How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Hopper is the best app for predicting hotel prices and timing bookings, with color coded price forecasts and alerts.
- HotelTonight is the best app for last minute deals, with deep discounts on same day unsold rooms.
- Booking.com and Expedia offer the widest hotel choice, with free cancellation on many rates and loyalty rewards.
- Kayak and Skyscanner are comparison apps, best used to find the lowest price before booking direct or through an agency.
- Prices vary by date, room type, and taxes and fees, so compare the total price including fees, not just the nightly rate.
- Booking through an app does not always beat booking direct, since hotels sometimes match prices and offer better cancellation direct.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Hopper | Price prediction and alerts | Free | Yes |
 HotelTonight | Last minute deals | Free | Yes |
 Booking.com | Widest hotel choice | Free | Yes |
 Expedia | Bundles plus rewards | Free | Yes |
 Kayak | Price comparison | Free | Yes |
 Skyscanner | Flight plus hotel comparison | Free | Yes |
 Agoda | Asia focused deals | Free | Yes |
 Priceline | Express deals and bidding | Free | Yes |
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The best app for cheap hotels
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Hopper predicts hotel and flight prices using historical data, showing color coded forecasts that tell you whether to book now or wait, plus price alerts that notify you when a watched hotel drops. That prediction feature is unique among hotel apps and helps flexible travelers time bookings for savings, especially in cities with volatile prices.
Booking through Hopper adds a middleman between you and the hotel, which can complicate changes, and predictions are estimates, not guarantees, so a forecasted drop may not happen. For travelers with flexible dates who want data driven timing, Hopper is the best app.
What we like- Price forecasts with color coding
- Price alerts
- Flexible date search
Watch out for- Booking through Hopper adds a middleman
- Some deals need the app
- Predictions are estimates, not guarantees
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
HotelTonight specializes in last minute hotel deals, selling unsold rooms at deep discounts for tonight and the next few days. Its curated selection focuses on well rated hotels, and booking takes a few taps, which suits spontaneous travelers and road trips where plans change daily.
Best deals are same day, choice is narrower than large agencies, and advance booking discounts are thinner. For a traveler who needs a room tonight in a city, HotelTonight often beats every other app on price, especially after hotels release unsold rooms in the afternoon.
What we like- Deep last minute discounts
- Simple booking
- Curated hotel selection
Watch out for- Best deals are same day
- Choice is narrower than Booking
- Advance booking deals are thinner
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Booking.com offers the largest hotel inventory in the world, from hostels and guesthouses to luxury resorts, with free cancellation on many rates and Genius loyalty discounts for repeat bookers. Its filters for price, rating, and amenities make finding a cheap room fast, and its reviews help avoid bad stays.
Taxes and fees vary by listing and are not always clear upfront, customer service can be slow during disruptions, and some rates are non refundable. For the widest choice and flexible cancellation, Booking.com is the default hotel app for most travelers.
What we like- Largest hotel inventory worldwide
- Free cancellation on many rates
- Genius loyalty discounts
Watch out for- Taxes and fees vary by listing
- Customer service can be slow
- Some rates are non refundable
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Expedia combines hotels, flights, and car rentals, with bundles that often save money compared with booking each part separately, plus One Key rewards that earn points across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. Its hotel choice is wide, and member prices add discounts on many properties.
Bundle savings vary by trip, fees apply on some rates, and customer service can be slow during disruptions. For travelers booking a flight plus hotel together, Expedia bundles are often the cheapest total package available online.
What we like- Flight plus hotel bundles save money
- One Key rewards
- Wide hotel choice
Watch out for- Bundle savings vary
- Fees on some rates
- Customer service can be slow
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Kayak is a comparison app that searches many booking sites at once, showing the lowest total price for a hotel across agencies and direct sites, plus price alerts and forecasts. That comparison step is essential for cheap hotel hunting, since the same room can cost far more on one site than another.
Kayak does not sell rooms itself, so booking happens on a partner site with its own terms, and prices can change between Kayak and checkout. For finding the lowest price before booking, Kayak is the best first search.
What we like- Compares many booking sites at once
- Price alerts and forecasts
- Flexible search
Watch out for- Kayak does not sell rooms itself
- Booking happens on partner sites
- Prices can change at checkout
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Skyscanner compares hotels and flights together, with a flexible month search that shows the cheapest dates at a glance, which suits travelers with flexible schedules. Its interface is clean, and its hotel comparison covers major agencies and direct sites.
Booking happens on partner sites, hotel depth trails Booking.com, and prices can change at checkout. For travelers planning flights and hotels together with flexible dates, Skyscanner is an excellent comparison tool.
What we like- Compares hotels and flights together
- Flexible month search
- Clean interface
Watch out for- Booking happens on partner sites
- Hotel depth trails Booking
- Prices can change at checkout
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Agoda, part of Booking Holdings, offers strong hotel coverage across Asia, with frequent deals and secret member prices that undercut rivals in cities like Bangkok, Tokyo, and Bali. Its inventory includes many small hotels and guesthouses that larger Western agencies list less well.
Coverage outside Asia is thinner, customer service varies by region, and some rates are non refundable. For Asia travel, Agoda is often the cheapest hotel app, and it deserves a careful check alongside Booking.com for any Asian trip you plan next year ahead.
What we like- Strong Asia hotel coverage
- Frequent deals
- Secret deals for members
Watch out for- Less depth outside Asia
- Customer service varies
- Some rates are non refundable
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Priceline offers Express Deals, where the hotel name is hidden until after booking in exchange for a deeper discount, plus standard hotel bookings and vacation packages with wide US coverage. That mystery model suits flexible travelers who care more about star rating and area than the exact hotel.
Express Deals are non refundable, the hotel stays unknown until booking, and deal choice is narrower than full listings. For flexible US travelers willing to gamble on the exact property for a lower price, Priceline Express Deals can save a lot.
What we like- Express Deals hide the hotel name for deeper discounts
- Bundle deals
- Wide US coverage
Watch out for- Express Deals are non refundable and hotel is unknown until booking
- Choice is narrower on deals
How we chose
We ranked apps by deal quality, hotel choice, total price transparency, cancellation flexibility, and booking ease, favoring apps that show taxes and fees clearly and offer free cancellation on many rates. We gave extra weight to tools that save money in distinct ways, such as prediction, last minute deals, comparison, and bundling, since different trips need different tactics. Prices vary by date, room, and fees, so readers should compare total prices, not nightly rates, before booking.
Buying guide
Start by searching broadly, then narrowing. Compare a hotel on Kayak or Skyscanner to find the lowest total price, check Hopper forecasts when dates are flexible, and check HotelTonight when booking same day. Then compare the best agency price with the hotel direct price, since hotels sometimes match prices and offer better cancellation or perks direct.
Next, read the rate terms before paying. Check whether the rate is refundable, what taxes and resort fees add, whether breakfast or parking is included, and what the cancellation deadline is. Read recent guest reviews for the specific room type too, since a cheap rate sometimes means a smaller room, a noisy floor, or a long walk to the elevator that the listing photos hide. A cheap non refundable rate costs more than a flexible rate when plans change, and resort fees can add tens of dollars per night in some cities.
Finally, book with a card that protects travel purchases, save confirmation details, and set a price alert even after booking when the rate is refundable, since prices often drop. Join the hotel loyalty program before you stay too, since member rates and free Wi-Fi often apply even on a first stay booked through an app. The best app for cheap hotels is the one that finds the lowest total price for your dates with terms you can live with, and the smartest tactic is comparing across two or three apps before paying anything.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest hotel booking app?
It varies by trip, but Hopper helps time bookings, HotelTonight wins last minute, and Kayak finds the lowest price across sites. Compare across apps for your dates, since no single app is cheapest everywhere.
Is it cheaper to book a hotel direct or through an app?
Sometimes direct is cheaper or better, since hotels may match prices and offer better cancellation or perks. Compare the agency total price with the direct price before booking, and favor direct when prices tie.
How far ahead should I book a cheap hotel?
It depends on the city and season. Popular cities and events reward booking weeks ahead, while last minute apps like HotelTonight win for same day stays. Hopper forecasts help flexible travelers time bookings.
What are resort fees and why do they matter?
Resort fees are nightly charges added by some hotels for amenities like Wi-Fi and pools, often not included in the advertised rate. They can add tens of dollars per night, so always compare total prices including fees.
Can I cancel a cheap hotel booking for free?
Many rates on Booking.com and Expedia offer free cancellation until a deadline, while Express Deals and other discounted rates are often non refundable. Check cancellation terms before paying, and favor flexible rates when plans may change.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.