When was the last time you got to take a truly relaxing vacation?
Sometimes the stress of planning a vacation can seem like too much. Even if you want to travel, you might end up spending your time off sitting at home in your pajamas instead! But it doesn't have to be like that. There are a ton of travel apps that work to make vacation planning easier.
Two of the most popular air travel apps today are Jetradar and Skyscanner. Both of these systems are free to download to your smartphone. They allow you to compare multiple available flight options to find the cheapest deal based on your needs.
The apps share much of the same core functionality, and both have very simple interfaces. But each has some unique advantages. I've taken a look at the similar and different features included with each app experience so you can decide which is best for planning your next trip.
Overview of Jetradar and Skyscanner
Shared Features
Unique Jetradar Features
Unique Skyscanner Features
Types of Bookings
Jetradar
Jetradar functions exclusively as a flight comparison app. Rather than handling bookings through the app, the app will redirect you to the airline's website to make the booking. The app does not make recommendations, but instead lists the cheapest flights based on your search parameters.
Jetradar uses the data from 1,044 airlines and multiple travel sites to find the cheapest available flight prices. It also includes some bundled travel packages. Unlike many other tools, Jetradar includes cargo flight searches.
For a two-dollar in-app purchase, you can search for business class flights as well. The app allows you to compare different flight prices in different currencies. The company is active in fourteen global markets.
As of 2014, Jetradar is also the proprietor of the Magic Fare tool. This helps look for low prices in cargo flights that include layovers by researching the different tariff prices on flights.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is a flight comparison tool, but it also has some limited options for hotel and car rental bookings. When you search flights, it will display hotel and rental deals related to your search parameters.
However, it functions chiefly as a means of comparing flights. Rather than comparing cargo deals, the app exclusively offers commercial flight information. There are no in-app purchases or upgrades to receive further information in the future.
Winner: Jetradar
Jetradar gives you a wider range of comparable options. It allows you to search for both commercial and cargo flights, and it also compares flights with more comprehensive data than Skyscanner. However, Skyscanner is the app you want if you want to see hotel and car rental deals.
Filtration Systems
Jetradar
Jetradar has a number of search parameters that you can use to narrow down the list of available flights.
One of the unique options is ECO Rank. When you use ECO Rank, you'll compare flights with less harmful emissions. The tool gives flight choices a rating based on the aircraft range, traffic forecasts, and aviation emissions. This is a great choice for those who want to minimize their environmental impact.
Other filtering options include:
You also have the option to search for multi-city flights. The app will even allow you to filter and check baggage allowances, making this a great app option for those who might be traveling with a lot of stuff.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner doesn't have many available filtering systems for its hotel and car rental bookings, so if you're doing that alone, you'll fare better with another travel app.
However, there are pretty comprehensive filtering options for booking a commercial flight.
The departure and arrival filtering is ideal for those who want to avoid traveling extremely early in the morning or very late at night.
You can also earn extra frequent flyer miles for some airlines if you book through a Skyscanner deal.
Winner: Jetradar
Jetradar has most of the same filtering options that Skyscanner does, with a few additional resources. You can find out how much the baggage allowance is for your flight and search for flights that have fewer harmful emissions.
Organization
Jetradar
Jetradar's app is pleasantly organized and has a number of options to make searching and choosing your flight easier.
In addition to the advanced filtering options and ability to search with different currencies, the app makes use of a 'Favorites' and 'History' tab.
With the 'Favorites' tab, you can save flights before booking to receive updates on changes in their prices. With the 'History' tab, you can get a look at the details of any previous purchases. This tab also saves recent searches to let you look at and compare deals again after you've first seen them.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner has a number of features that make it ideal for organizing your next trip. You can view your recent searches through the home screen and receive email updates regarding price changes. The 'Trip Details' page lets you keep track of your itinerary.
Another ideal feature is the ability to pair your flights with car and hotel searches. This allows you to streamline your vacation or business trip without needing to use other apps to find lodging.
Winner: Skyscanner
Skyscanner's organization appeals since the app lets you look at your recent searches right from the homepage. In addition, it will let you organize a trip including hotel and car rental bookings. But Jetradar's 'Favorites' tab is also super helpful.
See Full Review of - Jetradar | Skyscanner
Pros and Cons of Jetradar
Pros
Cons
Pros and Cons of Skyscanner
Pros
Cons
Final Thoughts: Which is Better?
Both of these apps are free to use, user-friendly, and allow you to compare a number of cheap flights. The right one for you will vary depending on your needs. It may be helpful to compare options from both, since there's no guarantee of which one will have the most inexpensive option.
Jetradar has a few advantages. It allows you to look at your purchase history and compare deals over periods of time. In addition, it lets you view your search results by map or by list. This is also the only available option that will let you compare cargo flights as well as commercial flights.
Skyscanner has some great choices for those who want to view their destination options. Rather than needing a particular destination in mind, you can use the 'Everywhere' feature to see what places are available based on your timeframe and budget. The interface is also very flexible in its search results.
