Is There Uber in the Philippines? Best Alternative Taxi Apps (2025)

Want to know “Is there Uber in the Philippines?”
You’ve come to the right place! I lived in Manila for almost a year and here is everything you need to know about taking taxis in the Philippines.
To the question, “Is there Uber in the Philippines?”, the short answer is that no, there is no Uber in the Philippines. However, there are other taxi apps that you can use while travelling in the Philippines.
The most popular taxi app in the Philippines is Grab. Other taxi apps include Angkas, JoyRide and Move It.
Grab is the best if you want to take a car taxi, while Angkas and JoyRide are great if you want to take a motorbike taxi.
So, here is everything you need to know about taxis in the Philippines!
Is There Uber in the Philippines?
If you want to know if there is Uber in the Philippines, the short answer is that no, there is no Uber in the Philippines.
Instead of Uber, the most popular taxi app in the Philippines is Grab.
There used to be Uber in the Philippines (and Southeast Asia) but Uber and Grab were competing with each other and were making losses. Ultimately, Uber sold its operations to Grab and in return, Uber got a share in Grab’s operations in Southeast Asia.
Is There Uber in Manila?
No, there is no Uber in Manila.
The best taxi app to use in Manila is the Grab app. Grab works exactly like Uber and it is the most popular app for car taxis.
For motorbike taxis in Manila, you can use Angkas, JoyRide and Move It. If you are on a budget, the motorbike taxis are more affordable than the car taxis.
Taxis in the Philippines
The most popular taxi company in the Philippines is Grab. There are some smaller taxi companies too, such as Angkas and JoyRide, which are for motorbike taxis.
When visiting the Philippines, the easiest is to use Grab, but Angkas and JoyRide work just as well.
Types of Taxis in the Philippines
- Car taxi: by hailing a regular taxi or ordering through Grab
- Motorbike taxi: ordering through Angkas, JoyRide or Move It
- Tricycle: by hailing
The three main types of taxis in the Philippines are the regular car taxi, motorbike taxi or the tricycles. Taxis in the Philippines is generally affordable, especially if you are booking a motorbike taxi.
If you are a foreigner and hail a regular taxi, make sure that the driver goes on the meter. Some taxis drivers may pretend that the meter is broken, so don’t accept a taxi that won’t go on the meter.
Taxi Apps in the Philippines
The main taxi apps in the Philippines include Grab, Angkas, JoyRide and Move It.
Grab is the most popular and it works just like Uber. The Grab app is easy to use and you can pay with both cash or card.
Some people have reported that it is better to pay by cash, as some drivers try to add an extra toll fee on top of the taxi fare to scam people for more money when paying by card.
Grab in the Philippines
- Operates in: all main cities nationwide, including Metro Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao City, Baguio
- Type of Taxi: Car
- Download here: Grab on Google Play, Grab on the Apple Store
Grab is the most popular taxi app in the Philippines, and it provides car taxi services nationwide, in all major cities.
Grab in the Philippines only has car services for now but it may roll out motorbike taxi services in the future.
Angkas in the Philippines
- Operates in: Metro Manila, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro
- Type of Taxi: Motorbike
- Download here: Angkas on Google Play, Angkas on the Apple Store
Angkas is a popular motorbike taxi app in the Philippines. It only has motorbike taxi services and operates in Metro Manila, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.
JoyRide
- Operates in: Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, Cebu, and Baguio
- Type of Taxi: Motorbike, Car
- Download here: JoyRide on Google Play, JoyRide on the Apple Store
JoyRide is mostly known for its motorbike taxis but it also has car taxis available. It operates in major cities in the Philippines such as Metro Manila and Cebu.
Move It
- Operates in: Metro Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro
- Type of Taxi: Motorbike
- Download here: Move It on Google Play, Move It on the Apple Store
Move It is another motorbike taxi app in the Philippines. It’s app is easy to use, just like Angkas or JoyRide. It operates in the main cities in the Philippines, such as Manila and Cebu.
Is Grab Safe in the Philippines?
Yes, it is safe to use Grab in the Philippines. The Grab app is easy to use and it works just like Uber.
The Philippines is a safe country for foreign travellers in general (including solo female travellers). The taxi apps are also safe and reliable.
People also speak good English in the Philippines, so if you have to ask for directions or information, speaking in English is easy.
Taxi Scams in the Philippines to Look Out For
Regular Taxis Not Using the Meter
If you hail a regular taxi, some drivers might say that the meter is not working in the taxi. This is usually a scam to get foreign tourists to pay a more expensive price than what the normal fare would be.
If the taxi driver refuses to go on the meter, just don’t get in the taxi and go look for another driver.
Drivers Adding an Extra Toll Fee to Grab Price
Some Grab taxi drivers started to add an extra toll fee to the final price of the taxi fare. This is a scam that some taxi drivers do when you set to pay by card in the app.
They are not able to change the taxi price if you pay by cash, so the best thing to do is to pay by cash for Grab taxis.
If you pay by card, make sure to check the price before the start of the trip. In case, you paid the extra toll fee, which should not have been part of the fare, you can report it to Grab and they will reimburse you.
FAQs: Is There Uber in the Philippines?
Does the Philippines have Uber?
No, there is no Uber in the Philippines, however, there are other taxi apps that work just the same.
The most popular is Grab, which is the equivalent of Uber in the Philippines. Once you download the app, it works just like Uber and the prices are fixed. Grab only has car taxis in the Philippines for now and is available in all major cities.
Other motorbike taxi apps in the Philippines include Angkas, JoyRide and Move It.
Is there Grab in the Philippines?
Yes, there is Grab in the Philippines. Grab is the biggest and most popular taxi app in the Philippines and it works just like Uber.
Which is better, Grab or Uber in the Philippines?
There is no Uber in the Philippines and Grab is the best taxi app as an alternative to Uber. Once you download Grab, it works just like Uber and provides an easy way to book taxis with a fixed price.
What is the equivalent of Uber in the Philippines?
The equivalent of Uber in the Philippines is Grab. Grab works like Uber and it is easy to book taxis through its app.
Does Manila have Uber or Grab?
No, there is no Uber in Manila but instead, there is Grab. Grab in Manila is easy to use and book taxis. It has fixed prices, so you will not have to negotiate with the driver to go on the meter.
Which taxi app works in the Philippines?
The most popular taxi app in the Philippines is Grab. Grab provides car taxi services and currently it does not have motorbike taxis.
Apart from Grab, there are three more taxi apps in the Philippines. They are Angkas, JoyRide and Move It taxi apps, which provide motorbike taxi services.
Can foreigners use Grab in Philippines?
Yes, foreigners can use Grab in the Philippines. It works just like Uber and is available nation-wide in all major cities, including Manila and Cebu.
Can I pay cash in Grab Philippines?
Yes, you can pay by cash for Grab Philippines. You can also pay by card, however, it is better to pay by cash.
Some Grab taxi drivers add a hidden toll fee at the end of the car trip which increases the the total price. The drivers can modify this final price and get customers who pay by card. If you pay by card, you might not even notice it, so make sure to check the price before you start the trip.
If you pay by cash, the drivers will not be able to add the extra toll fee. Nevertheless, you should still check the price before the start of the trip and make sure to have the exact change.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no Uber in the Philippines. However, there are other taxi apps that you can use while travelling in the Philippines.
The most popular taxi app in the Philippines is Grab. Other taxi apps include Angkas, JoyRide and Move It.
Grab is the best if you want to take a car taxi, while Angkas and JoyRide are great if you want to take a motorbike taxi.
The Philippines Trip Planning
✈️ Book Flights to the Philippines:
Find the best flight deals on Skyscanner! (+You can also set price alerts to save even more!)
🏠 Book Hotels for the Philippines:
Booking.com: best budget, mid-range and luxury hotels.
🐠 Book Activities for the Philippines:
Book activities on GetYourGuide for the best day trips, snorkeling, diving and boat tours in the Philippines!
🎒 Get Travel Insurance for the Philippines: Be on the safe side and get the SafetyWing Travel Insurance – one of the most affordable international travel insurances!
💳 Get Your Travel Cards: Wise and Revolut have travel cards that you can top up with multiple currencies. They have great exchange rates and you can easily use them for payments in shops and restaurants worldwide.
✅ Check out my complete list of travel resources to plan your trip!