Southeast Asian tech giant Grab has launched a new feature integrating third-party applications directly within its platform, enabling users to access external services without leaving the Grab app, it said in a press statement.
Grab has onboarded five “partner apps” on its Singapore and Malaysia platforms, including Firsty, a global eSIM provider; HelloRide, an on-demand bike-sharing service; Jolibox, an entertainment platform offering games and short dramas; redBus, an intercity bus and ferry booking platform; and Drive lah, a peer-to-peer car-sharing service in Singapore.
The firm said it plans to enable its 46 million monthly users to access partner apps directly within its platform, with the programme set to roll out in other markets in the coming months.
“With partner apps available natively within Grab’s app, users will get more out of using Grab than ever. Partner app services complement our users’ lifestyles and needs beyond Grab’s on-demand offerings,” Grab’s chief product officer Philipp Kandal said.
The move follows comments from Grab’s management during its second-quarter 2025 earnings call, where CEO Anthony Tan highlighted the company’s focus on “product- and tech-led innovations to drive the ecosystem flywheel faster”. This, Tan said, is set to unlock Grab’s next growth stage.
Earlier this year, Grab Holdings reported a $20 million profit in the second quarter, swinging from a $68 million loss a year earlier. The firm projects $3.33-3.40 billion for this year in revenue, up 19–22% from last year and $460-480 million in adjusted EBITDA, up 47–53% year-on-year.
Grab said the five third-party in-app additions complement its existing services, citing tourists in Singapore, for example, can purchase an eSIM and ferry tickets directly within the app.
Apart from its three main revenue verticals – delivery, ride-hailing, and fintech – the tech company has been opening up new monetisation opportunities.
Its in-app advertising business gives merchant-partners a way to reach users, with Grab reporting growing ad spend and uptake. The company’s AI Merchant Assistant provides partners with data and operational insights to manage their business through Grab’s platform. In grocery and essentials, GrabMart continues to grow, contributing to higher transaction frequency and engagement across the app.
