Island paradise made easier with the right apps
Cash is still king outside Metro Manila. Download GCash before you go but always carry pesos as a backup. English is widely spoken, so language apps are optional, but navigation apps are a must given Manila's notoriously unpredictable traffic.
Books cars in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro, with the country's broadest visitor-ready coverage.
Books motorbikes, cars and taxis in Metro Manila, Cebu and selected Philippine cities, usually below car-hailing prices.
Motorbike-taxi app covering Metro Manila and Cebu, with limited additional city coverage that changes by local authorization.
Fare-negotiation car app operating in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo and other selected Philippine cities.
Grab-owned motorbike-taxi service for Metro Manila, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro, aimed at short urban trips.
Electric car-hailing service launched in Metro Manila, including Makati, Taguig, Pasay, Parañaque and nearby districts.
Restaurant delivery across Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and other Philippine cities.
Meal delivery in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, Cebu, Bacolod and Davao.
Restaurant and retail delivery concentrated in Metro Manila, including Makati, Taguig, Quezon City, Pasig and Parañaque.
The Philippines' leading mobile wallet, accepted at convenience stores, markets, and restaurants via QR code.
Facebook Messenger is the primary communication channel for Filipinos. Hotels, tour operators, and guides prefer it over SMS or email.
The most reliable navigation app in the Philippines with good coverage of islands, roads, and ferry terminals.
Community-powered navigation especially useful in Metro Manila and Cebu for real-time traffic and road hazard alerts.
Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.
One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.
Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.
A tourist-registered SIM can expire automatically even when data or credit remains; check the legal validity period.
Tourist-friendly choice with a straightforward purchase process.
Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.
Good-value option when price matters most.
The essential apps for Philippines are Grab, JoyRide, foodpanda, GrabFood, GCash.
We've curated 13 apps across 5 categories for traveling in Philippines, including 7 essential apps.
Grab is the top-rated ride hailing app in Philippines. Books cars in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro, with the country's broadest visitor-ready coverage.
Navigate the archipelago like a local
Ancient temples, golden sands, and a kingdom that rewards the curious traveler
Slow travel, golden temples, and river life
Ancient temples, golden pagodas, and warm smiles await
Your digital toolkit for navigating the Pearl of the Orient
A cashless, hyper-connected city-state where the right apps unlock seamless travel
