Amsterdam, the enchanting capital of the Netherlands, beckons travelers from around the globe with its picturesque canals, historic architecture, and vibrant cultural scene.
With summer vacations just around the corner, there couldn’t be a more suitable time to plan an unforgettable vacation to this gorgeous city.
However, amidst the myriad of attractions and hidden gems, discovering the true essence of Amsterdam can be a challenge for many tourists.
Luckily, Dutch startups have risen to the occasion with various apps to empower visitors to explore Amsterdam like locals, unlocking a wealth of authentic experiences.
In this digital era, where smartphones have become our constant companions, these Dutch startups have leveraged cutting-edge technology to bridge the gap between travelers and the essence of Amsterdam’s local life.
Whether you are a seasoned globetrotter or a first-time visitor in Amsterdam, these below-listed apps can enrich your stay with insider tips, unique itineraries, and a deep connection to the city’s culture and history.
Mobility
Felyx
Felyx claims to be reshaping urban mobility by offering sustainable and efficient transportation to all – a shared e-moped solution.
felyx aims to link people through convenient, environmentally friendly, and shared riders, giving everyone the freedom to move around in a more green urban environment and make the city more livable.
Check
Check offers a mobile app that allows users to reserve and use electric shared mopeds, and electric shared cars, per minute. Earlier this year, the Dutch startup started a pilot with ten shared cars, all of them being fully electric Volkswagen ID3s, in Amsterdam.
Every car has a charging card included, allowing the user to recharge the car quickly in case of a low battery level.
9292
9292 offers a comprehensive platform for planning and purchasing tickets for your journey via various modes of transportation in the Netherlands, including trains, buses, trams, metros, and boats. In addition to ticketing services, the platform facilitates travel options comparisons, making it easier for users to find the most suitable transportation for their needs.
The 9292 app is readily available for download on both Android’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store, ensuring convenient access for all users.
NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
Nederlandse Spoorwegen, commonly known as NS, is the primary railway operator in the Netherlands. With a rich history dating back to 1938, NS is renowned for its extensive train network and efficient services connecting major cities and towns across the country.
Committed to sustainability, NS continues to evolve with modern technologies and passenger-centric initiatives, making it a vital part of Dutch transportation infrastructure.
Swapfiets
Amsterdam’s Swapfiets is a bicycle subscription service founded in 2014 by three young entrepreneurs, Richard Burger, Martijn Obers, and Dirk de Bruijn, while studying at Delft University.
The platform provides subscribers with a fully functional bike and handles all maintenance and repairs for a fixed monthly fee. With its distinctive blue front tire, Swapfiets has become a recognisable and convenient choice for urban commuters and cycling enthusiasts alike.
Cargoroo
Cargoroo offers e-cargo sharing bikes that are safe, affordable, environmentally friendly, and convenient. Electric cargo bikes are present at fixed locations and can be rented as per needs via an app. Users can rent it for € 0.10 per minute (pay per use).
The Amsterdam company focuses on those who need a cargo bike from time to time, such as parents who want to make an excursion with their kids, people looking to move heavy or large objects, or students moving into student accommodation.
Culture
Ticketswap
TicketSwap is an online platform where users can sell their tickets for concerts, festivals, sports events, and theatres. A cap on the sales price and verification of the sellers protect buyers from exorbitant prices and fake tickets.
The company aims to make secondary ticketing fairer, safer, and transparent for real fans,
thanks to its anti-fraud technology SecureSwap.
Cineville
Cineville is an Amsterdam-based cinema subscription, which offers access to cinemas throughout the Netherlands for a fixed monthly fee.
The Cineville card allows users to watch as many films as often as they like in more than 55 film theatres throughout the Netherlands for a monthly membership fee of € 18,50 (if you’re <30) or € 22,50 (if you’re 30+).
Wellness
Treatwell
Treatwell is a beauty and wellness platform in Amsterdam, offering a wide range of services from top-rated salons and spas.
With Treatwell, residents and visitors can easily book appointments for haircuts, massages, facials, and more, all from the comfort of their smartphones.
Food
Crisp
Crisp is an app-only supermarket focused on ultra-fresh food. The service distributes groceries throughout the Netherlands and Belgium seven days a week.
Orders placed through the app before 10 PM get delivered the next day. Products from more than 800 local farmers and food providers are included in the assortment.
Thuisbezorgd
Thuisbezorgd is a popular food delivery service in Amsterdam, offering a wide selection of local and international cuisine delivered right to your doorstep.
With a user-friendly app and website, residents, and visitors can easily order their favourite meals for a hassle-free dining experience in the comfort of their homes.
Finances
Splitser
Splitser is an app designed for tracking, calculating, and settling group expenses. The app is available in the Netherlands and Flanders under the name WieBetaaltWat and is translated into 5 more languages: Dutch, German, French, Spanish, and Italian.
Dyme
Dyme app lets you create a clear overview of your income and expenses and offers smart tools to help you save money on your fixed expenses.
The company’s goal is to unburden users financially, by giving them the tools they need to get a handle on their money and – wherever possible – save money too!
Shopping
Bol.com
Bol.com claims to be the largest online retail platform in the Benelux that provides books, entertainment, electronic devices, and toys for its clients.
More than two decades later, the shop boasts 13 million active users in the Netherlands and Belgium, a 35 million-item product variety, and 52,000 sales partners that sell their goods through the Bol.com platform.
Otrium
Otrium is a technology platform via which fashion brands can sell their leftover stocks at a discount. The Dutch company’s full-service marketplace allows fashion brands to open an online outlet with minimal effort and all the advantages.
Through their platform, fashion houses can sell both outlet collections and previous collections while retaining full control over pricing, merchandising, and visibility of their excess inventory.
Buienalarm
Buienalarm is a weather app designed to notify users about approaching rains and storms. With location-based alerts and up to 2-hour precipitation forecasts, it helps users stay prepared. Additionally, it displays the current temperature as well.
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