The introduction of Uber in Southeast Asia changed the transport game. However, when they pulled out of the market in 2018, competitors wasted no time filling the void they left behind.
But navigating your way around Southeast Asia’s rideshare apps is more complicated than using them! Knowing which ride hailing apps work where and the best to use in each country takes some research. So, we’ve done the hard work for you and compiled this list of the best taxi apps in Southeast Asia!
Related: (opens in new tab)
- How to Get Around Southeast Asia
- Southeast Asia SIM Card Guide
- The Ultimate Southeast Asia Itineraries
Taxi Apps in Southeast Asia 🚕
The Best Ridesharing Apps in Southeast Asia – Quick Answers!
- Brunei – Dart
- Cambodia – PassApp
- Indonesia – Gojek
- Laos – Loca
- Malaysia – Grab
- Myanmar – Grab
- Philippines – Grab
- Singapore – Grab
- Thailand – Grab
- Vietnam – Grab
Why Use A Ride Hailing App in Southeast Asia? 🤔
Ride hailing apps in Southeast Asia take the headache out of travelling around towns and cities. They help you avoid the classic taxi scams and ensure you’re not overpaying for your ride – prices are set. Although they may fluctuate a little in busy periods, you’re always going to get a competitive rate compared to using traditional taxis. And you won’t ever get bullied into an overinflated rate just because you’re a tourist!
Southeast Asia’s ride hailing apps almost eliminate the chance of your driver getting lost too. The apps connect with GPS and let your driver know where you’re going. The days of taxi drivers agreeing to take you somewhere and then driving around in circles while trying to find the place are over!
The Best Rideshare App in Brunei
Dart
Dart is the only ridesharing app in Brunei. It offers various transport and logistics services throughout the country and was developed by a Bruneian company. It’s not the slickest taxi app out there and occasionally crashes but it does the job and is much easier than trying to hail a taxi on the street. Car ownership is very high in Brunei and there aren’t many taxis on the roads!
👉 Read More: Uber alternatives in Brunei
Are Ride Hailing Apps in Southeast Asia Safe?
Ride hailing apps in Southeast Asia are safer than using traditional taxis. There are several safety systems built into the apps to protect drivers and passengers.
While each app differs slightly in execution, they all tend to have a rating system for drivers and passengers alike, so you can leave feedback. As a general rule, if you have no problems, leave a 5-star rating, and if a driver goes above and beyond or is super friendly, leave a comment and consider adding a tip to the bill. Drivers with low ratings are often removed from the apps and problematic passengers can also be removed.
If you have a strong complaint against a driver, let the app creators know, so they can attempt to remedy the problem and prevent it from happening again.
Most apps feature live tracking and include a panic button in the app, so you can hit that if you need of assistance. These buttons are usually connected to the police or emergency services as well as to the app’s customer assistance teams.
Some apps will ask to access your microphone too, so they can record the entire journey from inside the car. While you don’t have to enable this option, even having the possibility that the journey is being recorded helps keep everyone on their best behaviour.
Traditional taxis in Southeast Asia feature none of these protections, so sticking with ride hailing apps is much safer for both the drivers and passengers!
The Best Rideshare Apps in Cambodia
PassApp
PassApp is the most popular ridesharing app in Cambodia, allowing you to book taxis, remorks, tuk tuks and SUVs at a slightly cheaper rate than Grab. Payments can be made electronically or with cash. Foreign cards are often not accepted by the app, so unless you have a way to use the QR payment system, your best bet is to pay with cash after the ride. The app will tell you exactly how much you owe.
You’ll need a Cambodian SIM card to activate your PassApp account.
Grab
The giant of ridesharing apps in Southeast Asia; Grab offers a fantastic, easy-to-use app and plenty of drivers on the road. You can set up a Grab account with any phone number and use the app anywhere Grab operates in Southeast Asia. Payments can be made in cash, using the QR codes or with your credit/debit card.
Tada
The third most popular ride hailing app in Cambodia is Tada. Previously Tada was only used to book taxis in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap but it has expanded to more areas and vehicle types including electric tuk tuks! Tada doesn’t charge a commission, so unlike with other taxi apps, drivers get 100% of the fare.
👉 Read More: Uber alternatives in Cambodia
The Best Rideshare Apps in Indonesia
Gojek
The Indonesian SuperApp Gojek started as a taxi app but has developed into so much more. It offers ridesharing via car or motorbike as well as a host of other useful services such as food delivery, couriers, ticket bookings and an electronic payment system. Popular with users and drivers alike, Gojek is the best ride hailing app for travellers in Indonesia.
Grab
A close second in Indoensia’s ride hailing game is Grab, which allows you to book cars and motorbike taxis. It’s easy to use and is packed full of the usual features you’d expect from an Uber-like app!
Bluebird Taxi
Although not as popular as Gojek or Grab, Bluebird is a useful app when travelling in cities like Ubud or Jakarta. You can organise premium transport options like limousines through Bluebird, making it a good choice for high-flying business travellers or those looking for a really memorable holiday!
The Best Rideshare Apps in Laos
Loca
Loca is the SuperApp of choice in Laos. Not only can you book taxis and tuk tuks through it, the app also facilitates QR payments, eSims, food orders and deliveries. As with all ride hailing apps in Laos, Loca only operates in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Payments can be made using QR codes, cash or digitally via money you’ve already added to your account.
Kokkok Move
Only operational in Vientiane, Kokkok has a fleet of cars and electric tuk tuks, so you can choose which is best for you. Tuk tuks are recommended during peak hours in the city as traffic can be a nightmare and cars can take a long time to arrive! As with Loca, payment can be made with cash, the in-app wallet or using the driver’s QR code.
InDrive
InDrive is the cheapest ride hailing app in Laos but tends to have fewer drivers than the other options, meaning it’s sometimes impossible to get a ride. My experience of using InDrive has been mixed, sometimes the vehicles aren’t as reliable (or as clean and comfortable) as with the other apps.
InDrive differs from the other rideshare apps in Laos because rather than see a set fare, you instead bid for a ride. Drivers can accept your offer or bid back within the app, so you can get the haggling out of the way before you get in.
👉 Read More: Uber Alternatives in Laos
The Best Rideshare Apps in Malaysia
Grab
Grab is the most popular ride hailing app in Malaysia. It offers the most drivers and the shortest wait time of the Malaysian taxi apps. There are several vehicle types and sizes on offer with Grab and the app allows you to book taxis by the hour in case you want to visit several locations and have the car waiting for you at each one. Prices vary depending on how busy the system is at the time. You can also book hotels, order food and get bus and boat tickets using Grab in Malaysia.
Be aware, Grab differs slightly between Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. Not all services on offer in Peninsular Malaysia, like pre-booking rides, are available in Borneo.
Maxim
Operating across most of Peninsular Malaysia and in small pockets in Borneo, Maxim has fewer drivers than Grab and wait times tend to be a little longer. However, once you get a ride, the service is much the same and the prices tend to be slightly lower. Maxim also allows you to include multiple stops in one ride. However, driving standards are often a little lower than with Grab as the app tends to accept drivers who have been removed from Grab.
AirAsia Move
Previously just an airline, AirAsia is one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent SuperApps. You can arrange car rides, flights, buses, boats, cinema tickets, food and even insurance all in one place. The app currently has fewer drivers than Grab but is about equal to Maxim. The drivers tend to be concentrated in large population areas and there are some operating in Borneo – you can even pre-book rides using AirAsia Move in Borneo!
👉 Read More: Uber Alternatives in Malaysia
The Best Rideshare Apps in Myanmar
Grab
The giant of Southeast Asia’s ride sharing apps, Grab is the best option to use in Myanmar. Only operating in Yangon and Mandalay, Grab still holds the number one spot as the most popular taxi app for both drivers and users in Myanmar.
Oway
A local ride hailing app, Oway is closer to a SuperApp than Grab. Offering a range of services from flight and hotel bookings to applying for a tourist visa, Oway also has a range of vehicles from cars to motorbikes and tuk tuks available within a few clicks. The app operates in more cities than Grab, so is a useful one to have set up and ready to go!
The Best Rideshare Apps in Philippines
Grab
Grab holds the lion’s share of the taxi app market in Southeast Asia and that is just as true in Philippines too! The app is easy to use with an intuitive user interface. Drivers are reliable and the rating system offers a level of protection to customers that’s not seen with traditional taxis.
Angkas
With a strong focus on motorcycle taxis, Angkas is the app to use if you’re getting sick of sitting in cars in some monster Philippine traffic jams! Angkas is the budget way to travel in Philippines’ largest cities but don’t expect to find it operating in more rural areas.
JoyRide
JoyRide isn’t as popular as the two previously mentioned taxi apps in Philippines but a good backup to have in case you can’t get a ride with the others. Wait times tend to be a little longer and there aren’t as many drivers on the road but with both car and motorcycle taxi options, you can pick an option that suits your needs!
The Best Rideshare Apps in Singapore
Grab
As in many Southeast Asian countries, Grab is the most popular taxi app in Singapore, although its dominance isn’t as clear-cut as in some places! There are plenty of drivers available and on average, the wait time is only a few minutes.
Gojek
The Indonesian SuperApp Gojek has a large share of the ride hailing market in Singapore. The price is competitive when compared to Grab although wait times tend to be a tad longer. It’s good to have both apps up and running, so you can switch between them as you need to – which is especially useful during peak periods in Singapore!
Tada
While the Tada app isn’t quite as easy to use as Grab or Gojek, the no-commission business model is appealing to drivers and users alike. However, there are fewer drivers on the road as with the other apps, so the wait can be a little longer. Even without Tada taking a commission, which means 100% of the fare goes to the driver, the prices aren’t any lower (and tend to be a little higher) than the competition.
The Best Rideshare Apps in Thailand
Grab
The largest and most popular ride hailing app in Thailand, Grab is a one-stop shop for your transport needs. Offering different transport types and having plenty of drivers on the road has solidified Grab’s position as the number one taxi app in Thailand. It’s easy to use and setting up an account is simple. Many taxi drivers in Thailand are signed up to Grab, so you’ll often be riding in an actual taxi for less than they’d charge you on the street! Payments can be made using cash or card.
Bolt
Bolt tends to be a tad cheaper than Grab in Thailand but has fewer drivers and is generally only available in heavily populated areas. Bolt offers various vehicle options including motorcycles and female-only rides with female drivers but not all services are available everywhere Bolt operates. Payments can be made using cash, card or from your Bolt Balance within the app.
InDrive
InDrive allows you to pick a driver from those who have accepted your ride. This means you get to see their ratings before they come to pick you up! As in Laos, InDrive in Thailand operates using a bidding system, so you choose the price you’re willing to pay and drivers can choose to accept, decline or haggle depending on how much you’ve offered. At the time of writing, InDrive only operates in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya.
👉 Read More: Uber Alternatives in Thailand
The Best Rideshare Apps in Vietnam
Grab
Grab is the market leader in Vietnam. As with its operation in other countries, Grab offers various transport options depending on your needs and budget.
Xahn SM
A relative newcomer to ride hailing in Vietnam, Xahn SM advertises itself as the eco-friendly choice thanks to its fleet of electric vehicles operating in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The company is much younger than many of its rivals in the region, so market penetration isn’t super high yet. However, with close to 30,000 vehicles on their books (including electric motorcycles), there are plenty of drivers and wait times are usually shorter than with competitors – although journey times seem to be longer as drivers don’t seem to know the roads as well.
Gojek
The Indonesian ride share giant Gojek also operates in Vietnam. Much like with Grab, this means you don’t need to download a new app if you’re already a user – and your account details are all saved, making it an appealing choice for travellers visiting multiple countries in one trip!
Is There Uber in Southeast Asia – A Round-Up
Even though Uber doesn’t operate in Southeast Asia anymore, there are plenty of Uber alternatives that fill the void. The most popular taxi app in the region is Grab. Using the one app, you can get rides in most Southeast Asian countries. Tada and Gojek can also be used in multiple countries, making them good choices for travellers! It’s also worth keeping an eye out for Air Asia Move. Backed by the all-powerful Air Asia airline, this SuperApp is on the rise and is likely to take a larger market share in ride bookings as the years go by!
Our best advice for travellers to Southeast Asia is to make sure you’ve got multiple taxi apps downloaded and ready to go, so no matter where you end up, you can always find a ride!
Tim Ashdown | Gear Specialist
After a life-changing motorcycle accident, Tim decided life was too short to stay cooped up in his home county of Norfolk, UK. Since then, he has travelled Southeast Asia, walked the Camino de Santiago and backpacked South America. His first book, From Paralysis to Santiago, chronicles his struggle to recover from the motorcycle accident and will be released later this year.
