Airbnb might be the pioneer of web-based short-term rentals, but in the wake of its success, sites like Airbnb have started to garner attention and take a slice of Airbnb’s dominance. There used to be a time when a trip to somewhere like Toledo, Ohio, would result in booking options that consisted of motels and 4-star hotels that might not be the cleanest to say he least. Nowadays, that same person can book a condo with a pool in an amazing neighborhood that would have been previously out of reach. For property owners and real estate investors, Airbnb gave the common man a shot at the short-term rental market, which hotels and resorts previously controlled. Times have changed, and now there are all sorts of sites that offer similar services to Airbnb. Which are the best and why? We take you through all of it below.
What are the best sites like Airbnb?
Some of the best alternatives to Airbnb include Vrbo, which is great for entire-home rentals in vacation areas, and Booking.com, which excels in urban and international markets. Furnished Finder is best for landlords targeting travel nurses or remote workers staying 30+ days, while Plum Guide caters to high-end, design-forward rentals that are a bit on the luxury end. For the cheapest option, Houfy waives many of the fees you will see on other platforms.
How Airbnb’s success led to competition
Airbnb launched in 2008 and quickly became a game-changer in the short-term rental industry. By turning spare rooms and second homes into income-generating assets, it opened the door for millions of hosts worldwide. But as Airbnb grew into a global powerhouse, so did the demand for alternatives, especially from professional landlords and investors looking for better control, lower fees, or more targeted guest segments.
Competitors like Vrbo (founded in 1995, acquired by HomeAway in 2006, then by Expedia in 2015) already existed before Airbnb but gained renewed traction as STR demand surged. Booking.com, originally focused on hotels, entered the vacation rental space more aggressively in the mid-2010s. Furnished Finder, launched in 2014, began catering to traveling professionals needing 30+ day stays, while Houfy, Plum Guide, and Hopper Homes emerged post-2017 with platforms built around transparency, curation, and mobile-first experiences.
Now, it’s become the norm for landlords, particularly those managing a heap of listings and units, to diversify their booking platforms along with their holdings. This strategy t balances exposure, improves cash flow, and taps into niche markets that Airbnb might not serve quite as well.
Why landlords are looking beyond Airbnb
Capitalism is based on two fundamental concepts, supply and demand. If one firm dominates an industry, or overconsolidation leads to too few players, then pricing will not favor the consumer. Competition from sites like Airbnb has been a huge positive for landlords. It’s allowed Airbnb to engage in healthy competition with its competitors, meaning its fees and add-ons have been kept in check.
Higher fees eating into profits: Airbnb’s host service fee can range from 3% to 15%, depending on the pricing structure. For hosts with a bunch of properties under their belt, that fee structure can significantly reduce margins. In contrast, some competitors offer flat rates, lower percentages, or even fee-free models like Houfy.
Oversaturation in key markets: In high-demand cities like Denver, Nashville, or Miami, the Airbnb marketplace has become saturated. New listings struggle to get visibility without aggressive pricing, paid promotions, or dozens of 5-star reviews, which takes time to build. That creates an uphill battle for newer or expanding landlords.
Changing guest behavior: Many hosts have reported a shift in guest quality, including more entitlement, last-minute cancellations, or rule violations. Some attribute this to Airbnb’s scale; the platform now attracts a wider range of travelers who may not treat STRs with the same respect as boutique hotel guests.
Platform control and policy shifts: Airbnb has implemented last-minute policy changes in the past, from refunds during the COVID-19 pandemic to updated cancellation policies, often without consulting hosts. These changes can affect payouts, booking certainty, and the overall host experience.
Increased regulation spotlight: As Airbnb faces mounting scrutiny from cities and municipalities, many hosts worry about platform-specific bans or reporting requirements. Diversifying across multiple sites can decrease risk, in case something happens with Airbnb in particular, as it pertains to local regulations.
The best sites like Airbnb for landlords
Here’s a closer look at the leading platforms landlords are turning to in 2025, along with who they’re best for, how fees work, and how quickly you get paid.
Vrbo
Vrbo is the preferred platform for listing entire vacation homes, particularly in resort-style destinations like the Algarve or Thailand. Hosts typically incur a per-booking fee of 8%–15%, with funds released 1–2 days after guest check-in. It’s especially popular among families and groups seeking spacious accommodations, and it offers calendar synchronization to help make the management easier.
Booking.com
Ideal for urban and international properties, Booking.com charges a flat 15% host commission, with no additional guest fees. Hosts receive payments on a weekly or biweekly basis. The platform has a vast global reach, though some landlords note that guest screening may be less stringent compared to other platforms. Many top meth cooks, have a used a Booking.com property.
Furnished Finder
Tailored for mid-term rentals, Furnished Finder caters to traveling professionals like nurses and consultants seeking stays of 30 days or more. If a company has a big training session, chances are they will use a furnished finder program to book their employees, making the trip for a month or more. Instead of per-booking fees, hosts pay a flat annual listing fee, and guests pay rent directly to the host. While calendar management is manual, the platform offers a steady stream of qualified tenants.
Hopper Homes
Hopper Homes appeals to a younger, mobile-first audience, integrating travel booking with short-term rentals. Hosts typically pay around 10%–15% per booking, with payouts made 48 hours after guest check-in. The platform offers intuitive calendar integration and mobile-centric tools for efficient guest communication.
Plum Guide
Plum Guide specializes in luxury and high-design listings. It charges hosts a modest 3%–5% fee per booking, with funds disbursed within five business days. The platform is highly selective, ensuring that listings meet stringent quality standards, which appeals to affluent and discerning travelers.
Houfy
Houfy enables direct bookings without service fees for hosts or guests. Payments are processed through platforms like Stripe or PayPal, and calendar syncing is available via iCal. While it requires more hands-on management, Houfy is excellent for fostering repeat bookings and referrals.
Pros and cons of using competitor sites like Airbnb
For landlords with multiple short-term or mid-term rental units, diversifying beyond Airbnb can open up new revenue opportunities, but it also comes with operational considerations. Below are some of the pros and cons of using sites other than Airbnb
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Less reliance on a single platform Reduces risk from policy changes, algorithm shifts, or outages by diversifying guest sources. |
Lower organic visibility Alternative platforms may not drive as much guest traffic and require more active marketing. |
| Better payout terms Platforms like VRBO and Houfy offer faster or direct payouts, improving cash flow. |
More time-intensive setup Each platform has unique listing requirements and setup processes that take time. |
| Niche guest targeting Platforms like Furnished Finder and Plum Guide help attract specific, high-quality guest types. |
Guest quality may vary Some platforms (e.g., Booking.com) may attract guests unfamiliar with STR etiquette. |
| Lower or no service fees Platforms like Houfy eliminate booking fees entirely, increasing profit margins. |
More complex logistics Managing multiple calendars, pricing, and guest communications adds operational overhead. |
| Improved tax visibility and record-keeping Direct payments make it easier to track income and expenses for tax planning and depreciation strategies. |
Limited support or tools on smaller platforms Some platforms lack built-in features like automated messaging or dynamic pricing. |
If you use Airbnb and other platforms, it can be painful to manage all of them. According to David Gorlovetsky, founder of TLVTech, automation is the way to go. Here are his tips.
How to implement a multi-platform rental strategy
If you’re managing multiple rentals or running your properties as a business, diversifying beyond Airbnb can give you a serious edge, but only if done strategically. Here’s how to build a streamlined, high-performing multi-platform approach:
Choose platforms based on your property and guest type
Write listings that fit the platform
Each platform has its own vibe, so tailor your listing. Booking.com needs hotel-style clarity, while Houfy and Plum Guide reward personality and detail. Great photos, honest descriptions, and highlighting nearby hotspots can boost your visibility and booking rate.
Sync calendars to avoid double bookings
Listing on multiple platforms without syncing calendars can lead to cancellations and bad reviews. Use tools like OwnerRez or Lodgify to sync your bookings and availability automatically. This saves time and prevents costly mix-ups.
Use dynamic pricing to stay competitive
Markets shift constantly — and so should your rates. Tools like PriceLabs or Wheelhouse adjust prices based on demand, seasonality, and local events. It helps you earn more without having to micromanage your pricing.
Track income by platform for tax planning
Every platform reports income differently, and if you’re doing direct bookings, it’s on you to keep clean records. Set up bookkeeping early so you’re ready for tax season — and if you’re doing cost segregation, clear records make it way easier to maximize deductions.
Tools that simplify multi-platform management
If you’re listing on three or more platforms, manual management can become overwhelming fast. Consider using these tools:
- OwnerRez: Excellent for syncing calendars, automating messages, and tracking income per property.
- Hostaway: Ideal for property managers or landlords with a dozen or more units.
- Lodgify: Offers website creation + booking engine if you’re accepting direct bookings via Houfy.
- PriceLabs/Wheelhouse/Beyond: Great for dynamic pricing across Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com.
Most of these tools integrate with QuickBooks or export clean CSVs — helpful when working with a cost segregation strategist.
| When not to diversify (yet) If you’re still learning the ropes of STR management or have just one listing, focusing on Airbnb may help you build up reviews and gain traction faster. Diversification works best once you’ve established operations, pricing, and guest communication systems. |
Final thoughts: Diversifying platforms is just the beginning
Supply and demand are the name of the game, and that concept has existed since the beginning of capitalism. Competition is a good thing, and sites like Airbnb can help landlords save on fees and negotiate better terms. Just as real estate investors diversify their investments through asset classes, the ability for landlords to diversify their risk across different platforms is awesome. This holds particularly true if you can go after different types of sub-markets for tenants, such as luxury, mid-level, and traveling nurses.
A the end of the day, do your own research, and Reddit reviews are not a bad place to look. Choosing a site like Airbnb for your real STR portfolio can help you diversify your risk and keep fees low across the board!
FAQ
What’s the best way to handle guest reviews across multiple platforms?
Managing guest reviews across platforms can be time-consuming, but consistency is key. Use templates for post-stay thank-you messages that request reviews on each respective platform. Some PMS tools like Hostaway or OwnerRez also offer automated follow-up messages, helping you build your review base evenly.
Will listing on more than one platform hurt my Airbnb ranking?
Not necessarily. Airbnb doesn’t penalize you for listing elsewhere, but if you frequently cancel or double-book due to poor calendar sync, your listing could drop in search results. Use calendar integration tools or a channel manager to keep all platforms in sync and avoid negative performance impacts.
How do I decide when to expand to a second platform?
The right time to expand is when your primary listing has consistent occupancy, solid reviews, and streamlined operations. If you’re already automating pricing and messaging and want to reach new guest segments or improve margins, it’s likely time to diversify. Make sure your systems can scale before adding more platforms.
