BTravelrs vs. TripIt – The Tried and True vs the New Kid on the Block!

Hello fellow travelers! At BTravelrs, we know we’re the new kid on the block when it comes to building travel apps, but we’ve been traveling both domestically and internationally for decades. Like you, we’ve tried all sorts of apps to plan our trips, and that’s actually what led us to create BTravelrs in the first place. Now here we are, one of many options, and you might be wondering: what makes us special? What sets us apart? So, I figured I’d help you out by comparing our app to some of the staples in the game – and, like any good democracy, let you decide what works best for you.

If you have any questions, feel free to drop us a line at support@btravelrs.com. Now, let’s dig in!

BTravelrs and TripIt are here to take the stress out of your travel planning... or at least try. Both apps offer unique ways to manage your trips, depending on whether you're a 'minute-by-minute itinerary' type or someone who wings it. Here's a side-by-side comparison to help you decide which one is your perfect travel sidekick – because even your phone could use a co-pilot.

Reservation Import

TripIt offers automatic email scanning to import flight, hotel, and other reservations directly into your itinerary. This can save time but may also include unwanted information, requiring some manual cleanup. BTravelrs provides a more controlled approach, allowing users to forward booking confirmations to a single email address, letting users decide what gets imported.

Free vs. Paid Features

TripIt offers a robust free version with useful features like syncing travel plans to your calendar and transportation options. Their paid Pro version, however, adds features like real-time flight alerts and airport navigation, which can be valuable for frequent flyers. BTravelrs, by comparison, offers all its features for free, focusing on versatility across all travel methods rather than just air travel. While TripIt’s premium features are useful for air travelers, many of these tools, such as flight alerts, are available for free through airline apps and other resources.

Now you may be wondering; completely free, what’s the catch? We make our dollars and cents through our affiliate links. Which, come to think of it, ready to book a trip? 🛫

Offline Mode

Both TripIt and BTravelrs provide offline access to your itinerary. TripIt offers automatic offline access, which is convenient, while BTravelrs requires you to download your itinerary to view it offline. While both options ensure access without Wi-Fi, TripIt’s automatic offline mode could be more user-friendly for travelers who want everything ready without extra steps.

Itinerary Flexibility

BTravelrs allows for more flexibility in managing itinerary items. You can rearrange plans, enter items without specific times or dates, and easily shift plans around. TripIt, on the other hand, requires items to be tied to a specific date and time and they cannot be rearranged, which works well for structured travelers but may limit flexibility for those who prefer a less rigid schedule.

Group Travel Features

Both BTravelrs and Tripit allow you to collaborate on itineraries with others, but there are some key differences between the apps. With Tripit, you can share your trip with someone to either edit or view the itinerary, but they must have the app. BTravelrs, however, goes a step further by allowing you to add tripmates even if they don't have the app, making group travel easier to organize. This flexibility ensures that whether it's your kids, spouse, or a friend joining for a weekend getaway, everything can be managed in one place.

Interface Comparison

Both apps offer sleek, easy-to-navigate interfaces, but TripIt’s design is more focused on air travel, while BTravelrs offers a broader range of travel planning options. Great for travelers who need an all in one platform.

Map Feature

BTravelrs provides a map view to help visualize your trip geographically, which can be particularly useful for travelers wanting to see their full journey at a glance. You can even view your places in your Maps app for easy navigation. TripIt, focused on itinerary details, does not offer this feature. Both apps allow you to open an address in your maps app for navigational purposes.

Where TripIt Excels

TripIt is ideal for frequent air travelers, with features like real-time flight alerts, terminal navigation, document storage and flight status updates in its paid version. If your travels revolve around air transport, TripIt’s premium features could be worth the investment.

Conclusion

BTravelrs is well-suited for travelers who want a free, flexible app that covers various modes of transport, group travel, and itinerary management. TripIt, with its strong focus on air travel and premium features, is a good option for frequent flyers who need flight-specific tools. Ultimately, the best choice depends on the type of travel you do and whether you prioritize flexibility or specialized features.