The Best Alternative Sales Channels to Airbnb for Hosts

For years, Airbnb dominated the short-term rental market but that’s no longer the case. Travelers have more choices than ever and savvy hosts are adapting by expanding beyond just one platform.

It might seem convenient to stick with Airbnb, but doing so could actually limit your reach, cut into your profits and leave you at the mercy of sudden policy changes or algorithm shifts.

The best hosts know that diversification is the key to maximizing bookings and staying ahead. Let’s break down why putting all your trust in Airbnb could be holding you back and what you can do about it.

Why Look for Alternatives to Airbnb?

The short-term rental landscape has evolved and hosts who expand their listings beyond Airbnb are seeing the benefits. Different vacation rental sites offer unique features, different types of guests and sometimes even better payout structures.

Here’s why more Airbnb hosts are looking at alternatives:

Lower fees mean more in your pocket

Airbnb’s service fees can quickly cut into your earnings. Other platforms may have lower commission rates, flat fees or subscription models that let you keep more of your profits.

Some even shift fees to the guest instead of the host. Comparing fee structures can help you find the best platform to maximize your income.

Reach different kinds of travelers

Not every guest is booking through Airbnb. Some use Booking.com because they’re already reserving flights or hotels, while others stick to platforms they trust from past trips.

There are even platforms focused on digital nomads, students or business travelers. Getting on more sites helps you reach travelers you might otherwise miss.

More control and flexibility

Managing your rental across multiple platforms gives you more control over pricing, availability and rules. You’re not stuck with one system’s policies and can tailor your listings to fit what works best for each platform.

You can set stricter cancellation terms on one site and more lenient ones on another.

Support platforms that support communities

Some Airbnb alternatives are built with local communities in mind. They invest part of their profits into local initiatives or promote more responsible tourism.

If you're someone who values giving back or wants to minimize your impact on local neighborhoods, these platforms can align better with your values.

10 Best Airbnb Alternatives for Boosting Your Bookings

Here are some great alternative platforms for vacation rental hosts looking to expand beyond Airbnb:

1. VRBO

VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) has been a key player in the vacation rental market since it first launched.

It’s perfect for travelers looking for entire vacation homes, making it a great choice for families, larger groups and longer stays. VRBO doesn’t offer shared spaces or private rooms, so it focuses solely on whole-property rentals.

Hosts can pick between a pay-per-booking model with a commission of around 8% or an annual subscription plan that costs about $499 per year. The subscription option is especially cost-effective for properties with high occupancy.

On top of that, VRBO offers helpful tools for calendar management, guest communication and increased property visibility through their partner sites.

2. Booking.com

Originally a hotel booking site, Booking.com has expanded into vacation rentals and now includes everything from apartments to vacation homes.

It’s especially popular across Europe and reaches a vast global audience. Booking.com charges hosts a commission that ranges from 10% to 20%, with an average around 15%.

The platform allows instant booking and appeals to travelers who want to book their whole trip — flights, car rentals, hotel room or vacation rental — all in one place. It supports both short-term rentals and extended stays, and hosts can set flexible cancellation policies to attract more guests.

Listings get plenty of exposure, both in search results and on Google, driving consistent traffic to your property.

3. Google Vacation Rentals

Google Vacation Rentals isn’t a booking platform itself — it’s a search aggregator that displays listings from platforms like VRBO, Booking.com and direct booking sites directly in Google Search and Maps.

If you have your own website or use a channel manager, your listings can appear in front of millions of users searching for accommodations. The best part? Google doesn’t charge a commission directly.

This is a great option for tech-savvy hosts who already have an online booking system and want to boost their visibility without adding another platform to manage. It’s perfect for property owners looking to build their brand or increase direct bookings.

4. Direct Booking

Direct booking gives you complete control over your vacation rental business. Instead of paying fees to third-party platforms, vacationers reserve directly through your website — letting you keep 100% of your earnings.

You also set the rules when it comes to pricing, communication, cancellation policies and check-in procedures. Most hosts use vacation rental website builders like Hostaway or WordPress with a booking engine to handle reservations seamlessly.

While you won’t pay commissions, you may need to invest in marketing, SEO or paid ads to attract vacationers. But in the long run, direct booking pays off by building guest loyalty, growing your email list and driving repeat bookings.

5. TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor, a global leader in travel reviews and rankings, also offers a vacation rental platform that connects hosts with a huge audience of vacationers.

As one of the most trusted names in travel, TripAdvisor instantly boosts your property’s credibility. It pulls listings from its sister site FlipKey and other sources, helping expand visibility.

Hosts pay a commission per booking (typically around 15%) and vacationers can view trusted reviews directly on the listing page.

With TripAdvisor, properties really shine if they’ve got great guest feedback and are located near popular tourist spots, restaurants or hidden gems.

6. Homestay

Homestay focuses on live-in stays, where vacationers rent a spare room and share the home with the host. This platform promotes cultural exchange and immersive travel experiences, making it popular among budget-minded individuals and students.

Unlike other alternatives to Airbnb that prioritize entire properties, Homestay encourages interaction with the host and integration with local communities. Fees are lower than Airbnb’s, with a commission of about 15% added to the guest's side.

Hosts receive the payment amount directly from the guest at check-in, usually in cash. Homestay is an excellent fit for hosts who want to engage with their guests and who live on-site.

7. Marriott Homes & Villas

Marriott Homes & Villas is the vacation rental arm of the renowned hotel chain. It offers carefully curated listings that meet high standards for quality, design, safety and service. Only professionally managed properties are accepted, and hosts must go through a verification process to join.

Vacationers booking through this platform can earn or redeem Bonvoy points through Marriott’s loyalty programs, making it especially appealing to frequent visitors. Commission fees typically range between 10% and 15%.

This platform is perfect for hosts with upscale vacation homes looking to attract high-end clientele and provide a more hotel-like experience. It also prioritizes properties that cater to longer stays and family travel.

8. Plum Guide

Plum Guide is a high-end vacation rental platform that accepts only the top 3% of listings submitted. Each property goes through a rigorous vetting process that includes in-person inspections and a 150-point checklist assessing everything from water pressure to interior design.

It targets affluent travelers looking for unique, high-quality stays in amazing places. Plum Guide is ideal for hosts with architecturally interesting or stylish homes.

Commission fees range from 12% to 16.5% depending on the booking model. Listings benefit from curated exposure and a refined target audience that values quality over price.

9. Furnished Finder

Furnished Finder is a platform that specializes in mid-term stays, primarily catering to travel nurses, healthcare professionals and corporate travelers. Instead of charging a commission, hosts pay a flat annual fee of about $99 to list their properties.

There are no service fees or booking fees, and vacationers often stay for 30 days or longer. This reduces turnover and cleaning costs, and it allows hosts to screen individuals more thoroughly before arrival.

Furnished Finder also includes a housing request system where vacationers can contact you directly based on their travel dates and needs. It’s especially popular in towns with hospitals, medical centers, or universities.

10. Hopper Homes

Hopper started as a travel app for booking flights and hotels and has since expanded to include vacation rentals through Hopper Homes. It's designed for younger, tech-savvy travelers who prefer to book their entire trip directly from their phones.

With dynamic pricing tools, Hopper helps hosts stay competitive while offering strong features for last-minute bookings. Hosts can list their properties through partners and benefit from algorithm-driven visibility within the app.

Hopper charges hosts a fee based on the integration method. It's particularly great for urban properties and listings that cater to short-term stays with flexible check-in procedures.

Which Airbnb Competitors Is the Best Fit for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing the right platform for your vacation rental. The best choice for you as a property owner/host depends on factors like your property type, its location and how involved you want to be in managing your bookings.

Here’s a quick guide to help you figure it out:

• Have a luxury home? Try Marriott Homes or Plum Guide for a more exclusive audience.

• Renting to digital nomads or nurses? Furnished Finder is a great choice for longer-term stays.

• Looking for international travelers? Booking.com and Google Vacation Rentals have strong reach, especially in Europe.

• Renting a room in your home? Homestay is perfect for more personal, cultural experiences.

• Want more control? Direct Booking gives you full access and no fees, but it requires more effort to drive traffic.

Ultimately, it’s a smart move to experiment with a few platforms to see where your listings perform the best. Don’t just rely on Airbnb.

By branching out to other platforms, you can tap into a wider audience and keep your bookings flowing. Each platform has its own unique crowd, so testing a few will help you find the best fit for your property and hosting style.

How to Successfully List Your Rental on Multiple Platforms

Consistent quality

High-quality photos, clear descriptions and accurate amenities go a long way. Many vacationers scroll quickly, so your listing needs to stand out fast.

Showcase what makes your vacation home unique — whether it’s a hot tub, a view or access to hidden gems like local restaurants.

Understand fee structures

Each platform has its own pricing model. Airbnb takes a cut from both hosts and guests, VRBO offers a fixed annual subscription fee and Booking.com charges higher commissions but brings in more bookings.

Calculate what you actually earn after fees and make sure your nightly rate still leaves you with a profit.

Maximize unique benefits

Different platforms appeal to different types of guests. For example, Hopper Homes is great for last-minute mobile users, while Homestay connects you with guests looking for cultural exchange.

Emphasize what makes your accommodation a good fit on each platform — whether that’s proximity to local restaurants, access to public transport or involvement in community projects.

Stay informed

The vacation rental industry moves fast, especially in areas like the UK and various countries across Europe, where regulations are changing frequently. Some towns are limiting short-term rental permits or imposing stricter taxes and licensing.

To stay ahead, subscribe to local housing or tourism updates, follow relevant Facebook groups and check your local council’s website for new rules. Being compliant avoids fines and ensures your short-term rental business isn’t suddenly cut off.

Expand Your Reach

There are more Airbnb alternatives than ever before and that’s a good thing. By spreading your listings across multiple platforms, you reduce risk, reach more vacationers and keep more of your money.

Each rental channel offers unique benefits whether it’s lower fees, access to different types of guests or more control over how your rental properties are presented.

Airbnb is still useful. But it shouldn’t be your only option.

FAQS

What's the best Airbnb alternative for European countries?

Booking.com and Plum Guide are great for Europe due to their strong market presence. VRBO is growing fast too, especially in tourist-heavy areas.

Can I list the same property on multiple sites?

Absolutely and you definitely should. Simply use a channel manager to sync your calendar and prevent double bookings. Property management software like Hostaway can help you stay organized and streamline your operations.

Is Airbnb still worth using?

Definitely. It attracts plenty of vacationers, but depending solely on it can be risky. Diversifying your channels is the smart strategy in today’s vacation rental market.

What are the risk of using lesser-known platforms?

Lower visibility and potentially fewer reservations. Some services may also lack robust support or guest verification. Always research the company before signing up.

Do I need insurance for each platform?

Absolutely. Don’t rely on booking site protections alone. Get vacation rental insurance that covers property damage, liability and lost income, especially if you’re hosting on multiple booking sites.