# Lyft vs Bird

The clearest difference is ads: Bird at none against Lyft's shown. Bird also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Lyft's advantage is review sentiment (61% vs 33%) and chart position (#2 vs #78). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Lyft against 4.9 for Bird. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lyft has 18M ratings behind it against 1.5M, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 61% of Lyft's written reviews are positive against 33% of Bird's.

Lyft ships an update every 6 days, Bird weekly. Both last shipped on November 2, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lyft | Bird |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (18M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lyft/id529379082/reviews)** | [4.9 (1.5M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bird-ride-electric/id1260842311/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **18M** | 1.5M |
| Positive reviews | **61.3% of reviews** | 33.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#2** | #78 |
| Size | 411 MB | 218 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [Lyft, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/523004506) | [Blue Jay Transit Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1260842310) |

## What reviewers say

### Lyft

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lyft/id529379082)

**Currently charting:** #2 Top Free · Travel, #29 Top Free (US App Store)

Easily get to your destination with various transportation options. Enter your destination, see upfront costs, and choose from multiple ride types like bikes, scooters, or even rentals. Affordable options and public transit routes are also available.

**Highlights:** Multiple transportation options, Upfront route and cost estimates, Priority Pickup option, Bikes & Scooters, Lyft XL & Lux, Transit routes, Vehicle rentals

**Features:** Siri integration, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick pickup
- 👍 Friendly drivers
- 💰 Affordable prices
- 🚗 Clean cars
- 🥰 Awesome app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🕰️ Long wait times
- 🤔 Inaccurate ETAs
- 🚫 Drivers canceling rides
- 💰 Unexpected charges
- 🔍 Difficulty contacting support

**Reported bugs**

- App crashing
- Payment issues
- Incorrect pickup locations

**Requested features**

- Option to select vehicle type
- Ability to report driver issues
- Improved communication with drivers
- Easier account deletion process


### Bird

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bird-ride-electric/id1260842311)

**Currently charting:** #78 Top Free · Travel (US App Store)

Access electric vehicles for convenient, eco-friendly city travel in over 350 locations. Unlock and ride electric scooters and bikes for errands, commutes, or leisure. Enjoy special offers and group rides.

**Highlights:** Access electric vehicles in 350+ cities, Convenient and eco-friendly travel, Unlock and ride electric scooters/bikes, Referral program for free rides, Group ride functionality, Flexible pricing plans (daily, monthly)

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun and fast
- 🚀 Convenient way to get around
- 👍 Smooth and consistent brakes
- 👍 Enjoyable riding experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Overpriced
- 🐛 Unreliable scooters (malfunctioning brakes, throttle, connectivity)
- 🔍 Hard to find available scooters
- 🔍 Scooters not where the app shows them
- 🔒 Security issues (credit card fraud)

**Reported bugs**

- App glitches and freezes
- Issues with locking/unlocking scooters
- Incorrect distance/time/cost calculations

**Requested features**

- Allow reporting of improperly parked scooters
- Improve customer support and response times
- Add ability to use foreign driver's licenses
- Provide better pricing transparency
- Implement a PIN or other security measures


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lyft free?

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

### Is Bird free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Lyft or Bird?

Lyft is rated higher. Lyft averages 4.9 out of 5 from 18M ratings, while Bird averages 4.9 from 1.5M ratings.

### Do Lyft or Bird have ads?

Lyft shows ads; Bird does not.

### Which is updated more often, Lyft or Bird?

Lyft ships an update every 6 days, and Bird weekly. Most recently, Lyft was updated on November 2, 2026 and Bird on November 2, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Lyft or Bird?

Lyft currently peaks at #2 in the App Store charts, and Bird at #78. 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.*