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

Skyscanner Flights & Travel vs KAYAK

Skyscanner Flights & Travel 4.8★ · Free to download 65
Winner KAYAK
KAYAK 4.8★ · Free to download 70

KAYAK has a slight edge over Skyscanner due to its more consistent performance and better organization features, despite both apps facing similar issues with price accuracy and third-party booking reliability.

Full reviews: Skyscanner Flights & Travel · KAYAK

Both Skyscanner and KAYAK are popular flight and travel search aggregators, offering extensive options. While both struggle with accurate pricing and third-party booking issues, KAYAK generally provides a more stable user experience and better organizational tools.

Head to head

Features & Options tieR2R3R6R9
Skyscanner Flights & Travel Skyscanner is praised for connecting users to many options for flights, accommodations, and tours, with all confirmation info in one spot R2. It's also noted for being good for last-minute bookings R6 and finding the cheapest prices R11. However, users lament the removal of the map feature R3 and the filter for choosing different continents R6. Some also wish for more filtering options, such as connection time R9, and the ability to view a whole month for price comparison . There are requests to add more airlines and show all flight companies .
KAYAK KAYAK is loved for checking and booking flights with lots of options and for allowing users to search multiple airlines, even combining different airlines for departures and returns to get the best nonstop prices . It's also appreciated for organizing all travel company reservations in one place . However, users report missing features compared to the website and a removed option to filter out basic fares . Some also note that it doesn't support switching between personal and business profiles and that the app doesn't always show all available flights .
Ease of Use & Reliability edge: KAYAKR4R14R15R19
Skyscanner Flights & Travel Skyscanner is described as easy to use by some R14, with timely price updates . However, a significant number of recent reviews highlight severe usability issues, including the app freezing constantly R19R25R30, not letting users clear previous searches R4, and being unpredictable with search filters changing requested dates or trip types R15. The back button often doesn't work , and some users find the new update not user-friendly . Accessibility issues with VoiceOver are also reported .
KAYAK KAYAK is generally praised for being user-friendly and easy to use . It's valued for organizing trips and reservations . However, users report issues with links not working when trying to purchase tickets and filters being messed up, specifically for layovers and airports . Some also mention that it takes a long time to find a station and that the app doesn't work at all for some users, failing to show search results .
Price Accuracy & Value tieR1R11R17R20
Skyscanner Flights & Travel Skyscanner is often lauded for finding the best and cheapest prices R11R17R20. However, a recurring and frustrating issue is that prices shown in search results often double or change to be higher when clicking on the flight R1R39R55. Some users feel this is a 'bait and switch' R1. There are also complaints about inaccurate pricing from booking.com results and the 'drops' feature being unreliable .
KAYAK KAYAK is frequently praised for offering the best prices and even better prices than booking directly on airline websites . However, a significant drawback is that marketed prices are often not accurate R61, with prices increasing when trying to book . Users report that the total price is sometimes wrong, ignoring luggage costs , and that car rental prices are incorrect . Some find it expensive and that recommended flights are too costly .
Customer Support & Booking Issues tieR7R13R48R49
Skyscanner Flights & Travel Skyscanner users report serious issues with third-party booking agents, specifically citing 'Budget Air' as a scam company R7. When support was contacted, they did the opposite of what was requested R7. There are also complaints about not being able to filter baggage options correctly, leading to unexpected costs R13, and issues with unauthenticated airline ticket sources like 'GO TO GATE' R49. The feedback form for reporting issues is also reported as not working R48.
KAYAK KAYAK users frequently complain about a lack of customer support, with no one answering the phone and support ghosting users . Issues include being unable to cancel reservations, with the app directing to the hotel and the hotel directing back to the third party R101. There are also reports of bookings being canceled after booking due to fare changes and referrals to fraudulent websites R88. Some users also experienced issues with flights not materializing after booking R89 and problems with hotel bookings through third parties .
Pick Skyscanner Flights & Travel if

you prioritize finding a wide array of flight and accommodation options and are comfortable with potential app glitches or price discrepancies, especially for last-minute travel R2R6.

Pick KAYAK if

you value a more stable app experience, strong organizational features for your trips, and are looking for competitive prices, while being mindful of potential third-party booking issues .

Evidence note: Both apps have a high lifetime rating, but recent reviews for Skyscanner show a significant increase in negative feedback regarding app stability and usability. KAYAK also has negative reviews, particularly concerning price accuracy and customer support, but the volume of severe app performance complaints is lower than Skyscanner's recent trend.

Frequently asked

Do Skyscanner and KAYAK show accurate flight prices?
Both Skyscanner and KAYAK frequently display prices that are not accurate, with users reporting that advertised fares often double or increase when proceeding to book R1R39R55R61.
Are there common issues with booking through third parties on these apps?
Yes, both apps have significant issues with third-party bookings, including referrals to scam companies R7R88, problems with cancellations where neither the app nor the hotel takes responsibility R101, and bookings not materializing R89.
Which app is more reliable in terms of performance?
KAYAK generally appears more reliable in terms of app performance, with fewer widespread complaints about freezing or crashing compared to Skyscanner, which many recent users report constantly freezes and becomes unusable R19R25R30R45.

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. [R2] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 5/5 · US Great App: I recently discovered Skyscanner while planning a trip to Europe. I love that it connects you to so many options for flights, accommodations, tours, etc. and all your confirmation info, pin #, receipts, correspondence, etc., is all in one spot.
  2. [R3] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 3/5 · US No map; no good: In the past, I felt like the Map feature was one of the best to give a good visual - now it’s gone. So am I.
  3. [R6] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 3/5 · US Very basic, use Google Flights for long term flight tracking!: It’s great for last minute bookings, also used Skiplagged for last minute flight booking. There used to be the filter for choosing different continents, well they got rid of that which is a bummer. However there algorithms for flight prices has been more accurate. Unfortunately, for long term flight tracking details I’d recommend Googl
  4. [R9] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 3/5 · US Awful release notes: No new features. I still can’t filter by connection time.
  5. [R4] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 2/5 · US Privacy/tracking is an issue: App doesn’t let you clear previous searches.
  6. [R14] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 5/5 · US Excelentes: Primera vez q la uso y me pareció fácil su acceso y los precios no son los más altos ni los más baratos, tienen un precio módico oh intermedio
  7. [R15] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 3/5 · US Very unpredictable app as far as usability: Skyscanner sometimes works great, but whether you will really be able to search what you’re looking for is a toss up. The app sometimes will changes requested dates, or flip from one way to round trip, despite multiple attempts to change the desired filters. I thought this was only on my iPhone but on desktop it’s even worse. I hope whatever glitches are
  8. [R19] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 1/5 · US Keeps freezing: I don’t typically take the time to leave a review, but I’ve honestly been so annoyed by this app that I feel it’s only justified. Every time I try to use this freaking app it freezes on me and then I have to delete it and reload it. the website may be good. The app is a giant piece of garbage.
  9. [R1] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 2/5 · US Usually great, but some frustrating caveats: I’ve found great airfare with Skyscanner before, but a frustrating issue I run into is the fares shown in the search look very promising, but when I click on that flight, all of a sudden the price of fares doubles. It’s very annoying and feels like a bait and switch.
  10. [R11] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 5/5 · US Orlando trip: So convenient and the price was the cheapest.. I highly recommend…
  11. [R17] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 5/5 · US Good deals: Helps find the best deals!
  12. [R20] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 5/5 · US 1st time user: It was a great experience and very good price, gonna do this again. Love it
  13. [R7] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 1/5 · US DO NOT TRUST BUDGET AIR: I booked through SkyScanner and unfortunately, they include Budget Air which is a scam company. Look up their reviews. All one stars. I reached out to support and told them not to reach out to Budget Air, and they did the exact opposite. I hardly write reviews, but this is crazy. I booked through Budget Air, only to find out they canceled my flight without my consent the s
  14. [R13] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 1/5 · US Buyer Beware: Firstly the app locks up regularly. Next if you choose the option for checked and carry on baggage actually getting you the results and not having to pay a pretty penny once you resolve since some of the places they send you to don’t acknowledge it until after the fact. What a scam.
  15. [R48] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 3/5 · GB Incomplete search results: Skyscanner is not showing all available options. I was trying to book a two leg journey, and I know both legs are available, but when I search the whole journey looking for one stop options, the combination I know is available does not come up. What is worse is Skyscanner's feedback form to report this doesn't work, so they're never going to know about it! I am using an
  16. [R49] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 1/5 · US Bad airline ticket sources - GO TO GATE: Skyscanner does not authenticate their airline ticket sources, for instances, we selected website GO TO GATE to purchase Azul Airline ticket and GO TO GATE website NEVER issues a confirmation number for an Azul flight. Ticket counter agent needed this information for check in, GO TO GATE issues an “Order” number not valid at airline check-in.
  17. [R39] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 3/5 · GB App: The app is a bit complicated to try and search for dates specifically. Also the price is higher than what is shown so not a true price when selecting dates to what actually comes up.
  18. [R55] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 1/5 · US Always changes: Whenever you find a flight, when you go to finalize it’s instantly not the same price and they say, airlines frequently change prices but it’s always lower.
  19. [R61] KAYAK 2/5 · US Marketed price not accurate: Price aggregators without real prices offer no value
  20. [R88] KAYAK 1/5 · US Referral to fraudulent website: The website become a referral to fraudulent websites in India who tried extort more money for tickets from Americans
  21. [R89] KAYAK 5/5 · US My flight didn’t go through: I booked a flight and hit the send button and waited next day nothing showing I did everything right went over it 3 times and it didn’t materialize what happened KAYAK???
  22. [R101] 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
  23. [R25] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 1/5 · US App constantly freezes: The app constantly freezes and becomes unusable to the point where I have to force close the app and try again, only for it to immediately freeze again. Latest version of iOS. iPhone 16 Pro
  24. [R30] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 3/5 · GB App crashes: The app might do a few searches and then crashes and is just frozen mid search. Used to work really well
  25. [R45] Skyscanner Flights & Travel 3/5 · GB App freezes: Skyscanner provides a fantastic service, however the app itself keeps freezing when you are trying to use it. It’s very hard to search for more than a minute or two before the app freezes and everything stops. It is frustrating as it feels like everything takes twice as long to find because the app keeps stopping and freezing. If that can be fixed, this would be great.

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