About TAXImet
As someone who takes taxis fairly often, I downloaded TAXImet looking for a way to avoid overpaying. I’ve tested it over a dozen rides in my city, using it to get a baseline fare before I even hail a cab. It’s a straightforward taximeter simulator that puts the calculation power in your pocket, whether you’re a passenger wanting a reality check or a driver needing a backup meter.
Features & Highlights
The core feature is the manual fare calculator. You input the distance and time, and it spits out a price based on the rates you’ve set. I found the ability to save different rate profiles genuinely useful; I have one for my hometown and another for a city I visit frequently. The journey tracker is basic but functional—it logged my route on a map, which was handy the one time I needed to dispute a detour with a driver. I wish it had an automatic “start trip” button that used GPS, but the manual control does mean you can simulate fares for planning.
User Experience
Opening the app, you’re greeted with a very utilitarian screen. It gets the job done, but the design hasn’t changed much in years. I remember fumbling a bit during my first use to find where to set the initial fare (it’s in the settings menu). Once set up, calculating a fare is quick. My real “aha” moment was when a driver quoted me almost double the TAXImet estimate for a regular trip; I showed him the app’s calculation, and he immediately corrected the price. That alone made it worth the download. However, entering data while the car is moving is tricky, so I always try to input the details before we take off.
Pricing
The app is completely free with no in-app purchases. You get all the calculator and tracking features without paying a cent. For a passenger, it’s absolutely worth it for the peace of mind. For a driver, it’s a fantastic free backup, though professional drivers might miss more advanced features like printed receipts or direct integration with ride-hailing platforms. The trade-off for the price is seeing banner ads at the bottom of the screen, but they’re not overly intrusive.
Updates & Support
Update frequency is sporadic. Looking at the update history, the developer pushes a compatibility or bug-fix update every few months, but major feature overhauls are rare. I emailed support once about a minor display glitch on my phone and got a polite, templated response within 48 hours asking for more details. I provided screenshots but never heard back on a fix. The community seems to drive a lot of the troubleshooting via online forums.
Security & Privacy
I downloaded TAXImet from the official Google Play Store. The app requests location permission only if you use the map tracking feature. Its privacy policy is standard, stating it collects basic usage data. Since you manually input all trip data, your specific journeys aren’t automatically sent anywhere. The ads are present, as mentioned, which suggests some data tracking for ad targeting, but the app doesn’t feel overly invasive. For a fare calculator, it sits in a low-risk category for me.
How does the manual fare calculator work in TAXImet?
You simply input the distance and time of your trip, and the app calculates the fare based on the rate profile you’ve set up. It’s useful for getting a baseline estimate before you even hail a cab or for checking a driver’s quoted price.
Can I save different rate profiles for different cities?
Yes, TAXImet lets you save multiple rate profiles, so you can have one for your hometown and another for a city you visit frequently. This makes it easy to switch between different fare structures without re-entering all the details.
Why does the app feel outdated, and how do I set the initial fare?
The design is utilitarian and hasn’t changed much over the years, but it still works reliably. To set the initial fare, you need to go into the settings menu—once configured, calculating fares is quick and straightforward.
What should I do if entering data while the car is moving is difficult?
Try to input the trip details before the ride starts, as entering data during movement can be tricky. If you forget, you can still manually log the route afterward using the journey tracker to dispute any detour issues.
How does TAXImet compare to other taxi fare apps like FarePilot?
Unlike FarePilot, which often requires a subscription for advanced features, TAXImet is completely free with no in-app purchases. It focuses on manual fare calculation and basic GPS tracking, making it a simpler but reliable choice for passengers who want a quick reality check.
