Airbnb and Vrbo have similarities and differences. Each is a vacation rental platform, listed by property owners.
Airbnb has more rental listings, but that’s because the site covers many types of rentals. Airbnb offers private houses, dorm-style rooms, apartments, small suites and even single rooms in private homes.
Vrbo listings include rentals of detached properties, such as houses and cabins. He rents everywhere.
Airbnb and Vrbo – which is better? Whether you’re a traveler or a property owner looking to earn some extra cash, here are the things you need to know about these vacation rentals.
Facts About Online Vacation Rental Markets
Both Airbnb and Vrbo are examples of online accommodation marketplaces. With both Airbnb and Vrbo, a traveler searches for sites and arranges a reservation online. A traveler can talk to property managers or property hosts, with contact information listed on the vacation rental listing page.
Here are the facts that Airbnb and Vrbo have in common:
- They provide short-term employment and long-term employment.
- You can find Airbnb and Vrbo rentals almost anywhere in the world. Both are popular travel rental sites.
- Both Vrbo and Airbnb will add fees such as a cleaning fee or guest service fee, but in most cases, travelers will still pass on the cost of high-end hotel rooms.
- Airbnb properties and Vrbo rentals have filters that can be used in the search. For example, travelers can search by price or pet policy. They can also search by reviews, looking for properties with high ratings.
- The property manager or host must approve your booking request.
Airbnb vs Vrbo Vacation Rentals Types
A typical Vrbo property listing is a stand-alone property such as a house. Vrbo property owners can also list “special” properties such as beach houses, cottages or country cabins.
Airbnb rentals include self-catering properties. In addition to those traditional vacation spots, Airbnb hosts also offer “non-traditional” accommodations such as private rooms within a home, with shared areas such as kitchens. Airbnb’s offerings can be varied, with luxury rentals like a room in a castle or rustic options like a bedroom on a working farm.
Vrbo vs Airbnb for hosts
Do you want to host an Airbnb or Vrbo property and earn rental income? Your first step is to find out if “temporary rental” is a permitted use of your property. You should check with your local governing body.
The Airbnb service fee charged to the host is 3% of the minimum nightly booking amount. Vrbo hosts do not charge a service fee, and in general, most Vrbo fees are low. But finding out whether Airbnb or Vrbo rentals offer high or low prices is a top priority. Here’s why:
Each has a different fee structure, and that varies by type of structure. Hosts or property owners set the cleaning fee. But the cleaning fee is the only fee charged by the host. Hosts should note that a common complaint among hosts that provide vacation rental services is the difficulty in finding reliable cleaning services.
Vrbo and Airbnb users also pay service fees, on average ranging from 14 to 20% of the nightly booking cost. Service charges are paid by guests and are collected and retained by the rental property, not the vacation rental owner.
The rental property may charge higher service rates in popular tourist areas, such as beach areas. Service charges may be higher for rentals that offer unique, additional experiences, such as horseback riding or participating in farm activities (popular with city travelers).
As a host, you can set house rules. For example, some hosts set an age limit or limit large groups. Some allow pets, but only of a certain size. And yes, you will receive income that must be reported to the IRS. The rental company, whether it’s Vrbo or Airbnb, will send the landlord an annual income statement. The landlord enters the information and the tax form.
Airbnb vs Vrbo for tourists
If you’re a guest, you’ll start on the home page of Vrbo or Airbnb. Those looking for casual vacation spots flock to any other.
Some say that Vrbo shines in family vacations because Vrbo properties have a promise of privacy. That’s because Vrbo offers standalone properties.
Some prefer Airbnb listings and may seek shared accommodations in urban areas in an effort to save costs.
It’s great to shop page-by-page property listings on Vrbo or Airbnb, but visitors need to enter dates, especially for last-minute reservations. If the place is really good, it is usually booked in advance.
Prospective guests should filter through Vrbo and Airbnb reviews. Each property listing will include its own review, but you can also sort by average review rating. For example, with a best rating of 5 stars, you can filter your search by limiting it to properties with a four star or better rating.
Vrbo vs Airbnb Fees
As mentioned, fees add to the total cost of the reservation. On the Vrbo or Airbnb listing page, renters can work through the booking process to get an estimate of the cost of the reservation.
On average, the amount of money paid for any rental site is about 20% of the price of the night’s reservation. Fees are set by the rental company and may vary depending on location and any unique services/activities associated with the property listing.
Guest Service Charges alone can vary from 5 to 12% depending on location. There is also a sliding scale that guests can choose to cover if they have to cancel a reservation.
Vrbo vs Airbnb Cancellation Policies
In addition to the host’s only fee for cleaning, the host can also choose a cancellation policy.
The cancellation policy may range from “firm” to “flexible”. For example, a “hard” cancellation policy might mean that a guest will not receive a refund unless they cancel at least 7 days before the reservation starts. A “flexible” cancellation policy may mean that the host allows guests to cancel up to 48 hours before the reservation starts.
The host chooses the time frame and percentage of return.
Airbnb vs Vrbo review
Reviews are a useful tool for both hosts and guests. And they work with both.
A place that is not true in its description will require negative reviews from guests. For example, the pictures do not reflect the actual condition of the property. In other words, Airbnb is great, but you have to drive in junk cars to get there!
Or the host can gain insight because of the guest’s thoughtful review. For example, a visitor can suggest a change in the area that makes it more attractive to future visitors.
Travelers can search for a property based on the rating of the review. A landlord who takes action to correct the conditions that caused the incorrect valuation can clear up the dispute.
Vrbo vs Airbnb Price
Yes, there are a number of fees. But overall, you’ll still get more than the cost of staying at a luxury hotel.
Both Vrbo and Airbnb hosts can offer discounts for longer stays. At Airbnb, that discount is calculated automatically. With Vrbo, the traveler must contact the host to request such a discount.
Do Airbnb or Vrbo Offer More Property Listings?
Vrbo offers a few rentals but that’s because listings are limited to individual properties. Vrbo currently offers more than 2 million properties in 190 countries.
Airbnb offers nearly 6 million listings in 200 countries.
Which is Safer, Airbnb or Vrbo?
That depends on the traveler’s definition of security. If there are concerns about COVID, a traveler may choose to rent a private property rather than a room with shared spaces (like some Vrbo listings). Each location must include a description of its own COVID policy and compliance with hygiene guidelines.
Travelers may choose to choose a property that includes a host to help with check-in, rather than check-in. For example, if this option is available a guest arriving after dark can choose to receive the host’s assistance at check-in.
If in doubt, check out the reviews. If the guest feels that the condition of the property and/or its location is unsafe, it will be mentioned in the review.
Why Is Airbnb Better Than Vrbo?
That is normal. There are so many variables, it’s hard to say that one recruitment platform is more expensive than another. Much depends on the location and type of property.
Should You List Your Rental Properties on Airbnb or Vrbo?
It’s time to create a list of pros and cons for each. Here are some additional facts to help you make your decision:
Type of vacation rental – Will you be renting a detached house or cabin, or a basement apartment?
Host profiles – Both Airbnb and Vrbo offer special “superior” status to people who are great hosts. On Airbnb, those are Great Hosts; on Vrbo, they are our Premier partners. Are you willing to do some extra things to be promoted to that position? That will make your property more attractive to tenants.
Both Airbnb and Vrbo listings are a great way to earn extra money. They are best suited for those who truly love people, and want to ensure that their stay is comfortable, safe, and enjoyable.
List your Pros and Cons, and make an informed decision.
Image: Depositphotos
