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Scheduling · head to head

Airbnb vs SimplyBook.me

Airbnb logo

Airbnb

Scheduling

Book unique homes and experiences all over the world

From
$3/per-booking
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SimplyBook.me logo

SimplyBook.me

Scheduling

Online booking system for service businesses

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SimplyBook.me has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Airbnb single-fee model charges 15.5 percent vs 3 percent split model, significantly higher for most listings; SimplyBook.me pricing model includes many features locked behind custom add-ons
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Airbnb and SimplyBook.me actually diverge.

Attributes where Airbnb and SimplyBook.me differ
AttributeAirbnbSimplyBook.me
Starting price$3/per-bookingFree
Pricing modeltransactionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
FoundedUnknown2009

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Scheduling).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Airbnb

Nothing recorded that SimplyBook.me does not also cover.

Only in SimplyBook.me

  • Booking website
  • Client management
  • Payment processing
  • Marketing tools
  • Custom branding
  • Google Calendar
  • Outlook
  • Zoom

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Airbnb

  • Short-term vacation rental hostingnot SimplyBook.me
  • Property monetizationnot SimplyBook.me
  • Experience hosting on Airbnb platformnot SimplyBook.me

SimplyBook.me

  • Schedulingnot Airbnb
  • Appointment bookingnot Airbnb
  • Time trackingnot Airbnb
  • Resource managementnot Airbnb
  • Team coordinationnot Airbnb

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Airbnb

  • Single-fee model charges 15.5 percent vs 3 percent split model, significantly higher for most listings
  • Brazil and Mexico hosts pay 1 percent premium over base rates
  • VAT may apply additional charges depending on jurisdiction
  • Cross-currency bookings may result in guest fees reaching 16.5 percent

SimplyBook.me

  • Pricing model includes many features locked behind custom add-ons
  • No built-in video conferencing, requiring third-party integration
  • Limited CRM capabilities compared to dedicated sales platforms
  • Free plan capped at 5 bookings per month, limiting small business use

Pricing, plan by plan

Airbnb

$3/per-booking
  • Split-Fee Model$3/percent
    • 3 percent service fee on nightly rates (most hosts)
    • 4 percent for Brazil and Mexico hosts
    • Automatic deduction from payout
  • Single-Fee Model$15.5/percent
    • 15.5 percent of total payout (most hosts)
    • 14 to 16 percent range for some hosts
    • 16 percent for Brazil and Mexico hosts

SimplyBook.me

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 50 bookings/month
    • Booking website
    • Basic features
  • Basic$8.25/month
    • 100 bookings
    • Custom features
    • Payments
  • Standard$24.9/month
    • 500 bookings
    • All features
    • Multiple locations

Which should you pick?

Choose Airbnb if

Nothing in the data separates Airbnb from SimplyBook.me on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Airbnb review

Choose SimplyBook.me if

  • You need booking website.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want client management.
SimplyBook.me review

Questions people ask

Is Airbnb or SimplyBook.me better?
Neither clearly leads. Airbnb starts at $3/per-booking and SimplyBook.me at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Airbnb or SimplyBook.me?
SimplyBook.me has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $3/per-booking for Airbnb and Free for SimplyBook.me.
Does Airbnb or SimplyBook.me run on more platforms?
Airbnb runs on Web. SimplyBook.me runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use SimplyBook.me for free?
Yes. SimplyBook.me has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Airbnb starts at $3/per-booking.
What is Airbnb best used for?
Airbnb is most often used for short-term vacation rental hosting, property monetization, experience hosting on airbnb platform. Of those, short-term vacation rental hosting and property monetization are not what SimplyBook.me is typically brought in for.
What can Airbnb do that SimplyBook.me cannot?
SimplyBook.me covers Booking website, Client management, Payment processing, Marketing tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Airbnb: What percentage does Airbnb charge hosts for accommodations?

Airbnb uses two models. The split-fee model charges 3 percent of nightly rates (4 percent for Brazil and Mexico). The single-fee model charges 15.5 percent of total payout (up to 16 percent in some regions).

Source
SimplyBook.me: Does SimplyBook.me offer a free plan?

Yes, SimplyBook.me offers a free plan for small businesses, though advanced features and custom add-ons require paid plans.

Source
Airbnb: When must Airbnb hosts use the single-fee model instead of split-fee?

Property management software users and hotel operators are required to use the single-fee model (15.5 percent of payout) rather than the split-fee option.

Source
Airbnb: Do Airbnb host fees differ by country?

Yes. Brazil and Mexico hosts pay 4 percent under split-fee model and 16 percent under single-fee model, both 1 percent higher than rates in other regions.

Source
Airbnb: What percentage do guests pay when booking Airbnb experiences?

Guests pay approximately 20 percent service fee for Airbnb Experiences and 15 percent (minimum 6 USD) for service bookings, separate from host fees.

Source
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