Short answer: for condos, studios and apartments, Airbnb usually brings far more bookings – in our own portfolio about 90%, versus 1–2% from Vrbo. Vrbo is stronger for whole homes, families and larger groups. On fees, Vrbo is now the cheaper of the two for hosts: a flat 12% from October 29, 2026, compared with Airbnb's host-only fee of usually about 15.5%. The best setup for many hosts: Airbnb first, Vrbo as a second channel.
We are Sara and Patrick. Since 2018 we have been hosting on Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo, and today we run about 30 vacation rentals in Florida and Las Vegas. We hold a 4.90★ average on Airbnb and have hosted more than 40,000 guests. This is what we have learned about the two biggest vacation rental platforms in the U.S.
Host fees in 2026
| Airbnb | Vrbo | |
|---|---|---|
| Host fee | usually about 15.5% (host-only fee) | flat 12% incl. payment processing (from Oct 29, 2026) |
| Before | split fee: about 3% for the host, guest paid a separate service fee | about 8% (5% commission + 3% payment processing) |
| Calculated on | total booking amount, incl. cleaning fee | rent plus fees you charge (e.g. cleaning, pets); taxes and deposits only carry a 3% processing fee |
| Annual subscription | – | no longer offered to new hosts |
For comparison, Booking.com says its commission ranges from about 10% to 25%, depending on property type and location. Two things matter when you compare fees. First, on Airbnb's host-only model the guest no longer pays a separate service fee, so your price is what the guest sees (plus taxes). If you simply kept your old price, you now earn less – adjust with: new price = desired payout ÷ 0.845. Second, a lower fee is only worth something if the platform actually fills your calendar.
Who books where
- Airbnb is where most guests go when they are looking for private stays. Worldwide, Airbnb has the largest share of short-term rental bookings by far. In our experience it attracts travelers of all ages, including many younger guests.
- Vrbo is part of Expedia Group, and listings can also show up on other Expedia Group sites. It is known for whole homes, family vacations and larger groups. The guests we get through Vrbo tend to be middle-aged to older. According to AirDNA, Vrbo is especially strong in mountain, lake and rural markets.
- Booking.com is known mainly for hotels and plays a smaller role for U.S. vacation rentals – but for our Orlando units it became an important part of the mix.
Our own channel split
Across all our rentals, our bookings today (2026) come from roughly:
| Airbnb | about 90% |
|---|---|
| Booking.com | 7–8% |
| Vrbo | 1–2% |
One example: our 2-bedroom condo in Destin brought in $68,361 through Airbnb and $1,742 through Vrbo in 2025 – with the same prices on both, synced through our channel manager.
These are our own results from our own properties. They are not typical and not a promise of what you will earn. Your results depend on your market, property, financing, effort and many other factors.
Why so lopsided? Most of our rentals are condos, studios and apartments, not large family homes – the kind of property where Vrbo is strongest. Our units also get booked quickly on Airbnb, so Vrbo guests often don't even get a chance. And our reviews are concentrated on Airbnb, where we have built them up for years. For a large pool home, the split could look very different.
Still, we list on Vrbo and Booking.com on purpose. Both have filled Airbnb gaps for us and brought in income we probably wouldn't have earned otherwise. And relying on a single platform is a risk: if it changes its rules or fees, part of your income is gone overnight.
Set up every platform the right way
Module 7 compares Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com in detail – including calendar sync and settings we wish we had known earlier.
Key differences for hosts
| Airbnb | Vrbo | |
|---|---|---|
| Host protection | AirCover for Hosts: up to $3M damage protection, $1M liability | $1M liability (no property damage) |
| Security deposit | not possible for most hosts | refundable deposit or damage protection |
| Payment schedule | handled by Airbnb | host decides how much the guest pays and when |
| Cancellation policies | Flexible, Moderate, Limited, Firm | seven options, from Day-before to No refund |
| Discounts | very flexible | weekly and monthly discounts plus promotions |
| Top host badge | Superhost | Premier Host |
Payouts work similarly: Airbnb usually pays out about 24 hours after check-in, and Vrbo sends the payout about one business day after check-in. On Vrbo, match your payment schedule to your cancellation policy – for example, if there are no refunds within 30 days of arrival, make the balance due at least 30 days before arrival.
When Vrbo makes sense
- You rent a whole house – especially one that sleeps a family or a larger group.
- Your market is a family or nature destination, such as mountain, lake or rural areas.
- You want a security deposit or more control over when guests pay.
- You want to fill gaps and spread your risk beyond one platform.
If you add Vrbo, sync your calendars. iCal works for a start, but it only syncs every few hours. A channel manager or PMS syncs faster and also keeps your prices aligned – well-known U.S. examples include Hospitable, Hostaway, Guesty, OwnerRez and Lodgify. We use Hosthub. Also check which lodging taxes each platform collects for your county. In Florida, for example, Airbnb collects the tourist development tax in Orange County, while Osceola and Okaloosa County say they are not contracted with any platform. Our Orlando rules guide explains more.
Not sure your property works at all? Check the numbers first – see what our Destin condos make – and grab our free Unfiltered Property Checklist.
FAQ
Is Vrbo cheaper than Airbnb for hosts?
On the host fee alone, yes: from October 29, 2026, Vrbo charges a flat 12% including payment processing, while Airbnb's host-only fee is usually about 15.5%. But a lower fee only helps if the platform actually fills your calendar, and guests on each platform may see different total prices.
Should I list on both Airbnb and Vrbo?
It can pay off, because a second platform fills gaps and makes you less dependent on one company. You need to sync your calendars – ideally with a channel manager – to avoid double bookings. Start with one platform, get it running well, then add the second.
Is Vrbo better for houses and families?
Often, yes. Vrbo is strong for whole homes, families and larger groups, and according to AirDNA especially in mountain, lake and rural markets. For condos, studios and apartments, Airbnb has brought us far more bookings.
Can I charge a security deposit on Airbnb or Vrbo?
On Vrbo you can require a refundable security deposit or offer damage protection. On Airbnb, most hosts cannot charge a security deposit; damage is handled through AirCover for Hosts instead. An exception exists for some hosts using API-connected software.
Fees and programs change often. Everything here is as of October 2026 – what counts is the information in your own host account.
Sources
- Our own booking data (channel split 2026; Palms of Destin 2025)
- Vrbo – How is the booking fee calculated? · Host terms notice · Liability insurance · Cancellation policy options
- Skift – Vrbo to double commissions (Sept. 2026) · Airbnb's share of short-term rental bookings
- Airbnb – Airbnb service fees · AirCover for Hosts · Security deposits
- Booking.com – How much commission do I pay?
- AirDNA – Where to list your short-term rental
- Osceola County Tax Collector – Tourist development tax · Okaloosa County Clerk – Tourist development tax
