Airbnb is a great innovation for people to list, discover and book unique accommodations around the world - online or from a mobile phone or tablet. Even with their wide collection of hosts all around the globe, there are areas in the world that do not enjoy their service yet.
Here are some mobile apps that can be used as a substitute for Airbnb, as presented and explained by Kit Eaton in his report in the New York Times.
HomeAway, just like Airbnb, has a lot of hosts that offer houses and apartments that can be rented by tourists and travelers for short-term. The app lets you search homes you want to stay in by location and date. Its refined search features lets you find a home with amenities that are suitable for your preferences. Photos and additional details about the homes that you find promising are also available in the app. Information about the host can also be reviewed.
Booking and payment can be done through the app. You can also contact the hosts of the homes you want to rent through the app.
HomeAway is available for free for Android and iOS devices.
HouseTrip has hosts available in the United States and other countries, but most of its inventories are based in European locations. The HouseTrip app is easier to use for searches due to its minimalist interface. "I like how you can see previous guest ratings for features like cleanliness, ease of check-ins and other features," commented Eaton.
There is a different app for renters and hosts. The app for the property hosts is available for free on Android and iOS, but the app for the renter is only available on iOS devices.
Roomorama
Roomorama offers the same features as the app mentioned before, but has a 'Near Me' feature that lists properties that are near your current location. The only problem about this app is that it has fewer choices of homes and is not yet updated by its makers. If you are to book a rental home using this app, make sure to contact first the host of the property to make sure that the offer is still open.
The app is only available in iOS devices.
