Whether you’re looking for the top rental car companies in the United States the last thing you want is to go with a budget company that will leave you stranded on the side of the street or overcharge you.
Identifying the top rental car companies may be accomplished in a number of ways. To be as thorough as possible, we’ve included their counts for the number of cars they have on the roads in the United States, their number of locations.
You could need to find transportation for a few days or perhaps a few weeks because you’re going on vacation or because your car is in the repair.
It doesn’t matter where you go, there is always a possibility that you might need to rent a car in order to explore every area that you want to see. The question is, what are the top rental car companies in the US?
With so many different companies out there, it can be hard to sort through all the noise, which is why we did exactly that for you here.
If you’re looking for the top rental car companies in the United States, these are the top ten you’ll want to consider.
Read also – 15 Best Rental Car Companies in the US
10 Top Rental Car Companies of 2025
1. Enterprise – Best Car Rental Company Overall
Enterprise has over 40 percent of the U.S. rental car industry, far and away one of the top rental car companies you have to choose from.
Not only do they have the capacity of their massive size to be able to offer some of the best rates in the business, but also to have more than 4,000 locations so that getting a drop-off and pickup location near you is as convenient as possible, and that’s why we think that it is the best car rental company.
They work with any driver over the age of 21, although they do have exceptions in some areas for drivers younger than that if their vehicle is in the shop.
Just keep in mind that if you’re under the age of 25 Enterprise does charge an additional fee. However, this is pretty standard across the entire industry, and Enterprise’s affordable rates and policies have them on top of the industry.
2. Thrifty – Best Budget Car Rental
If you’re looking for the lowest-priced top rental car companies with low-cost rental rates, Thrifty is a great choice.
Thrifty is another subsidiary of Hertz, and from the name you can tell they’re all about low-cost rental cars.
At Thrifty you don’t have to look for deals to get a good rate, and they offer some of the lowest-priced rental cars in the industry.
But if you are a young driver, you can see those savings go out the window. Because while Thrifty will rent to any driver who is 20 or older, if you are 20-25 years old, they charge you a young driver’s fee on your rental.
For drivers between 20 and 24, they charge a fee between $29 and $45 per day. Not only that, but they charge $13.50 per day if you are 25, making them one of the only top rental car companies in the industry that assess a young driver fee to drivers that are 25.
3. Dollar – Best for Younger Drivers
Dollar Car Rental is definitely among the smaller top rental car companies in the US, and nobody can deny that they are a “low budget” company.
That not being a problem, however, and it does mean that you can get some of the lowest prices in the industry when you rent with them.
Lower rates are surely the greatest advantage with Dollar, and it’s a refreshing change from the norm that you won’t need to hunt for specials in order to get the best rate.
And while they’re only handling about 3 percent of the US car rental business, they do have more than 250 sites where you can shop.
That is to say you should be able to pick-up and drop-off at least somewhere nearby. Another plus to renting with Dollar is they permit you to rent as young as 20 in all states, which is one year younger than all other top rental car companies.
4. Hertz – Best for Luxury Vehicles
Hertz is not necessarily the least expensive rental car company, but they do have the second-largest rented car market in the United States for a reason.
They do skew towards the upper end of the top rental car companies a bit more, and as such, they don’t always have the best rates on the compact and other lower-end vehicles.
But they do have some strengths that you won’t see with other firms, and that’s why they dominate about 15 percent of the United States rental car market. The first strength that they possess is that they have many locations.
They don’t have nearly as many as Enterprise, but with over 2,000 locations in the United States, it’s not like they’re unavailable.
Another advantage they offer is that while most car rental companies have the minimum renting age at 21, Hertz lowers the age to 20. However, in Michigan and New York the age is 18, while in Alabama and Nebraska the youngest age is 19.
Read also – The 10 Flat Roofing Companies in the US in 2025
5. Sixt – Up and Coming Choice
Although they may not be the biggest automobile rental company in the US, Sixt is undoubtedly growing. In 2011, Sixt made its debut in the US market after beginning as a vehicle rental firm in Germany.
Although they now operate in more than 100 sites around the US, they are only found in 18 states. This indicates that it’s likely that they won’t be accessible in your area.
However, if they do have a location close to you, you should give them some thought. As they grow, you should probably keep an eye on the business.
Sixt does have a rewards program, and while it’s a bit confusing, the more you use it the more rewards you get.
Better yet, since Sixt has locations all over the globe, it means you can keep using your rewards card and earning more rewards even if you’re a frequent international traveler.
Sixt does limit drivers to individuals over the age of 21, although they make an exception in their New York branches where they allow anyone older than 18 to rent from them.
Similar to most companies, Sixt does have an under-25 fee, but it’s not a flat rate, rather one that varies depending on the type of vehicle you are renting and your location.
6. Alamo
Despite having fewer sites due to its smaller size, Alamo is by no means a tiny business. With 247 facilities nationwide, they account for around 7% of the US market share for top rental car companies.
Their capacity to add on further discounts and offers, together with their reasonable upfront charges, are what make them stand out.
Not only are their standard prices reasonable, but they also have a rewards program where you can sign up and receive 5% off your next rental car purchase.
Additionally, they provide military personnel with extra savings, as well as offers for last-minute rentals and reservations made long enough in advance.
Alamo thus has bargains available for you, regardless of whether you’re a procrastinator who completes everything at the last minute or a planner who has everything ready to go months in ahead.
A complimentary class upgrade for your rental car at certain sites is another well-liked choice. If the next car size up is available, you may walk in and ask for it, and they will usually accommodate you!
7. Avis
With more than 1,500 outlets, Avis has an around 10% market share in the US, so there’s a high chance you’ll find one close to you.
Despite these benefits, they dropped to seventh place on our ranking, making them the third-largest automobile rental comapany in the US.
The explanation for this is rather straightforward: AVIS offers somewhat higher rental prices than other brands.
However, you may earn a lot of free rental days through their fantastic rewards program. Additionally, they run promotions where you may save up to 30% on your rental.
They don’t take rentals for those under the age of 21 unless you’re in New York or Michigan where you can rent at 18.
But their young driver fees are astronomical compared to other companies. For drivers 21 to 24, the fee ranges from $28 to $35 per day.
Read also – 15 Security Companies Hiring in the US
8. National Car Rental
Although they don’t have as many locations as companies like Enterprise, Hertz, or even AVIS, National Car Rental still has 314 sites around the US, so it’s not like they’re nonexistent.
They are one of the top rental car companies that have a huge selection of vehicles. Additionally, their rates are low, and their rewards program is among the most user-friendly in the market.
You may choose any midsize automobile from the “Emerald Aisle” above and just pay the midsize fee; after seven rentals, you get a free rental day. Last but not least, you get access to “Emerald Checkout,” which expedites the checkout procedure and allows you to continue with your day.
If you travel internationally, National Car Rental has locations all around the globe that lets you accumulate rewards points and stick with one company that you trust.
Like most top rental car companies, you have to be at least 21 years old to rent from them, the only exception to this is in Michigan and New York where they legally have to rent to those 18 and older.
9. Budget
Although their name may suggest that they are a “budget” rental vehicle company, it isn’t always a bad thing.
When compared to actual “budget” rental vehicle businesses, their prices aren’t the lowest, but they do offer a good balance between price and quality.
Budget excels in this niche sector, which aims to blend more economical and modern cars. Because of this, Budget Car Rentals is one of the simpler firms to find a location with, having over 1,400 sites across the United States.
Budget has a few helpful exceptions for those in a need, even though you must be at least 21 to hire a car from them.
Most notably, Budget will rent to you as long as you are 18 years of age or older if your insurance policy includes rental car coverage with Allstate, American Family, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CCRG Claims, Progressive, State Farm, or Travelers and your automobile is being repaired as part of an insurance claim.
10. Advantage
Benefits of Rent-a-Even if the car may be the last item on our list, it’s still worthwhile to look at. Let’s start by highlighting the reasons why it did, in fact, plummet to the bottom.
There are just too few places, which is the first issue. Actually, there are only six sites available for pickup at this time, and they are all airports.
There aren’t many places to choose from, so you could immediately throw this firm out. Secondly, their rates aren’t the greatest available. Although they aren’t too pricey, there are other firms that provide lower prices.
Lastly, Advantage does not have a loyalty program, although all of the other businesses on our list have. They formerly provided a program known as “Expressway,” but that program no longer exists.
Those locations are:
- ATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- BNA – Nashville International Airport
- DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- LAS – Harry Reid International Airport (Paradise, Nevada)
- MCO – Orlando International Airport
- MIA – Miami International Airport
How To Choose the Best Car Rental Company
When selecting the top rental car companies, there are a number of things to take into account, ranging from price and the return procedure to automobile selection and the cost of an additional driver.
Renting a car is an important part of your travel arrangements, whether you’re organizing a road trip or an international excursion.
There are many alternatives available to you today, including national and international possibilities in addition to local vehicle rental firms.
Asking the correct questions is crucial to ensuring you receive the car you want. Before choosing a car rental company, take into account these five important questions.
Read also – Top 10 Database Companies in 2025
How Much Does a Rental Car Cost?
Although the industry average has gone up in recent years after the epidemic, the basic price for cars rentals might vary greatly.
Budget charges $35 per day, Dollar charges $30 on average, while Alamo charges $42 per day. Avis costs more than $60 a day, which is on the higher end.
Even while it might be tempting to go with well-known worldwide names, smaller discount rental firms like Dollar and Payless sometimes offer similar conditions at far reduced costs.
Keep in mind that these smaller businesses can have fewer locations and have a tendency to sell out at busy times.
When renting a car, it goes without saying that you want to pay the correct amount. However, keep taxes, fees, and the price of “extras” in mind while comparing pricing. A lot of processing fees are added by some automobile rental firms.
FAQs
Who is the largest car rental company?
Enterprise Holdings is the largest car rental company in the U.S. Enterprise Holdings has 6,000 locations across the U.S. with 1.1. million cars in service. Their estimated revenue for 2022 is $30 billion.
Is the car rental industry profitable?
Yes, the car rental industry is profitable. While there is a high overhead and startup cost in running a car rental company, the high demand for rental cars usually results in a profitable business venture.
What type of rental car is best?
The ideal rental car depends on your specific needs. For city driving, compact cars are fuel-efficient and easy to maneuver. For family trips, SUVs offer ample space and comfort.
Conclusion
Now that you have a better idea about some of the top rental car companies in the United States, it’s time to figure out what you can do to save some money.
Follow as many of these tips as possible to try and keep some of your hard-earned money in your pocket the next time you need to rent a car in the United States.
References
- The 10 Largest Car Rental Companies In The United States
- Top 10 Best Car Rental Companies & Agencies in USA
