Choosing between Airbnb or Booking is one of the most important steps when you decide to rent a property short-term. Every owner strives to achieve high occupancy, good reviews and maximum profit. But which platform is better for you? In this article, we will compare the two most popular platforms in detail, based on our experience over the years and help you choose the best one for your property.
Airbnb: A more flexible platform with a more personal experience
Airbnb is the platform created “all about experience”. It focuses on cozy, interesting homes and personal contact between host and guest.
The story of the platform begins with its two founders deciding to rent out a mattress on the floor of their San Francisco apartment. Events unfold in 2007, when the US financial crisis was in full swing. For one thing, hotel prices are so expensive that many people can't afford them. On the other, property prices and rents are also high and the ability to sublet some of your space is quickly attracting a large fan base. Their idea grew into a platform with 10,000 users and 2,500 listings in just 6 months.
From the beginning, Airbnb's goal has been to build a community of people with a commitment to experience, comfort and quality accommodation. Currently, the platform has over 5 million registered hosts with nearly 8 million listings. Airbnb have created a place, where these people can connect and exchange experiences, ideas and advice with each other, making this community a phenomenon. Each host is able to ask questions to the other 5 million, connect with other hosts locally, and easily seek assistance directly from the Airbnb support desk.
This history and the overall way Airbnb is built and operates also explain the more specific profile of guests that come from there. It's favored by younger and tech-oriented travelers. People who choose Airbnb are looking for experiences, not just accommodation. Or, for example, they're looking to rent a place with a grand piano.
Airbnb boasts a host of features that make it easy to manage your property, communicate with guests and ensure a comfortable stay.
More communicative and experienced guests
Airbnb users are generally more familiar with the platform's terms and have experience with short-term rentals. They are used to communicating with hosts, asking questions and expecting recommendations about the area. This makes communication easier and more pleasant.
Faster payout
Airbnb transfers the funds within 5-7 days of the guest checking in, while Booking pays the bookings once a month for the previous month. If you need faster cash flow, Airbnb is a better choice.
24/7 support for both guests and hosts
Airbnb's support is significantly more responsive and reliable compared to Booking, where support is often cumbersome and does not resolve issues quickly and efficiently enough.
Lower commission, more revenue for you
Airbnb deducts only 3% from the hosts' amount, while Booking's commission is 15%.
More flexible and easy-to-use promotional tools
Airbnb offers many discount options - for example, for longer stays, first-time guests or last-minute bookings. These tools are intuitive and quick to set up.
Automatic property insurance with every booking
Airbnb offers insurance that covers damage to the property in full. Booking offers up to £200 compensation, which must be activated manually. If not activated, Booking is not liable for damages and refers the host to a direct settlement with the guest, which rarely results in compensation.
A more adequate evaluation system
Ratings on Airbnb are property-focused, whereas Booking often includes criteria typical of hotel accommodation - such as „staff“, „reception“, etc., which are not always applicable to private properties.
More international traffic
Airbnb has greater coverage among expats and tourists, especially for properties in central locations. Booking attracts more local customers and is strong in resort areas.
Invoicing after each booking
Airbnb allows you to download an invoice after each booking, making it easier for hosts to account for their spending. While Booking sends a general invoice once a month.
Additional bonuses and programs
Airbnb provides a voucher of $100 per year for hosts, which can be used for personal travel. Also, there is an option to leave a review of the guest and see their rating - something that is missing on Booking.
Ability to offer unique experiences
Airbnb allows hosts to offer additional experiences - tours, cooking classes, and more. It also maintains a Unique Stays category - perfect for RVs, treehouses, and other unusual properties. If you have a unique property, you can stand out there, and you probably won't get 1 booking on Booking.
Focused entirely on private properties
Airbnb has from the beginning been a platform focused on short-term rentals, while Booking originated in the hotel business and is still adapting its features to apartments and private homes.
Booking.com: More suitable for resort locations and business stays
Booking.com is one of the largest booking platforms in the world, with extremely high traffic, especially among European and domestic travellers. The platform has a more traditional approach, targeting hotels, but in recent years has also adapted to short-term rental properties.
Booking.com has a wider and more diverse audience
Older travellers, families with children and business travellers often choose Booking as they are looking for standard accommodation with straightforward facilities.
Booking.com is more popular locally
Booking is the first choice of many travelers, especially for short trips or business visits. Bookings are often made at the last minute.
Suitable for resort areas
Booking.com is strong in resorts and destinations that attract Bulgarian tourists, especially during the summer months.
Genius loyalty programme
Guests accumulate discounts and bonuses, which motivates them to book more often through the platform.
Disadvantages of Booking:
- 15% host fee - significantly higher than Airbnb. This directly impacts profit and requires more accurate pricing.
- More trivial payout - once a month. Creates tension in revenue management, especially in months with less activity.
- A more difficult relationship with support - the support team is difficult to reach and often there is no solution to the owner's benefit.
- Limited damage coverage - maximum 200 BGN and only if the insurance is activated. In most cases of damage, Booking advises hosts to seek compensation directly from guests, outside the platform. This means that when renting on Booking, it is advisable for each host to have insurance for their property.
- No opportunity for the host to rate the guests - there is no bilateral liability. This can lead to bookings from guests with inappropriate behavior without consequence.
- A more confused evaluation system - includes categories such as „staff“ that are not relevant for apartments. This often results in a lower rating for properties simply because the rating system is not adapted for them.
Airbnb or Booking: which platform to choose?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer - it all depends on the type of property you have, what kind of guests you want to attract, where the property is located and what kind of experience you want to offer. If you have a cozy downtown apartment geared towards young travelers, Airbnb is an excellent choice. If you have an apartment that can meet the expectations of business travelers or families, Booking can get you good results.
If you are unsure which platform is best for your property, the Rentify.bg team is here to help with analysis, strategy and professional management.
🔗 We also recommend that you take a look at:
- How to set your price correctly on Airbnb and Booking?
- How to turn an old apartment into a profitable property?
