Moving to a new country has become a lot more simple in the digital age, and apps are a fundamental part of life. I have put together a list of the apps that I find most useful for life in Singapore. I have also provided referral codes for some of these apps.
Referral links and codes
The section below contains referral code and referral links. If you happen to use the referral code, and/or follow the referral link to install the app or sign-up for the service, I get a small kick-back at no cost to you, while you too also get a welcome kick-back of your own.
Government Apps
Let’s start with the important ones. No referral codes or links here – intentionally. Just search for them on your respective App Stores to install them.
The SingPass App is Singapore’s identify management system and is what is used to authenticate oneself on a range of regulated platforms including financial institutions.
The ICA Mobile App will allow foreigners to verify their FIN status. It is also a handy way to submit your SG Arrival Card whenever you enter Singapore.
The HealthHub App is Singapore’s Health Record Management system where you’ll be able to manage and retrieve all your medical treatment and vaccination records.
Digital Wallets
If you haven’t gotten a credit card yet, and need the convenience of paying for items, Digital Wallets are your Go-To Solution. There are several of these, which you can top up with an existing credit card, or a local bank account. Here are the ones that I use, with referral codes.
Referral Code: nZNn3D
Shopback will return a cashback sum that you can use at a future payment at the same merchant. This is a great way to pay at merchants where you visit regularly like F&B outlets.
Referral Code: T625699
KrisPay will allow you to redeem points earned through purchases towards KrisFlyer frequent flyer points. In addition, it also offers occasional merchant discounts.
Referral Code: FAVEDEBASHIS
FavePay is a digital wallet that will return credit into your app that you can use towards future payments. Great for recurring purchases at merchants like F&B outlets that you regularly frequent.
Referral Code: debashis75188
Grab is a Super App which offers Transport, a Digital Wallet, Food Delivery, Shopping, and Courier Services, and operates across multiple Southeast Asian countries.
DBS PayLah is the standard digital wallet from DBS bank (you need to have an account with them) that makes it easy to pay from and to from your account via your phone. Search for it on your App store.
Transportation and Ride Share Hailing
If you haven’t gotten a credit card yet, and need the convenience of paying for items, Digital Wallets are your Go-To Solution. There are several of these, which you can top up with an existing credit card, or a local bank account. Here are the ones that I use, with referral codes.
Referral Code: debashis75188
Grab is a Super App that is synonymous with Ride Share Hailing in Singapore and across Southeast Asia.
Referral Code: R75517
TADA is another active Ride Sharing app the offers an alternative when demand is high.
The CDG Zig App will help you book regulated taxis and private hire vehicles. With regulated taxis, you have the option of agreeing to a fare, or choosing to use the meter.
The LTA MyTransport App is the official Singapore app for buses and trains, and is an excellent tool to help you plan your journey using Singapore’s efficient public transport system.
Referral Code: QXQWNLZZ
GetGo allows you to rent a car to self-drive by the hour. This is great for a Singapore road trip, or while needing to run errands. Singaporean license required.
Dining Reservations
Food is a national past time and a matter of pride here in Singapore. With so many restaurants to choose from, there are some immensely popular ones that you need to book ahead for. These are my go-to reservation apps.
Chope is the OG reservation app which works in Singapore and several other South-East Asian countries.
As you book, you earn Chope points which can be redeemed for vouchers that can be used at other restaurants.
Referral Code: DEBASHIS5259JNW
Quandoo offers the option of cash back or earning KrisFlyer frequent flyer points.
Food Delivery Services
Sometimes you might just be too tired to go out, and want a quiet night in. Food delivery services are almost a way of life here in Singapore.
Referral Code: debashis75188
The Super App offers food delivery services, and shopping for items you need at short notice.
FoodPanda also offers localized food delivery services across Singapore, and also offers a marketplace for things that you need at short notice.
Online Shopping
The pandemic really kick-started online shopping. While Amazon took the world by storm, in Southeast Asia, there are two very popular platforms:
Having also purchased RedMart, Lazada is a popular local platform that sells everything from groceries to the most obscure items that you may imagine.
Shoppee offers a range of items that you can often pick up for a good price. I tend to use this for small household items.
Singapore’s equivalent of Craigslist in the US, and Gumtree in Australia, Carousell is what Singaporean residents use to buy and sell used items.
Loyalty Programs
You’re going to shop anyway. You may as well get rewarded for it. The following apps are the loyalty programs from various mall chains that will issue you points that you can redeem for vouchers to be used at a future spend in the same mall chain. During festive seasons, there are multipliers and special offers.
CapitaStar app that covers all the CapitaLand Malls.
This loyalty program app is for all FairPrice/NTUC supermarkets and contains all their coupons.
A loyalty app used by the Cold Storage supermarket chain which also covers a range of other merchants including the chemist Guardian.
Investing
Investing in Singapore is a really good idea. This country has no capital gains tax, and there are a range of online platforms that offer effective online trading functionality. Here are the two that I recommend:
IBKR is a well-established Internal Platform with mature interface that offers automation to help execute on market fluctuations.
Referral Code: MESK3UAM
Moomoo is a homegrown trading platform with low transaction costs and lots of features.
Civic Services
Singapore has a great library system – free for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, and $40 a year for foreigners with a valid pass. You can borrow books and access a range of newspapers and journals. The NLB Mobile App is your gateway to a host of printed content in the palm of your hand.
The Singapore Healthy365 App is a motivational app that helps Singaporean residents keep track of their activity, and be rewarded through points that can be redeemed for vouchers at grocery stores.
nParks Explore a Route (NEAR) app helps you navigate your way through Singapore’s national parks which are all connected via the Park Conenctors.
Real Estate
The PropertyGuru Singapore App is the Go-To app for searching for rental properties, and properties for sale. Every expat in Singapore has visited this site at least once while finding a place to live here.
99.co is an up-and-coming real-estate website that is gaining popularity among real-estate agents and tenants alike, and another great way to find property listings to suit your needs.