I often hear people say ubers tend to be easier/faster to get than lyfts.

When I visited Japan last year, I wasn't going to bother finding out what competitors existed. Just firing up the uber app is no-brainer in comparison.

This is similar to the dichotomy of McDonald's being almost universally considered bad junk food, yet they are packed in roadside locations in small towns because they are popular rest areas among travellers whereas local mom-and-pop competitors are far less successful. Brand is a powerful thing.