Both Airbnb and Vrbo allow you to book vacation rentals directly with the owner, and both are prolific within the US and abroad — but they’re not the same.
At a glance
Vrbo only lists private rentals, while Airbnb also offers cheaper,shared spaces
Airbnb is best for extended rentals, because some hosts offer monthly discounts of 15% to 50% off
Service and cleaning fees are similar and depend on each host
Verdict
Airbnb is usually better for budget stays since you can book a spare room, while Vrbo offers a more curated experience for families in need of a private vacation home.
Airbnb generally has more rentals available under $100 nightly, so budget shoppers should start there. But after you start looking at pricier places, both sites offer comparable rates. The difference? Airbnb hosts can choose to offer discounts on longer stays, so you could save up to 50% by staying for at least a moth.
We compared a two-bedroom rental in Colorado on Airbnb and Vrbo, with a listing price of $100 nightly. Though these two properties offer slightly different amenities, you can get an idea of how the overall fees compare:
Keep in mind that each owner is in charge of setting their own cleaning fee, so this varies between rentals. Also, you may be charged a tax fee, depending on the local policies of each vacation rental.
Are vacation rentals safe during COVID-19?
Vacation rentals are generally safe to stay in during the coronavirus pandemic, as long as you’re following CDC guidelines. For extra precaution, look for rentals that offer self check-in, so you can avoid physical interaction with the host.
Both Airbnb and Vrbo provide hosts with a set of enhanced cleaning protocols with step-by-step instructions for sanitizing between guests. However, Airbnb goes a step further by inviting hosts to take a quiz confirming their understanding of this protocol. If they pass, their listing will get an Enhanced Clean indicator — offering further peace of mind that the property has undergone rigorous cleaning prior to your arrival.
Cancellation policies
Both sites are encouraging hosts to offer more flexible cancellation policies during the pandemic. Be sure to read the terms and conditions before checking out, to understand the risk upfront. Vrbo will refund the service fee if you need to cancel due to COVID-19, while Airbnb doesn’t state this explicitly.
Any other differences worth noting?
Airbnb has a wider range of rental types available, from campsites to boats, treehouses and tiny houses, in addition to more traditional options like homes, cabins and condos. Vrbo typically sticks to traditional vacation rentals, though you may be able to find some hidden gems.
On Airbnb, make sure you read the listing carefully before booking so that you know what you’re getting in terms of sleeping arrangements, space sharing and amenities.
Another difference is Airbnb Experiences, which are unique activities and tours that you can book with a local, both online and in person. Vrbo doesn’t offer an equivalent.
Amy Stoltenberg writes about lifestyle and money for Finder, researching the best options for shopping, banking, insurance and authentic travel experiences. After studying writing and fashion at Savannah College of Art and Design, she worked designing apparel at a corporate behemoth before opting for a career with unlimited travel time. When her laptop’s closed, she can be found wandering the streets looking for happy hour and hole-in-the-wall eateries.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Advertiser Disclosure
finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
