Vrbo review
Whole vacation homes for families and groups
- Expedia Group
- Free
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Web
4.8 from 3.3M App Store ratings 10M+ Google Play downloads #20 in Travel on the US App Store
Does it deserve #12?
Is Vrbo worth it?
For most people, yes. Vrbo scores 8.0/10 and ranks #12 in Travel & Maps. It's best for families and groups booking a whole house, cabin or condo for a getaway. Skip it if you want a hotel room or a cheaper private room in someone's home. Price: Free app; a service fee that varies by booking is added at checkout.
The verdict
Vrbo only lists whole homes, so your family or group gets the entire beach house, cabin or condo with no shared spaces. Trip Planner lets everyone save favorites, vote and chat in one place, and many stays offer free cancellation. You earn and spend One Key rewards shared with Expedia. Watch the checkout total, though: a service fee that changes with each booking gets added, so compare the same home elsewhere.
- Whole homes only, no shared spaces
- Trip Planner with group voting and chat
- Free cancellation on many stays
- One Key rewards shared with Expedia
- 24/7 support by phone or chat
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Oct 2026Hosts moved to a 12% commission on bookings made from October 29
- Sep 2026Same-day booking and new 5-day and 1-day free cancellation options, where hosts opt in
- Sep 2026Hosts can now pay for sponsored listings at the top of search results
Privacy 6.4/10
App Store label: user content may be used to track you. Purchases, payment info, location, contact info, searches, identifiers and usage data may be linked to you.
What we like
- Entire homes, so groups get the place to themselves
- Group planning with votes and comments
- Rewards you can also spend on Expedia and Hotels.com
What could be better
- A service fee that varies by booking is added at checkout
- Sponsored listings can now sit at the top of search
Families and groups booking a whole house, cabin or condo for a getaway
you want a hotel room or a cheaper private room in someone's home
Questions about Vrbo
Is Vrbo worth it in 2026?
For most people, yes. Vrbo scores 8.0/10 and ranks #12 in Travel & Maps. It's best for families and groups booking a whole house, cabin or condo for a getaway. Skip it if you want a hotel room or a cheaper private room in someone's home. Price: Free app; a service fee that varies by booking is added at checkout.
Is Vrbo free to use?
The app is free. When you book, Vrbo adds a service fee that varies with the reservation amount, plus any fees the host charges, such as cleaning.
What's the difference between Vrbo and Airbnb?
Vrbo lists whole homes only, so you never share space with a host or other guests. Airbnb also offers private rooms, plus experiences and services.
What are the best alternatives to Vrbo?
The closest alternatives are Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia. See all of them ranked on our Vrbo alternatives page.
Where does Vrbo rank?
Vrbo ranks #12 of 13 in our Travel & Maps ranking, with an overall score of 8.0 out of 10.