The short-term rental market has evolved rapidly over the past decade, offering property owners and investors more choices than ever before. While Airbnb and Vrbo remain household names, a growing number of alternative platforms have entered the space — each with unique fee structures, audience segments, and international reach. From Booking.com’s global network to niche, high-end services like Plum Guide, understanding these options can help hosts make informed decisions about where to list and how to maximize occupancy and return on investment (ROI) across the U.S., Canada, and abroad.
Airbnb
Global Reach & Listing Volume
Airbnb reports about 7.7 million active listings worldwide as of 2024. Hostaway
It operates in over 220 countries and regions. Furnished Finder
In Q1 2025 Airbnb reported ~143.1 million booked nights globally (+8 % year-on-year). Furnished Finder
Host Fee Structure
Under the “traditional” split-fee model: hosts pay ~3% of booking payout; guests pay service fees of roughly 14-16%. rentaloregon.com
Under the “host-only” fee model (in some markets), hosts pay ~14-16% and guests pay no service fee. usewheelhouse.com
Host Tools & Protections
Airbnb offers “AirCover” for hosts: damage protection, liability coverage. strspecialist.com
Airbnb’s platform supports varied property types (shared rooms, private rooms, entire homes) which aids supply flexibility. Hostaway
Higher guest volume due to broad listing base and global brand recognition. White Sky Hotel Consultancy & Training
Market Characteristics
Airbnb tends to have a younger traveller demographic (Millennials/Gen Z) and a wider range of property types (urban apartments, unique stays). openlab.citytech.cuny.edu
The high volume model often means more bookings but with shorter stays and lower average nightly rates in many markets. REI PRIME – Real Estate Investment
Vrbo
Global Reach & Listing Volume
Vrbo is part of the Expedia Group and has ~2 million listings globally as of recent counts. Hostaway
Its strength is particularly in North America and vacation-home markets (beach homes, ski cabins, etc.). hostcamp.com
Host Fee Structure
Hosts can choose between: (a) Pay-per-booking model: ~5% commission + ~3% payment processing fee (~8% total) or (b) Annual subscription (e.g., ~$499–$699) for hosts with higher booking volume, which may eliminate per-booking commission. MooLoo
Host Tools & Protections
Vrbo allows hosts to set custom rental agreements, damage deposits, and tends to support whole-home listings (no shared spaces). hostcamp.com
The host protection (liability/damage) tends to be less comprehensive compared to Airbnb (depends on host setup). strspecialist.com
Market Characteristics
Vrbo’s guest base tends to skew toward families, groups, longer stays, full-home rentals in leisure destinations. hostcamp.com
Average nightly rates and revenue per booking often higher (in certain markets) due to whole-home rentals and longer stays. REI PRIME – Real Estate Investment
Comparative Summary (Airbnb vs Vrbo)
| Feature | Airbnb | Vrbo |
|---|---|---|
| Listings globally | ~7.7 million (2024) Hostaway | ~2 million globally Hostaway |
| Fee to host | ~3% (traditional split model) rentaloregon.com ~14-16% in host-only model usewheelhouse.com | ~8% typical (5% + 3%) or fixed-fee annual subscription ~$499-$699 MooLoo |
| Typical property type | Broad: shared/entire, apartments, urban, unique stays rentaloregon.com | Primarily whole-home vacation rentals, leisure markets hostcamp.com |
| Typical guest demographic | Younger travellers, shorter stays, global | Families/groups, longer stays, vacation destinations |
| Revenue characteristics | High occupancy potential, lower nightly average (depending on location) REI PRIME – Real Estate Investment | Higher nightly rates per booking in leisure markets, but possibly fewer bookings overall MooLoo |
Considerations for Foreign / International Hosts
Both platforms operate globally; Airbnb has broader worldwide presence (220+ countries). Furnished Finder
Local market conditions matter significantly: guest demand, local regulations (taxes/licensing), currency risk, travel logistics.
Fee structures remain similar in many markets, but local taxes/fees or extra services (cleaning, management) can impact net returns.
Listing type and property market matter: In high leisure-demand destinations (e.g., beach resorts, popular tourist regions), full-home listings (which align more with Vrbo’s strengths) may command higher nightly rates.
In more urban or short-stay heavy markets, the broader exposure of Airbnb may generate more bookings, albeit perhaps with lower per-night rates.
Cross-listing (using both Airbnb & Vrbo) is a strategy many hosts use to capture different guest segments and maximize occupancy + revenue. For example, some data suggest professional hosts list on both to balance breadth (Airbnb) and value (Vrbo). MooLoo
Return on Investment (ROI) / Earnings Data
One source reports that in 2025 U.S. hosts on Vrbo are averaging ~$26K annually, while average Airbnb hosts are ~$14K annually—though this is highly dependent on market, property type, and strategy. MooLoo
For foreign markets, granular public ROI data is less available; the same drivers (location, demand, seasonality, property size, guest type, costs) apply.
Fee impact example (from one analysis): For a $2,000 weekly booking:
Airbnb at 3% host commission = $60 in fees
Vrbo at 8% host commission = $160 in fees (or if subscription model used, $699 per year may reduce per-booking cost). MooLoo
Key Facts to Assess When Choosing a Platform
Compare fee structure (commission vs subscription) in your specific country/market.
Evaluate target guest demographic for your property type and market (solo travellers vs families, city vs vacation destination).
Assess listing exposure: Airbnb may give more global reach; Vrbo may perform better for whole-home/luxury/leisure destinations.
Review protections and policies: host damage/liability coverage, cancellation policy flexibility, guest screening.
Account for local costs: maintenance, cleaning, property management, regulation/taxes, currency fluctuations (for foreign properties).
Consider stay profile: If your property is suited for longer stays (weeks or months) and whole-home rentals, Vrbo’s model may align; if for shorter stays, shared/unique spaces, Airbnb may offer more volume.
Explore cross-listing capabilities or use of channel managers to manage listings across multiple platforms efficiently.
Other options:
Here’s a table summarizing 8 alternative short-term rental (STR) listing platforms—with region availability, fee structure for hosts, guest types and key considerations—useful for hosts in foreign countries (and the US/Canada). All facts only.
| Platform | Region availability* | Host-fee structure | Guest focus / property type | Key notes / considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | Global (strong in Europe, Asia, urban & international markets) | Host commission typically ~15 % of booking value (varies by property & location). Remote Cost Seg hosttools.com 3hungeroffer.com | Both hotel-type and vacation homes, broad traveller base | Guest sees no separate platform fee. Good exposure globally; host cost can be higher. |
| Houfy | Worldwide (works well for direct-booking style hosts) | Hosts pay minimal or no platform fee in many cases (direct bookings) Remote Cost Seg | Hosts willing to manage more direct booking logistics | More hands-on; fewer built-in guest-booking features vs major OTAs. |
| Plum Guide | Primarily premium listings in selected countries | Host fee ~3-5% per booking in some reports. Remote Cost Seg | Luxury/ higher-design homes, discerning travellers | Selective listing criteria: for hosts with high-end property. |
| Misterb&b | Several countries, niche market | On average: host pays ~10% of room fare; guest pays ~14% of final bill. Wikipedia | LGBTQ+-friendly travellers, alternative stays | Niche guest market; good for inclusivity-focused hosts. |
| 9flats | 100+ countries, peer-to-peer lodging marketplace | Broker model: commission from hosts &/or guests (varies) Wikipedia | Small-scale hosts, unique stays | Less scale than major OTAs; may have less marketing reach. |
| Furnished Finder | U.S. and possibly expanding; focused on mid-term stays | Hosts pay flat annual fee (~US$99) in many cases; guests pay rent to host. Remote Cost Seg | Travelling professionals, 30+ night stays | Good for longer-stay rentals rather than short vacation stays. |
| Savvy | U.S., Canada, Mexico (recent startup) Business Insider | Hosts list for free; guests pay no booking fee; optional host subscription ($5-20 / month) Business Insider | Professional hosts / multi-unit hosts | Emerging platform – lower fees but less established reach. |
| Tripadvisor (Short‑Term Rentals) | Global (via listing on their vacation rental marketplace) Hostaway | Varies: 3% processing fee on bookings in some reports Hostaway | Guests comparing many OTAs; vacation homes | Good additional channel but check terms for your country. |
* “Region availability” means the platform supports hosts in that region or has listings in that market; always verify for your specific country.
Additional notes for foreign-country hosts
Fee structures can vary by country and currency, so check for your specific jurisdiction.
Make sure to review local regulations (taxes, permitting, short-term rental licensing) when listing abroad. policyalternatives.ca
Platform reach and guest demand may differ significantly in foreign markets compared to the U.S./Canada; niche or direct-booking platforms may offer advantages in less saturated markets.
Some platforms focus on longer stays (30+ days) which may suit certain foreign investment properties (Furnished Finder, etc).
Newer or niche platforms (like Savvy) may offer lower fees, but also may have lower traffic / booking volume—trade-off to consider.
Cross-listing properties across multiple platforms is common to maximise exposure, but ensure calendar sync and avoid double-bookings.
With so many platforms competing for travelers’ attention, hosts today can diversify their listings to reach different markets, balance booking volume, and tailor their offerings to the right audience. Whether managing a vacation home in Costa Rica or an urban rental in Vancouver, the key is to align each property’s goals with the right platform’s structure and scale. By comparing commissions, guest demographics, and listing tools, hosts can select the combination that best fits their business model — and confidently navigate the expanding global landscape of short-term rentals.
