Choosing the right vacation rental app can make all the difference in whether or not your rental property is successful. There are a lot of different factors to consider when choosing an app, such as the fees, features offered, and ease of use.
600,000 Americans use online platforms, like Airbnb, to rent out their properties and that number is growing as the popularity of vacation rentals increases.
It’s important to choose an Airbnb alternative that best suits your needs in order to maximize your rental property’s potential.
The right vacation rental app can help you reach your ideal audience, screen guests, manage bookings and payments, and even promote your property. Ideally, it should also be user-friendly and offer a good customer support system.
However, with so many vacation rental apps like Airbnb on the market, it can be tough to know which one to use. In this article, we’ll go over the 7 best vacation rental apps like Airbnb for property owners, and rank the best ones based on their fees, features, customer support, earning potential, and user-friendliness.
Let’s get started.
What Are The Best Vacation Rental Apps like Airbnb?
Here are my picks for the best vacation rental apps like Airbnb to help you manage and promote your rental property.
1. Airbnb
We have to mention Airbnb first since it’s the most popular vacation rental platform in the world. Airbnb has been around since 2008 and is now one of the most popular vacation rental apps in the world. Airbnb allows hosts to list their properties for free and have total control of their listings. Guests can then browse through listings and book a property that they like. Airbnb typically charges hosts a modest 3% service fee on every booking. And they charge a service fee of 14-16% to guests who book using the platform.
One of the best things about Airbnb is that it offers a lot of features that make it easy for both hosts and guests to use. For hosts, Airbnb offers a dashboard where they can manage their listings, calendar, and messages. They can also see how much money they’ve made from Airbnb rentals and what their busiest times are.
Airbnb has been successful because it offers a lot of value for both hosts and guests. It’s no wonder that it’s one of the most popular vacation rental apps on the market.
Pros:
- High-income potential, especially during peak travel times
- Helpful host page that offers resources and a place to manage your listing
- Vetted customers so you know what to expect
- Good customer support
Cons:
- Can be very competitive due to the platform’s popularity
2. Vrbo
Vrbo is one of the best vacation rental apps like Airbnb for people who are looking for an established platform with a wide array of users. Vrbo has been around since 1996 and was one of the first vacation rental websites.
Now, Vrbo is owned by Expedia and offers more than 2 million listings in 190 countries.
Vrbo has a slightly higher fee for hosts than Airbnb. They charge an 8% commission, depending on the country that you’re listing in. However, I find that you can offset this higher fee compared to Airbnb by being able to charge slightly more for your property.
Vrbo is a great option for people who want to rent out their property on a vacation rental app because it has a lot to offer. For starters, Vrbo offers hosts a guarantee, which protects them from damages that may occur during a rental.
Furthermore, has a good screening process for guests, so hosts can feel confident that they are renting to responsible individuals.
All in all, if you’re looking for an established platform with a large pool of potential customers, Vrbo is a great option.
Pros:
- Wide selection of users
- Easy-to-use search features
- Established platform that’s been around for a long time
- Can have higher quality listings and renters than Airbnb
Cons:
- Higher fees for hosts than some other vacation rental apps
- Less popular in urban settings
3. Booking.Com
If you’re looking for a vacation rental app that has a lot of features and is easy to use, then Booking.com is a great option. With millions of users worldwide, Booking.com is one of the most popular vacation rental apps.
Booking.com does have a commission structure for hosts that is a bit higher than other platforms. They charge a 15% commission for properties that are booked using their platform.
However, while the fees may be higher than some other vacation rental apps, Booking.com does offer a lot of features that can be helpful for hosts.
Booking.com offers robust safety features for hosts, such as a $1,000,000 liability protection for every reservation and the ability to collect damage deposits. They also offer 24/7 customer support, so you can always reach someone if you have any questions or concerns.
Furthermore, Booking.com has many repeat customers and it’s likely that you will get guests who are familiar with the platform and properly vetted.
Pros:
- Access to a wider market
- Easy to use
- Detailed reviews
- Trusted brand
- Customer support available 24/7
Cons:
- More expensive than other vacation rental apps
Lacks some of the newer features offered by other apps
4. HomeToGo
If you’re looking for a vacation rental app with a lot of exposure, HomeToGo is the one for you. The company claims to have the world’s largest selection of vacation rentals, which means your property will have the potential to get a lot of visibility.
HomeToGo has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to manage your listing and calendar. They also offer 24/7 customer support, so you can always get help when you need it.
They offer two different pricing models to choose from. Hosts can pay a 3% commission on each booking and have prices managed by the platform. Or hosts can choose to manage their own prices for guests and pay a 15% commission.
Overall, HomeToGo is an excellent choice for a vacation rental app. They have a large number of listings, a user-friendly interface, and great customer service. So if you’re looking to get the most out of your vacation rental app, HomeToGo is definitely the one to choose.
Pros:
- Huge number of site visitors (50 million)
- Listings show up on 16 different websites
- User-friendly interface
- Ideal for getting a lot of exposure
Cons:
- Can cost hosts a commission of 15% if they choose to manage their own prices
- Some users have complained about customer service
5. TripAdvisor
If you’re looking for a vacation rental app with a lot of features and global reach, TripAdvisor is a great option. With 190 countries and 830,000 listings, it’s one of the largest vacation rental apps available. And if you need help with anything, TripAdvisor’s customer support is top-notch. They offer live chat, phone support, and even an online forum where you can ask questions and get help from other users.
As a vacation rental property owner, you can also take advantage of TripAdvisor’s Rental Insights feature. This feature gives you insights into your property’s performance, including the average nightly rate, booking rate, and occupancy rate. This information can be helpful in pricing your property competitively and making sure you’re getting the most out of your listing.
Overall, TripAdvisor is a great option if you’re looking for a well-known vacation rental app with a lot of features.
Pros:
- Top-notch customer support
- Rental Insights feature provides helpful data for vacation rental property owners
- One of the largest vacation rental apps available, with listings in 190 countries
- Only 3% booking fee
Cons:
- Hosts can’t vet guests
- No booking guarantee
6. FlipKey
With a database of over 34,000 travelers, FlipKey is the vacation rental app for you if you’re looking to connect with a global audience. And if you’re looking for an app with a lot of features, FlipKey has you covered. They offer automatic listing on TripAdvisor, 24/7 customer support, and the ability to vet your guests.
FlipKey also has a 3% booking fee, which is on par with some of the other apps on this list. It’s also worth it considering the peace of mind that comes with knowing your property will be listed on a well-known company.
Plus, FlipKey makes it easy to communicate with your guests. They offer an in-app messaging system so you can easily stay in touch with your guests and answer any questions they may have.
Overall, FlipKey is a great option for a vacation rental app. They have a global audience, a lot of features, and great customer service. So if you’re looking to get the most out of your vacation rental app, FlipKey is definitely the one to choose.
Pros:
- Database of over 34,000 travelers
- Automatic listing on TripAdvisor
- 24/7 customer support
- Vet your guests
Cons:
- Reduced inventory compared to some of the other vacation rental apps
- Hidden fees for some features
7. Expedia
A one-stop shop for travelers and their vacation rental needs, Expedia is one of the best vacation rental apps for you if you’re looking for an app with many features. With availability in over 70 countries and 24 million unique monthly visitors, Expedia is one of the largest vacation rental apps available. And their host-friendly features make it easy to manage your rental.
Expedia also offers a wide variety of tools to help you communicate with your guests. They have an in-app messaging system, a phone line for guests, and even a live chat option. So no matter what your communication preference is, Expedia has you covered.
However, one downside of using Expedia is their fees. They charge a 10-30% commission on each booking, which can eat into your profits. But if you’re looking for an app with a lot of features and international availability, Expedia is a great option.
Pros:
- Almost 10x the traffic of its competitors
- Includes HomeAway and Vrbo as part of its vacation rental options
- Many communication features for guests
- International availability
Cons:
- One of the highest commission rates at 10-30%
- Not ideal for short-term rentals
What Is A Vacation Rental App?
A vacation rental app is a platform that helps you list and manage your vacation rental property. It’s a great way to reach a wide audience of potential guests, and it can help you save time by managing your listing and reservations all in one place.
Unlike traditional vacation rental websites, vacation rental apps are typically mobile-friendly and designed for travelers on the go. This makes them a great option for travelers who are looking for last-minute rentals or who want to be able to book and manage their rental while they’re on the go.
How To Choose The Best Vacation Rental App like Airbnb?
The best vacation rental apps will have a wide selection of listings, an easy-to-use interface, and a variety of features to help you manage your rental.
When you’re looking for a vacation rental app, keep an eye out for apps that offer 24/7 customer support, the ability to vet your guests, and automatic listing on popular vacation rental websites.
You should also look for an app with a large number of monthly visitors, as this will help ensure that your listing is seen by a wide audience of potential guests.
Finally, be sure to check the fees charged by the app. Some apps charge a commission on each booking, while others have a monthly subscription fee. Choose an app that charges a fee that you’re comfortable with and offers the features and selection you’re looking for.
Summary
Apps like Airbnb offer a variety of benefits to short-term rental businesses, like the ability to reach millions of potential customers or get the customer service support you need, when you need it.
Before choosing the best vacation rental app to list your property, carefully consider the audience you are looking to reach.
For example, if your vacation rental property is located in a more urban setting, you may want an app that offers more listings in that area, like Airbnb. On the other hand, if your rental is located in a rural area, you may want an app that offers more listings in rural areas, like VRBO.
Keep all these factors in mind when trying to make the right decision for your property. The apps mentioned in this list are all free to list on, so you can try out a few and see which one works best for you.
