# Tripadvisor vs Airbnb

Tripadvisor and Airbnb both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 78% of Tripadvisor's written reviews are positive against 14% of Airbnb's. Airbnb's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#4 vs #170). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Tripadvisor against 4.8 for Airbnb. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 482K and 704K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 78% of Tripadvisor's written reviews are positive against 14% of Airbnb's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. Both last shipped on November 9, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tripadvisor | Airbnb |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (482K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tripadvisor-plan-and-book-trips/id284876795/reviews)** | [4.8 (704K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airbnb/id401626263/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 482K | **704K** |
| Positive reviews | **78.3% of reviews** | 13.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | #170 | **#4** |
| Size | 342 MB | 347 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tripadvisor](https://appshunter.io/developer/284876798) | [Airbnb, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/401626266) |

## What reviewers say

### Tripadvisor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tripadvisor-plan-and-book-trips/id284876795)

**Currently charting:** #170 Top Free · Travel (US App Store)

Discover destinations, book hotels and tours, and organize your travel plans. Earn rewards on bookings and contributions, with personalized recommendations and flexible options. Access a vast community of travelers for tips and advice.

**Highlights:** Book hotels and experiences, Earn rewards with Trip Cash, Organize itineraries, Discover nearby recommendations, Read traveler reviews, AI-powered review summaries, Free cancellation options

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful app for travel planning
- 🚀 Comprehensive database of reviews
- 💡 Useful for finding hidden gems
- 👍 Reliable and trustworthy information

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Outdated or inaccurate listings
- 🔍 Difficulty finding specific information
- 🤖 Concerns about fake or biased reviews
- 🔒 Privacy issues with data collection

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes or freezes when using the app
- Issues with uploading photos or attachments
- Inconsistent or unreliable offline functionality

**Requested features**

- Improved search and filtering options
- More detailed information on accessibility
- Ability to easily manage and update own reviews
- Integration with other travel planning tools


### Airbnb

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airbnb/id401626263)

**Currently charting:** #4 Top Free · Travel, #79 Top Free (US App Store)

Discover and book unique homes, local experiences, and convenient services worldwide. Find the perfect stay for any trip with extensive filters and detailed reviews. Explore cities through authentic local-led activities and book on-demand services to enhance your visit.

**Highlights:** Book vacation rentals worldwide, Discover local experiences, Book professional services, Personalized trip recommendations, In-app messaging with hosts, Offline access to trip details

**Features:** iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great customer service
- 💡 Expanded app features
- 👍 Variety of accommodation options

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable calendar and messaging
- 🔒 Lack of host verification and accountability
- 💰 Deceptive pricing and hidden fees
- 🤖 Poor outsourced customer support

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and lags
- Incorrect calendar and date information
- Inability to update payment methods

**Requested features**

- Ability to leave negative reviews for hosts
- Better search filters for location and distance
- More host verification and security measures


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tripadvisor free?

Tripadvisor is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Airbnb free?

Airbnb is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Tripadvisor or Airbnb?

Tripadvisor is rated higher. Tripadvisor averages 4.8 out of 5 from 482K ratings, while Airbnb averages 4.8 from 704K ratings.

### Do Tripadvisor or Airbnb have ads?

Tripadvisor shows ads; Airbnb does not.

### Which is updated more often, Tripadvisor or Airbnb?

Tripadvisor ships an update weekly, and Airbnb weekly. Most recently, Tripadvisor was updated on November 9, 2026 and Airbnb on November 9, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Tripadvisor or Airbnb?

Tripadvisor currently peaks at #170 in the App Store charts, and Airbnb at #4. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*
