Planning a dinner party, looking for an affordable office space or searching for the right travel partner? The sharing economy is now a cool and legit way to share extras (rooms, rides, items, you name it)—peer-to-peer style. Be part of the movement with our list of collaborative platforms.
Accommodation
Airbnb
Rent or host rooms, houses, apartments and even holiday villas in over 190 countries around the world. Or just for a staycation in Singapore.
Homie
Find compatible roomies in Singapore by sifting through profiles listed on this roommate-searching website.
PandaBed
Quite similar to Airbnb, you can book or list a holiday rental in Asian countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and South Korea.
Dining
#SGEatWithUs
Share home-cooked Singaporean dishes with other locals through this pot-luck community of passionate foodies—it’s all about bonding over food here.
BonAppetour
Invite yourself for dinner (for a fee, of course) or host international guests at this global meal sharing website through cities like Shanghai, Budapest and Paris.
Plate Culture
Another social dining platform, meet locals from Asia, Europe, Oceania, the U.S and U.K over a home-cooked meal.
Mealsharing
Host or attend a dinner party by booking a meal via a global community of home-chef profiles and menus.
Co-Working Spaces
You can rent desks by the hour from $240 a month, which is great for those searching for a temporary office, or are not desk-bound.
Creative night owls will love this 24-hour communal studio in Geylang, which comes with meeting rooms, private offices, a warehouse and work benches complete with tools.
It’s not your average King George’s Avenue office space—there’s a yakitori joint, bespoke cocktail bar and craft workshop all housed in a sleek loft studio for craftsmen.
Join cool start-ups like news site Mashable, online payment solutions provide Paypal and Gone Adventurin’ at this 160-seater space in Prinsep Street. It has perks like an in-house cafe, hot showers and even a nap room.
Another impossibly hip, multi-concept outfit with private offices and an events space, slog with fellow yuccies in sexy Keong Saik and host meetings at the building’s in-house cafe, The Daily Roundup.
This women-only office at Joo Chiat has a simple and minimalist set-up complete with a shared desks and benches, a library of books and an intimate meeting room for workshops or seminars.
Literature
Books & Beer
Is that dusty Jane Austen hardback languishing on your shelf? Swop up to 10 pre-loved books with other participants at this boozy pop-up event.
Social Initiatives
Culture Kitchen
Get to know Singapore’s migrant workers over a shared meal at an inclusive dinner party—there’s no pompous waiting list for this one.
The Food Bank Singapore
Donate unused or extra food to the needy through this local food bank, which benefits family service centers, soup kitchens and welfare organizations.
Waste Is Not Waste
Sustainability gets a new lease of life through this online platform which provides businesses and organizations with a waste exchange program by connecting surplus resource generators with those sourcing for materials.
Car-pooling
Ryde
If you’re on a budget but need to get somewhere, use this app to share a ride with other locals going the same direction. It even helps calculate the exact fare contribution for each person, based on distance.
Sharetransport.sg
Commute by bus, car or taxi with other passengers near you on this ride-sharing platform.
Car Rentals
iCarsClub
Car owners can rent their rides to drivers of their choice (with insurance protection, of course)—they even get to determine car rental rates.
Smove
Eco warriors will love this car-sharing company, which aims to reduce carbon footprint by offering hybrid alternatives on demand.
Private Cars for Hire
Uber
If you haven’t already jumped on the private car service bandwagon, take baby steps with this popular app. Options range from low-cost rides (UberX) to fancy, designer cars (UberExec).
GrabCar
An Uber alternative, book private cars ranging from the humble Toyota to an upscale BMW 5-series.
Bicycles for Hire
Otter
No license to drive? No problem. Opt for this bike-sharing rental service which lets you rent or list a bicycle for hire anywhere.
Travel
Wander
This app helps match ideal travel partners for those flying solo but want someone to share their holidays with. Don’t go look for Mr or Miss Right though, as it claims to be anything but a dating platform.
Everything Else
BlockPooling
Get to know your neighbors through this website’s forum, social groups or marketplace. You can borrow or lend household items, offer any type of service (as long as it’s legal) and host open-house parties.
Rent Tycoons
You will find everything from electronics, home furniture, appliances, party props, fashion items and more. If you’d like to make a profit from hoarding, register as a member to list an item for rent.
Leendy
Swap items you need with others through the app—there’s the option of keeping or swapping back after a few weeks.
