Guide to Ride-Hailing Apps in the Philippines Besides Grab

Knowing that the public transport system in the Philippines is problematic is like knowing that the sun is hot—it’s more than obvious. That’s why a lot of us rely on transportation network vehicle service (TNVS) apps to get from point A to point B. It's also why a lot of commuters consider Grab their go-to app.

But these days, it’s difficult to book a Grab car. This can be attributed to the increasing number of passengers now that life is somewhat getting back to normal. Last April, Grab even asked LTFRB for more TNVS slots.^[1]

While Grab may be the poster child of TNVS in the country, there are actually a few alternatives you may want to check out. Read on and you might find your next favorite ride-hailing app in the Philippines.

Before You Book: Know the Standard Rates

Is your ride-hailing app in the Philippines charging fair rates? Arm yourself with knowledge and don’t be a victim of overcharging. The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) implements flag-down rates for transportation network companies (TNCs).

According to LTFRB’s Memorandum Circular No. 2019-036,^[2] TNCs should charge only the following service rates:

Hatchback Rates

Flag-down rate – ₱30
Per kilometer travel fare – ₱13
Per minute travel fare – ₱2

Sedan TNVS Rates

Flag-down rate – ₱40
Per kilometer travel fare – ₱15
Per minute travel fare – ₱2

Premium SUV/AUV Rates

Flag-down rate – ₱50
Per kilometer travel fare – ₱18
Per minute travel fare – ₱2

Alternatives to Grab: Ride-Hailing Apps in the Philippines to Check Out

If you want to get from point A to point B quickly, it would be wise to install a secondary ride-hailing app in the Philippines. It’s also nice to know that some companies offer other services, such as deliveries. These are your options:

👉 JoyRide

Services offered: Motorcycle service, car service, tricycle service, delivery, pabili, in-app mall, and mobile load purchase
Service areas: Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, Cebu, and Baguio

With its increasing popularity, JoyRide makes a great Grab alternative in the Philippines. Since December 2019, the company has onboarded more than 20,000 drivers. Less than three months after its launch, it already had over one million app downloads. Add to those impressive figures the company’s highest number of bookings received in a day, which was 500,000.

JoyRide has departed from its motorcycle-hailing days, as it now offers new modes of transportation. This Grab alternative rolled out its car service last March. But what makes Joyride unique is that it also allows you to book a tricycle to get around the city.

On top of these transportation services, you can shop and order food at the in-app marketplace called JR Mall.

👉 Angkas

Services offered: Motorcycle service, courier service, and home PCR service (beta launch)
Service areas: Metro Manila and Metro Cebu

Online, Angkas is popular for its funny and relatable memes that often go viral. But that reputation doesn’t overshadow its real essence: providing Filipinos with an accessible way to avoid traffic.

Angkas is one of the best Grab alternatives if you want to reach your destination more quickly. When you’re riding a motorcycle, you can evade the gridlocks you’ll inevitably encounter along the way. The company is also known for its professional bikers who undergo rigorous training for safety and COVID-19 preparedness.

Angkas goes beyond motorcycle taxi services by offering deliveries and even bringing RT-PCR COVID-19 testing services to your doorstep. For the latter, the company has partnered with the Philippine Red Cross. Just note, though, that this is still in its beta phase and is only available in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu in a limited capacity.

👉 TokTok

Services offered: Delivery, pabili, in-app mall, mobile load purchase, and car service
Service areas: Metro Manila and nearby locations

What started out as a humble delivery service has evolved into a super app that is now one of the most promising Grab alternatives. Toktok doubles as a car-hailing app in the Philippines through TokTokGo.

As a Grab alternative, Toktok offers an assortment of services that’ll help you accomplish a lot of things. Aside from deliveries and car services, you can avail of errand services through TokTok Pabili. Satisfy your food cravings through TokTokFood. And if you need to settle your bills, just use TokTokBills.

👉 AVIS Philippines

Services offered: Car service
Service areas: Presumably key cities in the Philippines, as per the locations of their car rental services

Since 1972, AVIS has been a nationwide leader in car rental services. The company also branched out to TNVS with the launch of the AVIS app, making it one of the Grab competitors in the Philippines.

Perhaps the edge of the AVIS app lies in its capability to offer out-of-town transfers. For instance, you can book point-to-point transfers anywhere in Luzon using a van. You can use this particular service if you’re planning to go on a vacation with your family or a business meeting outside the city.

👉 ePickMeUp

Services offered: Taxi booking, motorcycle booking, food delivery, parcel delivery, car rental, repairs, motorcycle rental, and pabili
Service area: Metro Manila

One of the many Grab competitors, ePickMeUp does more than passenger transport. This ride-hailing app in the Philippines offers 60 on-demand services, which include deliveries and even repairs. For the latter, ePickMe Up connects you with nearby providers, just like how it does with its taxi booking services.

If you want to reach your destination faster, this Grab alternative lets you book a motorcycle ride. Avail of the pabili service and get your food, groceries, and medicines delivered to your doorstep.

👉 OWTO

Services offered: Car service
Service areas: Metro Manila and select areas in Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan

A wholly Filipino-owned TNVS company, OWTO uses private vehicles for its ride-hailing service. With this car-booking app in the Philippines, you can choose from a sedan, hatchback, subcompact, or SUV.

OWTO was one of the first TNVS companies in the Philippines to launch an in-app surveillance system for rider and driver protection. It also enables accurate investigation when a rider files a complaint through the app.^[3]

Final Thoughts

Saying that commuting in the Philippines is challenging is an understatement. Thankfully, services like Grab help lighten such a burden. However, it’s wiser to rely on more than one ride-hailing app in the Philippines.

If you look around, you’ll see that there are actually a few Grab alternatives. A lot of them even offer value-added services that’ll make your life much easier.