Vacation rentals come in all layouts and sizes. But if you plan to book one, there’s a good chance you’ll turn to Airbnb or Vrbo.
Both platforms are among the most sought-after options by travelers looking for accommodation. Therefore, there are many cross-listings so users can find the same rental on various platforms.
However, while they have similarities, there are some differences that can help potential guests decide which is the best platform for their trip.
What differentiates Airbnb?
To start, it has more listings. Phocuswright, a company that studies short-term rentals, found over 7.7 million listings on Airbnb in spring 2024, compared to over 2 million on Vrbo.
The platform also has greater brand recognition. The 2021 Short-Term Rental Study by Phocuswright – the most recent to measure this metric – found that 78% of surveyed short-term rental users were aware that Airbnb offers this type of accommodation, while 50% named Vrbo.
However, the numbers may have changed since then as Vrbo has invested more in brand recognition in recent years.
Airbnb also does a very strong job of trying to promote properties considered unique and that provide a differentiated experience, which you can find in the “icons” category.
“We believe that Airbnb offers more unique places to stay and unforgettable experiences than any other travel platform,” said Dave Stephenson, Airbnb’s business director, to USA Today. “Whatever your travel budget, whether you’re traveling alone or in a group, there are Airbnb listings with excellent amenities that can provide you with magical moments almost anywhere in the world.”
What differentiates Vrbo?
Vrbo may have fewer listings, but it had an established presence even before Airbnb existed. The Expedia Group acquired the platform in 2015 – then known as VRBO – as part of HomeAway. VRBO was rebranded to Vrbo in 2019, before the company retired HomeAway in the U.S. the following year.
“Vrbo pioneered the vacation rental category nearly 30 years ago and continues to be dedicated to providing travelers with consistent and reliable rentals,” said Melanie Fish, global public relations vice president of Expedia Group Brands, to USA Today. “It’s not about spaceships or a celebrity’s garage – just real, fully functioning homes meant to be lived in and enjoyed together with family and friends.”
While Airbnb customers can rent a room in someone else’s house, Vrbo only offers private rentals. This way, Fish said, “guests always have the entire place to themselves and never share the space with a host.”
Vrbo guests can also participate in the Expedia Group’s One Key rewards program, allowing them to earn OneKeyCash that they can use on the site, or Expedia.com and Hotels.com. The platform also directly shows total prices, including fees (hidden charges have been a source of frustration for many travelers). Airbnb users must use a toggle button to activate the display of the total price.
Have you used both platforms? Which one works better for you?
Source: USA Today