The Most Popular Apps in the Philippines for Travellers (2025)

Looking for the most popular apps in the Philippines for travellers?

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! I lived in the Philippines for almost a year and there are a couple of mobile apps that come useful whether you are travelling or living in the Philippines.

Some of the most popular apps in the Philippines are Grab for taxis, Angkas for motorbike taxi, Foodpanda for ordering food, Lazada for online shopping, and Facebook messenger for communication.

So, here are the best apps in the Philippines for travellers!

The Most Popular Apps in the Philippines for Travellers

Taxi Apps in the Philippines

There is no Uber in the Philippines but there are other taxi apps that work the same.

There are 4 main taxi apps in the Philippines that work similar to Uber: they are Grab, Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It.

Grab

• Grab 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

The most popular taxi app in the Philippines is Grab. Grab is the equivalent of Uber in the Philippines and is available in all major cities nation-wide.

It only has car taxis available, as for now, they don’t have motorbike taxis.

Angkas

• Angkas 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 ride sharing app in the Philippines for motorbike taxis. It operates in Manila, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.

JoyRide

• Angkas 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 also a popular app for motorbike taxis in the Philippines. Apart from the motorbike taxis, JoyRide also has car taxis.

Move It

• 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 ride sharing app for motorbike taxis in the Philippines. It operates some of the main cities in the Philippines, such as Manila and Cebu.

Booking Activities

If you are looking for things to do in the Philippines, check out Viator and GetYourGuide. There are many activities available on both websites, including bike tours, island hopping, day trips, snorkeling and boat tours.

Viator

• Viator on Google Play
• Viator on the Apple Store

GetYourGuide

• GetYourGuide on Google Play
• GetYourGuide on the Apple Store

Food Delivery Apps in the Philippines

Although if you are only travelling through the Philippines for a short time, you may not be using food delivery apps.

However, if you are staying in the Philippines longer, delivering food home is also an option.

Two of the most popular food delivery apps in the Philippines are GrabFood and Foodpanda. They both have a wide range of restaurants and work in the major cities in Cambodia.

GrabFood

• Grab on Google Play
• Grab on the Apple Store

Grab app in the Philippines has both the options for ordering taxis as well as food. Once you download the app, you can use it whether you want to order food or taxi.

Foodpanda

• Foodpanda on Google Play
• Foodpanda on the Apple Store

Foodpanda is a popular food delivery app in the Philippines and they have many restaurants available to choose from.

Booking Accommodation

The four best websites to book accommodation is Booking.com, Agoda, Hostelworld, and AirBnb. Each website have their own unique features:

Booking.com is the ultimate place to browse accommodations. It has everything that you are looking for, from budget hostels to luxury resorts.

Agoda is very similar to Booking.com, meaning that you can find all types of hostels, hotels or resorts in one place.

Hostelworld is the backpackers’ paradise where you will find the best and most affordable hostels in one place.

AirBnb is great for both short-term and long-term stays. It is a great option if you are looking for more comforts than just a hotel room.

Navigation

I recommend getting a local SIM card for the Philippines, so that you always have access to internet and google maps. However, there are two map apps that you can even use offline.

Maps.me and Mapy.cz have the options to download maps which then are available to view even if you are offline or not connected to wifi/data.

Maps.me and Mapy.cz work great for trekking and hiking as they have most of the trekking routes available all around the world, however, you can also use them as general maps for getting around cities.

Maps.me

• Maps.me on Google Play
• Maps.me on the Apple Store

Mapy.cz

• Mapy.cz on Google Play
• Mapy.cz on the Apple Store

Currency Converter

• Currency Converter on Google Play
• Currency Converter on the Apple Store

The official currency in the Philippines is the Philippine Peso (PHP). When converting from US dollars, it is around USD 1 = PHP 60.

When you are in a new country, it can be difficult in the beginning to remember the conversion rates, and even if you do, it is helpful if you have a currency converter app on your phone.

In the app, you can quickly compare the prices between the local currency and your home country’s currency, to help you navigate if you are paying a fair price for items.

Online Shopping Apps in the Philippines

• Lazada on Google Play
• Lazada on the Apple Store

There is no Amazon in the Philippines, but it’s closest equivalent is Lazada. The delivery on Lazada is reliable and quick.

It is best if you choose the ‘cash on delivery’ option and just pay for the item once it has arrived.

Apps to Learn Tagalog

• Duolingo on Google Play
• Duolingo on the Apple Store

In general, English is widely spoken in the Philippines. This means that you will easily get by speaking English while travelling in the Philippines.

However, speaking the local language always goes a long way. Duolingo is one of the best free apps to learn foreign languages and it can help you to pick up some basic words in Tagalog.

Communication

• Facebook Messenger on Google Play
• Facebook Messenger on the Apple Store

Facebook Messenger is the most popular and widely used apps for communication in the Philippines.

It is popular worldwide and most people already have the Messenger app downloaded, but if not, make sure to do it before you arrive in the Philippines.

FAQs: Popular Apps in the Philippines for Travellers

What is the Philippine version of Uber?

The Philippine version of Uber is the Grab app. The Grab taxi app works just like Uber. It is easy to use and provides a cheap, fixed taxi fare.

What taxi app is used in the Philippines?

The most popular taxi app in the Philippines is the Grab app. Grab is the equivalent of Uber in the Philippines and it is easy to use. Grab only has car taxis available and no motorbike taxis yet in the Philippines.

Some motorbike taxi apps in the Philippines include Angkas, JoyRide and Move It.

Can you use Facebook in the Philippines?

Yes, you can use Facebook in the Philippines. Facebook messenger is one of the most popular messaging apps in the Philippines, so it is good if you have it downloaded for your travels.

What is the best messaging app in the Philippines?

The most popular messaging app in the Philippines is Facebook messenger. Facebook messenger is popular worldwide but in case you don’t yet have it downloaded, it can come handy to have in the Philippines.

Does the Philippines have food delivery?

Yes, there is food delivery in the Philippines. Two of the most popular food delivery apps are GrabFood and Foodpanda. Both have a wide range of restaurants available to choose from.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are a couple of mobile apps that come useful whether you are travelling or living in the Philippines.

Some of the most popular apps in the Philippines are Grab for taxis, Angkas for motorbike taxi, Foodpanda for ordering food, Lazada for online shopping, and Facebook messenger for communication.