By John Fernandes modified Aug 15, 2025
~ 3 minutes to read
The world of traveling has changed dramatically in the past few years. It all started when people started to switch from hotels and chain accommodations to Airbnb. When we particularly focus on staying during a holiday, people have now started to change the landscape they choose.
While airway envy is one of the finest options out there, it is not the only option anymore. There are plenty of more exciting places out there that travelers can choose. This has also given leverage to people having anything from a spare room to a treehouse because they can easily earn a price for people ready to stay in these places.
Now, if you are a holiday maker looking to find flats with a good Internet connection, accommodations with a pocket-friendly budget, or a travel enthusiast finding a spacious holiday home for your family, today’s travel market has a lot to offer you. The advancement in this sector has brought many options for people, like luxury curated stays or off-the-grid cabins, and a lot more.
Because the world is all about smartphones today, such locations can be easily found through a few fantastic apps other than Airbnb. Exploring these may also help you find a better option with affordable prices, local hospitality, and unforgettable experiences. So, if you're always open to trying new things, continue reading and have a look at these 10 best travel apps.
These platforms can redefine the place where we stay and bring something memorable to the table. Learning about these may also motivate you to plan a new adventure soon!
Type: Vacation Rentals for Big Groups & Families
Best for: Families, large groups, and those who want privacy.
Vrbo, the name explains its initials as Vacation Rentals by Owner, is at the top of our list of best Airbnb alternatives. It is a highly recognized platform in the world of short-term rentals. Very different from Airbnb, it focuses on entire properties rather than offering shared rooms to treehouses.
For this reason, it is considered an ideal option for group trips, planned reunions, and most importantly, family vacations.
Vrbo (short for Vacation Rentals by Owner) is a well-established name in the world of short-term rentals. Unlike Airbnb, which offers everything from shared rooms to treehouses, Vrbo focuses solely on entire properties. This makes it the perfect choice for family holidays, group trips, and events like reunions.
Professionals operating in the hospitality industry believe Vrbo to be an app for people who prioritize space, privacy, and comfort. This platform has an unbeatable collection of cozy cottages, picturesque beachfront villas, and a lot more.
Type: Spaces better than just hotel rooms
Best for: Last-minute bookings, variety of accommodation types.
For many years, the travel industry has considered Booking.com as a platform for booking hotel rooms. But fortunately, with enough advancement everywhere, this app has grown too. It has become a great choice for holidaymakers as they can easily book farm stays, apartments, vacation homes, and most importantly, boats.
Booking.com makes a promising platform for its versatility. All individuals, from city explorers to last-minute travelers, can utilize this app to meet their needs. Also, if you find it annoying to wait for host approval, and demand another way to book your stay place, Booking.com is the solution!
Travelers must know that this Airbnb alternative keeps offering promotions, which makes it the best choice for pocket-friendly trips.
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Type: Luxurious accommodations Without Surprises
Best for: Discerning travelers and design lovers.
Have you ever experienced staying in an Airbnb accommodation that did not meet your expectations and the shared description? Fortunately, Plum Guide can save you from such situations. It is one of the most promising travel apps that deals in luxury rentals and particularly tests each listing.
Experts state that it only approves approximately 3% of homes for stay.! Often, tourists mention it as the ‘Michelin Guide' of travel rentals.
Planning your trip with Plum Guide can assure you the best-in-town food and well-photographed places. Also, users can enjoy accommodations exactly as described in the guide. No matter whether it is a chic London loft or a ravishing villa in Tuscany, tourists can find peace worth every dollar.
Type: Apartment Living with Hotel Perks
Best for: Digital nomads and business travelers.
The next travel app on our list is Sonder— a platform that is redefining accommodation in a serviced apartment. Travelers using this app are provided with the space and convenience of a rental while enjoying the reliability of hotel standards. One of the most promising facts about this platform is that it deals with its private properties.
This ensures that the quality and standards for every place remain constant. Also, you get a chance to experience equal amenities wherever you book.
Most of the properties owned by Sonder are located in the central areas of major cities. It makes these locations ideal for people working remotely or individuals on business trips.
Type: The Budget-Friendly Asian Powerhouse
Best for: Travelling across Asia on a budget
Agoda is a popular name among travel lovers all over Asia. The platform now features apartments and vacation homes through its app, Agoda Homes. The best part about this app is its user-friendly interface and pocket-friendly prices. Most of its cost range beats out Airbnb and other competitors.
For this reason, enjoying longer stays is easier through Agoda as you get a chance to travel on a budget.
Agoda Homes is considered one of the finest and most valuable tools for affordable and high-quality lodging. From being a partner for tourists in the Philippines to helping explorers learn about the ancient temples in Thailand, this app has much to offer.
Type: Flexible Stays for Remote Workers
Best for: Long-term stays and relocations.
Blue Ground is a travel app dealing in the most stylish and furnished apartments for rent. Travelers can pay for accommodation here and enjoy a vacation for a month or longer. It is the finest choice for digital nomads and professionals who keep relocating for work.
Also, it is helpful for people between homes as they require a flexible stay. The flats offered through this app are entirely furnished and stocked with every amenity. Payees can enjoy high-quality kitchen gear, Wi-Fi, and a lot more.
Type: Rentals that offer a family touch
Best for: Cultural travelers, students, and solo adventurers.
Homestay is the travel app that defines local connection. It is different from Airbnb and all other travel platforms that focus on privacy. Through this app, individuals invite holidaymakers into their homes and share with them their daily lives.
The leverage of staying in the owner’s home as a family member brings in a unique experience for travelers. They get a chance to learn more about a destination from a personal angle.
Homestays open doors for travelers and help them learn how locals really live in a new place.
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Type: Rentals For Outdoor Escapes
Best for: Campers, nature lovers, and road trippers.
Hipcamp can be explained as a platform that connects Airbnb with outdoor rentals. This app helps travelers to book campsites, cabins, and yurts. Also, individuals can travel through this app while renting treehouses on private land all over the USA and other major countries.
Most often, people looking to travel for the weekend use this app to rent outdoor spaces. Because it offers benefits for road trippers, a van lifer can make the most of it too.
All those who are ready to experience nature or explore the adventures in the landscape can connect with Hipcamp for the best experience. It is not just an alternative to Airbnb but a promising platform for renting outdoor spaces.
Type: Stay Free by Caring for Pets
Best for: Animal lovers and slow travelers
Trusted House Sitters is less an app and more like a travel hack. It offers free accommodation to people who are ready to care for pets or perform house sitting. The most prominent benefit of this app is that individuals get a chance to stay in beautiful homes free of cost while befriending cute pets.
It is also ideal for homeowners as they get peace of mind while others take care of their homes and pets.
Individuals who love travelling and have a thing for pets can always subscribe to trusted house sitters. This app is a great option where you can work and fulfill your dream of seeing the world.
Type: Rent an RV for the Ultimate Road Trip
Best for: Road trippers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts.
The last one on our list is Outdoorsy — an Airbnb-style platform particularly focused on RVs. This app revolves around Rd. Trippers and outdoor enthusiasts who are looking to explore the world behind the wheel. From offering a luxury motorhome to providing a retro campervan, this app can rent different types of spaces to hit the road.
Holidaymakers planning to enjoy coast-to-coast journeys can install this app during vacation time. It can help you to explore national parks like a professional traveler.
Outdoorsy explains traveling as a journey to explore wherever the road leads. This app is all about enjoying a holiday with freedom and flexibility.
To conclude, travelers must feel encouraged to explore the world again because there are plenty of alternatives to Airbnb now. In the world of travelling today, all you want is unique and better experiences that lead to an unforgettable memory. No matter if you are looking for a penthouse in the city, a family to host in the center of a village, or a camper in the wild.
The above-discussed travel apps can meet your needs in one way or another. Each of these Airbnb alternatives can add to your travel experience. If you have already experienced any of these, feel free to share your reviews in the comments below. Also, let us know about any other Airbnb alternatives that you may want to mention for holiday makers and travel enthusiasts.
John Fernandes is content writer at YourDigiLab, An expert in producing engaging and informative research-based articles and blog posts. His passion to disseminate fruitful information fuels his passion for writing.
