Booking.com and agoda are two of the most popular platforms for booking accommodation online worldwide. Both are owned by the same company, Booking Holdings Inc. (Wikipedia link).but they have significant differences in terms of approach, characteristics, pricing and user experience.
In this article, We will compare Booking.com and Agoda to help you choose the best option for your accommodation booking needs..
Introduction to Agoda and Booking.com
What is Agoda?
agoda is an accommodation booking platform founded in 2005 in Singapore.
The company is part of the Booking Holdings group, which also includes Booking.com, kayakingPriceline and other brands related to the travel industry. Currently, Agoda offers more than two million accommodations worldwide..
In Asia it is the best platform for booking accommodation and with the more competitive pricesbeating booking.com on this continent.
What is Booking.com?
booking.com is an accommodation booking platform founded in 1996 in Amsterdam. The company is part of the Booking Holdings group and has more than 28 million accommodation options worldwide.
Target audience
Booking.com and Agoda have slightly different approaches to their target audiences. Booking.com focuses on a wider audience looking for a wide range of reasonably priced accommodation options..
Agoda, on the other hand, focuses on luxury travellers looking for exclusive accommodation options and tailor-made travel experiences, particularly in Asia.
User interface
Booking.com has a very user-friendly user interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate. The homepage has a clean and tidy layout with customisable search options and search filters to refine results.
The platform also offers a wide range of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal and bank transfers.
Agoda also has an easy-to-use user interface that focuses on map navigation. The homepage has a map showing the accommodation options available in a given location.
The platform also offers a voice search function and advanced filters to refine results. Agoda also offers secure payment options, including credit cards and PayPal.
Features
Booking.com and Agoda offer different features that can meet the needs of different types of travellers.
✅ Booking.com features:
- Free cancellation on most properties
- No booking fee
- Price guarantee
- 24/7 customer service
- User reviews and ratings
- Genius Loyalty Programme
✅ Agoda features:
- Agoda Rewards: loyalty programme to earn points for each booking
- Daily specials and flash sales
- Last minute offers
- User comments and ratings
- 360 degree views of the room
Prices
Prices on Booking.com and Agoda vary according to location, type of accommodation and season. In general, Booking.com offers cheaper accommodation optionsespecially for travellers looking for affordable accommodation options.
Booking.com also has a price guarantee that will match any lower price found on another platform. Agoda, on the other hand, focuses on exclusive deals for travellers looking for luxury accommodation options.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Advantages ✅ | booking.com | agoda |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation options | Wide range of accommodation options | Exclusive offers on luxury properties |
| FREE Cancelation | Available in most properties | Available in most properties |
| No booking fee | – | – |
| Customer service | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Loyalty programme | genius | Agoda Rewards |
| Disadvantages ❌ | booking.com | agoda |
|---|---|---|
| Exclusive offers | Limited in luxury properties | Limited for budget accommodation options |
| User interface | Basic | Less intuitive than Booking.com |
📝 Comparison between Agoda and Booking.com
Variety of accommodation options
Both platforms offer a wide range of accommodation options around the world. However, Booking.com has a larger amount of accommodation available, which could be an advantage for those looking for more varied options.
Prices and offers
In terms of pricing, both platforms offer competitive prices and special promotions at certain times of the year. However, Agoda is known for offering lower prices on accommodation in Asia.while Booking.com tends to offer more accommodation options in Europe.
Interface and ease of use
Both platforms have intuitive and easy-to-use interfaces. Booking.com is notable for offering a wide variety of search filters that allow you to find accommodation to suit your needs. On the other hand, Agoda offers the possibility to book accommodation combined with flights, which could be an advantage for those looking for a more complete travel booking experience.
Quality of customer service
Both Agoda and Booking.com offer 24-hour online customer service. Overall, both platforms have positive reviews for the quality of customer service.
Mobile application
Both Agoda and Booking.com have mobile apps for iOS and Android. Both apps offer a similar user experience to the desktop version of each platform.
Is it safe to book on Agoda and Booking.com?
Yes, both platforms are safe and reliable for booking accommodation.
Which platform is best for finding accommodation in Asia?
Agoda is known for offering lower prices on accommodation in Asia, so it might be a better option for those looking for accommodation options in this region.
Can I book flights on Agoda and Booking.com?
Yes, both platforms offer the possibility to book flights and accommodation combined for a more complete travel booking experience.
Which platform offers more accommodation options in Europe?
Booking.com has a wider range of accommodation options in Europe, so it may be a better choice for those looking for options in this region.
Is it possible to get discounts on Agoda and Booking.com?
Yes, both platforms offer special promotions and discounts at certain times of the year.
Can I trust the reviews of other users on Agoda and Booking.com?
Both platforms have opinions and reviews from other users that can be useful in making a booking decision. However, it is important to note that these opinions can be subjective and vary according to the individual user's experience.
What is the best platform to book budget accommodation?
Booking.com is the best choice for travellers looking for affordable accommodation options.
What is the best platform for booking luxury accommodation?
Agoda is the best choice for travellers looking for luxury and exclusive accommodation options.
¡Definitivamente prefiero Booking.com! Siempre encuentro mejores ofertas y más opciones de alojamiento.
Pues yo soy más de Airbnb. Además de encontrar buenas ofertas, me encanta la experiencia de alojarme en casas locales y conocer a los anfitriones. Cada plataforma tiene su encanto, ¡pero para mí Airbnb gana!
¡Yo prefiero Booking.com porque tiene más opciones de alojamiento!
¡Agoda es la mejor! ¡Booking.com es para principiantes! ¡Viva Agoda! ¡Aguante la competencia!
Vaya, vaya, parece que alguien es un fanático de Agoda. Pero bueno, cada quien tiene sus preferencias. A algunos nos gusta la simplicidad de Booking.com. Al final, lo importante es encontrar la mejor opción para nuestros viajes.
¡Yo siempre uso Booking.com para reservar mis alojamientos! ¡Nunca me ha fallado!
A mí, en cambio, me ha decepcionado Booking.com en varias ocasiones. Prefiero explorar otras opciones y comparar precios antes de decidir. Cada uno tiene sus preferencias, pero no creo que sea la única opción confiable.
Creo que Agoda tiene una interfaz más amigable, pero Booking.com tiene mejores ofertas. ¿Qué opinan?
¡Estoy en desacuerdo! Yo prefiero la interfaz de Booking.com, además siempre encuentro las mejores ofertas. Agoda puede ser más amigable, pero al final lo que importa son los precios y la calidad del servicio. ¡Booking.com es mi favorito indiscutible!
Ho recentemente provato entrambi e devo dire di preferire decisamente Booking anche nel sud est asiatico, dove i prezzi di Agoda sono più competitivi. La politica dei costi nascosti e obbligatori che applica Agoda alla fine riduce di molto il divario rispetto a Booking che ti mostra subito il prezzo finito. E in generale trovo la serietà e la trasparenza dei prezzi una caratteristica fondamentale e imprescindibile, soprattutto negli acquisti online.
Altrimenti una buona piattaforma è stayforlong, ha prezzi molto competitivi, ma senza sorprese di addebiti extra come in Agoda.