KnowRoute vs S.RIDE
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
KnowRoute
This app offers on-demand public transportation powered by AI, matching routes with passenger demand. Book a ride, get picked up at a nearby stop, and enjoy a cashless journey to your destination within service areas.
- AI-controlled route matching
- On-demand ride booking
- Nearby bus stop pickup
- Cash-free payment options
- Efficient ride sharing
- Minimal detours
Read full descriptionHide full description
What is KnowRoute? KnowRoute is a new type of public transportation utilizing AI and making efficient route matching with passenger demand . You can book KnowRoute by just setting your origin and destination when you are in KnowRoute service area. In response to the booking request, KnowRoute comes to pick you up at a nearby bus stop, and take you to a bus stop close to your destination. Please feel free to use this new type of public transportation and make your daily life better! NOTE: Currently, KnowRoute is available in Island City area, Higashi ward, Fukuoka City and Iki-minami area, Nishi ward, Fukuoka City. In addition, from Nov. 1st to 30th 2020, KnowRoute is also available in Takaide, Kikyogahara, and Daimon areas, Shiojiri City, Nagano prefecture. How to ride 1) Book a ride using the app 2) The app direct you to a nearby bus stop to meet your driver 3) Get picked up at your pickup location 4) Enjoy a cash-free experience by paying with credit card, IC card. 5) Share your ride, with minimal detours, and arrive quickly at your destination
S.RIDE
This app simplifies hailing taxis in Tokyo and surrounding areas. With a single swipe, you can summon the nearest available taxi from a large network. Enjoy cashless payments and easy communication with drivers for a more comfortable and efficient travel experience.
- One-swipe taxi hailing
- Automatic pick-up point adjustment
- Estimated dispatch time display
- Simple driver messaging
- Cashless credit card payments
- QR code in-car payment option
- Ride history and statements
Read full descriptionHide full description
<One of Tokyo's Largest Taxi Apps - S.RIDE> Your life in Tokyo is busy every day. That is why you want an easier way to get where you need to go. S.RIDE is a taxi app for busy people like you. With just one swipe, you can hail a taxi and the nearest vehicle will be dispatched to you from one of Tokyo’s largest taxi networks. Payment is also cashless and speedy. This app offers a much more comfortable way to move around Tokyo. [Major App Features] <1. Simple. Hail quickly. Arrives quickly> After launching the app, all it takes is one swipe. With a single action, you can call a taxi quickly and easily. The app will automatically adjust the pick-up point to the closest roadside point, so there is no need to coordinate where to meet your taxi. The dispatch time will be displayed in the app, so you can input your destination while you are waiting to make getting there even smoother. You can also use simple messaging to communicate with the driver, which will give you peace of mind in the event of a sudden problem. You can send simple messages with details of the pick-up point, for example, so there is no need to worry about arriving at the pick-up point a little late and there being no taxi waiting for you. <2. Smart. Pay quickly> Register your credit card (VISA/MasterCard/JCB/AMEX/Diners) beforehand to make getting off the taxi smoother, without the need to hurriedly pull out your cash or your card. S.RIDE Wallet is a convenient option for taxis picked up on the street or from a taxi rank (*more taxis are being added all the time). Simply by using the app to scan the QR code displayed on the tablet in the back seat, you can pay online, in the same way as the taxi dispatch, and hop out of the taxi as soon as you reach your destination. You can also issue usage statements from the ride history on the app, so there is no need to worry even if you lose your usage statement. <3. Speedy. Taxi dispatched quickly> The taxi closest to your location, from one of Tokyo’s largest taxi networks, will be dispatched to pick you up. You will be able to get to your destination smoothly, without wasting time. [Areas Covered] The following areas are supported by the app: Tokyo’s 23 wards, Musashino City, Mitaka City, Nishi Tokyo City, Tachikawa City, Tama City, Inagi City, Akishima City(limited areas), Kunitachi City(limited areas), Kokubunji City(limited areas), Yokohama City (Nishi Ward, Naka Ward, and Minami Ward), and Nagoya City. [Partner Taxi Companies] This app is partnered with GREEN CAB, Kokusai motorcars, Kotobuki Kotsu, Daiwa Motor Transportation, Checker Cab, Greater Tokyo Privately Owned Taxi Co-operative Society, and MEITETSU TAXI HOLDINGS. [Precautions for Use of the App] ・Use the app in a location with good reception. ・The GPS location and push notification functions on your device must be turned on when using the app. ・Please be advised that depending on the weather, road conditions, and taxi patronage conditions, it may not be possible to dispatch a vehicle to your location. ・Estimated arrival times are calculated at the time of order and may change due to traffic conditions, etc. ・When ordering a taxi through the S.RIDE app, a pick-up surcharge will be added to your fare according to the individual company’s Terms of Services, in the same way as when ordering a taxi by telephone. ・Please be advised that it may not be possible to dispatch a taxi to areas where taxi dispatches are prohibited. ・There may be some limitations on the functions provided by individual taxi companies. Such limitations may include not accepting online payment, or being unable to input messages or destination after the vehicle has been dispatched.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: KnowRoute at free against S.RIDE's free with in-app purchases. S.RIDE's advantage is review sentiment (40% vs 29%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
KnowRoute ships an update every 6 weeks, S.RIDE every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | KnowRoute | S.RIDE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.9 (413 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 28.6% of reviews | 40.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 413 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 56 MB | 99 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Spare Labs Inc. | S.RIDE Inc. |
Customer experience
KnowRoute
S.RIDE
In-app purchases
KnowRoute
No in-app purchases
S.RIDE
No in-app purchases









