Airbnb vs Booking.com: Which Platform Earns You More?

When it comes to short-term letting in the UK—especially in a high-demand city like Manchester—two major platforms dominate the market: Airbnb and Booking.com. But which one is better for hosts looking to maximise their earnings? In this guide, we compare both platforms from a host’s perspective to help you make an informed decision in 2025.

Airbnb: A Community-Focused Platform with Strong Brand Loyalty
Airbnb is well known for its community-driven feel, allowing hosts to connect personally with guests. It’s the go-to platform for holidaymakers, digital nomads, and experience-seekers looking for unique and home-like stays.

For hosts, Airbnb offers:

• Flexible pricing tools and seasonal rate adjustments

• In-depth guest profiles and reviews

• The option to approve or decline bookings manually

• Airbnb’s Host Guarantee and Host Liability Insurance

Airbnb users tend to stay longer—often 2-5 nights or more—making it ideal for attracting extended-stay guests in Manchester who are in town for work, events, or relocation.

Booking.com: Higher Volume, Less Interaction
Booking.com appeals more to business travellers and tourists looking for instant, hotel-like stays. The platform is designed for ease and speed, with instant booking as the default and fewer host-guest interactions required.

What hosts get with Booking.com:

• A huge user base and powerful global visibility

• Greater exposure for last-minute and one-night bookings

• Less detailed guest profiles and limited screening

• More competition, especially from hotels

While Booking.com often drives more traffic, guests tend to stay for shorter periods, which can mean more frequent turnovers and cleaning costs.

Which Platform Earns You More? The answer depends on your property type, location, and management style. Airbnb generally yields higher earnings for hosts who offer stylish, well-maintained homes with longer minimum stays. Its users are often willing to pay more for personalised experiences and home comforts.

Booking.com may deliver higher occupancy rates due to its sheer volume of users, especially for properties in prime city-centre locations. However, shorter stays and higher competition can reduce average nightly income.

Our Recommendation for Manchester Hosts In 2025, many successful hosts in Manchester are using both platforms. By combining Airbnb’s longer-stay guests with Booking.com’s high traffic and instant bookings, you can balance occupancy and profit.

At our Manchester-based Airbnb management company, we optimise listings across both Airbnb and Booking.com. Our dual-platform strategy ensures you get maximum exposure and income, while we handle guest communication, pricing, cleaning, and everything in between.

Want to know which platform is right for your property—or how to thrive on both? Contact our team for a free consultation.