So, you’ve got a rental property and you’re ready to start earning some extra cash—great! Now you’re probably wondering where to list your property: Airbnb or Booking.com? Both are excellent options, but there are some key differences between them. Let’s break down the five main factors that might help you decide.
Type of Property
Airbnb is all about renting out apartments, homes, and unique spaces. When you list on Airbnb, your competition is other individual hosts—people renting out their cozy apartments or quirky homes. Booking.com, on the other hand, started with hotels and later expanded to vacation rentals, so you're also competing with big hotels like Marriott and Hilton.
If you want your rental to be compared to other homes and apartments, Airbnb is the better fit. But if you don’t mind your property being compared to hotels, Booking.com might offer you more exposure to a wider audience.
Type of Guests
Airbnb guests are typically looking for a more personal, local experience. Think about someone staying in a charming flat in Paris, hoping to feel like a local for a few days.
On Airbnb, guests expect that unique, homey vibe. Booking.com guests, however, tend to expect a more hotel-like experience. They’re often used to booking full-service hotels and may expect that same level of professionalism when booking your property. This difference in guest expectations is important to consider when deciding which platform aligns best with the experience you want to offer.
Commissions
Commissions are where things can get tricky. Airbnb charges hosts around 3%, which sounds great at first glance. But, they also add a "service fee" for guests, which can make the total price seem higher.
Booking.com charges a much higher commission rate—between 12% and 30%—but they don’t tack on extra fees for the guest. While the higher commission might seem like a downside, it could make your listing look more affordable to potential guests since the rate they see is the rate they’ll pay.
Booking Control
If you like having control over who stays at your property, Airbnb might be the platform for you.
Airbnb lets hosts review booking requests and approve or decline them based on the guest’s profile and reviews. This gives you the power to choose who you feel comfortable hosting.
On Booking.com, bookings are automatic—guests book instantly, and the reservation is confirmed. While this can lead to more bookings without any effort on your part, it also means less control over who stays at your property.
Guest Ratings
One of the benefits of Airbnb is its guest verification and rating system. Guests are required to verify their identity, and hosts can leave reviews after a stay, giving you insight into who’s booking your space. This system helps ensure that guests are accountable for their behavior.
On Booking.com, there’s no such rating system for guests. Once someone books, you won’t have much information about them beyond their name, making it harder to vet potential guests.
Conclusion
Both Airbnb and Booking.com offer fantastic opportunities for short-term rental owners, but each platform has its pros and cons.
If you’re looking for a more personal, host-focused experience, Airbnb might be the better option. But if you want to tap into a larger pool of travelers, including those accustomed to hotels, Booking.com is worth considering. In the end, you might find that using both platforms gives you the best of both worlds.
At Revolvio, we’re here to help you navigate the ins and outs of both platforms. We can optimize your listings and manage everything from pricing to guest communication, helping you maximize your property’s potential.