Vrbo
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About Vrbo
VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) is an online marketplace for whole-home vacation rentals, founded in 1995 and owned by Expedia Group since 2015. One of the oldest vacation rental platforms, VRBO lists 2 million+ properties across 190+ countries, exclusively focusing on entire homes — unlike Airbnb, which also lists private rooms and shared spaces. VRBO's model emphasizes whole-property rentals suitable for families and groups, with inventory strong in beach destinations (Florida, Outer Banks, Gulf Coast), ski resorts, mountain cabins, and lake houses. VRBO charges guests a service fee of approximately 6-12% and hosts either a 5% commission (subscription model) or 8% (pay-per-booking model). VRBO and HomeAway (sister brand) together generate significant revenue within Expedia Group's vacation rental segment. In 2019, Expedia consolidated all vacation rental brands under the VRBO brand. Reviews and host verification are key trust signals on the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VRBO owned by Airbnb?
No. VRBO is owned by Expedia Group, one of the world's largest online travel companies. Airbnb and VRBO are direct competitors. Expedia acquired HomeAway (VRBO's parent company) for $3.9 billion in 2015 and later consolidated all vacation rental brands under the VRBO name in 2019. Airbnb is independently publicly traded (NASDAQ: ABNB).
VRBO vs Airbnb: which is better for families?
Both are good for families, but VRBO has a slight edge for traditional vacation home rentals (beach houses, ski chalets, lake cabins). VRBO's entire-home-only model means no surprises about shared spaces. VRBO's inventory in classic family vacation destinations (Florida beaches, mountain resorts) is strong. Airbnb has more urban inventory and unique/boutique properties. For a beach week or mountain cabin trip: compare both — you'll often find the same properties listed on both platforms, sometimes at different prices.