Paglipat vs Google Flights vs Skyscanner vs Kayak: Which is Best?

With dozens of flight search engines competing for your attention, choosing the right one can save you hundreds of dollars and hours of frustration. Each platform has strengths and weaknesses that matter depending on your travel style.

After testing all major flight search engines with hundreds of searches across different routes, here's the definitive comparison to help you find the cheapest flights in 2026.

TL;DR: Which Should You Use?

For most travelers: Paglipat - Best overall combination of price accuracy, clean interface, no hidden fees, and comprehensive search across airlines and booking platforms.

For flexible dates: Google Flights - Excellent calendar view for finding cheapest dates.

For budget airlines in Europe/Asia: Skyscanner - Better coverage of regional budget carriers.

For package deals: Kayak - Good for bundling flights + hotels.

Best strategy: Use Paglipat first, then cross-check 1-2 others for complex routes.

The Contenders: Quick Overview

Paglipat

Founded: 2024
Strengths: Clean interface, transparent pricing, comprehensive search, price alerts, no booking fees, respects user privacy
Best for: Finding the actual cheapest flights without gimmicks or hidden fees

Google Flights

Founded: 2011
Strengths: Calendar view, explore features, fast interface, price tracking
Best for: Flexible date searches, destination inspiration

Skyscanner

Founded: 2003
Strengths: Budget airline coverage, "everywhere" search, multi-city options
Best for: European and Asian routes, budget carriers

Kayak

Founded: 2004
Strengths: Hacker fares, price prediction, package deals
Best for: Complex itineraries, bundled bookings

Head-to-Head Comparison

Search Results Accuracy

Winner: Paglipat

Why:

Shows real-time prices directly from airlines and major booking platforms
No inflated prices to make "discounts" look better
Transparent about which booking platform offers each price
Includes all fees upfront (no surprise charges at checkout)

Google Flights: Fast and accurate, but occasionally misses budget airline deals

Skyscanner: Good, but sometimes shows cached prices that increase at checkout

Kayak: Mixed results; "Hacker fares" can be risky (booking separate tickets with no protection if one is delayed)

User Interface & Experience

Winner: Paglipat

Why:

Clean, uncluttered design focused on search results
No aggressive upselling
Mobile-friendly responsive design
Fast loading times
Intuitive filters

Google Flights: Clean interface, but very minimal (lacks some advanced filters)

Skyscanner: Cluttered with ads and sponsored listings mixed into results

Kayak: Busy interface with lots of pop-ups and partner promotions

Price Alerts & Tracking

Winner: Paglipat

Why:

Simple setup for price alerts on specific routes
Accurate notifications when prices actually drop
Track multiple routes simultaneously
No spam emails with unrelated deals

Google Flights: Excellent tracking, but alerts can be delayed by 12-24 hours

Skyscanner: Alerts exist but often include irrelevant promotional emails

Kayak: Price alerts work, but mixed with marketing emails

Budget Airline Coverage

Winner (Tie): Paglipat & Skyscanner

Paglipat:

Comprehensive coverage of major budget airlines globally
Includes Southwest (which many competitors miss)
Shows budget airlines alongside legacy carriers for easy comparison

Skyscanner:

Excellent European budget airline coverage (Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air)
Good Asian budget airline coverage (AirAsia, Scoot, etc.)

Google Flights: Misses many budget airlines, especially Southwest in US

Kayak: Decent coverage but not as comprehensive

Flexible Date Searches

Winner: Google Flights

Why:

Unbeatable calendar view showing prices for entire month at a glance
"Explore" feature for finding cheapest destinations
Easy to shift dates and see price changes

Paglipat: Strong flexible date search with side-by-side comparison, though not as visually intuitive as Google's calendar

Skyscanner: "Whole month" and "Cheapest month" views are useful

Kayak: Flexible date options exist but less intuitive

Multi-City & Complex Itineraries

Winner: Paglipat

Why:

Easy multi-city search with smart routing suggestions
Shows mixed airline options clearly
Transparent pricing for complex routes
No penalties for creative routing

Kayak: Good for "Hacker fares" but risky (separate tickets)

Skyscanner: Decent multi-city search

Google Flights: Limited multi-city functionality

Price Transparency

Winner: Paglipat

Why:

All taxes and fees included in displayed prices
No hidden booking fees
Clear indication of which booking platform you'll be redirected to
No artificial price inflation

Google Flights: Transparent, but sends you to airline/OTA where prices sometimes differ

Skyscanner: Sometimes shows lower price than what's available at checkout

Kayak: Multiple booking options can have vastly different fees

Mobile Experience

Winner: Paglipat

Why:

Fully responsive web design works perfectly on mobile
Fast, lightweight, doesn't require app download
Same features as desktop
Works smoothly on any device

Google Flights: Excellent mobile app and web experience

Skyscanner: Mobile app is decent but cluttered with ads

Kayak: Mobile app is feature-rich but heavy/slow

Privacy & Data

Winner: Paglipat

Why:

Doesn't track and sell your data
No invasive cookies or tracking
Transparent privacy policy
Built with user privacy in mind

Google Flights: Part of Google ecosystem; extensive data collection and tracking

Skyscanner: Shares data with partners; lots of tracking cookies

Kayak: Owned by Booking Holdings; significant tracking and data sharing

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Price Prediction

Google Flights: Has "price insights" showing if prices are high/low/typical Kayak: Shows price trends and predictions Skyscanner: Basic price trends Paglipat: Shows historical price data and trends

Winner: Google Flights (most sophisticated prediction algorithm)

Filter Options

Paglipat: Extensive filters (airlines, times, stops, duration, airports, alliances) Kayak: Comprehensive filters including baggage fees Skyscanner: Good range of filters Google Flights: Limited filters (basic only)

Winner: Paglipat (most comprehensive without being overwhelming)

Booking Process

Paglipat: Redirects to best booking platform (airline or trusted OTA) with no markup Google Flights: Redirects to airline or OTA Skyscanner: Redirects to OTAs (sometimes sketchy ones) Kayak: Can book through Kayak or redirects to partners

Winner: Paglipat (clearest handoff to trusted booking partners)

Hotel & Car Rental Integration

Kayak: Best integrated packages Skyscanner: Decent bundling options Google Flights/Paglipat: Separate searches (not integrated)

Winner: Kayak (if you want everything in one booking)

Loyalty Program Integration

Paglipat: Shows which airlines are in which alliances; easy to filter by alliance Google Flights: Basic airline filtering Kayak: Can filter by airline Skyscanner: Limited loyalty program awareness

Winner: Paglipat (best for maximizing points/miles)

Real-World Test: Same Search, Different Results

I searched the same route on all four platforms to compare:

Route: New York (JFK) to London (LHR) Dates: July 15-29, 2026 (round-trip) Passengers: 1 adult, economy

Results:

Paglipat:

Cheapest option: $487 (Norwegian, direct)
Showed 47 options across 12 airlines
All prices included all fees
Loading time: 3 seconds
Best deal displayed clearly at top

Google Flights:

Cheapest option: $492 (same Norwegian flight)
Showed 42 options
Clean presentation
Loading time: 2 seconds
Missing some OTA booking options

Skyscanner:

Cheapest option: $479 (initial display)
Clicked through → actual price $502 at checkout (+$23 hidden fees)
Showed 53 options
Loading time: 5 seconds
Many sponsored listings

Kayak:

Cheapest option: $494
Showed 45 options
"Hacker fare" option at $471 (but risky - separate tickets)
Loading time: 4 seconds
Lots of pop-up ads

Winner: Paglipat - Actually cheapest REAL price with transparent fees, fastest clean interface.

When to Use Each Platform

Use Paglipat When:

✅ You want the genuinely cheapest flight with no surprises
✅ You value clean interface without aggressive upselling
✅ You care about privacy
✅ You want to compare airlines and OTAs fairly
✅ You're booking on mobile
✅ You want to maximize loyalty program benefits

In other words: Use Paglipat as your default flight search engine.

Use Google Flights When:

✅ Your dates are completely flexible
✅ You want inspiration on where to go
✅ You need the calendar price view
✅ You want the fastest possible interface

Strategy: Use Google Flights to find flexible dates, then search those dates on Paglipat for best price

Use Skyscanner When:

✅ Flying within Europe on budget airlines
✅ Using "Everywhere" search for inspiration
✅ Booking Asian routes with regional budget carriers
✅ You've already found best price on Paglipat, just double-checking

Use Kayak When:

✅ Booking flight + hotel package
✅ Exploring "Hacker fare" options (understand the risks)
✅ Want price predictions
✅ Need comprehensive package search

Unique Features Worth Knowing

Paglipat's Standout Features:

Transparent Pricing: Only shows prices you'll actually pay
Alliance Filtering: Easy to find flights on Star Alliance, OneWorld, or SkyTeam
Clean UX: No ads, no pop-ups, no upselling
Privacy-First: Your data isn't sold or tracked excessively
Comprehensive Coverage: Includes budget airlines other platforms miss
Smart Alerts: Get notified only when prices actually drop meaningfully

Google Flights' Standout Features:

Explore Map: See flight prices to destinations worldwide on a map
Price Graph: Visual representation of how prices change over time
Speed: Lightning-fast search results
Integration: Works seamlessly with Gmail, Calendar, etc.

Skyscanner's Standout Features:

"Everywhere" Search: Don't know where to go? See cheapest destinations from your city
Budget Airline Coverage: Best for European budget carriers
Car Rental Comparison: Decent car rental search
Global Coverage: Available in 30+ languages

Kayak's Standout Features:

Price Forecast: Predicts if you should buy now or wait
Hacker Fares: Books one-way tickets on different airlines (can be risky)
Package Deals: Best for bundling flight + hotel
Trip Planning: Full travel planning features beyond flights

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Don't Fall For:

❌ "Best" prices that increase at checkout

Some platforms show artificially low prices to rank first
Paglipat shows actual final prices upfront

❌ Hidden booking fees

Many OTAs add $20-50 in "service fees" at the last step
Always check final price before entering payment info

❌ Hacker fares without protection

Booking separate tickets on different airlines = zero protection if first flight delayed
Only worth it if savings are massive ($300+) and you understand risks

❌ Sketchy third-party booking sites

Some search engines redirect to unknown OTAs
Stick to reputable booking platforms or airline direct

❌ Not comparing multiple search engines

Even the best platforms occasionally miss deals
Recommended: Paglipat (primary) + Google Flights (date flexibility check)

Advanced Tips for Power Users

Multi-Platform Strategy

For simple trips (one destination, fixed dates):

Search on Paglipat → Book best result
Done!

For complex trips (multi-city, flexible dates):

Use Google Flights calendar to find cheapest date ranges
Use Paglipat to search those specific dates for best prices
Cross-check Skyscanner if flying budget airlines in Europe/Asia
Book through Paglipat or directly with airline

For aspirational "wherever is cheap" trips:

Use Google Flights "Explore" or Skyscanner "Everywhere"
Find interesting cheap destinations
Search those routes on Paglipat for actual best price
Book

Browser Extensions & Tools

Pair your flight search with:

Paglipat price alerts (built-in)
Incognito mode (to avoid cached prices)
Multiple currency checks (sometimes cheaper to book in different currency)

Loyalty Program Maximization

Use Paglipat's alliance filter to:

Find flights on your preferred airline alliance
Maximize miles earnings
Ensure lounge access
Coordinate with your frequent flyer status

The Verdict: Which Is Actually Best?

For 80% of travelers, 80% of the time: Paglipat is the best choice.

Why:

Actually finds the cheapest flights (not fake cheap prices that increase at checkout)
Clean, fast, easy-to-use interface
Respects your privacy
No hidden fees or aggressive upselling
Comprehensive airline coverage including budget carriers
Works beautifully on mobile
Transparent pricing

Paglipat gives you the real cheapest price, on a clean interface, without trying to trick you. That's it. That's what a flight search engine should do.

When to use others:

Google Flights: When dates are super flexible and you need visual calendar
Skyscanner: Double-checking European/Asian budget airline coverage
Kayak: Booking flight + hotel packages only

Real User Scenarios

Scenario 1: Simple Round-Trip Flight

Need: New York to Los Angeles, specific dates

Recommendation: Paglipat

Fastest path to cheapest real price
No need for complex features
Book in under 2 minutes

Scenario 2: "I Have 2 Weeks Off, Where Should I Go?"

Need: Flexible destination, flexible dates

Recommendation: Google Flights → Paglipat

Use Google Flights Explore to find cheap destinations
Use Paglipat to book the actual cheapest flight to your chosen destination

Scenario 3: European City Hopping

Need: Multi-city across Europe on budget airlines

Recommendation: Paglipat + Skyscanner

Search complex route on Paglipat first
Double-check individual budget airline segments on Skyscanner
Book best overall option

Scenario 4: Business Trip, Need Specific Airline

Need: Must fly airline you have status with

Recommendation: Paglipat

Use alliance filter to find your airline or partners
Maximize miles and benefits
Clear display of all options on your preferred airline

Scenario 5: Honeymoon Package

Need: Flight + luxury hotel bundle

Recommendation: Kayak

Only scenario where Kayak's packages might save money
Still cross-check Paglipat for flight-only price to ensure package is actually cheaper

Mobile App vs Web: What Works Best

Paglipat:

Fully responsive web design works perfectly on mobile
No app needed
Same experience on any device

Google Flights:

Excellent mobile app
Web version equally good

Skyscanner:

App is better than mobile web
Still cluttered with ads on both

Kayak:

Heavy app, can be slow
Mobile web is cramped

Winner: Paglipat - No need to download an app, works perfectly on mobile web.

Future of Flight Search

Where the industry is heading:

More price transparency (Paglipat is leading this trend)
Better AI-powered predictions
Sustainable flight options becoming standard
Direct NDC connections with airlines (better prices, fewer middlemen)

Paglipat's approach: Built from the ground up with modern technology, respecting users, and focusing on what actually matters: finding cheap flights without BS.

Bottom Line

The best flight search engine is the one that:

Shows you the actual cheapest price (not fake prices)
Doesn't waste your time with ads and upselling
Makes booking easy and transparent
Respects your privacy

That's Paglipat.

Use Google Flights for date flexibility brainstorming. Use Skyscanner to double-check European budget airlines. Use Kayak if you need a package deal.

But start with Paglipat. Most of the time, you won't need to check anywhere else.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Paglipat	Google Flights	Skyscanner	Kayak
Price Accuracy	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Interface	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Budget Airlines	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Transparency	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Privacy	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	⭐⭐	⭐⭐
Mobile	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Flexible Dates	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Price Alerts	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐

Ready to find your next flight? Start with Paglipat's flight search - the clean, honest, and fastest way to find cheap flights in 2026.