Both Airbnb and Booking.com Homes offer unique advantages for hosts and guests. Airbnb focuses on standardized policies and essential amenities, while Booking.com Homes provides more flexibility for hosts in setting policies and fees. Booking.com also offers more comprehensive customer support. The choice between the two depends on individual preferences and priorities.
| Attribute | Airbnb | Booking.com Homes |
|---|---|---|
| Price per night | Average $137 globally in 2021, $208 in North America. Can range from less than $50 to over $1000 in the US. Cheaper for longer stays. | Varies significantly depending on location. Examples: Greater San Antonio ($678 average for a weekend), Arizona ($389 average for a weekend), Greensboro ($219-$531 average). |
| Cleaning fee | Average $161.10 in the US in 2025, but typically between $50 and $80. | Hosts set their own cleaning fees, deducted upfront from the guest. Host receives the full amount minus Booking.com's commission. |
| Service fee | Hosts pay around 3% of the booking subtotal. Guests can be charged up to 14.2% of the booking subtotal. | Booking.com charges hosts a commission, typically 10%-25% of the total booking cost. Average commission is about 15% globally. Applied to the gross booking amount, including cleaning fees and service charges, but excluding local taxes. |
| Cancellation policy | Flexible, moderate, firm, and strict options. Starting October 1, 2025, standard policies include a 24-hour cancellation period for a full refund. | Hosts can set their own cancellation policies, ranging from fully flexible to customized terms with specific timeframes for free cancellation. Non-refundable options can also be offered at discounted rates. |
| Location accuracy | Refers to how well the listing description reflects the actual space and proximity to desired attractions. | Booking platforms are not responsible for the accuracy of their hosts listing descriptions. It is recommended to always double check the exact location on Google maps. |
| Listing description accuracy | Refers to how well the listing description and photos reflect the actual space. | Booking platforms are not responsible for the accuracy of their hosts listing descriptions. |
| Host responsiveness | Hosts should respond within 24 hours to reservation requests, booking inquiries, and all other messages from guests. | Booking.com tracks host responsiveness through a Reply Score, reflecting how quickly and consistently the host replies to messages. A high score can improve listing visibility. |
| Check-in ease | Refers to how easy it is to find the property and unlock the front door upon arrival. Smart locks and detailed arrival guides simplify check-in. | Not available |
| Cleanliness | Essential for guest satisfaction, health, and hosting success. | Booking.com requires rental providers to maintain a minimum cleanliness score of 6 out of 10. Properties below this score are put on a warning list and must improve or risk removal from the platform. Cleanliness scores are based on guest reviews. |
| Amenities offered | Top amenities include Wi-Fi, a kitchen, free parking, a hot tub, and air conditioning or heating. Essential items include toilet paper, soap, towels, and linens. | Not available |
| Guest support availability | Airbnb's service fee covers customer support. | Booking.com offers 24/7 support in over 40 languages. |
| Security deposit | Most hosts are not allowed to charge security deposits since 2022 and the introduction of AirCover for Hosts program. | Hosts can request damage deposits from guests to cover potential damage. Booking.com does not collect security deposit payments; the host is responsible for arranging and collecting the payment directly with the guest. |