Airbnb leads in urban short-term rentals with 7.7 million listings and a younger demographic, while VRBO (Vacasa) dominates vacation homes with 2.1 million properties and stronger long-term rental options, making them suited for different travel needs.
Airbnb vs VRBO — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Global peer-to-peer accommodation marketplace with 7.7M listings across 220+ countries.
Vacation rental platform with 2.1M properties and integrated property management through Vacasa subsidiary.
Total Active Listings. Average Booking Commission. Minimum Night Stay Requirement. Primary Market Focus. Host Support & Property Management. User Base Annual Growth Rate. Geographic Coverage
Choose Airbnb if you're seeking diverse urban accommodations, last-minute bookings, or international travel with the broadest selection and user reviews. Choose VRBO if you prefer vacation homes, need property management services, seek longer-term rentals (30+ days), or want lower commission rates for host profitability.
Airbnb: $8.4 Billion | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Rooms + Homes + Unique | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Percentage-based fee only | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Modern and mobile-optimized | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Shorter stays (frequent turnover) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: All types (apartments to homes) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 8.1 million | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: $80-150 per night | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Highly flexible (self-check-in options) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 85% include full kitchen | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 1-24 hours (host-dependent) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Host-defined policies (variable) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 800-1500 sq ft (full homes) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Limited (Airbnb Plus only) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Estimated 65-70% | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Policy changes March 9, 2026 (evolving) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: $1,500-2,500 (entire home) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Expanding travel + lifestyle services | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Required Price Premium to Match Profitability
Airbnb: Baseline (0%) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 4.2 trips/year | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 6 customizable options | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 67% use both | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Hosts Earning More From Multi-Platform Strategy
Airbnb: Only 23% earn more listing on both | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 89 turnovers | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: N/A (baseline) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Short-term (3-7 nights average) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Regular 2026 updates (swipe dates, pricing tools, mobile enhancements) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Premier/SuperHost Cancellation Requirement
Airbnb: No published threshold | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Premier/SuperHost Acceptance Rate Requirement
Airbnb: ~40% higher (89 turnovers) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Negotiable with host | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Variable by host (1-5 star ratings) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Inconsistent - not guaranteed | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 4.6/5 (890K reviews) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 8-16 (varies by region) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Limited (Airbnb Plus membership tier only) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 7.2 million listings | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 7.2 million | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 150 million | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 7.2 million worldwide | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Not included | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: Limited (app messaging) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Airbnb: 5 (typical) | VRBO (Vacasa): N/A
Cost per Person (4-person group, 7 nights)
Estimated Daily Meal Savings with Kitchen
Airbnb: 7.7 million | VRBO (Vacasa): 2.1 million
Airbnb: 14-16% (service + guest fee) | VRBO (Vacasa): 5-15% (commission variable)
Airbnb: 220+ countries | VRBO (Vacasa): 190+ countries
Airbnb: 4.8 stars | VRBO (Vacasa): 4.6 stars
Airbnb: 4.6 stars (10M reviews) | VRBO (Vacasa): 4.2 stars (2.1M reviews)
Airbnb: 12.3% YoY | VRBO (Vacasa): 8.7% YoY
Airbnb: Self-managed only | VRBO (Vacasa): 3,500+ via Vacasa
Airbnb: 1+ night (flexible) | VRBO (Vacasa): 3-7 nights (property-dependent)
How to choose between Airbnb and VRBO (Vacasa)
Airbnb vs VRBO — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Airbnb vs VRBO. Contains 90 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Airbnb vs VRBO — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Airbnb vs VRBO.
Can you book one night on both platforms?
Yes, but Airbnb is more flexible. Airbnb explicitly supports 1+ night stays. VRBO allows 1-night bookings but many hosts enforce 3-7 night minimums, especially in peak season. Check individual property policies before booking.
Airbnb typically has lower nightly rates due to larger inventory and higher competition, but VRBO may offer better long-term discounts (30+ days) with 20-30% reductions. For 1-3 night stays, Airbnb averages 15-25% cheaper; for 30+ days, VRBO often wins with bulk discounts.
Which is better for hosts to earn more money?
VRBO offers lower commission rates (5-15% vs Airbnb's 14-16%), potentially increasing host earnings by 30%+. However, Airbnb's 7.7M listings generate higher booking frequency. For vacation homes with management services, VRBO's Vacasa partnership handles operations and generates steady income.
Is Airbnb or VRBO better for family vacation homes?
VRBO specializes in vacation homes with family amenities (pools, hot tubs, kitchens) and is preferred for 50+ acre estates and group properties. Airbnb offers more budget-friendly options and entire homes in urban areas. VRBO wins for dedicated vacation home rentals; Airbnb wins for variety and city access.
Which platform has better customer support?
Airbnb provides 24/7 multilingual support via in-app chat, phone, and email with average response time of 2-4 hours. VRBO offers 24/7 support but response times average 4-6 hours. Both have resolution guarantee policies covering booking issues within 72 hours.
How to Choose Between Airbnb and VRBO (Vacasa)
Total Active Listings: Airbnb has 7.7 million, while VRBO (Vacasa) has 2.1 million.
Average Booking Commission: Airbnb has 3-5% plus service fee (14-16% total), while VRBO (Vacasa) has 5-15% commission plus optional services.
Consider: Minimum Night Stay Requirement
Minimum Night Stay Requirement: Airbnb has Flexible (1+ night, host-dependent), while VRBO (Vacasa) has Flexible (1+ night, host-dependent).
Primary Market Focus: Airbnb has Urban apartments, entire homes, shared spaces, while VRBO (Vacasa) has Vacation homes, resorts, condos.
Consider: Host Support & Property Management
Host Support & Property Management: Airbnb has Self-managed hosts, limited support tools, while VRBO (Vacasa) has Full property management via Vacasa (3,500+ properties).
User Base Annual Growth Rate: Airbnb has 12.3% YoY (2024-2025), while VRBO (Vacasa) has 8.7% YoY (2024-2025).
Geographic Coverage: Airbnb has 220+ countries, 100,000+ destinations, while VRBO (Vacasa) has 190+ countries, 50,000+ destinations.