11 Popular Alternatives To Uber In Big Cities Across The US, According To User Reviews

Uber isn't always the first choice for those on the go. While the rideshare app has become synonymous with quick and convenient travel — especially when you're in an unfamiliar city or country — it's not always available in every location and can actually sometimes be the most expensive option thanks to the wonder of ride-share surge pricing.

Fortunately, plenty of alternatives have stepped up to the plate since Uber launched in 2007. Whether you're looking for an early morning ride to the airport, a reliable route to work if you don't have (or can't get) your driver's license, or a safe escort home from the bar when you're not-so-sober at 3 a.m., the roads of cities across the United States are packed with vehicles of all shapes and sizes, and available to hire on a moment's notice. 

As of 2019, 54% of rideshares are still operated by Uber drivers. The other 46% are driven on behalf of a handful of apps looking to make their mark in an Uber-dominated world. Depending on the locations they serve, these apps can be even cheaper than Uber — or offer a much more luxurious experience. To discover the most popular alternatives, we looked at the App Store and Google Play and paid close attention to the ratings and what users were saying. Next time you're looking for a ride, check out some of the most popular — and best-reviewed — apps to get you to your destination. 

Yes, your parents always said not to talk to strangers, never mind get in their car. Then again, they never had Hitch. The app has digitized the concept of hitch-hiking, offering riders across Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma the opportunity to catch a ride with a driver (all of whom must undergo thorough background checks) heading to the same destination.

While it may not be super useful if you're just looking to pop out for groceries, Hitch pitches itself as an affordable alternative to public transport for those looking to travel from city to city. Journeys start from as low as $15 if you're willing to walk to meet your driver (or $85 if you want door-to-door service) and can be scheduled both on the day or in advance if you're a "plan everything ahead of time" kind of traveler. You will often have to share the car with another passenger, who you'll be able to rate at the end of your journey just like your driver. Hitch does, however, promise that you'll always get a window seat.

With 4.4 stars on the App Store and 3.0 on Google Play, the app seems to be most popular with iPhone users. Some users have experienced the odd delay in the past –- which is hardly unexpected when it comes to carpooling services or any kind of transport in general –- but it's also been hailed as a great alternative to navigating unreliable, inconvenient buses and trains on your commute.

Despite the name, we're sad to report that Flywheel does not offer rides in the flying taxis "Back to the Future" promised were right around the corner. Regardless, it's still pretty impressive. The rideshare app lets users book trips in real licensed and insured cabs across San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and San Diego. You can also use it to schedule ahead of time and make digital payments for cabs hailed on the street. It is perfect for those who still feel uncomfortable at the idea of summoning a total stranger to their location via the Internet.

The app is especially popular in the tech-hub that is San Francisco, where TIME Magazine described it as "trying to breathe high-tech life into the old taxis that have been around for decades." In November 2022, Flyshare forged a partnership with Uber, meaning users can now book cabs directly through the Uber app. It's been a huge help to the city's dwindling cab driver population, which has plummeted since the pandemic. It even has the endorsement of the city itself — something many thought impossible, considering its long-term battle with the rideshare industry. However, it does still seem to have a few kinks to work out on the user interface side of things; it currently has 2.9 stars on the App Store and 2.1 stars on Google Play.

While you can book any kind of journey with Wingz, its focus is helping riders pre-book a ride-share to and from the airport (hence the name). You can book your trip anywhere between two hours and two months in advance and, unlike most rideshare apps, there's no surge pricing. If you're getting a ride from the airport, Wingz will also extend your driver's waiting time to 30 minutes from its usual 15, which is much more convenient for those who underestimate how long it really takes to make the trek from baggage claim to the pickup area.

That guaranteed courtesy alone sets Wingz apart from Uber. However, perhaps the biggest difference is that riders are encouraged to build relationships with their drivers. If you have a great ride home from the airport –- whether that means a stimulating chat or a driver who lets you take a power nap in peace — you can add your driver to your favorites list so they're prioritized for your future journeys.

The list of cities covered by Wingz isn't quite as extensive as Uber, but it's still pretty impressive with the likes of Los Angeles, Orlando, Seattle, Austin, San Francisco (where it's based), and more on its roster. It seems like riders are also impressed, giving the app 4.9 stars on the App Store (although it has a slightly less impressive 3.3 stars on Google Play).

If you're not from New York, hailing your first cab is a pretty daunting prospect. For those who don't want to try, Curb is your savior. With 4.8 stars on the App Store (but 2.9 on Google Play), Curb got its start by providing taxi drivers with credit card machines. Today, the app works just like Uber, allowing you to book a trip from wherever you are across the five boroughs — except it will be with a licensed taxi driver who will arrive in an iconic yellow cab.

If you're a natural New Yorker and already proficient at getting your own cab, you can use Curb to pay via contactless at the end of your journey. All you need to do is tap "Pair & Pay" once you hop into your car, enter the code displayed on the backseat, and you're good to pay with either credit card or PayPal. You can also pre-book your trip up to 48 hours ahead of time.

While it's most popular in the Big Apple, the app isn't limited to New York. More than 100,000 drivers currently work with Curb in cities across the United States, including Boston, Miami, and Chicago. Prices have been reported as lower than Uber by its users, although you do typically have to wait slightly longer for your cab to arrive.

The tensions between cab drivers and the rideshare industry are well documented. That's why The Drivers Cooperative was founded –- to launch an app that would put a stop to the exploitative measures it believes are rampant within New York, while also letting drivers enjoy the same freedom and flexibility that lured them into the rideshare business in the first place.

Today, it runs Co-op Ride in both New York City and Denver. The app has 3.9 stars on the App Store and 4.1 stars on Google Play and thrives on its reputation as an app run by the drivers, for the drivers. Not only do its workers earn a minimum of $30 an hour ($10 above the minimum wage enforced by New York's Taxi and Limousine Commission) but they receive a fair share of each year's profits. While it's great to know that your driver is getting a fair wage when you book a cab, the most common complaint about the app seems to be that it's tough to add a tip at the end of your trip. To make it easier, we recommend changing your profile settings to set a default gratuity amount.

Introducing Uber's biggest rival. Once known as Zimride, Lyft is a ride-hailing app available in all 50 states that boasts an impressive 4.9 stars on the App Store and 3.9 stars on Google Play. Riders can choose between a variety of vehicles -– including XL for big groups, Extra Comfort for, well, extra comfort, and Black if you're looking for the VIP experience –- as well as enjoying a discount if you agree to wait a little bit for your car to arrive.

Lyft is generally considered to be cheaper than Uber, but it does use surge pricing at peak times. If your journey is looking too pricey, you can also use the app to rent out a bike in the likes of New York, Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. If you're a regular on rideshare apps, it may be worth looking into getting Lyft Pink, a membership program that promises faster pickups, 5% discounts, and a more relaxed cancellation policy. We also recommend linking your Delta SkyMiles or Alaska Mileage Plan accounts to your Lyft so you can reap the benefit of racking up extra air miles without ever leaving the ground.

Considering that it involves getting into a car with a stranger, it's no surprise that Uber — as well as other rideshare apps — has a strict policy against transporting riders who are younger than 18 years old. For parents who do need to arrange a journey for their children, GoKid is a safe alternative.

The app was launched by Stefanie Lemcke after she relocated to the suburbs from New York City and was overwhelmed by scheduling the countless pickups and drop-offs required in her children's day-to-day lives — and she knew she wasn't the only one. "More than 32 million children are being driven to school daily, causing approximately a third of all morning traffic, and billions of hours of lost productivity time for parents," Lemke told Alley Watch in 2017. "With so many parents driving in the same direction, every parent wishes they had a carpool, but don't necessarily have the tools to make this a reality."

As a solution, GoKid connects parents to families they know so they can take turns driving each other's kids. If nobody they know uses the app, they can invite them to join to make carpooling easier in the future. It doesn't take a fee to do so; instead, it runs under the assumption that parents will continue to exchange favors. Available across the United States, GoKid has already scheduled over one million journeys and has 4.3 stars on the App Store where users have praised it as an organizational lifesaver.

Ridesharing may produce a lower carbon footprint while traveling than buying and driving your own car, but it's still not the most eco-friendly activity on the planet. If you're concerned about the environmental impact of your journeys, Revel offers a green alternative. Launched in 2018, it touts itself as "rideshare like it should be" and boasts its own fleets of instantly recognizable, bright blue electric vehicles across New York City and San Francisco.

Its app works the same way as any of its non-green competitors. The biggest difference is that when your driver arrives to pick you up, he'll be driving a Tesla. You could previously book an electric moped through Revel until November 2023, when Revel decided to go all-in on rideshares. With a 4.8 star rating on the App Store and 4.1 on Google Play, the app has proven popular with riders on both coasts, thanks in no small part to its guarantee of tiny luxuries like extra leg space, heated seats, and phone chargers.

inDrive's success story started in Russia in 2013, but the rideshare company has since hopped across the pond to make itself at home in Mountain View, California. In terms of downloads, it's already technically the second-biggest rideshare app in the world thanks to its presence in Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia, but its U.S. success story only recently got started in Miami, Florida.

As of July 2023, the city's residents have been able to book journeys on the inDrive app. What sets it apart from its competitors is that you're not given an estimated or fixed price when you request a driver. Instead, you "bid" for your journey, entering the amount that you're willing to pay. Drivers in the area will then have the choice to accept or decline your offer — or even try to barter a different fare. You choose from the list of drivers who have engaged with your offer, with the ability to see the car model, arrival time, and driver rating before you make your decision.

With a 4.9 rating on the App Store and 4.6 stars on Google Play, inDrive has already proven itself to be a success. Riders have praised its low fares, comparing them to the "old" prices of Uber. You can also rest easy knowing that the app takes minimal fees from its drivers — and actually cuts its commission completely for its first six months in Miami. 

If it's luxury you're after, it's luxury you'll get with Blacklane. The app basically acts as an on-demand chauffeur service in several cities across the United States. You have the choice of four different options when you book: city-to-city rides, chauffeur hailing, airport transfers, and an hourly car service. Its city-to-city services are only available along certain routes, such as New York City to Boston, Miami to Orlando, and even Los Angeles to Disneyland.

Prices are fixed, so you don't need to worry about any hidden fees — although it does, of course, come at a higher rate than your average taxi journey. Some of its cars also provide you with free Wi-Fi in the backseat, which means you can get some work done (or watch Netflix and scroll through TikTok) en route, and you can enjoy bonus green points knowing that every ride is 100% carbon offset. Blacklane has a stellar reputation worldwide, with 4.9 stars on the App Store and 4.4 stars on Google Play, and has even been dubbed the Most Outstanding Chauffeur Service 2023 by The Global 100 Index. Impressive stuff.

Launched in 2018, this Dallas-based app claims to be one of the safest ridesharing services available. Alto was the first of its kind to hire W-2 drivers, making them actual employees with a wage and benefits. All of its drivers undergo rigorous background checks and are trained to provide top-tier service before hitting the roads.

For now, its services are limited to Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington, D.C. The app previously operated in San Francisco, but decided to pull out after deciding not enough of its professionals have returned to commuting post-pandemic. If you're lucky enough to live in a city that is covered by Alto, then you can enjoy one of the most customizable car journeys of your life. The app lets you choose the "vibe" of your trip, which impacts everything from the music choices to the conversation with your driver. If you're the reserved type, you can also opt out of small talk by selecting "Do Not Disturb."

The app is pretty highly rated, with 4.6 stars on the App Store and 3.6 stars on Google Play. Users have reported some bugs, but remain impressed with the service itself, with one App Store reviewer dubbing it "the Ritz Carlton of ride-sharing." This level of luxury inevitably comes with a higher price tag than your average taxi, but the app does offer a membership plan for $12.95 a month (or $119 a year) to give you a discount on each booking.