So, you’ve decided to invest in building an app like Airbnb—an excellent choice in the booming vacation rental market. This type of app enables property hosts to offer travelers unique accommodations while earning income.
According to the latest Airbnb report, the platform boasts over 4 million hosts and 6.6 million active listings worldwide, spanning 100,000+ cities and towns across more than 220 countries. With over 1.5 billion guests served to date and hosts earning over $10 billion globally, it's clear why entering this market is such a promising venture.
However, the crucial question remains: “How much does it cost to build an app like Airbnb?” Understanding this is essential before you dive into the business.
This blog will provide an in-depth analysis of the factors that influence the cost of building a vacation rental app like Airbnb, helping you make informed decisions for a successful investment.
How Much Does It Cost to Build an App Similar to Airbnb?
Many businesses mostly face cost-related hurdles during Airbnb like mobile app development for business. The expense of building an Airbnb-like app depends on several factors such as feature complexity, technological advancements, UI/UX design, development team location and more.
The cost to build an app like Airbnb can range between $30,000 to $200,000 and even more depending on custom requirements.
Well, here is an essential cost range for Airbnb like travel app development as per application types:
App Type | Cost Estimation | Timeline |
Basic | $40,000 to $60,000 | 2-3 months |
Mid-Level | $60,000 to $90,000 | 3-6 months |
Advanced | $90,000 to $300,000 | 9+ months |
Factors Influencing the Cost to Build an App Like Airbnb
When developing an app like Airbnb, one of the primary questions that arise is, "How much does it cost to build an app like Airbnb?" Understanding the factors that influence the overall cost is crucial.
Below is a breakdown of the critical factors that impact the cost of developing a mobile app similar to Airbnb.
Factor #1 - App Complexity
The complexity of your app directly impacts the cost of building an app like Airbnb. Here is a cost breakdown of Airbnb like travel app development.
App Complexity | Features & Functionalities | Cost |
Basic MVP App | – Search – Booking Management – User management – Basic communication | $65,000 – $100,000
|
Mid-Complexity App | – Advanced search filters – Wish Lists – Basic in-app communication – Payment gateway integration | $100,000 – $150,000
|
High-Complexity App | – Itinerary creation – Advanced in-app messaging – User verification – Robust analytics – AI/ML powered recommendation engine | $200,000+ |
Factor #2 - Features
How much does it cost to build an app like Airbnb? One key factor that influences the cost of developing a travel-agency-based app like Airbnb is the features it includes.
Below are the top features of a vacation rental app like Airbnb, categorized by user panels:
- Host Panel
- Guest Panel
- Admin Panel
Here is a cost breakdown of Airbnb like vacation rental app development based on user panels features:
Panels | Functionalities | Cost Range |
Host Panel | Host Profile Management Property Management Dashboard Reservation Management Payment Management Host Support Window | $10,000 to $50,000 or more |
Guest Panel | Guest Profile Management Property Search with filters Wish List Create Personal Travel Itinerary Payment My booking/ Booking Management In-app Messaging Ratings and Reviews | $25,000 and $75,000 |
Admin Panel | User Management Content Management Booking Management Payment Management Analytics and Reporting Communication and Support | $30,000 to $100,000 |
Must-Have Features of Every Vacation Rental App like Airbnb
- Signup/Login: A user-friendly registration and login process tailored for each panel within the vacation rental app.
- Push Notifications: Real-time alerts for admins, hosts, and guests about reservation inquiries, with an option for guests to receive marketing notifications if they choose.
- Voice Assistance: Enhances app accessibility and provides users with a more intuitive search experience.
- Weather Forecast: Admins can offer personalized stay suggestions, while users can plan their activities and exploration based on up-to-date weather information.
- In-app Navigation: Assists guests in quickly locating their rental property and facilitates smooth exploration of nearby locations.
- In-app Communication Support: Enables hosts and guests to communicate securely without sharing personal contact details and allows both parties to escalate issues to customer support for resolution quickly.
- Cancellation Policy: A crucial feature that allows guests or hosts to cancel reservations when necessary, ensuring a dependable and flexible user experience.
- Property Price Calculation: Automatically determines the reservation cost by factoring in Currency Exchange Fees, Value Added Tax, and Location-based Tax.
Here is a cost breakdown of Airbnb-like app development as per features:
Airbnb-like App Features | Cost Estimation |
Signup/Login | $500 – $1,500 |
Push Notification | $2,000 – $4,000 |
Voice Assistance | $10,000+ |
Weather Forecast | $2,000 – $5,000+ |
In-app Navigation | $5,000+ |
In-app Communication Support | $3,000 – $5,000 |
Cancellation Policy | $500 – $1,000 |
Property Price Calculation | $1,000 – $2,000 |
Factor #3 - App Development Platform
Choosing between native apps or cross-platform development can influence the cost of creating an app like Airbnb.
Native app development (Android or iOS) tend to be more expensive due to the need for separate development for each platform. Cross-platform development frameworks like Flutter or React Native can reduce costs by allowing a single codebase for multiple platforms.
Here is a cost breakdown of building Airbnb like vacation rentals and travel apps based on platforms:
Development Platforms | Cost Range |
Android | $30,000 - $80,000 |
iOS | $30,000 - $80,000 |
Cross-Platform | $40,000 - $100,000 |
Web Application | $40,000 - $90,000 |
Factor #4 - UI/UX Design
Hire top-notch UI/UX designers from a leading creative design agency to craft an exceptional vacation rental app similar to Airbnb. Our skilled app designers will guide you through every stage of the design process, including research, ideation, defining user personas, and prototyping. They will work through an iterative design cycle to deliver a stunning app design.
The cost of designing an app like Airbnb ranges from $10,000 to $25,000 for mobile apps (with a timeline of 4-6 weeks) and $15,000 to $35,000 for web apps (taking 5-7 weeks).
Factor #5 - Third-Party Integration
Another factor that influences the cost of building an app like Airbnb is third-party integration. Here is a cost breakdown of Airbnb, similar to vacation rental app development:
| API Integration | Description | Estimated Cost |
| Communication Gateways | Integrate SMS, Email, WhatsApp for notifications and communication (e.g., Twilio) | $500 – $2,000 |
| Payment Gateways | Integrate payment options like PayPal, Stripe for international transactions | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Currency Converters | APIs like Exchange Rates API or Fixer.io for currency conversion | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Language Assistance | Integration of translation services like Google Translate for multi-language support | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Analytics | Tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot CRM to monitor app performance and user behavior | $2,000 – $5,000+ |
| Geo Location | Location/GPS support with APIs like Google Maps or Mapbox for property location and navigation | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| CMS Integrations | Integrate content management systems like WordPress, Drupal, Firebase for easy content updates | $2,000 – $10,000 |
Factor #6 - Testing & Quality Assurance
Ensuring the app’s quality and reliability through rigorous testing and quality assurance is crucial for providing a smooth user experience. Investing in comprehensive testing across different devices, operating systems, and network conditions is key to identifying and resolving bugs or performance issues early in the development process.
The cost of developing an app like Airbnb can increase due to extensive testing efforts and the use of automated testing tools.
Factor #7 - Regulatory Compliance and Security
Complying with industry regulations and security standards is vital for protecting user data and building trust. Implementing robust security features like encryption, authentication, and data protection will raise development costs. In addition, acquiring compliance certifications or undergoing security audits to meet regulatory requirements can further contribute to the overall cost of developing an app like Airbnb.
| Factor | Functionality | Cost Range |
App Security | – User data security – Payment/Financial transactional security | $5,000 to $15,000 |
Factor #8 - Development Team Expertise
How much does it cost to build an app like Airbnb? One of the key factors that influence the cost is development team expertise. Make sure you hire dedicated developers to make your project successful.
Here is a cost breakdown of vacation rental app development cost based on the development team:
Team Members | Dedicated Hiring Cost (Per Hour) |
Project Manager | $50 – $150 |
Business Analyst | $40 – $100 |
UI/UX Designers | $30 – $100 |
Mobile App Developers | $25 – $150 |
Web Developers | $25 – $120 |
Back-end Developers | $40 – $150 |
QA Engineer | $30 – $80 |
Factor #9 - Development Team Location
The cost to develop an app like Airbnb can vary significantly depending on the hourly development rates in different regions. For example, hourly rates in countries such as the UK or the US are considerably higher compared to the other areas.
To optimize your budget, consider outsourcing to regions like India, where skilled development teams offer high-quality solutions at more competitive rates. By tapping into the expertise, resources, and technologies available in these regions, you can enhance efficiency and manage costs more effectively.
With the growing trend of global talent acquisition, development teams in Asian countries provide comprehensive solutions while adhering to both international and local compliance standards. Partnering with a team in these regions can help address complex development challenges efficiently.
Here are the estimated hourly development rates of the Airbnb vacation rental app as per various regions shown below graph:
Factor #10 - Advanced Search and Recommendation Algorithms
Implementing advanced search and recommendation algorithms enhances user experience by customizing suggestions based on user preferences, location, budget, and past interactions. But, the development and integration of these sophisticated algorithms can significantly increase the overall cost of creating an app like Airbnb.
Cost Range: $20,000 to $50,000
Factor #11 - Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Features
Incorporating AR and VR features can transform how users explore properties and destinations. Offering virtual property tours or using AR to visualize spaces in real-world settings can significantly boost user engagement. Yet, the complexity involved in implementing these innovative features contributes to the increased cost of building an app like Airbnb.
Cost Range: $30,000 to $100,000
Factor #12 - Artificial Intelligence Chatbots
AI-powered chatbots provide instant, round-the-clock assistance, handle inquiries, offer recommendations, and facilitate bookings. Investing in AI technologies and natural language processing to develop and train these chatbots can enhance user satisfaction and retention. But, this investment impacts the overall cost of developing an app like Airbnb.
Cost Range: $15,000 to $40,000
Factor #13 - User-Generated Content and Social Features
Features that allow users to share their experiences, post reviews, and interact with others can create a vibrant community within the app. Integrating social sharing options, user-generated content feeds, and interactive forums enriches user engagement. Still, it requires additional development and ongoing maintenance, thus increasing the cost of building an app like Airbnb.
Cost Range: $20,000 to $60,000
Factor #14 - Integration with IoT Devices
Integrating Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as smart locks, thermostats, and home automation systems, offers unique benefits for both guests and hosts. For instance, guests can control room settings or unlock doors via their smartphones.
Developing and testing these IoT functionalities entails a significant investment, raising the overall cost of creating an app like Airbnb.
Cost Range: $25,000 to $70,000
How to Monetize App Like Airbnb?
Airbnb, like the vacation rental app business model, includes implementing several revenue streams. The Airbnb app business model leverages multiple revenue streams to capitalize on its services and user base.
Here are several revenue models that you can consider for your Airbnb like travel app or vacation rental app:
- Service Fees: Charge users a service fee for each booking or transaction. This fee is typically a percentage of the total booking amount and is applied to both hosts and guests.
- Subscription Models: Offer premium subscription plans for hosts and guests. For hosts, this could include features like enhanced visibility or priority support. For guests, it could provide benefits like discounts or exclusive access.
- Listing Fees: Charge hosts a fee to list their properties on the platform. This can be a one-time fee or a recurring subscription.
- Advertising and Promotions: Implement in-app advertising or promotional features that allow hosts to pay for increased visibility or enhanced placement of their listings.
- Experience Fees: If your app includes experiences or activities (like Airbnb Experiences), charge a commission or booking fee for these services.
- Partner Services: Partner with local businesses (e.g., cleaning services, travel insurance) and earn a commission or referral fee for each transaction facilitated through your platform.
Still wondering, how much does it cost to build an app like Airbnb? It’s time to go for the proper travel mobile app development partner.
Consider VLink for Airbnb like Travel Mobile App Development!
As a premier travel app development company, VLink specializes in creating innovative solutions for apps like Airbnb. Our approach integrates advanced technology with meticulous project planning and thorough research analysis to deliver top-tier results.
Our extensive experience in the hospitality sector enables us to tailor our services to the unique needs of each project. Our expert team blends exceptional service with deep expertise in app development, ensuring a personalized experience for both seasoned and new clients.
We leverage our proficiency in user-centric solutions to design and implement custom features and functionalities that meet the specific requirements of Airbnb-like apps.
Contact us today to start your journey towards developing cutting-edge apps like Airbnb and revolutionize the way users experience accommodation booking and hospitality services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Building an app like Airbnb typically takes 9 to 18 months, depending on the complexity of features, the number of platforms (iOS and Android), and the development team's expertise. The timeline includes stages like planning, design, development, testing, and deployment, with more complex apps requiring additional time.
To ensure the success of your Airbnb-like travel app business model, focus on delivering a seamless user experience, implementing effective marketing strategies, offering unique value propositions, maintaining high security, and continuously adapting to market trends and customer feedback.
To build a travel app like Airbnb:
- Start by defining your unique value proposition and target audience.
- Design a user-friendly interface and develop essential features like booking systems, user profiles, and payment gateways.
- Test thoroughly, ensure regulatory compliance, and plan a strong launch strategy to attract users.
