Plum Guide is ideal for travelers seeking guaranteed quality and exceptional service, while Airbnb is better suited for those who prioritize variety, flexibility, and budget-friendly options. Plum Guide's rigorous vetting process ensures a higher standard of properties, but Airbnb's extensive selection and global reach offer more choices for diverse travel needs.
| Attribute | Plum Guide | Airbnb |
|---|---|---|
| Average price per night | Listings range from $70 to $3,000 per night, average around $300-$700. One-bedroom: ~$250/night. Larger homes (2-4 bedrooms): ~$1,000/night. | Average nightly rate in the US is $140 (ranging from <$50 to >$1000). Globally, the average in 2021 was $137. North America averages $208/night, Europe $114/night. |
| Property types available | Homes, apartments, and villas. Exclusively whole properties. | Shared rooms, private islands, entire place, private room, hotel room, shared room, apartments, houses, villas, bungalows, townhouses, guest suites, chalets, cabins, flats, cottages, hotels, hostels, and resorts. |
| Geographic coverage | 500+ locations across 29 countries. Launching in 60 new destinations by the end of 2024. | Listings in over 220 countries and regions, reaching at least 100,000 cities worldwide. Biggest market is Europe, followed by Asia Pacific, and North America. |
| Quality control process for property selection | Rigorous vetting (150+ point test), in-person inspection by Home Critics. Accept top 3% of properties. Factors: design, comfort, amenities, location, cleanliness, noise, Wi-Fi, pillow fluffiness. Host vetting: responsiveness and attentiveness. | Airbnb Plus homes must be well maintained and pass quality checks. Luxe category has 2000 properties worldwide, satisfying nearly 300 criteria. |
| Guest review score average | 4.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. | Average rating is 4.7 stars. Superhosts need over 4.8 stars. |
| Cancellation policy flexibility | 7 tiers: Relaxed (full refund 24 hours before), Reasonable (5 days before), Moderate (30 days before/50% refund 7 days before), Firm (50% refund 7 days before), SuperFirm (50% refund 14 days before), SuperFirm30 (50% refund 30 days before), SuperFirm60 (50% refund 60 days before). | Offers Flexible, Moderate, Firm, and Strict policies. |
| Customer support availability and responsiveness | 24/7 customer support via LiveChat. Dedicated care team. | Airbnb mediator support available if hosts and guests can't agree. Issues must be reported within 72 hours of discovery. |
| Unique amenities offered | Private chefs, airport transfers, housekeeping, concierge, 'matchmaking' service. High-end kitchen appliances, premium toiletries, unique design. | Private hot tubs, fully stocked kitchens, cozy fireplaces, breakfast, private/shared pool, free parking, EV charger, gym, hot tub, single-level home, beach essentials. |
| Booking platform user-friendliness | User-friendly with a straightforward booking process. | Easy to search, book, and manage accommodations. Guests can find pet-friendly homes, entire apartments, or places with kitchens. |
| Security deposit requirements | Some hosts charge a security deposit. | Hosts can charge a security deposit through Airbnb, but it's handled separately from the booking cost. |
| Cleaning fees and policies | Cleaning fees set by host. Cleaning guidelines for hosts to ensure properties are properly cleaned and sanitized. | Cleaning fee is a one-time charge hosts add to cover cleaning costs between guests. |
| Pet-friendly options | Some properties are pet-friendly. | Guests can find pet-friendly homes. |