In a culture that’s becoming more sharing and technology dependent, hailing a taxi seems both old-fashioned and energy-consuming. How much easier does it seem to just tap a button and have a car pick you up at your exact location? The number of ride-sharing apps that have emerged recently is large, providing endless options for means of transportation. In an article for The New York Times, Stephanie Rosenbloom (@stephronyt) details the options consumers have beyond Uber and Lyft.

Ride-sharing is accessing transportation services through apps. These apps such as Via, Bandwagon, RideWith, Tripda and Gett are tackling the ride-sharing industry and aiming at lower prices. At the same time, Uber and Lyft are experiencing rapid growth and adding benefits and perks like reward points and partnerships with Starbucks, United Airlines, and Capital One.

Via is a Manhattan-based ride-sharing app that charges a flat fare of $5 per person with purchases made through “ride credit” which come in $25 or $50 increments. If the ride is purchased without credit, then the fare comes out to $7/ride. When using this app, it’s likely your car will be filled with three or more people, but Via claims it uses professional chauffeurs and it’s easier on the wallet.

Bandwagon is a Brooklyn-based startup that works with local cabdrivers. It began a program at La Guardia airport in New York in late May where it matches passengers in line who are going the same direction during peak hours. Passengers download the app and post their route--if a match is found, both parties are alerted and can then use the in-app chat feature to communicate. If this program proves successful at La Guardia, it will begin at JFK and Newark International Airport as well.

Tripda gained popularity through promotion on Bandwagon’s blog. It’s a ride-sharing app that specifically targets long distance travel. The driver sets the price and his/her personal compatibility preferences (which entails almost anything). By registering through Facebook, you gain access to search for or offer rides. At the end of each ride, the passengers pay the driver directly in cash. All users have the ability to review the drivers as well as fellow passengers, and these reviews can be shared.

RideWith marks Google’s entrance into the ride-sharing world. This carpool service was created by Waze and Google is testing the pilot program. The program aims to connect local drivers with users who commute to the same area. However, unless you live in Tel Aviv and use an Android, this pilot is not yet available for you.

With Uber and Lyft dominating the ride-sharing economy, many are trying to undercut their influence. Gett is one of these companies and they’re offering $10 flat fares in New York City with no surge pricing for bad weather, rush hours or traffic.  

Despite the competitors, both Uber and Lyft are progressing. Uber in conjunction with New York City’s Mayor De Blasio is conducting a study on the causes of congestion. Uber is also set to receive a hefty investment from Microsoft and is promoting the launch of UberBOAT in Istanbul. Lyft announced a partnership with Starbucks, which I previously wrote about here, that can earn passengers reward points towards free coffee and food. It even allows you to tip your driver with caffeine.

There are definitely wrinkles with these companies, such as the recent investigation in L.A. about four men who were banned from operating taxis in the city due to their criminal records but wove around that by working as Uber drivers. Despite these faults, there is no end in sight to the progress of, not just ride-sharing, but the collaborative economy in general.

Where will it take us next?