Airbnb vs. Vrbo: I Tested Both for a Week in Europe and One Blew the Other Away

I’ve been an Airbnb loyalist since 2018. I love the weird apartments, the local hosts, the feeling that I’m not just a tourist. But in 2025, Airbnb started feeling… off. Prices went up, fees got hidden, and the quality control slipped. So when I planned a week in Lisbon this June, I decided to do something crazy: I booked two identical trips—three nights on Airbnb, three nights on Vrbo—and compared them head-to-head. Same neighborhood, same price range, same amenities. The results surprised me.

Let’s start with the booking process.

Booking: Airbnb Wins on UX, Vrbo Wins on Transparency

Airbnb’s app is slick. I found a beautiful studio in Alfama with a view of the Tagus River in about 10 minutes. The listings are full of photos, and the review system is detailed. But here’s the catch: when I clicked “book,” the price jumped from $120/night to $180/night after cleaning fees and service fees. That’s a 50% increase. I felt duped. Vrbo’s app is uglier—it looks like it was designed in 2015—but the total price is shown upfront. No surprises. My Vrbo apartment in Príncipe Real was $130/night, and the final price was $145. That’s a huge difference in transparency. Airbnb, fix your fee structure. Please.

The Apartments: Airbnb Was Cozier, Vrbo Was More Practical

The Airbnb apartment was charming. Exposed brick, a tiny balcony, vintage tiles. But the kitchen had exactly one pot, and the Wi-Fi was so slow I couldn’t stream Netflix. The host was lovely—she left me a bottle of port and a handwritten note—but the apartment was clearly optimized for photos, not for living. The bed was a wobbly futon. My back hated me.

The Vrbo apartment was the opposite. It was in a modern building with an elevator (luxury!), a fully stocked kitchen, and a washer-dryer combo that saved my trip after I spilled red wine on my shirt. The Wi-Fi was fast enough for video calls. The host was less personal—no welcome note, just a code for the lockbox—but the apartment was functional. I slept like a baby. If I were on a work trip, Vrbo wins easily. For a romantic getaway, Airbnb has the edge.

Customer Service: Vrbo Actually Helped Me

On day two of my Airbnb stay, the toilet stopped flushing. I messaged the host through the app. No response for six hours. I called Airbnb’s support line, and after 20 minutes of hold music, they said they’d “escalate” it. Nothing happened. I ended up fixing it myself with a plunger from a corner store. Frustrating.

On Vrbo, I had a minor issue—the coffee machine was broken. I called support, and within 15 minutes, they had a new one delivered to my door. No questions asked. That’s the kind of service that makes you feel like a valued customer, not just a transaction. Airbnb, take notes.

Hidden Fees and Cleaning: Vrbo Is More Honest

I already mentioned the booking fees, but let’s talk about cleaning. The Airbnb host asked me to strip the beds, take out the trash, and start the dishwasher before I left. For a $60 cleaning fee! That’s ridiculous. The Vrbo host just asked me to lock the door. The cleaning fee was $35, and I didn’t have to do anything. Which host is actually cleaning? The Vrbo one, apparently.

The Verdict: Vrbo Is Better for Practical Travelers

I never thought I’d say this, but I’m switching to Vrbo for my next trip. Airbnb is better for aesthetics and unique experiences, but Vrbo is more honest, more supportive, and less stressful. The total cost for my 6-night trip was $780 on Airbnb (after fees) and $870 on Vrbo, but I got more value from Vrbo—better amenities, better service, less hassle. Plus, the transparency means I can actually budget properly. Airbnb needs to simplify its pricing and improve customer support, or it’s going to lose travelers like me to the competition. Vrbo won this battle, and it wasn’t even close.

But hey, that’s just my experience. If you’re looking for a quirky treehouse in the woods, stick with Airbnb. If you want a reliable apartment where you can actually live, go with Vrbo. Your stress levels will thank you.