It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing where to book your next stay. With apps for hotels, vacation rentals, hostels, and bundled airline deals all promising the best price, travelers face an increasingly crowded and confusing landscape.
Yet despite the explosion of options, a few platforms continue to dominate. As of today, Booking.com leads the global accommodation space with over 560 million monthly visits, followed closely by Airbnb and Expedia.
Across the European Union alone, these major platforms—along with TripAdvisor—accounted for more than 850 million nights booked in 2024, an 18.8% increase from the year before.
Travelers today often toggle between more than a hundred different sites and apps, depending on whether they’re looking for a boutique hotel, a last-minute hostel, or a family-friendly villa.
And in 2025-2026, the best booking platforms aren’t just about price—they’re about flexibility, reliability, and the ability to meet specific needs, whether that’s a pet-friendly apartment in Berlin or an apart hotel in Bangkok available tonight.
Here, Locals Insider looks at the top hotel and vacation rental apps to use this year—and what makes them stand out.
Vacation House Rental Apps – TOP LIST 2025
- Airbnb – Book unique stays like treehouses or city apartments in almost every country.
- Vrbo – Ideal for family beach houses and large group getaways.
- Booking.com – Find hotels, apartments, and vacation packages globally + and free-cancellation flexibility.
- Vacasa – Full-service rentals in the US and Central America.
- Hipcamp – Discover glamping, RV rentals, and campgrounds in the US.
- HomeToGo – Compare prices for villas and vacation homes worldwide.
- Sonder – Luxury apartments in major cities with hotel-like amenities.
- Plum Guide – Exclusive high-end homes in premium destinations.
- Stay One Degree – Access the top 1% of unique designer luxury vacation homes.
- Hotels.com – best for earning points for booking and getting free nights
- Trip.com – Best all-in-one global booking with strong Asia coverage
- Hotellook – Best for fast price comparisons
- Agoda – Best for deals and long stays in Asia
- Expedia – Best for bundled packages and reliable service
- Vrbo – Best for family and group rentals
- Hostelworld – Best for hostels and budget travelers
As our travel experts are always on the road, having access to the best vacation rental apps is a huge blessing. We’re not going to lie; many of us use Airbnb. It’s super convenient and offers millions of properties in cities worldwide.
Still, it’s certainly not the only way to book an apartment or condo on the road. Numerous Airbnb alternatives offer lower fees and nicer properties. We introduce many of these in this article.
We have tested and made a booking via each of the apps we recommend below, allowing us to reveal the pros and cons of each option to help you decide which is best suited to your travel preferences.
The Best-Rated Hotel & Vacation Rental Booking Sites & Apps
Stay One Degree – Luxury House Rental App
Stay One Degree is redefining luxury vacation rentals, offering access to the finest 1% of holiday homes across the globe. This exclusive platform connects verified guests and property owners through a like-minded community, ensuring trust, privacy, and exceptional quality for every stay.
The portfolio boasts over 4,000 curated homes in 70 countries, ranging from opulent estates on private islands to stunning rural retreats. Homes are vetted through a 300-point quality checklist by a team of global travelers, guaranteeing a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Unique to Stay One Degree is its partnership with Mandarin Oriental, featuring hand-picked private homes that deliver the brand’s signature luxury living. Members also enjoy perks like exclusive rates, local recommendations, and access to complimentary stays at Mandarin Oriental properties.
Whether planning a family getaway to the French Riviera or a lavish retreat to Ibiza, Stay One Degree offers the ultimate in tailored luxury.
Pros
✅ Access to the finest 1% of holiday homes worldwide
✅ Verified guests and properties for peace of mind
✅ Exclusive benefits through Mandarin Oriental partnership
Cons
❌ Premium pricing compared to standard rental platforms
❌ Limited options for budget travelers
Airbnb
Though Airbnb has picked up a lot of slack recently due to various policies and rising fees, it’s still a must-have vacation rental app in 2025.
Airbnb is the app that all others are compared to, so it’s worth having if you’re looking to book a villa, apartment, or room for your upcoming travels.
Millions of properties from St Pete to Sarajevo are listed on Airbnb, while you can also book “experiences” for memorable stays in different parts of the world.
Pros
✅Incredible property variety
✅Trusted review and rating system
Cons
❌High fees for booking and servicing
❌Restrictive policies in some parts of the world
Vrbo
Vacation Rentals by Owner – Vrbo – is perhaps the best Airbnb alternative. The premise is very similar to Airbnb: owners can list their properties for rental, and anyone with an active account can make a reservation.
Travelers value the clarity of its “whole place” promise—you won’t accidentally book a shared room. For example, a family heading to Orlando for Disney can secure a multi-bedroom villa with a private pool, avoiding multiple hotel rooms. The trade-off is that Vrbo generally lacks small urban rentals or cheap single-night options.
The best thing about Vrbo is the loyalty program, which lets you accumulate points as you book stays. You will receive One Key Cash to use on your first stay at a Vrbo property when you create an account.
However, the listing price of properties on Vrbo tends to be higher than on Airbnb, which will be off-putting for some travelers.
Pros
✅One Key loyalty program for ongoing rewards
✅Members-only discounts
Cons
❌Unclear cancellation policies
❌Limited customer support
Trip.com
Trip.com began in China in 1999 and has since grown into a global travel player headquartered in Singapore. What makes it distinct is its wide coverage: more than a million hotels, millions of flight routes, trains, car rentals, and even eSIMs for connectivity. The app is localized in multiple languages and is especially strong in Asia-Pacific, where Western platforms sometimes lack depth.
Real-life example: planning a multi-stop journey across Vietnam and Japan, you can book flights, trains, and stays in one go, with 24/7 customer support that many users say is fast to respond in emergencies. On the downside, reviews often mention that imagery and hotel reviews outside Asia are thinner compared with Booking.com. Still, if you’re traveling in or through Asia and need an all-in-one solution, Trip.com is a top choice.
Hotels.com
Hotels.com has been around since the early ’90s and is now part of Expedia Group, offering hundreds of thousands of properties worldwide.
The real draw in 2025 is its One Key rewards program, which has replaced the old “stay 10 nights, get 1 free” model. Instead, you now earn OneKeyCash on every eligible booking, which can be redeemed like cash across Hotels.com, Expedia, and Vrbo.
The more you book, the higher your tier—and the better the discounts and perks. We once booked a luxury night in Rome that should have cost €450, but thanks to accrued rewards, we only paid €50. It’s especially good for frequent Europe travelers, as
Booking.com
Of all the hotel booking apps available for smartphones and tablets, Booking.com is our top pick. This is primarily due to its availability of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and even private rentals.
Booking.com, founded in Amsterdam in 1996, remains the largest accommodation platform in the world. With more than 3.4 million properties listed in over 220 countries and content available in 40+ languages, it has become the default option for many travelers.
Its Genius loyalty program is a draw: members can unlock tiered discounts and perks such as free breakfast or room upgrades. When you reach level three, you can lock in great discounts at properties and unlock perks like free parking and free breakfast.
Booking.com has also extended its offering to flights, car rentals, and cruises, so in 2025, you can use it for much more than hotel rooms.
One strength is flexibility: many listings allow free cancellation or pay-later options, making it easy for uncertain plans. But some travelers complain about occasional booking mismatches or duplicate listings. Still, it’s the best bet when you need both depth and breadth—whether it’s a guesthouse in Mexico, a resort in Greece, or a city hotel in Chicago.
Pros
✅Excellent prices for Genius members
✅Hotel rooms, car rentals, flights, cruises, and activities all available
Cons
❌Not the best prices for non-members
❌Dispute resolutions can take a lot of time to resolve
Vacasa
Though Vacasa lacks the variety of Booking.com, Vrbo, and Airbnb, the personal touch appeals to many travelers.
This is because Vacasa is a booking app and a full-service vacation rental management company that connects homeowners to clients via a fully managed service.
Currently, Vacasa has a portfolio of over 40,000 properties in North and Central America, and the app for iOS and Android users is excellent.
Pros
✅Decent options in North and Central America
✅Full suite of property management services available
Cons
❌Limited availability when compared to Airbnb and Vrbo
❌High management fees
Hipcamp
If you’re planning an outdoor adventure vacation in the US, Hipcamp is the app you need. Rent RVs, book into glamping venues, or secure a pitch at a registered campsite on your upcoming vacation.
When you book via the platform and recommend other members, you can earn Hipcash, which you can use for future bookings.
Though Hipcamp offers properties and accommodation at both ends of the spectrum, it’s a great option if you’re new to outdoor activities and don’t want to worry about wild camping or chancing it while you’re on the road.
Pros
✅Perfect for glamping, camping, and RV rentals
✅Lots of availability in the US
Cons
❌Many low-quality options on the app
❌Limited availability abroad
HomeToGo
HomeToGo is an aggregate booking site that pulls condos, villas, and hotel rooms from numerous booking sites to show you real-time availability and prices.
There are options in numerous countries worldwide, including the US, Italy, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico, with real-time deals during the off-season to fill vacant slots.
This is a great booking option for hosts, as it increases visibility and offers to fill houses and condos when there’s less demand. However, fees are fairly high, and it’s not the most user-friendly site for clients.
Pros
✅Aggregate site bringing millions of accommodation options together
✅Excellent for homeowners to increase property visibility
Cons
❌High booking fees
❌More difficult to use than other sites
Sonder
Sonder is a newly launched online booking platform for people looking for design-forward properties in cities around the world.
The platform mainly lists apartment-style accommodation but also partners with Marriot Bonvoy to offer members booking discounts and other perks.
While there’s a relatively small selection of properties (around 10,000) currently available on Sonder, it’s a growing platform with a reputation for attention to detail. Expect Sonder stays to grow throughout 2025.
Pros
✅No listing fees for property owners
✅A focus on design-focused, high-end properties
Cons
❌Mainly apartments and a limited variety
❌A small selection of properties currently available, compared to other apps
Plum Guide
Plum Guide is a booking platform that invites you to stay in “the world’s most remarkable homes.”
What helps it stand out is the rigorous vetting process, which means only the top-rated properties are listed on the site. This makes it a good option for anyone seeking luxurious accommodations.
Though the fee of between 15% and 18% is high for property owners, it’s worth getting your property on the Plum list.
Pros
✅Only high-end exclusive properties available
✅No additional booking fees for clients
Cons
❌High listing fees for property owners
❌Not suitable for budget travelers
Agoda
Agoda, founded in Singapore in 2005, is particularly strong in Asia, with deals that often beat competitors in Thailand, Indonesia, or Japan. Owned by Booking Holdings, it covers three million properties worldwide but is most trusted by travelers in Southeast Asia. Agoda offers loyalty points through its PointsMAX program, plus the option to pay in local currency—helpful when you’re avoiding bank charges.
Agoda has a Mix & Save feature, which lets you combine different room types during one stay to cut costs, alongside special long-stay, day-use, and GoLocal discounts tailored to extended travelers and domestic bookings. Travelers often use Agoda for extended stays: for instance, booking a month-long apartment in Bangkok with kitchen facilities. However, some reviews point to “phantom listings” where a room shows as available but later turns out not to be. Agoda is best for travelers comfortable double-checking details but eager for sharp regional pricing.
Expedia
Launched in 1996, Expedia remains one of the biggest full-service travel platforms, offering hotels, flights, car rentals, and bundled vacation packages. It’s particularly popular with American travelers and families who want one platform to handle the entire trip. Its customer service is often rated highly for responsiveness—something that matters when flights get canceled or bookings need adjusting.
Alongside bundled packages, Expedia offers discounted group rates for weddings, conferences, and reunions, making it a practical choice for event travel. Its customer service is often praised for quick problem-solving, from rebooking canceled flights to adjusting hotel reservations.
A traveler stranded in Denver during a snowstorm, for example, can rebook both flights and accommodation directly through the Expedia app. Some users note that boutique hotels and niche guesthouses are underrepresented compared with Booking.com or Hostelworld. But for large chains, resorts, and packages, Expedia is a reliable go-to.
Hostelworld
Founded in 1999 in Dublin, Hostelworld has become the default app for budget travelers and backpackers. It lists over 36,000 hostels and budget stays in 170+ countries. The app makes it easy to compare dorm sizes, room types, and user reviews from other travelers.
For example, someone backpacking through South America might use Hostelworld to find a 12-bed dorm in Bogotá for under $20 a night, with ratings on cleanliness and atmosphere. While the app is focused mainly on hostels, not hotels or apartments, it remains essential for low-budget, social travelers.
Hotellook
Hotellook is a hotel price aggregator rather than a booking platform. It scans listings from multiple major providers—like Booking.com, Agoda, and Expedia—and surfaces the cheapest prices in one search. This makes it handy for quick comparisons, especially when you’re flexible on dates.
In practice, a traveler planning a European rail trip might open Hotellook to scan options for each city, then click through to book via whichever p
TOP Hotel & Vacation Rental Services at a Glance
Hostelworld – Best for hostels and budget travelers
Hotels.com – best for earning points for booking and getting free nights
Trip.com – Best all-in-one global booking with strong Asia coverage
Booking.com – Best for overall choice and free-cancellation flexibility
Hotellook – Best for fast price comparisons
Agoda – Best for deals and long stays in Asia
Expedia – Best for bundled packages and reliable service
Vrbo – Best for family and group rentals
The verdict: The best vacation rental apps
So, you now have plenty of options when it comes to booking your vacation rentals. We want to leave you with these recommendations so you know which to use, depending on your preferences, as you plan your vacation in 2025 and 2026:
- Best Airbnb alternative with lower fees: Vrbo
- Best for outdoor adventures: Hipcamp
- Best for luxurious travel: Plum Guide
- Best all-around vacation booking app: Booking.com
After comparing the big booking names, we keep coming back to Hotels.com and Booking.com for everyday travel because of its sheer depth—millions of listings, free cancellation on many stays, and the Genius program that quietly saves you money over time.
One Key rewards program by Hotels.com lets you collect credits with every booking, which can be redeemed for discounts on future stays. In Europe, the system used to mean that every 11th night could be heavily reduced depending on how much you’d spent before.
That said, when traveling in Asia we’ve found Agoda regularly shows better apartment or boutique rates, while Vrbo is unbeatable for family trips where you need a full house with a kitchen.
Nothing’s stopping you from reserving a dream condo, hotel suite, or apartment for your 2025 vacation. Sign up and download one of the apps recommended above to plan your travels throughout the next year.
