Top 10 Apps Like Turo: Best Car Rental Alternatives in 2025

Published on January 27th, 2025

Quick Summary:

Choosing the right car rental service can be challenging, especially with so many options available. While Turo is a popular choice, several other apps offer similar or even better features. This blog explores the top apps like Turo, comparing their pricing, availability, and key benefits to help you find the best alternative.

Turo has revolutionized the car rental industry by offering a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform that allows individuals to rent vehicles directly from car owners. Unlike traditional rental services, Turo provides a diverse range of cars at competitive prices, making it a popular choice for travelers and locals alike. However, despite its convenience, Turo isn’t always the perfect fit for everyone. Factors like availability, pricing, insurance policies, and location constraints often lead users to explore other alternatives.

Fortunately, several other car rental apps offer similar or even better services, catering to different needs, preferences, and budgets. Whether you’re looking for a luxury car, an affordable daily rental, or a vehicle for long-term use, there are plenty of options available beyond Turo.

In this blog, we’ll explore 10 of the best Turo alternatives for 2025, including popular names like Getaround and Zipcar among others. We’ll also compare their features, pricing models, and benefits, helping you make an informed decision based on your requirements.

So, if you’re searching for flexible, cost-effective, and reliable car rental options, keep reading to discover the best apps like Turo that can meet your needs in 2025.

What is Turo?

Turo is a peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace that allows individuals to rent vehicles directly from car owners. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, Turo operates in multiple countries, including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Unlike traditional car rental services, Turo offers a diverse selection of vehicles, from budget-friendly options to luxury cars, often at lower prices than major rental companies.

Users can book cars via the Turo app or website, choosing pickup and drop-off locations that suit their convenience. The platform provides various insurance and protection plans for both renters and owners, ensuring security and peace of mind. With Turo, travelers can enjoy a flexible, cost-effective, and unique car rental experience tailored to their needs.

Key features of Turo:

• Variety of Cars: Offers a wide range from economy to luxury cars.

• Peer-to-Peer Model: Rent cars directly from owners.

• Delivery Option: Car delivery to your location is available.

• Insurance Plans: Flexible coverage options for both owners and renters.

• Flexible Rentals: Rent cars for a day, week, or longer.

Market Status of Turo:

Turo has experienced significant growth in recent years. As per the marketwatch, in 2022, the company’s revenue increased by 59% to $746.6 million, up from $469 million in 2021. In 2023, Turo reported a net income of $14.7 million on revenue of $879.7 million, marking a notable improvement from the previous year.

As per Credenceresearch, the peer-to-peer car-sharing market, where Turo operates, is projected to grow from $2.22 billion in 2024 to $8.45 billion by 2032, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.20%.

This growth is driven by increasing urbanization, rising vehicle ownership costs, and a growing preference for sustainable transportation solutions.

As Turo continues to expand its services and adapt to market trends, it is well-positioned to capitalize on the anticipated growth in the car-sharing industry.

How Car Rental Apps Like Turo Operate

Car rental apps like Turo provide a peer-to-peer platform where car owners can list their vehicles, and renters can book them for short-term use. Here’s how it works:

• Sign Up: Both car owners and renters need to create accounts on the app. Car owners list their cars with photos, pricing, availability, and specific terms.

• Search & Browse: Renters can search for cars based on location, type, price, and availability. Filters help them find the perfect car.

• Booking: Renters can request a booking for a specific car. Owners can approve or decline the request. Renters also have the option to request delivery.

• Payment: Once the booking is confirmed, the payment is processed through the app. The app typically holds the payment until the car is returned in good condition.

• Car Pickup/Delivery: Renters either pick up the car at a designated location or have it delivered by the owner.

• Return & Reviews: After the rental period, the car is returned. Renters and owners can leave reviews, building trust in the platform.

• Insurance & Support: Both Turo and similar apps offer optional insurance plans to cover any damages during the rental period. Additionally, customer support is available for issues.

Top 10 Apps like Turo | Turo Alternatives

This table provides a quick overview of the ratings, key benefits, and potential downsides for each car rental app similar to Turo, helping users make an informed choice based on their specific needs.

1. Getaround

Launched: 2009

Founded by: Sam Zaid, Elliot Kroo, and Jessica Scorpio

Getaround is an innovative car-sharing platform & big competitor to Turo, that allows users to rent cars instantly from their smartphones. With over 5 million users worldwide, Getaround enables car owners to share their vehicles and earn money. The platform provides flexibility with instant access to cars for short-term rentals and no need for physical key exchanges, thanks to their app-enabled key system. The service operates in various cities across the US, Europe, and other international locations, offering a seamless, affordable rental experience.

2. Zipcar

Launched: 2000

Founded by: Robin Chase and Antje Danielson

Zipcar is one of the most well-established car-sharing services globally, offering a fleet of vehicles for hourly or daily rentals. Known for its convenient and user-friendly app, Zipcar enables members to reserve cars easily and unlock them with a smartphone. It’s ideal for short trips or one-time rentals, especially in urban locations where car ownership is impractical. Zipcar’s fleet includes a variety of vehicles, from sedans to trucks, and is available in major cities across the U.S., Europe, and Canada.

3. Uber Rentals

Launched: 2021

Founded by: Uber Technologies, Inc.

Uber Rentals allows Uber users to rent vehicles directly through the Uber app. The service started as a partnership with car rental agencies and aims to offer more affordable options for users looking for a car without the usual rental agency process. This service is available in select cities and lets users rent vehicles for a few hours or multiple days, making it a convenient alternative for Uber riders who want to drive themselves. With the popularity of Uber ridesharing, Uber Rentals aims to expand its footprint and provide additional mobility services.

4. Lyft Rentals

Launched: 2021

Founded by: Logan Green and John Zimmer

Lyft Rentals is a service from Lyft, allowing customers to rent cars via their app. With this service, riders can access a variety of vehicles, whether they need a car for a few hours or several days. Lyft Rentals primarily partners with car rental companies, providing users with easy access to vehicles in popular cities. This option is convenient for Lyft drivers looking to rent a car for their ridesharing needs, offering affordable pricing and seamless booking through the Lyft app.

5. Hertz

Launched: 1918

Founded by: Walter L. Jacobs

Hertz is one of the oldest and most prominent car rental companies worldwide, providing rental services for business, leisure, and everyday needs. Hertz offers a variety of vehicles, including luxury cars, SUVs, and electric vehicles. Over the years, Hertz has expanded its services to include car sharing and subscription programs, positioning itself as a versatile rental service. The company operates in thousands of locations across more than 150 countries, offering a comprehensive rental experience with online bookings, free cancellations, and flexible rental periods.

6. Enterprise

Launched: 1957

Founded by: Jack Taylor

Enterprise Rent-A-Car, one of the largest car rental agencies globally, operates over 7,600 locations. Known for its customer service, Enterprise offers daily and weekly rentals, as well as one-way rentals and car subscriptions. It is widely popular for its vehicle fleet, including sedans, SUVs, and trucks. Enterprise also provides services for car sharing, and its dedicated app allows users to reserve cars, check availability, and make payments effortlessly. The company continues to expand globally, with a focus on providing convenience for customers at competitive rates.

7. Gig Car Share

Launched: 2015

Founded by: City CarShare

Gig Car Share is a car-sharing service offering vehicles in various cities, primarily on the West Coast of the U.S. Gig Car Share stands out by offering a “free-floating” car share model, where users can pick up and drop off vehicles at different locations, providing maximum convenience. Gig’s fleet includes electric and hybrid vehicles, promoting eco-friendly choices for users. With affordable pricing and easy-to-use technology, Gig Car Share is an excellent choice for urban dwellers needing a flexible transportation solution.

8. SnappCar

Launched: 2011

Founded by: Bram and Janneke

SnappCar is a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform based in the Netherlands, offering vehicles for rent directly from car owners. It allows users to rent cars for short periods, ideal for city trips, vacations, or business needs. SnappCar is expanding across Europe and encourages sustainability through shared mobility. The platform allows owners to earn money by renting out their cars and provides insurance coverage for renters, making it a secure, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative to traditional car rentals.

9. Hui Car Share

Launched: 2015

Founded by: Toyota

Hui Car Share is a car-sharing service launched by Toyota in Hawaii. The service provides members with access to a fleet of cars for short-term rentals. Hui’s cars can be reserved directly through their mobile app, allowing users to rent for a few hours or days. The fleet includes vehicles like compact cars, SUVs, and even trucks. With its focus on flexibility and convenience, Hui has carved out a niche for residents and visitors in Honolulu looking for an alternative to car ownership.

10. HyreCar

Launched: 2014

Founded by: Daniel R. B.

HyreCar is a car rental service specifically designed for rideshare drivers, offering vehicles for Uber and Lyft drivers. It allows people to rent vehicles for ridesharing purposes without the need for long-term commitments. HyreCar makes it easy for drivers to get started by offering a wide selection of cars that meet rideshare platform requirements. The service provides insurance, maintenance, and vehicle support, ensuring a hassle-free experience for drivers. HyreCar is an essential service for rideshare drivers who need a flexible and affordable vehicle for work.

Car Rental App Like Turo Revenue Model

Car rental apps like Turo primarily generate revenue through a commission-based structure, taking a percentage from each transaction made on their platform. Turo, for instance, takes a 25% commission on every rental, meaning 25% of the total rental cost is retained by the platform.

In addition to this, Turo implements various other fees to further boost its revenue. These include:

• Extra Mileage Charges: Users who exceed the pre-agreed mileage limit are billed for the additional distance traveled.

• Host Fees: These fees apply when the host fails to meet certain conditions, such as uploading pre- and post-trip vehicle photos. It can also include order cancellation fees and damage claim filing fees.

• Additional Visitor Fees: Turo charges guests for various infractions such as:

1. • No-show fees if a guest does not show up for the booked rental.
   • Smoking penalties if evidence of smoking is found in the car.
   • Late return penalties if the car is returned after the agreed time.
   • Pet regulation charges for bringing pets into the vehicle without prior agreement.
   • EV charging fees for electric vehicle rentals when the battery is not sufficiently charged.
   • Petrol replacement fees when the fuel tank is not refilled as per the terms of the rental.

These diverse charges enable platforms like Turo to maximize their revenue while ensuring hosts and guests adhere to the platform’s terms and conditions, thus generating additional streams of income beyond basic rental commissions.

10 Essential Features for Car Rental Apps Like Turo:

When developing a car rental app like Turo, it’s crucial to include certain features that enhance user experience, streamline operations, and ensure security for both hosts and renters. Below are 10 essential features for car rental apps:

User-Friendly Interface

A simple, intuitive interface is vital for providing a seamless experience. It allows users to navigate the platform effortlessly, from searching for cars to making a booking. Clear layouts, quick-loading pages, and easy-to-understand icons contribute to user retention. Ensuring an aesthetically pleasing design enhances the experience and ensures people return to the platform.

Search Filters

Robust search filters enable users to find the perfect vehicle quickly. Users should be able to filter cars based on type (SUV, sedan, etc.), price, location, model year, and features like air conditioning or pet-friendly options. These filters help personalize searches, allowing users to narrow down choices based on their specific needs, saving time and effort.

Real-Time Availability

Providing real-time availability ensures accurate information about car booking options. This feature helps prevent double bookings and allows users to instantly check if a vehicle is available for their required dates. By updating availability in real-time, you can avoid frustration for users and improve the overall booking experience, which increases the likelihood of conversions.

Secure Payment Integration

Secure payment integration is crucial for building trust in your platform. It allows users to make safe payments through trusted methods such as credit cards, debit cards, or digital wallets like PayPal and Apple Pay. Ensuring secure transactions through encryption prevents fraud and assures users that their financial data is protected.

In-App Messaging

In-app messaging allows seamless communication between renters and hosts, facilitating quick resolution of queries. Whether users want to confirm vehicle details, inquire about pickup times, or address any other concerns, having this feature directly within the app ensures there are no delays in communication, which helps build trust and reliability on both sides.

Booking Confirmation & Notifications

Sending automated booking confirmations and reminders ensures that users are well-informed throughout the process. Booking notifications should include essential details like the rental period, car model, pickup/drop-off locations, and terms. Push notifications or email alerts remind users of upcoming bookings, changes, or cancellations, improving overall user satisfaction and reducing missed or delayed rentals.

GPS Tracking

GPS tracking is essential for monitoring the vehicle’s location and ensuring the safety of both the car and its user. This feature allows hosts to track where the vehicle is in real-time, offering added security in case of theft or disputes. For renters, GPS can also guide them to pickup/drop-off points, making the rental process smoother.

Driver Verification & Background Check

Driver verification and background checks are essential to ensuring the safety and trustworthiness of the users renting the vehicles. Implementing this feature helps protect both hosts and renters by verifying the identity and driving history of the individual. It reduces the risk of accidents or fraud, assuring hosts that only qualified individuals will operate their vehicles.

Insurance & Damage Protection

Offering insurance and damage protection options within the app adds peace of mind for both the renter and the host. Users can choose additional coverage to protect against potential accidents or vehicle damage during the rental period. This feature is essential for reducing the financial risk of renting, making users feel more secure about using the service.

User Ratings & Reviews

User ratings and reviews provide transparency and build trust within the platform. Renters can assess the quality of the vehicle and the reliability of the host through the feedback of previous users. Similarly, hosts can gauge a renter’s behavior and reliability. This system creates a transparent and accountable environment, improving the quality of the overall experience for both parties.

By incorporating these key features, a car rental app can stand out from the competition and provide a secure, efficient, and satisfying experience for both hosts and renters.

Cost to Build Car Rental Apps Like Turo

The total development cost for building a car rental website and app like Turo typically falls within the range of $30,000 to $110,000 depending on the complexity of the features, design, and platform choice.

Below is a detailed breakdown of potential costs, broken down into specific categories.

Real-World Environment Factors Affecting the Cost

1. Location of Development Team

• Local vs Offshore Development: The cost can fluctuate based on where the development team is located. For example, developers in North America or Western Europe generally charge between $100 – $200/hour, while offshore teams in countries like India, Eastern Europe, or Southeast Asia may charge $25 – $50/hour, which can significantly reduce costs.
• Cost Impact: For a typical project, using an offshore team may reduce the overall app development cost by 30-50%, depending on the complexity of the platform.

2. Complexity of Features

• Advanced Features: Features like AI-based vehicle recommendations, dynamic pricing based on demand, and integrated video conferencing for virtual car inspections require additional development time and resources, increasing costs.
• Customization: Custom solutions tailored to a specific niche market (e.g., luxury cars, EV rentals) will add to the development costs, as the features must be unique and not use pre-existing templates.

3. Scalability & Performance Requirements

• Traffic Volume: The more users your platform expects, the higher the infrastructure cost for ensuring performance. If you plan to launch globally with high traffic volume, you’ll need cloud infrastructure that can scale seamlessly, which can increase ongoing costs.
• Cost Impact: Scaling requirements can lead to a significant rise in the infrastructure and hosting fees, especially when using cloud services like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

4. Design and User Experience

• Custom vs Template Design: Custom designs can increase both the upfront and ongoing costs for development. The quality of design directly impacts user engagement, so investing in a professional design team is essential.
• User Experience (UX): A seamless user experience, including features like real-time booking and payment systems, highly customized notifications, and intuitive dashboards, will demand more development time and cost.

5. Regulatory & Legal Requirements

• Compliance and Security: Ensuring your platform complies with local laws and data protection regulations (such as GDPR, PCI-DSS) can involve legal counsel and additional security measures, which can increase overall costs.
• Insurance Integration: Providing insurance options within the app to protect renters and vehicle owners increases complexity and cost as you’ll need to partner with insurance companies and integrate APIs.

6. Maintenance & Updates

• Ongoing Updates: Post-launch updates, bug fixes, and periodic feature additions (like integrating new payment methods, adding new vehicle categories, etc.) are a continuous cost that needs to be accounted for. Maintenance typically requires ongoing developer involvement.
• Cost Impact: Monthly maintenance and updates are generally priced at 15-20% of the initial development cost annually.

In summary, the cost of building an app like Turo is influenced by multiple factors, from the complexity of features and design to the location of the development team and the scalability requirements. While the initial cost may seem substantial, it is important to consider long-term benefits and scalability to ensure that the platform can grow as demand increases.

Conclusion:

Building a car rental platform like Turo requires careful consideration of several factors, from platform development and design to security, compliance, and ongoing maintenance. While costs can vary based on complexity and the development approach, understanding these elements ensures a successful and scalable car rental app. Whether you’re looking to launch a peer-to-peer car rental platform or develop a full-featured app like Turo, it’s crucial to work with a reliable, experienced team.

Connect with us!

At iTechnolabs, we specialize in building cutting-edge car rental platforms that prioritize user experience, security, and scalability. With a proven track record in taxi app development and a focus on innovation, we can help bring your car rental app to life, just like Turo. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you create the next big thing in the car rental industry!

FAQ’s:

How do car rental apps like Turo work?

Car rental apps like Turo operate on a peer-to-peer model, connecting car owners (hosts) with users (guests) who want to rent vehicles. Hosts list their cars on the platform, set rental prices, and handle availability. Guests can browse the listings, select vehicles, and complete the booking process. Payments and security are managed by the app.

What are the top car rental apps like Turo?

Some top car rental apps like Turo include Getaround, Zipcar, Enterprise CarShare, HyreCar, and Gig Car Share. These platforms offer car-sharing services, allowing users to rent vehicles directly from car owners or the service provider. They differ in fleet size, vehicle types, pricing, and additional features like insurance and flexible rental durations.

How do apps like Turo make money?

Apps like Turo make money by taking a commission on each rental transaction, typically around 25%. They also generate revenue through additional fees, such as those for late returns, extra mileage, cleaning charges, and insurance options. Some apps charge fees for cancellations, damage claims, and other service-related penalties.

What are the benefits of using a car rental app?

Using car rental apps offers several benefits, including flexibility in rental periods, access to a wide variety of vehicles, and often lower prices compared to traditional car rental companies. They provide easy booking through a mobile app, convenient vehicle pick-up and drop-off, and some offer insurance and 24/7 support for added peace of mind.