Top 6 e-hailing services in Malaysia (besides Grab) 2024
In light of Bolt’s recent entry into Malaysia, you might be wondering, what other e-hailing options do you have?
We’re sure you’re all familiar with Grab, which in 2018 made a power move to acquire Uber’s Southeast Asia operations. Ever since then, no other e-hailing service has come close, and the green army has somewhat monopolized the market.
That being said, did you know there are 34 certified e-hailing services in the country according to the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD)? That’s plenty of options for us consumers to choose from, and we’re inclined to believe that greater competition encourages better services.
Some are, of course, better than others. Don’t worry, we’ve done the work for you and shortlisted five e-hailing options to consider (besides Grab) for your next ride.
1) Bolt
As one of the newer players on the grid, we’re inclined to give Bolt a shot. Considering that they’ve been running since 2013, they aren’t exactly new new. However, despite operating in 45 different markets globally, Malaysia is only the second Southeast Asian market that Bolt has stepped foot in, the first being Thailand.
In other regions, the Estonian-based service provides more than just car rides. Like Grab, they offer food delivery, grocery delivery, car rentals, and even two-wheeled (micromobility) rentals. As of the time of writing, Bolt only offers e-hailing in Malaysia.
As for the options available, you can select between Bolt’s standard ride, Comfort, XL (6-person), or Premium.
Rates seem to be as competitive as Grab’s, but if you’re reading this early on, you might be able to snag some discounts as part of their initial drive to win consumers over.
Download Bolt on Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Huawei AppGallery.
2) LalaMove Ride
Shortly after Bolt made its entry, Lalamove followed suit by introducing its own e-hailing service, Lalamove Ride. Lalamove is largely known for its courier services, offering to move anything from documents to furniture.
They have an undeniable presence on the road with their many motorcycles and 20-ft lorries. Now they’re ready to ramp things up with ride-hailing services.
At the time of writing, Lalamove Ride is still noticeably in its infancy. The app only shows one type of ride, which is the standard 4-passenger ride. Given the fleet of drivers currently signed on the app, we won’t be surprised if we see more options pop up soon.
Not only that, since the app allows its driver partners to integrate ride-hailing capabilities alongside their current deliveries, Lalamove Ride could be a force to be reckoned with in the near future.
Download Lalamove on Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Huawei AppGallery.
3) inDrive
Tired of cutthroat fixed rates? You might be able to mark down prices if you’ve got decent negotiation skills. inDrive is perhaps the only e-hailing service where customers have a say in pricing.
It’s pretty straightforward too. After specifying your starting point and destination, state the fare you’re willing to offer, and see if a nearby driver picks up on it. Drivers, too, may counter-offer with their own rates, and it’s up to both parties to reach an agreeable fare.
Of course, both sides need to be reasonable with their fares. As a customer, don’t go asking for a ride from KLIA to KLCC for RM1. Remember: e-hailing drivers need to make a living too!
In Malaysia, inDrive offers standard rides (4-seater), 6-seater, or city-to-city private rides. Outside of e-hailing, the service also offers courier deliveries and large cargo transportation via small, medium, or large trucks.
Need a handyman or a tow truck? Head over to the Specialist tab, where a slew of other services are available at your fingertips.
Download inDrive on Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Huawei AppGallery.
4) AirAsia MOVE
Let’s get one thing out of the way first: airasia Superapp and AirAsia MOVE are the same app. The name change and refreshed look are simply a result of a rebranding which took place in February 2024.
It still remains a one-stop app for all AirAsia services, including flights, hotel bookings, and e-hailing. AirAsia Ride was launched in 2021 and has been operating steadily ever since.
The e-hailing service performs decently in and around the city, but it earns its merits with airport transfers. Rates tend to be cheaper, and you can pre-book your rides a few days in advance rather than tussling with the crowd on the day itself. Right now, airport transfers are available in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand.
You get a variety of ride choices too, including Anyride (4 pax), Compact (3 pax), Xtra (6 pax), and Xtra Premium (6 pax).
Download AirAsia MOVE on Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Huawei AppGallery.
5) Maxim
Maxim deserves a shoutout for many reasons, but having an OKU-friendly option is definitely one of their biggest highlights. Apart from the usual types of rides – in this case Economy, Comfort, Compact MPV, and Taxi – Maxim also offers a Mesra OKU choice which supports all-round inclusivity.
E-hailing aside, Maxim offers an array of services, including courier delivery, grocery delivery, and small cargo delivery. Uniquely, there’s also a Life tab, where you can have your laundry delivered to and picked up from the laundromat.
That’s not even the best of it. Under the same tab, you can even order a massage & spa treatment right to your doorstep! A full body massage will cost you a minimum of RM40 for a 30-minute session, but you can opt for foot, head, or hand massage at a cheaper rate.
We know, these aren’t really related to e-hailing, but they serve as noteworthy added values!
Download Maxim on Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Huawei AppGallery.
6) MyCar
If you’re willing to explore beyond the mainstream, why not show some love to a locally-established e-hailing service?
MyCar is a little under the radar, but they’re doing some honest work to get their name out there. Founded in 2018, the e-hailing service has ferried more than 1 million passengers and has accumulated a fleet of 56,000 drivers (according to their official website).
It’s a strictly e-hailing app at the moment, with no side services like courier or grocery delivery. The upside to this is that there’s less clutter on the app, making it easy to navigate and use. There are three types of rides available: Economy, Premium, and MPV Premium, which should be more than enough to get you around town.
Download MyCar on Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Huawei AppGallery.
Bonus recommendation: Kummute
If you’re based in the Klang Valley, this name might ring familiar to you. Previously known as Kumpool, the service has since rebranded to Kummute to reflect its expanding ride-pooling services.
There are two types of rides to choose from: Kumpool and Kumride.
Kumpool caters to short-distance trips within 3km, or “mini zones”. It essentially operates like a bus, picking up passengers in a large vehicle (usually a 10-seater van) over fixed routes. However, you will still need to make a booking in order to be picked up.
Kumride is more e-hailing-like, meant for personalized trips beyond 3km and employs smaller vehicles like sedans and MPVs.
The reason Kummute is in our bonus section and not a straight recommendation is because it isn’t a typical e-hailing service. Firstly, the driver doesn’t come to you. Instead, you will need to make your way to designated Kummute stops, after which they will drop you off at designated Kummute drop-off points. Don’t worry, all the available pick-up and drop-off locations can be seen conveniently on the app.
Secondly, Kummute isn’t a 24-hour service. It is subject to operating hours, which are listed on Kummute’s FAQ page.
Thirdly, Kummute isn’t available nationwide yet. Right now, it is available in populated areas such as Klang Valley and Johor Bahru, so if you’re in these locations, do consider Kummute as an e-hailing option!
Download Kummute on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
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