A boat rental app lets you search, compare and book boats near you or abroad, from pontoons and fishing boats to yachts with a skipper. Some connect you with private owners, some with charter operators and some run their own club fleet. Ten options follow, in no particular order.
Renting a boat used to mean walking the dock and asking around. Now you can compare dozens of boats, read reviews and book a skipper from your sofa, which is brilliant until the weather turns or nobody on board has driven a boat before.
The apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and each description comes from the provider's own App Store listing, read this week. Planning a whole trip? My ChatGPT prompts for planning travel can sort the itinerary around your day on the water.
Boat rental apps at a glance
I checked the free plan column on each provider's own App Store listing, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the page names a free plan, a free version, a free tier of questions, free membership or free listing. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the page I read named neither, even where there's a download button or a button inviting you to start, so check the provider's own page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| BoatBooker | Boat rental and tour booking app | Tours with verified reviews | Not stated |
| Boatsetter | Peer-to-peer boat rental app | Renting from local owners | Not stated |
| Click&Boat | Worldwide boat rental app | Renting abroad without a licence | Not stated |
| Freedom Boat Club | Boat club members app | Boating often without owning | Not stated |
| GetBoat.com | Yacht and boat charter app | Getting offers from operators | Not stated |
| Getmyboat | Boat and water activity booking app | Jet skis, charters and more | Yes |
| Sailo | Worldwide boat rental app | Searching tens of thousands of boats | Not stated |
| SamBoat | Boat rental platform app | Owners renting out their own boat | Yes |
| SKIFF | Boat charter booking app | Splitting the trip with friends | Not stated |
| Teknevia | Istanbul boat and yacht app | Booking a boat in Istanbul | Yes |
Ten boat rental apps worth a look
BoatBooker
Best for: Travellers who'd like to compare boat rentals and tours from vetted operators, with verified reviews to read before booking.
Boatsetter
Best for: Groups who want to rent from local boat owners, from fishing charters to party trips, in a peer-to-peer community.
Click&Boat
Best for: Holidaymakers without a boating licence who want a skipper and a choice of boats across more than 100 countries.
Freedom Boat Club
Best for: Club members who boat often and want to reserve from a shared fleet instead of owning a boat outright.
GetBoat.com
Best for: Planners who'd rather name a place and dates and let operators send offers, without signing up to send a request.
Getmyboat
Best for: Renters who want everything on the water in one place, and owners who can list a boat for free.
Sailo
Best for: Travellers who want a wide choice of motorboats, sailboats, catamarans and yachts across dozens of countries, synced with the website.
SamBoat
Best for: Owners who want to rent out their boat with free listing, and renters who'd like a skipper or none.
SKIFF
Best for: Friends planning a day out who want to split payments in the app and book a verified boat in minutes.
Teknevia
Best for: Visitors to Istanbul who want to compare local boats and yachts and book online, with free membership.
Matching an app to your trip
- Renting from a local owner: Boatsetter, SamBoat.
- A holiday abroad, with or without a skipper: Click&Boat, Sailo.
- Letting operators send you offers: GetBoat.com.
- Splitting the trip with friends: SKIFF.
- Boating often without owning: Freedom Boat Club.
Why safety deserves five minutes of your planning
The U.S. Coast Guard says it verified 3,887 recreational boating incidents in 2024, involving 556 deaths and 2,170 injuries. Most rentals go smoothly, but those numbers are a good reason to ask questions before you leave the dock.
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Ask who's responsible for safety on board, whether life jackets fit everyone, including children, and what happens if the weather changes. If you've never handled that type of boat, book a skipper.
Owners, operators and clubs
Peer-to-peer apps connect you with private owners, which can mean more choice and local knowledge. Charter apps work with professional operators, often with crewed yachts. Clubs give members access to a shared fleet.
Each model suits a different trip. A one-off afternoon on a lake is a very different booking from a week on a crewed yacht or a summer of regular outings.
Questions to ask before you book
- Is a skipper included or available? Essential if nobody in your group has experience.
- What licence do you need? Rules vary by country and by boat.
- What's the cancellation policy for bad weather? Read it before you pay a deposit.
- What safety kit is on board? Life jackets, radio and a first aid kit at least.
If you own a boat
Several of these apps let owners list a boat as well as rent one. Read how insurance, payments and guest vetting work before your first booking, and keep your safety equipment checks as strict as when you're out on your own.
Do you make boat rental, booking or travel apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on boat rental apps
Choose the app by the kind of trip, not the logo: owner-to-renter apps for local days out, charter apps for crewed holidays and clubs if you'll go often. Whatever you book, ask about safety and the weather policy before you pay.
Packing for the trip? My guide to the best travel backpack covers bags that cope with a day on the water.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to rent a boat?
It depends on the trip: owner-to-renter apps suit local days out, while charter apps suit crewed holidays.
Can I rent a boat without a licence?
Many apps let you book a boat with a skipper, which is the safest choice if you don't have a licence.
Are boat rental apps free to use?
The apps are free to download, and several name free listing or free membership, so check the free plan column.
How safe is renting a boat?
Most trips go smoothly, but the U.S. Coast Guard verified 3,887 recreational boating incidents in 2024, so ask about safety first.
Can I list my own boat on these apps?
Several apps let owners list a boat, some for free, so read their insurance and payment terms first.
What should I ask before renting a boat?
Ask about a skipper, licences, the bad weather policy and the safety kit on board.
