5 apps like Uber you should take for a ride in Australia
If you're finding Uber's prices too steep, can't find a driver in your area or are simply searching for some cheap (or potentially free) rides with an alternate rideshare service, these apps may just have the ride you need.
1. Placie
Want the cheapest or closest ride to you but don't want to flick through every single app? Placie brings live fare estimates across a bunch of rideshare, taxi and limo hires together, so you can choose the best one for you.
You can filter by price to nab the cheapest ride around or by distance or availability if you need a ride quick and fast.
Brands it features are DiDi, Ola, 13cabs, Silvertop and Black and White cabs.
Bookings are taken through the app, which stores your receipts and journey history, too.
Where: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Canberra and Darwin.
Cost: Placie doesn't charge to use its app. The cost will depend on the rideshare, taxi or limo company you choose to book with. All bookings are taken through the Placie app.
Benefits: You can compare prices across a wide variety of transport – including public transport. Use Finder's code (see below) and you'll score $30 off your first 3 rides (broken up into 3 x $10 discounts). There's also a referral bonus of $20 for sharing the app.
2. DiDi
DiDi, a Chinese ridesharing app specialising in commutes, launched in Melbourne in June 2018 and quickly expanded to other cities in Australia.
With over 31 million drivers and 550 million users globally, DiDi is one of the largest taxi-hailing services operating in Asia, Australia and South America.
Its users are so loyal that the only way Uber could enter the Chinese market was to merge with it. DiDi lets you order taxis and private cars.
Where: 28 cities in Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Geelong, Sunshine Coast, Central Coast, Wollongong, Coffs Harbour and Cairns.
Cost: DiDi offers a similar pricing structure to Uber but with cheaper rates. In Melbourne, its minimum fare is $7.90 (Uber's is $8.50) and the time fare is 35 cents per minute (Uber's is 38 cents). Its base fare is $2.25 (Uber's is $2.25) and its distance fee is $1.15 per km during normal hours (Uber is $1.21). There is also a services fee (55 cents), government transport levy ($1.16) and handling fee of 1.5%. Cancellations are charged at $6.10 while Uber charges around $8. These prices change depending on location.
Benefits: DiDi is approximately 10% cheaper than Uber. It also has a generous $20 referral voucher for anyone who shares the app and offers 50% off rides for the first month in most cities.
Prices were last checked on 12 September 2022.
3. Ola
Ola, India's most popular rideshare service, entered the Australian market in early 2018 and has been growing rapidly ever since.
Now available in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Canberra, it strives to provide affordable rides, lean fares and quality rides.
Where: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Canberra.
Cost: Ola has a like-for-like pricing structure with Uber. You can read our comparison here.
Benefits: Ola offers launch fare discounts when it opens up in a new city as well as first-time rider deals and refer-a-friend credits.
4. GoCatch
Book an airport transfer, taxi or private car within minutes using the GoCatch app.
GoCatch is one of Uber's biggest rivals. It allows you to book taxis and private drivers and doesn’t charge surge pricing during peak demand periods like Uber does.
Where: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and the Gold Coast.
Cost: Can be cheaper than Uber as it doesn't have surge pricing.
Benefits: Earn rewards such as gift cards for riding with GoCatch.
5. Shebah
The only all-woman rideshare company, Shebah strives to offer safe and secure rides for women by women. Women, women with children and men travelling with kids are permitted to ride. Men aren't allowed to ride shotgun.
It's also the only rideshare service that allows unaccompanied children to ride in the cars and offers child seats and boosters if needed.
Where: Across Australia.
Cost: Minimum fares are $11.66.
Benefits: It's the only rideshare service allowed to transport unaccompanied children. It comes with extra security for female passengers and is accommodating to those travelling with young children. Cars can come with car seats.
