Holidu vs Airbnb: Which is cheaper for holiday rentals? No blanket answer exists, because the price depends on the property, travel dates and party size. What can be compared are the extras and rules around it: cleaning, service fee, deposit, cancellation. We put Holidu first and recommend it, because its help says extra costs are listed on the property page before you book and hosts' discounts are already in the price. Airbnb sits next to it factually. We read the help pages of both in October 2026.
How the price comes about
On Holidu hosts set their own prices. Discounts, for example for longer stays, are already in the displayed price according to the help, and you need no promo code. The property page shows the extras once you pick dates and guests: optional services such as pool heating, a crib or a transfer, and costs that are either in the price or payable locally, such as towels and bed linen, cleaning, pets and electricity or water. What is due locally is also listed in the confirmation email, with cleaning fees, local tourist tax, security deposits and utility charges as examples.
On Airbnb the price is the nightly rate, the host's own fees and Airbnb's service fee. For homes there are two models. The platform is not free for guests under the split model: the help page puts the service fee at 14.1 to 16.5 percent of the booking subtotal, excluding taxes. The subtotal holds the nightly price and any extra host fees. Paying in a currency other than the host's can push you to the upper limit of that range. Under the single fee model the host carries the whole fee, and Airbnb says it is moving all hosts to that model. Cleaning and extra guests come on top and raise the total.
Extra charges on site
Airbnb does not generally allow hosts to collect fees outside the platform. Limited exceptions exist for some hosts, such as resort fees, utilities or owners' association fees, which then have to appear in the price at checkout. Most hosts are not allowed to charge security deposits, and AirCover applies to damage. Hotels may ask for a deposit or a card at check-in if they disclosed it.
On Holidu it depends on the property. Deposits and extras payable locally are in the confirmation email. If that section is missing, there are no extra costs locally, according to the help.
Cancelling
On Airbnb the host sets the cancellation rule. It shows on the listing page, when you pay and in the confirmation. For certain homes eligible guests can extend the free window to 24 hours before check-in by paying more, and that extra goes to Airbnb. The check-in date decides, and hosts may adjust the rule for particular dates. You get the service fee back only if you cancel within the free period or the host refunds you fully. If the host cancels, you get everything back.
On Holidu the offer shows the host's rule and the full terms are in the confirmation email. Common types are flexible rules with free cancellation up to 24 hours before check-in, moderate ones with deadlines, and strict ones with partial or no refund. You cancel in your account or through the link in the email. Refunds go to the original payment method and should arrive within 2 to 4 business days after processing, according to the help.
Payment
On Holidu a second payment may fall due. The deadline is in the confirmation and under My Bookings, and Holidu sends reminders. If the second payment fails and stays unpaid, the booking may be cancelled automatically. The help also describes bookings that run through other platforms, such as Booking.com with pay now, or Airbnb, where Airbnb handles all payments and refunds.
Airbnb processes payment itself. You change the payment method only there.
Side by side
| Point | Holidu | Airbnb |
|---|---|---|
| Extras | list on the property page, rest in the confirmation | service fee plus host fees |
| Discounts | already in the price, no code | by host and period |
| Deposit | listed in the confirmation email | not allowed for most hosts |
| Cancellation rule | host sets it, offer shows it | host sets it |
| Service fee | no separate guest fee documented | split model: not free, 14.1 to 16.5 percent, else the host |
| Payment | sometimes two payments | via Airbnb |
| Refund | 2 to 4 business days after processing | per cancellation rule, started at once |
Which suits whom
Holidu fits if you want to compare offers and know before booking what is still due on site. That is our pick for families and groups laying several properties side by side. We do not derive a price promise from it.
Airbnb fits if the platform itself matters more to you, with one account, AirCover and uniform handling. Then look at the fee breakdown you see before paying.
For any property, work out the total for all nights and divide it by the guests.
Cashback
Holidu is on daily cashback. Open the Holidu page, compare calmly and click through it to the provider shortly before you finish. The current rate is on the provider page. For Airbnb there is no cashback.