Essential Apps & Digital Services Every Expat in Georgia Needs (2026)

Here's what nobody tells you before you move to Georgia: the country runs on apps. Not in the Silicon Valley way — in the "you literally cannot function without six specific apps on your phone" way. You can't hail a taxi on the street anymore (well, you can, but you'll pay triple and probably get taken for a scenic route). You can't pay most utility bills without an app. Half the government services are digital-first.

The good news? Georgia's app ecosystem is genuinely excellent. Better than most of Western Europe, honestly. The banking apps alone would make your European bank weep with envy. The bad news? Most of these apps are designed for Georgian users, so discovery is rough when you don't read ქართული yet.

This guide covers every app and digital service you'll actually need — organized by how urgently you need them. Download the first three categories before you even leave the airport.

Ride-Hailing: Bolt and Maxim

Forget Uber — it doesn't operate in Georgia. The ride-hailing market here is a two-horse race: Bolt and Maxim. If you only download one, make it Bolt.

Bolt is the dominant app. Every expat uses it. Prices are absurdly cheap compared to Western standards — a cross-city ride in Tbilisi rarely exceeds 10–15 GEL ($4–6). Surge pricing exists but is mild. Drivers are generally good; most cars are modern. The app works in English, payment via card is seamless, and you can share your ride status with someone for safety. Bolt also handles scooter rentals — their electric scooters are parked all over central Tbilisi. 1 GEL to unlock, then 0.20 GEL per minute.

Maxim is the budget option. It's 15–30% cheaper than Bolt for the same routes, but there's a reason: older cars, less predictable quality, and the app is clunkier. Maxim is more popular outside Tbilisi — in Kutaisi, Batumi, and smaller cities, it sometimes has better coverage than Bolt. Worth having as a backup.

Food Delivery: Wolt and Glovo

Georgia has two main food delivery platforms, and they're both excellent: Wolt and Glovo. Between them, you can get food from virtually every restaurant in Tbilisi delivered to your door — plus groceries, pharmacy items, and whatever else you need.

Wolt has the better interface and more curated restaurant selection. It's the app most expats default to. Restaurant listings include photos of actual dishes (not stock images), delivery time estimates are accurate, and the customer service is responsive if something goes wrong. Wolt+ subscription (9.90 GEL/month) waives delivery fees — worth it if you order more than twice a week.

Glovo covers more ground. It has a broader range of restaurants, including smaller neighborhood spots that Wolt doesn't list. Glovo also does "anything delivery" — you can send a courier to pick up something from any address and bring it to you. Useful for grabbing a document from a notary or collecting something from a friend across town.

Bolt Food exists too, built into the Bolt app. The restaurant selection is smaller than Wolt or Glovo, but it sometimes has exclusive deals and lower delivery fees. Check all three if you're price-conscious.

Banking Apps: BOG and TBC

Georgia has two major banks, and their mobile apps are genuinely world-class. This isn't hyperbole — both Bank of Georgia (BOG) and TBC Bank have apps that outperform most Western banking apps in features, speed, and usability. You'll use your banking app daily, for everything from paying for coffee to transferring money internationally.

Which bank you choose depends on your needs (see our full banking guide), but here's the app comparison:

Both apps let you pay utility bills directly — electricity (Telasi), natural gas (KazTransGas), water (GWP), and internet. You scan a QR code on your bill or enter your subscriber number. The whole process takes 30 seconds. No more standing in bank queues.

Payment Apps: BOG Pay and TBC Pay

Georgia is rapidly going cashless. Even the fruit vendor at Dezerter Bazaar often has a QR code taped to his stall. The two payment systems are BOG Pay (Bank of Georgia) and TBC Pay — each integrated into their respective banking apps.

QR code payments work everywhere: supermarkets, restaurants, taxis, pharmacies, street vendors, even some marshrutka routes. You open the banking app, tap "Pay," scan the merchant's QR code, confirm the amount, done. No need to carry cash for most transactions.

Apple Pay and Google Pay both work in Georgia with cards from either bank. Contactless payment is accepted at virtually every POS terminal in Tbilisi. Even most smaller shops and cafés have contactless readers.

That said, always carry some cash. Small mechanic shops, some marshrutka drivers, market vendors, and parking attendants still operate cash-only. A 50 GEL note in your wallet as backup is enough.

Navigation & Maps

Google Maps is your primary navigation tool. It's accurate, frequently updated, and has good coverage of Tbilisi's streets, restaurants, and businesses. Download the offline map for Georgia before you arrive — you'll need it in areas with poor signal (which is most of the countryside).

Google Maps handles public transport routing in Tbilisi reasonably well. It shows metro stations, bus routes, and walking directions. It's not perfect — bus schedule data can be off — but it's the best option available.

Waze is popular among drivers for real-time traffic updates. Tbilisi traffic is genuinely terrible during rush hours (8–10 AM and 5–8 PM), and Waze does a better job than Google Maps at finding alternative routes through the city's confusing web of one-way streets.

2GIS is a hidden gem that most expats don't know about. It's a Russian-made mapping app with extremely detailed business listings — floor numbers in shopping centers, opening hours that are actually accurate, and indoor maps for some malls. The Georgian data is solid. It's especially useful for finding specific businesses that Google Maps doesn't list well.

Public Transport Apps

Tbilisi's public transport isn't as app-friendly as London or Berlin, but there are tools that help.

Tbilisi Transport Company (TTC) — the official app. It shows real-time bus and minibus locations on a map, which is genuinely useful since bus stops in Tbilisi often have no schedule information whatsoever. The interface is rough, but the tracking data is accurate. Available in English.

Metromoney — not an app per se, but the card system you need. You buy a physical Metromoney card (2 GEL) from any metro station and load credit onto it. It works for metro, buses, and cable cars. You can also use contactless bank cards directly on metro turnstiles and bus readers — just tap your BOG or TBC card instead.

Government & Official Services

Georgia's e-government is surprisingly advanced. You can handle most bureaucratic tasks online — which is great, because Georgian bureaucracy in person involves queues and confusion.

rs.ge is the one you'll use most. If you're starting a business or working as a freelancer, you'll file monthly tax returns here. The interface is available in English (switch language in the top right), and the process is straightforward once you know where everything is. Registration requires a Georgian mobile number for SMS verification.

my.gov.ge is the catch-all government portal. You can request certificates, check residency permit status, and handle various official requests without visiting Public Service Hall. It requires a digital signature or SMS verification to log in.

Translation & Language Tools

You will need translation help. Georgian is one of the most linguistically isolated languages in the world — it's not related to Russian, Turkish, Arabic, or any European language. The script (მხედრული) is unique. Google Translate will be your constant companion for the first few months.

Communication & Social

WhatsApp is Georgia's dominant messaging app — more so than Telegram or Viber. Your landlord, your plumber, your accountant, your local friends — everyone communicates via WhatsApp. Many businesses use WhatsApp as their primary customer service channel. If a restaurant doesn't have a website, it probably has a WhatsApp number.

Telegram is popular too, especially among the tech-savvy and expat communities. Many expat groups, news channels, and classifieds operate on Telegram. Join the "Tbilisi Expats" and "Foreigners in Tbilisi" groups early — they're goldmines for practical information.

Facebook — surprisingly relevant here. Georgia has a massive Facebook user base, and many businesses only have a Facebook page, not a website. Facebook Marketplace is the main platform for buying/selling used furniture, electronics, and household items. "Tbilisi International Community" is the largest English-speaking Facebook group and genuinely useful.

Shopping & Marketplace Apps

Georgia doesn't have Amazon, and local e-commerce is still developing. Here's what works:

MyMarket.ge — Georgia's closest thing to Amazon/eBay. Electronics, clothing, home goods, car parts, everything. The interface is in Georgian, but Google Translate's camera mode works on the browser version. Prices are competitive, and most sellers ship within Tbilisi via courier. You can filter by "Tbilisi" sellers for same-day or next-day delivery.

SS.ge — the main classifieds platform. If you're looking for an apartment to rent, a car to buy, or second-hand anything, this is where you go. Think Craigslist but actually functional. Listings are in Georgian, but the search filters and categories have English translations. Every expat who's found an apartment in Tbilisi has used SS.ge.

Facebook Marketplace — the expat go-to for used items. Furniture from departing expats, electronics, baby gear, kitchen equipment. The advantage over SS.ge is that sellers are often English-speaking, and you can check their profile for legitimacy.

Wildberries — the Russian e-commerce giant operates in Georgia. Massive product selection, very competitive prices, and delivery to pickup points around Tbilisi. The app is available in English. Delivery typically takes 5–10 days. It's excellent for clothing, home goods, and items you can't find locally.

Health & Fitness

GPI (Georgian Post Insurance) — not an app, but the most common health insurance portal. Manage your policy, find network hospitals and clinics, and submit claims online at gpi.ge. Most expat-friendly insurance plans are through GPI or Aldagi.

Aversi Pharma and PSP — the two largest pharmacy chains. Both have apps for checking medicine availability and prices. Aversi has an online ordering option with delivery. Georgia has a generous over-the-counter drug policy — many medications that require prescriptions in the EU/US are available OTC here.

For fitness, there's no dominant gym-booking app. Most gyms handle membership directly. Strava works well for tracking runs — the running community in Tbilisi uses it actively, especially around Lisi Lake and Vake Park.

International Money Transfers

You'll need to move money between your home country and Georgia. Georgian bank SWIFT transfers work but are slow (2–4 days) and charge fees on both ends. Better options:

Utility Management

Most utility bills can be paid through your banking app, but some providers have their own portals worth knowing:

Payment terminals deserve a mention. Georgia has thousands of yellow and blue self-service terminals (TBC Pay and BOG terminals) on street corners, in supermarkets, and in malls. You can pay any utility bill, top up your phone, pay fines, and even transfer money to other Georgian bank accounts — all without an app. They accept cash and cards. The interface has an English option. These terminals are genuinely useful when you're still getting set up and haven't linked all your accounts in the banking app yet.

VPN & Digital Privacy

Georgia has a relatively free internet with no major censorship or content blocking. You generally don't need a VPN for access reasons. That said, three situations where you will:

• Streaming content from home — Netflix Georgia's library is smaller than the US/UK. A VPN lets you access your home country's catalog. Same for BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and similar geo-restricted services.
• Public WiFi security — Georgian café WiFi networks are rarely secured. Use a VPN on public networks, especially when accessing banking apps.
• Accessing home country services — Some government portals, banking sites, and services from your home country may block Georgian IP addresses. A VPN back to your home country solves this.

Mullvad, Proton VPN, and NordVPN all have Georgian servers. ExpressVPN works but sometimes has slower speeds through Georgian routing.

Coworking & Remote Work Tools

If you're working remotely, a few tools help:

Impact Hub Tbilisi, Terminal, Fabrika, and Lokal all have their own booking systems — usually via their websites or Instagram DMs. There's no single "coworking booking app" for Tbilisi. Most spaces offer day passes (15–30 GEL) and monthly memberships (200–400 GEL).

Speedtest by Ookla — download this before committing to a coworking space or apartment. Test the WiFi speed on-site. Georgia's advertised internet speeds are generally accurate, but building infrastructure varies wildly. An apartment on one floor might get 100 Mbps while the one below gets 20. Always test.

Day 1 Download Checklist

Here's what to have on your phone before or immediately after landing in Tbilisi:

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions