Comparison

Zostel vs Roycab

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Zostel

Discover curated road trips and book unique stays at hostels, homestays, and premium properties worldwide. Plan spontaneous getaways or adventurous group tours with ease.

Highlights
  • Book hostels and homestays
  • Curated road trips (Zo Trips)
  • Premium Zostel Plus properties
  • Offbeat Zostel Homes
  • Explore 90+ properties globally
  • Trip planning assistance
Read full description

The world’s largest backpacker hostel franchise—and your favourite trip brand—is now a permanent part of your phone. Built by travellers, for travellers, the Zostel App brings you the best of the next-gen travel experience, right at your fingertips. Whether you’re chasing new adventures with Zo Trips or spontaneous getaways with Zostel stays, all you need is the Zostel App, some WiFi, and the will to wander. EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH ZO TRIPS Love to travel but hate planning? We’ve got you. Zo Trips are curated road trips for 12–15 travellers, covering India, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Think 5-star cruises in Vietnam, full moon parties in Thailand, weekend tours from metro cities, or treks in Kashmir—there’s a Zo Trip for every kind of explorer. BOOK YOUR STAY AT A ZOSTEL Kickstart your journey across India and beyond with your first Zostel stay—or continue right where you left off. With 90+ properties in 85+ destinations across India, Nepal, and (soon) more countries worldwide, discovering new places has never been easier. LEVEL UP WITH ZOSTEL PLUS Zostel Plus properties offer a premium hostelling experience—perfect when you’re in the mood for exploration and comfort. With properties in 8 unique Indian destinations, enjoy spontaneous hikes, vibrant communities, and a splash of luxury. RECONNECT WITH NATURE AT ZOSTEL HOMES Looking for peace, privacy, and picturesque views? Zostel Homes are your perfect getaway. Ideal for families, couples, or groups of friends, these offbeat, cozy stays bring you the comfort of home with the charm of the outdoors. TRAVEL DIFFERENTLY. EXPLORE FEARLESSLY. Ready to change the way you explore the world? Download the Zostel App and discover how young India travels, socialises, parties, and lives.  Live it. Now. YOUR NEXT TRIP STARTS HERE – WITH THE ZOSTEL APP
 Ready for a new adventure? Whether you're planning a last-minute weekend getaway, a chill group trip, or exploring unique stays and around the world, the Zostel App helps you do it all with ease. As India’s favorite travel app, it’s built for explorers like you. Use it as your personal trip planner to plan a trip anywhere—from the Himalayas to the beaches of Southeast Asia or Europe. Looking for the perfect place to stay? Explore our network of unique hostels near me, cosy homestays in India, and offbeat nature stays across 80+ destinations. Whether you want fun, affordable budget travel, or are in the mood for something special, like a premium hostel, we’ve got your vibe. Book your first backpacker stay, discover offbeat stays, and even find the best couple getaways or family-friendly stays—all in one app. Zo Trips has also got you covered with fully packaged trips– from exploring hidden villages in the Himalayas to cycling across the scenic landscapes of Sri Lanka. Download the Zostel App and start exploring them all.

About

Roycab

Features
Read full description

Roycab — executive intercity travel, on your terms. Travel between cities in comfort, with a professional at the wheel. Pool a seat and pay for just one, or book the whole car for your group. Every Roycab ride comes with a verified driver and a fixed, upfront fare — no surge, no surprises. WHY ROYCAB • Two ways to ride — pool a single seat (pay for one), or book the entire car privately for your group. • Verified drivers — every driver is checked, so you ride with confidence. • Fixed fares — see the price before you book. No surge pricing, ever. • Live tracking — follow your ride end to end and share your trip. • OTP boarding — a one-time code confirms the right car, every time. • A clean, well-kept car — Sedan, SUV, Business and more. WHERE WE GO Intercity routes like Aligarh to Delhi, Delhi to Jaipur, Delhi to Agra and Delhi to Chandigarh — with new cities added as we grow. Also great for corporate travel, events, daily commutes and local city rides. HOW IT WORKS 1. Tell us where to — pick your from and to cities. 2. Choose pool-a-seat or the whole car, and your class. 3. Book in a few taps, with a fixed fare shown upfront. 4. Board with your OTP and track the ride live. Roycab is a venture by Borgfy. Questions? info@borgfy.com

Screenshots

Zostel4 screens
Roycab3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Roycab at every 2 days against Zostel's every 3 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Zostel ships an update every 3 weeks, Roycab every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Zostel versus Roycab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZostelRoycab
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZOWORLD LIMITEDBorgfy Private Limited

In-app purchases

None

Zostel

No in-app purchases

None

Roycab

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Zostel free?
Zostel is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Roycab free?
Roycab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Zostel or Roycab have ads?
Neither Zostel nor Roycab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Zostel or Roycab?
Zostel ships an update every 3 weeks, and Roycab every 2 days. Most recently, Zostel was updated on November 7, 2026 and Roycab on November 5, 2026.

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