Uber vs. Lyft: Who Pays Drivers More?

If you're trying to accomplish personal finance goals faster, Lyft and Uber can help you earn extra cash. Both offer their drivers flexible work schedules, decent pay, bonuses, and a slew of perks if you drive frequently enough. But while driving for one is not so different from driving for the other, one company may be paying more. To help you figure out which, let's analyze both by average hourly wage and perks. 

Uber vs. Lyft: Average hourly wage 

On average, Uber paid its drivers about 6.2% more per hour than Lyft in 2022: $21.14 versus Lyft's $19.90, according to the ride-hailing business site Gridwise. Broken down into parts, Uber paid a higher base fare ($9.99 versus Lyft's $8.97) and Uber passengers also tipped more than Lyft passengers ($2.16 versus $1.71). All in all, Uber drivers in 2022 were grossing about $1,040 on average per month, while Lyft drivers were grossing $787 per month. 

Now, that's not to say Uber drivers always make more than Lyft drivers for the same hours or miles driven. The payment structures on ride-hailing platforms are impossible to generalize, as your actual pay will depend on the demand in your area and the ratio of drivers to passengers. Your market could be saturated with Uber drivers, which could dilute your earnings, while Lyft might need more coverage in that area and will pay you more.

Another factor to consider is the recent regime change at Lyft. With founders and former CEOs Logan Green and John Zimmer handing the reins to David Risher, the platform could be offering competitive fare to steal market share from Uber. If you were earning less from Lyft in the past, it might be worth considering again to see if the payouts have changed. 

Uber vs. Lyft: Rewards 

Both Uber and Lyft offer rewards programs that give drivers cash back on gas, extra savings on maintenance, and discounts at convenience stores, along with other perks. Though these programs are somewhat similar (and offer some overlapping benefits), Uber offers more competitive perks and ways to save money. 

Let's start with Lyft's program, "Lyft Rewards." This rewards system has three tiers -- Silver, Gold, and Platinum -- with each tier corresponding to a specific score (60% to 80%). You can improve your score by earning points during busy hours and keeping your satisfaction rating high. Here are some of the highlights for the Lyft Rewards program: 

Uber's rewards program is called "Uber Pro," and it has four levels: Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Like Lyft, Uber will slot you into one of these levels based on how many points you earn, as well as your star rating and cancellation rate. Uber includes nearly all of Lyft's perks, plus about a dozen more. Here's just a quick overview of the most eye-catching rewards on Uber Pro: 

With a free Costco Gold Star membership ($60 value), 100% tuition at Arizona State University, and access to health insurance benefits, Uber's rewards program has more potential than Lyft Rewards. While these rewards programs can change, Uber currently offers its high-tier drivers more ways to save. 

Lyft versus Uber: Drive for both 

In sum, Uber appears to pay its drivers more and has more competitive perks. That said, it's advisable to try both apps to see for yourself which will pay more in your specific area. Over time, however, you might want to choose one over the other, as driving frequently for one can help you achieve the highest tier in its rewards program.