Updated October 17, 2026 · NomadCue Editorial Team
Hotels.com vs Vrbo
Hotels.com
Higher score in this comparison
Vrbo
What sets them apart
| Compare | Hotels.comReviewVisitVisit | VrboReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Products | OTA, Hotels, Flights, ToursCovers more | OTA |
| Cancellation terms | Not confirmed | Refunds for large-scale travel disruptions |
Same on both: Mobile app (Yes).
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Key differences
- Hotels.com scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.8.
- Products: only Hotels.com offers Hotels, Flights, Tours.
- Support channels: only Hotels.com offers Phone, Chat, Email.
- Founded is lower at Hotels.com: 1991 vs 1995.
Our verdict on each
Hotels.com
Hotels.com presents travel services supplied by the relevant travel provider.
Vrbo
Vrbo suits families who want a whole holiday rental rather than a city room, and the marketplace has traded since 1995 as HomeAway.com, Inc.. Bookings and host messages sit in a mobile app, but the catalogue runs to ota alone, so a mixed trip needs a second site.
Score breakdown
| Area | Hotels.com | Vrbo |
|---|---|---|
| Offer | 9.2Higher | 8.5 |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 9.4 |
How they place
| Ranking | Hotels.com | Vrbo |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels and accommodation | 8 of 637 | 92 of 637 |
| Booking sites and package holidays | 3 of 368 | 51 of 368 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Hotels.com | Vrbo |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | Hotels.com, L.P. | HomeAway.com, Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1991Lower | 1995 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Email, Help centreCovers more | Help centre |
Pros and cons
Hotels.com
Pros
- Provider-specific terms are presented before booking
- The main condition types are identified
Cons
- Payment, cancellation and refund rules depend on the selected travel provider
Vrbo
Pros
- Search, booking and messages to the property owner all run through a mobile app, so a rental can be managed away from a laptop.
- Refunds are on record for Refunds for large-scale travel disruptions.
- A long trading record: founded 1995 and registered as HomeAway.com, Inc..
Cons
- The catalogue covers ota alone, so flights, rail and car hire need a separate booking site.
- Support runs through help centre only, with no live chat or phone line listed beside it.
Who each suits
Hotels.com
Who it suits
- Hotels.com customers comparing travel-provider booking conditions.
Who should look elsewhere
- Travelers wanting a booking service with no link to a larger travel group
- Shoppers who want a booking brand fully independent of a parent group
Vrbo
Who it suits
- Families and friend groups who want a whole property with a kitchen instead of several separate rooms.
- Anyone who wants the reservation, the host conversation and the trip details held in a mobile app.
- Groups booking well ahead who can read the property terms and the refund position before they pay.
Who should look elsewhere
- Travellers who want flights, rail and transfers in the same basket: 12Go lists flights, rail and bus.
- People putting a flight together with hotels, tours or car hire: MoMo covers flights, rail and bus.
- Anyone booking a package holiday with transfers and cruise lined up: WayAway sells flights, rail and bus.
Questions about each
Hotels.com
Which travel products can you book through this brand?+
Hotel stays are the main focus, and the brand also offers flights and guided tours. Each booking comes from the travel company that supplies it, so the terms of the chosen trip are set by that provider. The brand brings these options together in one online catalogue, which can simplify planning a trip that combines several elements.
Who owns the company behind the brand?+
A parent travel business owns the brand, and the company keeps its base in the United States. Over time it grew into a travel business operating in several countries, which reflects its early international expansion. Its ownership gives the brand a place in a wide family of travel businesses.
Vrbo
Who runs Vrbo and where is it based?+
Vrbo trades as HomeAway.com, Inc., the legal entity named in its own help pages, and it is headquartered in the United States. It works as an online travel agency, ota, so a booking is placed on a rental property supplied by its owner rather than on a room sold by the platform itself.
How long has Vrbo been trading?+
The marketplace dates back to 1995, which gives it a long record in holiday rentals. That age counts for something when a booking goes wrong, since a business this established has had time to settle its refund position and its published answers, which remain available through help centre.