A way to get a taxi estimate in Rome

Use ItTaxi app. The app is by the Italian Radiotaxi association, you can pay by card and there is no extra fee. You can download it from Google Play or Apple Store
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.ud.microtek.ITTaxi&hl=en_US
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ittaxi/id527559443

Uber also has an agreement with ItTaxi in Rome, so you can use Uber to summon regular taxis and pay through the Uber app. But if you use Uber app instead of ItTaxi there is an extra charge by Uber of 2.50€ per ride, but it might be worth the trouble.
FreeNow is another app that works in Rome to summon taxicabs. Also in this case they charge a fee of 3.00€ per ride on top of the cost of the ride.
No need to leave a tip. The taxi drivers in Italy don't deserve any tips. The excuse their POS machine doesn't work is to dodge reporting VAT (10%) and income tax. They are crooks, especially when they deal with foreign tourists.

I did see the taxi service you mentioned and saw some pulling into the queue. I think the extra charge was 3.50 euros using the Uber app. Still they were cheaper than Uber black by a bit.

Might try that as we are here for 7 more days. Thanks

That's REALLY too bad. Technically taxi drivers are required to run the meter and to accept credit cards. Some will say the meter is 'broken' but you could wait a tad longer for the next taxi and insist upon one with an operable meter. We were in Rome 8 days over NYE in Dec 2024, took a taxi every other day and only had this experience once, so hopefully you have more pleasant experience next time!

I was not terribly surprised by the taxi experience. I think it will be easier to deal with this outside of a congested area like Rome Termini. There we had luggage and the driver loads it before you can easily look for a meter in the car.

I’ll try using the Uber app and that should make the cost more transparent.

An update: So far using the Uber app and choosing the itTaxi gave the best result. It was automatic and really cheap. :)

Uber black did not work out on 1 try. The app showed that the driver either ignored us 3 times in favor of other fares or a technical problem caused him to accept our request but then not perform.

Have you tried if you save by using the ItTaxi app directly instead of through Uber? I think Uber applies a 3€ (or more) fee per ride, whereas ItTaxi has no extra fee.

When I looked in the Apple Store the app had something like a 2 star rating. No confidence in that.