The Best Car Service Apps That Aren't Uber

Image via Complex Original

Year created: 2013
Platform(s): iPhone, Android
Price: Free
Cities available: Seattle, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Nashville, New York, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, Austin, Orlando, Miami, New Orleans, Dallas

Using trusted car service companies in various cities across the United States, OnCabs helps you schedule your rides at a fair cost right from your palm. The app offers a variety of vehicles at all-inclusive flat rates, allowing you to know exactly what you're getting as soon as you sign up. Pre-book your rides, avoid the mess and headaches associated with finding a cab through other means, and begin your travels effortlessly with the help of OnCabs.

Year created: 2012
Platform(s): iPhone, Android
Price: Free
Cities available: Seattle, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Austin, Boston, Brooklyn, Washington D.C., Charlotte, Chicago, San Diego, Long Beach and Oakland

Beginning in 2012, expansion has been rapid for the fledgling Sidecar app, as the car service has quickly blossomed from its San Francisco roots to Philadelphia, Chicago, San Diego and more. Similar to Lyft, Sidecar is less about traditional taxis, and more about shared car service methods, allowing users to help one another out in their journeys across the city.

They have faced legal confrontations from various transportation authorities, including the Philadelphia Parking Authority, which tried to bust Sidecar in 2013 for providing unauthorized services. However, the service remains strong today, allowing its customers to connect with one another and transport each other in a friendly and sustainable manner.

Year created: 2012
Platform(s): iPhone, Android
Price: Free 
Cities available: San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Seattle, Chicago, Washington D.C., Boston, Charlotte, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, Baltimore, Phoenix, St. Paul, Indianapolis, Nashville, and Pittsburgh

Lyft isn't your average car service, as it's more of a ride sharing/car service hybrid, but the San Francisco-based service still allows you to receive all the ease and benefits of a regular taxi, often at a fraction of the cost. Drivers are crowdsourced from the user base, and don't receive proper payments, but instead "donations," which make the drive worth their time. If you're looking for a more boutique, consumer-friendly approach to your taxi ride, then Lyft is the option for you.

Year created: 2007
Platform(s): iPhone, Android
Price: Free
Cities available: 60 cities across the United States. View all available cities here. 

With Taxi Magic, one of the largest car service networks in the country is at your fingertips, letting you call up a cab in various metropolitan locations across America. Schedule, track, and pay for your cab all through the user-friendly interface developed by Ride Charge, Inc., a top-notch company leading the way in the transportation industry. No matter what major city you're in, Taxi Magic will likely be there to help you.

Year created: 2009
Platform(s): iPhone, Android
Price: Free
Cities available: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle

What was once known as Cabulous has now taken a new direction, emerging as Flywheel, a car service based in the West Coast, offering service in major cities along the Pacific coastline. With Flywheel's help, hailing taxi cabs has never been easier, allowing you to get where you need to go, when you need to be there. Schedule a cab with just a simple click on your phone, and then track your driver so that you can know how close you are to arriving to your destination. Flywheel is an easy, painless middle man between you and your cab driver. Don't stand out on the corner of a cold city block with your hand waving in the air. Let Flywheel do the work for you.

Year created: 2003
Platform(s): iPhone, Android
Price: Free
Cities available: Everywhere in the United States

Founded in 2003, GroundLink car service is now available to use on your iPhone or Android phone, helping you get from point A to point B in an efficient and affordable manner. GroundLink offers a full fare breakdown of your trip before you embark, allows you to track your driver, and lets you schedule drivers for now or later depending on your needs. The company is a veteran in the car service industry, and does its best to prove it on its app. After downloading it, you'll likely see that it succeeds with flying colors.

Year created: 2013
Platform(s): iPhone, Android
Price: Free
Cities available: Nearly 150 cities nationwide.

The largest limousine service in the world, Carmel Limo has now taken its business onto your smartphone, offering you limo and car availability in nearly 150 cities in America, and roughly 300 cities worldwide. Delays have been hindering the smartphone app from reaching its full potential for some time now, but recent updates have helped to smooth out its features, and make the program an on-par experience with Carmel's original service. With airport pick-up and drop-off, as well as a host of other outstanding features, Carmel Limo boasts one of the top apps available on the market.

Year created: 2010
Platform(s): iPhone, Android
Price: Free
Cities available: London, Moscow, New York City, Tel Aviv

Based out of Israel, Gett has just launched in New York City, finally bringing one of the top car-service apps around to the United States. Formerly known as GetTaxi, the app rebranded in 2013, and is now poised to make some serious moves on Uber's territory, with early reviews of the American service ringing in as positive. Offering reliable service, and 24/7 phone support, Gett is the app that is prepared to take you exactly where you need to go.