How to Make an App Like Tripadvisor in 2025 | Features, Cost & Guide

What Is Tripadvisor and Why Is It So Popular Among Travelers?

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” — Saint Augustine

This timeless quote captures the spirit of modern exploration. In the digital age, travel is no longer about spontaneity alone; it's about informed exploration, and Tripadvisor leads that transformation.

As one of the world’s most trusted travel platforms, it empowers users to plan smarter, compare destinations, and make well-reviewed choices. From hotels and restaurants to attractions and itineraries, Tripadvisor brings the global travel experience to users’ fingertips.

If you're exploring how to make an app like Tripadvisor, it’s crucial to understand what sets it apart. This blog unpacks the app’s core mechanics, success model, and how you can build a similarly powerful travel solution.

Key Takeaways

• Travel apps like Tripadvisor are reshaping how users explore, plan, and book their journeys in real time.

• To create an app like Tripadvisor, focus on personalization, user-generated content, and seamless booking tools.

• AI integration boosts user experience through smart recommendations, fraud detection, and dynamic pricing.

• Successful monetization relies on a mix of commissions, in-app ads, affiliate links, and subscription models.

• Collaborating with JPLoft ensures expert guidance in building scalable, secure, and feature-rich travel solutions.

How Does the Tripadvisor App Work for Travel Planning and Booking?

Tripadvisor began as a review platform but quickly evolved into a robust travel planning companion. 

Users can explore destinations, compare hotels, book restaurants, discover experiences, and even build personalized itineraries all in one app. Its dynamic filtering, AI-powered suggestions, and community-driven ratings make it highly trusted across demographics.

Tripadvisor collects user-generated content, millions of reviews, ratings, and travel photos, enabling travelers to make informed decisions. Its smart search tools and map integration allow users to find nearby activities, plan by category, or book last-minute reservations on the go.

If you're planning to make an app like Tripadvisor, your solution must combine rich content, real-time availability, seamless booking, and a social component. For entrepreneurs aiming to develop a Tripadvisor clone, studying this user-centric flow is crucial to replicating its success.

Incorporating intuitive mobile app design is key to delivering the effortless navigation that users expect. Moreover, following a robust travel app security guide will help build trust and ensure data protection during logins and bookings. Many startups also analyze why online travel apps fail often due to poor user experience or lack of personalization, which Tripadvisor has clearly mastered.

Features like wishlist creation, price comparison, and geolocation services also play a major role in why Tripadvisor remains one of the best travel apps in the world. This level of functionality is foundational for any team trying to build a Tripadvisor clone or invest in Tripadvisor like app development.

Why Should You Develop an App Like Tripadvisor in 2025?

With global tourism rebounding and mobile-first travel habits on the rise, now is a strategic time to develop an app like Tripadvisor. 

Below are six compelling reasons why building such a platform is a smart move in 2025.

A] Travel App Usage Is at an All-Time High

According to Statista, the global travel app market is expected to surpass $1.2 billion by 2028.

Travelers rely on mobile apps to research, compare, and book experiences, which creates a clear business case to make a travel app like Tripadvisor. Entrepreneurs exploring the cost to develop a travel app will find that ROI potential is strong when backed by the right features.

B] User Behavior Favors Self-Service Planning

Today’s users favor autonomy, researching destinations, reading reviews, and booking trips independently. 

Apps like Tripadvisor empower this behavior, setting a benchmark for platforms that aim to create a Tripadvisor clone. Choosing the right mobile app tech stack becomes crucial to deliver seamless, real-time performance.

C] High Revenue Potential from Multiple Streams

From hotel bookings and affiliate marketing to native ads and sponsored content, a travel app has multiple monetization paths. 

Learning from models like Tripadvisor and how to create an app like Hopper helps developers identify where to drive the most revenue through UX optimization.

D] Evolving Trends Support Niche Travel Apps

The demand for personalized, niche experiences—eco-tourism, culinary trips, solo travel—is growing. 

Building an app that adapts to these trends gives you an edge. Leveraging insights from travel app development trends will help you stay ahead in functionality and engagement.

E] Trust and Transparency Are Key in Booking Decisions

User-generated content, verified reviews, and ratings build trust, Tripadvisor’s biggest strength. 

If you're looking to build an app like Tripadvisor, transparency features should be top priority. Modern travelers rely on verified experiences before making bookings, which makes content moderation and validation a critical success factor.

F] The Market Favors Scalable Travel Tech

Today’s platforms are built to scale with cloud-based solutions and modular codebases. That makes it easier than ever to develop a Tripadvisor clone with flexible MVP features and rapid deployment cycles. 

This technical flexibility allows you to launch faster, pivot based on user feedback, and expand without major rewrites.

With demand for intuitive travel tools on the rise, building a feature-rich, user-centric app like Tripadvisor presents a timely opportunity. By aligning with user expectations and leveraging tech trends, your platform can thrive in today’s competitive travel landscape.

What Features Should You Include in an App Like Tripadvisor?

To make a travel app like Tripadvisor that captivates modern travelers, your platform must combine personalized content, booking tools, and community trust. 

Here are the must-have features to include:

1. Smart Destination Search & Filters

Users expect to search by location, rating, type, or even mood. AI-based filters and predictive search help improve discovery. Anyone looking to create an app like Tripadvisor must begin with a powerful, intuitive search engine, something consistently found among the top travel app features.

2. Reviews, Ratings & Real Photos

Authentic user-generated content, photos, ratings, and detailed reviews are what keep users loyal. This builds trust and makes it easier to develop a Tripadvisor clone that users rely on. It also highlights one of the major travel app development challenges: moderation and fake content control.

3. Maps & Nearby Exploration

An interactive map lets users discover nearby restaurants, attractions, and hotels. Layer in filters like “open now” or “family-friendly,” and you've solved real user pain points. This feature also supports AR overlays, helping brands explore AR in travel apps for immersive experiences.

4. Booking Engine & Price Comparison

Seamless in-app booking, whether for hotels, tours, or flights, is a core driver of revenue. When planning how to develop an app like Tripadvisor, integrating APIs for inventory and live pricing is critical. Apps like Omio use similar flows, which is why it’s helpful to study how to create an app like Omio for inspiration. 

5. Wishlists, Planners & Sharing

Let users save favorite spots, build itineraries, and collaborate with others. These micro features build stickiness and offer monetization opportunities down the line, an important consideration when you build a Tripadvisor clone for long-term retention.

6. Login, Profiles & Personalization

Custom profiles, social login, and AI-driven suggestions help personalize the experience. These also demand proper QA protocols and highlight the importance of robust mobile app testing during development.

Including these core features will ensure your app matches user expectations and industry standards. Prioritize usability, personalization, and trust to truly compete with platforms like Tripadvisor.

Many aspiring entrepreneurs wonder, how to develop an app like Tripadvisor? 

The secret lies in combining rich content, personalization, and seamless booking capabilities backed by robust architecture.

How to Create an App Like Tripadvisor: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a successful travel platform requires more than just sleek design. If you're wondering how to create an app like Tripadvisor, here’s a structured approach to building a scalable, engaging, and competitive app for modern travelers.

Step 1: Define Your Niche and Value Proposition

Start by identifying whether your app will cater to budget travelers, luxury seekers, or adventure explorers. This clarity helps set priorities for features, UI, and monetization. Defining your niche upfront ensures smarter investment throughout the Tripadvisor app development process. 

Step 2: Analyze the Competition and Market Gaps

Studying platforms like Kayak, Hopper, and Omio helps clarify how to develop an app like Tripadvisor that avoids known UX pitfalls. For example, looking into how to develop an app like Kayak can reveal strengths in real-time pricing or multi-modal travel search, features worth emulating. 

Step 3: Decide Features, APIs, and Monetization

List essentials like location-based search, booking tools, and trip planners. Include personalization, wishlists, and review moderation systems. Also consider in-app ads, affiliate models, or paid listings as monetization options. Regular updates and fixes are key, which makes mobile app maintenance a critical part of long-term success.

Step 4: Choose the Right Tech Stack

Selecting a reliable mobile app tech stack like React Native, Flutter, Firebase, or AWS is crucial. It should support real-time syncing, third-party integrations, and future scalability across iOS and Android.

Step 5: Hire a Travel-Savvy Development Team

Work with experts in Tripadvisor like app development, especially those experienced in building scalable booking platforms and integrating travel APIs. If you want to create a Tripadvisor clone that delivers real value, your tech partner must be well-versed in domain challenges.

Step 6: Build an MVP, Test, and Improve

Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to validate core features. Conduct usability tests, stress tests, and security audits to ensure smooth functionality. Planning to build an app like Tripadvisor also requires AI integration and smart recommendations, so consider working with a team that knows how to build an AI app effectively.

Step 7: Launch the App to Market

Once your MVP is stable and refined, initiate a phased launch strategy. Begin with soft-launches or beta testing in target regions to collect user feedback, address bugs, and test infrastructure scalability before a full-scale release.

Step 8: Monitor Performance and User Engagement

Use advanced analytics tools to track KPIs like retention rate, bounce rate, conversion rate, and booking volume. Monitor user behavior to understand friction points and iteratively enhance UX/UI based on data-driven insights.

Step 9: Maintain, Optimize, and Scale

Travel apps like Tripadvisor require continuous updates to keep content fresh and systems secure. Regular maintenance should include performance tuning, API updates, security patches, and new feature rollouts based on evolving user demands.By following these steps, you can effectively create an app like Tripadvisor that’s scalable, user-focused, and future-ready. Prioritize smart tech choices and continuous optimization for lasting success.

How Is AI Used in Apps Like Tripadvisor?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming travel platforms globally. If you're looking to create an app like Tripadvisor, integrating AI can unlock dynamic personalization, predictive insights, and enhanced security, making your Tripadvisor app development project future-ready and user-centric. 

1. Personalized Recommendations

AI-driven recommendation engines assess user behavior, preferences, and prior searches to offer tailored suggestions for hotels, destinations, or experiences. This level of customization is now central to Tripadvisor like app development, especially as personalization becomes a key user expectation.

Modern users expect travel apps to understand their interests instantly. AI makes that possible, delivering a more relevant and satisfying experience.

2. Natural Language Processing for Reviews and Chatbots

From analyzing thousands of reviews to powering real-time responses, NLP (Natural Language Processing) makes your app more intelligent and user-centric. If you're planning to develop a Tripadvisor clone, AI-driven sentiment analysis ensures faster, more reliable filtering of user feedback. 

To build scalable NLP-powered systems, you may consider partnering with an expert AI app development company. 

3. Image Recognition and Visual Search

Visual search lets users upload images and discover travel destinations or properties that match. This tech, powered by AI, boosts UX dramatically. It’s a smart inclusion if you aim to build a Tripadvisor clone that resonates with next-gen users.

Such features also align with how modern users interact with AI in hospitality, where image-based discovery is becoming increasingly mainstream. 

4. Smart Pricing Engines

Dynamic pricing models powered by AI evaluate seasonal demand, user behavior, and market trends to recommend optimal booking prices. These insights can help founders and businesses optimize conversion when undertaking Tripadvisor app development. 

5. Fraud Detection and Booking Security

AI's anomaly detection capabilities help flag suspicious bookings or fake reviews in real-time. As you create a Tripadvisor clone, embedding such systems ensures trust and reliability, two pillars of long-term app success.

To achieve this efficiently, it's wise to hire app developers with expertise in fraud prevention tools and scalable architecture.

6. Automated Itinerary Builders

With a few clicks, AI can generate full travel plans tailored to users' preferences, streamlining the booking journey. This not only enhances UX but also boosts app retention. Integrating this while you develop a Tripadvisor clone can create a massive competitive edge. 

AI is no longer optional; it's the driving force behind smarter, more intuitive travel apps. To create a Tripadvisor clone that truly stands out, integrating AI is essential for personalization, automation, and long-term scalability.

What’s the Cost to Build an App Like Tripadvisor in 2025?

The cost to create an app like Tripadvisor in 2025 typically ranges between $45,000 and $250,000, depending on your chosen features, technology stack, design quality, and development partner. 

Whether you're planning to make an app like Tripadvisor or a niche travel product, understanding the cost breakdown is critical for budgeting and ROI planning. 

► App Features & Complexity

Basic travel apps include search, maps, and booking functionalities. But to stand out like Tripadvisor, you’ll need more advanced capabilities like user-generated content, recommendation engines, and multi-vendor support.

Planning ahead helps reduce scope creep and aligns well with insights from top mobile app development companies in the USA.

► App Design and Development Stack 

UI/UX design greatly influences both cost and user retention. Similarly, your choice of backend infrastructure, APIs, and cloud services also determines scalability and pricing.

If you're unsure where to begin, start by defining your MVP scope with expert support from a reliable team that can help you create an app tailored to the travel industry. 

► Geographical Impact on Development Cost 

Development rates vary significantly by region. For example, North America and Western Europe typically charge more than South Asia. Offshore development can save money without compromising quality, especially when handled by a vetted mobile app maintenance company.

► Competitor-Based Cost Estimates

Apps like Agoda or Visit Dubai offer good benchmarks. For instance:

The cost to create an app like Agoda could range from $50K–$200K based on features.

The cost to develop a travel app like Visit Dubai may go higher due to immersive content and city-level integrations.

Pro Tip: Break your budget into phases: prototype, MVP, full launch, and maintenance, to control costs and avoid over-investment.

All in all, building a feature-rich app like Tripadvisor demands careful budgeting and smart planning. Factor in long-term maintenance and scalability to ensure a sustainable return on your investment.

How to Monetize a Travel App Like Tripadvisor?

Creating a feature-rich platform is only the first step; monetizing it is what truly powers your business. If you’re planning to make an app like Tripadvisor, understanding viable revenue models will help you turn traffic into income from day one.

Here are the five most effective monetization models used by top travel platforms:

1. Commission-Based Model

This is the go-to strategy for most OTAs and review-based apps. You earn a commission every time a user books a hotel, experience, or tour through your platform. It scales well as your vendor network grows.

2. In-App Advertising

Display ads from travel brands, airlines, or local service providers. You can monetize free users without limiting access, making it ideal for large user bases. For guidance on setup, explore proven travel app monetization strategies.

3. Freemium + Premium Features

Offer a basic free version and lock high-value features behind a paywall, such as personalized itineraries, ad-free usage, or exclusive deals. It's an ideal model for frequent travelers. 

4. Affiliate Partnerships

Drive users to third-party travel services and earn commissions per booking. This model aligns especially well with user-generated content like reviews or travel guides.

5. Subscription Plans

A flat monthly or annual fee gives users access to VIP features like early-bird discounts, premium support, or exclusive travel content.

Planning to implement any of these? Learn how to create a travel app with monetization integrated right from the MVP phase to future-proof your investment.

Partner with JPLoft and Build an App Like Tripadvisor

Building a world-class travel platform requires the right tech expertise and domain insight. 

JPLoft is a leading travel app development company that helps startups and enterprises launch scalable, feature-rich, and user-focused travel solutions. Whether you're looking to create an app like Tripadvisor or develop a custom travel product from scratch, our team ensures everything from design and development to deployment is handled seamlessly.

With a strong portfolio in travel tech, cutting-edge tools, and AI integration capabilities, we help you bring your app vision to life faster and smarter. Let’s turn your idea into a thriving travel platform.

Conclusion

From planning vacations to booking hotels and finding hidden gems, apps like Tripadvisor have transformed how people explore the world. If you’re aiming to develop an app like Tripadvisor, success lies in combining user trust, robust features, and smart monetization.

With the right strategy and tech partner, you can not only build a Tripadvisor clone but also create a solution that stands out in today’s competitive travel market. Now that you understand the process, features, and costs involved, it’s time to move forward with confidence and clarity.