Airbnb Alternative 2024: No Booking Fees for Hosts or Guests

As a property owner, choosing the right platform to rent out your home can have a big impact on your earnings and overall experience. As a tenant or guest, you not only have to pay for the rental itself, but also additional booking fees on most platforms today. Airbnb is a very popular choice both for property owners and guests, but more and more hosts and guests are now looking for more cost-efficient alternatives that also offer increased privacy and better control over who stays in their property. If you’re a host looking to reduce costs and have full control over who rents your place, this article will help you explore your options.

Why Some Hosts Are Considering Alternatives to Airbnb

Airbnb has made it very convenient for people to rent out their homes to travellers from all around the world. However, there are a few reasons why some hosts are now looking for other options:

• Increased Booking Fees: Airbnb charges hosts a min. service fee of 3% of the booking subtotal and guests a service fee of min. 14% of the booking subtotal. Having a high volume of bookings per month could lead to hundreds spent on booking fees. 
• Limited Control: On Airbnb, anyone can see your listing and request to book your property, which can lead to issues with guests you don’t know. Airbnb can also limit you as a host if you were to turn down too many booking requests.
• Short-Term Focus: Airbnb mainly focuses on short-term rentals and having a high volume of bookings, which might not suit hosts who prefer more control, having a relationship with guests and more peace of mind.

If these points aligns with your concerns as a rental host, it might be worth exploring other rental platforms that offer more privacy and control.

Introducing Heimo - More Control and More Money to Save

On heimo, a new platform for private property rentals, you are always in full control over your rental property. Simply add your home, share it with friends, family and friends-of-friends and rent out as much as you like for a fixed monthly fee (currently it's 100% free). No booking fees for you or your guests, your trusted guests can enjoy your home while you're not there, and you agree upon terms, charges (if any) and other practical stuff between each other directly. Handle your calendar, bookings and communication with ease, and save memories together with your guests, and potential co-hosts, in your personal guestbook. Simply sign up, add your home, and share it with your trusted guests!

Comparing Airbnb and Heimo: What’s the Difference?

To help you decide which solution is best for you, here’s a comparison of some of the key features of Airbnb and Heimo.

Why Heimo Might Be a Good Option for You

Heimo offers a different approach to hosting, which might be a better fit if you prefer privacy and control. Here’s what makes Heimo stand out:

• Fixed Fee with Unlimited bookings: Instead of paying a commission on each booking, Heimo charges a fixed monthly fee with unlimited bookings. This can save you money, especially if you have many bookings.
• Guest Control: With Heimo, you can decide who can book your property, allowing you to only host guests that you trust. As an experienced host, you can easily invite trusted past guests, and let them be your pool of future guests, for example including their friends and family as well. As a host who prefers to only rent out to people you know, you share your home only to your friends, family and friends-of-friends.
• Personal Guestbook: Experiences and tips are shared only with your invited guests and co-hosts, creating a more personal hosting experience.

Which Solution Is Best for You?

The best platform for you depends on your needs and preferences as a host. If you want to reach a large number of travellers with low effort, Airbnb is still a good option. But if you’re looking for a more private, controlled, and possibly cheaper way to rent out your home, not only for you but also for your guests, Heimo could be a better choice. One option doesn’t exclude the other though, and you can easily set up your home on Heimo while still listing your home on Airbnb as well. Over time, your invited guest pool on Heimo could grow, where already known recurring guests and friends and family could be your start. More privacy, more control and more money saved - for both you and your guests.