Best Rental Car Companies in 2026: 8 Companies Compared

Enterprise led J.D. Power's 2026 study with 739 points on a 1,000-point scale, and the brand has ranked highest in 18 of the 23 annual studies since 2004, according to Auto Rental News. The study surveyed 7,845 airport renters between August 2025 and August 2026. That is a strong track record for service.

The App Store listing says the Enterprise brand has over 9,500 locations worldwide, and the company's site lists thousands of airport and city locations. Its Enterprise Plus program earns points toward free rental days, which the company says cover base rate, time and mileage only, not taxes and fees. We could not confirm from its pages whether joining costs anything.

The ACSI results are more mixed. Enterprise scored 76 in 2026, down 3% from 78 a year earlier. Choose Enterprise when you want a well-regarded default and a branch close to home, such as a replacement car after an accident or a weekend trip.

National is built for people who rent often. Its site lists 1,500+ locations worldwide and says Emerald Club members get counter bypass and the ability to choose their own car from the Aisle, with rewards toward free rental days at select locations. National finished second in J.D. Power's 2026 study with 726, behind sister brand Enterprise.

Loyalty guides describe Emerald Club as free to join, but check the current terms before you enroll. The National app lets you manage your profile, see progress toward free days and extend a rental from your phone. Its ACSI score was 76 in 2026, up 7% from 71.

If you rent a few times a year for work, National's speed is the selling point. If you rent once a year, the perks matter less and the price matters more.

Alamo scored 79 in the ACSI Travel Study 2026, tied with Avis for the highest rating. Its site says the Alamo Insiders sign-up is fast and free, and that members get 5% off base rates on Pay Later reservations under the program terms. The discount excludes taxes, fees and optional extras.

The site also highlights Accelerated Check-In and Skip the Counter, which cut time at pickup. In J.D. Power's study Alamo scored 716, in fourth place. The App Store rating is 4.9, though from a smaller base of about 23,000 ratings.

Alamo is a reasonable pick for vacation rentals, particularly in places like Orlando or Hawaii where it advertises featured locations. As with every brand, read the total price at checkout.

Hertz is one of the most recognizable names in the industry. Its App Store description lists economy cars, electric cars, SUVs, vans and sports cars, and promotes a free app for booking and managing reservations. The App Store rating is 4.8 from about 540,000 ratings.

In satisfaction surveys it sits in the middle. J.D. Power's 2026 study gave Hertz 711, just above the 707 average, and ACSI gave it 77, third among the brands it measured. Its Gold Plus Rewards program is described by loyalty guides as free to join, with skip-the-counter pickup for members. Tier thresholds differ between sources, so check Hertz directly.

Hertz is a good choice when vehicle selection matters, such as when you want an EV or a van. For plain value, compare it with Budget and Alamo.

Avis climbed to 79 in the ACSI Travel Study 2026, up 7% from 74, which ties it with Alamo for first. Its site offers a Join for Free link for Avis Preferred, and lists skip-the-counter pickup, rewards on spending and free upgrades as member benefits. The company's app lists over 5,000 locations in more than 165 countries.

The App Store listing mentions a Best Price Guarantee, which is subject to terms. We did not find Avis's J.D. Power score in the coverage we could open, so we do not quote one. The app shows a 4.7 rating from about 467,000 ratings.

Avis suits travelers who value a clean airport experience and a large international network. Read the guarantee terms before you rely on it to match a lower price.

Budget positions itself on value. Its App Store listing says it has over 3,000 locations, and that signing up for Fastbreak gets members exclusive rates, line skipping at select locations and quick returns, plus Budget Bucks. Identity verification may be required.

The satisfaction data is less flattering. ACSI's 2026 study had Budget falling 5% to 73, and the group said Budget's customers report a higher percentage of complaints and are much less happy with how complaints are handled. The App Store rating is 4.6 from about 81,000 ratings.

Budget can still win on price on a given day. Check the cancellation rules and fees carefully, and keep records of the car's condition at pickup.

Sixt is a global brand that markets premium cars at affordable prices. Its App Store listing describes a worldwide network with over 250,000 cars in more than 105 countries and 2,000 stations. The homepage lists car rental, truck rental, subscriptions and airport transfers.

Auto Rental News noted that Sixt placed fifth in J.D. Power's 2026 study with 714, ahead of Hertz. The app lets you choose a car shortly before pickup and use online check-in and the app as a digital key. The App Store rating is 4.9 from about 78,000 ratings.

Sixt is worth a look when you want a nicer car, especially in major airports and cities. Make sure there is a location near where you need to pick up before you book.

Turo is a car-sharing marketplace, not a traditional rental company. Its App Store listing says you rent from local hosts in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and France, with more than 16,000 cities covered. The pitch is to rent the exact car you see, skip the counter and, with many hosts, get delivery to the airport, hotel or doorstep.

Turo has an insurance and protection page, and its homepage lists monthly and delivered options. Because each car belongs to a person, pickup instructions, mileage limits and cancellation terms vary. The App Store rating is 4.9 from about 879,000 ratings.

It suits renters who want a specific car, such as an EV for a trip or a truck for a move. Read each listing carefully, and confirm coverage before you drive away.