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Airbnb vs Vrbo vs Booking.com: Which Platform Makes Hosts the Most Money?

  • Writer: Marifil Limpahan
    Marifil Limpahan
  • Jan 3
  • 3 min read
Airbnb vs Vrbo vs Booking.com

Which Booking Platform Is Best for Short-Term Rental Hosts in 2026?


You’ve put time, money, and effort into creating a high-performing short-term rental. Now comes one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a host:

Where should you list your property?


Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com are the three biggest players in the vacation rental space, but they’re built for different types of hosts, properties, and guests. Choosing the right platform (or combination of platforms) can directly impact your bookings, pricing power, and overall profitability.


In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between Booking.com, Airbnb, and Vrbo for hosts, so you can make a smart, data-driven decision.


Quick Overview: Airbnb vs Vrbo vs Booking.com


Before diving deep, here’s a snapshot of how each platform compares:


Vrbo

  • Founded in 1995 (part of Expedia Group)

  • ~2 million listings in 190+ countries

  • Strong focus on entire homes

  • Popular with families and longer stays


Airbnb

  • Founded in 2008

  • 7+ million listings across 220+ countries

  • Wide range of property types

  • Strong appeal to millennials and urban travelers


  • Founded in 1996

  • 28+ million accommodations (6+ million homes)

  • Massive global reach, especially in Europe

  • Lowest prices shown to guests (no guest fees)


Each platform attracts different travelers—and that matters.


Host Fees & Guest Fees: How Much Do Platforms Take?


Understanding fees is critical when projecting net income.


Vrbo Fees

  • Guest fee: ~10–11%

  • Host fee:

    • $499/year subscription or

    • ~8% per booking (5% commission + 3% credit card fee)


Airbnb Fees

  • Guest fee: ~10–14%

  • Host fee: ~3–5%

  • No separate credit card fee (rolled into guest fee)


  • Guest fee: None (lower price shown to guests)

  • Host fee: ~15%

  • Requires secure payment processing (ex: Square)


Takeaway: Booking.com charges hosts more, but delivers unmatched visibility. Airbnb and Vrbo split costs more evenly between hosts and guests.


Cancellation Policies: Flexibility vs Income Protection


Cancellation rules directly affect booking volume and risk.


Vrbo

Highly customizable policies (14-day, 30-day, 60-day, strict, or custom).Best for hosts who want control and protection.


Airbnb

Options range from Flexible to Super Strict (30–60 days).Airbnb rewards flexible policies with higher search visibility.


  • Fully flexible by default (guests can cancel up to check-in)

  • Hosts can add:

    • Non-refundable rates

    • Deposits

    • Custom penalty windows


Takeaway: Booking.com favors guests. Vrbo favors hosts. Airbnb sits in the middle.


Host Protection & Insurance Coverage


Vrbo

  • Up to $1M liability protection


Airbnb

  • Damage protection via AirCover

  • Separate liability coverage

  • Still recommended to carry STR insurance


  • No built-in protection

  • STR insurance is essential


BNB Guardians advice: Never rely solely on platform protection, always carry independent short-term rental insurance.


Who Uses Each Platform? (Audience Matters)


Vrbo Guests

  • Families & groups

  • Longer stays

  • U.S. & Canada heavy

  • Rural & vacation destinations


Airbnb Guests

  • Millennials & digital nomads

  • Urban stays

  • Last-minute bookings

  • Budget → luxury spectrum


  • Strong European presence

  • International travelers

  • Business + leisure

  • All property types


Property Types Allowed


Vrbo

  • Entire homes only


Airbnb

  • Entire homes

  • Private rooms

  • Shared rooms


  • Vacation rentals

  • Hotels

  • B&Bs

  • Private rooms

  • Cabins, trailers, unique stays


Reviews & Guest Feedback Systems


Vrbo

  • Reviews visible after both parties submit

  • Traveler ratings not publicly displayed


Airbnb

  • 14-day review window

  • Detailed star ratings (cleanliness, check-in, value, etc.)


  • Reviews requested 2 days after checkout

  • Guests have up to 3 months

  • Hosts don’t review guests


Potential Income by Platform (Averages)

  • Vrbo: ~$33,000/year

  • Airbnb: ~$9,600/year

  • Booking.com: ~$22,960/year


Income varies widely by market, property type, and pricing strategy—but platform choice matters.


The Smart Strategy: List on All Three


The most profitable hosts don’t choose one platform.

They use multi-channel distribution.


Listing on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com allows you to:

  • Reach multiple guest segments

  • Reduce reliance on one platform

  • Keep calendars full year-round

  • Maximize pricing opportunities


Using a PMS like Guesty (BNB Guardians’ preferred system), you can:

  • Sync calendars automatically

  • Prevent double bookings

  • Centralize guest messaging

  • Automate pricing, cleaning, and operations


Final Takeaway


There is no “best” platform for every host, only the best strategy.


Choose platforms based on:

  • Your property type

  • Your target guest

  • Your location

  • Your income goals

  • Your tolerance for flexibility vs control


And when you’re ready to scale? Multi-channel is the move.


👉 Need help with Airbnb systems, pricing, or automation?

Join our Airbnb Super Host Academy on Skool or book a strategy call with BNB Guardians for hands-on Airbnb coaching and real support.

 
 
 

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