These must-have phone apps will transform your life and make multi-tasking in Singapore a cinch.
If you’ve grown up in or currently live in Singapore, it’s likely you’re used to our fast-paced lifestyle. We’re over-scheduled busy bees juggling more than 10 different tasks at a time. How do we keep up with everything? The answer is simple: useful lifestyle apps that help us reserve a spot at hot restaurants in Singapore, conveniently loan e-books, track every dime and dollar, find the best travel deals and more. Check out our favourites!
The best lifestyle apps in Singapore
1. Best for collecting miles: Kris+ by Singapore Airlines
Ever thought you could be rewarded with a flight while you spend on your shopping and meals? With Singapore Airlines’ lifestyle rewards app Kris+, you can earn miles with daily spend, and use them to redeem flights! Kris+ offers the best miles earn rates (Up to 9 miles / $1) that you can find in Singapore, be it for dining, shopping or activities. Plus, there are a whole range of exclusive deals and privileges to make use of, such as one-for-one meals and shopping discounts. Use Kris+ at over 1,500 partner outlets including brands like Paradise Group, Famous Amos, Harvey Norman, adidas, and more!
There is no cap to the amount of miles you can earn on Kris+ and no minimum spend is required! Psst: you’ll continue to earn credit and debit card miles or reward points every time you make payment through the Kris+ app. There are also lots of extra rewards like referral bonuses, $1 for checking-in to the app weekly, prizes for completing transactions, instant miles-back and many more. All these will unlock more rewards and miles for you.
Kris+, free for download on App Store or Google Play Store
2. Best for counselling services: WriteNow.Care
Let’s face it: we’re all about taking care of our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health these days. Therapy is part of living a conscious lifestyle where your well-being is looked after – and it’s just as important as hitting the gym or maintaining a wholesome diet. That’s why we’re looking to this affordable, adaptable and accessible app – the first of its kind – that allows you to chat with highly trained, professional counsellors for as low as $15 per week.
It’s so convenient to use. Just sign up on the platform to share your thoughts and emotions in whichever way you feel most comfortable with, be it text, audio messaging, live chats or audio and video sessions. If you need more time to talk, you can also purchase extra live sessions in the app. What we love about this? You have easy access to your own personal counsellor throughout the month, from anywhere you are!
Perk alert: Use the promo code ‘WNCHL’ to get 50% off two months (you can cancel anytime, with a money back guarantee).
WriteNow.Care, download on App Store or Google Play Store
3. Best for food and grocery deliveries: Deliveroo
From the best local eateries to popular international chains, Deliveroo brings a wide variety of cuisines right to your doorstep. Simply scroll through the app to explore a plethora of restaurants and stores – and you can enjoy delectable meals in a few taps. But that’s not all: check out Deliveroo Plus, a subscription service that offers unlimited free delivery on all orders, regardless of the restaurant or store.
Choose from two subscription plans: Gold ($12.90 per month) offers unlimited free delivery for every order above $15, while Silver ($6.90 per month) provides unlimited free delivery for every order above $38. Say hello to more meals conveniently delivered to your abode (or wherever you are!).
Perk alert: if you’re new to Deliveroo Plus, sign up now and enjoy a 30-day free trial. You’ll experience the benefits of unlimited free delivery and have your favourite meals delivered whenever you crave them!
Deliveroo, available online
4. Best for easy restaurant reservations: Chope
Chope is Singapore’s premier online restaurant reservations service. A handy app we know and love – especially for foodies in the city. We use it to browse through dining hot spots in cool neighbourhoods, find the best deals and discounts, and reserve seats at popular restos all at the touch of a button. Use this nifty lifestyle app often, and you’ll be rewarded with Chopedollars to redeem discounts, get perks and more!
Chope, free for download on App Store or Google Play Store
5. Best for travel deals: Skyscanner
Looking for affordable flights, car hire services and hotel accommodations for your next trip out of Singapore? You’re gonna want to download Skyscanner. This efficient lifestyle app allows you to compare prices across travel booking sites to help you plan your holiday seamlessly. Trust us, we’ve saved lots of dollars using this. Hot tip: set an alert to track flight prices so you get the best deal possible.
Skyscanner, free for download on App Store or Google Play Store
6. Best for car-sharing: Blue SG
If you don’t have a car but want the convenience of getting around, sign up with Blue SG. It’s Singapore’s first electric car-sharing service that provides you with access to electric vehicles at any time and any day. Once you have your membership in place, you can use this lifestyle app to track, book and reserve the closest vehicle to you. Easy peasy!
Blue SG, free for download on App Store or Google Play Store
7. Best for bike-sharing: Anywheel
Exploring the sunny island on two wheels is easy with Anywheel. Simply download the app and sign up to locate available bicycles in your vicinity. To sweeten the ride, the app even tracks key statistics like distance covered, calories burnt and carbon emissions saved. Ready to make your daily commute greener? Hop on a 30-minute ride for just $1, or snag the 7, 30 and 90-day passes for greater savings!
Anywheel, free for download on App Store or Google Play Store
8. Best for public transport: Citymapper
Once you’ve got Citymapper downloaded on your phone, you might never reach for other map or bus apps again. This all-in-one lifestyle application shows you the best routes you can take around the city (on foot or via public transport), and displays real-time transport information and timings, as well as taxi fares. We love that it notifies you when you’re close to your destination – a super useful feature to make sure you get off at the right stop. Plus, you can use it in plenty of other cities and countries around the world.
Citymapper, free for download with in-app purchases on App Store or Google Play Store
9. Best for booking movie tickets: Popcorn
Want to bypass the long queues and book tickets to the latest movies? Popcorn is the only movie ticketing app you’ll ever need. This handy app allows you to view showtimes and ticket seats from movie theatres across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and beyond. You can watch movie trailers, and rate and review the films you’ve seen. Need more incentive to check it out? It holds weekly contests to give away free movie tickets, exclusive passes and movie memorabilia.
Popcorn, free for download on App Store or Google Play Store
10. Best for borrowing e-books: Libby
Any bookworms in the house? Save the trip to the bookstore and download Libby! This app in Singapore gives you access to a plethora of e-books and audio-books from your local library – all for free. Download the books on your phone, or stream them if you prefer to save space. Unlike a physical book you loan, you can add bookmarks, create notes and highlight text on e-books. Need a bigger screen? No problem. Libby syncs your loans, notes and bookmarks across devices so you can read your favourite stories on a tablet.
Libby, free for download on App Store or Google Play Store
11. Best for finding a date (or a friend): Bumble
Ready to find the love of your life, or just hoping for a date on Friday night? You’ve gotta check out Bumble. This dating app requires women to make the first move. That means no more unwanted messages from pervy creeps (hallelujah), and it also gives the shy boys a chance to take a step back. Keen on making friends or striking up potential business opportunities? No problem. Bumble also has a BFF and Bizz option to help you with that.
Bumble, free for download with in-app purchases on App Store or Google Play Store
12. Best for financial planning: SNACK by Income
SNACK by Income helps people get started on financial planning with flexible and affordable premiums so they can live the lifestyle they desire. The app automatically helps you build insurance and investment coverage as you go about daily activities like taking public transport, buying groceries and catching a movie.
Another feature on the app, SNACKUP enables you to collect free insurance coverage whenever you spend with your Visa card at a participating merchant or using selected apps, such as ordering food from foodpanda, buying something using Fave or enjoying a cuppa at Upside Down Coffee Roaster. Available for term life, critical illness, and personal accident insurance products, this free coverage can stack up to significant amounts with regular use.
SNACK by Income, available online
13. Best for health and fitness tracking: MyFitnessPal
Ready to kickstart the journey to a healthier you? Let all-in-one health and fitness app MyFitnessPal be your ultimate partner in crime. Whether you’re looking to bulk up or get lean, the app customises your health journey so there’s no sweat in reaching your goals. Easily track your diet, discover personalised nutrition insights and explore new recipes – complete with detailed macronutrient breakdowns. What’s more, the app lets you sync your steps count and workouts for a snapshot of your day-to-day fitness journey. No more excuses!
MyFitnessPal, free for download with in-app purchases on App Store or Google Play Store
14. Best for staying active: LumiHealth
Own an Apple watch? You’ll want in on this app that makes healthy living more rewarding. We’re talking about the LumiHealth app that helps you break down big health goals (think getting active, eating well and having more energy) into simple everyday actions. All you have to do is pair your Apple watch with the app, incorporate healthier daily habits into your life and start racking up coins. Once you’ve earned at least 1,500 coins, exchange them for vouchers which can score you sweet deals at merchants such as Cold Storage, Guardian and Mr Bean.
LumiHealth, free for download on App Store
Download these lifestyle apps on your phone for easy, convenient ways to enjoy life in Singapore!
[This article was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2024 by Yuki Ling.]
