A comprehensive comparison between Airbnb vs Vrbo for owners, highlighting differences in audience appeal, platform features, and associated benefits and challenges.

Airbnb vs Vrbo for Owners: A Comprehensive Comparison

Airbnb attracts diverse travelers seeking unique stays, while Vrbo is preferred by families and groups wanting larger accommodations.

Airbnb's interface is more user-friendly and community-driven, with more flexible cancellation policies and higher booking volume than Vrbo.

Vrbo offers robust property protection but generally sees fewer bookings and has a more complex platform than Airbnb.

Without a doubt, the two uncontested titans of the short-term rental industry in the U.S. are Airbnb and Vrbo. If you’re a host or property owner, you’ve probably come across these two OTAs (online travel agencies). 

What’s the difference between them, and which one will help you snag more bookings and maximize revenue?

There are pros and cons to each listing platform. In this blog, we’ll talk about similarities and differences between each one, and help you settle the age-old dispute of Airbnb vs Vrbo for owners.

Although Airbnb is arguably the most well-known name in short-term rentals (STR), Vrbo was actually first on the scene. Founded in 1995, Vrbo offers vacation home and STR booking, and has grown to include over 2 million listings worldwide. 

Airbnb came along about a decade later, offering alternative rental options such as couch space and spare bedrooms. Once it expanded to include entire homes, Airbnb quickly surpassed Vrbo in users and brand recognition. 

When AirDNA began collecting Airbnb performance data back in 2014, there were just over 100,000 total US listings. Today, that number sits at around 1.4 million. Aside from the COVID-related hiccups during 2020 and 2021, the platform has seen consistent double-digit listing growth year-over-year. 

Airbnb is the clear frontrunner when it comes to listings. Their monthly active listings rose from about 887,000 in March 2020 to an average of 1.37M through 2023. Meanwhile, Vrbo listings increased from 430,000 to 629,000 over the same period. 

Airbnb is a cornerstone of the STR industry. This dynamic booking platform capitalizes on the growing demand for unique travel experiences. 

While Airbnb has become more professional over the years, most of its hosts are still small operators. In 2023, 70% of US Airbnb listings were operated by hosts with five or fewer properties. 

Only 18% of properties were operated by professional managers with more than 21 properties. 

In 2023, 70% of US Airbnb listings were operated by hosts with five or fewer properties.

Most Airbnb properties are concentrated in cities. In 2023, 46% of US Airbnb properties were located in large and mid-sized cities, with only 25% of Vrbo listings found in those same areas. 

This trend toward urban centers means that Airbnb listings tend to be smaller, usually including 1-3 bedrooms and possibly some shared living space. In 2023, for example, Airbnb listed about 146,000 private rooms and shared spaces. This is a notable difference from Vrbo, which doesn’t offer shared living spaces on its platform.

Due to the higher number of smaller properties on Airbnb, vacation rentals on this platform also tend to be cheaper to rent. 16% of US Airbnb properties are listed for under $100 a night compared to only 4% of Vrbo listings. 

The brand’s popularity and relative affordability make it a natural choice for property owners looking to book solo travelers or small groups of short-term renters.

Airbnb’s network is made up of travelers from around the globe, giving property owners unparalleled exposure to a diverse audience looking for unique and personalized accommodations.

Navigating Airbnb is a breeze. The platform’s intuitive listing tools and support resources help property owners streamline the listing process. On the guest side, renters can easily find what they’re looking for by filtering their search by unique listing categories. 

Property owners can connect their Airbnb listing to AirDNA’s vacation rental pricing tool, getting access to automatic pricing adjustments that can match demand fluctuations and seasonal trends.

Airbnb is a tight-knit community of hosts and guests. This makes for a better overall guest experience and leads to more positive ratings. 

In 2023, for example, the average review score for Airbnb properties was 4.78, while the average score for properties listed exclusively on Vrbo was 4.71. 

Vrbo’s lower average review score is likely due to their larger percentage of professionally managed properties. Individually operated properties allow hosts to be more attentive to guests’ needs. Professionally managed properties tend to have lower review scores.

While Airbnb offers valuable exposure to hosts, it comes at the cost of service fees that impact your profitability. The split-fee option divides the cost of Airbnb services between host and guest, with the STR owner paying around 3% of the booking subtotal, on average. 

If you have a traditional hospitality listing, such as a hotel or serviced apartment, you’re required to pay a host-only fee that typically falls between 14-16%. 

Millions of properties are listed on Airbnb, which makes it harder to capture travelers’ attention. Standing out requires thoughtful positioning and marketing, and the market is sure to see more competition over time.

Airbnb may have the most STR listings, but the properties listed on Vrbo may be the most scenic. 63% of Vrbo properties in 2023 were located in mountain and coastal destinations, compared to only 40% of Airbnb properties.

Vrbo also caters to larger groups of travelers by offering fewer properties with 1-3 bedrooms. As mentioned earlier, their platform does not offer shared living spaces and therefore sees fewer solo travelers. 

Vrbo typically has higher priced properties than those listed on Airbnb due to the following factors:

More Vrbo listings in expensive coastal and mountain destination markets

Vrbo is renowned for specializing in entire-home vacation rentals in destinations around the world. This focus lets property owners narrow their target audience down to vacationers with bigger budgets who want a memorable stay. 

Vrbo provides comprehensive property protection options to offer peace of mind to property owners. Their robust insurance coverage and support resources help property managers manage risk by safeguarding their investments.

Vrbo rentals count toward OneKey rewards, which can be used to pay for future travel on Vrbo, Expedia, and Hotels.com. This is a big benefit for guests and a motivating factor to choose Vrbo over Airbnb.

Compared to Airbnb, Vrbo sees lower booking volumes due to its focus on a narrower audience seeking entire-home vacation rentals. 

Hosts have less flexibility due to Vrbo’s stringent cancellation policies. This can result in revenue loss if you have to cancel or change a guest reservation that results in a full refund to your renter. Airbnb's strictest policy is equivalent to Vrbo's most flexible.

On one hand, there are fewer listings on Vrbo than on Airbnb which means less competition. On the other hand, standing out on Vrbo requires data-driven insights to target the right guest demographic with your listing.

Gain insights into the revenue and occupancy trends in your market.

Differences between Airbnb vs Vrbo for Owners

The vacation vibes aren’t the only difference between Airbnb and Vrbo. There are functional differences as well. Understanding them can impact your decision of where to list a property. 

Airbnb fees for hosts range from 3-5% per booking under the Split Fee model, which divides the cost of services between host and guest.

Hosts must take on the full cost of Airbnb service fees (known as the Host-Only fee), if they have a traditional hospitality listing like a hotel or serviced apartment. Owners that use a property management software must also pay a Host-Only fee, unless most of their listings are in the USA, Canada, the Bahamas, Mexico, Argentina, Taiwan, or Uruguay.

Your Host-Only fee may vary from the 14-16% average if the booked reservation:

Has Super Strict cancellation policies (higher fee)

Pay-per-booking fees come to a total of 8% of the total reservation amount. The 3% payment processing fee applies to the total including taxes and any refundable damage deposits. The processing fee related to the deposit will be reimbursed once you refund it to the guest. The 5% commission fee is charged on the rental amount and any additional fees you charge the traveler (e.g. cleaning fees, pet fees, and boat fees).

If you use a property management software (PMS) system, you’re charged a 5% booking fee for reservations made through a Vrbo-affiliated site. If the booking is not made through the Vrbo’s check-out, the charge goes up to 10%.

Vrbo’s subscription option amounts to a flat $699 annual fee. The annual fee covers all service charges and provides subscribing hosts with access to other membership benefits. 

Airbnb offers hosts flexibility in pricing by letting them set rates based on demand, seasonality, property amenities, and other factors. Dynamic pricing tools help hosts optimize their rates and obtain maximum occupancy and revenue.

Vrbo also offers pricing control, letting hosts establish rates and adjust pricing as needed. Hosts can implement dynamic pricing strategies or offer discounts for extended stays to attract guests and increase guest satisfaction.

While Vrbo and Airbnb offer their own pricing recommendation tools, using a third-party product like AirDNA’s Smart Rates™ can offer you the most revenue gains. Online booking agencies like Airbnb and Vrbo are balancing host satisfaction with that of guests, and their pricing recommendations may not always prioritize your earning potential.

Airbnb’s listing process is simple and user-friendly, with intuitive tools and step-by-step guidance to help you create compelling Airbnb listings. Hosts can customize property listings using detailed descriptions, high-quality photos, and amenity lists. Listing features unique to Airbnb include: 

Allowing hosts to list local experiences in addition to stays. 

Pre-approval feature that allows hosts to confirm a booking right away if it’s for certain dates.

Nuanced Instant Book settings that require certain host requirements to be met before booking

Vrbo vacation rentals can also be listed easily, and hosts can customize listings to showcase their properties. Similar to Airbnb, Vrbo has an Instant Book and a 24-hour confirmation option for hosts. 

Cancellation policies on Airbnb range from super strict to flexible. Under the flexible option, guests can cancel up to 24 hours before check-in and receive a full refund excluding the service fee. On the other end of the spectrum, super strict policies restrict cancellation to 30 or 60 days before check-in for a 50% refund.

Your cancellation policy depends on your preferences and risk tolerance. Hosts can adjust cancellation policies to align with their booking strategy and revenue goals.

Vrbo also lets hosts set different cancellation policies based on their needs and preferences. Under Vrbo’s relaxed cancellation policy, its most flexible tier, guests can cancel up to 14 days before check-in and receive a full refund. Vrbo also has a no refund option.  

Vrbo’s policies reflect its market focus on larger properties and longer stays.

Your vacation rental may be amazing, but is it better than your competition? Connect your Airbnb listing to AirDNA to see its Booking Performance Score

Airbnb offers a Host Guarantee program that covers property damage caused by guests during their stay. Hosts can also require a guest security deposit for added protection.

Vrbo offers many property damage protection options, including damage insurance policies and security deposit requirements. 

Airbnb’s vast global network of travelers offers exposure to a diverse audience of Airbnb users from around the world. 

Airbnb offers more affordable stays, which tends to attract younger travelers vacationing on a budget. 

Airbnb’s emphasis on experiences appeals to guests that seek to “live like a local.”

Airbnb operates in over 220 countries and regions, making it one of the most globally widespread short-term rental platforms.

Vrbo specializes in traditional vacation rentals, resulting in a slightly smaller audience of vacationers more interested in memorable stays than affordable lodgings.

Vrbo primarily targets families and larger groups looking for entire homes. 

Vrbo’s focus on whole-home rentals with upgraded amenities aligns with the preferences of an older demographic. 

Vrbo is strongest in the United States, where it originated, but doesn’t operate as globally as Airbnb. 

Vrbo’s transition into the larger Expedia ecosystem in the last year will bring the platform more exposure.

Airbnb accommodates property types such as apartments, houses, and condos. It also promotes unique and eco-friendly accommodations like treehouses and yurts. Hosts can showcase their diverse properties to attract guests of all preferences. 

Airbnb allows private and shared rooms, while Vrbo does not.

Vrbo focuses primarily on vacation rentals and property types like beach houses, cabins, and villas. The platform targets travelers who want spacious accommodations in destination locations, with amenities that cater to longer-term stays.

Airbnb’s robust review system lets guests leave feedback and ratings following their stay. Hosts can use reviews to build credibility, attract future guests, and improve their hosting experience. 

Guests can share their feedback publicly or provide private comments that go directly to the host, which allows renters to provide constructive criticism without affecting the host’s public reputation. The private feedback feature is unique to Airbnb.

Airbnb allows guests and hosts to submit reviews within 14 days after check-out. Neither party can see the other’s review until both responses have been submitted or the review period ends, whichever comes first. This double-blind system ensures that the reviews are honest and not influenced by the other party’s feedback.

Vrbo also offers a review system for guests and hosts to leave feedback and ratings based on their experience. Reviews help to shape each property's reputation and influence future bookings.

Vrbo has a much longer window for submitting a review, allowing both parties to provide feedback up to a year after their stay. Once either the host or guest submits a review, however, the other party has only 14 days to provide their feedback before the reviews go live on the website.

The shortened review window preserves a double-blind system, forcing host or guest to give their ratings before getting access to the other party’s feedback.

In the case of both Airbnb and Vrbo, host reviews are public and guest ratings are private. Guests can access their own rating through their account and short-term rental owners can see guest ratings through their host account.

Know exactly how much to charge based on your vacation rental pricing strategy.

Airbnb offers a range of support resources for hosts, including customer service assistance and educational materials.

Airbnb contrasts with Vrbo in its greater focus on peer-to-peer engagement, with robust forums and a more extensive array of community-driven resources. 

From customer service assistance to educational resources and best practices guides, Vrbo offers the tools and knowledge hosts need to succeed in the short-term rental market. Vrbo’s unique Boost program allows hosts to earn and use Boost credits to position their listings higher in search results at crucial booking times. 

Airbnb gives hosts a high level of control and flexibility over listings, letting you manage pricing, availability, and booking settings according to your preferences. Hosts can make real-time adjustments to listings and respond to guest inquiries right away.

Airbnb puts a greater emphasis on communication, encouraging hosts to interact with guests and tying Superhost eligibility and Guest Favorite designations to responsiveness.

Vrbo also gives hosts control and flexibility over their rental properties, letting them set pricing, availability, and booking rules based on their preferences. 

Vrbo’s focus on whole homes and longer stays encourages hosts to focus on managing fewer, but longer, bookings. Hosts that prefer less frequent guest turnover and interaction may prefer Vrbo as a platform.

How to List Your Property on Both Airbnb and Vrbo 

Cross-listing properties on Airbnb and Vrbo has become more popular in recent years. In 2019, only 14% of available properties were listed on both Airbnb and Vrbo, whereas today, 35% are cross-listed.

Publishing listings across multiple vacation rental sites eliminates the whole Airbnb vs Vrbo for owners problem. Showcasing your property in more than one place expands your potential audience and increases the likelihood of guests booking a stay. It’s win-win.

Hosts who list their properties on multiple OTAs have higher occupancy rates. In 2023, average occupancy for properties listed on both Vrbo and Airbnb was 58.3%—over 4% higher than Airbnb alone and over 6% higher than Vrbo alone—regardless of property size, bedroom count, or price tier.

AirDNA can help you find out what percentage of properties in your market or submarket are listed on Airbnb, Vrbo, or cross-listed. 

Determining Whether to Cross-List on Airbnb and Vrbo

When deciding whether or not to cross-list your property, consider where your local competitors are listing.

For example, if 65% of properties in your market are cross-listed, it likely means that most hosts are finding it beneficial to cross-list—so you might consider doing the same. 

In contrast, if the majority of properties in your market only list on Airbnb or Vrbo, weigh the time or costs associated with hosting your property on multiple OTAs before cross-listing your property.

Plan your STR strategy based on real booking activity and trends—plus, see how things change year over year.

Make the Right Choice for Your Short-Term Rental Business

Your choice between Vrbo vs Airbnb can impact your hosting experience and success. Factors like service fees, audience reach, and overall control are important in making an informed decision that suits your specific situation.

Airbnb may offer lower fees for some hosts, but Vrbo's host-only fee model provides greater transparency and control over pricing.

Airbnb guests tend to be diverse travelers looking for unique experiences in urban or trendy locations, while Vrbo guests tend to be families and groups looking for spacious accommodations in destination locations.

Listing on both platforms may be the way to get the best of both worlds. 

How do I synchronize my booking calendars between Vrbo and Airbnb? 

If you host on multiple OTAs, you can link all of your hosting calendars to prevent multiple guests from booking the same dates. 

You'll need to create a two-way connection. Get a URL from Airbnb to add to other websites, then get a URL from the other website and add it to Airbnb. When a night is booked on one calendar, it'll be automatically blocked on the other. Airbnb provides step-by-step instructions.

Which platform is better for attracting guests when it comes to Vrbo vs Airbnb? 

Airbnb attracts a wider range of travelers who seek unique and affordable experiences, while Vrbo caters more to families and groups looking for larger (and usually more costly) accommodations.

What are the fees associated with listing on Airbnb and Vrbo? 

Both Airbnb and Vrbo charge service fees, though their pricing structures differ. Vrbo has host-only fees, while Airbnb has a split-fee option that distributes the cost between host and guest. While all Airbnb service fees are taken as a percentage of the booking subtotal, Vrbo has an annual fee as well as a pay-per-booking option. 

How do I manage guest communication and bookings on Airbnb and Vrbo? 

Both Vrbo and Airbnb provide online chat systems and booking management tools to help you respond to inquiries, accept bookings, and coordinate check-ins. You can control your level of interaction with guests by exploring each platforms’ Instant Book feature. Preparing messages ahead of time using templates and pre-booking messages can make your communication systems more efficient.

How can I optimize my listings on Airbnb and Vrbo to attract more guests? 

Maximize the return on your vacation rental through a compelling description, high-quality photos, competitive pricing, and excellent customer service. Regularly update your calendars and respond to inquiries right away to keep the reservation requests coming.

Are there any regulatory considerations to be aware of when listing on Airbnb and Vrbo? 

Yes, property managers need to know the local regulations and zoning laws that govern short-term rentals in their area. Legal requirements and restrictions, which range from owner occupancy requirements to restrictions on the number of days that a property can be rented, impact your property’s profitability. 

AirDNA’s vacation rental pricing tool uses data-driven recommendations to propose the best daily rates.

In the battle of Airbnb vs Vrbo for owners, the winner might just be...both? Discover which platform is right for your vacation rental business and why.

Airbnb vs Vrbo for Owners: A Comprehensive Comparison

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