The Best Websites for Short-Term Rentals: A Complete Guide for Hosts

Looking for the best website for short-term rentals to list your vacation home? Whether you’re just starting out or trying to grow your bookings, choosing the right platforms can make a major difference. This guide breaks down the top websites for vacation rentals, what makes each unique, and how to pick the ones that align with your goals.

Who is this guide for? This resource is ideal for vacation rental owners, property managers, and hosts who want to increase visibility, reach new guests, and diversify their revenue streams by advertising on the best short-term rental websites.

Don’t see the form to download the Beginner’s Guide to Vacation Rental Online Marketing? Click here.

Why list on short-term rental websites?

One of the easiest and fastest ways to start getting bookings is to list your property on short-term rental websites. These platforms give you access to millions of travelers searching for vacation homes around the world.

Benefits of using vacation rental listing sites:

• Reach a global audience of potential guests

• Fill your booking calendar faster

• Build trust through platform protections and reviews

• Gain exposure without needing to market your property from scratch

If you’re wondering “how do I increase bookings for my vacation rental?”—this is one of the top strategies.

How to choose the best vacation rental website

With so many vacation home rental websites available, it’s essential to prioritize the ones that align with your property type, target audience, and business model.

Here’s what to look for when choosing the best websites for short-term rentals:

• Audience fit: Are you targeting families, digital nomads, or luxury travelers? Choose platforms that attract the guests you want.

• Fee structure: Compare commission-based models vs. annual subscriptions to find what works best for your budget and availability.

• Platform reach: Ensure the site has strong traffic and enough users to generate bookings consistently.

• Support: Look for 24/7 customer service and host resources that help resolve issues quickly.

Pro tip: Many hosts use a combination of listing sites plus a direct booking website to maximize exposure and reduce reliance on third-party platforms.

The 12 best websites for short-term rentals

Each of the following short-term rental websites offers something unique. From mainstream booking giants to niche platforms for pet lovers and luxury seekers, these are the top picks to help you get more visibility and reservations.

Airbnb

• Users: 275 million

• Fees:

  • Split fee: Hosts ~3%, guests up to 14.2%

  • Host-only fee: Hosts ~14–16%

• Listing types: Private rooms and entire homes

• Highlights: $3M in damage protection and $1M in liability insurance via AirCover

Airbnb is the largest and most popular short-term rental website in the world. With over 8 million listings in 100,000+ cities, it’s often the first choice for new hosts.

Learn how to become an Airbnb host.

Vrbo

• Visitors: 18 million unique visitors in 2024

• Fees:

  • Annual subscription: $499

  • Pay-per-booking: 3% processing + 5% commission

• Listing types: Entire properties only

• Highlights: Ideal for families and longer stays

As part of Expedia Group, Vrbo attracts high-spending guests looking for entire-home stays, especially in family-friendly destinations.

Learn how to succeed on Vrbo.

Booking.com

• Monthly visits: 400-550 million per month globally

• Fees: 10–25% commission per booking

• Listing types: Homes, apartments, and more

• Highlights: Global reach, promotions to boost bookings

Booking.com is known for its massive global audience and high-volume traffic. Its OTA-style search interface often attracts deal seekers and international travelers.

See how to succeed on Booking.com.

Agoda

• Users (EU): 45 million

• Fees: Commission (~15%, varies by location)

• Listing types: Wide variety including hotels and vacation rentals

• Highlights: Strong presence in Asia, free to list

Agoda is one of Asia’s leading travel tech platforms and is ideal for hosts targeting travelers from or to Asian destinations.

Expedia

• Users: 48 million

• Fees: 10–30% commission

• Listing types: Vacation homes, hotels, and more

• Highlights: Bundles with flights and car rentals, global exposure

Listing on Expedia also includes exposure on its partner sites like Hotels.com and Travelocity, expanding your reach automatically.

Check out our guide to listing on Expedia.

Hopper

• Users: 120 million worldwide

• Fees: None (fees are built into rates)

• Listing types: Entire properties

• Highlights: Exclusive user base, white-glove onboarding

Hopper stands out with its loyal app-based audience and hands-off setup for hosts.

Plum Guide

• Monthly visits: 114K

• Fees:

  • Split fee: 3% host + 12% guest

  • Host-only: 16.5%

  • $400 one-time joining fee

• Listing types: Curated, high-end properties

• Highlights: Rigorous quality standards, design support

If your property is truly exceptional, Plum Guide offers premium positioning and high-quality guests.

Get listed on Plum Guide.

Home & Villas Marriott

• Customers: 140 million+ Marriott loyalty members

• Fees: Customized per property

• Listing types: Premium and luxury homes only

• Highlights: Trusted hotel brand, Marriott Bonvoy points

This platform is best suited for professional property managers offering upscale properties.

Whimstay

• Users: 1.2+ million

• Fees: 3–5% commission

• Listing types: Professionally managed properties

• Highlights: Last-minute bookings, 400% booking growth in 2023

Whimstay specializes in filling gaps with last-minute deals—great for increasing occupancy quickly.

misterb&b

• Hosts: 310,000 in 135+ countries

• Fees: Minimum $12 per booking

• Listing types: LGBTQ+ friendly accommodations

• Highlights: Community-focused platform, nonprofit support

misterb&b is the largest vacation rental platform catering to the LGBTQ+ community, offering a welcoming experience for guests and hosts alike.

BringFido

• Visitors: 12+ million

• Fees: Free via integrations with Vrbo, Expedia, etc.

• Listing types: Pet-friendly rentals

• Highlights: Filters by pet policies, travel tools for pet owners

If you welcome furry guests, BringFido is a top platform for connecting with pet-loving travelers.

Glamping Hub

• Social followers: 125K+

• Fees: 4% per booking

• Listing types: Unique nature stays (e.g., domes, treehouses)

• Highlights: Strong SEO, Stripe integration, global reach

Perfect for eco-retreats, cabins, and other outdoor-focused properties.

FAQs about vacation rental websites

What is the best website for short-term rentals?

It depends on your goals. Airbnb is the largest, while Vrbo attracts longer stays, and Booking.com offers high international visibility. If you’re targeting specific audiences—like luxury travelers, pet owners, or LGBTQ+ guests—consider platforms like Plum Guide, BringFido, or misterb&b.

What’s the most popular vacation rental website?

Airbnb is the most popular and widely recognized vacation rental platform, with over 150 million users and 7+ million listings.

What is the largest short-term rental website?

Airbnb leads the industry in size, inventory, and global reach. It’s often the starting point for new hosts and a core listing site for experienced property managers.

Should you also build your own vacation rental website?

Absolutely. While third-party platforms help with discovery, creating your own short-term rental website increases your independence, improves guest loyalty, and helps you avoid commission fees. Many successful hosts combine major listing sites with their own direct booking website for long-term growth. After all, the more channels you list on—including your own—the more you can maximize occupancy, reduce gaps, and scale your business.

To make this easier, tools like Lodgify’s website builder let you create a custom vacation rental site with built-in booking features, channel manager integrations, and guest communication tools—all without needing to code.

Ready to build your own site and drive direct bookings? Sign up for a free 7-day trial of Lodgify to see how easy it can be.

Want more tips on marketing your short-term rental?

Download our free Beginner’s Guide to Vacation Rental Online Marketing to learn how to grow your bookings across every channel.

Don’t see the form to download the Beginner’s Guide to Vacation Rental Online Marketing? Click here.