The 5 Major Differences Between Airbnb and Vrbo (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Airbnb and VRBO? ›

Vrbo offers stand-alone vacation homes only. It doesn't generally offer “shared” spaces like private rooms or more unusual options like campsites. Airbnb offers stand-alone vacation homes as well as shared spaces and even hotel rooms.

One difference it highlights is that Airbnb has always had listings in cities, rather than just in traditional holiday locations like on other websites, making city-breaks more accessible. Another of her points is refers to Airbnb's design as being a factor that sets it apart from the other options.

Vrbo vs Airbnb: Selection and Audience

Airbnb typically attracts almost double the amount of traffic that Vrbo does each month, giving it the upper hand. Likewise, guests will flock to the vacation rental site that offers the widest selection of properties.

VRBO's market strategy attracts a demographic that includes families and larger groups looking for whole properties. This can lead to higher average booking values, as these properties generally command higher rental rates per stay.

Unlike AirBNBs, B&Bs are regulated in the same way as hotels. They are required to hold proper licensure, and to be inspected by the state and health department. Because AirBNB stays are private residences, they are not held to the same standard.

Our Book with Confidence Guarantee™ offers powerful benefits when you book your stay directly through Vrbo, including security deposit and comprehensive payment protection as well as emergency rebooking assistance.

Airbnb's top competitors include Vrbo, Booking.com, and Expedia, all of which are significant players in the travel industry. Other big competitors for Airbnb include Marriott Homes and Villas and Plum Guide, both of which offer quality assurance and cater to a high-end market.

Airbnb and Booking.com have both made a name for themselves in the travel industry. However, their main focuses differ a bit. Airbnb has always been about homeowners being able to list their spare rooms or properties for profit. Booking.com, on the other hand, is still primarily for reserving hotel rooms.

Airbnb created a unique platform that allowed people to rent out their homes or spare rooms for short periods of time. This gave travelers an affordable alternative to traditional hotels and opened up new opportunities for hosts who could make extra money by renting out their space. How does Airbnb work?

Why is Airbnb falling apart? ›

Because there are so many more listings now, Airbnb hosts say they are watching their bookings plummet. The flood of new hosts has meant fewer can earn good money. “Now, the markets are completely oversaturated,” says Melody Wright, founder of mortgage strategy and technology company Huringa.

A 5% commission fee is charged on the rental amount and any additional fees you charge the traveler (such as cleaning, pet, and boat fees).

How much does Airbnb charge hosts? Airbnb charges hosts a service fee for each booking. What percentage Airbnb takes can vary, but it's typically around 3% for most hosts. However, Airbnb's commission can go up to 14% or more for hosts who have a Super Strict cancellation policy.

Vrbo only allows the rental of private units — meaning Vrbo houses, cabins and apartments are only occupied by the renters. You won't be seeing any shared spaces on the site, which makes it ideal for families and groups of people traveling together. Airbnb places no such restrictions on their listings.

Vrbo Pros. Vrbo is owned by Expedia Group and offers access to more than 2 million listings worldwide. This platform also allows hosts more control over who books their properties because they can set standards for guest qualifications such as age requirements or the number of occupants allowed in each unit.

Airbnb has more listings.

More listings equals a better variety of places to stay, although Airbnb has more users — 150 million compared to Vrbo's 48 million — so there is more competition for available listings.

The name “Airbnb” stands for “Air Bed and Breakfast,” reflecting the company's humble beginnings when the founders rented out air mattresses in their San Francisco apartment to attendees of a local conference.

Providing breakfast for your short-term rental guests is a great way to make your guests feel welcome and enhance their stays. Although the platform doesn't require you to do it, people love when hosts go the extra mile to provide better service.

Depending on the type of Airbnb apartment and the hotel, Airbnb can be cheaper than hotels but can also be more expensive. In general, Airbnb is cheaper than hotels because Airbnb does not have to pay for the overhead costs of a hotel or the general management of such a large operation.

Which?, a U.K.-based consumer research group, compared the average price of thousands of hotels with 300,000 Airbnb and Vrbo listings. They also looked at 50 locations over a year to monitor price trends. Their findings? On average, hotels were less expensive 75% of the time.

Why is it called Airbnb? ›

The name “Airbnb” stands for “Air Bed and Breakfast,” reflecting the company's humble beginnings when the founders rented out air mattresses in their San Francisco apartment to attendees of a local conference.

While Airbnb is publicly traded and owned by a variety of shareholders, including its co-founders and venture capital firms, VRBO is a subsidiary of Expedia Group, a publicly traded company that also owns other popular travel brands.