NYC’s ‘secret’ rideshare app that’s consistently cheaper than Uber, Lyft

There’s no denying it. Living and traveling around New York City isn’t cheap.

While points and miles can help defray some costs, there are plenty of expenses in NYC that don’t accept points. (I simply see them as opportunities to build my stash even further.)

As a New Yorker, I’m always on the hunt for savvy ways to save.

When a friend recently introduced me to a new rideshare app that checks that box, I was immediately intrigued.

If you haven’t signed up for Empower yet, you can get $10+ in free ride credit by using my referral code: 2B1JWW

Click the link to download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Empower’s cheap rideshare app

It’s called Empower, and it offers a similar experience to Uber and Lyft.

Request your ride, see the price, and hop in the car just a few minutes later.

But the best part? The fares are consistently lower than those of Uber, Lyft, and yellow cabs.

Take, for example, a ride from my apartment on the Upper West Side to any of NYC’s three major airports.

Time and again, Empower is consistently the cheapest. On a recent rainy weekday morning, here’s how all three apps stacked up using my apartment as the starting point:

Empower delivers price savings by offering drivers a subscription model. Drivers set their own rates and keep 100% of the fare, allowing them to make more while offering lower prices.

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And while I’m always down to save money, the app isn’t perfect.

Downsides to Empower

For one, it is embroiled in a legal battle in Washington, D.C., but continues to operate uninterrupted elsewhere.

Additionally, the app itself can be slow and buggy.

Empower’s tech budget isn’t as substantial as those of established providers. (I’m personally okay with that tradeoff given the cost savings.)

For instance, you won’t find features like the ability to split your ride or to add a stop to your trip.

Additionally, I discovered that (at least in NYC) some drivers use multiple platforms simultaneously, so your ETA may not be entirely accurate if a driver accepts your Empower ride before completing another nearby ride on a different platform.

I also find that the cars can definitely be on the older, more beat-up side. T

This was something many of my followers told me on Instagram when I first posted about Empower, and it has proven true in my use of the app.

Empower is available in the following metro areas:

If you haven’t signed up for Empower yet, you can get $10+ in free ride credit by using my referral code: 2B1JWW

Click the link to download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

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