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Airbnb vs. Vrbo, HomeAway, FlipKey, TurnKey And OYO [Comparison]
Airbnb vs. Competitors
Airbnb disrupted the travel industry.
While it’s currently the largest and only alternative accommodation or vacation rental booking site that most travelers know about, Airbnb actually has a few legit competitors worth checking out - depending on what you’re seeking out of a trip.
In this guide, we’ll compare Airbnb to its major competitors (from a guest’s perspective).
After explaining how Airbnb works, we’ll compare Airbnb to Vrbo, HomeAway, FlipKey, TurnKey and OYO Rooms, as well as with major “traditional” hotel booking sites (such as Agoda.com).
*Agoda.com provides a wide selection of steeply-discounted hotel rooms. To see today’s deals on hotels in any destination, click here.
Table of Contents
How Airbnb Works
Airbnb.com is a marketplace where hosts list their places for rent, and guests can then book those places.
While you’ll find traditional accommodation options (like hotels and guesthouses) on Airbnb, when people say they’re “renting an Airbnb”, this typically means they’re renting a private or shared apartment or house, listed by an individual (not a business).
Airbnb (along with social media apps, like Instagram) are playing a key role in the rise of alternative lodging. More travelers than ever are seeking unique trips and experiences, which include accommodation choices. To learn more about Airbnb as a company, including its origin, mission statement and effect on the travel industry, hotels and local communities, click here.
*For the 5 things you should bring to an Airbnb stay, click here.
Who Are Airbnb’s Competitors?
(Airbnb Alternatives)
Airbnb has had numerous competitors since its founding as a company in 2008.
Currently, its major competitors include: Vrbo.com, HomeAway, FlipKey, TurnKey and OYO Rooms. In the past, Airbnb purchased smaller competitors, like Accoleo (Hamburg-based), CrashPadder (London-based) and HotelTonight (for reported $400 million).
As we sit here in 2023, Airbnb sits squarely ahead of all competition in the vacation rental booking space. It’s done so via rapid global expansion, development of many features (like Adventures and Experiences), building strong user community and unique stays.
But while Airbnb offers perhaps the widest variety of lodging of all major booking sites, it’s more a jack-of-all-trades than a specialist - so considering alternatives may be worth it. Below, we’ll cover what makes each competitor unique and reasons to consider each one.
*To see today’s deals on hotels in any destination, click here.
Airbnb vs. Vrbo Comparison
Vrbo stands for “vacation rental by owner”.
Founded in 1995 (13 years before Airbnb), Vrbo.com never reached Airbnb’s mainstream success, but it’s still Airbnb’s largest competitor in the vacation rental space. Vrbo was purchased by HomeAway in 2006, which Expedia Group then purchased in 2015.
In 2020, Vrbo and HomeAway merged as Vrbo.com. While Vrbo is clearly a distant second behind Airbnb, being owned by Expedia (which has a huge marketing budget as a company) means Vrbo still has a chance to cut into Airbnb’s market share, perhaps by focusing its efforts more on serving families and large groups.
*To see Vrbo’s deals today, click here.
Similarities Between Airbnb And Vrbo
Considering all travel accommodation sites, Airbnb and Vrbo.com are much more similar than different.
Both offer many of the same property types (such as chalets and cottages) and operate a similar business model. In fact, there are many individual hosts and large management companies that list their places on both Airbnb and Vrbo, for maximum exposure.
Both websites/apps offer a similar guest fee structure, instant book and booking request options for hosts, and the ability for users to contact a potential host prior to booking. Both also provide extra features apart from lodging, such as Airbnb’s Adventures and Experiences, and Vrbo’s Trip Boards.
Differences Between Airbnb And Vrbo
Airbnb offers private and shared spaces, while Vrbo only offers private rentals. Shared rentals make up a significant percentage of Airbnb’s total listings, which is a reason Vrbo has fewer total listings than Airbnb.
Though there’s much overlap, Vrbo and Airbnb target slightly different demographics within the vacation rental market. Vrbo often uses the word “family” in its marketing, while Airbnb uses words like “adventure”.
Perhaps due to this focus, Vrbo tends to attract older travelers, often with children and/or in large groups. Airbnb also attracts older travelers, but the site/app is much more popular with the younger demographic (compared to Vrbo), from gap-year backpackers to singles and couples in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
Which Has Better Prices?
So, is Airbnb cheaper or more expensive than Vrbo?
In my experience booking more than 150 times on both sites combined, I’ve found that Airbnb listings typically cost less on average (for similar rental type), especially on the lower end (budget options). One of the reasons for this may be that Airbnb has way more listings (particularly in cities), so competition drives nightly rates down as hosts aim to make their listings more appealing and competitive on the site/app.
*To see Vrbo’s deals today, click here.
Airbnb’s Fees vs. Vrbo’s Fees
Airbnb guests pay a service fee (typically 14.2% or less of their booking subtotal) and a cleaning fee (set by their host). Some hosts choose not to charge guests either or both fees.
Vrbo guests pay a service fee (6 to 12% of their booking subtotal). According to Vrbo, “generally, the higher the reservation amount, the lower the percentage of the service fee”.
Airbnb hosts are charged booking fees through a pay-per-booking model. Vrbo hosts choose between a pay-per-booking model (typically 8% per booking) and an annual fee of $499. Hosts on both sites choose their own cancellation policy among the options provided.
Which Is Better Overall - Airbnb Or VRBO?
Overall, Airbnb is generally better for small groups, solo travelers, shared spaces, unique stays, lower-priced properties (particularly in urban areas) and for extra features (like Adventures and Experiences).
Vrbo.com is generally better for large vacation rental properties, families and bigger groups. Vrbo rentals are often larger than Airbnb properties, which is one reason why they’re quite popular in destinations with plentiful space, such as beach and rural destinations.
According to many users who’ve used both sites (and from my own experience), it seems Vrbo’s customer support team generally responds with less “generic” responses and are quicker to get you through to an actual person if you need help with something.
*To see Vrbo’s deals today, click here.
Airbnb vs. HomeAway Comparison
*As of 2023, HomeAway redirects to Vrbo.com.HomeAway was founded in 2005 (9 years after Vrbo and 3 years before Airbnb). HomeAway bought Vrbo in 2006, then Expedia Group acquired HomeAway (and Vrbo, by extension) in 2015. HomeAway and Vrbo then merged in 2020 (now as Vrbo.com).
Prior to their merger, HomeAway and Vrbo displayed many of the same listings, were both subsidiaries of the same parent company (Expedia Group) and also operated a similar business model.
Which Is Better Overall - Airbnb Or HomeAway?
Overall, Airbnb is better for smaller groups, solo travelers, shared spaces, unique stays, lower-priced properties (particularly in urban areas) and for extra features (like Adventures and Experiences).
HomeAway (now Vrbo.com) was/is better for larger vacation rental properties, families and bigger groups.
*To see today’s deals on hotels in any destination, click here.
Airbnb vs. FlipKey Comparison
FlipKey is another vacation rental marketplace.
FlipKey has much less brand recognition and fewer listings than either Airbnb or Vrbo - making it a very distant third in the space. Since TripAdvisor acquired FlipKey in 2008, there’s always been a large potential marketing budget should TripAdvisor decide to focus more on its alternative accommodation subsidiary.
Notably, FlipKey does not offer shared rooms - only private rooms and entire places. In this way, it’s more similar to Vrbo than Airbnb. While FlipKey can not compete with Airbnb in regards to selection (number of listings in a destination), it’s worth a browse if you will be traveling to/within the United States.
Which Is Better Overall - Airbnb Or FlipKey?
Airbnb is a better choice than FlipKey for the vast majority of travelers in most destinations (because of price, selection and features). However, FlipKey offers solid options to those traveling in the United States.
*To see today’s deals on hotels in any destination, click here.
Airbnb vs. TurnKey Comparison
TurnKey offers vacation rentals in the United States.
While Airbnb offers hosts great autonomy (they can choose their cancellation policy, set their fees, etc.), TurnKey hosts exchange their booking management responsibilities to create a less hands-on experience for themselves, but much more streamlined, standardized processes for guests - from fees to cancellations and a centralized 24/7 support handled by the company.
On TurnKey, every single property undergoes physical inspection. On Airbnb, only Plus and Luxe properties do. A TurnKey rental will generally cost more than a similar Airbnb rental, though TurnKey targets a more luxury side of the home-sharing and vacation rental space, while Airbnb is more of a “generalist”.
Which Is Better Overall - Airbnb Or TurnKey?
TurnKey is a great option for travelers in the United States seeking a large property for their group, paired with 24/7 support. Airbnb is better if you’re traveling outside the United States (TurnKey only offers listings in the USA). It’s worth noting that many TurnKey properties are also listed on Airbnb and Vrbo.com.
*To see today’s deals on hotels in any destination, click here.
Airbnb vs. OYO Rooms Comparison
OYO Rooms, also called OYO or “OYO Hotels and Homes”, was founded in India in 2012.
Initially focused solely on India, then Southeast Asia, the company has since expanded to various countries. OYO Rooms operates a franchisor-franchisee business model (when hotels partner with OYO as franchisees, their rooms are then listed on OYO’s website).
After partnering with a local hotel, OYO standardizes that property (from its rooms to its services). In turn, this creates a reliable, standard experience for guests, so they know exactly what to expect when staying in an OYO property anywhere in the world.
Which Is Better Overall - Airbnb Or OYO?
If you’ve stayed in an OYO hotel before and want the exact same experience in your next destination, stick to OYO. If you’re seeking a unique lodging experience or want a variety of lodging options, consider Airbnb.
OYO Rooms employs local staff who inspect every property in-person, while Airbnb does not physically inspect each property (apart from their Plus listings and Luxe listings). OYO hosts have less autonomy than Airbnb hosts. Airbnb offers many more listings in many more destinations.
*To see today’s deals on hotels in any destination, click here.
Airbnb’s Other Competitors
9flats (founded in Germany, headquartered in Singapore) is a vacation rental site with listings in over 100 countries. In 2016, 9flats acquired Wimdu (which it later sold), then an emerging German-based lodging site popular in Europe.
HomeToGo and Tripping allow users to view search results from many lodging sites at once (including listings from Airbnb and Vrbo.com).
Localized marketplaces similar to Airbnb include: Traveloka (Indonesia), Interhome (Europe), Atraveo (Europe), Novasol (Northern Europe) and Bookabach (New Zealand).
Other sites that have been compared to Airbnb include: Sonder (short-term rentals, founded in Montreal), Evolve (vacation rentals, based in Denver), Craigslist (competitor during Airbnb’s early years) and Accor (French-based, listings in over 100 countries).
Homestay offers vacation rentals, allows users to house swap, and emphasizes local immersion.
Onefinestay offers luxury vacation rentals.
*To see today’s deals on hotels in any destination, click here.
Airbnb vs. “Standard” Booking Sites
(Agoda, Booking, Expedia, Trivago)
By “standard” sites, I’m referring to booking sites that focus on traditional accommodation options (hotels, bed and breakfasts, etc.) rather than home sharing or alternative lodging. Some travelers consider these sites safer and more reliable than Airbnb (this perception is slowly changing as Airbnb grows in popularity).
Agoda.com is a booking site that offers all types of lodging. It’s earned a reputation as the go-to place to find discounts on hotel rooms in any destination. If you want to see Agoda’s best deals today, click here.
Booking, Expedia and Trivago are major booking sites where you’ll find endless hotel room options. All three also offer unique lodging, but not nearly to the same extent that Airbnb or Vrbo do. However, they've been increasing the number of unique lodging options over the past few years (due to the rising popularity of it).
To learn all about the similarities and differences between Airbnb rentals and hotel rooms (atmosphere, price, safety, privacy and amenities), read the Airbnb vs. Hotels Comparison Guide.
*For the 5 things you should bring to an Airbnb stay, click here.
Conclusion
Hopefully you found this guide helpful.
We compared Airbnb to its largest, major competitors (Vrbo.com, HomeAway, FlipKey, TurnKey and OYO Rooms, as well as to some lesser-known competitors and more “standard” booking sites. To learn more about Airbnb, explore our other guides below.
Enjoy your travels!
Learn More About Airbnb
Introduction To Airbnb
Understand Your Options
Airbnb vs. Hotels Comparison [Atmosphere, Price, Safety, Amenities]
Airbnb vs. VRBO, HomeAway, FlipKey, TurnKey, OVO [Comparison]
Get Started With Airbnb
Know Before You Go
Specific Types Of Bookings
How To Find An Airbnb With A Specific Feature [Or Unique Stay]
How To Find An Airbnb That Allows Pets [Airbnb’s Pet Policy]
How To Find An Airbnb With A Pool, Hot Tub Or Jacuzzi [Step-By-Step]
Can You Throw A Party In An Airbnb Rental? [Party Policy Explained]
Cancellations, Refunds And Changes
Airbnb’s Other Listing Categories
Airbnb’s Other Features
Help With Your Account
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