# Uber 190 Hacker News commenters recommended Uber and 352 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 13 of 13 months; owners who said how long report a median of 10 years (5 owners). **Verdict:** Recommended as a convenient, safer, more reliable alternative to taxis with upfront pricing, though critics cite low driver pay, lax driver vetting and rising fares. ## Why people recommend it - Far better than old taxis (7 comments): "The old taxi union+licensing+bully hybrid system common in many parts of the world was far worse than the cruelest thing uber could do." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48715687)) "The established businesses were awful. There was not a thriving and beloved taxi service in every city pre-Uber." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49231988)) "Overall rides are now far safer and more reliable, to the point where the old days feel like the dark ages." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46857614)) - Safety and driver accountability (6 comments): "what Uber has done for passengers is that drastically reduce the probability of getting scammed or abused by drivers" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49412293)) "Overall rides are now far safer and more reliable, to the point where the old days feel like the dark ages." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46857614)) "Every uber driver I've been ive been in has an inside dashcam to protect themselves and their property." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49675456)) - Convenient rides almost anywhere (4 comments): "I can get around to almost anywhere with a click of a button and have food delivered from a variety of local restaurants at any time of day." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50060143)) "the demand was always there as riders had already left taxis and transit on reliability and convenience grounds" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48361969)) "for me Uber is infinitely better than taxis. I can get it anywhere, within minutes and it's clean and nice." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49341104)) - Price known up front (2 comments): "the idea "you'll know exactly how much the ride will cost you before you take it" was revolutionary at the time" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46462891)) "Using uber I will immediately see the price up front and I can tailor the cab to my needs and price." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49326878)) ## What people warn about - Exploits drivers with low pay (6 comments): "they mostly just eroded salaries and protections for taxi drivers, while lowering the quality of service for customers" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49470028)) "Uber is good for everyone except taxi medallion owners, it could be better if they paid the drivers better." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46187429)) "Uber's profit margins are about 10% value created and 90% exploitation of power imbalance between the rich corporation and itinerant drivers" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48529631)) - Lax driver vetting (3 comments): "The problem with Uber is that they make it very very easy for shady individuals to be drivers, then act like they have no control over who's driving." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47318256)) "At this point whenever I call an Uber it's a 50/50 whether the person and car listed in the app will be the one picking me up." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47313527)) "Uber made it easier for registered sex offenders to become drivers because that company had less stringent requirements." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49420689)) - Flouted laws and regulators (3 comments): "Uber and Lyft operated partially or outright illegally in many places while negotiating with governments." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46857839)) "They didn't just break the law in different countries, in several they actively misled government/law enforcement investigations." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49689333)) "Uber said they don’t need to comply with anything the city asked for and enjoyed their position in the safety of an ocean away" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49038312)) - Fares rising over time (3 comments): "Uber successfully displaced most of the alternatives, slowly raised rates, and maintained operating margin" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48217132)) "Uber restructured its business model by raising rider fares, increasing restaurant fees on Uber Eats, and cutting driver pay." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48558344)) "doesn't really offer much. Even with the discount they are still more expensive than local alternative Glovo and Cabify." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48510563)) ## Alternatives hackers recommend - [Lyft](https://hackerapproved.com/p/lyft.md): 29 recommend - [Grab](https://hackerapproved.com/p/grab.md): 13 recommend ## Where to get it - [Visit the official site](https://www.uber.com/) ## Cite as Hacker Approved, "Uber", https://hackerapproved.com/p/uber/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).