Not very long ago, if you needed a place to stay while traveling, you were pretty much limited to booking a hotel room. But today’s travelers have an array of choices, thanks in large part to Airbnb and Vrbo (which stands for “vacation rentals by owner.”) These options let ordinary people rent out their properties to vacationers. But whether you’re hosting Vrbo guests, booking a house on Airbnb or just considering dipping your toes into the world of vacation-rental platforms, you may be wondering about the difference between Airbnb and Vrbo…and if one is better than the other.
To find out, Bottom Line Personal interviewed veteran traveler Adriane Berg, who has a wealth of experience staying in both Airbnbs and Vrbos around the world and also rents out her own properties on both platforms.
Many people assume that Airbnb was founded before Vrbo, but Vrbo actually dates back to 1995. It was conceived as a way for homeowners to list their properties directly without a middleman. Airbnb came along in 2008 with a mission to provide travelers with an option that was less expensive than hotels.
Driven by user demand, the two platforms have morphed into a global juggernaut, with millions of properties listed in more than 200 countries. Rather than merely trying to save money, consumers flock to these platforms seeking experiences that a hotel could never offer—a whole house on the beach for an extended family to share…a room in an apartment building in a foreign city…a condo with a full-size kitchen to save on restaurant bills. Airbnb and Vrbo now are so ubiquitous that they’ve even driven up long-term rents in many locations and caused shortages of housing stock as property owners list their homes on these platforms instead of selling them. Over time, the two platforms have become increasingly similar to each other.
Vrbo vs. Airbnb: What’s the Same?
Price
Generally, two similar properties will cost about the same on either platform. Many owners these days list their properties on both Airbnb and Vrbo, so it’s easy enough to compare. Sites like Hotels.com and Booking.com now also feature Airbnb and Vrbo listings, so you can put in your criteria and see what comes up. Once you have a short list of properties that interest you, look for them on Airbnb and Vrbo…and book where the price is lowest.
Transparency and fees
Until recently, Airbnb did a better job than Vrbo at presenting travelers with the actual final price, including fees and taxes, before it was time to pay. Vrbo now also lists an all-in price. (Note: This may not include a pet fee.)
Ease of use
Both platforms are intuitive and user-friendly, especially for travelers.
Vrbo vs. Airbnb: What’s Different?
Number of properties
Airbnb boasts nearly 8 million listings worldwide versus about 2 million for Vrbo.
Variety of properties
This is the key differentiator between the two platforms. Vrbo continues to specialize in full-sized homes, often luxurious and in desirable locales, while Airbnb lists properties of all types.
Search filters
Both platforms let travelers search listings based on numerous criteria, but Vrbo gets a bit more granular. This is especially helpful for older travelers. Example: Rather than being able to choose only an “accessible bathroom,” travelers searching Vrbo can specify that they need 36-inch wheelchair passage and a barrier-free shower.
Customer service
Airbnb gets slightly higher accolades from travelers when it comes to handling cancellations and other issues.
Vrbo vs. Airbnb: Which Is Right for You?
If you’re looking to rent a luxurious, full-sized home, you’ll probably be drawn to Vrbo, but you’d be wise to search Airbnb as well. If you’re a budget traveler looking for hostel-like experiences and shared spaces, there’s no point in searching on Vrbo.
If you’re open-minded about where you’ll be staying, remember that Hotels.com and Booking.com show you not only Airbnb and Vrbo rentals, but also hotel rooms. Starting your search on those sites allows you to cast the widest net.
Beyond Vrbo and Airbnb
If you’re interested in exploring, check out some of the upstart companies that are looking to compete with or complement Vrbo and Airbnb…
Vacasa acts as a full-service property manager for people putting up their luxury properties as vacation rentals.
Hipcamp offers peer-to-peer rentals of tent sites, RV spots, cabins and treehouses.
GlampingHub features tiny homes, yurts, cabins and domes.
Whimstay.com is an app exclusively geared toward listing discounted last-minute stays at properties featured on other vacation-rental platforms.
