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

Ola vs Bolt

Ola 4.6★ · Free to download 30
Winner Bolt
Bolt 4.8★ · Free to download 65

Bolt generally offers a more reliable ride-hailing experience with better global functionality, despite some driver and support issues, while Ola struggles significantly with app functionality and international user support.

Full reviews: Ola · Bolt

Bolt is the stronger choice for ride-hailing, particularly for international travelers, offering better app functionality and wider service availability compared to Ola. Ola faces severe issues with app usability, especially for non-local phone numbers, and frequent complaints about driver behavior and customer support.

Head to head

App Functionality & Ease of Use edge: BoltR1R3R10R16
Ola Ola users, especially those with international numbers or on iOS, report significant issues with the app not moving past the map screen, failing to send OTPs for sign-up, and general unresponsiveness R1R10R16. Some users also find the map search terrible and the UX lacking R3.
Bolt Bolt's app generally works well, with users finding it easy to use and similar to other ride-hailing apps . However, some report issues with inaccurate estimated wait times and map inaccuracies . There are also complaints about the lack of satellite map options .
Driver Behavior & Reliability tieR13R15R21R28
Ola Ola drivers are frequently criticized for accepting rides and then not moving, expecting users to cancel , asking for extra cash R15R21R28, quoting their own prices R13, and being rude or unprofessional R28. There are also reports of drivers purposefully bypassing OTP processes for cash payments .
Bolt Bolt drivers also face criticism for frequent cancellations, sometimes after accepting a ride R63R66R75R79. Some drivers are accused of trying to charge extra by delaying or changing routes . Users report issues with drivers not turning on AC or being rude .
Customer Support tieR4R7R18R43
Ola Ola's customer support is widely regarded as poor or non-existent, with users struggling to raise tickets, receiving only automated replies, or being told to 'write to us' without contact information R4R7R18R43.
Bolt Bolt's customer support is also a significant pain point, with users describing it as 'horrible,' 'non-existent,' 'slowest,' and unhelpful, often relying on AI . Issues like unaddressed overcharges and problems with refunds are common .
Price & Value edge: BoltR11R12R24R30
Ola Ola is sometimes seen as overpriced, with auto rides costing significantly more than local alternatives R11. There are also complaints about false time to arrival leading to cancellation charges R12 and discrepancies between quoted and final prices R24.
Bolt Bolt is often praised for being cheaper than Uber R62R77R83R101. However, users report issues with prices changing after acceptance and drivers offering new prices that negate discounts . There are also complaints about being charged for wait time while in the car or unfair cancellation fees .
International Support & Availability edge: BoltR1R2R9R10
Ola Ola has significant problems with international users, particularly those with US phone numbers, being unable to sign up or log in due to OTP issues R9R10R16R19. The app's functionality is also reported to be limited or non-existent for users outside its primary supported regions R1R2.
Bolt Bolt is widely used and appreciated for its convenience in many countries, particularly in Europe R77. However, its reliability can vary significantly by country, with users reporting difficulties finding drivers in places like the Netherlands, Italy, and France R66R75R79.
Pick Ola if

You are a local user in Ola's primary operating regions and have not experienced the widespread app functionality issues, and you prioritize potentially finding a ride that is 'okay' .

Pick Bolt if

You are traveling internationally, especially in Europe, and need a ride-hailing app that is generally functional and often cheaper than competitors like Uber R62R77R83R101. You are willing to contend with occasional driver cancellations and support issues for the potential cost savings R63.

Evidence note: Ola's recent reviews are heavily skewed negative, particularly from international users struggling with basic app functionality and account creation. Bolt's reviews, while also containing significant complaints about driver behavior and support, indicate a more functional app for a wider user base.

Frequently asked

Can I use Ola with a US phone number?
Based on numerous recent reviews, Ola has significant issues with US phone numbers, with users frequently unable to receive OTPs for sign-up or login, making the app unusable for many international travelers R10R16R19R34.
Is Bolt cheaper than Uber?
Many users report that Bolt is often cheaper than Uber, offering good value for money, especially when traveling in various international locations R62R77R83R101.
Are there issues with drivers cancelling rides on Bolt?
Yes, a common complaint among Bolt users is that drivers frequently accept rides and then cancel, sometimes after a long wait or even when they are close to the pickup location R63R66R75R79.

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. [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
  6. [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
  7. [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
  8. [R28] Ola 1/5 · US No Support Driver asks for extra money: First of all Ola drivers are unprofessional. Ask to pay offline and go on meter. If you are going to Airport or Train station, make sure you don’t book Ola as driver will cancel the ride or ask for money offline. Report this to Ola Support and below is there response : We are sorry for inconvenience caused. We will continue with rides. So lame! Never try
  9. [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
  10. [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
  11. [R18] Ola 3/5 · US Review: I couldn’t contact ola at Kolkata on n 15.02.2023and the next day too
  12. [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
  13. [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₹?!
  14. [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
  15. [R24] Ola 3/5 · US Charges are not same: I booked Ola cab from point to point without any stops. The App showed the cost would be Rs. 299 as the maximum in the range. The driver missed taking a road and had to take a U-turn for about a kilometer and demanded me Rs. 347 as the App on the driver’s phone showed, which made me upset because the App on my phone still shows Rs. 299. The system has to be corrected.
  16. [R30] Ola 3/5 · GB Potential but has issues: Good value when you can get a trip. The issue is a charge is held on your card as soon as you request a trip, even if no driver accepts your trip. So when you try again another charge is held against your card. These pending charges can then sit on your account for days. Please fix Ola!
  17. [R2] Ola 4/5 · US Nations were supported?: Which nations is this app supported? I’m in Sydney, Australia & entered my local # yet received no response. :(
  18. [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
  19. [R19] Ola 1/5 · US Cannot Even Create an Account: I tried creating an account on Ola due to an upcoming trip, but their SMS messages never go through. I asked for a call, which at first was intercepted by iOS call screening leading to me only getting two digits. I asked for a second call, which I received. However, Ola claimed the code was expired, and now I cannot request any more calls! Ola keeps saying, “sorry, w
  20. [R34] Ola 1/5 · US The code never arrives: Only one option: open with phone number. But the code never arrives. Total imbecility!
  21. [R62] Bolt 5/5 · US Often Cheaper and Better than Uber: I’ve had a much easier time getting bolt rides in the UK then Ubers
  22. [R77] Bolt 5/5 · US Convenient Travel: It has made travel throughout Europe very easy and convenient and it is cheaper than Uber.
  23. [R83] Bolt 5/5 · US Better than Uber: Much better than Uber, save money, more experienced drivers and luxury.
  24. [R101] Bolt 5/5 · US Excellent most affordable ride share: Great cars better prices!
  25. [R63] Bolt 3/5 · US Drivers cancel too much: Drivers cancel too much. Need better incentives
  26. [R66] Bolt 3/5 · US Not as reliable as UBER in USA: This app works well in Spain but not so well in Italy and France. It takes a longer time to secure a driver than in UBER USA and very often driver cancels in the middle of the trip, sometimes it takes three driver attempts to secure one ride (specially in Paris).
  27. [R75] Bolt 3/5 · US Drivers will not confirm: Bolt worked great in London. But in France (so far Paris and Lyon), not so great…app shows driver found but they don’t confirm so app just hangs for a long time waiting for another. Also in Paris, a driver was confirmed and we can see him drive (same car & license plate) towards us…but as soon as he sees us, he cancels and drives past.
  28. [R79] Bolt 1/5 · US Terrible: Tried to use bolt in Paris. Six drivers in a row canceled our ride. We never use them again.

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