We compare Booking.com vs Airbnb, highlighting key similarities and differences across a number of comparative categories. The best case scenario is listing on both, but only if managing two platforms is in your wheelhouse as a host. We consider the pros and cons of listing on each platform independently and together, as well as best practices for cross-listing. 

Listing on both platforms boosts exposure but requires tools like channel managers to avoid double bookings and maintain quality.

Airbnb attracts younger, experience-seeking travelers while Booking.com appeals to a broad audience that travel flexibly between hotel and vacation rentals, and working professionals.

Airbnb is more host-friendly overall, but Booking.com provides more marketing support and an easier listing process.

Imagine you're a first-time short-term rental (STR) owner, excited but overwhelmed by the sheer number of booking platform options. You've eagerly signed up for Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo, hoping to maximize your property's visibility. 

However, managing bookings across these channels soon feels like playing a never-ending game of Twister. You're bending over backwards to provide high-quality guest experiences, but spreading yourself too thin in the process.

Now, you've decided to take a step back and reassess which platforms make the most sense for your short-term rental business. This is where our guide comes in. We cut through the noise, comparing Booking.com vs Airbnb on everything from fees to guest demographics (we do a similar comparison in our Airbnb vs Vrbo piece). Armed with this information, you can simplify your hosting experience by honing in on the platform that best serves your vacation rental business.

Your vacation rental may be amazing, but is it better than your competition? Connect your Airbnb listing to AirDNA to see its Booking Performance Score.

Booking.com started its journey in 1996 in a small office in Amsterdam. Founded by Geert-Jan Bruinsma, the platform aimed to make travel more accessible by simplifying the booking process for travelers worldwide. Over the years, it has grown from a niche service to one of the largest travel marketplaces in the world.

Booking.com is present in more than 230 countries and territories and offers over 29 million listings, including hotels, apartments, hostels, and more. The global mix of vacation rentals room nights was 36%, which was up from 33% in Q1 of 2023, demonstrating that Booking.com travelers often have mix intent and will not only book hotels but like to look at all their options. Even though they might start out with the intention to book hotels, they may end up booking vacation rentals instead.  

This vast selection differentiates Booking.com from platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, which primarily focus on vacation rentals and unique stays. Booking.com sees a higher number of business travelers as well, thanks to its extensive hotel listings and professional accommodations.

Booking.com also distinguishes itself through the extent of services it offers. Unlike Airbnb and Vrbo, Booking.com provides a comprehensive travel experience, allowing users to book flights, car rentals, airport taxis, and even restaurant reservations directly through the platform. This one-stop-shop approach makes it particularly appealing to travelers looking for convenience and efficiency.

The key question isn’t so much should you list on Airbnb or Booking.com, but rather, should you list on Airbnb and Booking.com. At the end of the day, Airbnb is arguably a larger household name than Booking.com and hosts who overlook the platform are likely to miss out on key traveler demographics, especially young travelers seeking one-of-a-kind experiences (more on that later!) 

That being said, it’s worth examining the nuts and bolts of each booking platform to see where they diverge. What unique advantages does Booking.com bring to the table?

In the next section on Comparing Booking.com vs Airbnb, we talk about similarities and differences across 13 different platform facets ranging from guest screening capabilities to commission and fees. In the comparative infographic below, we’ve narrowed that list down to the 10 most pertinent comparisons and declared a clear winner in each category. 

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Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison of Booking.com vs Airbnb, exploring various aspects that affect both hosts and guests.

Airbnb is a pioneer in the vacation rental industry, boasting a strong global presence. The platform’s brand is synonymous with short-term rentals and alternative lodging.

Booking.com, on the other hand, was Initially a hotel booking site. It has expanded into vacation rentals by leveraging its existing user base. 

Airbnb appeals more to younger travelers and those seeking unique stays. Booking.com appeals to a diverse user base that travels flexibly between hotels and vacation homes.

Airbnb is pushing its international expansion to diversify its user base, whereas Booking.com has a strong foothold in Europe and is now focusing on growing its U.S. short-term rental market share.

Airbnb is known for pioneering the vacation rental space, while Booking.com has expanded from its hotel booking roots to include a wide range of accommodations.

Property owners who have listed their rentals on both platforms tend to see a higher booking frequency on Booking.com compared to Airbnb. This advantage is largely due to Booking.com's retargeting and cross-marketing strategies. In this case, retargeting refers to pursuing potential customers who have previously interacted with Booking.com or shown interest in a property by targeting them with advertisements.  

Airbnb emphasizes customer experience and has built a loyal user base that often chooses Airbnb exclusively for their travel accommodations. This "cult culture" around Airbnb focuses on unique stays and local experiences.

Booking.com aims to maximize bookings for its properties through aggressive marketing and retargeting practices:

After a user views a property but does not complete a booking, Booking.com often sends follow-up emails reminding them of the property. These emails can include incentives like special offers, or they may highlight features that users viewed. 

When users book a property, Booking.com sends emails with suggestions for other properties they might like based on their previous searches or bookings. 

These differing marketing tactics impact not only booking frequency but also the type of guests and overall guest experience on each platform.

Airbnb guests often skew younger, with a significant portion falling into the millennial and Gen Z demographics. These travelers are typically seeking unique experiences and local interactions. They also often prefer longer stays. Airbnb guests are more likely to book entire homes or apartments and predominantly travel for leisure or remote work.

Booking.com attracts a more diverse range of guests. While it certainly caters to leisure travelers, it also sees a higher proportion of business travelers compared to Airbnb. Guests on Booking.com are often looking for a wider range of options, from budget accommodations to luxury stays. They're more likely to book shorter stays and may prioritize conveniences like 24/7 check-in or on-site amenities.

Both platforms receive family travelers and groups, but Airbnb tends to have an edge in this category because it offers more entire-home rentals.

Listing a property on Airbnb is straightforward and intuitive. The platform guides hosts through the process, from adding property details and photos to setting up pricing and availability. Their user-friendly interface and comprehensive guides make it easy for new hosts to create Airbnb listings.

Listing a property on Booking.com may be even easier than listing on Airbnb. Booking.com allows you to import your review score from other platforms and display it on your property page. You can also import your property details and sync your availability calendar with other platforms. This means that listing on Booking.com is seamless if you already have an Airbnb or Vrbo account. 

The ability to vet potential guests is a crucial consideration for many hosts. Each platform handles guest vetting slightly differently. 

Airbnb provides hosts with more control over guest vetting. 

Before booking, Airbnb hosts can require guests to:

The Airbnb website also allows hosts to message potential guests before accepting a booking (unless Instant Book is enabled), giving them an opportunity to assess the guest's intentions and suitability.

Booking.com, traditionally more aligned with the hotel booking model, offers less direct interaction between hosts and guests before a booking is confirmed. Hosts can set up their properties to only accept reservations from guests with a verified phone number and/or home address. Outside of that, though, the vetting process is generally more hands-off and indirect compared to Airbnb. 

Booking.com hosts can read reviews left by prospective guests on other properties to get a sense of their engagement on the platform and their character. Hosts can also set certain restrictions on bookings, such as minimum stay requirements, advance notice periods, and cancellation policies, which can help in indirectly vetting the seriousness and suitability of potential guests.

Both platforms have systems in place to flag potentially problematic guests, but Airbnb hosts can be more actively involved in approving guests.

Most users—property owners and guests—would agree that in the battle of Booking.com vs Airbnb, the latter has a leg up in terms of communication and messaging capabilities.

Airbnb offers a more direct and personal communication channel. Hosts and guests can message each other through Airbnb before, during, and after the stay. The messaging platform enables detailed discussions about check-in procedures, house rules, and local recommendations. It also includes automated quick responses and translation to bridge language barriers.

Booking.com, on the other hand, has a more structured communication process. While it does offer a messaging system, the communication is often more limited and formal - primarily covering pre-arrival information, house rules and clarifications. However, the level of pre-stay interaction is generally less than on Airbnb.

All that said, both platforms have measures in place to protect users' privacy, like preventing anyone from exchanging personal contact information until after a booking is confirmed.

Most Airbnb hosts will pay a 3% commission fee per booking, but could pay up to 15%. 

This discrepancy is because Airbnb has two types of fee structures:

Under the split fee model, hosts pay a fixed 3% commission for each booking. An additional fee of 10-20% is charged to the guest—which could soften your competitive edge.

The host-only fee model is where the host pays a 14-16% commission and guests are not charged any fees. Airbnb hosts that have a traditional hospitality listing, like a hotel or serviced apartment, and hosts that use a property management software are charged host-only fees. Keep in mind that the applicable fee model can be dependent on where you’re located, too.

Booking.com doesn’t charge guests a separate fee but instead charges hosts a minimum 15% commission on each booking. Hosts can also choose to pay a higher commission percentage for better visibility on the platform. It's important to note that there's a common misconception with Booking.com that a host will earn less from a booking of equal guest price. When you break it down between the two options, it can actually look very similar:

It's worth noting that both platforms may have additional fees for specific services or promotions. Hosts should carefully review the fee structures and consider how they impact their overall pricing strategy.

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Airbnb typically releases payments to hosts about 24 hours after the guest's scheduled check-in time. 

Hosts can choose from various payout methods, including:

Payoneer or bank transfer (in some countries)

In contrast, Booking.com usually processes payments after the guest's stay is complete. The platform offers several payout options, including bank transfer, PayPal, and virtual credit card. The exact timing of payouts can vary depending on the payment model chosen by the host (prepayment or pay-at-the-property).

Both platforms allow hosts to track their earnings and upcoming payouts through their respective dashboards.

Airbnb allows hosts to set base prices, weekend prices, and special event pricing. Airbnb also provides a Smart Pricing tool that automatically adjusts prices based on demand, seasonality, and other factors. Hosts can set minimum and maximum thresholds for Smart Pricing.

Booking.com also allows for flexible pricing strategies. Similar to Airbnb, hosts can set different rates for weekdays, weekends, and times of year. Booking.com offers a RateIntelligence tool that provides insights into competitor pricing and market demand, helping hosts optimize their rates.

Both platforms allow hosts to offer discounts for longer stays or last-minute bookings. However, Airbnb tends to offer more granular control over pricing variations.

When it comes to pricing tools, it’s best to use a third-party tool like AirDNA. Both Booking.com and Airbnb are juggling guest interests as well as host interests, so they may suggest rates that benefit the traveler over host earning potential. Plus, booking platform pricing tools are less comprehensive than that of AirDNA, with limited parameters for setting your pricing strategy and limited to no ability to foresee upcoming demand. 

Get nightly rate recommendations with AirDNA

Airbnb hosts can choose from several standardized cancellation policies, ranging from Flexible (full refund if canceled at least 24 hours before check-in) to Strict (50% refund if canceled at least seven days before check-in). Hosts can also opt for a Super Strict policy on an invitation-only basis and for special circumstances. Airbnb allows hosts to offer non-refundable bookings at a discounted rate to guests.

Booking.com also offers cancellation policy options, but with fewer standardized options. Hosts can adopt a fully flexible policy that allows guests to cancel for free during a chosen time frame. 

Under a customized policy, Booking.com hosts choose how far in advance a guest can cancel without penalty and how much they’ll be charged after the deadline. Customized cancellation policies also allow hosts to set up a prepayment before check-in and apply different cancellation policies to different room types. 

Booking.com encourages hosts to offer flexible cancellation policies to attract more bookings. The platform automatically enrolls hosts in the Smart Flex reservation program to reduce the hassle of free cancellation options. Booking.com uses demand data to work out when to offer a flexible cancellation policy and who to offer it to. If a guest with a Smart Flex reservation does cancel, Booking.com will immediately look for someone to refill the room. If they can't find a replacement, they will compensate you. 

In the area of damage protection, Airbnb edges out Booking.com.

Airbnb offers AirCover for Hosts, which includes up to $3 million in damage protection and liability insurance. This coverage is included for all hosts at no additional cost. Airbnb also allows hosts to charge a security deposit, which can be claimed if damage occurs. 

Keep in mind, though, that you’ll have to submit receipts to Airbnb for them to decide whether the damage is claimable. Anecdotally, many hosts find that they aren’t reimbursed for minor claims like stolen goods.

Booking.com offers Partner Liability Insurance covering up to $1 million per booking for property damage or bodily injury. This insurance is automatic and free for all eligible properties listed on the platform. 

For added peace of mind, you can require guests to pay a refundable damage deposit upon booking your property. Booking.com will facilitate the damage payment processing for you for claims up to $500, but you’ll have to manage the entire deposit payment process on your own if it exceeds that limit.

Airbnb's Instant Book feature allows guests to book without host approval, as long as they’re not booking within 2 days of check-in. Hosts can set certain requirements for Instant Book guests, such as positive reviews from other hosts. Airbnb incentivizes hosts to use Instant Book by giving these listings higher visibility in search results.

Booking.com operates primarily on an instant booking model. Most listings on the platform are instantly bookable, aligning with the traditional hotel booking experience that Booking.com users expect. That being said, Booking.com does have a Request to Book feature that prompts guests to send a booking request that hosts can accept or decline within 24 hours. Unlike Airbnb, hosts aren’t able to communicate directly with guests until a booking is confirmed. 

In the area of reviews, Airbnb has a leg up since it allows hosts to review guests—which helps hosts make more informed decisions about who they allow to stay at their property.

Airbnb has a double-blind review system where both hosts and guests have 14 days to leave a review after check-out. Reviews are only made public once both parties have submitted their reviews or after the 14-day period ends. This system aims to encourage honest feedback from both hosts and guests.

Booking.com's review system is more traditional. Guests can leave reviews after their stay, which are typically published immediately after moderation. Hosts can respond to reviews but cannot leave reviews for guests.

Airbnb is also more granular than Booking.com in its review structure. Guests must provide separate ratings on a scale of 1-5  for each category, including cleanliness, accuracy, communication, location, and value, in addition to an overall rating for their stay. 

Booking.com, on the other hand, uses a 1-20 rating scale and guests are only required to provide an overall rating. Guests can choose whether or not they want to rate cleanliness, comfort, value, facilities, location and staff. 

Plan your STR strategy based on real booking activity and trends—plus, see how things change year over year.

Should You List on Airbnb, Booking.com, or Both?

Cross-listing your short-term rental property will make your property accessible to a broader range of guests than listing on Airbnb alone. However, you must weigh this benefit against the added complexity of managing multiple booking platforms.

If you host part-time, operate your STR remotely, or you’re already struggling to efficiently manage your listing on one platform, consider whether it’s time to hire a property manager or focus your efforts on a single platform.

We’ve outlined the pros and cons of listing on Airbnb, Booking.com, and both so property owners can make an informed decision:

Attracts guests seeking unique, local experiences

May miss out on Booking.com's larger user base

Potentially fewer bookings in some markets

Listing exclusively on Airbnb may apply more to:

Hosts with unique or niche properties (treehouses, tiny homes, boutique apartments) that attract experience-seeking guests.

Properties targeting younger, leisure travelers looking for local experiences and longer stays.

Properties in areas popular for tourism and leisure travel, such as coastal towns, national parks, or cultural hubs.

Access to a larger, more diverse user base

Attracts a broad audience that travels flexibly between hotel and vacation rentals

Integration with other travel services (flights, car rentals)

Potentially higher booking frequency in urban areas and European markets

Potential for higher commission fees (Follow these tips to ensure you earn the same take-home rate no matter which booking site your guest books with)

May miss out on Airbnb's experience-seeking audience

Listing exclusively on Booking.com could be the best fit for:

Hosts with more conventional properties (hotels, serviced apartments, guesthouses) that cater to a broad range of guests.

Properties that appeal to business travelers who prioritize convenience and amenities.

Urban areas and regions with high business travel activity, particularly in Europe and major cities worldwide.

Maximize exposure to different types of travelers

Learn from different platform metrics to optimize your listing

More complex management (tracking bookings, updating calendars)

Potential for double bookings if not managed properly

You might consider cross-listing your vacation rental properties if you:

Have a mix of unique and traditional properties that appeal to different types of travelers.

Want to increase overall booking frequency by reaching a wider audience.

Have properties in high-demand areas where the risk of double bookings is outweighed by the potential increase in occupancy rates.

Strategies for Managing Listings on Multiple Platforms

If you decide to list on both Airbnb and Booking.com, consider the following strategies:

Use a Channel Manager: Invest in software that synchronizes your listings across platforms, automatically updating calendars and availability to prevent double bookings.

Standardize Your Listings: Create a consistent brand across platforms, but tailor your listing titles and descriptions to each platform's audience.

Optimize Pricing: Consider setting slightly different prices on each platform based on their fee structures and typical guest expectations. Utilize AirDNA’s dynamic pricing tool to set data-driven rates.

Leverage Platform Strengths: Use Airbnb for promoting unique experiences and longer stays and leverage Booking.com for shorter stays at more traditional properties.

Monitor Performance: Regularly review your performance on each platform. Be prepared to adjust your strategy based on which platform is delivering better results for your specific property.

Manage Reviews Carefully: Maintain high standards across both Airbnb and Booking.com, as positive reviews will boost your visibility on each platform.

Consider Workload: Assess whether you have the capacity to manage multiple platforms effectively. Quality of service shouldn't suffer as you expand your reach.

Test and Learn: Start with one platform and gradually expand. This allows you to learn each system thoroughly before adding complexity.

Ultimately, the decision to list on Booking.com vs Airbnb or both depends on your specific circumstances, including your property type, location, target guests, and management capacity. Many successful vacation rental owners find that listing on both platforms maximizes their exposure and bookings, despite the added complexity.

Focus on one platform initially to help you learn the ropes without becoming overwhelmed. You can always expand to an additional platform once you've established a solid foundation for your vacation rental business.

Your pricing strategy should be as unique as your rental property.

Torn between Booking.com vs Airbnb for your STR? We get it—choosing the right platform is tough! Our guide breaks it down for you.

Booking.com vs. Airbnb for Hosts

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