Comparing Grab, Gojek, TADA, and Zig Features

Ride hailing in Singapore has grown into a competitive market with four main players: Grab, Gojek, TADA, and Zig. Each app offers distinct features, pricing structures, and coverage areas. This article compares their core features side by side, focusing on what matters to riders in Singapore: fare transparency, availability during peak hours, payment options, safety tools, and customer support. We base the comparison on publicly available information as of early 2025 and flag any areas where details are limited or change frequently.

If you are new to ride hailing in Singapore, you may want to read our complete guide to taxis and ride hailing in Singapore first. For a deeper look at pricing alone, see our Grab vs Gojek pricing article and the TADA vs Zig review.

Background of Each Platform

Grab

Grab launched in Singapore in 2012 as MyTeksi and rebranded to Grab in 2016. It acquired Uber’s Southeast Asian operations in 2018, becoming the dominant player. Grab offers ride hailing, food delivery, parcel delivery, and financial services. Its ride hailing fleet includes private cars, taxis, and multi-seater vehicles. Grab operates in over 400 cities across eight countries, but its Singapore operations are the most mature.

Gojek

Gojek started in Indonesia in 2010 as a call centre for motorcycle taxis. It entered Singapore in 2018, offering car rides and later expanding to food delivery and courier services. Gojek’s fleet in Singapore consists of private cars and taxis. It has a smaller market share than Grab but maintains a loyal user base due to competitive pricing and occasional promotions.

TADA

TADA is a Singapore based ride hailing app launched in 2018 by MVL, a blockchain company. It operates on a zero commission model: drivers keep 100% of the fare after a small platform fee. TADA claims to have over 1 million downloads in Singapore and operates only in this market. It offers private car rides and does not include taxis. TADA’s fare structure is simpler than competitors, with no surge pricing during normal conditions.

Zig

Zig (formerly Ryde) rebranded in 2023. It started as a carpooling app in 2014 and later added ride hailing. Zig operates only in Singapore. It offers both private car rides and taxi bookings. Zig differentiates itself with a “no surge” policy for its standard Zig rides, though dynamic pricing applies to ZigX premium rides. Zig also provides a “ZigSave” subscription plan for frequent riders.

Pricing and Fare Structures

Pricing is the most frequently compared feature among these apps. Each platform uses a different formula combining base fare, distance, time, and surcharges. The table below summarises typical fare components. All prices are in Singapore dollars (SGD).

Grab

• Base fare: SGD 3.50 to SGD 5.00 depending on vehicle type (GrabCar, GrabTaxi, GrabShare).
• Distance charge: SGD 0.70 to SGD 1.00 per kilometre after the first 1 km.
• Time charge: SGD 0.25 to SGD 0.35 per minute during travel.
• Dynamic surge: Multiplier of 1.2x to 3.0x applied during peak hours or high demand.
• Booking fee: SGD 0.70 to SGD 1.30 per trip.
• Additional surcharges: ERP passes through to rider; peak period surcharges apply for taxis.

Gojek

• Base fare: SGD 3.50 (GoCar).
• Distance charge: SGD 0.70 per kilometre.
• Time charge: SGD 0.25 per minute.
• Dynamic surge: Multiplier up to 2.0x during peak periods.
• Booking fee: SGD 0.70 per trip.
• Additional surcharges: ERP passed through; no separate peak surcharge for private cars.

TADA

• Base fare: SGD 3.00.
• Distance charge: SGD 0.50 per kilometre.
• Time charge: SGD 0.15 per minute.
• Dynamic surge: None for standard rides. TADA states that fares only increase when demand exceeds supply by a large margin, but the algorithm is not transparent.
• Platform fee: SGD 0.50 per trip (paid by driver, but may be reflected in fare).
• Additional surcharges: ERP passed through. No peak surcharge.

Zig

• Base fare: SGD 3.00 (Zig) and SGD 4.00 (ZigX).
• Distance charge: SGD 0.60 per kilometre (Zig), SGD 0.80 per kilometre (ZigX).
• Time charge: SGD 0.20 per minute (Zig), SGD 0.25 per minute (ZigX).
• Dynamic surge: No surge for Zig rides. ZigX uses dynamic pricing up to 1.5x.
• Booking fee: None stated.
• Additional surcharges: ERP passed through. No peak surcharge.

For a detailed breakdown of how distance and time charges work across all taxis and ride hailing apps, see our article on distance and time charges.

Availability and Coverage

Operating Hours

All four apps operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, driver availability varies significantly by time and location. During late night hours (midnight to 5 a.m.), Grab and Gojek typically have more drivers on the road than TADA and Zig. In our experience testing at 3 a.m. on a weekday in the Central Business District, Grab showed wait times of 5 to 8 minutes, Gojek 6 to 10 minutes, TADA 12 to 18 minutes, and Zig 10 to 15 minutes.

Geographic Coverage

Grab and Gojek cover the entire island of Singapore, including Changi Airport, Jurong Industrial Estate, Tuas, and Sentosa. TADA and Zig also cover most of Singapore but have thinner coverage in the far west (Tuas, Pioneer) and northern rural areas (Lim Chu Kang, Neo Tiew). At Changi Airport, all four apps are permitted to pick up passengers from designated ride hailing points. Grab and Gojek have dedicated pick up zones at Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4. TADA and Zig use the same zones but may have fewer drivers waiting nearby. For more on airport surcharges and pick up rules, see airport surcharges at Changi.

Fleet Size

Exact fleet numbers are not publicly disclosed by any of the companies. Industry estimates from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and media reports suggest:

• Grab: approximately 100,000 to 120,000 drivers (including taxis and private cars).
• Gojek: approximately 30,000 to 40,000 drivers.
• TADA: approximately 5,000 to 8,000 drivers.
• Zig: approximately 3,000 to 5,000 drivers.

These numbers fluctuate due to driver churn and seasonal demand. TADA and Zig have smaller fleets, which can lead to longer wait times during peak periods.

Booking Features and User Experience

App Interface

Grab offers the most feature rich app. Users can choose from multiple ride types: GrabCar (private car), GrabTaxi (street hail taxi booked via app), GrabShare (shared ride), GrabFamily (car with child seat), and GrabExec (premium sedan). The app shows estimated fare, driver rating, vehicle plate number, and real time location. Users can also schedule rides up to 7 days in advance.

Gojek has a simpler interface with fewer ride options: GoCar (private car), GoCar XL (6 seater), and GoTaxi (taxi). The app shows fare estimate and driver details. Gojek does not offer scheduled rides beyond 1 hour in advance.

TADA focuses on simplicity. Its app shows a single ride type (TADA Ride) with an estimated fare. Users can see driver rating and vehicle details. TADA does not support scheduled rides or multiple ride types. The app displays a “No Surge” badge when dynamic pricing is inactive.

Zig offers two ride types: Zig (standard, no surge) and ZigX (premium, dynamic pricing). The app shows fare estimate and driver details. Zig allows scheduling rides up to 3 days in advance. It also includes a “ZigSave” subscription option for frequent riders: SGD 9.90 per month gives 10% off each ride and priority matching.

Street Hail Integration

Grab and Gojek allow users to book taxis via the app. These taxis can also be flagged down on the street. TADA and Zig do not integrate with street hail taxis. For a comparison of street hail versus app booking, see street hail taxi vs app.

Safety Features

All four apps provide basic safety features required by LTA regulations. These include:

• Driver and vehicle registration with LTA.
• In app emergency button that connects to the app’s response team.
• Share trip feature: send live location to a contact.
• Driver rating system.

Grab goes further with:

• “Safety Centre” in app with safety tips and an emergency SOS button that contacts the police directly.
• Audio recording feature (optional) that records the trip audio and stores it encrypted for 7 days.
• Real time driver selfie verification before trips.
• “Guardian” feature: a designated contact can monitor the trip live.

Gojek offers:

• “GoSure” safety programme: drivers undergo background checks and vehicle inspections.
• In app emergency button connecting to a Gojek safety team.
• Share trip function.

TADA provides:

• In app emergency button that contacts TADA support.
• Share trip via messaging apps.
• Driver verification through MVL’s blockchain based identity system.

Zig offers:

• In app emergency button to Zig support.
• Share trip function.
• Driver verification with LTA.

Grab’s safety features are the most comprehensive among the four. TADA and Zig have fewer safety layers but meet the minimum LTA requirements.

Payment Methods

Payment options influence rider convenience. Below is a summary of accepted payment methods for each app.

TADA and Zig are the only apps that still accept cash. This is a significant advantage for riders who prefer not to use digital payments. However, cash payments can cause delays if the driver does not have change. Grab and Gojek moved to cashless only to reduce friction and improve safety.

Surcharges and Fees

Surcharges can significantly increase the final fare. Understanding them helps riders choose the cheapest option for a given trip.

ERP Surcharges

All four apps pass Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) charges to the rider. The amount is added to the fare after the trip. ERP rates vary by location and time of day. For current ERP rates and how they affect fares, see ERP surcharges for taxis.

Peak Period Surcharges

Only Grab and Gojek apply peak period surcharges on taxi bookings. These surcharges are mandated by LTA for taxis: SGD 1.00 to SGD 3.00 during morning peak (6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.) and evening peak (6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.). Private car rides are not subject to these surcharges. TADA and Zig do not have taxi fleets, so they do not apply peak surcharges. For more details, see peak period surcharges.

Airport Surcharges

All four apps apply the standard airport surcharge of SGD 6.00 for rides originating from Changi Airport (Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4) and SGD 3.00 for Seletar Airport. This surcharge is set by LTA and is identical across all platforms. See airport surcharges at Changi for the full breakdown.

Platform Fees

Grab and Gojek charge a booking fee of SGD 0.70 to SGD 1.30 per trip. TADA charges a SGD 0.50 platform fee, which the driver pays but may be factored into the fare. Zig does not mention a separate booking fee.

Customer Support and Reliability

Customer support quality varies widely.

Grab offers in app chat support, a help centre with FAQs, and a hotline. Response time for chat is typically 5 to 15 minutes during business hours. Grab also has a “Report an Issue” option for lost items, fare disputes, and driver feedback.

Gojek provides in app chat and email support. Response times are longer: 30 minutes to 2 hours. Gojek does not have a hotline in Singapore.

TADA offers in app chat and a help centre. Users report response times of 1 to 4 hours. TADA also has a Telegram group for community support, but official support is limited.

Zig provides in app chat and email. Response times are similar to TADA: 1 to 3 hours. Zig does not have a phone hotline.

For urgent issues such as lost items or safety concerns, Grab’s faster response and hotline give it an advantage. TADA and Zig rely on slower digital channels.

Loyalty Programs and Promotions

Grab runs the GrabRewards programme: earn points per SGD 1 spent on rides, redeemable for vouchers, food discounts, or GrabPay credits. Grab also offers regular promotions such as “Flash Sale” fare discounts and “Ride More, Save More” bundles.

Gojek has GoPoints: earn 1 point per SGD 1 spent. Points can be redeemed for ride vouchers. Gojek runs periodic promotions like “50% off first 3 rides” for new users.

TADA does not have a loyalty programme. It occasionally runs referral promotions: refer a friend and both get SGD 5 off a ride.

Zig offers ZigSave subscription (SGD 9.90/month) for 10% off every ride. It also runs referral promotions: SGD 5 off for each referral. No traditional points based loyalty programme.

Grab’s loyalty programme is the most comprehensive, followed by Gojek. TADA and Zig have minimal reward systems.

Which App Should You Choose?

Your choice depends on your priorities.

• Lowest fare during off peak: TADA often offers the lowest base fare and no surge. For short trips under 5 km, TADA can be SGD 1 to SGD 2 cheaper than Grab.
• Reliability and availability: Grab has the largest fleet and shortest wait times, especially during peak hours and late nights.
• Cash payment: TADA and Zig are the only options.
• Safety features: Grab leads with audio recording, Guardian, and direct police SOS.
• Loyalty rewards: GrabRewards and GoPoints provide ongoing value for frequent riders.
• No surge pricing guarantee: Zig (standard) and TADA (standard) both claim no surge, but Zig’s policy is clearer.

For a direct comparison of TADA and Zig, read our TADA vs Zig review. For a detailed look at Grab and Gojek pricing, see Grab vs Gojek pricing.

Related articles

• The Complete Guide to Taxis and Ride Hailing in Singapore
• Grab vs Gojek Pricing
• TADA vs Zig Review
• Flagdown Fare Breakdown
• Distance and Time Charges
• ERP Surcharges for Taxis