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.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
We also love the Genius Rewards program, which runs from levels one to three. 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.
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
The verdict: The best vacation rental apps of 2025
So, you now have plenty of options when it comes to booking your vacation rentals in 2025. 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:
- 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
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.