Choosing Airbnb or Booking.com is one of the most important decisions when listing your property for short-term rental. Every host wants high occupancy, great reviews, and maximum income. But which platform is the right fit for you? In this article, we compare Airbnb and Booking in depth—based on our hands-on experience—and help you decide what’s best for your rental.
Airbnb: a more flexible platform & personal experience
Airbnb was built around the idea of unique, memorable stays. The platform emphasizes cozy, characterful spaces and direct communication between guests and hosts.
The story began when the two founders decided to rent out an air mattress in their San Francisco apartment during a design conference in 2007. At the time, hotel prices were too high for many visitors, and the idea of sharing living space quickly gained traction. Within just six months, Airbnb had 10,000 users and 2,500 listings.
From the start, Airbnb aimed to create a global community of people who care about hospitality, comfort, and personal connection. Today, the platform has over 5 million hosts and nearly 8 million listings. It also fosters one of the most active host communities – where you can ask questions, share tips, or connect with others locally and globally. Airbnb also offers quick and helpful support to both guests and hosts, contributing to its strong reputation.
Because of the platform’s nature, it tends to attract a specific guest profile—usually younger, more tech-savvy travelers who value experiences over just accommodation. Some even search for properties based on very specific features, like having a giant piano or unique interior design.
Airbnb comes with a range of tools that make property management and guest communication easier, helping hosts offer a seamless and comfortable stay.
Experienced and communicative guests
Airbnb users are often familiar with how the platform works and have stayed in short-term rentals before. They’re used to asking questions and appreciate recommendations from hosts, which makes communication smoother.
Faster payouts
Airbnb sends payments 5–7 days after check-in. In comparison, Booking pays out once per month, which can slow your cash flow.
24/7 support for both guests and hosts
Airbnb’s support is generally faster and more effective than Booking’s, where assistance can be slow and less solution-oriented.
Lower commission = more income for you
Airbnb charges a 3% commission, compared to Booking’s 15%.
User-friendly promotional tools
Airbnb makes it easy to set up discounts for longer stays, first-time guests, or last-minute bookings. The tools are intuitive and take just minutes to activate.
Automatic insurance with every booking on Аirbnb
Airbnb offers damage protection for your property with every booking. Booking.com requires manual activation for limited coverage (up to around 200 BGN), and often hosts are left to resolve issues directly with guests.
Fairer review system
Airbnb reviews are based on the property itself. Booking reviews include hotel-style categories like “staff” or “reception,” which don’t apply to private rentals and can lower ratings unfairly.
Stronger international reach
Airbnb performs better among international travelers—especially for centrally located rentals. Booking has more traction among local guests and resort-goers.
Invoicing made easier
Airbnb lets you download an invoice for each individual booking. Booking sends one consolidated invoice each month.
Extra perks and host rewards
Airbnb offers a $100 travel voucher each year for hosts. You can also rate your guests and view their reviews—an accountability feature missing from Booking.
Local experiences offering
Airbnb allows you to list additional services like walking tours, cooking classes, and more. The platform also features a “unique stays” category—ideal if you offer something out of the ordinary like a treehouse or caravan. Such listings might not even get visibility on Booking.
Built for private rentals from day one
Airbnb has always been tailored to private, short-term rentals. Booking started in the hotel industry and is still adjusting its features for apartments and homes.
Booking.com: better for resorts and business stays
Booking.com is one of the largest travel platforms in the world, with high traffic among European and local tourists. Its approach is more traditional, initially focused on hotels, but now expanding to short-term rentals.
Broader and more diverse audience
Booking appeals to older travelers, families, and business professionals looking for standard accommodation with clear policies.
Stronger local presence
Many domestic travelers rely on Booking for weekend getaways or work-related trips. Bookings often happen last-minute.
Ideal for resort areas
Booking performs well in holiday resorts and seasonal tourist destinations—particularly among Bulgarian tourists during summer.
Genius loyalty program
Frequent guests earn discounts and bonuses, encouraging them to book through the platform regularly.
Booking.com also comes with some drawbacks:
- Higher commission (15%) – this significantly affects your profit margins and demands tighter pricing strategies.
- Slower payouts (once per month) – this delay can create pressure when managing your cash flow, especially during low seasons.
- Limited support – reaching Booking’s support team is often difficult, and cases are rarely resolved in the host’s favor.
- Minimal damage coverage – Booking offers up to 200 BGN in coverage, only if manually activated. Hosts are frequently advised to handle damages directly with guests, which rarely results in compensation. For Booking listings, having your own property insurance is highly recommended.
- No guest reviews or ratings – there’s no accountability system for guests. This increases the risk of problematic stays with no way to flag or rate poor behavior.
- Unfitting review categories – Booking uses hotel-style review categories (e.g., “staff,” “reception”) that don’t reflect the reality of private rentals, which leads to lower scores for reasons that don’t apply to your property.
So, Airbnb or Booking – which platform should you choose?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right platform depends on your property type, its location, the kind of guests you want to attract, and the experience you aim to provide. If you own a cozy downtown apartment targeting younger travelers, Airbnb is likely your best bet. If you have a property suited for business trips or family vacations, Booking may yield better results.
Still unsure which platform suits your property best? The Rentify.bg team is here to help—from strategic setup to full property management, we’ve got you covered.
🔗 Also check out:
- How to set the right price on Airbnb and Booking
- Why short-term rental is a smart investment in 2025
