Is FREE NOW cheaper than Uber?

During surge hours, FREE NOW's regulated taxi meter is often cheaper than surge-priced Uber. Outside surge, Uber's dynamic pricing can be lower. The best strategy is to compare both on every ride.

FREE NOW (formerly mytaxi) is a European ride-hailing platform that connects passengers with licensed taxis and private hire vehicles across 9 European countries, including Germany, UK, Spain, France, and Italy.

Where does FREE NOW work?

FREE NOW operates in 9 European countries: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Poland, Ireland, and Greece. Outside these markets, FREE NOW is not available.

Does FREE NOW use surge pricing?

No. FREE NOW primarily uses regulated taxi meter fares, which are set by local transport authorities and don't surge during peak demand. This is a key differentiator from Uber.

Is FREE NOW a taxi or private hire?

FREE NOW primarily connects riders with licensed taxi drivers using regulated metered pricing. Some markets also offer private hire options. Payfair shows you both in real time so you can pick.

Can I pay the driver directly in FREE NOW?

Yes, in most markets. FREE NOW supports in-app payment with card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal — and also supports cash or card payment to the driver where the local taxi regulations allow it.

Which is safer, FREE NOW or Uber?

Both are generally considered safe. FREE NOW's drivers are licensed taxi operators subject to regulated training and background checks. Uber's drivers go through Uber's own vetting process. Both platforms offer in-app ride tracking.

FREE NOW vs Uber: Licensed Taxi or Ride-Hailing?

FREE NOW uses regulated taxi meters — no surge. Uber uses dynamic pricing. Here's how they compare in the 9 European countries where both operate.

At a glance

• FREE NOW wins for: During surge hours, FREE NOW's regulated taxi meter often beats surge-priced Uber
• Uber wins for: Outside FREE NOW's 9 European countries, Uber is the only choice
• Both vary by route and time — which is exactly the problem aggregators solve

FREE NOW vs Uber: feature-by-feature

Feature	FREE NOW	Uber
Founded	2009	2009
Headquarters	Hamburg, Germany	San Francisco, USA
Coverage	9 European countries	70+ countries globally
Service type	Licensed taxis + some private hire	Private hire only
Pricing model	Regulated metered fares (no surge)	Dynamic with surge
Driver licensing	Licensed taxi drivers	Vetted private drivers
Payment methods	Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, in-car payment	Card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay
In-app booking via Payfair	Compare only — opens FREE NOW app to book	Yes — one-tap

When FREE NOW is the better choice

• During surge hours, FREE NOW's regulated taxi meter often beats surge-priced Uber
• When you prefer a licensed taxi over private hire for regulatory or trust reasons
• In cities where FREE NOW's taxi network is denser than Uber's driver base
• When you want predictable pricing with no surprise multipliers

When Uber is the better choice

• Outside FREE NOW's 9 European countries, Uber is the only choice
• During off-peak hours when Uber's dynamic pricing is at its lowest
• For upscale tiers — Uber Black is widely available; FREE NOW's equivalent is limited
• When you need specific ride-hailing features like scheduled rides or group coordination

Don't pick one — let Payfair pick per ride

Payfair compares FREE NOW metered rates directly against Uber in real time across all 9 European countries where FREE NOW operates. When surge hits Uber, FREE NOW often wins — Payfair shows this automatically.