10 Best Grab Alternatives for Smooth Southeast Asia Travel

Raga Vachu

This article will explain helpful Grab alternatives when traveling in South East Asia. Grab is the largest ride-hailing app but several other apps provide other helpful services like eco-friendly and cheaper rides, intercity travel, and additional services.

These alternatives are helpful when traveling to different cities and crossing borders since they are affordable and reliable.

Key Poinst & Best Grab alternatives for Southeast Asian travel

Alternative AppKey Point
GojekMulti-service platform: rides, food delivery, payments, popular in Indonesia.
XanhSMEco-friendly option: Vietnam’s new green mobility service with electric vehicles.
Be (Vietnam)Local competitor: strong presence in Vietnam, offers rides and delivery.
MyCarBudget-friendly rides: Malaysian app with competitive pricing.
MaximLow-cost rides: operates in multiple SEA countries, known for affordability.
Line ManThailand-focused: integrates with LINE app, strong food delivery and taxi service.
Bluebird (Indonesia)Trusted taxi brand: reliable, established taxi company with app integration.
ComfortDelGro (Singapore)Established taxi fleet: safe and regulated rides in Singapore.
BoltGlobal rideshare: expanding in SEA, competitive fares and promotions.
Asia Transport apps (Traveloka, 12Go)Intercity travel booking: compare buses, trains, ferries for longer journeys.

10 Best Grab alternatives for Southeast Asian travel

1. Gojek

Gojek was the first ride-hailing company to diversify their services, making them one of the best alternatives to Grab for travel in Southeast Asia.

In addition to their rides, travelers can use Gojek for services like food delivery, digital payments, parcel delivery, and on-demand motorcycle rides.

They are also one of the most reliable travel apps in the region given their strong presence in Indonesia, along with their growth into other Southeast Asian countries.

Gojek

Race and pay electronically, travelers can enjoy the services out of cheap prices along with the safety of their distance money.

Overall, Gojek offers one of the more logistical choices for travel in the region with their prompt and various services of urban mobility.

FeatureDetails
Ride OptionsMotorbike (GoRide), car (GoCar), taxi services
Food & DeliveryGoFood for local cuisine delivery, GoSend for parcels
PaymentsGoPay digital wallet for cashless transactions
CoverageStrong presence in Indonesia, expanding to other SEA countries
SafetyDriver ratings, real-time tracking, verified drivers
Unique PointIntegrated multi-service platform in one app for travel and daily needs

2. XanhSM

Xanh SM is a great alternative to Grab when traveling in Southeast Asia, as it is the only ride-hail company servicing the region that is fully electric.

This green-first model allows users to ride in a more environmentally friendly fashion, reducing the harmful emissions and noise typical of gas rides.

Such an offering is customized to the preferences of green travelers. Also, providing siloed apps for ride-hailing, delivery, and logistics is inconvenient.

XanhSM

In contrast to these competitors, Xanh SM services all in one integrated app. Users can switch between their commute and running errands as needed.

Finally, unsurprisingly, Xanh SM is able to maintain a newer and more reliable fleet, as it owns all the driver vehicle. This is unlike most ride-hail services where the driver has to own their vehicle.

FeatureDetails
Ride OptionsElectric cars and scooters only
DeliveryParcel and on-demand courier services
PaymentsCashless and digital payments
CoveragePrimarily Vietnam, expanding in key cities
SafetyRegular EV maintenance, verified drivers
Unique PointFully electric fleet for eco-friendly travel and quieter rides

3. Be (Vietnam)

Be (Vietnam) is an accepted Grab alternative in Southeast Asia since Be has ride hailing fares and ride options that are transportable.

Located at Be Group, Be has offerings that include two wheeled (motorbike) rides and cars via its beBike’ andbeCar’ services that are convenient in the heavy traffic of cities.

Be (Vietnam

Be has pricing that is lower or at even fare prices compared to larger competitors and unlike many surge pricing apps, their pricing strategy does not adjust during high demand periods.

Being domestic to Vietnam, Be is able to maintain locally accepted payment formats (cash, regional digital payment wallets, or credit) and meets ET urban transport needs to offer travelers a more convenient ride.

FeatureDetails
Ride OptionsbeBike (motorbike), beCar (car)
DeliveryFood and parcel delivery services
PaymentsCash, cards, local e-wallets
CoverageMajor Vietnamese cities
SafetyDriver verification and app-tracking
Unique PointVietnam-native service with locally adapted fares and convenience

4. MyCar

While Grab is present in other Southeast Asian countries, MyCar (Malaysia) is Specialized Grab Alternative in Southeast Asia.

MyCar is provides ride-hailing in several cities in Malaysia with no-frill service model at lower rates.

MyCar

MyCar provides real time driver tracking, serves economy, premium, MPV, and even licensed taxis, and offers cash and cards payment.

MyCar safety features like SOS and driver verification are reassuring. Also, MyCar is the most affordable Grab alternative in Malaysia, and is the most reliable option for a no-frill service in the country.

FeatureDetails
Ride OptionsCars, MPV, premium options, licensed taxis
DeliveryLimited, mainly ride-hailing focused
PaymentsCash and card payments
CoverageMalaysian cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang
SafetySOS alerts, driver verification
Unique PointBudget-friendly rides with simple, dependable service

5. Maxim

Maxim stands out as a Southeast Asian Grab alternative focusing on chiefly on affordability, flexibility, and wide coverage.

For budget travelers, Maxim is a atractive option as their fares are frequently cheaper than competing services.

Maxim

The app accommodates a range of transportation options including cars, motorbikes, and sometimes even tuk-tuks or other local vehicles, making it easier to navigate both large and small cities.

What distinguishes other ride-hailing services from Maxim is their clear and straightfoward pricing: the cost of the ride is displayed before the user makes any booking, minimizing unpleasant pricing surprises.

The app is especially beneficial for users who are traveling to secondary cities or remote locations not served by other ride hailing services.

FeatureDetails
Ride OptionsCars, motorbikes, local vehicle types
DeliveryLimited; mainly rides
PaymentsCash and digital options
CoverageSeveral SEA countries, including Laos, Cambodia
SafetyVerified drivers, app-tracking
Unique PointAffordable, flexible service with wide regional coverage

6. Line Man

Travellers in Southeast Asia and especially Thailand are able to use apps like Grab for ride-hailing, food delivery, grocery and messenger services, delivery convenience and mobility, and one stop shop local services and mobility

But now there is another option available in Southeast Asia that is even better because it is LOCAL and has better integration and features

for local users and for what travellers in Thailand and Southeast Asia are now doing which is mobility with delivery and flex tracking with better safety features for everyone involved.

Line Man

Each ride is supported by real time tracking, background checked, and controlled driver settigs for regulation of safety features on both ends, passengers and drivers.

The app integration with local convenience store and grocery delivery is also seamless. With Thailand’s numerous and widespread provinces

Travellers are able to obtain local services and mobility in one app instead of having to switch to another app.

FeatureDetails
Ride OptionsCars, motorbikes, tuk-tuks
DeliveryFood, groceries, parcels
PaymentsCashless and card payments
CoverageMajor Thai cities, urban & provincial areas
SafetyDriver verification, real-time tracking, safety features
Unique PointAll-in-one app combining rides, food, and groceries for convenience

7. Bluebird (Indonesia)

Bluebird (Indonesia) is a well-reputed, and trusted alternative to Grab and reliable app for traversing Southeast Asia, especially in the major metropolitan areas in Indonesia.

Bluebird, one of the most well-known and reputable, owns a broad range of licensed, metered, and regulated, providing dependability and safety for all travelers.

Bluebird (Indonesia)

Their app is convenient and integrates cashless transactions for payments and for booking taxis. All of the drivers are stewardly and the cars are well-kept and functioning.

Bluebird is a great app for traveling in the cities of Indonesia for all tourists, providing dependability, safety, and great availability.

FeatureDescription
EZPayCashless payments: pay directly via app using digital wallets, ensuring convenience and safety.
EZPoint RewardsLoyalty program: earn points with every ride, redeemable for promos, discounts, and exclusive offers.
Fixed Price BookingTransparent fares with upfront pricing, avoiding surge surprises.
Airport TransfersDedicated airport ride options for smooth travel

8. ComfortDelGro (Singapore)

In Southeast Asia, ComfortDelGro stands out as a reliable taxi operator with ride-booking convenience, serving an alternative to Grab.

It boasts one of the largest taxi and private- hire fleets in Singapore, with thousands of vehicles. ComfortDelGro guarantees coverage and availability even at odd hours.

ComfortDelGro (Singapore

Users of the CDG Zig app can do more than just book rides and pay payments. Users can also access non-transport services offered by the company.

Cleanliness and safety, along with fitted fares to the rides, offers travelers confidence in transport stability and quality.

FeatureDetails
Ride OptionsTaxis, private hire vehicles
DeliveryNot a primary service
PaymentsCashless via app, card payments
CoverageSingapore-wide, large fleet ensures availability
SafetyLicensed, regulated taxis, clean and maintained vehicles
Unique PointReliable, established operator with regulated fares and modern app

9. Bolt

Bolt is easy to ride with and can be dependable since they are flexible with their prices and can adapt their services and prices to new markets easily.

Since they are operating in many SEA countries, they are frequently able to provide low prices and many promotions.

Additionally, they have built a driver-friendly model where they take lower commission rates and provide more incentives to drivers.

Bolt

This helps to attract a larger driver base and results in shorter wait times in regions with higher population density.

Also, travelers can feel safer with built in features such as driver photo verification and an emergency support feature. This allows users to feel more comfortable using the service in a new city.

FeatureDetails
Ride OptionsCars, motorbikes
DeliveryLimited (some regions may include courier services)
PaymentsCash and digital wallet
CoverageMalaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and other SEA cities
SafetyDriver selfie verification, trip monitoring, SOS alerts
Unique PointBudget-friendly, driver-friendly, fast-growing platform

10. Asia Transport apps (Traveloka, 12Go)

Travelola and 12Go are competitors to Grab for Southeast Asian travel and offer unique complements to standard ride-hailing.

Traveloka lets users book flights and inter-city buses and connects Southeast Asia’s various modes of transport together in one site to facilitate multi-modal travel.

12Go focuses on intercity transport and offers bus, train, ferry, and plane bookings. These two companies allow customers to book entire trips

Asia Transport apps (Traveloka, 12Go)

Unlike ride-hailing, and offer value added services such as easy online payments, transparent pricing, and multilingual customer service.

These are perfect for the tourists who need easy, reliable, and comprehensive transport across the entire region.

FeatureDetails
Ride OptionsLimited local rides (via Traveloka taxi services)
TransportFlights, buses, trains, ferries, intercity connections
PaymentsCredit/debit card, digital wallets
CoverageMulti-country across Southeast Asia
SafetyVerified operators, transparent pricing
Unique PointIdeal for planning multi-modal trips across the region, not just city rides

Conclsuion

In conclusion Southeast Asian Travel Different Grab Alternatives Provide Different Value Propositions, Multi Service Apps Gojek And LINE MAN, XanhSM Is The Only One Offering Environmentally Friendly Electric Rides, Be, MyCar And Maxim

All Offer Adequate Local Transport, Bolt And ComfortDelGro Are The Cheapest And The Safest And Traveloka/12Go Is The Most Convenient For Intercity Travel. Most Suitable Apps Depend On Supply, Convenience, And Travel Particulars.

FAQ

What are the top Grab alternatives in Southeast Asia?

Gojek, XanhSM, Be (Vietnam), MyCar, Maxim, LINE MAN, ComfortDelGro, Bolt, and Traveloka/12Go.

Which app is best for eco-friendly travel?

XanhSM uses a fully electric fleet, making it the top choice for green travel.

Which app offers multi-service options like food and deliveries?

Gojek and LINE MAN provide ride-hailing, food delivery, and courier services in one app.

Which apps are budget-friendly alternatives to Grab?

Bolt, Maxim, and MyCar are known for affordable fares and promotions.

Which app is best for intercity or regional travel?

Traveloka and 12Go specialize in flights, buses, trains, and ferries across Southeast Asia.

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