Toronto taxi options compared
Beck Taxi Toronto, Uber or Toronto Taxi App: how to book a cab in Toronto
Beck Taxi is one of the best-known names for cabs in Toronto, Ontario. It is one of several ways to get a ride: taxi companies such as Beck, ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft, and Toronto Taxi App. This neutral overview compares how they work. Toronto Taxi App is not affiliated with Beck Taxi, Uber or Lyft.
Ways to book a ride in Toronto compared
What it is
- Beck Taxi
- Toronto taxi brokerage, founded in 1967 and family-run
- Uber / Lyft
- Ride-hailing apps, licensed as private transportation companies
- Toronto Taxi App
- Request platform that passes rides to licensed taxi drivers
How to book
- Beck Taxi
- Phone, website, app or street hail
- Uber / Lyft
- App only – no street hails or taxi stands
- Toronto Taxi App
- App, website or WhatsApp
Price
- Beck Taxi
- Taxi fares; the website and app show an estimated fare
- Uber / Lyft
- Set by the company; rises when demand is high
- Toronto Taxi App
- City meter rates; the estimated fare is shown in advance
Payment
- Beck Taxi
- Cash, credit, debit or Beck Bucks, according to Beck's booking form
- Uber / Lyft
- Through the app
- Toronto Taxi App
- Directly to the driver – cash, or card where accepted
Who drives
- Beck Taxi
- Licensed Toronto taxi drivers
- Uber / Lyft
- Drivers licensed through the company
- Toronto Taxi App
- Licensed Toronto taxi drivers
| Beck Taxi | Uber / Lyft | Toronto Taxi App | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Toronto taxi brokerage, founded in 1967 and family-run | Ride-hailing apps, licensed as private transportation companies | Request platform that passes rides to licensed taxi drivers |
| How to book | Phone, website, app or street hail | App only – no street hails or taxi stands | App, website or WhatsApp |
| Price | Taxi fares; the website and app show an estimated fare | Set by the company; rises when demand is high | City meter rates; the estimated fare is shown in advance |
| Payment | Cash, credit, debit or Beck Bucks, according to Beck's booking form | Through the app | Directly to the driver – cash, or card where accepted |
| Who drives | Licensed Toronto taxi drivers | Drivers licensed through the company | Licensed Toronto taxi drivers |
As of October 2026, based on the companies' own websites and the City of Toronto Vehicle-for-Hire bylaw. Services and prices can change; check with each company.
Beck Taxi
Beck Taxi was founded in Toronto in 1967 by Jim Beck and is still family-run; it describes itself as the largest taxi brokerage in Canada, with up to 2,000 cars on the road at a time. You can book a Beck by phone, on its website or in its iOS and Android app, which shows an estimated fare and lets you follow the car on a map.
Beck also offers wheelchair-accessible vehicles, vans for five or six people and pet-friendly options.
Other Toronto taxi companies
Beck is not the only taxi company in the city:
- Co-op Cabs – red-and-yellow cabs since 1957, founded by independent taxi owners
- Royal Taxi – serving Toronto since 1958, with one of Ontario's largest fleets of accessible taxis
- Diamond Taxi – serving Toronto since 1949, with its own app
Uber and Lyft
Uber and Lyft are licensed in Toronto as private transportation companies. Their drivers may only take rides booked in the app, and the companies set their own prices, which rise when there are more requests than drivers.
How Toronto Taxi App is different
Toronto Taxi App is not a taxi company. It passes your request to licensed Toronto taxi drivers nearby, and each driver decides whether to accept. You see the estimated fare at the City meter rates first, pay the driver directly and pay the platform no commission, booking fee or service charge.
Which one should I use?
All of them get you a ride; the difference is how you book and how the price is set. A taxi company such as Beck is convenient by phone and at taxi stands, ride-hailing apps price by demand, and Toronto Taxi App combines app booking with the City meter rates and no passenger fee.
Questions about Beck Taxi and other Toronto taxis
Is Toronto Taxi App part of Beck Taxi?
No. Toronto Taxi App is independent and not affiliated with Beck Taxi, Uber or Lyft.
How do I book a Beck Taxi in Toronto?
Beck Taxi takes bookings by phone, on its website and in its app, and you can also hail a Beck cab on the street.
Is Beck Taxi cheaper than Uber in Toronto?
It depends on the time. Taxi fares follow the City rates, while Uber sets its own prices and can raise them when demand is high.
Which Toronto taxi companies have accessible cabs?
Beck Taxi and Royal Taxi both offer wheelchair-accessible taxis; Royal Taxi says it runs one of Ontario's largest accessible fleets.
Can I order a licensed Toronto taxi without a booking fee?
Yes. With Toronto Taxi App passengers pay no commission, booking fee or service charge – only the fare, directly to the driver.
Sources
Order a licensed Toronto taxi
Order your ride in the Toronto Taxi App or on WhatsApp – at the City meter rates, with no fee for passengers.
WhatsApp