Beyond Airbnb: Comparing the Top Short-Term Rental Platforms for Maximum Bookings in Oklahoma

While Airbnb has become the poster child of short-term rentals, it isn’t the only player in the game. In a competitive market like Oklahoma City, relying on a single platform can limit your exposure and leave your rental sitting empty. The truth is, expanding your reach to other platforms can lead to more bookings, diversified guest profiles, and better revenue. In this blog, we’ll explore the top short-term rental platforms hosts are using besides Airbnb, break down their pros and cons, and offer tips for using multiple sites effectively.

Why Hosts Are Expanding Beyond Airbnb There’s no denying Airbnb’s dominance, but it comes with its share of challenges. Saturation in major markets, increasing fees, and shifting guest expectations have driven many hosts to look elsewhere. Airbnb’s guest-first policies can leave hosts vulnerable, and its algorithm changes can significantly impact your listing's visibility overnight. Expanding to other platforms can increase your resilience and occupancy, especially if you have a unique or premium property.

Top Short-Term Rental Platforms: Pros, Cons & Best Uses

Platform	Pros	Cons	Best For
Airbnb	Large audience, intuitive tools, built-in insurance	High fees, guest-first policies, competitive saturation	Beginners, global travelers
Vrbo	Longer stays, family-focused travelers	Fewer bookings in urban areas	Vacation homes, families
Booking.com	Huge exposure, no upfront fees	High cancellation rate, complex platform	Experienced hosts, city rentals
Furnished Finder	Medical professionals, low fees, mid-term stays	Manual processes, no instant bookings	Travel nurses, mid-term rentals
Expedia	Travel bundles, premium visibility	More hotel-centric, fewer STR bookings	High-end listings, long stays
Tripadvisor Rentals	Established brand, older audience	Smaller STR market share	International travelers, mature guests
Marriott Homes & Villas	Trusted brand, high-income travelers	Strict quality standards, selective onboarding	Luxury homes, premium properties
Facebook Marketplace	Free exposure, local inquiries	Scam risk, poor management tools	Mid-term stays, budget rentals
Zillow Rentals	Great for month-to-month furnished listings	Not optimized for STR	Furnished long-term rentals

Platform Breakdown

Airbnb: Still the most popular platform, Airbnb gives hosts great exposure and a seamless booking process. However, competition is fierce and hosts must work harder to stand out. It’s a great place to start, but it shouldn’t be the only place you list.

Vrbo: Better for family or group travelers, Vrbo tends to bring longer stays and slightly older guests. It does well in vacation-oriented neighborhoods, but may not perform as well in downtown OKC.

Booking.com: Known for hotel bookings, Booking.com also allows STR listings. It has a huge global audience but also a high rate of cancellations. Hosts need to manage this platform actively.

Furnished Finder: Ideal for mid-term stays, especially in cities like OKC that draw in travel nurses and contractors. This platform charges no booking fees and encourages monthly stays. It does, however, require more manual work.

Expedia: More premium travelers use Expedia, often as part of travel bundles. It’s a good secondary platform if your home is high-end, but it’s not as STR-centric as Airbnb.

Tripadvisor Rentals: With a reputation for travel advice and reviews, Tripadvisor still gets bookings, especially from older travelers. Listings here often attract a more global and mature demographic.

Marriott Homes & Villas: High-end travelers who want hotel-level service love this platform. But you must apply and meet strict criteria, which makes it ideal for luxury listings only.

Facebook Marketplace: A wildcard for short-term rentals, Facebook is great for finding local renters and mid-term tenants. However, it lacks booking tools and may invite scams, so caution is advised.

Zillow Rentals: Not for STRs specifically, but if you offer month-to-month or furnished housing, Zillow can help reach longer-term tenants. Great for reducing vacancy between short-term guests.

Tips for Managing Multiple Platforms:

• Use a Channel Manager: Tools like Hospitable, Guesty, or Lodgify help sync calendars, messages, and pricing across platforms to avoid double-bookings.

• Tailor Listings: Each platform has a different audience. Customize your listing photos, titles, and descriptions to appeal to each.

• Adjust Pricing: Factor in different platform fees. Airbnb takes up to 14%, Booking.com may go higher.

• Monitor Messages Closely: Multi-platform hosting means more messages. Use automation where possible to keep response times fast.

Airbnb may be the go-to, but it shouldn’t be your only strategy. With multiple platforms catering to different guest types, Oklahoma City hosts can see a significant boost in occupancy and income by going multi-platform. Whether you’re targeting nurses on Furnished Finder or families on Vrbo, the key is to diversify smartly. Need help listing on multiple platforms? Upventures can help you navigate the options and optimize your listings for success.

Want help managing your listings across platforms? Contact Upventures for professional Airbnb co-hosting and property management in the Oklahoma City metro!