Anywheel vs. HelloRide: Which Bike Sharing Service Is Better?

If you’ve ever walked around Singapore, you’ve probably seen the bright blue and green bikes scattered around the city. These are HelloRide (blue) and Anywheel (green), two popular shared bicycle services that offer a fun, eco-friendly way to get around.

But with two options available, how do you decide which one to go for? Let’s break it down to help you figure out which bike service fits your needs best.

Rates and Ride Duration:

Both Anywheel and HelloRide charge the same rate for a standard ride—$1.00 for the first 30 minutes. But here’s where things start to differ. 

HelloRide Singapore gets a little more pricey after that first half hour. This means if you’re planning to ride for a long time, HelloRide can end up costing a lot more.

💡 Tip: To avoid extra charges, you can always end your trip after 30 minutes and start a new one. That way, you keep your ride within the “free” time frame and save a few dollars.

Besides, you are only able to rent one bike per account at a time, so plan your rental needs accordingly.

Family Bikes:

For families, both services offer family bikes with seats for small kids, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Anywheel & HelloRide: Both charge $4 for 30 minutes for these special bikes, and they must be parked in designated family bike areas. HelloRide might have fewer bikes in these zones, so availability could be an issue.

💡 Tip: Check the apps to see where the nearest family bikes are before heading out. Also, make sure to park them in the right spots. Misplacing these family bikes could land you with a $20 penalty!

Passes:

If you’re a frequent rider, both services offer multi-day passes that can save you money. Here’s a comparison of the pass types and rates for Anywheel and HelloRide:

Anywheel: These passes allow unlimited free trips as long as they don’t exceed 30 minutes each. If you go over 30 minutes, you’ll pay the standard $0.50/30 minutes.

HelloRide: Like Anywheel, rides longer than 30 minutes come with extra fees, but HelloRide’s 3-day pass offers 5 free rides of up to 60 minutes each, which is a good fit for short-stay tourists.

One downside for both: Passes are not valid for family bikes (the ones with the extra seat for kids). So, if you’re cycling with family, expect to pay the regular rates.

💡 Verdict: If you’re here for a short trip or just want to give it a try, HelloRide’s 3-day pass is a great deal. For longer-term use, both services offer fair pricing.

Bike Condition and Experience:

Anywheel’s bikes are easy to find throughout Singapore, especially around MRT stations, bus stops and under HDB buildings. However, there’s a mix of newer and older bikes. Newer ones come with baskets and lights, while older models can vary in quality.

By comparison, HelloRide bikes are generally newer, offering a smoother ride, but availability can be limited, especially away from popular tourist spots.

💡 Verdict: Anywheel is great for a quick bike grab when convenience is your top priority. If you’re into newer bikes, HelloRide is a better fit, as long as you don’t mind searching a bit more for a bike.

Parking Rules:

To unlock and ride either bike, you’ll need to scan a code with the app, and parking is only allowed in designated areas marked by ‘P’ icons on both Anywheel and HelloRide apps.

You’ll face a penalty of around SGD5 if you don’t park properly.

For Anywheel, you need to manually lock the bike and then scan the QR code (on the ground or nearby wall) at the parking spot to confirm the end of your trip.

For HelloRide, the process is a bit easier. After parking, just tap ‘End Trip’ on your phone, and the bike will lock itself automatically. But just like Anywheel, you’ll still need to scan the parking code to finalize your ride.

💡 Verdict: Parking with either service is straightforward, though the processes differ slightly. Whichever service you choose, remember to scan the QR code to avoid unexpected charges!

Payments and Refunds:

One big difference between these two services is how they handle payments. You can use debit or credit cards, and there are even digital payment options like GooglePay and PayNow for Anywheel, or ApplePay and Alipay for HelloRide.

But here’s the real difference:

• Anywheel requires you to top up your account with at least SGD10 before you can start riding. If you’re registering with a non-Singapore number, the minimum top-up jumps to SGD20. And once that money’s in your account, it’s non-refundable. So, only load what you’re sure you’ll use.
• HelloRide, on the other hand, lets you to pay per ride without needing to pre-top-up. You just pay as you go, and if there’s any leftover balance, you can get it refunded.

💡 Verdict: HelloRide takes the win by its flexibility and the refundable balance feature.

Earn Rewards by Referring Friends:

Both Anywheel and HelloRide offer great rewards when you refer your friends to their apps. With Anywheel, you’ll receive a $2 bonus voucher when your friend registers and starts using the app. Similarly, HelloRide gives you a free 1-day pass when your referral signs up.

Anywheel vs. HelloRide: Which One Should You Choose?

It really comes down to what matters most to you:

• If availability is key and you want a bike that’s always nearby, Anywheel is the clear winner.
• If you prefer newer bikes and like the flexibility of pay-as-you-go without the need to top up, HelloRide might suit you better.

So, which service should you go for? Consider what’s more important: ease of access or bike quality. Either way, both give you a fun and budget-friendly way to ride around Singapore.

And don’t forget to apply sunscreen to avoid any skin damage while riding shared bikes!