Turo is the largest and most well-known peer-to-peer car sharing rental platform. But several competitors have emerged looking to take a share of the vehicle rental market. These Turo alternatives work similarly, allowing owners to rent out their personal cars while giving renters expanded options to book unique vehicles for trips.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top platforms that serve as alternatives to Turo for P2P vehicle rentals. Whether you want to maximize earnings renting out your car or find deals booking your next rental, understanding these options is valuable.
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Top Turo Alternative Rental Platforms
Here are the major rental services that compete with Turo in the peer-to-peer car sharing space:
GetAround
One of the largest Turo competitors, GetAround allows owners to list their personal cars for rental in 5,500+ cities. Renters book instantly via an app. GetAround provides insurance coverage and roadside assistance.
HyreCar
HyreCar focuses on longer-term rentals ranging from 1 week to 1 year. Listings include everyday cars along with specialty vehicles owners don’t drive regularly. Ideal for rideshare drivers.
Avail
Avail provides enhanced owner assistance by helping list, market, and coordinate hand-offs for rentals. Their services aim to simplify the rental process for owners.
Envoy
Envoy offers white-glove service for owners through prep, delivery, and cleanup of vehicles. Their service maximizes earnings for owners while providing renters luxury-level convenience.
Borrow
Borrow’s rental platform connects neighbors allowing you to rent from locals in your city. All owners and renters are identity verified for security. Limited availability compared to Turo.
Haggar
Haggar focuses on high-end luxury and specialty vehicle rentals only, with models like Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, and Range Rover. Caters to affluent renters seeking premium cars.
Flux Auto
Flux Auto allows owners to install a module giving them remote control to lock/unlock their vehicle for rentals using a smartphone. Offers flexible pick-up options.
Twisted Road
For motorcycle and recreational vehicle rentals, Twisted Road provides an alternative to Turo focused specifically on bikes, RVs, ATVs and jets skis.
Boatsetter
The “Turo of boat rentals”, Boatsetter connects owners listing their powerboats, sailboats, jet skis and yachts for rental with eager renters seeking time on the water.
Outdoorsy
Outdoorsy allows RV owners to list their motorhomes, trailers, campervans for rental by travelers, providing an alternative to RV rentals.
While not as large as Turo, these platforms provide expanded options for owners to maximize their vehicle’s earning potential through rentals. For renters, they offer more selection and niche offerings that Turo may lack in some markets.
Key Differences Between Turo and Alternative Rental Platforms
While Turo alternatives provide a similar peer-to-peer rental experience, they differentiate from Turo in some key ways:
Rental types – Some alternatives focus on specialty rentals only like RVs, boats and motorcycles that aren’t well represented on Turo. Others cater to longer-term rentals.
High-end rentals – Platforms like Hagger specialize in luxury and exotic car rentals which aren’t commonly listed on Turo outside major cities.
Local rentals – Borrow and Flux Auto encourage neighborhood and local community rentals rather than travelers.
Owner assistance – Avail, Envoy and others provide enhanced assistance for owners through services like vehicle delivery. This simplifies the process.
Renter screening – Turo offers more extensive background checks during sign-up. Alternatives vary in their renter verification process.
Insurance offerings – GetAround provides owners coverage during each rental, whereas Turo offers protection plans at added cost.
Availability – Turo has the widest selection and availability of listings across the US from both individuals and small rental fleets.
By understanding how competitors differ from Turo, owners and renters can choose the platform that best fits their specific vehicle rental needs.
Pros of Using a Turo Alternative
While Turo is the most mainstream option, their competitors offer some unique benefits:
More niche offerings – Alternatives open up rental options Turo lacks in some markets like RVs, motorcycles and yachts.
Better owner assistance – Platforms like Avail provide more hands-on support for owners to maximize earnings.
Luxury selection – Hagger specializes in premium high-end luxury and exotic rentals with vehicles you rarely see on Turo.
Longer rentals – HyreCar accommodates rentals of 1 month or more which are less common on Turo. Ideal for rideshare drivers.
Improved coverage – GetAround’s insurance covers damages during each rental, unlike Turo’s optional protection plans.
Neighborhood rentals – Borrow and Flux Auto facilitate local car rentals within a community.
Specialty platforms – Boatsetter is the top boat rental platform while Outdoorsy dominates RV rentals. Great for specific needs.
For owners and renters, Turo alternatives can provide benefits like niche selection and enhanced services the giant Turo may lack in some markets.
Factors To Consider When Choosing a Turo Alternative
If you’re debating between using a Turo alternative versus Turo, here are some key factors to weigh:
- Vehicle types available – Assess if the platform allows rental of your specific car, RV, boat or other vehicle type you want to list or rent.
- Local popularity – Research rental volume and owner/renter reviews to understand the platform’s traction in your city.
- Rental process – Compare the booking experience, requirements and rental coordination for ease of use.
- Renter verification – Review identity and background check processes for safety.
- Insurance – Understand insurance coverage, restrictions and deductibles to ensure adequate protection.
- Support services – Check platform provided services like roadside assistance, trip extensions and owner assistance.
- Rental rates – Compare potential owner earnings against competitors. Assess average rental pricing differences as a renter.
- Cancellations – Review cancellation and change policies to avoid issues.
- Availability – Larger platforms like Turo tend to have more listings and availability, especially in smaller cities.
- Reviews and ratings – Higher rated platforms deliver better experiences on average.
Evaluating these factors will allow you to determine which peer-to-peer rental platform best matches your car sharing wants and needs.
Pros of Sticking With Turo
Despite growing competition, Turo retains some key advantages:
- Industry leader – As the pioneer and leader, Turo offers unbeatable selection and availability of listings across the country.
- Insurance – Turo provides up to $750,000 in liability coverage on every trip. Added coverage can be purchased.
- Renter screening – Turo conducts DMV, background checks, and identity verification on all renters during sign-up for enhanced security.
- Trip support – Turo offers 24/7 roadside assistance to renters through an app for added peace of mind.
- No long-term commitments – Owners can list their car and turn rentals on or off anytime. More flexibility than leasing through a rental car company.
- ** Higher rental potential** – With the most visibility and largest renter base, top Turo vehicles see very high demand and earnings.
- Most vehicle options – No other platform matches the vast array of makes/models that can be rented on Turo. From budget sedans to luxury cars.
Unless you have a niche specialty vehicle or need extended rentals, Turo is hard to beat due to its established leadership position and unrivaled selection.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing Between Turo and Alternatives
As you weigh options, asking yourself these questions will help determine the best direction:
- Will my desired vehicle type rent better on Turo or a specialty platform?
- Do I want to rent out my car for 1-2 days or 1-2 months?
- Will a Turo competitor pay me more for renting my vehicle?
- Do I need assistance managing my rental vehicle?
- Am I comfortable renting my car to travelers versus locals?
- Does Turo or the alternative have more traction locally?
- Will insurance coverage be adequate on the platform I choose?
- Is renter screening and verification important to me?
- Will the rental platform provide sufficient support if issues arise?
Once you consider your personal priorities as an owner or renter around factors like vehicle type, rental length, location, insurance needs and more, the right platform option should become clear.
Making the Most of Turo Alternatives
Here are tips to maximize your rental experience using a Turo alternative platform:
For Owners Listing A Vehicle
- Highlight unique features, mileage, condition to attract renters over Turo listings
- Price competitively and promote special offers or discounts
- Provide extras like phone chargers, bike racks, surfboard carriers
- Respond to inquiries quickly and communicate rental details proactively
- Develop positive reviews showcasing you as a five star owner
For Renters Booking A Vehicle
- Search niche speciality vehicles Turo may lack in your area
- Leverage promo codes and discounts to save on rentals
- Vet owners carefully by reading previous renter reviews
- Understand insurance coverage and restrictions before booking
- Inspect vehicle thoroughly at pick-up and document any prior damage
- Take advantage of owner assistance programs as needed
While Turo reigns supreme overall, competitors continue making inroads catering to specialty niches and offering differentiated services. Both owners and renters can benefit by understanding the pros and cons of Turo alternatives.
Turo Alternatives FAQs
For more on Turo rental marketplace competitors, here are answers to common questions:
Do Turo alternatives perform background checks on owners?
Most verify owner identities by requiring documentation submission, but not as extensive background screening as Turo in most cases. Perform due diligence on owners.
Are Turo alternatives more affordable?
Not necessarily – pricing can be comparable to Turo, depending on location, vehicle type and owner rates. Shop around for best deals.
What support do alternatives provide if issues arise?
Most offer 24/7 roadside assistance. Turo tends to receive higher marks for responsive owner/renter support however. Reach out immediately if problems occur.
Are luxury and specialty rentals listed on alternatives less expensive?
Rates can be similar or even higher on niche platforms because availability of luxury vehicles is lower. Turo has advantages of scale.
Do alternatives provide rental insurance?
Most include basic liability insurance. GetAround provides collision/comprehensive coverage during every rental. Read policies closely and consider supplemental insurance.
How do I decide between listing on Turo vs a competitor site?
Weigh factors like niche availability, owner services, rental demand, rental rates, commission fees and more. List on multiple sites to maximize visibility.
What if I have a dispute with an owner?
Contact the platform support team immediately to intervene. Peer-to-peer platforms will assist in resolving disputes related to damages, cleanliness or other issues.
Can I rent a car for a month or longer?
HyreCar specializes in longer 1-12 month rentals suitable for rideshare driving or travel nurses. Turo also allows longer rentals but options limited.
So in summary, Turo remains the largest peer-to-peer car sharing rental platform but faces increasing competition from alternatives focusing on niches like luxury vehicles, specialty rentals, long-term rentals and more. Both owners and renters benefit from understanding the pros and cons of Turo and its competitors.
