Each booking site brings different guests, charges different fees and needs different work. Most successful hosts don't choose one. They start with the platform that suits their home best, then add others once their calendars are in sync. Here's how the big three compare.
What could your home earn?
Free and instant. Nobody rings you unless you ask them to.
Key takeaways
- Airbnb charges most UK hosts about 15.5%, Booking.com around 15%, and Vrbo around 8%.
- 81% of Brighton short-let listings are on Airbnb, 14% on Vrbo and 5% on Booking.com.
- Each platform attracts different guests.
- Start on Airbnb, then add Booking.com and Vrbo once calendars are in sync.
- More platforms mean more bookings, but also more work.
Contents
How do the fees compare?
- Airbnb: most UK hosts now pay a single host-only fee. Hostfully explains Airbnb now charges most hosts a single host-only service fee of 15.5% of the booking subtotal.
- Booking.com: commission varies, but Wise says the base rate for most standard properties sits right around 15%.
- Vrbo: Hostfully explains Vrbo charges hosts a 5% commission on each booking plus a 3% payment processing fee, around 8% in total.
Which platform do Brighton hosts use?
Airbnb dominates. BNBCalc's Brighton data shows Airbnb (81%) of short-let listings on Airbnb, with 14% on Vrbo and 5% on Booking.com. Fewer listings on Vrbo and Booking.com means less competition there.
Who books on each?
- Airbnb: couples, friends and families, from weekend breaks to longer stays.
- Booking.com: a wide mix, including business travellers and people who usually book hotels.
- Vrbo: families and groups looking for a whole home, often for longer.
Which is the most work?
Each platform needs its own listing, calendar, messages and reviews. Airbnb guests often message before booking. Booking.com guests often book instantly, so house rules must be clear upfront. The more platforms you use, the more important it is to keep calendars in sync.
Which should you start with?
- Most homes: start on Airbnb, where most guests look.
- Add Booking.com to reach business travellers and fill quieter weeks.
- Add Vrbo if your home suits families and groups.
Read Airbnb fees for hosts, the Booking.com extranet explained and Vrbo for UK hosts.
Would you rather someone else ran the platforms?
Every platform has its own calendar, inbox, fees and rules. Keeping them all in step, day and night, is a job in itself. That job is what we do, for 12% + VAT of what each booking earns. If your home doesn't earn, neither do we.
Frequently asked questions
Which platform is cheapest for hosts?
Vrbo, at around 8% per booking, against about 15% on Airbnb and Booking.com.
Should I list on more than one platform?
Usually, yes, once your calendars are synced, to reach more guests.
Which platform is best in Brighton?
Airbnb has the most listings and guests, but Vrbo and Booking.com have less competition.
Do guests pay fees on every platform?
It varies. Booking.com shows your price with no added guest fee. Vrbo adds a guest service fee.
How do I avoid double bookings?
Sync your calendars, ideally with a channel manager.
Related guides
Sources
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax or insurance advice. Market figures are averages as of the date shown above and change every month. Speak to a qualified professional before you act on anything here.