Most of us have had at least one frustrating experience with rideshare apps. Some minor, some enough to make you swear them off for good, yet for many of us needing a quick pickup, Uber still feels like the default option.
That popularity doesn’t always mean it’s the best choice, though. With the mid-summer events heating up, and the Adelaide Fringe just around the corner, we’ve decided to compare three rideshare services so you don’t have to.
Recently, a lesser-known alternative has been getting attention, not because it’s new, but because many people simply haven’t tried it.
A recent Facebook post by South Australian TV host Andrew Costello, sparked conversation about DiDi, a rideshare app operating in 28 cities across Australia. The post attracted more than 100 comments, with many users sharing positive experiences and questioning why the app isn’t more widely used.
For many Adelaide passengers, Uber remains the most familiar rideshare option, valued for its convenience and widespread availability. However, drivers and riders alike have increasingly raised concerns around pricing transparency, surge rates and driver conditions.
A feature that stands out with Uber is its Uber One subscription, designed to give users perks and savings for a monthly or annual fee. Uber also offer different modes of transport from comfort, UberXL, and green.
Although Uber is generally the most reliable option we have in Adelaide, with strong coverage in the CBD and inner suburbs, this comes at a price. Specifically during the peak event times, like the football, weekend festivals and concerts.
DiDi, on the other hand, is often the cheapest option in Adelaide, regularly undercutting Uber on their standard trips. Although it may be younger, being founded in 2012, DiDi is best known globally for its dominance in China, particularly after merging with Uber China in 2016. The experience is mostly the same in terms of booking and payment, but due to fewer drivers’ availability can be patchier, particularly the further from the city you travel.
One commenter on the post, who had driven for Uber for more than two years, shared why they switched to DiDi around six months ago.
“DiDi is so much better for drivers and passengers,” they wrote. “Unlike Uber, where drivers aren’t told the destination or pay until the trip ends, DiDi provides upfront information, including pickup, drop-off, and earnings, before the ride is accepted.”
They also highlighted the commission difference. “Uber takes 27.5 per cent of every trip, while DiDi takes just 18 per cent. If more people used DiDi, drivers across Adelaide would genuinely benefit.”
While the days of standing on the curb hailing a cab may feel mostly behind us, taxis still play a role in Adelaide’s transport mix, especially as travellers reassess their options. For some passengers, taxis still offer reassurance through fixed pricing zones, regulated licensing and accessibility options. With the right knowledge, you’ll be able to find a taxi rank around any corner in the CBD, while most people sit and wait 20 minutes for an Uber to arrive.
Taxi’s are easy to find, with regulated fares, but they’re typically the most expensive option for everyday trips compared to rideshare services.
Many comments were also pointing out how the fare with DiDi was often cheaper than these other two options.
“I used DiDi once because Uber would take me to where I needed (no one accepted) and DiDi did as well as it was about $40 cheaper,” one said. Another said it was faster to find a ride, “Last weekend I went to get an Uber home and it would’ve been $45. With DiDi it was $27. DiDi all the way. I find it’s faster to find a car too,” they wrote.
Here’s the quick snapshot break down.
Uber
Pros: strong coverage across the city and suburbs, upfront pricing in the app, Uber One, different ride options
Cons: expensive, can be unreliable during peak events
DiDi
Pros: cheaper, same style and experience as Uber, drivers get more of the cut
Cons: Smaller driver pool can mean longer waits
Taxi
Pros: regulated pricing, no surge, available at ranks, airports, street hail
Cons: most expensive option
As Adelaide’s transport landscape continues to evolve, the rise of alternatives like DiDi may mean travellers are more willing than ever to look beyond the default, especially when value, transparency and driver treatment come into play.
In the end, it all depends on what you want from your rideshare and the way it operates.
