Google Flights vs Skyscanner: The Ultimate 2026 Showdown for Finding the Cheapest Flights – Which Platform Reigns Supreme?

Published on October 25, 2025

Finding cheap flights is no longer as simple as visiting a single website. Modern airfare search platforms act more like metasearch engines—they aggregate fares from airlines and online travel agencies (OTAs) to allow users to compare prices. The study compares key flight-search platforms, including Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak, and others, using real-world data and expert reviews. Key features assessed include search speed, coverage, price tracking, and flexible-date searching. Google Flights is praised for its speed, flexible searches, and price guarantee, though it misses many small OTAs and low-cost carriers. Skyscanner is excellent for uncovering hidden fares but sometimes shows ghost fares. Kayak offers comprehensive filters and price forecasting but is slower than Google Flights. Platforms like Aviasales and Hopper are useful for international routes and fare predictions. The best approach for 2026 is to use Google Flights for research and cross-check with Skyscanner or Kayak to find the lowest fare .

Methodology and Sources

• Expert guides and reviews (2024–2025) – Articles from Going, The Points Guy, Times of India, Upgraded Points and other travel sites were used to summarise features and pros/cons of each platform.
• Comparative tests – Travel bloggers and analysts tested fares on routes such as Los Angeles → New York (LAX–JFK) and Lagos → Dubai to see which sites found the lowest price. Upgraded Points’ head‑to‑head test showed Google Flights, Hopper and Priceline tied for the lowest fare on LAX–JFK ($398) while Skyscanner, Momondo and Kayak found slightly higher fares ($438)[1]. Travelwise24’s test on Lagos → Dubai found that Aviasales beat Google Flights by US$45[2].
• Usage data – Similarweb data cited in LocalsInsider shows Google Flights drew ~8.9 million visits in a recent month, whereas Skyscanner saw nearly 40 million[3]. This highlights that Skyscanner remains the most trafficked global flight‑search engine.

The study does not include price data after Oct 2025 and therefore relies on currently available trends when projecting into 2026.

Platforms Analyzed

Google Flights

Strengths

• Speed and search flexibility – Google Flights loads results in seconds and allows simultaneous searches across up to seven origin and destination airports. Its calendar and price‑graph tools show day‑by‑day fare changes[4]. Users can visually explore the cheapest dates within a two‑month window[4] and view a map of destinations for a selected timeframe[5].
• Price tracking and alerts – Users can set alerts; Google sends notifications when fares drop[6].
• Price guidance & guarantee – Newer features tell users whether the displayed fare is high or low compared with historical averages and, on selected U.S. routes, refund the difference if the fare drops after purchase (up to $500 per year)[7].
• AI and filtering updates – In 2025 Google added an Economy (exclude Basic) filter and an AI‑powered “Flight Deals” tool that accepts plain‑language requests and suggests itineraries[8].

Weaknesses

• Limited coverage of small OTAs and budget carriers – Google Flights pulls fares directly from airlines and large OTAs, so it misses many smaller OTAs and some low‑cost airlines[9]. As a result, mistake fares and deep discounts often appear on Skyscanner or Kayak but not on Google[9].
• Occasional “ghost” fares – Prices shown may vanish when clicking through, requiring users to re‑search[9].
• No direct booking – The platform links to an airline or OTA site to complete the purchase.

Usage and real‑world data

• Google Flights drew ~8.9 million visits in a recent month[3].
• Upgraded Points’ price test (LAX–JFK) found Google Flights, Hopper and Priceline tied for the cheapest fare ($398)[1].
• Travelwise24’s test suggested Google Flights was $45 more expensive than Aviasales on a Lagos → Dubai itinerary[2], showing that it is not always the cheapest option.

Skyscanner

Strengths

• Broad coverage and flexibility – Skyscanner searches both airlines and many small OTAs, making it good at finding hidden cheap fares[10]. Its “Everywhere” search helps travellers discover the cheapest destinations from a given airport[11], and users can search by “whole month” or “cheapest month”[12]. Multi‑city tools allow complex itineraries[13].
• Price alerts and flexible search – Like Google Flights, Skyscanner offers fare alerts and allows multiple alerts for different routes[14].
• User reviews – Skyscanner displays reviews and star ratings for airlines and OTAs, helping travellers judge a provider’s reliability[15].

Weaknesses

• Ghost fares and outdated calendars – Skyscanner sometimes shows ghost fares or outdated prices; its fare calendar doesn’t live‑update for less‑searched routes[16].
• Questionable OTAs – Some third‑party sellers that Skyscanner lists may have poor reputations, so users need to vet them before booking[17].
• Redirect to booking sites – Like Google, Skyscanner doesn’t handle ticketing; it redirects to an airline or OTA, which may charge extra fees[18].

Usage and real‑world data

• Similarweb data suggests Skyscanner received ~40 million monthly visits[3]—significantly more than Google Flights, demonstrating its popularity.
• The Upgraded Points price test found Skyscanner’s LAX–JFK fare ($438) to be $40 higher than the cheapest options[1], though it still found deals on many international routes (e.g., in Travelwise24’s test, Skyscanner’s Lagos→Dubai fare beat the airline direct price and was only slightly more than Aviasales[19]).

Kayak

Strengths

• Comprehensive search and filters – Kayak searches 600+ airlines and OTAs and offers robust filters (airline, alliance, aircraft type, layovers). It can display “hacker fares” that combine different airlines for outbound and return flights[20].
• Price forecasting and fare advice – Kayak uses historical data to predict whether prices are likely to rise or drop and advises when to buy[21].
• Package deals – It offers packages bundling flights, hotels and rental cars, which Google Flights lacks[20].

Weaknesses

• Slower than Google Flights – Results can take 5–8 seconds; the site contains ads[22].
• Limited open‑ended searches – Kayak is best when dates and routes are known; Google Flights or Skyscanner handle flexible searches better[23].
• Redirect to OTAs – Like Skyscanner, Kayak redirects to third‑party booking sites and may show fares that vanish or include hidden fees[24].

Real‑world data

• In Travelwise24’s Lagos → Dubai test, Kayak’s fare was significantly higher than Aviasales and Skyscanner[25].
• In Upgraded Points’ LAX–JFK comparison, Kayak’s fare ($438) was $40 more than the cheapest options[1]. This underscores that Kayak is best used after narrowing dates via Google Flights and then checking for lower OTA fares[26].

Momondo

• Colourful interface and international deals – Momondo is known for its visually rich interface and offers tabs for the cheapest, quickest and best‑value flights. It often uncovers cheaper international fares by searching lesser‑known booking sites[27].
• Pros and cons – The site is great for international routes and provides pricing trends, but it redirects to third‑party booking sites, and some low prices exclude additional fees[27]. In the Upgraded Points price test, Momondo’s LAX–JFK fare matched Kayak’s ($438), indicating that it may not always beat other tools[1].

Aviasales and Other Alternatives

• Aviasales – A metasearch site popular in parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. Travelwise24’s tests found Aviasales consistently delivered the lowest fares, including beating Google Flights by $45 on a Lagos → Dubai route[2]. Advantages include: no hidden booking fees, coverage of budget carriers, price calendars and a mobile app with offline access. However, Aviasales has limited U.S. domestic options and lacks hotel bundling[28].
• Hopper – A mobile app that predicts when to buy and lets users freeze a fare; good for on‑the‑go travellers[29]. In the Upgraded Points test, Hopper tied with Google Flights and Priceline for the lowest fare[1].
• Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) – A subscription service that sends email alerts for mistake fares and deep discounts. It can uncover deals not visible on search engines; however, it costs around $49 per year for full access[30].
• Alternative Airlines – A booking site that partners with “buy now, pay later” services like Klarna and Afterpay and accepts cryptocurrency. It has strong coverage of over 600 airlines and high user ratings[31].
• TravelPerk – A business travel platform offering integrated booking of flights, trains and hotels with VAT‑ready invoicing and flexible cancellation (up to 80% refunds)[32]. It charges per‑booking fees but provides value for companies needing real‑time reporting and approval workflows[33].
• Kiwi and Skiplagged – Apps like Kiwi combine non‑codeshared flights to create unconventional itineraries, while Skiplagged finds “hidden city” flights (where one intentionally skips the final leg to save money). These can produce cheaper fares but may violate airlines’ terms or have high change fees.

Comparative Summary

Discussion: Which Platform Is Emerging as the Best for Cheap Flights in 2026?

The analyses above reveal that no single platform is universally the “best” for cheap flights. Instead, each site excels in specific scenarios:

1. Google Flights remains the fastest and most user‑friendly research tool. Its predictive calendar, price‑tracking alerts and price guarantee make it invaluable for scanning multiple airports or date combinations quickly. However, Google Flights sometimes misses the lowest fares because it doesn’t include smaller OTAs and budget carriers[9].
2. Skyscanner often uncovers lower prices than Google Flights by searching a broader range of OTAs, including small agencies that may offer mistake fares. Its “Everywhere” search is unmatched for travellers who are flexible on destination. The drawback is that some of the agencies it lists have questionable reputations or display ghost fares[16][17].
3. Kayak provides comprehensive filters, price forecasts and package deals, making it useful for complex itineraries and travellers who want flight–hotel bundles[20]. It generally lags behind Google on speed and may not always find the cheapest fare[22].
4. Momondo and Aviasales can be particularly valuable for international trips. Aviasales often finds lower prices because it has fewer fees and includes budget carriers[28].
5. Specialised tools: Hopper’s mobile app is great for fare predictions; Going is excellent for mistake‑fare alerts; Alternative Airlines offers payment flexibility; TravelPerk suits business travellers; Kiwi and Skiplagged exploit unconventional routing.

Multi‑Platform Strategy – Virtually all expert guides recommend starting with Google Flights to determine the cheapest dates and route, then cross‑checking with other platforms to ensure you’re getting the lowest fare[26]. Going’s Scott Keyes suggests: start with Google Flights for speed, move to Skyscanner or Kayak to search smaller OTAs, and when a good deal appears, book directly with the airline to avoid third‑party headaches[26]. Upgraded Points’ price comparison highlights that Google Flights, Hopper and Priceline can match or beat OTAs on certain routes[1]. However, Travelwise24’s tests show Aviasales winning on some international routes[2].

Conclusion and Recommendation for 2026

Based on current data, Google Flights is not always the absolute cheapest platform, but it is becoming the best overall flight‑booking research tool thanks to its speed, price‑tracking and price‑guarantee features. For travellers in 2026, the most effective approach is to:

1. Use Google Flights to explore dates, destinations and price trends quickly. Enable price alerts and note the price‑guarantee badge when available[7].
2. Cross‑check on Skyscanner and Kayak for the exact dates/route to see if a smaller OTA offers a lower fare[9]. Be cautious of ghost fares and check the OTA’s reputation before booking[17].
3. Check specialised tools like Aviasales (for international routes or regions underserved by U.S. sites), Momondo (for colourful international fare displays) and Hopper (for mobile price predictions).
4. Subscribe to deal alerts from services like Going or Dollar Flight Club if you’re flexible and want to pounce on mistake fares[30].
5. Book directly with the airline when possible to avoid third‑party change/refund issues[39].

In short, Google Flights will likely remain the backbone of cheap‑flight hunting in 2026, but using it in tandem with other platforms—particularly Skyscanner, Kayak or Aviasales—offers the best chance of securing the lowest possible fare. Travellers willing to invest a bit more time in cross‑checking and price tracking will reap the biggest savings.