Best airbnb Alternatives That Are Cheaper

Airbnb is a marketplace that connects individuals interested in hosting their spaces with other people searching for accommodations in various locations.

Airbnb stands for ‘Air Bed and Breakfast’, describing the company’s humble beginnings. The co-founders hosted paying guests who slept on an air mattress in the living room to help raise rent. However, it has now included hotels, cabins, condos, and rentals.

The idea behind Airbnb is simple. Hosts advertise their homes on the platform, attract paying guests to rent the space, and earn income from the deal.

You will get a wide selection of properties on Airbnb. Also, if you are hosting, you get a free listing on your property.

Airbnb makes sharing safe, easy, and enjoyable. They verify personal listings and profiles, use a smart messaging app to keep the communication between guests and hosts smooth, and manage a legit platform for collecting and transferring payments.

Airbnb is popular, it has over 100 million downloads on Google Play Store, and offers attention-grabbing homes in many countries globally.

That said, Airbnb may not be of help all the time. The reasons could be anything. Maybe you are not able to find good options in your budget or as a host, you are not finding enough guests to rent out your space.

In that case, these alternatives to Airbnb should help. Not only can you find cheaper deals here but get more customers for your space.

Check them out.

Best Airbnb Alternatives That Are Cheaper Too

1. Vrbo

Vrbo, initially known as HomeAway, was founded in 1995. The company connects vacationers with homeowners looking to rent their property.

Vacationers who are tight on budget and are looking for something more than a hotel are given options for renting condos, beach houses, lake rentals or cabins, and much more.

It has over two million available rentals. You can select rentals based on your preferences. You can choose a rental based on the available space, if they allow pets, or proximity to interesting sites.

Also, you can select rentals with additional features such as private pools, hot tubs, waterfront views, or outdoor entertainment space.

If you are looking for larger private spaces, Vrbo is your choice. It lets you have your own house, apartment, or condo.

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2. Blueground

Blueground is another alternative to Airbnb. You can book furnished apartments or corporate apartments on Blueground.

Blueground’s apartments are fully furnished and expertly designed. Because of this, you are sure of getting premium apartments, unlike Airbnbs, where some of their rentals aren’t furnished by experts.

In fact, you can get premium studio apartments that let you live minimally for people who are on tight budgets and want to experience the vibrant life of a new town.

All the apartments on Blueground are handpicked by property management companies and private landlords. The apartments are revamped with the help of interior designers.

Other services offered to guests include housekeeping and maintenance, all at the guest’s request. Guests can also stay in the apartment for more than one year if they wish to; this is perfect for digital nomads looking for temporary accommodations.

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3. Plum Guide

Plum Guide is relatively new, it was launched in 2016. The company is based in London, but it has properties located worldwide in popular destinations.

Plum Guide has quality rentals, and because of this, you do not need to scour the site. On the other hand, you need to look through your available options on Airbnb carefully so you don’t get a raw deal. With Plum Guide, what you see is what you get.

Also, the site offers daily price matches to ensure you’ll never pay more for the apartment. Plum Guide is perfect for people looking for cheaper deals on luxury apartments. Moreover, the site has a Plum Test that determines the perfect property for you.

Sign up to book a property on their website.

Also Read: Best Sites Like AirBnb & Vrbo

4. Homestay.com

Homestay.com is a site that connects guests to homeowners who have opened their homes. Guests are linked to host families, where they can rent rooms at affordable prices.

Homestay.com is probably what Airbnb was supposed to be, allowing guests to have immersive and authentic travel experiences. It will enable guests to experience the community’s culture and way of life, while guests who book through Airbnb get private spaces.

Homestay.com is available in over 170 countries with over 63,000 rooms.

5. Sonder

Sonder offers accommodations that are a hybrid of apartments and hotels. Sonder, a hospitality company, rents, owns, and manages its property. Their goal is to give their clients the best of both worlds.

Because they manage their property, guests can be assured of the quality of the rentals. On the other hand, Airbnb does not pick out rentals and manage them. They rely on hosts to manage the property. Specific amenities like high-quality coffee, bedding, towels, WiFi, and contactless check-in is guaranteed.

You can select from their choice of short-term rentals or long-term rentals. Also, you get to choose from 8,500 options in over 27 cities.

6. Simply Owners

Simply Owners offers holiday property listings for villas, cottages, and other accommodations. The site aims to link holiday homeowners with holidaymakers. With over 6,000 holiday rentals, holidaymakers can choose from luxury staycations to villas.

Simply Owners ensures you always get accommodations that suit your requirements and budget. When booking with Simply Owners, you do not pay booking fees, and you get to book the stay directly with the homeowners.

Currently, it offers up to 100% for healthcare and social care workers in response to the pandemic. The homes are also pet and wheelchair friendly.

Compared to Airbnb, Simply Owners has interactive maps that give a detailed overview of the region and any local attractions.

7. Homes & Villas by Marriott International

Homes & Villas by Marriott offers homes with multiple bedrooms for people who wish to stay in one place for more than three days. Homes & Villas by Marriott currently operates in more than 100 destinations.

Homes & Villas by Marriott focuses on offering luxury tier and premium homes to its guests. You will be able to get a blend of a private home with the comfort of staying in a hotel, which is what makes it different from Airbnb, which only offers home-only services.

Unlike Airbnb, Homes & Villas by Marriott are professionally managed to meet the standards of quality, design, and service. You will get to choose from penthouses, cabins, and villas that are thoughtfully curated.

The homes come with amenities like games, private pools, wood fire pizza ovens, and children’s playrooms. They’re ideal for families and group gatherings.

You filter listings based on price, the number of rooms, the type of house, and home features. Also, if you are a Bonvoy member, you earn points every time you stay at Homes & Villas by Marriott, which qualifies you to convert it to money.

Every home by Homes & Villas by Marriott offers 24/7 support through in-person check-in or touch key-pad. You also get 24-hour check-in. The homes also have high-speed WiFi, kitchen essentials, TV, in-unit washers, bathroom amenities, linens and towels, hair dryers, smoke detectors, child-friendly items, and professional cleaning services.

8. Trusted Housesitters

Trusted Housesitters is a site that brings together pet lovers. Guests sign up as sitters, and they get to stay in homes enjoying the company of pets. On the other hand, homeowners get to travel with the confidence that someone is looking after their fur babies.

If you are looking for a house to sit, you can sign up on the site, then start an annual membership plan that gives you unlimited house sitting for one year. You then create a profile that allows you to explore various options.

Trusted Housesitters is perfect for pet lovers. You get a home away from home with a pet companion. It is also perfect for people who are looking for cheaper alternatives to long-term housing.

The site has facilitated over four million connections and operates in over 130 countries. And members have saved over half a billion dollars in accommodation and pet care costs.

9. Vacasa

Vacasa manages vacation homes for homeowners. The site has over 35,000 homes with over 500,000 five-star reviews on its platform.

The website benefits homeowners by helping them manage their property. Because of this, guests always get 24/7 support from when they book to when they check out.

Guests get to have a 3D virtual tour of the home before booking. You will also access premium cleaning services with the Vacasa Premium Cleaning program.

10. FlipKey

FlipKey is a vacation marketplace and a TripAdvisor subsidiary. You can access over 830,000 properties in 190 countries on their site, even though it is deeply rooted in the United States.

You can choose from several rentals including beach houses, houses with a mountain view, single rooms, bungalows, or houses with a private pool.

On the site, you can also select houses based on the number of bedrooms, if they allow pets, and the number of bathrooms, making it easier to get what you want.

What makes FlipKey better than Airbnb is that it is transparent, letting you know how many people have stayed in the facility.

11. Onefinestay

Onefinestay is a site that opens its customers to the finest homes and villas. Also, it has villas in the most desirable parts of the world. In addition to offering accommodation services, it also offers hospitality services.

The homes and villas that Onefinestay provides are curated and inspected to ensure their customers get good quality homes. Besides, Onefinestay has matching services to help you select the best homes for your stay. This feature differentiates it from Airbnb, where you use filters to choose your perfect vacation home.

Besides, support is available 24/7 to customers. When you check in, you will always get someone to welcome and greet you. Onefinestay also ensures you get idyllic and relaxing villas and homes tailored for your stay.

Because the villas are so big, travelers are welcome to cut costs by splitting them with friends.

12. Booking.com

Booking.com is a digital travel company founded in 1996. It prides itself on connecting travelers to incredible places to stay, various transportation options, and memorable experiences.

Booking.com has over 28 million accommodation listings, including homes, hotels, apartments, and more. However, it has been a website for hotels, lodges, and resorts. But over the past few years, it’s attracted more rental properties.

One thing that makes Booking.com superior to Airbnb is that you do not need to pay upfront for your accommodations. You can book without paying a cent, making canceling very easy. Also, Booking.com has impressive deals if you book in advance.

Also, booking through Booking.com requires minimal effort. You are not required to call your host or make prior arrangements like when using Airbnb. You can also filter by budget for more affordable homestays.

It is available in over 70 countries in the world.

13. Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor is one of the most famous booking platforms that guide millions of travelers every month. Tripadvisor advises travelers on accommodations, what to eat, and what to do when away on a trip.

Tripadvisor allows previous users to rate services and accommodation, so you can easily find cheaper listings that are highly rated. It has over one billion reviews and users can rely on this guidance to select accommodations, choose what to eat, and book experiences.

You will have the option of choosing from over 830,000 properties listed on the site. After signing up on the site, you enter the location of your destination, add travel dates, then select from the available options. The filters available let you choose your preferences.

One thing that gives Tripadvisor an edge over Airbnb is the ability to book flights, rental cars, and other services right on the site without the need to use another site or app.

14. Agoda

Agoda allows you to book from their lists of hotels, homes, and apartments. The company has been in operation for 16 years, and they have over 2.9 million accommodation facilities.

The platform lets you choose hotels and homes with private or extended stays. You can also compare flight trips from different travel sites on their website.

Compared to Airbnb, Agoda offers other travel services to their clients on the site, you can pay for your flight and request airport transfers.

Agoda also has a VIP offer that allows you to get a 25% discount on bookings. You also get the chance to earn and redeem Agoda cash. You can also get free perks on some properties available on their site.

15. Kid & Coe

Kid & Coe offers living spaces on curated properties to make sure that they are family-friendly. They offer vacation rentals, family homes, hotels, and agency partnerships for people looking for economical homestays.

You will get baby equipment, child-friendly locations, and itineraries. You can select to go to an island or country retreat or stay in a luxury property with the assurance that your children will be comfortable.

The homes come with toys for children to play with. You also get information on family-friendly activities. The houses are kid ready with cribs and beds that are kid friendly. Also, many have backyards, surfboards, and sunrooms.

Kid & Coe is the best alternative to Airbnb if you have a family.

16. Expedia

Expedia believes in empowering its users for global travel. The site has over three million properties for rental. You can select hotels, hostels, airport hotels, bed and breakfasts, luxury hotels, boutique hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals.

You can also access other services on the site, including flights and cars. You can send packages and select from a list of available activities and cruises.

Expedia lets you earn points every time you book through the app, while Airbnb doesn’t have this option. With the points, you get discounts on your trip. Membership gives you 10% off with every booking.

17. RVshare

RV is an abbreviation for recreational vehicle and it is a trailer or vehicle that contains living quarters for accommodation. RVshare is a company that lets you rent an RV, allowing you to sleep in different locations, cook for yourself, and have flexibility on your trip or vacation.

The company was started by a couple who bought an RV for their honeymoon and after they returned home, they realized that their RV would sit until they were ready for another trip. They rented out their RV and recognized the need for this.

The site brings together RV owners and travelers. RV lovers have the opportunity to rent out an RV on RVshare but not on Airbnb. Guests get to choose from RVs they could tow like a travel trailer or fifth wheel or select RVs they could drive like a class A or class C motorhome.

You can travel with your families, friends, and pets. Also, you can travel through the country while maintaining your daily routines.

18. GlampingHub

GlampingHub was created to promote sustainable tourism and offer unique accommodations to customers. This alternative to Airbnb offers glamping experiences to its customers.

GlampingHub gives outdoor accommodations letting you splurge while roughing it. You get to experience a taste of nature minus the backcountry wilderness camping experience.

You can rent tiny houses, yurts, treehouses, tents, cabins, and tipis. You can also select from a range of eco-friendly hotels, getaways and retreats, and pet-friendly places.

19. Outdoorsy

Outdoorsy connects travelers with motorhome, RV, and campervan owners, allowing them to have a memorable outdoor experience.

Unlike Airbnb, Outdoorsy offers caravans and RVs rather than short-term rentals. Outdoorsy is well known for budget travelers who wish to travel through caravans and experience living in one while enjoying outdoor activities.

Outdoorsy connects you directly to the caravan or RV owner, and no middlemen are involved, reducing the middleman cost and making the booking process smoother. You also get 24/7 roadside assistance and drivers who are extensively verified.

You also get insurance protection of $1 million that covers you, the owner, and the vehicle. Outdoorsy has a 93% five-star rating showing that their customers love them.

20. Hipcamp

Hipcamp offers tent camping, cabins, RV parks, treehouses, and glamping. The services are available in Canada, Australia, the UK, and the US. You will get access to private land and private parks on their site.

Hipcamp, unlike Airbnb, connects people who own land to adventurous people who love and care for nature. You will get to select from their variety of hidden gems. Also, if you love butterflies, then Project Monarch connects you to people who love butterflies.

This Airbnb alternative is also popular during stargazing season when you see Saturn’s famous rings or shooting stars. They also have pet-friendly spots where you get to travel with your pet.

If you are looking for a hiking trip, romantic glamping getaway, family camping experience, or business retreat, then Hipcamp will be ideal for you, and you will get to stay in private vineyards, country farms, animal sanctuaries, luxury yachts, secluded lakes, and rustic beach cabins.

Final Thoughts

All the platforms described in the article are good and they offer a variety of services to their guests. I, however, found Vrbo to be the best alternative to Airbnb.

On Vrbo, you can choose from over two million unique places in more than 190 countries. So, no matter where you go, there is a high chance you will find a place to stay.

Also, Vrbo offers a great range of services in many great locations which you may not find on other sites.

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Tom Clayton

Tom loves to write on technology, e-commerce & internet marketing. I started my first e-commerce company in college, designing and selling t-shirts for my campus bar crawl using print-on-demand. Having successfully established multiple 6 & 7-figure e-commerce businesses (in women’s fashion and hiking gear), I think I can share a tip or 2 to help you succeed.

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