Platform Fee Comparison Calculator
Compare your net income after fees on Airbnb, VRBO, and direct bookings.
Platform Host Fees (customizable)
Monthly Net Income After Fees
Note: Guest-facing fees (service fees charged to guests) are not included. This calculator shows host-side fees only.
Understanding Vacation Rental Platform Fees
Every booking platform charges hosts a fee deducted from the payout you receive. These fees vary by platform and, in some cases, by the pricing model you choose:
- Airbnb typically charges hosts approximately 3% of the booking subtotal under the split-fee model (where guests also pay a service fee). Hosts who opt into the simplified pricing model pay higher host fees (typically 14–16%) in exchange for no guest service fee.
- VRBO charges hosts approximately 5% in booking fees plus 3% in payment processing fees under the pay-per-booking model, or an annual subscription of around $499/year.
- Direct bookings eliminate platform fees but typically incur payment processing fees (2–3% for credit card processing through Stripe or similar). The remaining spread is pure additional income.
Over the course of a year, the difference between Airbnb and a direct booking channel can easily amount to $1,000–$4,000+ for an active property.
Is Direct Booking Worth It?
Direct bookings save on fees, but they require you to build your own booking infrastructure: a website, payment processing, rental agreement handling, and guest communication without the platform safety net. Many successful hosts use a hybrid model — listing on platforms to attract new guests, then converting repeat guests to direct bookings over time.
To understand the full picture of your rental's profitability, use the Breakeven Nightly Rate Calculator to see how platform fees affect your minimum viable rate.