GigU, a driver empowerment app with over one million downloads, has launched a Net Profit Calculator to address declining earnings in the gig economy. This new feature, integrated into its popular Cherry Picker tool, allows drivers for platforms like Uber and Lyft to see their true profit per trip after all expenses. The announcement coincides with the company's significant growth, including plans for a new U.S. office in Miami and a finalist selection at the prestigious SXSW Pitch 2026 competition.
Addressing a Widening Pay Gap
The launch comes at a critical time for gig workers, as recent research highlights a growing disparity between rider fares and driver pay. A study from Columbia Business School found that Uber's take rate has surged to over 42% since 2022 due to algorithmic pricing changes. This trend is corroborated by the National Employment Law Project, which reports that both Uber and Lyft now retain approximately 40% of each fare on average.
This increase in platform revenue has not translated to higher driver earnings, with Gridwise Analytics reporting an average decline of over 20% since 2022. The data reflects a challenging environment where drivers find it increasingly difficult to maintain their income levels year over year. GigU's new tool aims to provide the financial transparency needed for drivers to navigate this complex and often opaque payment landscape effectively.
A New Standard in Financial Intelligence
The Net Profit Calculator transforms the GigU app into a comprehensive financial intelligence platform for gig workers. It moves beyond tracking gross revenue by enabling drivers to input their specific business expenses, including fuel, insurance, maintenance, and registration fees. The app then calculates a personalized cost-per-mile, providing a clear and accurate picture of a driver's operational costs before they even start their shift.
This data is seamlessly integrated into GigU's Cherry Picker tool, which overlays on top of ride-hailing apps. When a trip offer appears, the driver instantly sees the projected net profit per hour, per mile, and the overall profit margin for that specific job. This real-time analysis empowers drivers to make data-driven decisions on the spot, distinguishing between genuinely profitable trips and those that would result in a loss.
Empowering Drivers to Optimize Earnings
The tool is designed to be highly interactive, allowing users to set and adjust their financial goals. A "Simulate Higher Earnings" slider lets drivers model different profitability scenarios and instantly apply new thresholds to the Cherry Picker's color-coded filters. Trips are marked green for profitable, yellow for acceptable, and red for those to be avoided, simplifying the decision-making process while on the road.
This functionality supports drivers who work across multiple platforms, including Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and GrubHub. By centralizing cost analysis, GigU enables them to compare the profitability of offers from different services in one unified interface. According to company data, users who actively use the platform to select better rides can increase their profitability by an average of up to 30 percent.
Company Growth and North American Expansion
The feature launch follows a period of significant growth for GigU, which closed 2025 having tripled its revenue and reached $300,000 in monthly recurring revenue. The company now serves over 140,000 paying subscribers across the United States, Brazil, and Portugal. This momentum is fueling its expansion plans, with a projection to triple its subscriber base again during 2026.
To support its accelerating growth in North America, GigU is establishing a U.S. office in Miami, Florida. This new hub will create a direct link to its headquarters in Rio de Janeiro and serve as a base for its U.S. operations. The company is actively hiring for key roles in product, marketing, and community operations, with the new positions expected to be filled by the second quarter of 2026.
Industry Recognition and Future Vision
GigU's innovative approach has earned it a finalist spot in the Smart Cities, Transportation, Manufacturing & Logistics category at the 2026 SXSW Pitch competition. CEO Luiz Gustavo Neves is scheduled to present the company's vision at the premier showcase for early-stage technology in Austin, Texas. This selection highlights GigU's unique position as a Brazil-born startup successfully bridging the two largest gig economies in the Americas.
With the introduction of the Net Profit Calculator, GigU is providing a powerful tool for gig workers to reclaim control over their financial futures amid economic pressures. The company's focus on worker-empowered technology, combined with its rapid growth and industry recognition, positions it as a key player in shaping a more equitable gig economy. The app is currently available for Android devices on Google Play, offering a 15-day free trial for new users.