If you're planning to rent a place for vacation, Airbnb or Vrbo could offer what you need. Both provide lodging options that are often more economical than traditional hotels.
Moreover, these two online platforms were created to find and book properties in almost any destination worldwide. However, in this comparison, you'll discover that each has its pros and cons, and there are differences between them.
At the end, we'll also present other alternatives in case you're not convinced.
Airbnb and Vrbo are designed to make the vacation rental process easier for tourists. In other words, they are platforms for renting apartments, houses, cabins, rooms, hotels, and other spaces to travelers.
Airbnb vs. Vrbo: Which Is Better for Accommodation?
To find out, we need to examine several aspects, starting with a brief description of each platform and how they work:
Airbnb (Airbed and Breakfast) is a company founded in 2008 that connects people who want to rent out their properties with travelers seeking accommodation.
How Does It Work?
Hosts (property owners) use Airbnb to list properties available for rent. These listings provide all the details of the place, including photos, prices, and descriptions.
Guests can book the space they like most, from an entire house to a shared room. Additionally, the site has a review center with previous opinions so customers can be informed before booking.
Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) is a website founded in 1995, also dedicated to vacation rentals. Similarly, it connects property owners directly with travelers, allowing them to rent spacious places for their stays.
How Does It Work?
Hosts list their properties on Vrbo to get bookings, and clients make reservations. While it's possible to find apartments and hotels, the majority of offerings are complete or large accommodations.
Options include condos, beach houses, cabins, chalets, haciendas, country houses, or resorts—accommodations suitable for groups.
Both platforms act as intermediaries between property owners (hosts) and travelers (guests).
If you need platforms to rent houses in Mexico, both Airbnb and Vrbo offer several options. However, you should consider the main aspects in which they differ.
Differences Between Vrbo and Airbnb:
Aspect | Airbnb | Vrbo |
Global Reach | Over 220 countries and regions | Over 190 countries |
Main Focus | Short and long stays | Longer stays |
Type of Accommodation | Shared rooms, private rooms, houses, apartments, hotels | Mainly entire properties like houses, apartments, cabins, or condos |
Fee Structure | Hosts: variable (between 3% and 15%) Guests: variable (between 5% and 15%) | Hosts: variable (5% commission + 3% for payment processing) Guests: no commission |
Target Audience | Young and diverse audience (solo travelers, couples, small groups) | Families and larger groups |
Cancellation Policies | Strict Firm Moderate Flexible Custom No refund policy | Flexible, moderate, strict, and firm for short stays Firm and strict for long stays Additional: very strict (30 and 60 days) |
Payment Methods | Credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB Debit cards processed as credit cards Local methods PayPal Apple Pay and Google Pay | Visa, MasterCard, or American Express cards Bank transfers PayPal |
Although Vrbo no longer charges a service fee to travelers, hosts can set charges for cleaning, pets, or security deposits. These costs are shown before the reservation is confirmed.
Both platforms are reliable as they have security measures to protect their users. Even so, we need to evaluate the pros and cons of each:
Advantages:
User-friendly interface.
More variety of accommodation options than Vrbo.
Offers 24/7 customer support.
Has an identity verification process for hosts and guests.
Possibility to book local activities and other experiences.
Review system available.
Disadvantages:
Cancellation policies are not universal; they depend on each host.
The quality of accommodations can be inconsistent depending on the host.
Advantages:
Focus on privacy and spacious areas.
24/7 customer support.
Results that match search criteria.
Strict standards regarding safety and privacy.
Booking guarantee.
Review system available.
Disadvantages:
Less flexible in terms of accommodation for short stays.
Fewer listings compared to Airbnb.
Airbnb stands out for its more flexible cancellation policies and customer service recognized for its efficiency. Vrbo, on the other hand, is a solid option, especially for those who want a spacious place and value privacy.
On Airbnb Mexico, there are thousands of accommodations available with a variety of prices. For example, to rent a house in Mexico City for 3 nights, prices start from $1,300 MXN and up.
Vrbo Mexico might show you larger and more luxurious spaces, so their prices are higher. Here, you can find houses starting from $5,000 MXN in Mexico City.
In general, Airbnb offers many more economical options than Vrbo. However, rates on both platforms vary depending on the type of accommodation you rent, its location, and the length of stay.
It's always good to compare all platforms to rent apartments, rooms, or houses when traveling. The truth is, there are multiple companies that offer this service besides Airbnb and Vrbo.
Here are some of them:
Despegar or Booking.com: Popular options for finding accommodations and travel deals. On both, you can compare prices and find a wide variety of lodgings and destinations.
Expedia: This online travel agency allows you to book flights, hotels, vacation packages, and even car rentals. It offers a wide range of options for planning trips.
Skyscanner or Google Flights: Although these platforms focus on searching and comparing flights, they have tools to find accommodations.
Airbnb vs. Vrbo: Which Is Better for Accommodation?
Both are useful for travelers but cater to different needs.
Airbnb excels in flexibility of accommodation options, while Vrbo stands out for offering large and private spaces. Additionally, Vrbo is more popular among people traveling with families or in groups.
Each platform has its own focus.
Airbnb tends to be more versatile by offering rentals for all kinds of needs—whether you're traveling alone, as a couple, or renting a larger place to enjoy with family and friends. The site offers houses, apartments, rooms, and hotels.
On the other hand, Vrbo specializes in providing entire apartments, villas, cabins, or condos. Although you can also find apartments.
It all depends on the type of accommodation you're looking for—one that aligns with what you need for a particular trip.
Ultimately, we suggest paying with the DolarApp card on any of these platforms to rent houses in Mexico.
DolarCard is one of those travel tips we offer tourists to save on currency conversion rates. Why? Because through the app, you can convert your pesos to dollars, or vice versa, without commissions and at the best exchange rate.
So, don't forget it when planning your trip.
The world has borders. Your finances don’t have to.
Work and Travel How does Airbnb pay its hosts? In this article, we explain how you can receive your Airbnb payments and how much you’ll end up with after the platform’s fees.
Work and Travel There are plenty of agencies for booking affordable trips, with Despegar and Booking being two top options. Which one is more reliable? Find out in this post.
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