Turo vs. Getaround: What’s the Difference?

Turo and Getaround are two of the biggest players in the market of rental car alternatives. The two peer-to-peer car rental companies operate much like Airbnb, but for cars.

Rather than take a rideshare or rent a car from a mega-corporation, Turo and Getaround provide short-term wheels that are bookable by the hour. And for car owners looking to make some side hustle income, posting their cars on either of the two sites can create a stream to earn some extra cash.

Turo and Getaround have much in common, yet their differences include pricing methods, interactions between owners and guests, and location availability. There are also differences for car owners, especially when it comes to the types of vehicles you’re allowed to rent out.

Between Turo versus Getaround, which is better? Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of both car sharing apps:

Car sharing apps are a sign of the times — and that’s not a bad thing.

For those who rent out their vehicles, they are a convenient way to make your assets work for you. For those who use the app to rent a vehicle, they can often be cheaper than traditional car rentals. And since they're not tied to brick and mortar rental car facilities, their pickup locations can sometimes (though not always) be more convenient.

Both long and short-term car rentals are streamlined by each app’s platform to connect loaners and renters, make payments, and even get car insurance.

» Learn more: 4 best apps that come close to ‘Airbnb for cars’

San Francisco-based Turo, originally known as RelayRides, was founded in 2009. They rebranded as Turo in 2015, but they continue to evolve, including a recent June 2024 update that puts the site's unique mix of vehicles available for rent at the forefront.

Turo requirements

For car owners:

• Vehicle must have four wheels and seat eight people or fewer.

• Vehicle has fewer than 130,000 miles and is no more than 12 years old. 

• Must stay up to date with maintenance in accordance with company standards.

• Must possess a clean title.

• Vehicle’s fair market value cannot exceed $200,000.

• Some specialty and classic cars are eligible that do not meet these standards, but you have to call to verify eligibility.

For car renters:

• Must have a verified Turo account.

• Meet the age requirement for the type of car you’re renting and country you’re renting in. It's typically 18 in most countries, but there are also exceptions for specific types of vehicle. Plus, drivers may be subject to a young driver fee.

• Possess a valid, full and permanent driver’s license.

• Share your home address, a photo of yourself and a payment method in your Turo profile. 

• Turo may review your credit report, auto insurance score or criminal record, if applicable.

Turo availability

Turo rentals are available throughout the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France and Australia, though availability varies by city.

Turo pricing

Turo is pretty transparent with their pricing, displaying the rental price plus additional trip fee on the main comparison page.

You may sometimes encounter extra fees, but it's situational. Sometimes airports charge fees if the host delivers the vehicle to you there, which Turo passes on to you. There may also be fees like a young driver fee or late return fee, where applicable.

You can optionally add insurance coverage in the form of a protection plan. If you already have auto insurance, Turo’s coverage is secondary to your existing coverage.

» Learn more: The worst hidden travel fees (and how to avoid them)

Turo offerings

You can browse Turo using a wide array of filters, such as location, vehicle model or even the type of experience you’d like to have (such as renting a Deluxe Class car).

Need a car for a scenic drive, to unwind for the weekend, to get the errands done or to try before you buy? They have a filter for that.

It offers sections for pet-friendly cars, electric vehicles, all-wheel drive options and even classic cars.

Turo really shook up the way travelers might think about renting a car in June 2024, when it launched what's called "limitless search." Now, upon landing on Turo’s site or launching the app, users are encouraged to browse vehicles without committing to a date or location — and potentially center their trip upon the car itself (rather than find a car that fits the trip).

» Learn more: Which car rental company usually has the lowest prices?

Booking with Turo

Though you need to have a card on file in order to book, the company allows you to reserve your car without requiring upfront payment. Instead, Turo charges renters closer to their trip date. The timeframe depends on when you booked.

Here's when you get charged:

• Cars booked 3 to 4 days out: You get charged two days before the trip start.

• Cars booked 5 to 13 days out: You get charged three days before the trip start.

• Cars booked 14 or more days out: You get charged seven days before the trip start.

Some travelers might choose to pay in full upfront to make it easier to manage their own travel finances. But, most will choose to pay later to have that flexibility should they need to change their trip.

Getaround was founded the same year as Turo (2009). Likewise, it's also based in San Francisco.

One of the company’s most-marketed conveniences is contactless car-sharing, which is a major benefit for many. However, this can come with its own set of challenges, since cars can sometimes be difficult to locate.

Its app is user-friendly for both owners and renters; just like with Turo, it’s simple to sign up, go through the verification process and get started.

Getaround requirements

For car owners:

• Vehicle must be a passenger vehicle with at least four wheels.

• Model year 2007 or newer (if the car is 10 years or older, it must pass inspection).

• Fewer than 200,000 miles (if the car has 125,000 to 200,000 miles, it must pass inspection).

• Seat no more than 10 passengers.

• Must have power door locks installed in the front doors.

• Must be in good physical and mechanical condition.

• Cash value of $150,000 or less.

• Must possess a clean title.

• Abide by safety recalls.

• Have photos of all four sides of the vehicle uploaded to Getaround.

• Certain exotic or performance vehicles are excluded from eligibility.

For car renters:

• Be at least 19 years old (22 years old in Orange County and Los Angeles, and 25 years old for those coming from outside the continental U.S.).

• Have a valid drivers license for the country you’re renting in.

• Can pay for the rental with a credit card in your name.

• Be present for the check-in and check out.

• Verify your profile.

• No more than two vehicle-related violations or accidents combined in the last three years.

• No major vehicle-related violations in the last three years.

• No drug or alcohol-related violations in the last seven years.

• All drivers under 21 must have a clean record.

• All drivers under 26 must pay the young driver surcharge.

» Learn more: The cheapest way to rent a car: 10 tips to save

Getaround availability

Getaround relaunched its app in 2024 and is now available in all U.S. markets as well as seven European countries, including France, Norway, Belgium, Spain, the U.K., Germany and Austria.

Getaround pricing

Once you login to the app or website, input your dates and destination. Like Turo, Getaround's search results don’t show the final prices.

The added fees can be a doozy.

For example, a recent search for a three-day rental showed a booking fee of $45.99 and a license verification fee of $16. Although some insurance coverage is included in the price and you pay the license verification fee just once, you’re still facing a substantial increase in cost from the base price.

Getaround offerings

Getaround offers daily as well as hourly rentals, whereas Turo only offers daily options. This flexibility is handy if you need to extend your rental or if you only need the car for a quick errand. The contactless transaction is also really convenient.

Trip liability coverage is included in the price, and it'll even let you add a second driver for free.

Whether you’re in it for the extra income or you’re looking for an affordable car rental, peer-to-peer car sharing can be an efficient and economical choice for both car owners and renters.

Here's a summary of their differences:

• Location. Turo is the largest peer-to-peer rental marketplace in the world. Given that, you're usually (though not always) more likely to find a Turo versus a Getaround in your location.

• Safety. Both Turo and Getaround have systems in place to vet their drivers and renters.

• Price. Since prices vary based on individual car owner, it's difficult to say which is cheaper. Comparison shop across both sites to ensure the best price.

• Delivery. Want your car delivered to you? Check out Turo. Then again, maybe you'd rather not talk to someone. If contactless rental experiences are important to you, both Getaround and Turo offer cars that can be unlocked via mobile app, so you never have to interact with someone in real life. That's the standard for Getaround, though with Turo you'll have to specifically browse Turo Go-enabled cars.

• Length. If you need a car for only a few hours, Getaround might net out cheaper. It offers hourly rates, whereas Turos are generally priced by the day.