When you are deciding where to list your homestay or vacation rental, the choice of platform can have a bigger impact on your income than many new hosts realize. Each Online Travel Agency, or OTA, has its own approach to commissions, guest acquisition, marketing support, and payout practices. Whether you are managing a luxury villa in Goa or a budget homestay in Manali, understanding which platform works best for your property type and target guests is essential to maximizing your profit margins.
One of the first details you should compare is how much each platform takes out of every booking. Airbnb typically charges hosts a flat service fee of 3% on the booking subtotal if you choose their standard fee structure, while guests pay their own separate service fee, which can run as high as 14% depending on the reservation cost. Airbnb also offers a “Host-only fee” option where you absorb the entire fee—usually between 14% and 16%—and guests see no separate service fee. Many hosts choose this to keep their listings looking cheaper to guests browsing online, but it does reduce your net payout.
Booking.com works differently. It charges a commission on the total booking value, usually 15%, but in India and some other markets it can be as high as 18%. Unlike Airbnb, Booking.com does not charge guests a separate fee—your nightly rate is the full amount the guest pays. This can make pricing feel simpler for the traveler, but you as the host need to price carefully to ensure your margin isn’t eaten up by the commission. In addition, Booking.com payouts often happen after guest check-in or check-out, depending on your account settings, which can create cash flow gaps for small operators.
MakeMyTrip, which dominates the domestic Indian travel market, usually charges between 15% and 20% commission depending on your property type and negotiated agreement. MakeMyTrip and its sister brand Goibibo are strong in tier 1 and tier 2 Indian cities, so if your main audience is domestic families and couples, this platform can be worth the higher fees. However, you should be aware that MakeMyTrip often runs aggressive discounting campaigns and you may be expected to participate in promotions to improve your visibility.
Homeyhuts is a newer entrant compared to the giants but has carved a niche as a specialized homestay and vacation rental platform in India. Their standard commission is around 10%–12%, which is lower than the other OTAs. They focus on curated listings and support hosts with onboarding assistance and marketing help, which can be a big advantage if you’re new to the business. Because their fee structure is more transparent and lighter, your take-home earnings per booking can be higher if you have consistent occupancy.
It’s not just about fees—who your guests are matters just as much. Airbnb is known for bringing in a younger, experience-driven audience, including a large proportion of international travelers and digital nomads. These guests tend to stay longer—on average 3 to 5 nights—and they are willing to pay more for unique stays. They also expect a certain standard of personal touch and responsiveness, so if you can’t commit to high-quality hosting and communication, you may struggle to maintain good ratings.
Booking.com, by contrast, caters to travelers who want instant booking and predictable service. This platform attracts a mix of domestic and international guests, but skews slightly more toward shorter stays—often just one or two nights. Business travelers, families, and last-minute bookers are frequent users. If your property is in a city or near a transport hub, Booking.com can deliver a steady stream of bookings, but the guests may be less likely to leave detailed reviews unless prompted.
MakeMyTrip and Goibibo together have the biggest visibility among Indian travelers planning holidays, especially families, couples, and large groups booking vacations in Goa, Himachal, Uttarakhand, and Kerala. If your homestay appeals to Indian tourists and you want volume, MakeMyTrip can help fill your calendar. However, because many guests expect deals and discounts, you might find that your average nightly rate is lower than on Airbnb.
Homeyhuts positions itself squarely as an Indian alternative focused on authentic homestay experiences. If your property is more personal—say a heritage bungalow, a farmhouse, or a mountain retreat—Homeyhuts can help you target guests who specifically search for homestays over hotels. While their user base is smaller than Airbnb’s or Booking.com’s, hosts often find the booking quality is higher and guests stay longer, leading to better average earnings per reservation.
To see how this plays out in real life, it helps to look at examples of hosts who list on more than one platform. For instance, a host operating a 3BHK villa in Vagator, Goa, reports that during peak season, the property can command ₹15,000 per night on Airbnb with an average occupancy rate of 70%. Factoring in the 3% host fee, the net earnings come to roughly ₹10–₹11 lakh over three high season months. The same property listed on Booking.com gets a similar number of nights booked but at slightly lower average rates—₹13,000 per night—and the higher 15% commission reduces net earnings further.
Conversely, a homestay in Manali targeting Indian families finds that MakeMyTrip drives almost twice as many bookings as Airbnb in summer, but the guests typically negotiate discounts and expect breakfast included. Although the gross revenue looks strong, after paying commissions and factoring in extra services, the net profit per booking is comparable to Airbnb, or sometimes less.
On the other hand, hosts who listed on Homeyhuts noted that although the volume was lower in the first six months, the guests booked longer stays—averaging 4 to 6 nights—and the lower commission meant net income was very competitive. For example, one host in Kerala reported earning ₹4 lakh in a season with Homeyhuts compared to ₹3.2 lakh via Airbnb despite fewer total reservations.
Ultimately, the best platform for you depends on your property type, location, and the kind of guests you want to attract. Airbnb remains the dominant choice for hosts who want international visibility and can offer a distinctive experience. Booking.com provides scale and steady bookings, especially for urban or transit-friendly locations. MakeMyTrip excels at reaching the domestic leisure market but often requires you to participate in promotional pricing to stay visible. Homeyhuts, while smaller, offers a homestay-focused ecosystem and lower commissions, which can make a big difference to your margins if you run a more personal or boutique space.
Many experienced hosts choose to list on multiple platforms to balance occupancy. You can use channel managers—software that syncs your calendars and pricing across sites—to avoid double bookings and adjust your pricing strategy to make sure you’re profitable even after commissions.
If you want to maximize your income while reducing dependence on any single OTA, you might also consider developing your own direct booking website and building an audience through social media and repeat guests. This approach takes longer to establish but can result in higher long-term profitability because you save on platform commissions.
Choosing where to list your homestay isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. Take the time to compare commissions, audience types, payout terms, and marketing support. Talk to other hosts in your region to understand their experiences. The right platform—or combination of platforms—can mean the difference between a business that just breaks even and one that reliably pays you back month after month.
Ready to make the most of your hosting journey? Partner with Homeyhuts to simplify property management and maximize your rental potential. Our platform offers cutting-edge solutions to help you attract more guests and achieve greater success.
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