Although the answer is not clear-cut, Vrbo is the second most popular short-term rental platform in the world, and in many ways is the best alternative to the market leader, Airbnb. There was a surge in short-term rental investment post the COVID-19 pandemic as boundaries were reopened and travel restrictions relaxed. This further popularized Vrbo, Airbnb, and other short-term rental platforms. 

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As the industry expands and new products that assist travelers are discovered/ invented, Airbnb and Vrbo have maintained a stronghold in the short-term rental and vacation market. Investors and owners need to understand the dynamics of Airbnb Vs. Vrbo and see how they can best utilize the platforms to maximize their ROIs.

Despite Airbnb’s market popularity, investors and owners are leaning towards Vrbo for various strategic reasons. So, how is Vrbo better when it comes to managing short-term investment properties? Here are five ways that the platform has an upper hand over Airbnb.

5 Reasons Why Investors/ Owners Prefer Vrbo to Airbnb

1. Vrbo’s Targeted Audience is More Profitable to Short-Term Rental Owners

Vrbo has strategically positioned itself as a platform primarily catering to families and larger groups seeking vacation rentals. This focus allows property owners with larger accommodations or properties to attract guests willing to pay a premium for spacious and family-oriented amenities. 

Since these groups often book for longer stays, the revenue potential is higher, with fewer vacancy periods between bookings. Airbnb, on the other hand, caters to a broader audience, including solo travelers and business guests. 

While this opens up a wider pool of potential guests, the varied audience can lead to more frequent short-term bookings, requiring more effort in turnover and potentially leading to more wear and tear on the property.

2. Vrbo’s Fee Structure Potentially Leads to Better Net Earnings From Rentals

Vrbo offers a fee structure that can be more favorable to owners, particularly for those managing multiple properties or high-value listings. With options for annual subscriptions or per-booking commissions, owners can choose the model that best fits their rental activity level, potentially reducing costs and increasing net earnings.

Airbnb charges a flat host service fee for each booking, which is a percentage of the booking total. While this model is straightforward, for high-revenue properties or those with consistent bookings, the costs can add up, impacting the owner’s bottom line.

3. Vrbo Allows For a Broader Range of Property Types

Vrbo is known for listing a wide variety of property types, emphasizing vacation homes, larger properties, and unique accommodations. Better inclusivity allows owners of non-traditional rental properties to tap into a large market of travelers looking for unique experiences, from beach houses to mountain cabins.

Airbnb also offers a range of property types but has a significant share of its listings as private rooms or smaller spaces in urban areas. While this diversification serves its broad customer base, owners of larger or more unique properties may find a more targeted audience on Vrbo.

4. Vrbo Provides More Control of Booking Policies to Owners

Vrbo offers owners more autonomy over their booking policies, including cancellations, minimum stay requirements, and booking acceptance. This level of control can be crucial for owners who prefer to vet their guests or have specific requirements to protect their properties.

Airbnb has standardized booking policies that prioritize flexibility for guests, including more lenient cancellation policies. While beneficial for attracting guests, this model can sometimes leave owners feeling vulnerable to last-minute cancellations and loss of revenue.

5. Vrbo Has Better Customer Support 

Vrbo has built a reputation for providing excellent customer support to its owners, offering dedicated helplines, online resources, and forums for owners to share advice and solve problems. 

Airbnb also offers support to its hosts but has faced criticism for being harder to reach and slower to resolve issues, especially during peak times. The larger size and broader focus of Airbnb may contribute to these challenges, impacting owner satisfaction.

Increase Your Short-Term Rental ROIs With The Short-Term Shop

So is Vrbo better than Airbnb? If you are looking for better customer support during peak bookings, need more control with booking and cancelation, and are targeting larger groups seeking vacation rentals, then yes, Vrbo will be a better option for you.

Ultimately, the choice between Airbnb vs. Vrbo will depend on your preference, target audience, and investment strategy. The Short Term Shop can help you analyze and break down your property’s needs. We’ll provide you with a road map on the best platforms and technologies to maximize your ROIs through our beginner’s guide to investing in short-term rental properties

If you desire to know more about Airbnb investing and how you can put your money into the most lucrative short-term rentals and vacation properties in the US, schedule a call with one of our exclusive short-term rental agents.

Frequently Asked Investor Questions About Vrbo Vs. Airbnb