Both Booking.com Homes & Apartments and VRBO offer extensive options for vacation rentals, with key differences in cancellation policies, booking fees, and review systems. Booking.com provides more standardized policies, while VRBO offers greater flexibility for hosts. User feedback highlights the importance of cleanliness, accurate property descriptions, and responsive hosts for both platforms.
| Attribute | Booking.com Homes & Apartments | VRBO |
|---|---|---|
| Property Types | Apartments, houses, hotels, B&Bs, villas, hostels, guest houses, resorts, unique accommodations (yurts, yachts), cottages, condos, vacation rentals, tiny houses, cabins, glamping sites, bungalows | Houses, condos, apartments, cabins, cottages, villas, chalets, bungalows, townhouses, farmhouses, boats, yachts, castles, and mills |
| Price Range | Various price ranges depending on location | Owners set rental prices; nightly or weekly fees. Research comparable properties recommended. |
| Cancellation Policies | Flexible (cancel without penalty within a specific timeframe), Partially Refundable (cancellation possible with a fee, usually 50% or the first night's cost), Non-Refundable (full amount charged upon cancellation unless local laws state otherwise). Fees range from 10% to 50% of the total reservation cost. | Set by the host |
| Booking Fees | Free to list; hosts pay a commission on each reservation | Pay-per-booking: 5% commission on rental amount + 3% payment processing fee; Annual subscription: Flat fee (e.g., $699 per year) |
| Payment Options | Credit cards, PayPal, Alipay, WeChat Pay, Payments by Booking.com (bank transfer or virtual credit card), direct payment to hosts (credit card, bank transfer, or cash) | VRBO handles transactions with a 3% processing fee |
| Availability Calendar Accuracy | All bookings are auto-confirmed; hosts must keep calendars updated | Hosts expected to keep calendars updated to avoid double bookings. Listings may be removed if not updated. |
| Host Responsiveness | Hosts are often responsive and helpful | Hosts expected to respond to inquiries within 24 hours |
| Cleaning Fees and Standards | Hosts can charge cleaning fees and security deposits | Cleaning fees set by hosts. Cleanliness is key for guest satisfaction. |
| Location Accuracy | Many properties are in great and central locations | Advertising region must be as exact as possible. VRBO won't share exact address, but uses info for rough location on map. |
| Amenities Offered | WiFi, parking, kitchens | WiFi, parking, air conditioning and heating, shower and/or bathtub, laundry facilities, toiletries and toilet paper |
| Pet Policies | Displayed under 'House rules' on the property's page | Determined by the host |
| Guest Review Scores | Scores are between 1 and 10; overall score is calculated by averaging all review scores | Two-way review system. Guests can submit property review on a scale of 1 to 10, and provide sub-scores for aspects like cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, and accuracy. |