Top 10 Best Ride-Sharing Apps of 2023 From Around the World

From local city jaunts to long distance traveling, ride-sharing apps have revolutionized the way we perceive transport. Now, it’s not just about getting from point A to point B, but about doing so with ease, affordability, and a touch of innovation.

These apps not only disrupted traditional taxi services but also played a vital role in addressing traffic congestion, car emissions, and commute expenses. However, with multiple options available, it can be challenging to choose the best app for your traveling needs.

This list will walk you through a curated collection of ride sharing services, each unique in its features, geographic availability, price points, and user experience. Afterall, the choice of a ride-sharing app depends on your specific preferences and requirements.

List of 10 Best Ride-Sharing Apps of 2023

1. Uber: The Rideshare Giant

• Android Rating: 4.2
• iOS Rating: 4.7
• Popular for: Multiple-service levels  

The Uber app is one of the most popular apps in the world, based in San Francisco alongside some of the world’s biggest tech firms. They have an estimated 110 million users worldwide, and they were the first to revolutionize the transportation industry with its best ride-share service.

They describe their business model as “Uberization,” where existing service models are commoditized via mobile technology. In recent years, companies are offering food delivery, shopping, housekeeping, and a million other services directly through apps. Uber, for example, was a pioneer when it ventured into the food delivery app segment with Uber Eats.

Driver-Oriented Features:

• A system for identifying difficult passengers (and removing them from platforms if necessary)
• Hearing-impaired drivers have special accommodations
• Depending on how many rides you provide, certain cities offer bonuses
• A driver can opt out of the carpool application, which can lead to better earnings for those who don’t want a bonus for giving more rides

Rider-Oriented Features:

• Organizing rides in advance
• Ride-share app that accepts cash
• Ridesharing between friends with the ability to split a fare
• Drop-off points for groups of riders
  

2. LYFT: Your Friend with a Car

• Android Rating: 4.2
• iOS Rating: 4.9
• Popular for: Affordable rates

Lyft, headquartered in San Francisco, stands as one of the top rideshare apps offering car-sharing services across numerous cities in North America. Positioned as one of the best ridesharing apps, Lyft ensures a distinctive, cost-effective, and friendly user experience, especially in the realm of long distance ride sharing app services. Unlike Uber, which has made a mark in ride sharing app development, Lyft has crafted a distinct brand persona.

Where Uber calls itself as “your personal driver,” Lyft resonates with users as “your friend with a car.” This slight variation results in a contrasting driver and rider experience, fostering a unique “culture” within its ride sharing services community.

Driver-Oriented Features:

• Driver-specific app with features tailored to drivers
• Mark the current ride as the last ride for the day so drivers do not feel compelled to accept an unexpected request
• Earn tips from riders (Uber offers this as well, but Lyft pioneered it)

Rider-Oriented Features:

• Reduced prices for shared-saver rides
• Faster requests and pickups with “One tap to ride”
• To ensure safety, drivers must undergo background checks
• “Lyft Amps” aid riders to find the ride at night, a glow-in-the-dark sign for Lyft

3. GoJek: Going Beyond Rideshare

• Android Rating: 4.5
• iOS Rating: 4.2
• Various services can be provided, such as transportation, delivery, and moving of heavy items

GoJek, initially rising to fame as a rideshare app in Indonesia, has since cemented its presence in five countries, offering a spectrum of services. Beyond merely bridging drivers and riders, its innovative approach allows passengers to opt for motorcycle rides, ensures doorstep delivery of food and products from local businesses, aids in transporting bulky goods, and even provides a plethora of other essential services.

Driver-Oriented Features:

• A health insurance plan for all drivers (Uber and Lyft employees are independent contractors, so they have limited access to employer-sponsored medical plans).
• Discounts on groceries, fuel, and more as part of special promotions
• Get free training in English, business, and other life-changing skills

Rider-Oriented Features:

• Flexible payment options
• Various modes of transportation (who doesn’t love riding a motorcycle?
• Assist with shopping as well as many other tasks on a daily basis

4. Ola: The Best Ridesharing Company in India

• Android Rating: 4.4
• iOS Rating: 4.7
• Popular for: Those looking for a variety of options when traveling (rideshares, luxury rides, and car rentals)

Ola is a rideshare company that offers a variety of services to its users. In addition to the traditional rideshare service, Ola also offers the option to rent a car, hire a driver for long trips, and even travel out of town.

With its operations extending to countries like Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and more, Ola stands as one of the top rideshare apps for travelers.

Moreover, Ola’s spectrum of ride sharing services caters to various budgetary needs. Its versatility makes it one of the best ridesharing apps. Consequently, for individuals seeking cost-effective and handy transportation solutions, Ola emerges as a preferred choice. 

Driver-Oriented Features:

• Daily pay is given to drivers
• Live support is available 24/7
• Drivers who don’t own a car can lease one

Rider-Oriented Features:

• Various options for travelers
• Renters’ insurance and roadside assistance
• Options for in-cab entertainment (e.g., music, videos)

5. Via- Quick, Small, and Proud

• Android Rating: 4.2
• iOS Rating: 4.2
• Popular for: Dedicated ridesharing

Founded in 2012, Via is a long-distance ride-sharing app that is revolutionizing how people get around cities. Headquartered in New York, the company has quickly expanded to 20 countries around the world.

In each of these countries, Via partners with local companies to provide efficient, affordable ridesharing services.The app works by connecting riders with similar routes, allowing them to share a ride and reduce their carbon footprint.

In addition to being environmentally friendly, Via is also very affordable, helping users to save money on their daily commute. With its simple interface and innovative approach to ridesharing. Via is making it easier than ever for people to get around cities without owning a car.

Driver-Oriented Features:

• Drivers can earn up to $400 in signing bonuses
• For drivers without a car who want to earn money, a “rent-a-car” system is available
• Convenient driving whenever you want
• The commission Via takes from drivers is only 10% (as opposed to Uber’s 25% fee).

Rider-Oriented Features:

• Affordability
• Faster commutes with corner-to-corner pickups
• Real-time customer support is available
• Earn free ride credits by referring friends

Related Read: Top 10 On-Demand Taxi Booking & Ride Booking Apps in India 2023

6. Careem

Careem, headquartered in Dubai, provides services ranging from ridesharing to food delivery and beyond. Presently active in over 100 cities, they’ve adeptly dominated the Middle East and North Africa markets.

Their growth can be attributed to a deep understanding of the regional nuances and cultural dynamics, positioning Careem as a blueprint for those aspiring to challenge Uber in their locale. The company is not only committed to generating employment opportunities in these regions but also takes pride in their Careem Rewards initiative, which has contributed to the welfare of more than 700,000 refugees.

Driver-oriented features 

• Full autonomy to choose working hours.
• Comprehensive driver education.
• User-friendly app integrated with navigation.

Rider-oriented features 

• Simplified payment methods.
• Service to order meals or delegate small tasks.
• Outstanding loyalty rewards program.

7. BlaBla Car

BlaBlaCar operates as a carpooling service, pairing drivers and passengers headed in the same direction. On the platform, drivers post details about their vehicles and planned routes, while passengers can seek out rides and share the trip costs. For each confirmed booking, BlaBlaCar retains a 12% commission.

What sets this model apart is its inclusivity, allowing any car owner to offer rides, irrespective of their professional driving status. As a result, BlaBlaCar often emerges as a cost-effective alternative for riders compared to traditional taxis or buses.

Additionally, BlaBlaCar contributes positively to the environment. By promoting shared rides, it minimizes the number of vehicles on roads, thereby curtailing traffic jams and lowering carbon emissions.

Driver-oriented features 

• A unique rating system: “Bla” for reserved drivers, “bla bla” for talkative ones, and “bla bla bla” for the exceptionally chatty.
• Quick and straightforward trip posting.
• Drivers retain the autonomy to select their passengers.

Rider-oriented features 

• Secure and economical ride booking.
• Option to reserve on-the-spot seats when available.
• Female drivers can opt for a “women-only” feature, ensuring their security and ease.

8. Curb

Curb stands out as one of the top-notch and affordable ride-sharing taxi platforms that steer clear of surge pricing. Acquired by Verifone Systems, a leader in electronic payment technology and value-added solutions, Curb boasts over 50,000 taxi fleets across 65 US cities, as highlighted by top rideshare app reviews. These cities include prominent ones like New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Passengers can benefit from an entertainment screen at the back and a real-time fare tracker. The app further enhances its user experience by allowing passengers to discover local eateries and reserve tables. Such distinctive attributes place Curb among the premier long-distance ride-sharing apps in the US.

Driver-oriented features 

• Drivers can set their own rates for rides, which gives them more control over their earnings.
• With Curb’s extensive rider community, drivers have increased chances for ride requests.
• Each completed ride results in immediate payment, aiding drivers in managing their finances.

Rider-oriented features 

• Before confirming the ride, passengers can view an estimated cost, helping them manage their finances.
• Riders can keep tabs on their ride’s progress and know the estimated arrival time.
• The app facilitates convenient and safe credit card payments for rides.
• Curb provides a dedicated support team always ready to help riders address any concerns.

9. Gett

Originally launched as GetTaxi in Israel, Gett stands out as a prominent player in the ridesharing domain for automotive transportation. While it facilitates short and long-distance ride-sharing across over 100 European cities like London, Moscow, and Tel Aviv, it exclusively serves New York through its associate company, Juno.

Commonly compared to giants like Uber and Lyft, Gett has cemented its position as a top car ride app, resonating with daily commuters. One of its standout features, setting it apart from many other rideshare platforms, is its pricing strategy that refrains from imposing surge charges during peak times, making it a cost-effective choice for many riders.

Driver-oriented features 

• Drivers get paid instantly for every ride they complete, which helps them with their cash flow.
• Gett has a large pool of riders, which gives drivers more opportunities to get rides.
• Gett has a dedicated team of support staff who are available to help drivers with any issues they may have.

Rider-oriented features 

• Riders can book a ride in minutes, which is much faster than calling a taxi or waiting for a bus.
• Riders can see the estimated price of the ride before they book it, which helps them budget their travel expenses.
• Riders can track their ride in real time, which helps them know when their ride will arrive.

10. Bridj

This app stands out as one of the premier long-distance ridesharing platforms, catering specifically to individuals journeying in the same direction. The service is tailored to align travelers accordingly, ensuring faster travel times for all. With a nominal one-way charge of just $3.10, it emerges as an attractively priced option.

Distinguishing itself from typical ride-sharing apps, Bridj maintains a collection of 14-seat upscale shuttles equipped with Wi-Fi and plush leather seating. In terms of comfort, Bridj’s buses rival top-tier luxury vehicles.

Driver-oriented features 

• Drivers can set their own schedule, which gives them more control over their work-life balance.
• Riders are encouraged to tip their drivers, which can be a great way to earn extra money.
• Drivers can earn extra income using their own vehicles, offering flexibility for those seeking supplemental earnings.

Rider-oriented features 

• Riders can book a ride in minutes, which is much faster than calling a taxi or waiting for a bus.
• Riders can track their ride in real time, which helps them know when their ride will arrive.
• Riders can pay for the ride with their credit card, which is a convenient and secure way to pay.

As the world steadily moves towards a shared economy, ride-sharing apps continue to play an instrumental role in transforming urban mobility. The top 10 ride-sharing apps of 2023 not only reflect this transition but also showcase how technology can address real-world challenges like traffic congestion, pollution, and urban transportation costs.  With a mix of established giants and rising stars, the ride-sharing landscape is vibrant and diverse. 

If you’re looking to dive into this space or enhance your existing platform, consider partnering with ScrumDigital. As a renowned ride-sharing app development company, we provide tailored solutions that align with market trends and user preferences, ensuring you’re well-equipped to navigate the ever-evolving ride-sharing industry.