If you need to reach anywhere in the city, all you have to do is book a taxi through the app on your mobile. Mobile apps have made ride booking easier than ever.
You can also pre-book a ride, through ride-hailing apps, in advance to reach an important meeting or place.
So, here in this blog, we discuss the top 5 best apps trending in the ride-hailing industry. These apps are well-known and are running successfully around the world.
Let’s begin.
1. Lyft
Lyft was founded in 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer. The Lyft app is considered the second-biggest ride-hailing app after Uber. Initially, the company started as a long-distance ride-sharing app for college students under the name Zimride. Soon, the company shifted its focus to providing short-distance rides within cities.
There was no turning back. The company established its service in many cities across the US. Today, it offers services like bike-sharing and scooter-sharing.
Pros & Cons of Using Lyft
Pros: Strong presence in the U.S., diverse ride options and integration with other services like bike-sharing.
Cons: Limited international availability compared to competitors.
2. Ola Cabs
Ola is a ride-hailing app that initially started in India in 2010. Now, the company has extended its services to Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
Through Ola, you can book autos (auto-rickshaws), premium cars, and bikes.
Pros & Cons of Using Ola Cabs
Pros: Wide range of vehicle options, competitive pricing, extensive presence in India and expanding internationally.
Cons: Service quality can vary by location; app interface might be less intuitive for some users.
3. Grab
Grab is a ride-hailing app started by Anthony Tan and Tan Hooi Ling and headquartered in Singapore in 2012. The company is currently operating in Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan.
It has become the go-to app for hailing a taxi in the Southeast Asia region.
The idea was born after Anthony Tan saw the success of Uber in the US. He knew this concept would be successful if he introduced it first in the Southeast Asian market.
Pros & Cons of Using Grab
Pros: Comprehensive services including ride-hailing, food delivery, and payments, strong presence in Southeast Asia.
Cons: Service quality and app experience can vary across different countries.
4. Bolt
Bolt, originally known as Taxify, was founded by Markus Villig in 2013. It was initially launched in Estonia and Tallinn to provide a convenient way to book taxis during peak hours and weekends. The business rapidly grew, gaining many customers.
By 2014, the company had expanded its services to other cities. In 2018, Bolt introduced its first dockless electric scooter in Paris, and subsequently in other cities as well.
The company has since launched an on-demand food delivery service called Bolt Food and plans to expand it to other European cities.
Pros & Cons of Using Bolt
Pros: Competitive pricing, quick expansion into electric scooters and food delivery, good coverage in European cities.
Cons: Relatively less known in North America; service availability can be limited outside Europe.
5. Gett
Gett is a ride-hailing app, started in Israel by Shahar Waiser and Roi More. It was founded in 2010 by launching the beta version of the app in the Hebrew language, operating in Tel Aviv.
The business took off successfully. Many users signed up and realized how convenient the app is. Shortly thereafter, they launched the service in London, Moscow, and New York City.
Pros & Cons of Using Gett
Pros: Focuses on premium rides and corporate clients, strong presence in key global cities.
Cons: Less variety in vehicle options compared to some competitors, limited service areas.
End note
In summary, the ride-hailing industry has seen tremendous innovation and growth with the introduction of these top 5 apps. Each of these services—Lyft, Ola, Grab, Bolt, and Gett—has carved out its niche and provided unique solutions and continues to expand its reach globally.
Whether you're in need of a quick ride across town or a bike to navigate through busy streets, these apps have you covered.
As technology continues to advance, we can expect these services to evolve and expand even further to make our journeys smoother and more enjoyable.
Thank you for joining us in exploring the top ride-hailing apps. Safe travels!