How to Create an Uber-like App for Trucks

The logistics industry worldwide is expected to reach over 13.7 billion euros by 2027, according to Statista. That’s over 14.5 billion dollars. Lots of apps have been created for the industry, including transportation and warehouse management, as well as truck hailing apps.

If you’re looking to create a similar Uber like service for trucks, we’ve got great news. ProCoders have prepared a guide that will assist you through all the consideration stages. Here, we write about the benefits of mobile apps for the trucking industry, the best programs to use at the moment, the features you need to match the leaders, and more.

Costs and steps info included!

Key takeaways:

• Emergent technologies in mobile applications are beneficial to the trucking and logistics industries due to the high security of your data and the speed of finding a good vehicle in your area.
• Some of the best apps for truck drivers are Uber Freight, Transfix, and Convoy.
• The essential features you need for a truck app are profiles for drivers and potential customers, a map with GPS, the possibility to exchange documentation safely, and a chat, among others.
• The most effective monetization model for such an application is a commission for the shipper or the total transaction.
• The tech stacks vary depending on the scale of the app you want, the features you need, whether it’s native or cross-platform, etc. We provide recommendations for 4 different types of mobile apps.
• The steps of development for a truck-hailing app include making up your mind as to the type of program you want, choosing the right development partner, creating an MVP and potentially launching it, making the final version, launching that one, and get feedback.

Why the Trucking Industry Benefits from Mobile Apps?

Well, there are at least two challenges you need a truck app to solve.

Service marketing

If you own a truck company, developing an app like Uber for truck drivers will help you market your services, offering other businesses to use your resources more conveniently.

You’re going to save clients shipping deadlines by offering to find a truck of the necessary size and cost for their needs in the needed area.

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

If you look for safety, turn to modern technologies. Within the app, the tech is responsible for the security of your data, especially if blockchain and artificial intelligence are involved.

By the way, emergent IoT technologies will increase not only safety but make your app faster and ready for future upgrades. For example, using smart contracts will secure documentation and automate process execution.

We at ProCoders have realized that any industry can benefit from technology nowadays. From education to healthcare, we can see thousands of applications offering courses, data maintenance, resources, management, and other services. Moreover, for any business that wants to stay afloat during any crisis or recession, tech advances are the way to go. Proven by our clients!

This is what many companies have already done by creating pickup truck apps.

The Most Successful Trucking Applications Uber Alike

No market research is complete without a list of the best app for truck delivery options you may enter a competition against once you create on demand delivery app.

Here are the top picks to look out for:

• Uber Freight – founded back in 2017, the app offers an easy way to move goods using the trucks registered within the app. Quick and secure payment, transparent tracking of the freight, intelligent matching of the two parties, and quotes set according to the state of the market, among other factors.
  
• Transfix – founded back in 2013, this USA-only trucking freight app offers around 80,000 truck drivers ready to deliver goods in the US. The brand-created algorithms connect potential clients with drivers, providing their quotes moments after request.
  
• Convoy – founded back in 2015, the app focuses not only on safe transportation but also on waste reduction. So, they fill up their trucks to the maximum to deliver as much as they can with one route. An intuitive algorithm is used for route creation, which makes the app eco-friendly (as must as it’s possible).

Imagine, you can use over 9 years of experience as a basis and motivation to create your own trucking freight app!

ProCoders is experienced in the logistics sector. One of our most long-term clients, SDCN, needed a major upgrade of their already popular solution. so they came to ProCoders for help as no consultant could offer them the functionality and skills they needed for the budget they were ready to allocate.

Gladly, we know how to handle major migrations of tech stack and feature-adding, not to mention the development of delivery apps for pickup trucks

What features make all these apps and truck software in general so special? Based on our experience, the following 6 functions are must-haves for any truck delivery service like Uber!

Key Features of an Uber for Trucks App

Let us introduce the ProCoders TOP-6 features for a truck application.

Keep in mind that for a successful trucking solution, you’ll need 3 separate applications:

• For drivers
• For shippers
• Administrative

Also, for the latter, we also recommend a web version for convenience.

Profiles for Drivers

Profiles should contain basic information about the driver and their credentials, the vehicle, and additional data needed for the booking. The interface has to be easy to use as you have to understand that some people may not be tech-savvy.

A List of Orders and Requests

A list with the Search function, sorting, and filtering, will show both drivers and customers available options. Each option should have detailed info on the capacity of the truck, the type of goods to be shipped, dates, times, quotes (optional), etc.

A Map with GPS

The map should offer information about the route, the most optimal routes at the moment, and traffic information. To make an Uber-like app for trucks the most useful, GPS information should be available to both drivers and clients (for tracking).

Environment for Documentation Exchange

A feature that allows for a safe exchange of the documents necessary for a deal. It can be either an email request or a whole secure section of the app made especially for sensitive information and papers.

A Chat

A chat is essential for proper communication between the drivers and customers of your pickup truck application for hire. It’s convenient to ask questions and update information through the chat of the application instead of other messengers.

Push Notifications and Reminders

Updates on the order, new better routes, change of status, payments, special offers, order summaries, statistics, etc. can all be delivered to the users through push notifications. Personalizing them according to the person’s location, for example, will improve user experience a lot.

When it comes to transportation app development, ProCoders is always for personalization as it’s definitely one of the trends (very much justified) nowadays.

Of course, it’s not only about the features. Monetization is another critical topic of discussion, sometimes even the first question we get. So, let’s see how you can make money with a truck app like Uber.

How Does a Truck App Like Uber Make Money?

The most common and effective monetization model for a trucking freight app creation is charging a free:

• Shippers – a percentage from the estimated cost of the load. For example, uShip takes 10-20% of that value.
• Drivers/total transaction – a commission from the total transaction will affect both drivers and shippers, which may make the quotes higher, but it’s fair for both parties. For example, Cargomatic takes 20% of the payment.

At ProCoders, we find advertisements, which is one of the top monetization choices for many apps, not  the best option when it comes to an application similar to Uber Freight. Pop-up ads will make the experience annoying and distract people from making an order or looking for one. Regular ads will make the application look cheap and non-reliable.

Pro tip: Always be transparent and honest with all parties. Don’t hide commission as this destroys trust.

So, we know the benefits of a pickup truck app like Uber, the leaders of the market, the top features you need for success, and even how to make money on the project. Now, let’s drill further down into the topic and see what tech stack you may require to make an app like Uber Freight.

Tech Stack You Need to Build an App Like Uber Freight

A technology stack is different for any application, just as its cost. It depends on the features and capacities you need, whether it’s a native or cross-platform app, etc.

However, here are some alternatives:

Native iOS Tech Stack

The two programming languages used for iOS applications are:

• Objective-C – the well-known standard language for iPhone applications. It’s easy to use and simple to learn, so you can find a lot of skilled engineers for your project.
• Swift – an open-source, secure language for iOS apps, which is very scalable for cases when you may need to grow the program. It’s a newer and better version of Objective-C, used by Uber and LinkedIn, which says a lot.

Native Android Tech Stack

When it comes to native Android apps, your mobile app developers for hire can write those with:

• Java – enabling your developers to adapt the truck-for-hire application to any platform, this 90s classic is still one of the best mobile app technologies.
• Kotlin – a breath of fresh air, this language is easier than Java, open-source, multiplatform, and simple in maintenance.

There are more Java coders with proper qualifications, but Google recommends looking for professional Kotlin engineers for your new applications based on Android.

Hybrid Tech Stack

For hybrid applications, we recommend these two stacks:

• Cordova – a framework that interacts with HTML5 and JavaScript. It offers templates for applications if you need to make the time to launch shorter, plus the developer has to write the source code one time, using it for different OS later. Adobe and Canva use Cordova.
• Ionic – based on the Angular.js framework, Ionic can make a hybrid app act like a native one. McDonald’s knew it so they built their app using this framework.

Cross-Platform Tech Stack

We at ProCoders often recommend cross-platform development as it saves you time and money, allowing to launch both on iOS and Android. Besides, cross-platform technologies have become so powerful nowadays, reaching the level of native technology stacks. When you need a cross-platform truck app, consider using:

• React Native – stable and robust, React Native apps use native APIs to provide a proper experience. Facebook and Instagram were built using this JavaScript framework.
• Flutter – this Google framework allows you to write the code once and use it anywhere you want: Android, iOS, Windows, and other OS. Google Ads was built with Flutter.

The stack may be totally different if you choose to create a web app, for example. While working on SDCN, our specialists used:

• Frontend – Angular.js framework
• Backend – Laravel PHP
• Database – MySQL

We always choose the most effective stack for every app and various business needs.

The next topic we want to cover is, of course, the cost of developing a truck drivers’ app. It’s one of the most popular questions we get from potential customers, for understandable reasons.

How Much Does It Cost to Create an Uber for Trucks?

$80K, more or less. This depends on a lot of factors, including but not limited to:

• What kind of app you need in terms of capacity
• How many features you want to incorporate
• What technologies you want to use
• Whether or not you wish to implement emergent tech like artificial intelligence, machine learning, etc.
• What the project’s current status is (it may be just an idea or a whole prototype)
• How much time you’re willing to invest in the development
• How many people you need to add to the team, and more.

Let’s say you want to build a powerful pickup truck for hire app that would facilitate thousands of people connecting to drivers, creating and changing routes, looking at statistics, gaining and seeing ratings, etc. You only have the idea, not even a concept, and no team. In such a case, prepare for a 6-digit number.

ProCoders is always open to seeking the most cost-effective options, which is why it’s important to communicate your budget expectations and discuss the most optimal development with professionals. We can do it through out Discovery Phase where we study your business requirements and match them with the technical ones, coming back with estimates on time and cost of your application, as well as a step-by-step plan of development.

How to Develop an Uber-Like App for Trucking?

There are also some things you should know about Uber for trucks app development. A step-by-step for every project is different because each one is unique. However, here are the general steps you may have to go through if you’re currently at stage 0.

Important: Remember that you may need 3 separate applications – one for the client companies, another one for drivers/carriers, and one more for administration.

Step 1: Make up your mind on the type of app you want

You can choose to make:

• An app to expand your company – in case you have a trucking or logistics business.
• A marketplace – you’re a third party who wants to connect shippers and truck drivers.

It’s also important to choose whether you want:

• An Android app
• An iOS app
• A cross-platform solution

This depends on your budget and target audience research.

Step 2: Find a partner who will help you develop the project

This may involve either hiring a team yourself or turning to an outstaffing company. The first option will have you spend a lot of time and money. More than a year may pass until you start developing the application.

Gladly, ProCoders is a staff augmentation company, and we know everything about hiring the right people for different projects. Whether you need one more developer to the team or 5 people of various backgrounds, we’ll find them.

Step 3: Build an MVP

A minimum viable product contains the basic features of your app. It’s a low-key version that will show you how successful your current ideas are. At this point, you make decisions as to the tech stack, but keep in mind that it needs to be scalable as the final app may be much larger than the MVP.

In this version, include registration and profile set-up, integrate a chat and a GPS map, allow to leave reviews, and ensure in-app payments. You can launch the app as it is, adding more features later on, as you start to monetize the project and getting feedback.

But we recommend visiting potential sponsors with the MVP to get additional investment and create a high-end application.

Step 4: Develop the final version

Finally, after making improvements to the MVP model, you can execute the final version development, combining the front end and back end, API integrations, etc. 

Even with a proper tech stack and a reliable engineering team, the project may have issues.  That’s why it’s important to maintain control over the project as it progresses. You have to know what’s going on at all times.

ProCoders is always in favor of close honest communication, so our customers are always in control, even if they aren’t closely involved with the tech stack and use our fully dedicated team.

Step 5: Test the final version

Make QA professionals test the application instead of having your development team do it. Narrow niche specialists know just the right software and testing techniques to utilize for your project so that you launch a first-class app!

Step 6: Launch and gather feedback

Launch the application, create an appealing page for it on Google Play and/or App Store, execute your marketing efforts, and prepare to gather feedback from the target audience and use it for future updates of the application.

How ProCoders Can Help If You Decide to Develop a Truck App Like Uber?

ProCoders can help you in at least 3 ways:

• Discovery Phase – our exclusive service where ProCoders’ analysts learn about your business, listen to your idea of a truck delivery service app, look into details, and create a plan for you, with detailed steps and numbers. After you get it, you can continue working with us like most of our clients do or hire your own team.

• Staff augmentation – we can find frontend developers, backend specialists, testers, etc. for an existing team. They will report to your PM and become a valuable addition to the project. We may have the needed people already working for us. But if not, we’ll find them in mere weeks using our verified talent pools!
  
• Dedicated team – if you don’t have a development team and wish to work with us on creating trucking freight app from scratch, we’ll find people with excellent hard and soft skills to work on the project and report to ProCoders’ PM, who will then report to you.

We are totally in favor of honest and open communication and support our clients even post-launch if it’s needed. You can check our website for more information, read reviews of our customers on Clutch, or schedule a call right away! A professional consultation never hurts.

Conclusion

Developing an application for truck-searching like Uber Freight will help you achieve goals, which can be either monetization and benefits to the trucking industry or a huge advantage for your truck company, depending on what business you represent.

Such apps offer speed, reliability, convenience, and safety, given the quality of said applications is high. ProCoders can create a trucking mobile program for your business, according to your requirements, and using our rich experience.

We recommend adding profile settings, a map with a GPS, a chat, a customizable list of orders and available trucks, and other features. As to monetization, a commission from the total transaction or just the shipper is a fair way to make all your time and efforts pay off.

As to the steps, there’s a lot to do, from choosing the kind of application you need to building an MVP to launching the full product. However, ProCoders can help you handle it with additional staff, our Discovery Phase, or a dedicated team!