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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Ola vs Freenow by Lyft

Ola 4.6★ · Free to download 30
Winner Freenow by Lyft
Freenow by Lyft 4.8★ · Free to download 65

Freenow by Lyft is generally more reliable for booking rides and offers better customer support, making it the preferred choice over Ola, which suffers from significant app functionality issues and poor customer service.

Full reviews: Ola · Freenow by Lyft

Ola struggles with basic app functionality, especially for international users, and receives numerous complaints about driver behavior and non-existent customer support. Freenow by Lyft, while not without its own issues regarding pricing discrepancies and occasional driver problems, generally provides a more functional app and better support channels.

Head to head

App Functionality & Ease of Use edge: Freenow by LyftR1R3R10R16
Ola Many Ola users, particularly those with international phone numbers, report being unable to get past the initial map screen, failing to receive OTPs for signup, or experiencing a completely blank or non-interactive app R1R10R16. The map search is also criticized for not showing prominent places R3.
Freenow by Lyft Freenow by Lyft generally has an easy-to-use interface . However, some users report bugs like changing home addresses or the app not remembering previous searches . There are also instances where the app promises a driver but then states none are available .
Reliability of Service edge: Freenow by LyftR12R13R15R21
Ola Ola users frequently report issues with drivers accepting rides but not moving, expecting cancellations for fees , or demanding extra cash offline R13R15R21. False time to arrival is also a problem, leading to cancellation charges R12. Some drivers are described as unprofessional and rude .
Freenow by Lyft Freenow by Lyft users experience drivers driving away without passengers , refusing to pick up or driving by , or pre-booked taxis not showing up . Some drivers are reported as aggressive or rude . The app also struggles to find drivers in certain regions like Spain .
Pricing & Value tieR11R12R13R23
Ola Ola autos are considered overpriced compared to local options R11. There are complaints about charges not matching the app's initial quote , and unnecessary cancellation fees R12. Some users also report unclean cabs or receiving lower-tier vehicles when booking premium options R13.
Freenow by Lyft Freenow by Lyft frequently has issues with drivers charging more than the app's quoted price or the taxi meter R63R70R75R76. Cancellation fees are also charged even if the driver is at fault . However, some users find it good value when it works R23.
Customer Support edge: Freenow by LyftR4R7R18R43
Ola Ola's customer support is widely criticized as poor, non-responsive, or non-existent R4R7R18R43. Users report automated replies, no contact information, or being directed to social media for help R7R44.
Freenow by Lyft Freenow by Lyft users report difficulties reaching human support, often getting stuck in chatbot loops . Issues like overcharging or drivers taking wrong passengers are sometimes unresolved .
Pick Ola if

You are a local user in a region where Ola's service is well-established and you have a local phone number, as the app's functionality issues seem to primarily affect international users R9.

Pick Freenow by Lyft if

You are traveling in Europe and need a ride-hailing app that generally works, despite some potential pricing discrepancies, and you prefer an app with a more functional interface and slightly better support than Ola .

Evidence note: Recent reviews for Ola are heavily skewed negative, particularly from US users attempting to use the app internationally, highlighting significant issues with app functionality and login for non-local numbers. This contrasts sharply with its high lifetime rating. Freenow by Lyft's reviews show consistent issues with pricing discrepancies and customer support, but the app itself is generally reported to be functional.

Frequently asked

Can I use Ola with an international phone number?
Many users report significant issues trying to use Ola with US or other international phone numbers, often failing to receive OTPs for login or being unable to get past the initial map screen R1R9R10R16.
Are there hidden charges with Freenow by Lyft?
Many Freenow by Lyft users report being charged more than the quoted price in the app or the taxi meter, with additional service charges or inflated costs not clearly explained R63R70R75R76.
How is customer support for Ola and Freenow by Lyft?
Ola's customer support is widely criticized as poor, non-responsive, or non-existent, often providing automated replies without direct contact R4R7R43R44. Freenow by Lyft users also report difficulties reaching human support, frequently getting stuck in chatbot loops with unresolved issues .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] Ola 1/5 · US Poor app: How the heck this app got 4.6 rating on iOS? Fake reviews and rating. Look at all latest ratings nothing less than poor one star. Downloaded this app on iOS and it doesn’t move past map for Ola. Uninstalled it 3 times and still no work around. Asked AI and was told since Apple ID is from us region the app won’t work. This is sick! Just look at all recent reviews stating same that app won
  2. [R3] Ola 3/5 · US Map search and app UX could be better: 1. Terrible map search - even in big city like Bangalore - search didn’t show prominent places such as SBI branch or Sub Registrar offices in fairly central parts for the city (not remote suburb extensions) 2. Often times, CNG vehicles show up for Prime and the cars don’t have bootspace for luggage. It would be good to indicate luggage space when showing ride
  3. [R10] Ola 1/5 · US No otp code for sign up: Tried 3 times but they never sent out otp code for sign up. Went with Uber
  4. [R16] Ola 1/5 · US App Sucks, Does not send an OTP: App is unusable, it does not send an OTP for the initial setup if you have a US phone number. I just use uber, works great
  5. [R12] Ola 3/5 · US False time to arrival shown in app. Unable to cancel.: I had booked an Ola. Which showed 2 min for getting a vehicle. After booking, it showed 17 minutes. I cancelled it. I got a notification of being charged 75 rupees towards cancellation. Why should I not be allowed to cancel knowing that the vehicle will be delayed beyond what is falsely shown in your App?? Dr. Deepak Baid
  6. [R13] Ola 1/5 · US Rider app is a scam, not reliable and unprofessional: Auto drivers use the app for customer acquisition and then quote their own price, whats the point of the app? Cabs are unclean, when you book premier cabs, they send you the same used cab, but they charge higher prices, 2x prices and also expect a tip? The cancellation rate is crazy high, you book 6 times to get one confirmed cab. There’s no re
  7. [R15] Ola 3/5 · US Booking experience: I am writing to express my disappointment with the auto booking service that I recently used. I found the experience to be quite frustrating, as most of the bookings were either declined or required additional cash. I believe that the auto booking system needs to be improved to avoid such issues in the future. In my opinion, the car booking service is a better alternative, as
  8. [R21] Ola 3/5 · US No way to limit the type of notifications and irritating driver bargaining: I recently downloaded this app on my visit to India. I have two main problems with Ola, one of them about the service itself and the other about this app. 1. Service issue: I am visiting a tier-2 city and so far, I haven’t really been able to book one ride on it just yet because of drivers calling up and asking me to give
  9. [R11] Ola 5/5 · US Nice app: I like this app but the autos are very overpriced like i can get a local auto for 50₹ but in Ola it’s 116₹ or 120₹?!
  10. [R23] Ola 5/5 · GB Top service: I have used a couple of times & drivers have always been on time, curtious and friendly. Ola are loads by cheaper than the rival company Uber. In one trip I saved £12! Also the drivers have turned up on time. Other company sometimes decided not to show up even after agreeing the trip. I have now shared with friends & family. A top rate service 😁
  11. [R4] Ola 1/5 · US Ride is not ending in app.: My ride is not ending in app even though it ended and I paid for it. There is no option to raise ticket for that as you only give automated replies to set questions. No other support option
  12. [R7] Ola 1/5 · US “Write to us”: I wonder how come this be a big ride hailing service in India, which can’t even provide a good support. For every issues it says “write to us” without even providing any contact on how to reach them. Functionality as simple as creating account has issues in the app. It says that too many accounts in the device when I just installed the app now. 5/17: received review response asking
  13. [R18] Ola 3/5 · US Review: I couldn’t contact ola at Kolkata on n 15.02.2023and the next day too
  14. [R43] Ola 1/5 · US Bad app, poor cutomer support: App is buggy, drivers are rude and cancel trips. Also customer support is really poor and not well responsive
  15. [R9] Ola 3/5 · US Unable to use for tourist: Hi, I’m coming from USA. I’m trying to go login to the app and I’m trying to put my US number to get OTP so that I can use for Travels and India but I’m unable to do it. Can you please help out
  16. [R63] Freenow by Lyft 3/5 · US Added charges about service charge not explained: 5 euros added to bill above service charge. Should I switch to it taxi? I’m thinking so.
  17. [R70] Freenow by Lyft 1/5 · US Drivers charges whatever they want: I had used Freenow before it was bought by Lyft. Somehow it’s worse. I wait 20 minutes when it said 5 minutes with priority. Also, the drivers are able to enter whatever price they want in Greece despite the meter price. Buyer beware! They have another app in Greece called taxi.gr. I’ll try that and delete this one.
  18. [R75] Freenow by Lyft 3/5 · GB Expensive: Very expensive for Black Cabs to many add ons after you have booked which are not made clear at time of booking and not displayed on the cab meter. Fare can be a lot more.
  19. [R76] Freenow by Lyft 2/5 · US Don’t use in Ireland: If you use this in ireland be prepared to pay for 3 Euros fee plus artificially inflated cost for the ride. Try to hail a taxi if at all possible as they are then required to charge you what shows on the taximeter. 90 percent of the cabs won’t even start taximeter if u call them via freenow app and they charge you the max price show on the app. Don’t be fooled by the range sh
  20. [R44] Ola 1/5 · US Poor support: This is the most useless app. There is no ability to chat with customer support. An email to support results in an automated response saying use the chat which remains unavailable.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store