The car rental industry is undergoing a massive digital transformation, driven by customer demand for convenience, affordability, and seamless mobility solutions. Apps like Carla, Turo, and Getaround have shown how powerful a car rental marketplace can be when technology is combined with customer-first strategies.
If you are a startup or an established business looking to launch a similar app, this guide will help you understand the step-by-step process of building a car rental app like Carla, the features you’ll need, and the technologies that make it possible.
Why Car Rental Apps Are Booming in 2025
The global car rental market was valued at USD 100 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 150 billion by 2030, growing at a steady CAGR of 7.5%. With increasing travel, urbanization, and the rising trend of shared mobility, digital platforms have become the backbone of this industry.
Customers today prefer on-demand booking, transparent pricing, real-time vehicle availability, and cashless payments. Apps like Carla meet these expectations, creating a benchmark for upcoming entrepreneurs.
Read Also: Guide To Develop A Car Rental App Like Turo
Key Steps to Build a Car Rental App Like Carla
1. Market Research & Business Model Selection
Before diving into development, define your business model. There are two main types:
- Aggregator Model: Connects customers with different car rental providers.
- Dedicated Fleet Model: Businesses manage their own fleet and rent directly to users.
Analyze competitors like Carla, Turo, and Zoomcar to identify customer expectations and market gaps.
2. Defining Must-Have Features
A successful app should balance user-friendliness with advanced functionality. Here are the essential features for a car rental app:
- User Panel:
- Registration/Login
- Car Search & Filters
- Real-time Vehicle Availability
- Booking & Scheduling
- GPS Navigation & Pickup Points
- Secure Payments
- Ratings & Reviews
- Owner/Partner Panel:
- Fleet Management
- Pricing & Availability Control
- Booking Management
- Earnings Dashboard
- Admin Panel:
- User & Partner Management
- Advanced Analytics & Reports
- Revenue Tracking
- Marketing Tools
3. Choosing the Right Tech Stack
For smooth performance, scalability, and security, choosing the right tech stack is critical.
- Frontend: React Native / Flutter (cross-platform support)
- Backend: Node.js / Django
- Database: PostgreSQL / MongoDB
- Payments: Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay
- Maps & Navigation: Google Maps API, Mapbox
- Cloud Hosting: AWS / Azure
4. UI/UX Design Matters
Car rental apps deal with multiple data points—car images, pricing, time slots, locations. A clean, intuitive design is key. Minimal layouts, simple navigation, and quick booking flows ensure that users don’t abandon the app mid-process.
5. Integrating Advanced Features
To compete with apps like Carla, consider adding:
- AI-driven Car Suggestions (based on user behavior)
- Dynamic Pricing Models
- Push Notifications & Reminders
- Multiple Payment Options (UPI, cards, wallets)
- 24/7 Customer Support Chatbot
- Loyalty Programs & Coupons
6. Testing & Launch
Before launching, conduct rigorous QA testing for bugs, security issues, and performance bottlenecks. A smooth, error-free app ensures higher customer retention. Launch with a pilot version, gather user feedback, and scale gradually.
Cost to Develop a Car Rental App Like Carla
The development cost depends on features, design complexity, and development region. On average:
- Basic App: $20,000 – $35,000
- Advanced App (like Carla): $40,000 – $80,000
- Custom Enterprise Solution: $100,000+
Outsourcing to a trusted Car Rental App Development Company like Vigorous IT Solutions can save costs while ensuring a professional, high-quality solution.
Why Choose Vigorous IT Solutions for Car Rental App Development?
Vigorous IT Solutions, an ISO-certified software development company, specializes in building feature-rich, scalable, and secure car rental apps tailored to your business model. With proven expertise in mobile app development, UI/UX, and cloud solutions, we deliver apps that enhance customer experience and maximize ROI.
Key benefits of working with Vigorous IT Solutions:
- Custom development for startups & enterprises
- Integration of advanced features like AI & IoT
- Affordable pricing with flexible engagement models
- 24/7 support & maintenance
Learn more: Best Car Rental Apps in India
Final Thoughts
Building a car rental app like Carla requires strategic planning, modern technology, and expert development partners. With the growing global demand for shared mobility, now is the perfect time to invest in this booming market. By collaborating with an experienced Car Rental App Development Company, you can ensure your app is secure, user-friendly, and competitive in today’s digital marketplace.
