It’s difficult to give an answer because I could say YES, Florence does have Uber but I could also say NO, Florence doesn’t have Uber.
This is quite a complicated issue.

Uber has been in Italy for 10 years now, so it can be said that although there have been alternating moments of spread and contraction of the service, Uber has been in Italy for a long time.

Unfortunately, however, the arrival of Uber has sparked controversy especially among traditional taxi drivers who have fiercely opposed its deployment. Taxi drivers have expressed concerns about unfair competition and lack of regulation for ridesharing services like Uber. Tensions were evident with protests, strikes and legal disputes.

A transitional or at least a compromise solution has been found.

The Uber platform, i.e. the Uber app, is also available in Florence, but when you access it, you access Uber Black and not the ‘normal’ Uber app (like the one in the United States, to be clear), called UberX.
Uber Black is the premium version of Uber X and therefore provides a service with luxury cars and professional drivers, which in Italy are called NCC (Noleggio con Conducente). NCCs are therefore people who have taken a state exam and are officially licensed as drivers. They are not just people who have a licence and drive a car.
In Florence, Uber Black therefore offers a more exclusive and high-quality travel experience. The cars used for Uber Black are from prestigious brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW and therefore it is designed for those looking for a trip of luxury and comfort. This is why the Uber Black service is a more expensive option and costs on average 30/40% more than a normal taxi.
So, to give a short answer the question “does Florence have Uber?”, it must be said that using the Uber app in Florence, it is a way to call a private driver (NCC).

Are there alternatives to Uber in Florence?

Many.
First of all, one must always keep in mind that Florence is a small city. Within walking distance about 20/30 minutes you can reach everything in Florence.
Moreover, Florence offers a well-developed public transport system, including taxis, buses and trams.

Taxi

Taxis are widely available throughout Florence and are a convenient option for direct and immediate travel.

How to call a taxi in Florence?

In Italy, taxis do not stop on the streets (for Italians, this only happens in movies!). In Italy, taxis have to be called.

Here’s how:

• Waiting at the taxi stand. These car parks are scattered all over Florence, especially in the places of greatest transit and interest, such as in front of the railway stations, Piazzale Michelangelo and Porta Romana.
• Call a taxi on the phone. In Florence there are only 2 taxi companies: 055 4242 and 055 4390. Tell the operator the address where you are to be picked up.
• Use the app. The taxi can also be “called” from the phone application: AppTaxi and TAXIMove. This is a faster way than the traditional one and avoids waiting a long time on the phone.

Over the past year, there has been a shortage of taxis in many Italian cities, including Florence, with very long queues. This has happened both because there has been a large increase in the number of tourists arriving but also because the city is congested at certain times. A Municipality of Florence document notes that . ‘the average commercial speed of taxis in Europe is 23 km/h, while in Florence it has gone from 17 km/h to 13 km/m now. So it is clear that if mobility in Florence was better … taxis would have more freedom to circulate in the city …”
A useful tip: if you are at the train station, for example, and the queue to get a taxi is very long, it might be more convenient to cross the street and call a taxi from there rather than wait in line.

Buses

City buses are operated by Autoline Toscane and cover most of the city and surrounding areas. Buses offer an economical (90 minute ride costs 1.50 euro) and accessible alternative to exploring Florence, with a vast network of routes connecting neighbourhoods, tourist attractions and peripheral areas.

Tramway

Furthermore, Florence has a tram network that connects various parts of the city: from the center you can reach, for example, the Amerigo Vespucci airport in 20 minutes as well as the most important hospital in the city, Careggi. Trams represent a fast, convenient transport option (a 90-minute ride costs 1.50 euros) and above all they always respect the established timetables. So you can count on them!
Note that all tramways arrive at the Santa Maria Novella station, a 5-minute walk from the Duomo.

In conclusion, Uber in Florence represents an additional transportation option that offers citizens and visitors a flexible albeit more expensive alternative for getting around the city.