Short Answer: Top 3 Airbnb Alternatives
The vacation rental industry was revolutionized by platforms like Airbnb, and since then, a variety of other vacation rental sites have hit the digital space. Each of these vacation rental sites has since made their mark on the vacation rental industry by offering a unique service to vacationers.
3 of the top Airbnb alternatives are:
- Booking.com
While primarily known for hotel bookings, Booking.com also offers a variety of alternative accommodations, including apartment rentals, vacation homes, and guesthouses. It has an extensive global inventory and often provides competitive rates.
- Agoda Homes
Agoda, primarily known for hotel bookings, this platform also offers vacation rentals through Agoda Homes. It features a wide range of properties worldwide, from apartment rentals to vacation homes.
- VRBO
Vrbo is one of the largest marketplaces in the vacation rental industry, with a wide range of listings including houses, apartments, and condos. It focuses on whole-home rentals and is particularly popular for family vacations and larger groups.
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Full List of Airbnb Alternatives
The vacation rental industry has a variety of platforms that are easy to use and offer a wide selection of properties. These range from hotels to apartments being rented out by people who may also use the property for personal use. For those who are looking for Airbnb alternatives, for example those who would like to see which motels are available as well, we’ve put together a list of 25 of the best Airbnb alternatives to consider.
1. VRBO
VRBO, now a part of the Expedia Group, is one of the most popular vacation rental websites and Airbnb alternatives. It has grown significantly in popularity since it began in 1995. The platform has over 2 million properties listed in over 190 countries worldwide, and 48 million users.
Not only does this give investors more opportunities to rent out their property, but it also allows them to reach a wider variety of customers, which can lead to a successful vacation rental business. For vacation-goers this also means that finding vacation rental properties can be done with ease.
2. Booking.com
Booking.com is one of the largest online travel agencies, and has been so successful that in 2022 the company’s app was the most downloaded mobile app in the travel industry. Booking.com has over 2.7 million properties in over 220 countries. Their vacation rental properties include hotels, motels, apartments, guesthouses and resorts. Thus, Booking.com remains one of the most prominent Airbnb alternatives.
Booking.com provides detailed property descriptions, high-resolution photos, and many guest reviews to help users make informed decisions. It offers a secure booking process and flexible cancellation policies, making it a popular vacation rental program for travelers.
3. Hopper
Hopper is a mobile app that helps users find flights and hotels easily, at their fingertips. The primary focus of the app is airfare however users can also book rental cars, hotel rooms and various other accommodation options such as homes. Hopper uses advanced technology to help users find the best possible deals through price predictions and recommendations, all on this vacation rental program.
Hopper has an intuitive interface with easy-to-use features and money-saving alerts, which have gained popularity among travelers who are looking for a convenient way to book their vacations.
4. Hipcamp
Hipcamp is one of the best Airbnb alternatives for outdoor enthusiasts. The platform offers users a convenient way to find camping and outdoor accommodations. From campsites and RV parks to glamping tents and cabins, Hipcamp allows users to discover and book unique outdoor experiences by connecting them with private landowners, RV parks and more.
Hipcamp promotes sustainable travel and offers a wide range of locations, from private farms to vineyards, and remote wilderness areas. This is an ideal way for nature lovers to find their perfect outdoor getaway easily online.
5. Plum Guide
Plum Guide is a unique platform offering users the chance to stay in remarkable homes all over the world, and one of the top Airbnb alternatives for the luxury market. These high-quality and stylish accommodations are curated and carefully vetted by the platform before they are listed. Plum Guide prides itself on ensuring consistent quality and design. Its rigorous inspection process, attention to detail, and personalized service set it apart in the vacation rental market.
Plum Guide is aimed at those who are looking for a luxurious, memorable stay in a home, apartment rentals or villa. From London to New York, Paris and Dublin, the platform has something for everyone. The platform provides the top 3% of the world’s most remarkable homes, across 3 different price points, to cater for various needs.
6. Agoda Homes
Agoda is a well-known online travel agency that was known for hotel bookings, until Agoda Homes came onto the scene, which allows users to book a wider range of accommodations and forms one of the top Airbnb alternatives. Agoda Homes offers apartments, vacation homes, and luxury villas all over the globe. Agoda Homes aims to offer competitive rates and a variety of options for vacation goers.
The platform features detailed property listings, guest reviews, and a secure booking process, ensuring a seamless experience for users seeking alternative accommodations. There are more than 9 million users on the Agoda platform, and the site also allows for flight and airport transfer bookings.
7. Homestay
Homestay provides a more immersive experience than Airbnb by connecting travelers with local hosts who offer a spare room or a separate section of their home for guests. It’s a great option for travelers or students who are interested in cultural immersion and getting to know the local lifestyle.
The platform has both long and short term options, that offer travelers great value for money, in all corners of the world. The platform emphasizes the authentic travel experience, where hosts and guests can get to know each other and guests can get unique insights into how the locals live.
8. Sonder
Sonder is a hospitality company that offers stylishly designed apartments and hotel-like amenities. Sonder is making itself one of the top Airbnb alternatives. It focuses on providing consistent quality across its properties and operates in several major cities globally. Sonder provides properties that are professionally managed and equipped with all the essentials needed for a comfortable stay.
Guest satisfaction is the top priority on the Sonder platform, which means that attention to detail and convenience are the most important aspects. As such, Sonder’s app allows users to do everything from getting fresh towels, to requesting a late checkout. Sonder offers both short- and longer-term stays, for various occasions, in over 40 cities.
9. Homes and Villas by Marriott Bonvoy
Homes and Villas by Marriot Bonvoy is the renowned Marriott International’s expanded offering. This platform offers private homes that are assured by Marriott as vacation accommodation. A curated collection of high-end homes, luxury villas, and apartments in various destinations worldwide are on offer for those who choose this platform.
The platform offers professional management, 24/7 support, and the ability to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy loyalty points. The homes are professionally cleaned inspected and offer premium home essentials so that guests can experience a hassle-free stay.
10. TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals
Well-known travel company TripAdvisor offers vacation rentals in over 200 countries worldwide and is widely known as one of the top Airbnb alternatives. TripAdvisor offers flexible cancellation policies, which is a big win for many people as vacation plans can change often. The vacation rentals available include apartments, houses, cabins, and villas.
Thanks to the extensive amount of data available on the TripAdvisor platform, it provides valuable insights into each rental through reviews from guests, property ratings, and detailed listings. Transparency is a key element of the platform, and as such, users can communicate directly with property owners or managers.
11. Blueground
Blueground is an online vacation rental platform that offers both short- and long-term stays, ranging from a few days to a year or longer. The platform has a global network of furnished designer apartments that are professionally designed and managed to ensure consistency and quality. Blueground caters to business travelers, remote workers, and individuals who are looking for a hassle-free accommodation solution.
Live@Blueground is the platform’s expanded offering for stays of 1 year or more in a furnished home. Each apartment, building and neighborhood is hand-picked by Blueground and the platform offers partner services which allow guests to enjoy each neighborhood like a local.
12. FlipKey
From TripAdvisor comes another vacation rental platform that is a good Airbnb alternative, called FlipKey. This platform offers a range of vacation homes, apartments, and condos worldwide. FlipKey allows travelers to connect directly with property owners and offers features such as guest reviews, detailed property descriptions, and secure booking options.
FlipKey provides a variety of accommodation options to suit different budgets and travel preferences. The platform offers insight into the destinations available, which is a great added bonus for users. The entire booking can then be managed online, and the owner can be contacted via the platform.
13. Hello Landing
Hello Landing provides verified, furnished apartments for guests with trusted local support in over 375 cities. There are very few renting restrictions with guests being offered the chance to rent accommodation for anywhere from a few weeks to a few years. Each home comes with all the necessary features that a guest would want, so guests can simply arrive and feel instantly at home.
Hello Landing provides an easy online booking service, with no paperwork. The platform caters largely to professionals and remote workers seeking comfortable and convenient accommodations. The flexible lease terms available are an attractive option for these types of guests.
14. Getaway House
Getaway House is a unique platform providing guests with access to tiny cabins that are located in some of the most secluded natural settings. The idea is to reconnect with nature and escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The cabins come equipped with the necessary items to make each guest’s stay comfortable, while still providing a minimalist and unplugged experience.
Getaway House is the ideal alternative for those looking for a break from technology, in a relaxed environment with plenty of outdoor activities available. The platform offers cabins in over 25 locations across the US, with comfortable beds, AC/heat, well-equipped kitchens, private bathrooms, fire pits and more.
15. Top Villas
Top Villas is a luxury vacation rental platform that forms the next Airbnb alternative, as it specializes in high-end villas, chalets, and vacation homes in exclusive destinations around the world. Top Villas provides 9000+ of the top global vacation rentals, cabins and luxury villas for families, couples and groups.
These rentals have luxurious amenities and personalized services, along with concierge assistance. Top Villas aim to ensure that guests have a luxurious, private and memorable stay in their chosen destination. The platform also arranges the rentals in an intuitive way, according to amenities, features, vacation type, group size and more.
16. Third Home
Third Home is a unique concept for those who already own vacation properties or second homes, making it a unique Airbnb alternative. Third Home is a luxury home exchange platform that forms one of the most interesting Airbnb alternatives as it allows members to trade their second homes or vacation properties with other members for new travel experiences. The platform caters to an exclusive members-only community, with a passion for travel.
With over 1000 residences in more than 100 countries, Third Home provides a variety of stays for those who prefer the finer things in life and wish to gain access to yachts, resorts, and private luxury homes around the world.
17. One Fine Stay
One Fine Stay is geared towards discerning travelers, through a carefully curated collection of high-end homes and apartments in popular destinations across the globe. From London to St Barts, this platform provides a premium travel experience by offering personalized services, such as 24/7 concierge assistance and in-stay experiences.
One Fine Stay has over 5,000 unique homes, luxury villas and chalets, in 50 global destinations. For those who aren’t sure where to stay, the One Fine Stay team can assist with pairing guests with the right accommodation, in the best suited area. One Fine Team provides personal welcome services, professional housekeeping and high quality linens and toiletries.
18. HomeToGo
HomeToGo is a useful vacation rental tool that aggregates listings from various platforms and provides users with a comprehensive search experience. Travelers can compare prices, amenities, and availability across multiple vacation rental websites, to find the accommodation best suited to their needs.
HomeToGo has a user-friendly interface, powerful search filters, and detailed property listings to help guests make the most informed decisions. The platform covers destinations by the ocean, in the mountains, and more. It also caters to various budgets and accommodation is listed with the price easily visible, and is therefore a useful Airbnb alternative.
19. 9Flats
9flats is an Airbnb alternative that allows individuals to rent out their spare rooms, apartments, or vacation homes to travelers. With a strong presence in Europe, 9flats offers a variety of accommodation ranging from budget-friendly options to more luxurious properties.
The platform enables direct communication between hosts and guests and provides features like secure payments, reviews, and a verification system. 9flats offers vacation goers an opportunity to stay in unique, local spaces while supporting individuals in sharing their homes with travelers.
20. Outdoorsy
Outdoorsy is a popular online platform that connects travelers with RV and camper van owners, offering a unique and adventurous way to experience the great outdoors. The website serves as a marketplace where individuals can rent RVs directly from private owners, providing a wide range of options for outdoor enthusiasts and road trip enthusiasts alike.
With Outdoorsy, travelers have the opportunity to choose from a diverse inventory of RVs and camper vans, ranging from compact models to spacious motorhomes, depending on their specific needs and preferences. The platform offers various features and filters to help users find the perfect vehicle for their adventure, such as vehicle type, location, size, and amenities. This allows travelers to customize their experience and select a rental that suits their desired travel style and budget.
21. Vacasa
With its extensive portfolio of vacation homes in the U.S., Europe, Central and South America, and South Africa, Vacasa aims to provide exceptional experiences for both guests and homeowners. Vacasa provides a wide selection of vacation rentals, including beachfront condos, mountain cabins, urban apartments, and more.
The platform features detailed property listings with high-quality photos, amenities, and guest reviews, allowing travelers to make informed decisions. Vacasa also offers 24/7 guest support, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free stay.
22. Wimdu
Wimdu is a platform that offers a wide range of accommodations, including apartments, houses, and private rooms. Wimdu operates globally, from Berlin to Miami and anywhere in between, and provides options for travelers seeking unique and affordable stays.
The platform allows users to connect directly with property owners and offers features such as secure bookings and reviews. Wimdu is also easy to use, and intuitive for user convenience. With its diverse inventory and competitive prices, Wimdu is an attractive option for those looking for a more localized experience during their travels.
23. Tripping.com
Tripping.com is a vacation rental search engine and booking platform that aggregates listings from various vacation rental websites. It is a good Airbnb alternative, and the platform allows travelers to search and compare accommodations from multiple sources in one place, which simplifies the process of finding the perfect vacation rental.
The platform has a variety of accommodation options including properties, including homes, apartments, condos, villas, and more. Travelers can simply enter their desired destination, travel dates, and other relevant filters to refine their search. They can compare prices, amenities, and availability side by side. Once a user finds a rental that they like, they can visit the respective booking platform to complete their reservation.
24. Evolve
Evolve is a successful online vacation rental platform with a standout feature, which is its guest support team. This team handles guest inquiries, booking management, and ensures that guests have a smooth and seamless experience. Evolve also provides an online booking system which allows guests to book properties directly through the platform and makes it a solid Airbnb alternative.
Evolve’s promise is to provide travelers with private, professionally cleaned vacation rental. Guests can choose from thousands of homes, from Texas to Florida, and down to Mexico. Evolve also donates 1% of every booking made on the platform through their Building Hospitality program.
25. Expedia Vacation Rentals
As a part of Expedia Group, a leading travel company, Expedia Vacation Rentals provides travelers with a diverse range of accommodations, including apartments, houses, condos, villas, and more. The platform aggregates vacation rental listings from other sites and allows users to search by applying filters such as price range, number of bedrooms, amenities, and property type.
One of the main benefits of this platform is its integration with other Expedia Group brands and services, which makes it a solid Airbnb alternative. Which means that users can access a wide range of other travel options, such as flights, car rentals, and activities, all in one place, which creates a convenient travel planning experience.
Final Thoughts
While Airbnb offers users a convenient, user-friendly option for vacation rental bookings, there are a number of Airbnb alternatives mentioned above which can easily provide a similar service. Each of these vacation rental sites offers unique features and caters to specific travel needs and preferences.
Whether you’re looking for fully serviced apartments, vacation homes, flexible accommodations, nature retreats, or luxury villas, these vacation rental sites provide options to suit various budgets and requirements. Visiting the respective vacation rental sites or apps for more detailed information is a good idea, and there you can explore the available listings in your desired locations.
When considering Airbnb alternatives for a vacation rental space, it’s important to factor in your specific travel needs, preferences, and budget. Factors such as the type of accommodation you desire, the level of luxury and services you expect, and the destinations you wish to visit will play a significant role in choosing the platform that best suits your requirements.