How to Build an Airbnb-like App? [Complete Guide]

6 min readFeb 8, 2024

What is Airbnb like App?

An Airbnb-like app, also known as an Airbnb clone app, is a platform that mimics the functionality and features of the original Airbnb platform. It enables users to list, discover, and book accommodations for short-term stays, ranging from apartments and houses to unique properties like treehouses and castles. These apps typically facilitate communication between hosts and guests, handle bookings and payments, and provide a seamless user experience akin to Airbnb.

Stakeholders of the Airbnb App

Certainly! Below is an elaboration of the stakeholders involved in an Airbnb app platform:

Admin Panel

The Admin Panel is the central control hub of the Airbnb app platform, including managing operations, resolving disputes, and ensuring compliance with regulations typically accessible only to administrators or site owners.

Host Panel

The Host Panel is where property owners or hosts manage their listings and interactions with the guests.

Guest Panel

The Guest Panel is where travelers or guests search for accommodations, make bookings, and manage their reservations.

How Does Airbnb Like App Work?

Sure, here are the key points on how an Airbnb-like app works:

Users can sign up and create an account on the platform. They can sign up using their email address, phone number, or social media accounts.
Users can search for accommodations based on location, dates, price range, number of guests, amenities, and other preferences. The app typically provides filters to refine search results.
Hosts can create a list of their properties by providing details such as location, description, photos, availability, pricing, house rules, and amenities.
Hosts can manage their listings, which includes updating availability, adjusting pricing, responding to inquiries, and handling reservations through a host dashboard or management tools provided by the app.
Once users find suitable accommodation, the guest can book a room by selecting the dates of their stay and making a reservation. The booking process may involve payment through the app’s built-in payment system or external payment gateways.
The app facilitates communication between hosts and guests through messaging features. Users can ask questions, discuss details, and coordinate their stay directly within the app.
The app manages payments for bookings, handling transactions securely. It may offer various payment options, including credit/debit cards, PayPal, and other digital payment methods.
After a stay, hosts and guests can leave reviews and ratings for each other. These reviews help build trust within the community and provide valuable feedback for future users.
Users can access customer support and assistance through the app in case of any problems or questions during their booking process or stay.
Once a guest completes their stay, the host receives payment for the booking, minus any applicable fees charged by the platform. Payouts to hosts are typically handled securely through the app.

Features of apps like Airbnb

Sure, here’s an elaboration on the features typically found in an Airbnb-like app, categorized into three main panels:

Admin panel
Host panel
Guest panel

Admin panel:

Dashboard:

The admin panel provides a central dashboard for administrators to manage different aspects of the app. It offers an overview of key metrics, such as the number of active listings, bookings, users, revenue generated, etc.

User Management:

Admins can manage user accounts, including hosts and guests. They can review and approve/reject new user registrations, deactivate accounts if needed, and handle any reported issues or disputes.

Listing Management:

Admins can review, edit, or delete property listings uploaded by hosts. Admin has control to moderate content to ensure it complies with platform guidelines.

Transaction Management:

Admins monitor financial transactions such as booking payments, refunds, and service fees. They might also handle disputes between users related to payments or bookings.

Analytics and Reporting:

Admins can access analytical insights and generate reports on various aspects of the platform, such as user activity, revenue, popular locations, etc.

Booking Management:

Admins have access to all bookings made on the platform. They can view booking details, manage cancellations, handle payment transactions, and resolve booking-related disputes.

Financial Management:

Admins can track financial transactions, manage payments to hosts, handle refunds, and generate financial reports for accounting purposes.

Settings and Configuration:

This section enables admins to configure various settings related to the platform, such as commission rates, currency settings, language preferences, and other operational parameters.

Reviews and Ratings:

The admin panel allows administrators to monitor and moderate reviews and ratings submitted by guests. They can intervene in case of inappropriate content or disputes between users.

Host panel:

Property Listing Management:

Hosts can create and manage property listings through the host panel. They can upload property photos, set availability calendars, describe amenities, specify pricing, and manage booking rules.

Profile Management:

Hosts can edit their profiles, update contact information, add verification details, and provide additional information about themselves or their properties.

Booking Management:

Hosts can view and manage incoming booking requests, accept or decline reservation inquiries, communicate with guests, and coordinate check-in/check-out procedures.

Payment Management:

Hosts can track their earnings, set pricing for their listings, manage payout preferences and handle financial transactions related to their bookings.

Communication:

The host panel includes a messaging system that facilitates communication between hosts and guests. Hosts can respond to guest inquiries, provide assistance, and address any concerns or questions.

Review Management:

Hosts can view and respond to guest reviews and ratings. They can also leave reviews for guests after their stay, contributing to the platform’s reputation system.

Guest panel:

Search and Discovery:

Guests can search for properties based on location, dates, price range, amenities, and property type. They can browse listings, view photos, read descriptions, and check availability.

Booking and Reservation Management:

Guests can view property details, check availability, and make reservations. They can also manage their bookings, including cancellations and modifications.

Messaging System:

Like hosts, guests have access to communicate with hosts. They can ask questions about listings, discuss booking details, and coordinate arrival arrangements.

Profile Management:

Guests can create and manage their profiles, update personal information, add payment methods, and view past bookings.

Wishlist:

Guests can save properties they’re interested in for future reference.

Booking History:

Guests can review their booking history, including upcoming stays and past reservations. They can access booking confirmations, receipts, and any communication swapped with hosts.

Review and Rating:

After their stay, guests can leave reviews and ratings for the properties they booked and the hosts they interacted with. They can also view reviews from previous guests to inform their decisions.

Development Team For Airbnb like App

Creating a robust Airbnb clone app requires a skilled and experienced development team proficient in various technologies and frameworks. The typical roles within the development team include:

Project manager
UI/UX designer
Frontend and backend developers
Quality assurance specialists
DevOps engineers
Legal and compliance experts
Mobile app developers

Collaborating with an experienced development team ensures a smooth and efficient development process.

How Much Does It Cost To Develop a Vacation Rental App Like Airbnb?

The cost of developing an Airbnb-like app varies depending on factors such as:

Features and complexity
Platform (iOS, Android, Web)
Design requirements
Development team rates and location
Maintenance and support

A rough estimate for a basic version of the app can range from $50,000 to $100,000, while a more advanced and feature-rich app may cost upwards of $200,000 or more. To conduct a detailed analysis of requirements and consult with development experts to obtain an accurate cost estimate.

Tech Stack For An Airbnb Clone App

Creating an Airbnb clone app involves a range of technologies across various layers of the application, including frontend, backend, database, and infrastructure. Here’s a typical tech stack that you might consider:

Frontend: React Native, AngularJS, Swift, Kotlin

Backend: Node.js, Python (Django),

Database: MongoDB, PostgreSQL, or MySQL

Cloud Hosting: AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure

Payment Gateway: Stripe, PayPal, or Braintree

Communication: Twilio (for SMS), SendGrid (for emails) or Firebase Cloud Messaging

Monetization Strategies of Airbnb Like App

The revenue stream of an Airbnb-like app can employ the following various monetization strategies:

Service Fees

Charge a percentage of each booking as a service fee to hosts and guests.

Subscription Plans

Offer premium subscription plans with additional features and benefits for hosts.

Listing Upgrades

Allow hosts to pay for enhanced visibility or featured listings on the platform.

Advertising

Partner with local businesses or service providers to display targeted ads within the app.

Premium Services

Offer additional services such as cleaning, property management, or concierge services.

Commission Fees

Charge hosts a percentage of each booking made through the platform.

Wrapping up

If you are an entrepreneur or startup, embarking on the journey to build an app similar to Airbnb requires careful planning, strategic execution, and a deep understanding of market dynamics.

At Abservetech, we specialize in developing customized solutions for entrepreneurs looking to enter the booming vacation rental market. With our expertise in building robust and scalable Airbnb clone apps, we ensure that your platform stands out with cutting-edge features and seamless user experiences.