Bachelor parties. College reunions. Multi-generational family getaways. Hunting trips. Girls’ weekends. Even buddy mooning. Call it what you will (though please don’t let buddy mooning happen), there’s been a boom in group vacations recently. One recent survey last year, conducted by travel marketing specialist MMGY Global, found that around a third of US adults who’d spent at least one night away from home had taken a vacation with friends—among millennials, that number was even higher, at 50%.
No wonder, then, that a spate of startup apps aimed at making such trips less stressful and more seamless has emerged. We examined the offerings in three key categories to identify the best option in each, as well as some honorable mentions for runners-up. Here’s Condé Nast Traveler’s pick of group trip apps.
Best for Trip-planning: TRAVEFY (iOS, Android; free)
This app collates flight and hotel info into a single, shareable itinerary; it also bundles online reviews and contact information into that outline. You can share the results with all, or just select members, of the group (handy if everyone’s flights, for example, are from different airports, but you’re all staying at the same hotel). Solicit input or run suggestions by everyone via the built-in chat feature, or even run a Twitter-style poll to settle the final decision. Divvying expenses at trip’s end is also included, though unfortunately, there’s a fee for settling the final group expenses via credit card on the app.
Runners-up: Tripit (iOS, Android; free) is very similar to Travefy, but one caveat: don't shell out for the premium version as the upgrades offered, like real-time flight alerts, don’t justify the $49 fee. Combotrip (iOS, Android; free) is more focused on collaborative planning, rather than assigning a group leader. But when it comes to travel planning, remember that democracy can be a time-suck.
Best for Keeping Tally: SPLITTR (iOS only; $1.99)
This app has a single mission: simplifying the process of settling the tally, especially when you travel. It works offline (so no roaming fees) and integrates currency conversion—add expenses as you go, then settle them in dollars, or whatever your home currency might be. Each time you add an activity, you can tag whomever in the group participated; at trip’s end, Splittr instantly generates a final bill for each traveler as a pdf via email. It’s a pity, though, that you can’t use the app to pay—you’ll need to use an outside service, like Venmo or Paypal, to actually transfer the money. It’s currently iOS-only but developer Raphael Wichmann assures Condé Nast Traveler an Android version should be released soon.
Runners-up: Splitwise (iOS, Android; free) integrates Venmo directly into the app. Unfortunately, it only processes transactions in whichever currency you’ve set as your default, which is a major downside if you’re traveling abroad.
Best for Keeping in Touch: PRAVA (iOS, Android; free)
This app includes an itinerary manager much like that by Travefy, but Prava has other, more compelling features. It stands out for the ability to not only message within the app but also to share your location when you do, so it’s an ideal tool to make meeting up in an unfamiliar city more seamless. There’s also a nifty photo-sharing feature that will streamline that end-of-trip rush to make sure everyone has all the best shots.
Runners-up: Friendlynk (iOS only, free) focuses on location tracking, alongside listings of events in any given location—an ideal group-organizing tool at a sports game or festival, or even in your home city. Vamoos (iOS, Android; free) is primarily aimed at tour group members—the interactive ticker that counts down to the group meeting time is a thoughtful touch, though.