Finding the best flight at the lowest price can feel overwhelming—especially when prices change by the hour and different booking sites offer competing deals. That’s where flight comparison tools come in. These platforms scan dozens (or even hundreds) of airlines and travel providers to help you find the cheapest, fastest, or most convenient flights—all in one place.

Here’s a breakdown of the best tools available today and how to use them effectively to save time and money.

1. Google Flights

Google Flights is one of the most powerful and user-friendly search engines available. It allows users to:

• Explore prices on a flexible calendar view

• Set alerts for fare changes

• View carbon emissions for each flight

• Filter by airline, number of stops, and baggage options

Its price tracking feature notifies you when airfare rises or drops, and the Explore tool helps you find destinations based on budget and season.

2. Skyscanner

Skyscanner is ideal for travelers who are flexible with dates or destinations. Key features include:

• “Everywhere” search to find the cheapest places to fly

• Month-by-month fare comparisons

• Option to book directly through airlines or third-party providers

Skyscanner is especially popular for international travel and multi-city route planning.

3. Kayak

Kayak offers robust filtering tools and a clean interface. Standout features include:

• Price prediction tools to help you decide whether to book or wait

• “Hacker fares,” which combine two one-way flights from different airlines to create cheaper round-trip tickets

• Price alerts and trend tracking

Kayak also supports filters for carry-on or checked luggage fees, making true comparisons easier.

4. Momondo

Momondo pulls flight results from hundreds of travel sites, sometimes surfacing lesser-known booking platforms that may offer discounts.
It features:

• Visual graph of pricing over time

• Color-coded charts showing price, flight time, and quality

• Option to search for open-jaw or multi-destination flights

Momondo is particularly strong when searching international routes or exploring uncommon carriers.

5. Expedia and Travel Portals

Expedia, Travelocity, and Orbitz combine flight searches with hotel and car rental options, making them ideal for vacation packages. While they may not always offer the absolute lowest price, they often provide:

• Bundled deals

• Travel insurance options

• Customer service support for cancellations or itinerary changes

6. ITA Matrix

Matrix Airfare Search (developed by Google) is an advanced tool used by travel agents and frequent flyers. While you can’t book flights directly, it offers deep search functionality, such as:

• Complex routing

• Hidden city ticketing

• Fare code breakdowns

Best used by experienced travelers looking for very specific fare combinations.

Tips for Using Flight Comparison Tools Effectively

• Search in incognito mode to avoid price tracking and dynamic fare increases

• Set up alerts early if you have fixed travel dates

• Cross-check directly with the airline once you find a deal—some airlines offer lower fares on their own sites or additional perks for direct booking

• Watch for third-party booking fees—not all aggregators show the total cost upfront

Combine with Other Travel Savings Tools

Once you find the best airfare, stretch your budget further by saving on hotels or transportation. For example, use Fluz to buy a Marriott gift card with cashback or get a discount on Uber using a digital gift card—letting you extend the value of your travel spend beyond the flight.