The best vacation rental sites in 2026 are Airbnb and Vrbo for the widest choice of homes, Booking.com for city apartments, and Houfy for booking direct with the host. For monthly stays use Furnished Finder. For design-led homes use Plum Guide. To compare prices across sites, use HomeToGo.
The biggest difference between them is no longer the nightly rate. It's how fees are shown. Some sites build their fee into the price, some add a guest fee at checkout, and some charge the host instead. So compare the total for the same home and dates, not the headline rate.
The 10 sites at a glance
Site | Best for | What guests pay on top of the host's price |
|---|---|---|
Airbnb | The widest choice, worldwide | In most markets, no separate guest fee since autumn 2026. The host pays a fee, typically 15.5%, built into the price |
Vrbo | Whole homes for families and groups | A service fee that varies with the reservation amount |
Booking.com | City apartments and mixed hotel/rental trips | Typically no separate booking fee; property fees apply |
Houfy | Booking direct with the host | — |
Expedia / Hotels.com | Packages with flights or car hire | Shown at checkout |
Plum Guide | Vetted design-led homes | 12% on shared-fee listings, nothing on host-only listings |
Furnished Finder | Stays of a month or more | No booking fee listed; deposits set by the landlord |
Hipcamp | Camping, glamping and cabins | Shown at checkout |
HomeToGo | Comparing prices across many sites | The fees of the site you book on |
The host's own website | Repeat stays | Set by the host |
Fees as published by each company or reported in the sources below, checked 27 October 2026. Fees change often.
Which site for which trip
A week at the beach or in the mountains: Vrbo, Airbnb or Houfy. Ask the host about a weekly rate. Many offer one.
A city break: Booking.com or Airbnb.
A month or more: Furnished Finder, or ask a host on Houfy or Airbnb for a monthly price.
Something special: Plum Guide.
The lowest total: check the same home on HomeToGo, then see whether the host also takes direct bookings on Houfy or their own site.
What are the most trusted vacation rental sites?
The large platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com) have the most reviews and the longest track record. On any site, trust comes from the listing itself: real reviews from past guests, a host who answers questions before you book, and a clear cancellation policy. Booking direct can be just as safe if you check those three things and pay by card or through a payment provider with buyer protection.
Which sites have flexible cancellation?
On Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com and Houfy, the host chooses the cancellation policy, and you can see it before you book. Filter for flexible or free cancellation where the site offers it, and read the policy on the listing itself. That's what applies, whatever the site.
Is a smaller site cheaper than a big platform?
Sometimes. But it isn't guaranteed. The only reliable test is the total for the same home and dates on each site.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best website to book a vacation rental?
For the widest choice, Airbnb or Vrbo. For city stays, Booking.com. To book direct with the host, Houfy.
Which vacation rental site has the lowest fees?
It depends on the home. Compare the total price for the same dates.
Does Airbnb still charge a guest service fee?
In most markets there's no separate line any more. Since autumn 2026 the host pays a fee, typically 15.5%, built into the price.
What's the best site for a week-long stay?
Vrbo and Houfy both focus on whole homes, and many hosts offer weekly rates. Ask the host before you book.
Related: Best Airbnb Alternatives in 2026: 12 Sites Compared
Sources
Last Updated: October 27, 2026
