Uber is a ridesharing service that allows customers to request a ride from nearby drivers using their smartphones.
People love it because of its easy access to convenient transportation services.
However, it’s usual for people to want to try new things or alternatives, leaving them wondering if Uber has substitutes.
Well, this excellent does have various substitutes. So, we’ll discuss some of the best substitutes for Uber we know in this article.
Best Substitutes for Uber
1. Lyft
Lyft is one of the most successful companies in the United States. It provides rides via taxis, bicycles, scooters, and even self-driving vehicles.
It started in 2012 and has over 5 million active drivers worldwide. Besides, it offers food delivery, car rentals, and bike sharing.
The company is in San Francisco and has raised over $5.9 billion in venture capital funding.
It has become the second-largest ride-hailing company in the United States, behind Uber. Also, it was the fastest-growing company in the stock market history.
In 2020, Lyft had revenues of $1.4 billion and a net income of $842 million. During the same period, it collected $2.3 billion in gross fares.
2. Bolt
Bolt is also one of the best substitutes for Uber, which registers drivers to work for them.
The company works with GPS, making it easy for people to find nearby drivers.
Once the ride is over, the customer drops a review for the driver through the app. Bolt’s mission is to provide sustainable transportation solutions that improve urban mobility.
The company’s electric scooters are emission-free, quiet, and easy to use. With Bolt, getting around town is more fun, efficient, and sustainable.
3. Juno
Juno is one of those companies you probably never heard about unless you live in the United States.
The company is a ridesharing app that operates in the US and Canada.
They don’t own cars but partner with local car owners and drivers. The company is similar to Lyft, except that it doesn’t charge extra fees for surge pricing.
Instead, they take 10% off the base fare. And because they’re partnering with local car owners, the cost of each ride is low.
In addition to being cheaper, Juno’s main focus seems to be providing a better customer experience.
It also offers real-time tracking of your driver and vehicle. You’ll know exactly where your driver is and how long they will be waiting for you.
4. Curb
Curb is a ride-hailing app that connects passengers with professional taxi drivers. Founded in 2011, the company operates in more than 60 major markets across North America.
In 2016, Curb launched Taxi Magic, a similar app focused solely on airport rides. In 2017, Curb rebranded itself as Curb.
The name change came with a complete app redesign to focus on professionalism.
This new design emphasizes safety and customer experience, including features such as background checks for drivers, insurance verification, and 24/7 support.
Moreover, the app now offers two main types of trips: “cabs” are traditional taxis, while “drivers” are people who use their vehicles to make money off of driving passengers around town.
Drivers must apply to become drivers, pass a criminal background check, pay a $25 application fee, and purchase a vehicle.
Once approved, they’ll receive a unique code that lets them accept fares via Curb.
5. Gett
Gett is another one of the best substitutes for Uber listed in this article. It is a fast-growing Israeli startup that offers ridesharing via a smartphone app.
Unlike traditional taxi companies, Gett does not own cars and relies on independent contractors called chauffeurs to provide transportation. Its main competitors include Uber and Lyft.
While both Uber and Lyft offer similar services, each operates differently. For example, Lyft requires passengers to pay upfront, while Uber charges per trip.
Both companies charge surge pricing during peak hours, though Lyft caps its prices during congestion.
In addition to providing rides, Gett allows people to book taxis on time through its mobile application. This feature makes booking a cab easier than calling one up directly.
6. Grab
The Grab app allows users to book cabs and cars in different parts of the city and works in more than 500 cities worldwide.
Apart from taxis, it also includes other types of transport like rideshares, carpools, and bicycle rentals.
Many features are in the app, such as GPS tracking, payment options, and emergency call buttons.
In addition, there is a pre-screening process where the drivers undergo a background check before being allowed to work with the app.
7. Wingz
Another excellent Uber substitute is Wingz. This app lets passengers request rides to the airport directly from their phones.
And since it launched, thousands of riders have requested trips.
The app works much like Uber and charges whatever the driver charges for gas.
So far, the average price is about $15 per trip. And because most routes are short, the cost isn’t too high.
But while some people might think that the app is just a cheap alternative to taxis, it offers a lot more.
First, the app doesn’t require drivers to undergo the same rigorous background checks as taxis. They also don’t have to pass medics and offer insurance.
Plus, the app focuses on customer service. Riders can schedule rides months in advance, and drivers show up exactly when they say they will.
If something goes wrong, customers can file complaints on the app itself.
8. Via
Via is also one of the best substitutes for Uber, which provides public transport solutions.
They aim to improve people’s lives by providing safe, reliable, affordable, and convenient mobility options.
Also, they provide a wide range of products and services, including urban planning, design, engineering, construction management, maintenance, operations, fleet management, software development, and consulting.
The types of transit services they provide include first/last mile, city buses, school buses, rapid mass transit, light rail, commuter trains, and many more.
9. Easy Taxi
Like the other Uber rivals, Easy Taxi tracks your locations to find a nearby driver and provides a map showing the nearest ones.
Drivers are fully trained and must go through background checks, and you can even add landmarks to help your driver find you.
Easy Taxi is available in 30 countries and 420 cities, including many parts of South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe.
And unlike some competitors, Easy Taxi doesn’t just cover major urban centers; it also reaches out into smaller towns and rural areas.
10. Flywheel
Flywheel allows users to hail professional licensed and insured taxis. Unlike Uber, it doesn’t charge surge pricing or require a credit card to pay.
Instead, you open the app, select your destination, and wait for a driver to appear.
You don’t even have to tip since the app takes care of everything. And while there aren’t many drivers on the road right now, the founders say they plan to add thousands over the next few months.
Conclusion
These are the best substitutes for Uber. But remember, not all apps are created equal. Some may be better than others, depending on what you need.
That’s why we recommend trying them all out for yourself.
