Top 12 Airbnb Alternatives for Hosts
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What else besides Airbnb can be used to promote your rental property? If you’ve asked this question at least once, you’re not alone. For some property owners, Airbnb is a pot of gold. The platform offers tons of perks: exclusive property management tools, worldwide visibility for your property, flexible availability, very personal hosting experiences, interesting marketing solutions like an Airbnb welcome book, to name a few. But what is Airbnb like in terms of benefits for property owners?
What do you do to make your property visible on more property management platforms/listing websites like Airbnb? Or do you probably want to completely ditch Airbnb?
Your reasons can be different: a need to diversify the booking channels to maximize your reach, to find better commission rates, frustrating experiences with Airbnb, Brexit…
No matter your reasons, there are alternatives to Airbnb.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the vacation rental platforms similar to Airbnb that can also give you the head start you need. And we’re going to save you some time reviewing and comparing some of them.
Although there are a lot of small websites like Airbnb, let’s look at some popular Airbnb alternatives for hosts where you can gain similar property management tools and provide guests with the same top-notch, secure, and smooth reservation experience.
You might also like: OTAs or direct bookings?
12 Best Airbnb Alternatives for Hosts & Property Owners
All the Airbnb alternatives for hosts we’re going to look at in this collection will help you rent out any accommodation type, ranging from a furnished rental, a shared room in the basement, to motorhomes, RVs, and campsites.
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Also note that some of the platforms listed below, unlike Airbnb, don’t support shared accommodations, so some websites might not be an option for some of you. So, what is like Airbnb?
Booking.com
Booking.com is the first winner on our Airbnb alternatives list primarily because it’s very popular with all types of budget and business travelers. People can find a place to stay anywhere in the world since there are more than 28 million properties available on Booking.com.
The website browsing, search, and booking experiences are second to none since Booking.com is fully optimized for mobile reservations and has perfect performance. It is also optimized for different search engines, helping your property appear in front of a larger target audience with an Airbnb-like website.
As a customer of their service, you get a good bunch of freedom and flexibility: deactivate your listing, don’t impose extra platform fees on travelers, take advantage of reporting guests’ misconduct, and use other tools.
Unlike Airbnb, Booking.com runs on instant bookings, which means guests don’t need to wait for any approvals. That also implies you need to keep the availability calendar and inventory up-to-date when using thiso ne of Airbnb alternatives for hosts.
Booking.com charges property owners per-booking fees (up to 15%). You are free to create per-night, per-guest, or per-stay pricing for your property. The platform also sets some specific requirements you need to meet: upload images, add at least a minimum number of amenities, state your cancellation policy, etc.
There are also lots of perks and bonuses for their loyal travelers (e.g., the Genius program), which means more loyal customers for you in the long run.
Key features:
- Global reach;
- No upfront costs;
- Property type flexibility;
- Full control over listings for owners;
- Trustworthy brand & secure payment system.
| Name | Owner | Commission | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | Booking Holdings Inc. | Up to 15% per booking | Hotels, vacation rental properties, and long-term rentals |
Vrbo
Vrbo provides almost equal (to Airbnb) tools, solutions, and requirements for renting out your property. For travelers, it’s also one of the top reliable places to refer to where they can book accommodation, having an awesome user experience.
It features over two million listings worldwide and serves travellers in over 190 countries, making the OTA very attractive to travelers who want to have a good choice of properties. This is one of Airbnb alternatives for hosts that focuses on self-contained rentals, such as vacation houses, villas, condos, etc., rather than shared accommodations.
To list your property here, you need to pay either a yearly or per-booking fee, which may vary depending on the region and currency you use.
As for the base property rate you can set for your property, Vrbo offers a great tool to set tiered pricing rates per date or custom durations while staying in the calendar mode. The review process for guests and hosts is the same as the one performed with Airbnb.
Read our in-depth comparison of Airbnb vs Vrbo.
Moreover, Vrbo takes part in Google Vacation Rentals, so cooperating with this platform gives your property access to one of the most powerful directories by Google, as well as increased visibility.
Key features:
- Control of listings and pricing;
- Higher rental income potential;
- Booking flexibility;
- Global exposure via Expedia Group;
- Powerful marketing tools.
| Name | Owner | Commission | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vrbo | Expedia Group | 8-15% per booking | Whole-home vacation rentals |
Homestay
Homestay, unlike Booking.com, for example, allows you to have a similar Airbnb-like personal hosting experience since you’ll be required to share your own homestay. You can’t list an entire accommodation here and need to share your home with travelers.
The most common guests are tourists, business travelers, students, interns, and volunteers.
Homestay also works as some Airbnb alternatives in terms of the booking process – guests send you a booking request, which needs to be confirmed (or declined). Then, a guest has to pay a 15% booking deposit to the platform to confirm the booking. You are paid the remaining amount on arrival or before.
As you can see, the platform fees are imposed on a guest, not you.
Also, you’ll need to confirm the payment method directly with guests before they arrive using a preferred method (PayPal, Payoneer, or direct bank transfer). Travelers can book nightly, weekly, or monthly stays.
Since this is one of Airbnb alternatives for hosts that supports iCal, you can sync your bookings with Airbnb and other OTAs to list your property on several platforms yet avoid overbooking.
Key features:
- Flexible booking process via a booking request;
- Low commission fees;
- Optional features for hosts to customize the property availability;
- Perfect for travelers seeking a genuine travel experience;
- All listings are submitted by hosts living on-site.
| Name | Owner | Commission | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homestay | Homestay Technologies Ltd. | 7% service fee for guests | Hosts who live on-site, solo travelers seeking authentic experiences |
Expedia
Although Expedia Group is the all-in-one travel platform and aggregator, you can still list your property there and get your accommodation listed in front of millions of people on different Expedia-associated distribution channels.
Overall, even though not one of the direct Airbnb alternatives for hosts, the platform includes more than 200 websites available in about 35 languages (they include such huge names as Hotels.com, Travelocity, and Vrbo). You need a single account if you wish to manage listings across most OTA brands that belong to Expedia Group.
Luckily, Expedia works with properties of all types and sizes, so no matter whether it’s a hotel or villa you possess, you can still get access to all the benefits Expedia has to offer. To start, you need to register with Expedia Partner Central, choose your contract type, and sign up for the lodging agreement.
The service comes with a great UX for property owners, allowing you to list your short-term rentals quickly and manage properties, prices, and availability easily.
The flexible settings regarding property management for Airbnb owners allow you to set up your property policy (cancellation, deposit, taxes, fees, etc.), amenities, room types, and rate plans with ease. There are also tons of supporting tools dedicated to revenue management, analytics, connections with other platforms, etc.
There are two ways to accept reservation payments with Expedia: guests can pay at the time of online reservation or on arrival when they check in. You’ll pay Expedia a 10-20% booking fee each time you get a confirmed reservation. The exact amount depends on your market and property type.
Key features:
- Suitable for nearly any property type;
- Dynamic pricing tools;
- High property visibility;
- Feature-rich partner portal;
- Secure payment processing.
| Name | Owner | Commission | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expedia | Expedia, Inc. | 10-20% per booking | Hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals that seek high visibility |
Simply Owners
Simply Owners is not as popular as other platforms in this collection, but it has a growing audience as one of the Airbnb alternatives.
Simply Owners is perfectly suitable for vacation rental owners. It runs on a bit different listing model: you, as a holiday property owner, need to submit your listing to their team. They will help you create a draft for your property, and if you like it, your property will be listed there once you’ve paid a fee.
You are charged an annual listing fee per property (discounts are available for multiple listings); guests are charged the property price only, without extra service fees. Additionally, the property price is paid directly to you, usually via bank transfer or PayPal.
The main benefit of this platform is that you pay just once a year, always have a good support team, and also get many prospects looking to rent a property directly from an owner.
A two-way iCal sync feature is also supported, allowing you to feel confident about listing your property with multiple online travel agencies simultaneously. If you like this subscription-based concept, you may also give it a try at Owner Direct, a solution similar to many Airbnb alternatives for hosts.
Key features:
- Full control over listings for property owners;
- Free payment protection;
- No hidden fees or additional payments;
- Direct contact between guests and homeowners;
- Reliable support for hosts.
| Name | Owner | Commission | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simply Owners | Simply Owners | Annual listing fee of £298.80/property | Cottages, villas, and apartments |
FlipKey
If you’re asking yourself, “What is similar to Vrbo?”, you may be interested in FlipKey. It is one of the most popular competitors for Airbnb from the TripAdvisor family. This is one of those big players you can rely on in terms of maximizing your reach, and what is really important, you can rent out vacation rentals of any type with this service.
Getting listed is free, but the platform charges you around 3% from each successful booking. However, guests also need to pay a booking fee of 8-16% charged by TripAdvisor.
Travelers can book instantly (if the dates are available) or send you a payment request. They pay for the property through the travel platform, and the payment appears in your account within 24 hours after guests check in. Payments are made via PayPal or bank transfer. Depending on the payment methods and banks, funds may reach your account in 3-5 business days.
The property management tools are awesome: you can set up seasonal pricing, state booking policies and house rules, add booking windows (to state how far in advance people can book your property), including taxes and fees, and more. Furthermore, you can simplify management by using the TripAdvisor Owner apps available on iOS and Android.
As with other major Airbnb alternatives for hosts, you can use different OTAs and still maintain accurate availability by setting up synchronization via iCal.
HolidayLettings is another popular alternative from the TripAdvisor group.
Key features:
- Global visibility via TripAdvisor;
- Strong review system;
- Well-designed messaging tools;
- Low commission for hosts;
- Pricing management flexibility.
| Name | Owner | Commission | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlipKey | Expedia, Inc. | 3% for hosts, 8-16% for guests | Vacation rental owners seeking global visibility via the TripAdvisor network |
Onefinestay
You might be interested in renting out your accommodation with Onefinestay if you own a high-end property. Some people might call it one of the luxury Airbnb alternatives. Still, if your home meets Onefinestay’s quality standards (many premium apartments or well-located properties do), you can easily attract high-paying clients.
However, you can’t just fill in the form and get listed here; the local team of the platform representatives must visit your home before accepting it on their platform (yes, they care about those high-paying clients as well as your earnings). It looks like the commissions are not stated publicly.
If your property is accepted to this one of Airbnb alternatives for hosts, your account manager will also create and market your property to present it in the best light. Onefinestay has been on the market for over 16 years now, so you can be sure your high-end home is in good hands.
Key features:
- Luxury market focus;
- Curated listings;
- Global reach;
- End-to-end management for homeowners.
| Name | Owner | Commission | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onefinestay | Lifealike Limited | Fixed nightly fee per property | Vacation homes, chalets, villas, and apartments |
Outdoorsy
Outdoorsy is made for RV, motorhomes, and caravan rentals, so it’s not your typical rental property website. It may not be one of the 100% Airbnb alternatives for hosts, but it is worth your attention if you own a recreational vehicle.
If you have a rental item dedicated to campgrounds or hiking accommodations, here you’ll get the biggest exposure since Outdoorsy is one of the most trusted RV rental multi-vendor marketplaces.
Feel free to list and advertise your RV with Outdoorsy – it’s free, but you’ll need to pay a transaction fee on each booking (ranging from 10-12% per reservation). The platform offers you a $1 million liability insurance policy to protect your RV or camper. You can also get physical damage protection for an extra fee. Reservation payments are deposited into your bank account.
The service also takes care of you by checking the driving history of renters to help you cooperate only with trusted people, making it one of he best competitors for Airbnb.
Key features:
- Flexible pricing, availability, and booking rules;
- User-friendly mobile apps;
- Long-term rental opportunities;
- Insurance coverage & campground marketing tools;
- 24/7 customer support.
| Name | Owner | Commission | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoorsy | Outdoorsy, Inc. | 20-25% per booking | RV owners looking for peer-to-peer rentals |
Agoda Homes
If you’re aiming for the eastern market of vacation rentals, we recommend taking a look at Agoda Homes, the solution for vacation rental availability at Agoda. The platform allows for easy property management for Airbnb owners, while guests get access to a quick search of a desired property based on multiple parameters. Having a strong presence in Asia but still offering global reach, this is one of the Airbnb alternatives for hosts that can help you get started with offering your apartment or home for rental in no time. From customizable booking rules to dynamic rate control, you can use its numerous features to manage your rentals and get connected with potential guests without having to do all the routine work manually.
Key features:
- Free property listing with booking commission;
- Only entire properties can be listed;
- 24/7 support for hosts;
- User-friendly property management solutions;
- Mobile app & integration with channel managers.
| Name | Owner | Commission | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agoda Homes | Booking Holdings Inc. | 15-25% per booking | Hosts with entire properties |
Vacasa
One more of Airbnb alternatives to consider is Vacasa. Built for hosts who own and rent out short-term vacation homes, this platform offers full-service management and handles almost every aspect of running a vacation rental business. Whether you are looking for marketing tools, solutions for guest support, or revenue reports, Vacasa has it all. The only downside here is the considerable fees that can reach up to 35% of the nightly rental fees. However, if you are willing to pay extra for booking management, automation, distribution, and dynamic pricing, this is one of the best options, especially if you own a property in North America.
Key features:
- Full-service property management;
- Long-term rental options available via the Extended Stay Program;
- Guest support & services;
- Extensive market reach in North America;
- Real-time performance tracking.
| Name | Owner | Commission | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacasa | Casago | 10-20% per booking | Property owners who need a comprehensive set of management services |
Plum Guide
If you are looking for Airbnb alternatives for hosts aimed at luxury rentals similar to Onefinestay, we recommend trying out Plum Guide. It offers a wide selection of top-notch homes as it performs a strict review of various aspects of your property (The Plum Test). The platform operates globally, providing a wide selection of destinations and guaranteeing to deliver the utmost comfort thanks to a curated selection and various support services. Plum Guide can easily be considered one of the luxury Airbnb alternatives that help homeowners as well, presenting their properties in the best light online, similar to booking websites. The fee can be either shared between hosts and guests or host-only. In the first case, the host pays 3% with an additional 12% paid by guests. If you choose the host-only fee, it may vary from 16.5% to 18.5 % with no extra commission for your guests.
Key features:
- Global reach & 48-hour rebooking guarantee;
- Selective listing criteria based on the Plum Test;
- Professional listing optimization and photography;
- Payment processing through Hyperwallet;
- Dedicated support for hosts.
| Name | Owner | Commission | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plum Guide | Plum Guide | From 3% to 18.5% | Hosts with high-end properties |
9flats
For those who need something simpler and more affordable, 9flats is always ready to help. This solution is one of peer-to-peer Airbnb alternatives with a strong presence in Europe, allowing property owners ot list spare rooms and apartments for short-term stays. By connecting potential guests and hosts, it earns a small commission off every booking (fee applies to both guests and property owners). Among its diverse range of features, we can point out its global reach (over 6 mil locations), a reliable property search system, and insurance for hosts aimed to cover damages to a certain limit (for an extra fee).
Key features:
- Diverse listing options for renting out properties;
- Host-focused fee structure;
- Secure but flexible payment system;
- Works with major OTAs;
- Transparent pricing and affiliate commissions.
| Name | Owner | Commission | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9flats | 9flats | 15% per booking (only for hosts) | Hosts that need a European-focused visibility |
Can we state that these websites are better than Airbnb? Only if they suit your particular business, property type, and concept.
Your Own WordPress Website as an Airbnb Alternative
Creating your own independent website is one of those trusted ways to steal a march on your competitors and significantly cut down expenses. Why WordPress when tons of proprietary solutions can be used as Airbnb alternatives for hosts?
Well, because we’ve been working with WordPress for many years already and managed to create the booking calendar software that can handle direct bookings, the inventory management system, invoices, discounts, and all other industry tools under one roof. The solution is called the MotoPress Hotel Booking plugin for WordPress.
Two main reasons why you might want to give a try to this solution:
- You are one step away from running an Airbnb-like website with a completely independent booking engine, with no pre-booking or per-rental commissions, 100% of the money going straight to your bank account (seriously). To get constant plugin updates and support, you only pay $139 once a year. Moreover, you can combine with any theme or get the plugin already installed and ready as a part of the Tourfic theme by MotoPress.
- You’re not forced to leave OTAs behind, because you can use both at the same time by setting up the sync process via iCal. That means direct bookings can be easily connected with OTAs to ensure you are never overbooked.
You might also like:
- How to sync WordPress bookings with OTAs: Airbnb and HomeAway guides.
- The cost to create a WordPress vacation rental website.
- Turnkey solutions of the MotoPress booking software are bundled together with the industry-fueled design.
If you already use MotoPress solutions for your rental property website, don’t hesitate to share your experience with fellow property owners in the comments section.
The Final Thoughts: What are the Best Airbnb Alternatives for Hosts?
There are tons of alternatives to Airbnb, but currently, there is no need to choose just one.
By diversifying the channels of listing your property or building a website for your vacation rentals, you literally don’t put all eggs into one basket. Airbnb alternatives for hosts play a role!
By creating your dedicated property booking website in addition to submitting your property to external channels, you don’t just create a game with your own rules for the long run; you save a huge sum of money.
The iCal technology for automatic availability synchronization using channel manager, which is available in almost every popular platform providing property management for Airbnb owners, makes it possible to list your property on multiple platforms and your own website without overbooking. Besides, it can give you other benefits, such as:
- Lower commission fees: Some Airbnb alternatives charge less or have flat-rate models. This may be especially helpful for vacation rental hosts who don’t have a wide range of properties or are just starting out.
- More control: Platforms like Expedia or 9flats allow you to set your own rules, policies, and communication style, helping you establish a strong online presence and reputation for your STR business.
- Better targeting: By using various competitors for Airbnb, you can easily attract travelers who fit your property’s style or location. Additionally, with the help of marketing tools some platforms provide, you get a simple way to promote your amenities and not just the properties you rent out.
- Increased independence: If you use multiple platforms or even combine them with your hotel booking WordPress theme, you rely less on a single platform’s policies or algorithms rather than just using Airbnb.
So, probably the best way to advertise your property is to find the balance by using different channels. Any thoughts or ideas? Are these sites better than Airbnb in your experience? Feel free to share them in the comments!
What is the best Airbnb alternative for hosts?
Where can I list my property for free?
Is it cheaper to accept direct bookings on WordPress?
You are welcome! Thanks so much for your positive feedback and examples.