Best 8 Car Rental Apps in 2026: Compare Prices and Pickup

Introduction

Turo is our best overall car rental app pick, thanks to its range of vehicles and local hosts. This roundup also covers rental-company apps, deal-search tools, and carsharing services for different trips and budgets. Availability, prices, and booking rules vary by location and provider, so check the details before you book.

Quick comparison table

Turo and Getaround offer cars from hosts or other owners, while Zipcar requires a membership. Carla compares offers from different providers, and rental-company apps handle bookings with their own brands. Use the table as a starting point: availability and total prices depend on your destination and dates.

1. Turo — Better car rental

Best for: Travelers who want to browse cars offered by local hosts.

With Turo — Better car rental, you’ll find listings that may include everyday cars, EVs, SUVs, and vans. That gives you more vehicle types to consider than a typical rental fleet. The main appeal is the selection of host-listed cars, though what’s available depends on your destination.

2. Carla - Cheap Car Rental Deals

Best for: Comparing rental offers across providers.

Carla - Cheap Car Rental Deals searches offers from major rental brands and local companies. Start with an airport, city, address, or hotel to look for a car near a particular part of your trip. That range of starting points makes it easier to compare nearby options.

3. Budget – Car Rental

Best for: Renters managing a Budget booking in one app.

The Budget – Car Rental app lets you book, change, or upgrade a rental and check your reservation details. You can also search for Budget locations. It’s a practical choice if you’ve already decided to rent from Budget and want booking tools and location searches in one place. It isn’t designed to compare offers from different companies.

4. Hertz Rental Car, SUV, Van

Best for: Booking and managing rentals with Hertz.

Use Hertz Rental Car, SUV, Van to reserve and manage Hertz rentals. The available vehicle categories include cars, SUVs, vans, and EVs. The app focuses on Hertz bookings rather than side-by-side comparisons with other providers, so its range of vehicle types is the main draw.

5. Zipcar: cars on-demand

Best for: Members who need a car by the hour or day.

Zipcar: cars on-demand lets members book cars for shorter periods and get directions to their vehicle through the app. Pickup is contact-free. The hourly and daily booking options can work well for a local errand, without arranging a rental for a longer trip.

6. National Car Rental

Best for: Emerald Club members managing National rentals.

The National Car Rental app helps Emerald Club members manage their reservations. It’s most useful if you’ve already chosen National, not if you’re comparing rental companies or looking for locally shared cars. The app keeps member bookings and rental details together.

7. SIXT App

Best for: Renters booking and managing trips through SIXT.

The SIXT App supports rental bookings and reservation management. SIXT also describes carsharing and vehicle-unlocking features, so the app has uses beyond standard rentals. You can access both rental and carsharing services through one provider’s app, though what’s available depends on your location.

8. Getaround

Best for: Booking nearby shared cars.

Getaround helps you find and book shared cars nearby. You can also unlock a booked car with your phone, which makes phone-based access a useful feature. It’s worth considering when a shared vehicle fits your plans, but check local listings and pickup details before counting on a particular car.

How we picked these apps

This roundup includes all eight supplied apps and covers several ways to rent or access a car: booking with a specific provider, comparing deals, renting from local hosts, and using short-term carsharing. We focused on practical use cases and clearly described features, while keeping those separate from judgments about who might find each app useful.

Prices, vehicle availability, eligibility, and service coverage vary by location and booking. An app’s inclusion here doesn’t mean it will always have the lowest price or be available everywhere. Check the current options and terms for your trip before booking.

Frequently asked questions

Which type of car rental app should I choose?

Use a rental-company app to manage bookings with that provider, or a comparison app to browse offers from multiple companies. If you’re looking for cars from local hosts or nearby shared vehicles, consider a peer-to-peer or carsharing service.

Are carsharing apps different from rental apps?

Yes. Zipcar requires a membership and offers hourly or daily bookings, while traditional rentals are often booked for a longer trip. Provider apps such as Budget and Hertz focus on managing reservations with that company.

What should I check before booking?

Before paying, check vehicle availability in your area, pickup arrangements, eligibility, and the booking terms. The apps listed here are iOS options or provider app links. Confirm that an app works with your device, including whether an Android version is available if you need one.

The verdict

Turo is our strongest overall pick for its mix of local-host cars and vehicle types, including EVs, SUVs, and vans. That variety makes it a flexible place to start, but listings depend on your destination. Carla is a useful alternative for comparing major and local providers. For member-based hourly or daily car access, consider Zipcar.