CouchSurfing.com has been around since 2004, and reviews of the popular cheap travel alternative website have been mixed since it’s inception. Perhaps it’s time for a fresh look at some 2023 CouchSurfing alternatives, or sites like CouchSurfing.
These Are the Best Couchsurfing Alternatives
When I first set off to head overseas as a digital nomad almost 10 years ago, I wasn’t so sure I was ready to do it alone. I did what many nomads do –I did a little research and tried to find people to share my journey with, show me around while I was living in Chiang Mai, and point me in the direction of all the best coworking spaces, night spots, and cultural attractions.
Related: How to Be a Digital Nomad, Step-by-Step
It wasn’t long before I’d decided to give Couchsurfing a try, and it took weeks to get any good dialogue going with Couchsurfing hosts.
I was looking for foreigners to host me in the beginning. I knew I needed to submerse myself into Thai culture, but not until I had gotten the lay of the land from a few expats. In hindsight, this would have been a smart move had any reliable hosts actually accepted me as a guest.
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After hearing a steady stream of negative Couchsurfer experiences, I thought I’d explore some Couchsurfing alternatives that were relevant (and updated in 2023).
Couchsurfing Alternatives in 2023
The landscape for Couchsurfing alternatives in 2019 seemed pretty bleak initially, with most of them being so old, I wondered if anyone was even using them anymore.
Here’s what I came up with: My top Couchsurfing alternatives in 2023 –at 40 years of age I’m willing to put a little money into the free accommodation these sites can provide, by paying for a membership.
It’s a great way to weed out competition from other users, and generally keeping the community respectful of the privilege (and a whole lot less flakey –you get what you pay for).
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments –would you pay for a more exclusive line-up of couchsurfing alternatives or does that go against the very point of couch surfing?
6. Airbnb
Wait! We know Airbnb isn’t a straight-up Couchsurfing alternative! It costs money whenever you use it! But hear me out.
Since we’ve been in Asia, all other venues and platforms have had moments where they flaked out. Sometimes it left us in quite the pickle, and we could always turn to Airbnb without fail. We’ve had some good luck with it, and as yet, zero problems.
Another reason to consider Airbnb is the fact that you can book a quiet place with a soft mattress to get a quality night’s sleep when you need it most.
It’s a great backup to have installed on your phone and you’ve got some FREE AIRBNB CREDIT if you sign up with us using this link today.
5. BeWelcome – Great for backpackers
BeWelcome is a not-for-profit couchsurfing alternative, which is great if you’re bootstrapping, but it’s also just as unpredictable as Couchsurfing.com in that anyone can sign up, and profiles are not matched by an algorithm.
- Just as “safe” as Couchsurfing.com
- Most users of all Couchsurfing alternatives
- Not-for-profit also means little customer service, if any
Reviews I’ve found online state that they remove users for illegitimate reasons, offer little to no customer service, and “promote democracy” among users –meaning it isn’t carefully curated, you’re on your own and left to wonderful surprises like “oh, hey. I’m a 56 year-old male nudist –sorry I didn’t mention that in my profile”.
Other complaints include it not having enough hosts and fewer users in general, unlike Couchsurfing.com. It’s give and take with this 2023 couchsurfing alternative.
4. Trustroots – Great for Hitchhikers
Trustroots started in 2014 and sells itself as a hospitality website for hitchhikers. This is probably very ideal for digital nomads and expats who are completely willing to go with the flow, and have a nice passive income or some money in the bank.
Because of Trustroots’ focus on hitchhikers and hobos, it’s probably the least useful for digital nomads, however it’s got a very slick website and the maps displaying where all its users are is very helpful, making it a great option as a couchsurfing alternative this year.
- Dynamic map to see where users and hosts are
- It’s all open-source, and truly a not-for-profit
- Not ideal for digital nomads if you rely on reliable working conditions
- Trust is everything
Trustroots reviews are sparse on the web, which is why I gave it the third rank out of this top Couchsurfing alternatives list. I’d really like to hear from readers in the comments on this one, as it’s the only one I haven’t tried myself (yet).
3. MovingWorlds – Great for Volunteers
Moving Worlds is a platform for professionals to use their skills abroad in exchange for accommodation or other benefits (some projects also offer stipends).
In a nut shell; “MovingWorlds connects professionals wanting to donate their skills to startups and social enterprises around the world that meet their skills & preferences”.
- Make a social impact with your professional skills, do more than simply volunteer
- Extensive resources to ensure you have a high impact, safe trip
- All organizations are verified by MovingWorlds
- Accommodation included, just ask
The reviews for MovingWorlds are impeccable, which makes it one of the best Couchsurfing.com alternatives in 2023; you can watch video interviews of “experteers” here, or you can visit any one of these third-party websites to get a better idea of what they’re all about.
- Go Overseas MovingWorlds Reviews
- MovingWorlds: Where Peace Corps meets Match.com
- MovingWorlds on GlassDoor
2. WarmShowers – Best Choice for Cyclists
WarmShowers is the ‘Couchsurfing for cyclists’, and truly, that means cyclists only.
It’s exclusive niche-based approach to serving only cyclists narrows the field and competition for guests, while ensuring that hosts can relate to them on a passionate level; a mutually shared love of long-distance cycling tours.
In WarmShowers reviews we noticed that a majority of hosts have also been guests at one time or another, and vice-versa.
With this Couchsurfing alternative it’s important to point out; it’s a strong community and being a guest doesn’t necessarily mean “free”.
You pay with your time and effort, being the best guest you can be.
We recommend that if you use this site, don’t show up overly tired and be ready for conversation. Perhaps come with a few groceries and cook a meal for your host. Be prepared to be an ideal guest, and you’ll likely find yourself under the same roof as an ideal host.
Simply put; come prepared to make friends. Don’t show up at 3am drunk after a night out, sleep all day, or avoid your host.
All in all, the reviews for WarmShowers are the best we’ve seen for a site like Couchsurfing. Cyclists are a tightly-knit bunch, and it shows in the WarmShowers reviews we’ve read.
1. TrustedHousesitters is My Top Pick as a Couchsurfing Alternative
Create a profile on TrustedHousesitters to check it out for free, and live rent free in beautiful homes residing in exotic locations –and all you gotta’ do is take the dog for a walk.
Seasonal opportunities aren’t rare –imagine a full winter in Bali, Cancun, Medellin, or Sydney without paying any rent!
From their website;
“What is TrustedHousesitters (as a couchsurfing alternative)? By offering your time and care for other’s pets (and/or homes) for free, you can enjoy staying for free in locations world-wide, whether you’re looking for a weekend or a few months. Watch our short video to discover even more about the world of house sitting. Become a member for $129 – the rest is free“.
Why I Chose TrustedHousesitters as a 2023 Couchsurfing Alternative
In my early days of living in Chiang Mai, Thailand I lucked out and all my neighbors at Baan Thai were travel bloggers. Really successful ones at that.
Nomad is Beautiful, Camille in Wonderlands, Just One Way Ticket, Breathing Travel, Getting Stamped, Blonde Abroad, Travel Dave, Wagoners Abroad, Keep Calm and Travel, and others, all at the same time.
It was pretty nutty –that was 2015, and it was because of these influences that I rebooted this blog in 2017. Why let them have all the fun? But, back to this couchsurfing alternative.
In particular, Sabrina from Just One-Way Ticket had taken a trip to Hong Kong to look after some kitties in a skyscraper that towered over the city while we were neighbors back in Chiang Mai.
And it didn’t cost her a penny beyond her flight. I can’t imagine what a condo with a view like the one in the video above costs.
TH is a reliable source of getting entire apartments, condos, you name it –for simple pet-sitting gigs, no charge after the signup fee, forever.
TH also makes it easy to plan in advance, so it’s convenient, and all of my peers say that a host flaking out rarely, if ever, happens.
Visit the TrustedHousesitters website or read our massive guide on How to Get House sitting Jobs with Trusted Housesitters.
Read Next: How to Make Emergency Money Right Now Online, Fast
In Summary
IMHO ‘free’ always has a catch –and Courchsurfing is not only showing it’s age, it’s not really working for most and is in dire need of a solid alternative. It’s far easier to have reliable travel organise through a different couchsurfing alternative like TrustedHousesitters.
Even Airbnb is a kickass couchsurfing alternative for those that are willing to pay for some privacy.
No matter what you’re after in a couchsurfing alternative, there’s something on this list for everyone. TrustedHousesitters is great for people who need a little more predictability to their travel, and MovingWorlds is an ideal solution for those wanting to make a difference abroad while getting free accommodation.
What do you think of these 2023 Couchsurfing alternatives? Let everyone know in the comments if you’ve found a better alternative to Couchsurfing that isn’t on this list.
32 comments
I would definitely suggest WWOOF, WorkAway and HelpX as alternatives to Couchsurfing as well.
Yes, you are required to exchange time and labour for food and accommodation, but these are negotiable. If you have a skill that small businesses needs (marketing, SEO etc), people are more than happy to host you in exchange for helping their business. This opens up lots of doors to amazing free accommodation on work exchange sites you’d usually pay heavily for on AirBNB.
I’ve also been house-sitting for many years, and I find it a really fair exchange. I can’t have a pet as a long-term traveller (although not as long as Mike and Oshin!), so I get to live for free and look after animals. Win-win.
I think you’re spot on when you say that everything free has a “catch”. But, it really depends on how to look at life. If you approach every exchange with the mindset of “How can I help this person?” and offer tangible value to others, not just to yourself – lots of free things happen – accommodation, friendship and one-of-a-kind experiences.
It’s just sad that only a minority of people approach life this way and why communities like CS are so hard to maintain.
Very well said, Kate. In a lot of situations we get what we give. And looking after someone’s pupper when you’re far from home is its own reward!
Having our metaphorical sails open to opportunities and putting in more than we take is always a good direction to be heading in.
Thanks for stopping by,
Mike
AirBnb bought Couchsurfing and has been intentionally running it into the ground ever since.
They ousted the originals and then it got destroyed by management turnover and investor handcuffs. I didn’t see AirBnb in the mix, but I wouldn’t rule it out. I just don’t know.
Fact check? Burden of proof.
Have you ever tried BeWelcome, or did you just aggregate online reviews – most of them probably out of date because the site evolved a lot in the last 2 years? I’m hosting on this site (I also did on CS) and some of what you wrote sounds plainly wrong.
“No customer service” and “removing accounts for illegitimate reasons” rather looks like Couchsurfing, who did that a lot recently. After they set the paywall, CS took ages to answer requests to get or delete your data and they started suspending people who tried to exchange contact details. I never heard of that on BW.
Of course, if by “customer service” you mean a 24/7 hotline, you don’t get that on non-profit BW. But not on for-profit CS either.
About not enough hosts and fewer users than CS, I’m still trying to find any reliable assessment of active users on each network. I guess it depends where: BW has a stronger base in Europe and North America, CS may be more widespread. But the paywall on CS made things change: BW has gained many members and CS has lost some. Of course, you’re not sure to find a host anywhere. But I guess that’s true on any site… I’m pretty sure there are more people looking for houses on TH than proposing a house-sitting.
No vetting of members: true… most of these sites work on the basis of profile comments left by other people. You have to select carefully who you contact, no one is doing it for you. But 56-year-old nudists should generally be easily avoided if you’re not desperate enough to accept any offer. And I think all these sites are much the same, you get the same proportion of creepy people on CS. TH is different because you’re not staying with the house owners (so no guys trying to use it for dating).
And AirBnB… Are you seriously counting it as an alternative to CS? AirBnB certainly works well, but it’s an alternative to booking.com, not to CS. It’s like saying renting a car is an alternative to hitch-hiking. Technically speaking, it is… but it targets quite different people.
Hey Gabriel, great thoughts. Thanks for sharing your perspectives.
I still do consider Airbnb a solid Couchsurfing alternative because it’s really common to rent a room in a shared space. A lot of hosts are still home when you rent, and they’re happy to do a lot of the CS type show-you-arounds if you click. They’re not always expensive, either –but for me it isn’t just a price argument as it might be for others. It’s hit or miss for a lot of these services, everyone’s got their unique preferences.
Thanks for stopping by,
Mike
I hosted over 300 people from around the world, nothiung but great references, and just because a few didnt like my lifestyle, Couchsurfing deactivated, without just cause, , no right to confront my accuser, no innocent until rpoven guilty. I would nevr reccomend it to anyone and they ar enasty when speaking with them.
I’ve been a loyal couchsurfer for 15 years. We still have a strong community in Toronto that we rebuilt slowly during the pandemic. I’ve rarely had a bad experience, but I’ve heard many, almost exclusively from women, which has been a bigger problem bcs they usually don’t report it, but I’ve been convincing more ppl to come forward. I’m also really surprised Workaway is not ok here, I know tons of people who’ve used it and I had a great experience with it across Asia. Only $40/year and no automatic renewal.
P.S.
-Ive also made the greatest friends of my life on couchsurfing. I don’t know a community like it.
Terry, I have to say I was a loyal Couchsurfer too. I did report an issue regarding a host and they let me have my comment stand until they updated their website. Then it was deleted. I told them that they should keep it on my comments as it determined the type of person I am and what I expect from other hosts. CS did not. The type of CS has changed from the original intent, in that, they wanted a free place to stay but didn’t want to help, get to know you, or exchange culture or stories. Instead they would party hard during the weekend and want to stay in a place that was quiet during the week. It got old really fast. While I travelled and was hosted I would buy a meal, clean a bathroom and spend some time getting to know the host.
Times change and sometimes it’s time to move on.
HeJ!
Ever heard of Servas? It’s an international network of hosts and travelers and therefore an alternative to couchsurfing. servas.org
Regards
Michael
Looks like a solid Couchsurfing alternative. Thanks for the share!
Hi Michael,
I’m from Thailand.
Sorry to hear that you never find a Thai Couch surfers. I think it can also be because of our culture. We usually live with our family that’s why it’s difficult to find one.
I used to use Couch surfing in many places when I was traveling in Europe. Most of the time I found good host but then I also learned that it depends on the city you go. For example, if I use CS in Phuket, the app kinda turn into Tinder… So I would avoid using it in those kind of places.
To summarize, I enjoy CS a lot when I was in my early 20s. But now that I start to have more incomes I like Air BNB. As you said, you get privacy and still experience almost the same atmosphere; hanging out with the locals. I also a host myself these days and really enjoy it 🙂
Ps. Really like your blog! great job 😀
Really thoughtful response Napa, much appreciated and I agree with you about Airbnb –it’s a great tool for travel once we’re a little older and have a more reliable income.
Thanks for your comment!
Trusted Houssitter costs about 90 € per year and not just once. This is bullshit, because most people travel once or twice a year and it is not garanted, that I will find a house, that fits to me. Right now there is only 1 House in whole Japan. In addition dont forget, that you want to travel in your journey and not staying in a house all the time.
Btw. I am coming from CS also. Yes, there is a discrimination of men, even from the team. The atmosphere changed in the last years, it is not the same anymore. A pity, that BeWelcome is not working so well like CS used to be. I think they lost too much time with updating the site.
Thanks for your thoughts, Graci. Appreciated.
TH has great potential as a Couchsurfing alternative for serial travelers, although I agree that it might not be ideal for people who don’t travel often enough.
I think Couchsurfing is lacking because they weren’t profitable; they raised costs to users; mismanaged the community; and it’s affected the culture in a negative way.
For me, a flat rate of a couple bucks a month to live in a private home instead of an Airbnb or a sketchy couch –yes, please 😉 Home owners are less likely to discriminate in ways they might on other services because house sitters get a background check before they can start. This helps a lot.
If you ever find a better alternative to Couchsurfing, hit us up here in the comments. Most other suggestions have been new startups that die on the vine, so to speak.
I’m keeping my eye on CouchPoint.com on Instagram.com/CouchPoints
Fair enough, but it is still just a launchrock landing page so I hope you’re not waiting long! Communities take decades to build.
Cultree seems to be for sale!
what about Trusted Housesitters? As i understand, the owners will be NOT at home at this time. What about sign up in Thailand? Is it cheaper?
The irony, their site spurred my interest in couchsurfing alternatives –rewrite coming soon, needs some polish anyway.
As for TH, as far as I understand they loosely convert currencies and the cost varies per country. Could save a few bucks.
In either case, Airbnb and TH are still our go-to for cheap/free couchsurfing alternatives. Thanks for letting us know about Cultree, Robert.
Sincere best,
Mike
Great post, but you forgot to add Friend Theory to this list!
Oi! Friend Theory looks very promising!
It appears their new website launched under a month ago and the company was founded 1 year ago. I’ll keep an eye on it and add it as a Couchsurfing alternative on this list if it grows its user base (and claims its TrustPilot review page).
Thanks for sharing, Elise!
I got treated horribly by a homeowner on Trusted Housesitters. They clearly thought they were getting a servant rather than someone who would would actually like to be able to leave and enjoy the city. THS doesn’t vet the home owners at all and you could be going into a paroled sex offender’s house without knowing so. They make housesitters do a criminal background check but don’t even confirm the identity of the homeowner. It’s not without its flaws too.
That sounds like a terrible experience! Did you have a call before going?
Putting our positive experiences aside, there’s currently 9,619 reviews on TrustPilot and it’s got an “excellent” 9.6/10 rating.
I recommend anyone who gives this couchsurfing alternative a try reads our guide first. Thanks for your comment!
There’s no real alternative to Couchsurfing as of now. All those listed are for westerners for whom $100 membership are affordable deal. For most Asians their monthly salaries with regular jobs is less barely $ 200-300.
Tried housesitting and biggest issue is you don’t get to choose the dates. You respond to the dates hosts have put up. Rather redundant that way.
In principle I disagree with what you said but I respect it.
Fees are often shortcuts because they can save time, money, and help you avoid unreliable hosts (and travel cancellations) because a human screens everyone to ensure there’s no bad apples.
Couchsurfing has a paid tier, and it’s better than the free one. TrustedHousesitters (guide) is even better as they have the most housesitting jobs of all the sites we explored –so finding a place to stay on the dates you’re looking to fill is much easier. I assume you didn’t try TrustedHousesitters as a Couchsurfing alternative.
Now, about that money you spoke about.
I feel you about the $200 – $300 per month salary in Asia. However, education is all over the place and it’s free; you’re not a “second class citizen” when you’ve got fluent English and an internet connection.
Spend a year upgrading your skills, and by this time next year you could be applying for your first entry-level remote job.
This site, iTunesU, and YouTube are a great place to learn new skills and DuoLingo can help you improve your English grammar. You’re already very proficient with the language.
It’s not about how you make money, it’s where. You can earn more online working for a US company, check out this article.
It’s rough right now, everywhere. Don’t settle, and don’t put Westerners on a pedestal or assume they’ve got it easier –the internet gives us all the same opportunities, that’s what makes being a digital nomad possible for just about everyone.
Thanks for stopping by!
what an explanation man..!!!
Glad you dig it, Hashik!
This post struck me. I was on the fence about housesitting in June last year, made the leap with Trusted Housesitters the following December, and my house sitting travel schedule is booked until the end of Feb 2019.
Awesome to hear, Colin. Housesitting seems to be the way to go.
You forgot http://www.horizonapp.co 🙂