Didi’s 2024 Orders Averaged 14% Commission, But Executives Stress It’s Not Equal to Profit

According to a report from Yicai on September 13, shared during Didi’s recent Open Day, the company announced that the average commission rate across all orders in 2024 stands at 14%.

A Didi representative emphasized that commission does not equate to profit. Much of the commission collected is redistributed back to drivers and riders in the form of subsidies, while the remainder covers essential operational costs such as platform maintenance, secure payments and settlements, customer service, insurance and claims, as well as compliance and taxes—ensuring the stability and sustainability of the service ecosystem.

On August 15, Didi had already taken steps to ease driver concerns by announcing that the maximum commission cap per order will be lowered from 29% to 27% by year-end. Any portion exceeding the 27% cap will be automatically refunded. The company highlighted that, while expanding employment opportunities through its platform, it is equally focused on stabilizing driver income and continuously reducing commissions.

In 2024, Didi also ensured greater transparency by allowing drivers to view detailed commission breakdowns. On the open and transparent billing page, drivers can clearly see the commission rate for each order—some higher, some lower, and in certain cases even zero or negative commission. Through the Didi Driver App, drivers can also access income reports that show their average commission rate over the past seven days and the previous month.

To further support drivers, Didi introduced the “Fan Yong Bao” (Commission Protection) program. For drivers completing 50 or more orders per month, the program guarantees that their monthly average commission will not exceed 25%. Any excess amount is automatically refunded the following month. Originally intended only for top-rated drivers, this policy has now been extended to benefit a broader group, significantly lowering the entry threshold. The feature, along with the updated billing system, is already being piloted in 21 cities and will gradually roll out nationwide.

Beyond lowering commission caps, Didi remains committed to enhancing driver earnings by increasing subsidies, improving order allocation, and optimizing commission distribution. These initiatives aim to address occasional cases of disproportionately high commission, ensuring a fairer and more balanced income structure for drivers across the platform.