Affiliate Disclosure: We research and test every product independently. We may earn a commission if you purchase through our links — this never affects our rankings, scores, or editorial independence. All tier assignments are based strictly on our 100-point rubric.
Vrbo Review
Vacation rentals for groups and families — entire homes, no shared spaces
Last reviewed: 2026-04-24 · By GBBR Editorial Team
Our Top Pick · Gold Tier
Vrbo
Free plan available
The Bottom Line
Vrbo is the leading vacation rental marketplace focused exclusively on whole-home rentals — no shared spaces, no hosts living on-site. It earns a Gold tier rating for 2M+ listings across 190 countries, strong family/group booking experience, a 2% commission on bookings, and $20 per new owner listing. Best for families, groups, and travelers who want a private home instead of a hotel room.
What is Vrbo?
Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner) was founded in 1995 and is now a part of Expedia Group, headquartered in Austin, TX. Unlike Airbnb, Vrbo focuses exclusively on entire-home rentals — no shared spaces, private bedrooms, or hosted experiences. With 2M+ properties in 190 countries, Vrbo targets families and groups who need multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, and private outdoor space at a comparable or lower cost than multiple hotel rooms.
What does Vrbo offer?
Vrbo lists entire vacation homes, cabins, condos, and beach houses available for short-term rental. Travelers can filter by bedrooms, bathrooms, pet policy, amenities, and price. Book Confidently guarantee covers booking issues. Most listings include: full kitchen, multiple bedrooms, private yard or pool, and no strangers staying in the same home. Hosts set nightly rates, cleaning fees, and cancellation policies. No monthly subscription — you pay per booking.
Pay-per-stay (no platform membership fee)
$0
/one-time
Is Vrbo worth the price?
Prices vary widely — typically 20–40% cheaper per person than equivalent hotel rooms for groups of 4+
Cheaper per person than hotels for large groups; comparable to Airbnb but exclusively whole-home
Strong value for groupsHow we scored it
Overall score: 84/100
2M+ entire-home listings across 190 countries — cabins, beach houses, condos, and more
Exclusively entire-home rentals — no shared spaces, no on-site hosts
Full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, private yards — typically 20–40% cheaper per person than hotels for groups of 4+
Clean search interface, detailed property info, Book Confidently guarantee
Nightly rates clear, but cleaning fees and service fees add 15–25% — shown before final checkout
Book Confidently guarantee protects against property misrepresentation; support response times vary
Why Vrbo is Gold Tier
Vrbo earns Gold for its unmatched whole-home vacation rental focus, 2M+ property inventory, and the consistency of its booking experience. Unlike Airbnb which mixes private rooms, shared spaces, and full homes, Vrbo exclusively offers entire-home rentals — making it the default choice for families who need privacy and space. G2/Trustpilot ratings hover around 4.2–4.5 across hundreds of thousands of traveler reviews.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Exclusively entire-home rentals — no shared spaces or on-site hosts
- ✓2M+ listings in 190 countries — cabins, beach houses, condos, mountain retreats
- ✓Typically 20–40% cheaper per person than hotels for groups of 4+
- ✓Full kitchens, private yards, multiple bedrooms — built for families
- ✓Book Confidently guarantee covers property misrepresentation
Cons
- ✗Cleaning fees and service fees can add 20–30% to displayed nightly rate
- ✗Less flexible than hotels — minimum stay requirements common
- ✗No 'experiences' or room-sharing options (use Airbnb for those)
- ✗Cancellation policies set by individual hosts — varies widely
Ready to try Vrbo? Free plan available — no credit card required.
Get Vrbo →Vrbo earns Gold for its unmatched whole-home vacation rental focus, 2M+ property inventory, and the consistency of its booking experience. Unlike Airbnb which mixes private rooms, shared spaces, and full homes, Vrbo exclusively offers entire-home rentals — making it the default choice for families who need privacy and space. G2/Trustpilot ratings hover around 4.2–4.5 across hundreds of thousands of traveler reviews.
Get Vrbo →Free tier available — no credit card required
Community Reviews
Loading reviews...