Quick answer: On a $2,000 booking in late 2026, Airbnb's single host-paid fee of 15.5% leaves most hosts $1,690, Vrbo's 12% commission leaves $1,760, and a 15% Booking.com commission leaves $1,700.
Key Takeaways
Airbnb moved remaining hosts to a single host-paid fee on 15 September 2026 (13 October 2026 in the EU): 15.5% for most hosts, 14%–16% for others, 16% in Brazil and Mexico. Guests no longer see a separate service fee line at checkout.
From 29 October 2026, Vrbo pay-per-booking hosts pay a 12% commission (up to 15% in parts of Europe, Australia and New Zealand). Guests also pay a Vrbo service fee that varies by reservation amount.
Booking.com commission depends on your country, property type and agreement, and is built into the rate guests see. This guide uses 15% as an example.
At $60,000 a year in bookings, commission alone is $9,300 on Airbnb at 15.5%, $7,200 on Vrbo at 12% and $9,000 on Booking.com at 15%.
The 2026 fee structures have changed
Many fee guides still describe Airbnb's old split fee: about 3% from the host plus a 14.1%–16.5% service fee added for the guest. That model is gone for most hosts. Vrbo also changed its pay-per-booking terms on 29 October 2026. The figures below reflect the current rules.
Airbnb charges hosts a single 15.5% fee
Under the single fee, Airbnb deducts the whole fee from the host payout and the guest pays the price shown, with no separate service fee line. According to Airbnb's Help Center, most hosts pay 15.5%, others typically pay 14%–16%, and hosts in Brazil and Mexico pay 16%.
On a $2,000 booking:
Fee at 15.5%: $310
Host receives: $1,690
Guest pays: $2,000 (plus any taxes)
The guest no longer sees a fee added at checkout, but the cost has not disappeared. If you want to receive $2,000 from an Airbnb booking, the price has to be about $2,366.86 ($2,000 ÷ 0.845).
Vrbo charges a 12% commission plus a guest service fee
From 29 October 2026, Vrbo's booking fee for pay-per-booking hosts is a 12% commission on the rental amount and the extra fees you charge, such as cleaning and pet fees. When Vrbo processes the payment, there is no separate processing fee. Under the Professional Plan in parts of Europe, Australia and New Zealand, the commission can be up to 15%. Before 29 October, pay-per-booking hosts paid 5% commission plus 3% payment processing. Vrbo is not taking new subscription listings.
Guests pay a separate Vrbo service fee, a percentage of the reservation total that Vrbo says varies by reservation amount.
On a $2,000 booking:
Commission at 12%: $240
Host receives: $1,760
Guest pays: $2,000 plus Vrbo's service fee (plus any taxes)
Booking.com builds commission into the rate
Booking.com charges a commission on the total booking amount, including the room rate and extra fees such as cleaning. Booking.com's partner help page says the exact percentage depends on your country, property type and accommodation agreement, and it can be higher if you join programs such as Preferred Partner or Visibility Booster. Commission is invoiced monthly after guests check out.
Guests see one price, so the commission comes out of what you set. Using 15% as an example on a $2,000 booking:
Commission at 15%: $300
Host receives: $1,700
Guest pays: $2,000 (plus any taxes)
For more on Booking.com's terms beyond the commission rate, read Houfy vs Booking.com 2026: What Hosts Really Give Up.
Houfy takes no commission on bookings
Guests pay hosts directly through the host's own Stripe, Square or PayPal account, so the processor's normal payment fees apply.
On a $2,000 booking:
Commission: $0
Host receives: $2,000 before payment processing fees
Side-by-side: a $2,000 booking
Platform | Host fee | Host receives | Guest pays |
|---|---|---|---|
Airbnb (single fee, 15.5%) | $310 | $1,690 | $2,000 |
Vrbo (pay-per-booking, 12%) | $240 | $1,760 | $2,000 + service fee |
Booking.com (15% example) | $300 | $1,700 | $2,000 |
Houfy direct | $0 commission | $2,000 before payment processing | $2,000 |
Taxes are left out because they depend on location. Payment processing fees on Houfy depend on the host's own processor.
What each platform costs at $60,000 a year
Using the same rates on $60,000 of annual bookings:
Platform | Annual commission | Host net before other costs |
|---|---|---|
Airbnb at 15.5% | $9,300 | $50,700 |
Vrbo at 12% | $7,200 | $52,800 |
Booking.com at 15% | $9,000 | $51,000 |
Houfy direct | $0 | $60,000 before payment processing |
To calculate your own figure, multiply your annual booking revenue by your commission rate. Your exact Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com rates are shown in each platform's host dashboard or agreement.
Shifting part of your bookings to direct
Most hosts do not leave the large platforms overnight. A common approach is to keep listings on Airbnb, Vrbo or Booking.com for discovery and send repeat guests and direct inquiries to a Houfy listing or your own booking website.
As an example, a host with $60,000 in annual bookings who moves half of that ($30,000) from Airbnb to direct bookings avoids $4,650 a year in Airbnb fees at 15.5%. If revenue stays flat, that is $23,250 over five years, before payment processing fees.
A direct booking also gives you the guest's contact details, so you can reach past guests for future stays without paying a commission again. For a step-by-step plan, see how to move past Airbnb guests to direct booking.
Pricing direct bookings fairly
Because Airbnb's fee is now inside the price guests see, many hosts have raised their Airbnb rates to cover it. That makes your direct rate easier to explain. A host who prices an Airbnb stay at $2,366.86 to receive $2,000 can offer the same stay on Houfy at $2,000 and receive the same amount before payment processing. The guest pays less, and the host is no worse off.
Keep your rates consistent with any rate-parity terms in your platform agreements. Check each platform's current terms before advertising a lower direct price.
You can add your listing on Houfy or build a direct booking site with the Houfy website builder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Airbnb charge hosts in 2026?
Since 15 September 2026 (13 October 2026 in the EU), Airbnb charges most hosts a single fee of 15.5% of the booking subtotal, deducted from the payout. Some hosts pay 14%–16%, and hosts in Brazil and Mexico pay 16%. Guests no longer see a separate service fee line.
What does Vrbo charge hosts in 2026?
From 29 October 2026, Vrbo pay-per-booking hosts pay a 12% commission, or up to 15% in parts of Europe, Australia and New Zealand. There is no separate processing fee when Vrbo processes the payment. Guests also pay a Vrbo service fee that varies by reservation amount.
How much commission does Booking.com charge?
Booking.com says commission depends on your country, property type and accommodation agreement, and marketing programs can raise it. It is charged on the total booking amount, including extra fees such as cleaning, and is built into the price guests see. This guide uses 15% as an example.
What fees does Houfy charge hosts and guests?
Payment processor fees apply.
Can I list on Houfy and keep my Airbnb listing?
Yes. There is no exclusivity requirement on Houfy. Many hosts keep their Airbnb, Vrbo or Booking.com listings and use Houfy for direct bookings from new and returning guests. Connected software partners help keep calendars in sync.
Sources
Airbnb Help Center, service fees: airbnb.com/help/article/1857
Vrbo Help, how the booking fee is calculated: help.vrbo.com
Vrbo Help, guest service fee: help.vrbo.com
Booking.com for Partners, understanding your commission: partner.booking.com
Houfy has 100,000+ live listings in over 100 countries.
Last Updated: October 27, 2026
