FareCompare Alternatives in 2027: 6 Sites and Apps for Cheap Flights
Learn how to find cheap flights without FareCompare. You'll see why travelers switch and how 6 sites and apps compare, from search engines to deal alerts.
By Heather Budreviciene
Published: August 8, 2025 • 6 min read
Updated: October 15, 2026
FareCompare is a flight search site that compares fares and offers price drop alerts. Most people who switch want prices that stay the same at checkout or a tool that finds deals without a search.
See Flight Deals from Your Home Airport
Why Look for a FareCompare Alternative?
FareCompare is rated 1.4 out of 5 on Trustpilot, from 401 reviews (checked October 8, 2026). Travelers who leave FareCompare usually mention these problems:
- Prices that changed — Some travelers describe a bait and switch, where the final price or cabin wasn’t what they were first shown.
- The seller is someone else — FareCompare compares prices and passes you on to sell the ticket, so any problem goes to that seller.
- Alerts for routes you pick — FareCompare’s price drop alerts follow the routes you choose, so you still decide where to go first.
What Makes a Good FareCompare Alternative?
The best alternatives offer:
- Comprehensive Search: They check prices from hundreds of sources, including airlines and travel agencies.
- Flexible Date Tools: You can search for the cheapest days to fly, not just specific dates.
- Price Alerts: Get notified when prices drop for your chosen route.
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy to use, even if you’re not a travel expert.
- No Hidden Fees: What you see is what you pay—no surprises at checkout.
The Three Kinds of FareCompare Alternatives
FareCompare can be swapped for one of three kinds of site:
- Search engines — Google Flights, Momondo, Skyscanner, and Kayak show fares from many airlines and agencies, and many results link straight to the airline.
- Hidden-city search — Skiplagged finds tickets where you leave the trip at the stopover, which airlines don’t allow.
- Deal alerts — Some services skip the route you pick and watch the whole airport instead. RatePunk is one: a flight from your home airport that turns cheaper than usual comes to you as a deal.
How to Maximize Your Savings
Here are some expert tips to help you get the most out of flight search tools:
- Be Flexible: If you can adjust your dates or destination, you’ll find better deals.
- Use Multiple Tools: Don’t rely on just one service. Compare prices across several platforms.
- Set Price Alerts: Let the tool notify you when prices drop.
- Book Midweek: Flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often cheaper.
- Consider Alternate Airports: Sometimes, a short drive can mean big savings.
Best FareCompare Alternatives Compared
- The six, with their pros and cons:
| Website | Description | Pros | Cons |
| RatePunk | RatePunk keeps track of what flights from your home airport usually cost, and we alert you when one drops below that price. Each day about 150 million flight prices run through our checks, and we give each deal an AI Deal Score out of 100. Because RatePunk doesn’t sell tickets, you book the flight with the airline or a travel site. | - No route needed to start - Every deal carries a score out of 100 - Deals in the app, on the web, and by email - Strong when your dates or destination can shift | - Costs a paid membership - Not suited to one fixed trip - Alerts limited to one home airport |
| Google Flights | Google Flights is an intuitive, powerful flight search tool that aggregates fares from hundreds of airlines and booking sites. Its map-based "Explore" feature shows the cheapest destinations from a departure city, ideal for flexible travelers. The platform offers robust filters (e.g., stops, airlines, times), a price tracker for fare change notifications, and a price guarantee program (refunds if prices drop post-booking). It also displays fare trends and allows calendar views for flexible date searches. While it doesn’t book directly, it redirects to airlines or OTAs, ensuring transparency. Its speed and comprehensive data make it a top choice. | - Fast, user-friendly interface - Explore feature for flexible travel - Price tracking and guarantee - Comprehensive fare data | - No direct booking - Limited loyalty program integration - May not include all regional carriers |
| Skyscanner | Skyscanner is a global flight comparison platform that searches major airlines, low-cost carriers, and OTAs to find the cheapest fares. It offers an "Everywhere" search for destination inspiration, nearby airport options, and whole-month price views for flexible dates. Skyscanner’s filters are decent but not as advanced as some competitors, and it clearly marks sponsored results. It excels at advance-purchase tickets and includes codeshare information. The platform is free, with no hidden fees, and redirects to booking sites for purchases. It’s reliable for budget-conscious travelers but weaker on last-minute deals. | - "Everywhere" search for deals - Nearby airport inclusion - No booking fees - Strong for advance bookings | - Mediocre filters - No baggage fee info - Average for last-minute fares |
| Kayak | Kayak is a travel metasearch engine that compares flight prices across hundreds of sites, offering tools like PriceCheck (compares screenshot itineraries) and Hacker Fares (combines one-way tickets from different airlines for savings). It provides price trend visuals, flexible date searches, and filters for stops, times, and amenities. Kayak’s Mix & Match feature can yield unique savings, though it requires separate bookings. The platform is fast, transparent, and supports loyalty program tracking for some airlines. Its mobile app enhances usability with real-time updates. | - Hacker Fares for creative savings - Price trend visuals - Strong mobile app - Flexible filters | - Separate bookings for Mix & Match - No rewards program - May miss some niche airlines |
| Momondo | Momondo is a metasearch engine that compares fares from over 1,000 airlines and travel sites, emphasizing transparency with no hidden fees. Its Mix & Match feature combines one-way tickets for savings, and a visual price trend tool helps identify cheaper travel dates. Momondo’s filters allow customization by stops, airlines, and times, and its clean interface highlights fare trends clearly. It’s particularly strong for international flights and offers inspirational tools like destination guides. However, Mix & Match fares require separate bookings, and it may not always include smaller regional carriers. | - Mix & Match for savings - Visual price trends - No hidden fees - Strong for international flights | - Separate Mix & Match bookings - Limited regional carrier coverage - Filters could be more robust |
| Skiplagged | Skiplagged specializes in finding low-cost direct flights, including controversial “hidden city” fares (itineraries where passengers exit at a layover to save money, against airline rules). Users can disable hidden city options for safer searches. It offers a fast interface, precise alternate date pricing, and a unique design, but its filters are mediocre, and it doesn’t show baggage fees or support flexible date ranges extensively. Skiplagged is best for deal-hunters comfortable with non-traditional booking strategies, though it carries risks if using hidden city fares. | - Strong for direct flight deals - Fast and unique interface - Alternate date pricing | - Risky hidden city fares - Weak filters - No baggage fee info |
Which FareCompare Alternative Should You Use?
Choose by what you need:
- A fast search that links to the airline — Google Flights shows airline prices first.
- A city you haven’t picked — Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search lists destinations by price.
- Fares from many smaller sites — Momondo includes small online travel agencies.
- A heads-up without a search — RatePunk sends deals from your home airport to your phone and inbox.
Published: August 8, 2025
Updated: October 15, 2026