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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

KAYAK vs Priceline

KAYAK 4.8★ · Free to download 75
Winner KAYAK
Priceline 4.8★ · Free to download 65

KAYAK is generally better for finding deals and organizing trips across various providers, while Priceline is preferred for its app's ease of use and loyalty discounts, despite significant customer service issues.

Full reviews: KAYAK · Priceline

KAYAK excels at price comparison and trip organization, though some users report issues with price accuracy and customer support. Priceline offers good deals and an easy-to-use app, but faces frequent complaints about customer service and booking reliability.

Head to head

Price/Value tieR1R4R8R10
KAYAK KAYAK users frequently praise it for finding the best prices on flights, hotels, and car rentals, often better than booking directly with airlines R8R17. However, a significant number of reviews complain about inaccurate prices, bait-and-switch tactics, and hidden fees, especially for basic fares and luggage R1R4R10R16.
Priceline Priceline is lauded for offering great deals and discounts, with many users finding it economical for hotels and rental cars . However, some VVIP members report that prices are not significantly lower than direct bookings or other sites . There are also complaints about misleading prices before tax and issues with 'Express Deals' yielding the cheapest options .
Ease of Use edge: PricelineR2R3R4R6
KAYAK KAYAK is described as easy to use for checking and booking flights, and for organizing trips R2. However, users report issues with filters not working properly, difficulty saving flights, changing search perimeters, and a confusing UI with inconsistent search results R3R4R6R12.
Priceline Priceline's app is generally found to be intuitive, easy, and seamless, especially for repeat bookings as it remembers user information . Conversely, a significant number of users find the app confusing, difficult to use, and uninformative, leading to uncertainty about booking changes .
Reliability & Booking Experience tieR9R18R21R24
KAYAK KAYAK users report issues with links not working, bookings not materializing, and confirmation numbers not being received R9R18R24. There are also complaints about cancelled reservations due to fare changes and referrals to fraudulent websites . Some find it unreliable for hotel listings R21R49.
Priceline Priceline users frequently experience problems with bookings, including double charges, canceled reservations without authorization, and reservations not being found at the hotel . Many report inaccurate descriptions of hotels and rental cars, leading to unpleasant surprises upon arrival R76R78.
Customer Support & Refunds tieR7R18R19R24
KAYAK KAYAK users report significant issues with customer support, including being unable to reach anyone by phone or email, being ghosted, and difficulties with cancellations and refunds R7R18R19R24.
Priceline Priceline receives numerous complaints about its customer service being unhelpful, rude, hostile, and difficult to reach, especially for cancellations and refunds . Users report being denied refunds for accidental bookings or issues with hotel conditions R76.
Features edge: KAYAKR3R4R12R17
KAYAK KAYAK is praised for its ability to search multiple airlines, combine departures and returns, and organize all travel reservations in one place R17. However, users note missing features like filtering basic fares, better search options for pricing over time, and the ability to exclude certain providers R3R4R12.
Priceline Priceline is appreciated for its loyalty discounts and rewards, though some desire more generous or flexible reward programs . Users also like the alerts for price drops . However, there are requests for better information on hotel layouts and the ability to upgrade/downgrade rental cars R78. A common complaint from international users is the lack of local currency options .
Pick KAYAK if

you prioritize finding the best possible deals across multiple providers for flights, hotels, and car rentals, and value an app that helps organize your entire trip R17.

Pick Priceline if

you prefer an app that is generally easy to use and navigate for quick bookings, and you value loyalty programs and repeat discounts .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews, often related to customer service and booking reliability, despite high lifetime ratings. The free-to-download model for both means many negative reviews are from users encountering friction or issues without direct payment for premium support.

Frequently asked

Are the prices on KAYAK and Priceline always accurate?
No, both KAYAK and Priceline have reviews indicating that advertised prices are not always accurate, with users reporting bait-and-switch tactics, higher prices on the final booking page, or missing fees like luggage costs (R1, R4, R16, R22, , , for KAYAK; for Priceline).
Is it easy to get a refund or customer support if something goes wrong with a booking?
Users of both apps report significant difficulties in getting refunds or reaching customer support when issues arise, with complaints about unresponsiveness, being unable to cancel, or being caught between the app and the hotel/airline (R7, R19, R46, R53 for KAYAK; , , , , , for Priceline).
Can I trust the hotel descriptions on these apps?
Some users have reported that hotel descriptions and photos on both apps can be inaccurate or misleading, leading to disappointment upon arrival (R21, R49 for KAYAK; R76, R78, , , , for Priceline).

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] KAYAK 2/5 · US Marketed price not accurate: Price aggregators without real prices offer no value
  2. [R4] KAYAK 1/5 · US Kayak can’t filter basic fares: App is pointless if it is always showing basic fare tickets. Why did Kayak remove the option to filter out Basic fares? Is this some sort of deal with the airlines to deceive people into thinking flights are cheaper than they are?
  3. [R8] KAYAK 5/5 · US The best: They are the best with the prices and everything
  4. [R10] KAYAK 1/5 · US Booking: Expensive and horrible just book through the hotel
  5. [R2] KAYAK 5/5 · US Fun trips that make a difference in our world.: I love using kayak for checking and booking flights! So easy to use w lots of options
  6. [R3] KAYAK 3/5 · US Worse than the website different results: Missing features and doing the same search on the website gives better results
  7. [R6] KAYAK 3/5 · US It take a long time to find a station: It take a long time to locate a shop or agent that is near me
  8. [R9] KAYAK 3/5 · US Iinks not working: Some links do not work when one goes to purchase the tickets. It happens very often.
  9. [R18] KAYAK 3/5 · US It’s not like it used to be: Bought flight tickets and didn’t get any confirmation number or anything. I am not sure if they will charge me or anything. They don’t have any phone number to call or support email.
  10. [R21] KAYAK 3/5 · US They need to remove hotels tonight from their listings because that app lies: Title says why 3 stars
  11. [R24] KAYAK 3/5 · US Flight confirmation unclear: I’ve booked a flight but cannot find confirmation receipt. My bank account shows the charge as pending but I’m not sure how to know if I’ve truly purchased the flight. I would love to be able to talk to someone!
  12. [R7] KAYAK 1/5 · US Refund: They’ve took 36 dollars out my account. No one is answering the phone. How am I supposed to speak with someone when there’s an issue. It told me free cancellation but still put a hold on my money. Terrible service!
  13. [R19] KAYAK 2/5 · US Trips: I am having an issue with forwarding trips and the customer support is ghosting me. Terrible service. I have been using the app since it’s beginning and I’m very disappointed.
  14. [R12] KAYAK 3/5 · US Saving Flight Issues: Trying to save flights in trips is difficult. It tried to put them in categories you don’t want and it changes the flights once you save them so you have to go through the search menu and search them again to get the correct flight. Overall a good app but having a coherent experience makes a huge difference. They also need better search options like being able to view the pri
  15. [R17] KAYAK 5/5 · US Better prices than even booking on airline websites: Kayak is the only third party travel App I use for flights and hotels . Kayak allows me to search multiple airlines and combines departs and returns from 2 diff airlines to get best nonstop prices. After I choose it sends me to the airline(s) Website to book . Free 24 hr cancellation still apply . No BS. Love KAYAK have been using it for ove
  16. [R16] KAYAK 1/5 · US It’s really bad and fake price price: They are a liar
  17. [R22] KAYAK 1/5 · US App doesn’t work: Tried to book 4 different listing but keep getting baited and switched for higher cost listing
  18. [R46] KAYAK 1/5 · US Can’t cancel or handle negotiations: Tried to cancel, was unable to negotiate with anyone. Hotel said the broker needed to handle, broker said hotel was unreachable. I called the front desk and they said they couldn’t be called. Agent said they tried multiple times but couldn’t get through. Book directly or else you will be totally screwed if anything comes up. It isn’t worth saving a couple bucks
  19. [R53] KAYAK 1/5 · US Free Cancellation?: I booked a room for 28 days on Kayak for an upcoming job. A day and a half later (3 days before check in and well within free cancellation deadline) I attempted to cancel, the Kayak app said I need to cancel at the hotel itself. I call the hotel and the manager says I can't cancel third party reservations there. Can't reach a real human at Kayak.😡
  20. [R49] KAYAK 1/5 · US RENDALE: Rendale! A real scam! I booked a room and made a point of asking the receptionist before booking whether it was clean. He gave me a room with four bunk beds, a dirty floor, and a bathroom in the same condition. I went back to tell him this was not serious and that I was going to cancel. I hope they refund my deposit and that Kayak reimburses me. And the receptionist was really rude. In t
  21. [R76] Priceline 1/5 · US Beware: Descriptions aren’t accurate and they will not refund you.
  22. [R78] Priceline 3/5 · US Need better info on hotel: I am looking for a hotel with 2 bedrooms that have doors for privacy. This is listed as “2-bedroom suite”, but then the Hotel Details lists a singular bedroom with multiple beds… and the photos do not show 2 separate bedrooms. Please list info more carefully.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store