Italiando vs Vrbo
Italiando vs Vrbo
Vrbo is strong with families and longer stays, especially among travellers from North America. From 29 October 2026 its host fees change. Here's what that means next to a flat subscription.
The short answer
Vrbo reaches a family-travel audience that's hard to find elsewhere, with card checkout and platform support. For owners, its new 12% commission is still a cut of every stay. Italiando charges owners a flat monthly price and guests nothing.
- Fee paid by the guest
- VrboA traveller service fee added at checkout
- ItaliandoNone
- Fee paid by the owner
- VrboA single 12% commission from 29 October 2026 (previously about 8% on pay-per-booking)
- ItaliandoA flat €19–79 a month, no commission
- How you pay
- VrboBy card, through Vrbo
- ItaliandoDeposit by bank transfer to the owner after they confirm
- Booking
- VrboInstant book or request, depending on the listing
- ItaliandoOn request: the owner confirms first
- Guest protection
- VrboPayment through the platform, plus Vrbo's support
- ItaliandoYou deal with the owner directly; nothing is paid until they confirm
- Talking to the host
- VrboThrough Vrbo's messaging
- ItaliandoDirectly with the owner
- Reach
- VrboA large audience, strongest in North America
- ItaliandoA small, curated set of homes; owners bring their own guests
- Reviews
- VrboVerified guest reviews
- ItaliandoHomes show their Airbnb or Booking rating when the owner links it
- Calendar sync
- VrboiCal import and export
- ItaliandoiCal sync included
- Who sets the rules
- VrboVrbo's terms and policies, on top of the owner's
- ItaliandoThe owner
| Aspect | Vrbo | Italiando |
|---|---|---|
| Fee paid by the guest | A traveller service fee added at checkout | None |
| Fee paid by the owner | A single 12% commission from 29 October 2026 (previously about 8% on pay-per-booking) | A flat €19–79 a month, no commission |
| How you pay | By card, through Vrbo | Deposit by bank transfer to the owner after they confirm |
| Booking | Instant book or request, depending on the listing | On request: the owner confirms first |
| Guest protection | Payment through the platform, plus Vrbo's support | You deal with the owner directly; nothing is paid until they confirm |
| Talking to the host | Through Vrbo's messaging | Directly with the owner |
| Reach | A large audience, strongest in North America | A small, curated set of homes; owners bring their own guests |
| Reviews | Verified guest reviews | Homes show their Airbnb or Booking rating when the owner links it |
| Calendar sync | iCal import and export | iCal sync included |
| Who sets the rules | Vrbo's terms and policies, on top of the owner's | The owner |
Fees and policies checked on 13 October 2026. Platforms change them often: check their own terms too.
Where Vrbo is better
- Families and travellers from North America looking for whole homes
- Card checkout and payment through the platform
- Verified reviews and platform support
- Instant booking on many listings
Where Italiando is better
- No service fee for guests
- No commission for owners, just a flat monthly price
- Guests and owners talk to each other directly
- The owner sets the rules, the deposit and the cancellation terms
Vrbo's new fee from 29 October 2026
Until now most Vrbo hosts paid pay-per-booking: a 5% commission plus 3% payment processing, about 8% in all. Vrbo has told hosts it is moving to a single 12% commission from 29 October 2026, and that for most of them the new rate is higher than what they pay today. Guests pay a separate traveller service fee on top, shown at checkout.
A week in Italy, worked out
One week at €150 a night plus €80 for cleaning comes to €1,130.
- On Vrbo at 12%, the owner pays about €136 in commission and keeps about €994, and the guest also pays Vrbo's service fee on top of the €1,130. Under the old 8%, the commission was about €90.
- On Italiando, the guest pays €1,130 and the owner keeps all of it. The subscription is €190 a year for one home on the yearly plan.
Who Vrbo suits
Families booking whole homes, travellers from the US and Canada, and owners who want a big audience and don't mind the commission. Vrbo takes care of card payments and support.
Who Italiando suits
- Guests who've found a home and want to deal with the owner directly.
- Owners with returning guests, friends of friends, or a following of their own.
- Owners on several platforms who want one direct channel that stays in sync with them.
Compare also Italiando vs Airbnb and Italiando vs Booking.com, or read the owner's guide to direct bookings.
Frequently asked questions
What does Vrbo charge hosts in 2026?
From 29 October 2026 Vrbo moves hosts to a single 12% commission. Before that, pay-per-booking was a 5% commission plus 3% payment processing. Your Vrbo dashboard shows the rate that applies to you.
Do guests pay fees on Vrbo?
Yes, Vrbo adds a traveller service fee at checkout. On Italiando, guests pay no fee.
Can I list on Vrbo and Italiando at the same time?
Yes. Sync the calendars by iCal, so a booking on one blocks the dates on the other.
Is Italiando only for homes in Italy?
Yes. Italiando is built for holiday homes in Italy, in Italian and English.
Other comparisons
Italiando vs Airbnb
Airbnb now charges hosts about 15.5% per booking. How booking a home in Italy directly on Italiando compares, for guests and for owners.
Italiando vs Booking.com
Booking.com charges holiday-home owners in Italy around 15–18% per stay. How a flat subscription and direct booking compare, for owners and guests.