Top 5 Hosting Apps (According to Your Budget!)

There are several hosting Apps online. So, we decided to dedicate a post just for them. Which one to choose will depend on your travel style and budget. Yes, there is much more than resorts and hotels out there!

Check out more apps that you can’t miss on your cell phone when traveling.

5 hosting apps worth checking out:

Booking 

The most traditional among the options that we are going to talk about in this post is Booking. One of the best sites to find hotel rooms at the best value for money. Like him, there are many others with the same or similar functions (Trivago, Kayak, Expedia, etc). However, this is our favorite.

The app offers numerous varieties of hotels, and more recently it has also included vacation rental options. When performing the search, it’s possible to filter by date, number of people, price range, location… In addition to other more specific items, such as breakfast included, a swimming pool, and Wi-fi among countless other possibilities.

For me, the best comparator tool is the “best rated at lowest price” filter. There’s nothing like an honest assessment of the guests themselves to make the decision on where to stay, right? That’s why, before making the reservation, I always check if the score is between 8 and 10. In addition to reading some reviews about the place.

Also, the more bookings made through the site, the more benefits you receive. Being part of the Genius category on Booking, you can receive exclusive discounts and room upgrades. The more you book accommodation in the app, the faster you level up and receive more benefits.

Hostelworld

The Hostelworld platform works in the same way as Booking. However, the app specializes in finding hostels. For those traveling alone or with friends, especially on a low budget, this may be the best option.

Hostelworld has the best hostels around the world registered, including party hostels and other very stylish or luxurious ones. For those who enjoy meeting new people, want to save money, and don’t mind sharing a room, hostels are the best type of accommodation.

Also, some hostels have private rooms for those who enjoy more privacy but are still in the atmosphere of the hostel. On the website, you can search by city, dates, and number of people traveling. In addition, take the opportunity to compare places by user rating and daily prices.

AIRBNB

AIRBNB is the largest international platform for vacation home rentals, directly from the owner. Through the app, you can rent houses, entire apartments, or rooms in family houses. By the way, with online payment on the card and with the guarantee of the website.

All my experiences with the site were 100%. As AIRBNB has very strict quality control. In addition, it’s worth checking the reviews of other users regarding cleanliness, comfort, the accuracy of the photos… A filter I use a lot to search for apartments on the platform is Superhost, which finds the best-rated and experienced hosts.

Recently AIRBNB has also started to include some hotel rooms among the options. However, the platform is currently very focused on luxury home rentals. In addition to differentiated properties, such as tree houses, boats, and cabins. You can also book some activities there, such as learning about the local cuisine, boat trips, guided tours, etc.

CouchSurfing

The CouchSurfing platform works as a community for travelers around the world. It connects locals who have space in their homes with travelers who need accommodation. Earlier this year, in 2020, CouchSurfing started charging a mandatory registration fee. However, hosting is free.

I can say that I’ve had good and bad experiences with the platform. However, before accepting to stay in someone’s home, follow these tips to increase the likelihood that everything will go right.

I always advise following this step by step:

1. Check the person’s profile well, both if you are looking for a host or if you are planning to host someone. It must be very complete and inspire truthfulness. It’s also worth checking social media to see if they match the profile description;
2. Read comments that other people have left on that user’s page. Because, if it’s full of good reviews and full of personal information, you can trust that it will work.
3. Finally, avoid profiles without any comments, not linked to any social network, or that are missing information.

For me, CouchSurfing works very well for solo travelers or couples, who want to get to know the local culture very well. Give in to the experience and take the opportunity to talk a lot with your host, enjoy tour tips and maybe share a little bit of your country too.

WorkAway

Another free hosting platform is WorkAway. However, it’s more than a hosting application. Since the site offers volunteer job openings. Mostly in hotels or family homes. Volunteer work entitles you to a free stay provided by the host of the experience. On some occasions, the work may be paid or include meals.

In my opinion, it’s worth it for those who will spend long periods traveling. Especially if you have a small budget and aren’t working full-time. Since there is a minimum length of stay (around two weeks). I also don’t recommend doing short-term projects, as you have to do about 5 hours of work, 5 days a week.

Another factor to consider is that the platform usually offers opportunities for a maximum of two people at the same time. Use the filters to find something that best fits your preferences. I used Workaway to spend two weeks in Lebanon, working at an inn and exploring the country. I have a post with the whole experience here.

As well as WorkAway, there are other platforms with the same objective, such as Worldpackers. Both charge a membership fee, so it’s worth looking at the programs that interest you before registering on the site.

The experiences are super varied, from helping to paint walls to taking care of animals on a farm. And the same tip we left for other platforms is always valid: to ensure a good stay, always check the reviews of other users. The more positive comments the better chances of everything going right.

And you, have you already decided which one you will use on your next trip? Did you have any negative experiences with any of the apps? If you want a more detailed post about each of the apps, leave your suggestion here in the comments.

FAQ hosting apps