Airbnb and Vrbo are two of the biggest names in the vacation rental industry. They’re both easy to use, popular with travelers (and hosts), and have huge databases of available properties around the world.
However, they come with their own set of downsides.
For example, Airbnb is known for its high service fees, which can add up to over 14% of the subtotal cost of your stay. And while Vrbo has lower fees, its rental prices tend to be expensive compared to other similar sites – and more costly than hotels in most cases.
Besides, Vrbo doesn’t provide any dispute resolution services. This means that hosts aren’t legally required to give you a refund.
Airbnb’s cancellation policy can also be tricky. You can get your money back, but only if you cancel your reservation at least 14 days before check-in.
And if something goes wrong during your stay and you want to ask for a reimbursement, you’ll need to figure it out directly with your host, which means they can choose not to do it.
Furthermore, the popularity of these platforms isn’t a guarantee. The hosts might be unprofessional or unreliable, the property itself might not be what you expected or the location might not be ideal.
Luckily, there are plenty of sites out there that are similar to Airbnb and Vrbo. They aren’t as well-known, but they can still offer you everything you need for your perfect vacation.
Here are some of the best:
Best Sites Like Airbnb & Vrbo
1. Tripadvisor Rentals
Tripadvisor Rentals is a website that allows you to find, review, and book vacation rentals. It offers much of the same functionality as Airbnb and Vrbo:
The site is free to use, and it has an easy-to-navigate interface that makes it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for – whether it’s a family vacation rental or something more secluded.
On top of that, it has a robust search feature that lets users narrow down their search results based on various criteria such as location, price range, amenities offered, and more.
This makes it easy for users to find exactly what they want without having to go through dozens of listings.
Besides, Tripadvisor Rentals lets you browse reviews from previous guests before booking a place. This gives you the opportunity to know what kind of experience they had there before deciding whether or not this would be a good fit for your trip.
You can even look at photos taken by former guests so you know exactly what you’re getting into before making any reservations.
In addition, the platform has a messaging system that works similarly to Airbnb, where you can talk directly with the owner or manager of the vacation rental.
However, one of the best things about Tripadvisor Rentals is that it allows you to filter your search results by suitability. This means you can look for places that are specifically kid-friendly, pet-friendly, or have elder access, wheelchair access, etc.
On top of that, Tripadvisor Rentals charges a 3% service fee per booking. This is significantly lower than the 5% fee charged by Vrbo and the 14% fee charged by Airbnb.
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2. Booking
Booking is a great alternative to both sites because it offers verified hosts with good reviews, secure payment options, a wide range of locations, and types of lodging (including private homes).
However, Booking does have some advantages over Airbnb and Vrbo when it comes to booking a property for an extended period of time, for example, you can get huge deals and discounts for booking a long-term stay early.
Plus, you can save up to 50% off your booking when using their mobile app.
Another thing that makes Booking stand out is that it offers things like instant bookings, so if you see something you like and want to book it immediately without having to wait for approval, you can do so right away. This is especially handy when traveling if you don’t want to waste time waiting around for someone else’s approval!
Besides, Booking has a payment option called Pay on Arrival that allows you to pay for your booking at the time of check-in. This is useful for travelers who want to make sure they have enough money to cover their trip expenses.
One more thing:
Booking has a rewards program that gives you points whenever you book with them. The more points you earn the higher level you will reach in the program, which entitles you to special perks such as free cancellations or increased discounts on future stays.
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3. Sonder
Sonder is another great option, especially because it has a few features that give it an edge over its competitors.
For example, Sonder exclusively rents out private apartments for vacations and travel, so you never have to share a space with its owners.
Besides, it has an impressive selection of listings all around the world, and it’s always adding more. The site also features reviews from previous renters, so you can see what other people thought of their experience with each property.
But what really makes it different from Airbnb and Vrbo is its mobile app. You can use it to check in and out of your room just like you would at an actual hotel.
And once you’re checked in, there are plenty of features on the app that make it easy for you to get settled in and comfortable at your new home away from home. You can request fresh towels or extra pillows from the comfort of your bed.
In addition, if you need anything else, like recommendations for restaurants around town, you can also get those from Sonder’s app with just a few taps.
Another great thing about this site is that it offers a 24/7 concierge service, which gives you a direct line to someone who can help you with anything from booking dinner reservations to organizing tours.
This is especially useful if you’re traveling solo or don’t know anyone else in the city.
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4. Agoda
Agoda is another great choice. It’s known as the “Asian Airbnb,” but it has over 1.8 million listings in over 200 countries and territories around the world, so you’re sure to find something that fits your needs.
It offers an incredible range of options: hotel rooms, apartments, hostels, guesthouses, villas, and even treehouses. And its prices are much more affordable than Vrbo: you can find rooms starting at $15/night!
Furthermore, Agoda has an advanced search tool that lets you filter by room type (i.e., apartment or suite), amenities (i.e., pool), location (i.e., beachfront), or star rating (1-5). This makes it easy for you to find exactly what kind of accommodations you want at a price that works for your budget.
The site is easy to navigate with its clean design and simple booking process. There are no account creation or credit card details required before you start browsing accommodations or making reservations online.
Now, one of the best features of Agoda is its mobile app. This app is incredibly user-friendly and intuitive.
You can also set up multiple notifications for when your favorite properties become available again after they’ve been booked, so you’ll never miss out on anything. And if you want more information about one of their listings, all you have to do is tap on it to see reviews from other guests who have stayed there before.
Plus, they always have deals going on, so even if there isn’t an exact match with what you’re looking for right now, you still will be able to find something comparable at a lower price point. And if you’re traveling alone, Agoda will give you 12% off your booking!
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5. Vacatia
Vacatia is also a fantastic substitute for Airbnb and Vrbo. It has everything you could ever want in a vacation rental website, and it’s just as easy to use as its competitors.
You can search for places by location, price, amenities, or reviews – or just filter by specific requirements like the number of bedrooms or whether or not pets are allowed.
Additionally, Vacatia has an innovative feature that allows you to search for vacation rentals by duration, rather than just by location. This means that if you’re looking for a long weekend in Palm Springs or a week-long stay in Napa Valley, you can find those kinds of rentals without having to scroll through hundreds of listings.
The booking process is very similar to Airbnb and Vrbo. All payments go through their website so you don’t have to worry about handing over your credit card information directly to someone else who may not be trustworthy. The best thing is that Vacatia doesn’t charge any service fee!
Besides, you can book any accommodation immediately with Vacatia. You don’t even have to contact the property owner to arrange things. And if you have any questions or concerns about your stay, there are customer service specialists who are ready and waiting to help you out.
On top of that, all the properties listed on Vacatia go through an extensive screening process before being approved for publication on the site. This means that you can be sure that any place you rent from here is going to be in good condition and meet certain standards.
6. FlipKey
FlipKey is a vacation rental marketplace owned by TripAdvisor that connects travelers with hosts. The site operates in the same way as other rental platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo.
It has an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to find accommodations based on location or price range. Plus, if you click on one of the listings, you’ll get a nice layout with pictures and reviews from previous guests.
In addition, FlipKey has a search function that lets you filter by amenities such as pool size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, proximity to landmarks or attractions like beaches or ski resorts, and even things like pet-friendly status or whether the property has air conditioning or not.
The website also features a map function so that you can see exactly where each listing is located within your chosen destination city or town.
Once you’ve found what looks like an ideal location for your vacation, all that’s left for you is to select dates, pay for your stay, and make arrangements with your host.
The entire process takes less than ten minutes from start to finish. And if things don’t go according to plan, FlipKey has an excellent customer service team who will help resolve any issues that may arise during your trip.
7. Wimdu
Wimdu is another similar booking site that’s worth checking out.
Airbnb and Vrbo are great for vacation rentals, but they don’t offer a lot of options in terms of apartments, which means that if you’re traveling somewhere and you want to stay long-term, you probably won’t get the kind of place you want on those sites.
On the other hand, Wimdu has a huge focus on apartment-style listings, which makes it well-suited for people who are looking for temporary housing. This means you’ll find listings for studio apartments, one-bedroom apartments, and more in comparison to some other sites that focus on traditional home rentals.
Besides, Wimdu’s website is just as easy to use as Airbnb’s and Vrbo’s, and the booking process is just as quick and convenient.
However, Wimdu’s biggest advantage is that they offer free insurance policies for every booking. This means that any damage done to the property during your stay will be covered by Wimdu, which is definitely something you don’t see from other sites.
Additionally, when you book with Wimdu, your payment is only released to the renter once you’ve checked in and are satisfied with the place.
8. Homestay
Homestay is a room rental platform with many of the same features that Airbnb and Vrbo have, but it’s more focused on connecting you with hosts who can provide you with a local experience.
All of the hosts on Homestay are vetted by the company’s team of experts before they can participate in the platform. This means that you can be sure the rooms you see on the site have been reviewed by professionals and that they will be clean, safe, and comfortable.
Plus, Homestay has an app that lets hosts communicate with guests easily and quickly, so if there’s anything you need during your stay, they can address your concerns immediately.
The platform’s interface is also clean and simple. You can find Homestays in all kinds of locations, including cities and rural areas, and it’s easy to narrow down your search by the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, whether the unit has a kitchenette or full kitchen, and whether it accommodates pets.
Once you’ve found something that works for you, all you have to do is make sure there are enough beds for everyone who will be staying there and send an inquiry through the site’s messaging system or app. If everything checks out, you’ll get an invitation code that will let you book the room.
Another feature that makes Homestay stand out from other similar sites is its pricing structure.
It doesn’t charge service fees and allows hosts to set their own prices, so there’s no reason for them to charge more just because they have competition from other hosts on another site – which means that rental prices are also cheaper.
Finally, Homestay also has a community forum where hosts can discuss how they can make their homes even better for guests who stay there in the future, and guests can post questions that other people will respond to, so everyone’s ideas are heard!
9. Vacasa
Vacasa is another excellent choice. It offers homes for rent all around the world, with options for both long and short-term stays.
The best part about Vacasa is its selection of properties. You can find anything from cabins in the woods to luxury apartments in downtown San Francisco. The company also offers properties in many different countries, so you can live like a local when you travel.
Besides, Vacasa’s website has a clean, modern design that makes it easy to navigate and find the features you want. Plus, it has a map function that allows you to see where your rental is located and how far away it is from different points of interest.
The site also has a great search feature that lets you filter by price range, location, amenities, and more. You can even sort your search results by popularity or distance from the center of wherever you’re planning on staying.
Like most sites, it also includes a calendar that shows when your rental is available, when it’s booked up, and if it’s already been booked for future dates.
Another feature that makes Vacasa a great option is its rewards program. When you book through the platform, you get points toward future rentals.
That means if you use your points wisely and book early enough in advance, you can get great deals on vacations without having to pay full price!
Once you’ve found a place that looks perfect for your getaway, there are two ways to book: through the website or through their app (which can be downloaded on both Android and iOS).
Either way works well. Vacasa’s app makes checking in super simple and lets you easily communicate with hosts during your stay if there are any issues with the property or if anything else comes up while you’re staying there.
10. Expedia
Expedia is a travel booking site designed especially for people who don’t want to break the bank when they travel.
It has lots of different kinds of hotels and other lodging options (including budget hostels and luxury villas), but they also offer tours and activities that can make your vacation more fun and interesting, like skiing or scuba diving.
It also has an extensive list of reviews from previous users so you’ll know what to expect when booking your stay. In addition to that, Expedia has an interesting feature called “Travel Insights” where you can read about other users’ experiences at different locations around the world, which is great if you’re not sure what kind of experience you’d like when traveling somewhere new!
Now, the first thing that makes Expedia stand out from other sites like Airbnb and Vrbo is its price range. While the latter platforms can be very expensive, Expedia offers many affordable options.
For example, you can book a room or an entire house for as little as $25 per night, which is much less than what you would pay for similar accommodations on other sites.
Furthermore, Expedia offers an easy-to-use interface for browsing accommodations based on location or type.
Guests can filter their search by amenities like parking or pool access, as well as by price range and star rating. Plus, the site also offers deals on select properties if you’re looking to save money on your vacation rental.
Additionally, Expedia is great for travelers who want to book last-minute trips without paying extra fees for cancellation or change fees. The platform allows you to cancel your reservation up until 24 hours before check-in without penalty.
Summary
Airbnb and Vrbo are the two major players in the vacation rental space, and they’re both great choices. However, there are many other sites like them out there that can give you an even better experience.
The platforms we’ve listed above have the same kind of listing options as Airbnb and Vrbo, but they also provide some unique features that can help you find the perfect place for your next vacation no matter where in the world you’re going.
If you’re a traveler who’s looking for the cheapest option and wants to stay in a place that feels like home, Homestay is your best bet. This site has some of the most beautiful rooms available anywhere – and it won’t break the bank either.
If you’re looking for something more like an actual hotel experience, Booking.com may be more suited to your needs —plus it’s got a pretty great app too!
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