |

## What reviewers say

### Uber

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uber-rides-eats-hotels/id368677368)

**Currently charting:** #1 Top Free · Travel, #43 Top Free (US App Store)

Easily request various types of rides, from affordable options for solo trips to larger vehicles for groups. Get upfront pricing and estimated arrival times for stress-free travel. Book rides in advance and explore eco-friendly options.

**Highlights:** Request various ride types, Upfront pricing and ETA, Book rides in advance, Eco-friendly ride options, Rent cars with delivery, Food and grocery delivery, Package delivery service

**Features:** Siri integration, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient transportation
- 🤝 Friendly drivers
- 💰 Affordable prices
- 🗺️ Accurate GPS navigation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚗 Unreliable drivers
- 🕰️ Long wait times
- 💰 Surge pricing issues
- 🔍 Inaccurate location tracking
- 🤖 Poor customer service

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and glitches
- Payment processing problems
- Incorrect trip details and charges

**Requested features**

- Option to choose preferred drivers
- Improved in-app support and communication
- Ability to provide detailed feedback on rides
- More transparency around surge pricing


### Empower Driver

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/empower-driver/id1486383191)

**Currently charting:** #152 Top Free · Travel (US App Store)

This app connects passengers directly with drivers, offering a more sustainable income for drivers and potentially lower costs and customized rides for passengers. It bypasses large corporate platforms to facilitate direct transactions.

**Highlights:** Direct driver-passenger connection, Sustainable driver income, Less expensive rides, Customized transportation options, Bypass corporate middlemen

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💰 100% of fare kept by drivers
- 🤝 Drivers set their own rates
- 🚗 Flexible driving hours
- 💳 Daily payouts from Stripe
- 🔒 Gender-specific driver selection

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ Poor customer support
- 🗺️ Inaccurate pickup/dropoff locations
- 🚕 Unexpected number of passengers
- 💰 Discrepancies between quoted and actual pay
- 🔒 Safety concerns with unverified passengers

**Reported bugs**

- Background check delays
- App crashes and freezes
- Inability to delete account

**Requested features**

- Destination mode to pick up riders along the way
- Cancellation fees for riders
- Cleanup fees for driver incidents
- Improved GPS accuracy and navigation


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Uber free?

Uber is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Empower Driver free?

Empower Driver is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Uber or Empower Driver?

Uber is rated higher. Uber averages 4.9 out of 5 from 17M ratings, while Empower Driver averages 4.6 from 2.7K ratings.

### Do Uber or Empower Driver have ads?

Neither Uber nor Empower Driver shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Uber or Empower Driver?

Uber ships an update weekly, and Empower Driver fortnightly. Most recently, Uber was updated on September 24, 2026 and Empower Driver on September 23, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Uber or Empower Driver?

Uber currently peaks at #1 in the App Store charts, and Empower Driver at #152. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*