Complete Guide to Building a Car Rental App Like Turo

Turo, originally known as RelayRides, debuted in 2009 with just a website. Despite this, the platform was well-received, and in 2011, they introduced an app to enhance the user experience.

This move was a strategic one, as apps make things easier and offer innovative features like GPS, cameras, and notifications, thus improving the overall experience for customers.

If you are thinking about starting your own car rental business, an app can also help you reach a larger audience and improve your services.

In this blog, we'll guide you through the process of designing an app similar to Turo.

You'll learn about the key features your app needs, how to build it, and the associated costs.

Let's get started!

Workflow of a Car-Rental App

When you want to build an app like Turo, it's crucial to know everything about the peer-to-peer car rental marketplace before getting started.

Let's jump into the app's functionality for renters and car owners.

How Car Rental Apps Work for the Renter?

1. Sign Up/Login

Renters create an account using their email, social media account, or phone number. They complete their profile with necessary details, like driver's license information.

2. Search for Cars

Renters use the app to search for available cars based on location, dates, car type, price range, and other filters.

3. Browse Listings

Renters view detailed listings with photos, descriptions, availability, and rental rates. They can also see reviews and ratings from previous renters.

4. Book a Car

Once they find the right car, renters can book it instantly if the owner allows it, or they can send a booking request. They choose the rental period and review the total cost.

5. Payment

Renters pay securely through the app using various payment methods like credit or debit cards, PayPal, or other options.

6. Pick-Up Instructions

After the booking is confirmed, renters receive pick-up instructions from the car owner. This may include details about key handovers or digital access.

7. Car Pick-Up

Renters pick up the car at the agreed location and time, inspect the car, and document its condition (usually with photos).

8. During the Rental

Renters use the car for the agreed rental period. They can contact the owner through the app if any issues arise.

9. Return the Car

At the end of the rental period, renters return the car to the designated location, inspect it again, and document its condition.

10. Leave a Review

After the rental is complete, renters leave a review and rating for the car and the owner.

How Car Rental Apps Work for Car Owners?

1. Sign Up/Login

Car owners create an account using their email, social media account, or phone number. They complete their profile and verify their identity and car ownership.

2. List a Car

Owners list their cars by providing details about the car, including photos, descriptions, availability, rental rates, and any specific rules or conditions.

3. Manage Listings

Owners can manage their listings, update availability, adjust prices, and respond to booking requests or messages from potential renters.

4. Booking Requests

Owners receive notifications of booking requests. They can choose to accept or decline requests or enable instant booking for faster transactions.

5. Pre-Rental Communication

Owners communicate with renters through the app to arrange details about the pick-up, answer questions, and provide any additional instructions.

6. Car Preparation

Before the rental starts, owners ensure the car is clean, fueled, and in good condition for the renter.

7. Car Handover

Owners meet renters at the agreed-upon location for the key handover or provide instructions for digital access. They also inspect the car with the renter and document its condition.

8. During the Rental

Owners are available to respond to any issues or questions from renters through the app.

9. Car Return

Owners meet renters at the end of the rental period to receive the car, inspect it for any damage, and document its condition again.

10. Leave a Review

After the rental is complete, owners leave a review and rating for the renter.

This workflow ensures a smooth and efficient process for both renters and car owners.

Features Required in an App like Turo

To build a car rental app like Turo, it's important to know which features are essential. This will enable you to create a well-rounded app that effectively meets your users' needs.

Car rental apps like Turo typically need various features for both renters and car owners.

Additionally, you will also need an admin panel that comes with essential features to manage the platform.

Let's look into the specific features needed in your car rental business app.

Features for Renters

1. User Registration and Profiles

Allow for easy sign-up using email, phone number, or social media accounts. Enable renters to create profiles with necessary details, including driver's license information.

2. Advanced Search Filters

Help renters filter their searches based on their location, dates, price, car type, and other specific features to find the perfect car.

3. Instant Book

Allow renters to book cars immediately without waiting for the owner's confirmation, making the process faster and more convenient.

4. Payment Gateway

Offer multiple payment options for renters, such as debit and credit cards, PayPal, and other popular methods, ensuring secure and flexible transactions.

5. Communication Tools

Enable renters to exchange messages with car owners to coordinate meeting times and locations, and discuss any other necessary details.

6. Cancellation Options

Provide renters with the option to cancel their bookings if they can no longer proceed with the trip, with clear cancellation and refund policies.

7. Wishlist

Allow renters to save their favourite cars for easy access and booking later, making it convenient for them to plan future trips.

8. Ratings and Reviews

Enable renters to leave ratings and reviews for the cars they rent, helping other users make informed decisions based on previous experiences.

Features for Owners

1. Multiple Listings

Enable car owners to put up multiple cars for rent and manage their details and availability efficiently.

2. Allow Instant Book

Allow instant book functionality to enhance renter convenience which attracts more renters by allowing for quick and seamless bookings.

3. Communication Tool

Provide a communication tool for owners to contact renters and discuss pick-up and drop-off times, locations, and any other booking specifications.

4. Cancellation Options

Allow car owners to cancel a booking if the vehicle becomes unavailable on the booking day for any reason, ensuring flexibility for both parties.

5. Car Rules

Enable owners to set specific rules for renters, such as no eating in the car or allowing pets, to maintain the vehicle's condition and meet renters' preferences.

6. Pricing

Empower hosts to set the base price for renters booking their vehicles, giving owners control over their rental rates.

7. Calendar

Provide a calendar feature to help owners keep track of bookings across all their vehicles, ensuring efficient management of rental schedules.

8. Payout

Allow owners to add a payout account to receive payments from renters who book their vehicles, facilitating seamless transactions and earnings management.

Features for Admin

1. Manage Renters and Owners

Enable yourself to access and manage information about all the renters and car owners who have signed up with the app.

2. Manage Cars

Oversee all the cars listed for rent on the app.

This feature could include viewing car details, availability, and rental rates, and ensuring that all vehicles meet the app’s standards and policies.

3. Manage Reservations

Monitor and manage all reservations made through the app. This includes tracking completed, cancelled, and upcoming bookings.

4. Service Fees

Set and manage the service fees charged to both renters and car owners for bookings made on the app.

This can include setting the fee structure, adjusting rates as needed, and ensuring transparent billing.

Ways to Build an App like Turo

When you plan to build a car rental app like Turo, you have two potential approaches: custom development and ready-made solutions.

Let’s discuss each option in detail.

Custom Development

Custom development entails hiring a development team to build the app. This approach is the traditional method most businesses are familiar with.

Although this process takes a considerable amount of time and resources, it offers the advantage of creating a unique app that aligns with your specific business requirements.

The steps involved in custom development usually include:

1. Project Specification

The first stage is project specification, where you define the app's requirements and features.

To do this, you need to identify core functionalities like user registration, car listings, booking systems, payment processing, and communication tools.

This establishes a solid foundation for the entire project, ensuring that everyone involved understands the app's objectives.

2. Wireframing and Design

In this phase, the app's design and layout are created.

Wireframes serve as basic visual guides that establish the app's structure and user navigation.

Once approved, designers move on to creating detailed mockups and prototypes, focusing on visual elements, colour schemes, and the overall user experience.

3. Backend and Frontend Development

This stage involves developing both the app's server-side (backend) and client-side (frontend) components.

Backend development includes setting up databases, servers, and APIs to manage data storage, user authentication, payment processing, and other server-side functionalities.

Frontend development involves coding the app's user interface (UI) and ensuring that it is responsive and user-friendly.

4. Testing

After development, the app undergoes various testing phases to ensure it functions correctly.

This includes testing individual components of the app, testing to ensure different parts of the app work together, testing with real users to identify usability issues, and performing testing to assess the app's speed and stability.

5. Deployment

Once testing is complete, the app is deployed to app stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store, making it available for public use.

The deployment process also includes necessary infrastructure setup, such as cloud hosting services, to ensure smooth functioning.

And those are the steps involved when you choose custom development to build your app.

Also, after launch, regular app updates are important to fix bugs and security issues, as well as add new features based on user feedback.

This allows for a constantly evolving, customer-focused app experience.

Readymade App Solution

Many people may not be familiar with readymade app solutions, so here's a simple explanation. They are web and mobile apps that come with pre-built features and functionalities that are essential in business apps.

This means that with readymade app solutions, you avoid developing the app from scratch and instead, purchase the pre-built app, rebrand it to suit your business needs, and then launch it.

Another thing about readymade app solutions is that, due to their pre-developed nature, they require only minor adjustments, which makes them cost-effective and allows for a quick launch.

What's more, these readymade app solutions can be further customized to include special features if needed, providing extra flexibility.

We trust that you now have a clear understanding of ready-made solutions and how you can use them to launch your own car rental app like Turo.

Remember, both options have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on your specific business needs. Be sure to do your research before making a decision.

Now, if you happen to choose a readymade solution, you can consider our Turo clone to launch your car rental app solution,

What do you get?

• Mobile apps for both Android and iOS users.
• A website, so users can access the platform without downloading the app.
• Admin panel for managing platform activities.
• Free tech support including, white-labelling services, server installation, app launch and support after app rejection.

Cost Of Building an App like Turo

The cost of developing an app like Turo can vary significantly depending on your chosen path.

If you choose custom development, it typically ranges from $50,000 to $200,000. This covers expenses for hiring a development firm and includes the entire design, development, infrastructure, and testing process.

On the other hand, opting for a ready-made solution involves purchasing and rebranding the app, often at no additional cost. This approach can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on customization and other hidden expenses, such as maintenance and updates.

Overall, you can expect a total investment ranging from $60,000 and up for custom development, while a ready-made solution typically costs between $7,000 and $15,000 on average.

Wrap Up

With that, we have reached the conclusion of the blog. As you move forward, remember that promoting the app is just as important as launching it.

Invest time and resources in marketing to ensure that your app reaches the right audience and gains traction.

We suggest practising app store optimisation to increase the visibility of your app on the App Store and Google Play Store so that it reaches more potential customers.

Along with promoting the app, focus on marketing your car rental business. That way, people will reach out for your app and services themselves.

We wish you the best of luck in your business endeavours!