Amp up your short-term rental game and reach more guests. Whether you're a seasoned host or just getting started, choosing the right websites to post your listings on can be a game-changer for the success of your property.
We’ll dive into 6 top-notch rental platforms that cater to hosts exactly like you: hosts who want to maximize their property’s occupancy while still providing top-notch experiences for guests.
Here are the best short term rental sites that offer the tools and visibility you need to succeed:
- Airbnb: Best Overall Short-Term Rental Website
- Vrbo: Best for Whole Home Rentals
- Booking.com: Best for Urban Properties
- Expedia: Best for Flexible Booking Options
- Agoda: Best for Attracting International Guests
- TripAdvisor: Best for Getting Detailed Reviews
How We Selected the Best Short-Term Rental Websites
The right platform or platforms to list your short-term rental can mean a huge jump in revenue. As hosts ourselves, we know how crucial it is to find the best websites to maximize your bookings.
To make sure we bring you the best short term rental sites, we considered these six key criteria:
- Booking Volume: We evaluated each platform based on the volume of bookings it generates so that you have the opportunities to fill up your calendar.
- Ease of Use: We looked for websites that are user-friendly, offering straightforward processes and intuitive interfaces.
- Host Support: It’s essential that you receive excellent support when you need it, so we prioritized platforms with responsive support services.
- Reach: We considered the reach of each website, aiming for platforms that attract guests from around the globe and not just within the country.
- Fee Structure: Transparent and fair fee structures are important, and we looked for platforms with reasonable pricing models.
- Guest Quality: Lastly, we focused on platforms that attract reliable guests who will respect your property and house rules.
For short-term rentals, the best overall platform to list your property on is Airbnb. This household name is practically synonymous with short term rentals. With a user-friendly interface and robust hosting tools, your property can easily attract guests from all over the world using Airbnb.
1. Airbnb: Best Overall Short-Term Rental Website
As an aspiring host, you probably already know why Airbnb is the top pick for those in the industry. It’s more than just a booking platform—it’s a whole community where people can showcase their properties and connect with other hosts.
Setting up your listing on Airbnb is straightforward, and their support team is there to guide you every step of the way.
Listing your place on Airbnb doesn’t cost a thing upfront, and while Airbnb has various payment schemes, most hosts choose to pay a service fee of 3% from each booking. This fee is very low, compared to other booking platforms.
The review system on Airbnb is a big plus too. It helps build trust with guests and, if you successfully market your property and get a string of good reviews going, it can easily snowball into something more.
However, Airbnb is extremely saturated, and as a new host you may have trouble “breaking in” and setting your property apart. Airbnb is also very guest-centric—for example, for the advantage of guests, Airbnb has a very strict criteria for Superhosts. Hosts need a consistent 4.8 rating over 365+ days to retain their Superhost status, among other considerations.
Despite these quirks, Airbnb continues to lead the pack, offering both unmatched exposure and support for aspiring, and seasoned, hosts.
2. Vrbo: Best for Whole Home Rentals
If you prefer renting out entire homes or large properties, Vrbo is your go-to platform. Vrbo stands out because it focuses solely on vacation rentals that are separate units (this is actually included in their terms of service), and it’s designed specifically for hosts who want to attract groups looking for more space and privacy during their vacations.
Signing up with Vrbo involves one of two payment schemes: a pay-per-booking scheme, which is a steep 8% (5% service fee and a 3% credit card processing fee), or a one-time annual subscription fee of $499 charged upfront.
These fees might seem daunting, especially for hosts just starting out. However, Vrbo’s commitment to whole home rentals means you’ll have a higher chance to attract guests looking for longer stays, which can help maximize your overall income.
The support team at Vrbo is top-notch—they’re known for being responsive and helpful, which is important when managing multiple bookings. Keep in mind though, Vrbo’s reach may not be as extensive as some other platforms, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons based on your specific needs.
3. Booking.com: Best for Urban Properties
For hosts with properties in bustling cities, Booking.com is the platform of choice. Booking.com excels in connecting with travelers who want to experience city life, whether they’re there for business or sightseeing.
Booking.com’s reach is impressive, with hundreds of millions of verified guests from around the world. According to some sites, Booking.com gets over 100 million unique visitors per month!
Getting started on Booking.com is free—you only pay a commission fee for each booking. This fee varies depending on factors like add-ons, and is anywhere from 10%–25%.
Yes, that fee is extremely steep. But Booking.com’s strong web presence means your listing stands out among travelers, especially those specifically searching for city stays.
One of the best things about Booking.com is their Genius program, which rewards hosts who participate with more exposure. There are certain criteria you have to hit before being eligible to participate, but these criteria are much less stringent than Airbnb’s Superhost program.
Aspiring hosts should also be aware of Booking.com’s cancellation policies, which can prioritize guest satisfaction during busy seasons. Still, Booking.com remains a top choice for hosts wanting to maximize their urban property’s exposure.
4. Expedia: Best for Flexible Booking Options
Guests love flexibility when it comes to booking arrangements, which is why they flock to Expedia. This is great news for hosts on the platform because it means more bookings and happier guests overall.
Aside from its massive reach, these flexible arrangements also work out in your favor. Whether you're offering last-minute deals, discounts on longer stays, or tweaking your prices based on demand, Expedia's platform is designed to help you fill your calendar.
Flexible cancellation policies are a big plus, too. They can really save the day when guests cancel at the last minute, and Expedia says these policies lead to more bookings overall.
Listing your place on Expedia is free, and they take a commission of 10%–30% on each booking. Yes, the commission can be a bit steep, but remember, you're not paying for cancellations, which can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Expedia is designed to help hosts adapt to the market. On the platform, you can easily attract all sorts of guests, from business travelers needing a short stay to families planning longer vacations. The flexibility it offers not only keeps your property competitive but also helps you stay fully booked.
5. Agoda: Best for Attracting International Guests
If you're aiming to reach guests from all over the world, but especially travelers from Asia, Agoda is a fantastic choice. It's the most popular online travel agency in many Asian countries and specializes at connecting hosts with international travelers, which is perfect if your property is in a tourist hotspot or a unique destination.
Getting your property listed on Agoda is free, but they do charge a commission fee of 15% to 25% per booking. This fee depends on things like your property's location and any extra taxes you might need to pay. The good news is that Agoda's localized approach and multilingual support make your listing attractive to a range of international guests.
Agoda's support team is also top-notch both in their knowledge and in their responsiveness. While Agoda's presence in the West might not be as strong as platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com, it still offers unique opportunities to showcase your property to a more global audience.
6. TripAdvisor: Best for Getting Detailed Reviews
You know how important guest feedback is for a host’s success. That’s why TripAdvisor is a great choice for hosts who want to build a strong reputation through detailed reviews. Travelers tend to trust TripAdvisor’s review system, which can help attract new guests to your property.
Listing your property on TripAdvisor is free, and they have no commission fees, but they do charge a 3% processing fee for payments made through their site.
Aside from their unique payment structure, this review-focused platform gives hosts invaluable feedback from guests, which can help you continually improve.
Having such a system means that you’ll have to spend time managing reviews on TripAdvisor, and staying engaged and responsive can directly affect your property’s reputation and booking potential. But when you get positive reviews, it can really increase your property’s visibility and credibility. For hosts who are confident in this approach, TripAdvisor is a great tool.
Bottom Line
Whether you're a seasoned host or just starting out, there's a platform out there tailored to your needs. From experience, Airbnb is the most solid choice with its massive reach and user-friendly interface—that’s why it’s a go-to for many hosts. However, diversifying by listing on multiple platforms can maximize your property's visibility and booking potential. Each site has its unique strengths, so leverage them all to ensure you're reaching every corner of the market!
