Grab launches Shared Saver for cheaper GrabFood delivery

Shared Saver allows cheaper GrabFood delivery through group orders and AI batching.

A Grab driver app is displayed in Singapore on Monday, August 21, 2023. Grab is set to release its earnings results on August 23. Photo by Ore Huiying/Bloomberg

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Grab launches Shared Saver for cheaper GrabFood delivery in Singapore this month, introducing a cost-saving feature that allows users to order single portions while sharing delivery routes with others. This new option, currently available only in selected areas of Singapore, provides a cheaper administration fee by combining multiple food orders into a single delivery trip. The initiative is designed to cut costs for users without sacrificing access to their favorite meals, and is made possible by Grab’s advanced AI-driven batching system.

As competition with Gojek continues to intensify across Southeast Asia, Grab’s latest innovation is a strategic move to boost customer retention while maximizing efficiency. The Shared Saver feature is expected to launch in more regions, including parts of Indonesia, by June, though Grab has not yet announced a specific timeline or locations for the wider rollout.

How Shared Saver works: Smart savings, longer wait times

Unlike standard GrabFood orders that are immediately assigned to a driver, Shared Saver takes a different approach. It works by batching orders from users in close proximity who want to buy food from the same restaurant or outlet. By delivering multiple orders at once, Grab significantly reduces the cost per user — though at the expense of longer wait times.

There are two main ways users can utilize Shared Saver when ordering GrabFood:

1. Order in advance with Shared Saver

In this method, users choose their preferred food or drink from a restaurant. When they reach the delivery options, they simply select “Shared Saver.” Grab’s system then broadcasts this order to other nearby users who might be interested in ordering from the same restaurant. If someone joins the order within ten minutes, both users receive reduced delivery fees. Even if no one else joins, users still benefit from the Shared Saver rate — a reduced administration fee compared to regular delivery.

2. Join another user’s Shared Saver countdown

Sometimes, users will see a store marked with a red countdown timer indicating an active Shared Saver batch. They can spontaneously join this batch within the 10-minute window. Once the timer expires, the driver will pick up the orders from that store and deliver them sequentially to each customer. This method encourages quicker participation and offers users the chance to benefit from lower costs without starting a batch themselves.

AI batching: The tech behind Shared Saver

What sets Shared Saver apart from other food delivery innovations is Grab’s use of artificial intelligence to power the experience. The system efficiently batches, allocates, routes, and fulfills multiple orders by analyzing several variables in real time. These include:

• The availability and proximity of delivery partners
• Estimated wait times at the restaurant
• Current traffic patterns
• Weather conditions
• Delivery sequence efficiency

Thanks to this AI-powered logistics, the system can handle complex multi-order routes while ensuring food quality is maintained and delays are minimized as much as possible. While users opting for Shared Saver should expect slightly longer delivery times, the cost savings can be significant — especially for regular GrabFood customers.

Grab’s AI takes a smart approach to planning the route sequence so that orders are delivered in the most efficient way. For example, if one user is just five minutes away from a restaurant and another is ten minutes away but in the same direction, the system calculates an optimized route to accommodate both. This helps reduce idle time and unnecessary detours for drivers while also maintaining the freshness of meals.

Why Shared Saver matters: Affordability meets sustainability

The Shared Saver feature is not only about cheaper food delivery — it also aligns with larger goals around sustainability and smarter urban mobility. By reducing the number of individual food delivery trips through order consolidation, Grab lowers the carbon footprint of its operations. Fewer motorbike trips mean less traffic congestion and lower fuel usage, which can have a noticeable impact over time in high-density areas like Singapore.

Moreover, Shared Saver reflects changing consumer behaviors in urban areas. As people look for ways to reduce living costs without giving up conveniences like food delivery, features that allow for lower fees — even at the cost of slightly longer wait times — are becoming increasingly attractive.

For Grab, this move strengthens its positioning not just as a ride-hailing and food delivery platform, but as a technology leader focused on smarter, more efficient services. With the Southeast Asian food delivery market expected to grow significantly over the next five years, tools like Shared Saver could prove vital in retaining users who are cost-conscious yet loyal to convenience.

User experience and feedback

Initial user feedback in Singapore has been largely positive, especially among younger users and students who are used to planning meals and willing to wait a few extra minutes for lower fees. Many appreciate the clear countdown system and the transparent way orders are grouped. However, some users have raised concerns about longer delivery times during peak hours and the possibility of food arriving lukewarm if not handled properly.

Grab has responded to these concerns by improving merchant and driver instructions and continuing to tweak the AI system to ensure food quality remains a top priority. It’s also working on adding an in-app feature to notify users more precisely when to expect delivery based on real-time updates.

Future plans: Will Indonesia get Shared Saver next?

Grab has hinted at plans to expand Shared Saver beyond Singapore, including to Indonesia and other key Southeast Asian markets starting in June. While the company hasn’t released specific rollout dates or cities, it’s clear that Shared Saver will play a major role in Grab’s regional growth strategy.

Indonesia, with its large population and rapidly growing food delivery demand, presents a prime market for this feature. Given the country’s urban congestion and rising delivery costs, Shared Saver could appeal strongly to users in Jakarta, Surabaya, and other major cities.

As local users wait for an official announcement, many are already speculating on social media about how Shared Saver could change their GrabFood habits. Will users embrace a more patient, collaborative ordering experience in exchange for cheaper fees? Or will speed still trump savings? Time will tell — but the buzz around the launch is already growing.

A smart move in a competitive market

Grab’s decision to roll out Shared Saver in Singapore marks a notable shift in how food delivery platforms approach affordability, efficiency, and user collaboration. By using AI to batch and optimize orders, Grab offers a win-win: lower fees for users, fewer trips for drivers, and smarter logistics overall. As the company gears up for broader regional expansion, features like Shared Saver may soon become standard — reshaping food delivery across Southeast Asia.

Whether you’re a student looking to save on daily orders or a busy professional open to flexible delivery times, Shared Saver is a practical option that adds new depth to the GrabFood experience.

As Grab launches Shared Saver for cheaper GrabFood delivery, the platform once again shows why it remains at the forefront of tech innovation in Southeast Asia’s ever-evolving gig economy.