Airbnb dominates urban short-term rentals with 7+ million listings and stronger booking infrastructure, while Vrbo specializes in vacation homes with average stays of 5+ nights and appeals to families seeking multi-bedroom properties. Airbnb has 4x more listings globally but Vrbo offers better long-term rental options and lower service fees for property managers.
Vrbo vs Airbnb — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Global peer-to-peer accommodation marketplace with 7.7M listings across 220+ countries.
Vacation home rental platform specializing in multi-bedroom properties with 2.1M+ listings.
Global Listing Count. Service Fee (Guest). Service Fee (Host). Average Property Type. Average Minimum Stay. Monthly Active Users. Average Review Response Rate
Choose Airbnb if you want maximum variety, the most listings in urban areas, lower guest fees, and superior mobile booking experience—ideal for spontaneous weekend getaways and city exploration. Choose Vrbo if you're seeking entire vacation homes, prefer longer stays (5+ nights), need family-friendly multi-bedroom properties, and want to avoid high host commissions (10-12% vs Airbnb's 0%).
Airbnb: 7 Million+ | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: $8.4 Billion | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Rooms + Homes + Unique | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 220+ | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 7M+ | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 89 | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: +34% | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Percentage-based fee only | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Modern and mobile-optimized | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Shorter stays (frequent turnover) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: All types (apartments to homes) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 15-20% | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 8.1 million | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: $80-150 per night | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Highly flexible (self-check-in options) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 85% include full kitchen | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 1-24 hours (host-dependent) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Host-defined policies (variable) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 800-1500 sq ft (full homes) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Limited (Airbnb Plus only) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Estimated 65-70% | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Policy changes March 9, 2026 (evolving) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: $1,500-2,500 (entire home) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Expanding travel + lifestyle services | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 3-5% | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Required Price Premium to Match Profitability
Airbnb: Baseline (0%) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 38 years | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 4.2 trips/year | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 4.3 nights | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 6 customizable options | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 67% use both | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Hosts Earning More From Multi-Platform Strategy
Airbnb: Only 23% earn more listing on both | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 89 turnovers | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 54 turnovers
Airbnb: N/A (baseline) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 34% increase when paired with Airbnb
Airbnb: Short-term (3-7 nights average) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): Extended-stay (14+ nights average)
Airbnb: Regular 2026 updates (swipe dates, pricing tools, mobile enhancements) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 2026 calendar and booking updates added (historically slower)
Premier/SuperHost Cancellation Requirement
Airbnb: No published threshold | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 0% cancellations (2026 Premier Host standard)
Premier/SuperHost Acceptance Rate Requirement
Airbnb: No published threshold | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 99% (2026 Premier Host standard)
Airbnb: ~40% higher (89 turnovers) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): ~40% lower (54 turnovers)
Airbnb: Airbnb | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Negotiable with host | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: $75-$150+ | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Variable by host (1-5 star ratings) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Inconsistent - not guaranteed | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: $150 | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 14-16% | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 4.6/5 (890K reviews) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 1-3 nights | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 42% | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 4-12 hours | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 2008 | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: $135 | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 78% | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 12% | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 8-16 (varies by region) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 4.5/5 | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 15-30% | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Limited (Airbnb Plus membership tier only) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 7.2 million listings | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 7.2 million | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 2.1 million
Airbnb: 150 million | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 45 million
Airbnb: 0% | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 10-12%
Airbnb: 3-16.5% + $0-$5 | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 8-16%
Airbnb: 1-2 nights | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 5-7 nights
Airbnb: 4.6 stars | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 3.7 stars
Airbnb: 2.1 hours | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 4.8 hours
Airbnb: 28% | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 72%
Airbnb: 7.2 million worldwide | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 85% | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: $175 | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): $120-$180
Airbnb: Not included | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 4.8 | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Limited (app messaging) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 5 (typical) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 3-7 nights (often required)
Cost per Person (4-person group, 7 nights)
Airbnb: $306 | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Estimated Daily Meal Savings with Kitchen
Airbnb: $30-40 | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 7.7 million | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 14-16% (service + guest fee) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 220+ countries | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 4.8 stars | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 4.6 stars (10M reviews) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 12.3% YoY | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: Self-managed only | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: 1+ night (flexible) | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): N/A
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 2,000,000+
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 5-12%
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 14 days
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 4.2 stars
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): $200
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 60%+
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 2,100,000
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 4.2 (180K reviews)
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 190+ countries
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 29 years (since 1995)
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): Traditional homes, condos, apartments
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 2-3 nights minimum
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): $2.7B
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 2.3M
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): $250-$400
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 0-24 hours (owner-dependent)
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 15-25%
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 3.8 stars
Airbnb: N/A | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): 92%
Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) — Wikipedia
How to choose between Airbnb and Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner)
Compare Airbnb vs Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner)
Vrbo vs Airbnb — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Vrbo vs Airbnb. Contains 109 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Vrbo vs Airbnb — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Vrbo vs Airbnb.
Which platform is cheaper for guests overall?
Neither consistently—it depends on trip length. For 1-3 night stays, Airbnb averages 12-18% cheaper due to lower guest fees. For 7+ night stays, Vrbo becomes 15-22% cheaper because it offers longer-stay discounts (up to 40% off) and property managers prefer bulk bookings. Example: A 2-night Paris apartment costs ~$320 on Airbnb vs $385 on Vrbo; a 10-day Tuscany villa costs ~$1,200 on Airbnb vs $840 on Vrbo.
Which platform has better host earnings?
Vrbo offers higher earnings per booking for long-term rentals (30+ days), where hosts retain 88-90% of booking revenue. Airbnb is better for frequent turnover properties (weekend stays) because 0% host fees offset higher cleaning costs. A host renting a 2-bedroom home nets ~$2,800/month on Vrbo (30-night stays) versus ~$2,450/month on Airbnb (weekend bookings), a 14% difference.
What's the biggest quality/safety difference between platforms?
Airbnb enforces stricter verification (real identity verification required since 2023) and has 24/7 global support, but experiences 14% of disputes related to unauthorized parties. Vrbo requires less stringent verification but attracts longer-term guests (5-7 nights average) who are inherently more cautious, resulting in 8% dispute rates. Airbnb's professional hosting program (Airbnb Plus) offers vetted homes; Vrbo lacks equivalent certification tier.
Vrbo is objectively better for families: 72% of its inventory is entire vacation homes with 2-4+ bedrooms, compared to Airbnb's 28%. Vrbo also accommodates longer minimum stays (5-7 nights average), reducing packing frequency. Families booking a week-long beach house will find 4x more suitable options on Vrbo and save 15-20% through weekly discounts.
Airbnb offers standardized cancellation tiers (Flexible = full refund until 24h before; Moderate = refund until 5 days prior; Strict = non-refundable). Vrbo allows individual hosts to set custom policies, creating inconsistency—some offer full refunds 60 days out, others are non-refundable. Airbnb's standardization is clearer for guests; Vrbo's flexibility appeals to risk-averse hosts. Both offer force majeure protection for COVID-like events.
How to Choose Between Airbnb and Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner)
Global Listing Count: Airbnb has 7.2 million listings, while Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) has 2.1 million listings.
Service Fee (Guest): Airbnb has 3-16.5% + $0-$5 per booking, while Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) has 8-16% variable.
Service Fee (Host): Airbnb has 0% in most markets, while Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) has 10-12% standard.
Average Property Type: Airbnb has Entire apartments/studios (65%), while Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) has Vacation homes/villas (72%).
Average Minimum Stay: Airbnb has 1-2 nights, while Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) has 5-7 nights.
Monthly Active Users: Airbnb has 150+ million, while Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) has 45+ million.
Average Review Response Rate: Airbnb has 73%, while Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) has 68%.