Top 4 Apps I’ve Tried to Find Cheap Flights Using My Mobile Phone
Traveling is one of life’s greatest joys, but let’s be real—flights can burn a hole in your wallet faster than you can say “boarding pass.” Over the years, I’ve become obsessed with finding ways to snag cheap flights without spending hours hunched over my laptop. That’s where mobile apps come in. With just a few taps on my phone, I’ve discovered tools that make hunting for affordable airfare feel like a game I can actually win. As of February 24, 2025, I’ve tested a bunch of these apps, and I’m excited to share my top four favorites with you. These are the ones that have consistently helped me score great deals, and I’ll break down why they work, how I use them, and what makes them stand out—all while sprinkling in some personal stories from my travels.
Why Mobile Apps Are a Game-Changer for Finding Cheap Flights
Before I get into the apps, let me tell you why I’ve ditched my desktop for my phone when it comes to booking flights. Mobile apps are fast, intuitive, and packed with features you won’t always find on websites. They let me search for deals while I’m sipping coffee at a café or waiting for a friend to show up. Plus, many of these apps send push notifications for price drops—something I’ve found clutch when I’m trying to lock in a bargain. According to a 2024 article from U.S. News money.usnews.com, airfares dropped 5.9% in the past year as of May 2024, making now an even better time to use these tools to stretch your travel budget further.
So, after testing more apps than I care to admit, here are the four that have earned a permanent spot on my home screen. Each one brings something unique to the table, and I’ll share my firsthand experiences to help you decide which might work best for you.
1. Skyscanner: My Go-To for Flexibility and Simplicity
What It Is and Why I Love It
Skyscanner is hands-down my favorite app for finding cheap flights, and I’m not alone—it’s a staple for budget travelers worldwide. It’s a search engine that scours the web, comparing prices from airlines and booking sites to find the lowest fares. What sets it apart for me is its flexibility. Whether I know exactly where I’m going or just want to see what’s out there, Skyscanner delivers.
The app’s interface is clean and user-friendly, which is a big deal when I’m juggling a million things. I can filter by stops, flight times, airlines, and more, but the real magic happens with its “Explore Everywhere” feature. It’s perfect for those moments when I’ve got a free weekend and no set plans—just pick my departure city, and it shows me the cheapest destinations.
How I’ve Used It
Last summer, I was itching to get out of town but didn’t care where. I opened Skyscanner, set my departure to “Seattle,” and chose “Everywhere” for the destination. Within seconds, I found round-trip flights to Denver for $99. I booked it right then and there through the app, which redirected me to the airline’s site. The whole process took maybe 10 minutes, and I didn’t have to second-guess if I’d found the best deal.
Another time, I used the “Cheapest Month” option to plan a trip to Japan. I couldn’t believe it when I saw flights from Los Angeles to Tokyo for $450 round-trip in February. That’s when I learned that being flexible with dates can save you hundreds—something Skyscanner makes ridiculously easy.
Standout Features
- Explore Everywhere: Great for spontaneous travelers like me who just want to go somewhere cheap.
- Price Alerts: Set them up, and the app pings you when fares drop. I’ve saved $50-$100 this way.
- Whole Month View: See the cheapest days to fly in a calendar format—super handy for long-term planning.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Free to use, no booking fees, and it searches tons of sites so I don’t have to.
Cons: It doesn’t book directly—you’ll get sent to another site to finalize, which can sometimes lead to price changes (rare, but it happens).
If you’re after a reliable, all-purpose flight app, Skyscanner is a must-download. It’s available on both iOS and Android, and I’ve never regretted having it on my phone.
2. Hopper: The Price Predictor That Saved Me Big
What It Is and Why I Love It
Hopper is like having a crystal ball for flight prices. This app doesn’t just find cheap flights—it predicts when prices will rise or fall and tells you whether to book now or wait. I stumbled across it after seeing an ad on social media, and it’s been a game-changer ever since. It’s especially great for trips I’m planning a few months out when prices can fluctuate like crazy.
Hopper uses historical data and some fancy algorithms—I don’t fully get the techy stuff, but I trust it because it works. It color-codes flights (green for cheap, red for pricey) and gives me a confidence score on its predictions.
How I’ve Used It
A couple of years ago, I wanted to visit Thailand for my birthday. Flights from San Francisco to Bangkok were hovering around $700, which wasn’t terrible, but I didn’t want to pull the trigger yet. Hopper told me to wait, predicting a dip in about two weeks. Sure enough, I got a notification one morning that prices had dropped to $520. I booked instantly through the app and felt like I’d just won the lottery. That $180 I saved went straight to pad thai and beach cocktails.
Another time, I used Hopper’s “Freeze Price” feature for a last-minute trip to New York. For a small fee (about $10), I locked in a $200 fare, giving me a few days to decide. The price jumped to $250 later, but I still paid the frozen rate. Genius.
Standout Features
- Price Predictions: Tells you when to book or hold off—huge for saving money.
- Freeze Price: Lock in a fare for a small fee if you’re not ready to commit.
- Color-Coded Calendar: Quickly spot the cheapest travel dates.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Accurate predictions, books directly in-app, and great for flexible planners.
Cons: The predictions aren’t foolproof (prices can still surprise you), and the “Freeze Price” fee adds a tiny cost.
Hopper’s my pick when I’ve got some wiggle room with dates and want to play the waiting game for the best deal. It’s free to download, with optional in-app purchases like the freeze feature.
3. Momondo: The Hidden Gem for Unique Deals
What It Is and Why I Love It
Momondo isn’t as famous as Skyscanner or Hopper, but it’s earned a spot in my top four because it often finds deals the others miss. Like Skyscanner, it’s a search engine that compares prices across the web, but it has a knack for digging up fares from smaller booking sites and budget airlines. Plus, its design is sleek and easy on the eyes—think of it as the stylish cousin in the flight app family.
What I love most is how Momondo organizes results into “Cheapest,” “Quickest,” and “Best” tabs. It’s a small thing, but it saves me from scrolling endlessly to find what I want.
How I’ve Used It
Last fall, I was hunting for a cheap flight from Chicago to Paris. Skyscanner showed me $600 as the lowest fare, but Momondo found the same route for $550 with a lesser-known booking site. I was skeptical at first—would this random site actually deliver? But I booked it, got my confirmation, and had a smooth trip. That $50 saved me enough for a couple of croissants and a coffee by the Seine.
I also love Momondo’s “Measure Your Bag” feature. Using my phone’s camera, I scanned my carry-on before a trip to London, and it confirmed it’d fit Ryanair’s strict size limits. No gate-check fees for me!
Standout Features
- Cheapest/Quickest/Best Tabs: Makes comparing options a breeze.
- Bag Measurement Tool: A lifesaver for avoiding airline fees.
- Flexible Date Search: Shows prices for a range of dates to find the sweet spot.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Finds unique deals, intuitive design, and that bag tool is clutch.
Cons: Like Skyscanner, it redirects you to book elsewhere, and customer service can be hit-or-miss if issues pop up.
Momondo’s my secret weapon when I want to double-check other apps or snag a deal on a budget carrier. It’s free and available for iOS and Android.
4. Kiwi.com: The Creative Itinerary Builder
What It Is and Why I Love It
Kiwi.com is the wild card of the bunch. It’s not just about finding cheap flights—it’s about building creative itineraries that piece together the lowest fares, even if it means mixing airlines or using “hidden city” tricks (where you book a flight with a layover in your actual destination and skip the last leg). It’s a bit unconventional, but when it works, it’s brilliant.
Kiwi also offers a “Nomad” tool for multi-city trips, which I’ve found perfect for planning longer adventures. And their “Kiwi Guarantee” promises to help if you miss connections due to delays—something that’s eased my mind on riskier bookings.
How I’ve Used It
I once used Kiwi to plan a multi-city trip across South America. I wanted to hit Rio, Buenos Aires, and Santiago, but booking separate flights was looking like $800+. Kiwi’s Nomad feature stitched together an itinerary for $620, mixing airlines I’d never heard of with bigger names. It took some extra planning (separate boarding passes, re-checking bags), but the savings were worth it. I spent the extra cash on a steak dinner in Argentina.
Another time, I scored a $300 flight from New York to London by booking a ticket to Dublin with a London layover and just hopping off there. Risky? Sure. But Kiwi’s Guarantee gave me peace of mind in case things went sideways.
Standout Features
- Nomad Tool: Builds affordable multi-city trips.
- Hidden City Ticketing: Sneaky way to save, if you’re willing to take the chance.
- Kiwi Guarantee: Covers you if connections fall apart.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Creative itineraries, great for multi-destination travel, and books directly in-app.
Cons: Hidden city bookings can backfire (airlines hate it), and mixed-airline trips mean less protection if flights get canceled.
Kiwi’s my go-to when I’m feeling adventurous or tackling a complex trip. It’s free to download, with the Guarantee kicking in automatically on eligible bookings.
How to Get the Most Out of These Apps
After years of trial and error, I’ve picked up some tricks to maximize these apps for cheap flights. Here’s what works for me:
- Be Flexible: Use features like Skyscanner’s “Whole Month” or Hopper’s calendar to find the cheapest days. Shifting your trip by a day or two can save hundreds.
- Set Alerts: All four apps offer price notifications. I set them for every trip I’m eyeing—it’s like having a personal deal scout.
- Compare Across Apps: No single app always wins. I’ll check Skyscanner, then cross-reference with Momondo or Kiwi to be sure.
- Book Early (or Late): Hopper’s predictions help me time it right, but last-minute deals on Skyscanner or Kiwi have also paid off.
- Clear Your Cache: Prices can jump if sites think you’re desperate. I clear my app data between searches to keep things fair.
Which App Is Right for You?
Here’s a quick rundown based on my experience:
- Skyscanner: Best for beginners or anyone who loves simplicity and flexibility.
- Hopper: Ideal if you’re planning ahead and want to time your booking perfectly.
- Momondo: Perfect for deal hunters who don’t mind digging a little deeper.
- Kiwi.com: Great for adventurous travelers or multi-city explorers.
Honestly, I keep all four on my phone because they complement each other. Depending on the trip, one always seems to edge out the others.
Final Thoughts: My Journey to Cheaper Flights
These apps have transformed how I travel. From spontaneous weekend hops to bucket-list international adventures, they’ve saved me thousands over the years. Last month alone, I used Skyscanner to snag a $120 round-trip to Portland and Hopper to lock in a $400 flight to Mexico City for later this year. It’s not just about the money, though—it’s the freedom to say “yes” to more trips without breaking the bank.
If you’re ready to start hunting for your own cheap flights, download these apps and play around with them. They’re all free, so there’s no risk—just the promise of your next adventure at a fraction of the cost. Have a favorite app I didn’t mention? Let me know—I’m always up for trying something new.
Happy travels, and may your next flight be the cheapest one yet!