Top Taxi & Ride-Hailing Apps in Singapore Compared

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Grab vs Gojek vs TADA vs Zig vs Ryde


Updated for 2025–2026, with data from The Straits Times tests & user reviews

Singapore doesn’t have Uber, but the ride-hailing scene is still crowded. If you open your phone during peak hour, you’ll probably price-check at least 3 apps before booking. Here’s how the big 5 stack up right now.

1. Quick Overview Table

App Best For Pricing Wait Times Unique Features Downsides
Grab Reliability, wide coverage, tourists Costliest for morning/lunch rides; 3rd cheapest in evenings Fastest in evenings; average otherwise Most services: GrabCar, GrabShare, GrabPet, GrabHitch, GrabFood Surge pricing, driver cancellations; highest platform fees from 2025: $0.90/trip
Gojek Promo hunters, non-peak rides Mid-range pricing; often cheapest off-peak Reliable but can hit 14 min waits Clean cars, easy UI; frequent vouchers Smaller fleet = limited peak availability; platform fee now $0.90-$1.50/trip
TADA Budget-conscious, short waits Cheapest at noon & evening; 10-15% lower due to zero-commission model Shortest average waits: ~4 min Transparent pricing, no commission; cashback rewards Smaller fleet, less widespread
Zig / ComfortDelGro Morning commuters, families, taxis Best price + wait time at 9am Quick most times, but cancellations happen Books taxis + private hire; child-seat option required by law; minibuses for groups More expensive most of the time; platform fee $1-$1.20/trip
Ryde Carpool, pet rides, niche needs Most expensive in evenings Longest waits: up to 21 min, sometimes no driver RydePool, RydePet, eco options Higher costs, fewer drivers

2. Price Breakdown: Who’s Actually Cheapest?

The Straits Times 3-day test, Jan 2025: Reporters booked 45 trips across 3 time slots.

Key findings:

  • Morning 9am: Zig = cheapest + fastest. Grab = costliest.
  • Lunch 12pm: TADA = cheapest. Grab still costly.
  • Evening 6pm: TADA = cheapest. Grab = quickest & 3rd cheapest. Ryde = most expensive.

Platform fees from Jan 2025 due to Platform Workers Act:

  • Grab: $0.90/trip
  • Gojek: $0.90-$1.50/trip
  • TADA: $1.05-$1.25/trip before GST
  • Zig: $1-$1.20/trip
  • Driver fee $0.50-$0.80 still applies on Grab/Gojek/TADA

3. App-by-App Deep Dive

Grab – The “default” app

  • Pros: Biggest fleet = easiest to get a car. Most services: GrabShare, GrabHitch, GrabPet. Best for tourists.
  • Cons: Surge pricing hits hard. Users complain it’s overpriced with rising platform fees.
  • Best time: Evenings when speed matters.

Gojek – The promo king

  • Pros: Competitive off-peak fares. Frequent vouchers.
  • Cons: Smaller fleet = longer peak waits. Sometimes pricier than TADA/Zig.
  • Best time: Non-peak, when you have a promo code.

TADA – The budget winner

  • Pros: Zero-commission = 10-15% lower fares. Shortest waits. Transparent pricing.
  • Cons: Limited fleet. Less known to tourists.
  • Best time: Lunch + evenings for pure savings.

Zig / ComfortDelGro – The taxi hybrid

  • Pros: Wins morning commute. Can book metered taxis + fixed-fare. Only app compliant with child seat law for children under 1.35m. Minibuses for groups.
  • Cons: More expensive most of the time. Cancellations reported.
  • Best time: 9am rush, or when you need a proper taxi or larger vehicle.

Ryde – The niche player

  • Pros: RydePool for carpool, RydePet for animals. Good for West-side residents.
  • Cons: Longest waits. Most expensive in evenings. Smallest user base.
  • Best time: When you specifically need pet-friendly or carpool.

4. What Locals Are Saying

  1. “Someone should design like a meta app” – Users want a price-compare app because results vary by pickup location.
  2. Price-shopping is real: A viral skit shows a Singaporean checking Grab $17.80 → Gojek $20.40 → TADA $21.90, then still getting “cannot find a driver”.
  3. Drivers’ side: Cleaning fee reimbursement caps are $70-$120 depending on app, but drivers say it’s not enough.

5. Pro Tips to Save Money

  1. Install at least 3 apps: Grab + Gojek + TADA. Price-check before every ride.
  2. Use Zig for mornings, TADA for lunch/evenings.
  3. Avoid GrabShare unless desperate – detours aren’t worth $0.50 saved.
  4. Kids under 1.35m? You legally need Zig with child seat. Taxis are exempt, but private hire isn’t.
  5. Watch platform fees: From 2025, all apps charge $0.90-$1.25 extra per trip. Factor that into “cheap” claims.
  6. Pet owners: Use GrabPet or RydePet. Public transport doesn’t allow pets.

6. So, Which Should You Download?

If you... Use this app
Want the fastest ride 90% of the time Grab
Are commuting at 9am from the heartlands Zig
Care most about lowest fare TADA
Have promo codes & flexible timing Gojek
Need to ferry pets or want carpool Ryde
Traveling with kids under 1.35m Zig with child seat

Bottom line: There’s no single “best” app. Grab wins on convenience, TADA wins on price, Zig wins mornings + family trips. Most Singaporeans keep 3-4 apps and compare live.

Which app do you use most? And have you ever given up and just taken the MRT instead?

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