Top Hosting Platforms for Your Short-Term Rental (Beyond Airbnb) in 2025

Airbnb may be the first name that comes to mind for short-term rentals (STRs), but it’s not the only player in the game—nor always the best fit for every host. While Airbnb’s global reach and brand recognition are undeniable, other platforms offer unique advantages, from lower fees to niche audiences or longer bookings. In 2025, with STR bookings projected to grow 15% annually (per a 2024 AirDNA report), diversifying your listings across multiple platforms can boost occupancy, increase revenue, and target specific guest demographics. Whether you’re a new host or looking to expand, here’s a guide to the top STR hosting platforms besides Airbnb, with tips to optimize your strategy and NSTRA resources to streamline operations.

Why Explore Alternatives to Airbnb?

Airbnb hosts millions of listings worldwide, but its high fees (3-5% host fees, plus guest service fees), strict policies, and saturated markets can limit profits in some regions. Alternative platforms may offer lower costs, cater to specific traveler types (e.g., families, luxury seekers), or dominate in certain markets, like Florida or Europe. A 2024 STR market analysis found that hosts listing on multiple platforms achieve 20-30% higher occupancy than single-platform hosts. By understanding each platform’s strengths, you can tailor your STR to attract the right guests and maximize earnings.

Top STR Hosting Platforms (Besides Airbnb)

Below are five leading platforms, listed alphabetically, with insights on their features, fees, and ideal use cases, plus tips for hosts to leverage them effectively.

1. Booking.com:

   • Overview: A global leader in travel bookings, Booking.com lists hotels, apartments, and STRs across 220+ countries. It’s popular in Europe and Asia, with 28 million listings (2024 data).

   • Fees: Free to list; hosts pay a 15-20% commission per booking, higher than Airbnb but offset by no guest fees in some cases.

   • Best For: Hosts targeting international travelers or business guests seeking apartment-style rentals. Ideal for urban STRs with strong amenities.

   • Host Tip: Highlight flexible cancellation policies and instant booking to attract Booking.com’s deal-savvy users. Use NSTRA’s Preferred Sponsors for dynamic pricing tools like Wheelhouse (~$10-$20/month) to stay competitive. Visit nationalshorttermrentalassociation.com for discounts.

   • Guest Appeal: Diverse property types and transparent pricing.

2. FlipKey (by Tripadvisor):

   • Overview: FlipKey lists 300,000+ vacation rentals worldwide, backed by Tripadvisor’s trusted review system. All hosts are verified, ensuring credibility.

   • Fees: Annual subscription ($99-$299/year) or 3% booking fee; no guest fees. Lower costs than Airbnb for high-volume hosts.

   • Best For: Hosts offering entire homes or private rooms, targeting review-conscious travelers. Strong in U.S. and family-friendly destinations.

   • Host Tip: Emphasize unique features (e.g., “Lakefront cabin with kayak access”) and encourage reviews to boost visibility. Invest in professional photography ($200-$500) via NSTRA’s Preferred Sponsors to stand out.

   • Guest Appeal: Robust reviews and no shared-room options ensure privacy.

3. HomeAway (part of Expedia Group):

   • Overview: HomeAway offers 1.2 million vacation homes in 190 countries, focusing on whole-home rentals. It’s a sister brand to Vrbo, with similar features but a broader international reach.

   • Fees: Annual subscription ($499/year) or 5% per booking. Competitive with Airbnb for high-demand properties.

   • Best For: Hosts in popular vacation spots (e.g., coastal or ski destinations) targeting families or groups seeking spacious homes.

   • Host Tip: Use HomeAway’s integration with Expedia to cross-list, and leverage NSTRA-vetted channel managers ($20-$50/month) to sync bookings across platforms, avoiding double bookings.

   • Guest Appeal: Affordable alternatives to hotels with family-oriented amenities.

4. Homestay:

   • Overview: Homestay specializes in authentic, local experiences, connecting guests with hosts who offer rooms or shared spaces in their homes. It has fewer listings (~50,000 globally) but a loyal niche audience.

   • Fees: 3-5% host fee per booking, similar to Airbnb, with no subscription costs.

   • Best For: Hosts offering cultural immersion (e.g., urban lofts, rural farm stays) for budget travelers or solo adventurers.

   • Host Tip: Highlight personal touches, like a homemade breakfast ($5-$10/guest), in your listing. Use NSTRA’s guest screening services to ensure compatible guests, reducing risks.

   • Guest Appeal: Affordable, community-driven stays with local hosts.

5. Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner):

   • Overview: Founded in 1995, Vrbo boasts 2 million properties worldwide and is older than Airbnb. It’s dominant in markets like Florida, where 60% of STR bookings favor Vrbo (2024 AirDNA data), especially among repeat family travelers.

   • Fees: Annual subscription ($249-$499/year) or 5% per booking. Hosts often earn 10-20% higher nightly rates than Airbnb, though vacancy rates may vary.

   • Best For: Hosts targeting families or long-term vacationers in popular U.S. destinations. Ideal for larger homes with 3+ bedrooms.

   • Host Tip: Test Vrbo’s higher rates against Airbnb using tools like AirDNA ($30-$100/month) to analyze local demand. Protect your property with STR-specific insurance from NSTRA’s Preferred Sponsors, like Proper Insurance (888-631-6680). Check nationalshorttermrentalassociation.com/insurance.

   • Guest Appeal: Spacious homes for group travel with trusted brand recognition.

Choosing the Right Platform for Your STR

Each platform caters to different guest demographics and markets:

• Airbnb: Best for younger travelers, urban stays, or unique properties (e.g., treehouses). Strong for first-time hosts due to its user-friendly interface.

• Booking.com: Ideal for international or business travelers seeking apartments.

• FlipKey: Suits hosts prioritizing reviews and U.S.-based family travelers.

• HomeAway: Great for vacation-heavy regions and group bookings.

• Vrbo: Perfect for family-oriented, long-term stays in established markets like Florida.

• Homestay: Niche for budget or cultural travelers seeking local experiences.

To choose, research your target audience using AirDNA or local STR data. For example, if families dominate your market, prioritize Vrbo or HomeAway. If younger guests are prevalent, focus on Airbnb and Booking.com. Listing on multiple platforms increases exposure but requires synchronization to avoid double bookings. NSTRA’s Preferred Sponsors offer channel managers (e.g., Guesty, Lodgify: $20-$50/month) to manage listings seamlessly—explore options at nationalshorttermrentalassociation.com.

Tips for Multi-Platform Success

1. Optimize Listings: Tailor each listing to the platform’s audience (e.g., emphasize family amenities on Vrbo, unique experiences on Homestay). Use high-quality photos ($200-$500) to compete.

2. Test Pricing: Use dynamic pricing tools like Wheelhouse to adjust rates by platform and demand, boosting revenue by 15-30%, per a 2024 STR tech report.

3. Protect Your Business: Secure STR-specific insurance to cover guest damages or cancellations across platforms. NSTRA’s Preferred Sponsors, like CBIZ (800-615-5898), provide tailored policies.

4. Track Performance: Monitor occupancy and revenue per platform using AirDNA or spreadsheets to identify top performers. Adjust focus based on results.

5. Streamline Operations: Use NSTRA-vetted cleaning or guest communication services to handle increased bookings from multiple platforms.

Final Thoughts

Diversifying your STR across platforms like Booking.com, FlipKey, HomeAway, Homestay, and Vrbo can unlock higher bookings and revenue in 2025. By understanding each platform’s strengths and targeting your ideal guests, you’ll build a resilient business that thrives in any market. Start today: list on one new platform, test pricing with AirDNA, or contact an NSTRA Preferred Sponsor for insurance and tech support. Sign in at nationalshorttermrentalassociation.com to access vendor discounts and grow your STR empire with confidence.

Go and grow!