In 2025, making the next big travel app isn’t just a cool idea. It’s a smart move. The market is now worth more than $143.9 billion. So, many startups and big companies want a piece of it. People all over the world love booking local homes. And more folks want to earn money by renting out rooms. That’s why more brands are now looking for the best mobile app development company to help them build something like Airbnb.
Just a few years ago, renting homes was not common. Hotels were the first choice for most travelers. And most people never thought they could make money from an extra room. But then came Airbnb. And it changed everything. It made people trust each other. It helped regular folks become hosts. So now, businesses want to hire dedicated mobile app developers. They want the same success. That’s why travel app development is growing so fast.
Let’s look at Airbnb’s growth. By 2024, it made over $11.1 billion. Why? Because it used a simple but smart idea. It brought hosts and guests together and made money from each booking. That model worked so well that more apps like Airbnb started popping up. This also pushed new trends in Android app development. So now, every mobile app development company wants to build the next big thing.
But here’s the big question: how much does it cost to make an app like Airbnb? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the costs. We’ll talk about what’s needed for the first version (the MVP). We’ll also look at smart features, team choices, outside tools, and even hidden costs. Plus, we’ll show why it’s smart to work with a top ui ux design agency or MVP development company. When you’re done reading, you’ll know what it takes—in time, money, and planning—to build your own Airbnb-style app in 2025.
What is The Enduring Appeal of the Airbnb Model in 2025
Let’s break it down. Think about a dog-walking app. You need two sides to make it work. One side is dog owners. The other is dog walkers. If you only have walkers, there’s no job. If you only have owners, no one walks the dogs. You need both. And they must match. That’s the same idea behind Airbnb.
Airbnb links two groups. One group is people who want to rent their homes. The other group is travelers who want a short stay. The app works only if both sides are happy. That’s why apps like Airbnb are so powerful. They balance both sides. And they do it well.
This kind of app is more than just software. It’s like a digital handshake. Two strangers meet and trust each other through your app. So yes, coding is key. But good design matters even more. That’s why you need a smart ui ux design agency. They help users feel safe, happy, and ready to book. Once you get that right, you can build apps for anything, like car rentals, local tours, or even tool sharing.
But why build an Airbnb-like app now? The answer is simple. The global rental market is growing fast. Experts say it’ll hit $187.9 billion by 2025. More people want low-cost, one-of-a-kind stays. And remote work is a big reason for this. So, there’s never been a better time to build apps like Airbnb.
Airbnb is a great model to follow. Why? Because it runs a two-sided marketplace. It connects guests and hosts on one platform. That’s different from one-way services. Two-sided models must balance both supply and demand. Hosts must earn money. Guests must have a good time. So, you need features that support both sides.
That’s why smart founders don’t go it alone. They work with MVP development companies. They hire dedicated mobile app developers early. This helps launch the app without trouble. Remember, ideas are great. But the right mobile app development company and Android app development team make them real.
Why Do Different User Roles Require Tailored Features?
Apps like Airbnb have changed how we live, travel, and work. By 2025, Airbnb-style platforms will be huge. They already have over 5 million hosts and 8 million listings in more than 220 countries. Over 2 billion people have used them, and hosts have made over $250 billion. This shows just how big peer-to-peer rental apps can be. Many of them work in niche travel markets. So, it’s no surprise travel app development is growing fast. Every mobile app development company wants to build the next big app.
Key User Roles & Their Needs
Guests (Travelers)
Unique Stays: Guests love different kinds of places. It could be a small cottage or a cool city loft. MVP development companies use this trend while building apps like Airbnb.
Easy Booking: Simple searches, live dates, and fast payments help guests book quickly. A good mobile app development company makes sure these steps work well.
Trust & Safety: Verified users, safe payments, and honest reviews help guests feel safe. These are key parts of travel app development.
Hosts (Property Owners)
Make Money: Hosts want to list homes easily and earn more with smart pricing. Android app development teams build tools so hosts can manage listings fast.
Booking Tools: Hosts need dashboards to check bookings, view calendars, and talk to guests. Mobile app development companies help with these features.
Safe Platform: Fast payouts, useful reports, and help with problems give hosts peace of mind.
Admin (Platform Operators)
User Control: Admins need to approve or ban users, check listings, and watch payments. Strong Android app development helps manage all this.
Support Tools: Admins also handle blogs, help pages, and support tickets. Travel app development experts are great at making these systems.
Reports & Insights: Admins need to see how many users book, how much money comes in, and how fast the platform grows. A top mobile app development company or hiring dedicated mobile app developers makes this part easy.
What Must-Have Features Should Your Airbnb-Like Platform Include?
Do you want to build an app like Airbnb? If yes, then you must know what features to include. The app must work well for guests, help hosts, and give admins control. These days, apps like Airbnb are everywhere. If you follow a strong travel app development plan, you can do well too. Don’t forget — both iOS and Android app development matter! Let’s now go through the needed features, one by one.
Guest Facing Features
This part is for guests — the people booking stays. Your app must be simple, fun, and safe to use.
Sign Up/Login
Guests should sign up fast using email, Google, or Facebook. A mobile app development company can make this both safe and quick. If this step is hard, users will leave. Apps like Airbnb get this right.
Profile Management
After signing up, guests make a profile. They upload a photo, write about themselves, and get verified. A good UI UX design agency makes profiles look real and easy to build.
Search & Filters
Guests must find places that match what they want. They will search by location, price, dates, or extras like a pool or pet-friendly homes. Travel app development experts make strong filters to help with this.
Map View
People love seeing listings on a map. A smart map view helps guests choose fast. You need good Android app development to make the map smooth and fast.
Property Listings
Each home should show clear photos, prices, features, and rules. Apps like Airbnb make listings look great. A mobile app development company or an MVP development company knows how to set this up.
Availability Calendar
Guests want to see when homes are free. They hate booking something and finding it’s not open. Your app must show real-time calendar updates.
Instant Booking or Requests
Give guests two options: book right away or send a request to the host. A great mobile app development company and UI UX design agency make this fast and easy.
In-App Payments
Guests should pay safely using trusted tools like Stripe or PayPal. Good travel app development includes secure payment systems.
Messaging Tool
Guests and hosts must talk easily inside the app. Safe and quick chat is key. Android app development teams build this well in apps like Airbnb.
Ratings & Reviews
Before booking, guests read reviews. MVP development companies always build simple but strong review systems.
Wishlists
Some users want to save places and book later. Let them “heart” or save listings. Apps like Airbnb use this feature to keep guests coming back.
Push Alerts
Send guests fast messages — like booking updates or deals. Travel app development and Android app development experts help make sure alerts are quick and useful.
Host Facing Features
Now let’s talk about what hosts need. Hosts must be able to add listings, check bookings, and get paid easily.
Create Listings
Hosts add homes by uploading photos, writing details, setting prices, and setting dates.
Booking Dashboard
Hosts want to see all bookings in one place. They need to check new requests, upcoming stays, and changes. Apps like Airbnb make this clear.
Host Profile & Checks
Hosts also need profiles. The app should check ID and run safety checks.
Messaging Tools
Hosts reply using quick templates or set auto replies. Great Android app development makes these tools fast and simple.
Payout Info
Hosts want to see their money. Show earnings, fees, and pay dates.
Performance Reports
Help hosts do better. Show data like stay rates, earnings, and guest reviews.
Admin Panel Features (Web-Based)
Behind the scenes, your app needs a web panel for admin users. This helps keep things smooth.
User Control
Admins can see all users, remove bad users, and keep the app safe.
Check Listings
Before listings go live, admins must approve them. MVP development companies create steps to help admins say yes or no quickly.
Booking Help
Admins can fix booking problems like refunds or issues. This is a must-have in apps like Airbnb.
Money Tracking
You must track every dollar of guest payments, host payouts, and platform fees.
Support Tools
Users must send help requests easily. A UI UX design agency and Android app development team create a help system that works.
Manage Content
Admins need to edit blogs, FAQs, and banners. This keeps your app fresh. Apps like Airbnb update content often.
Reports & Insights
Admins also need dashboards with big stats — bookings, revenue, top users, and more.
What Factors Shape the Cost of an Airbnb-Style App in 2025?
We’ve already talked about must-have features like booking, chat, and payments. These are key parts of any Airbnb-style app. But building such an app in 2025 means smart planning and spending. These features, once they grow, can cost a lot. So, to make your app work well, you need to work with a skilled mobile app development company. You should also think about hiring travel app developers or a team that knows apps like Airbnb.
Now, let’s look at what affects the cost of building this kind of app.
App Complexity & Feature Scope
The more features you add, the more it costs. A simple app may cost around $30,000 to $60,000. A medium one with custom design and tools may go up to $100,000. A big one with smart tools like AI and AR can cost more than $300,000.
Features that raise the price:
- Smart stay suggestions (AI)
- Prices that change in real time
- User ID checks
- 3D room previews (AR/VR)
- Smart home device links (IoT)
These need more time and work. So, hiring mobile app developers with travel app experience is a smart move.
Platform Strategy
You must choose between native apps (like Swift for iOS or Kotlin for Android), cross-platform (like Flutter or React Native), or web apps. Cross-platform is cheaper and faster. It works for both iOS and Android with one code. A cross-platform app may cost $30,000–$100,000. A native app can start at $50,000 and go over $200,000.
UI/UX Design Complexity
Cool design makes apps fun to use. But custom design, smooth animations, and new layouts cost more. Templates can save 30–50% of the cost. But if you want your app to stand out like Airbnb, custom design is worth it. It’s smart to work with a UI/UX design agency that knows how to build travel apps.
Tech Stack Choices in 2025
Your tech stack means the tools and platforms you pick. Smart picks can save you time and money.
Here’s what to choose from:
- Frontend: Native, React Native, Flutter
- Backend: Node.js, Django, Ruby on Rails
- Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB
- Hosting: AWS, Google Cloud, Azure
- APIs: Google Maps, Stripe, Twilio
A good app team will guide you here. This is extra important if your app is Android-based. The right tech helps with growth, speed, and updates.
Development Team Setup
Who builds your app also matters. You can use your own team, an agency, or freelancers. Agencies manage the whole project but charge more. Hiring mobile app developers gives you more control, but you must manage the work. MVP development companies give you a mix of both—good skills and full support.
Third-Party Integrations
Many apps need outside tools. These also cost time and money.
Popular ones include:
- Payments: Stripe, PayPal
- Maps: Google Maps, Mapbox
- Chat: Twilio, SendBird
- Analytics: Mixpanel, Google Analytics
- ID checks: Onfido, Jumio
Adding these takes time. Payments take 20–40 hours. Maps need 10–20 hours. Chat takes 15–25 hours. A skilled app team helps you add these the right way.
Security & Compliance
Apps must follow laws like GDPR or CCPA. Security adds to the cost, but it’s very important. You’ll need:
- Pen tests
- Lawyer checks
- Ongoing audits
Set aside 5–10% of your budget for safety. A good mobile app company or UI/UX agency will remind you to plan for this early.
Development Timeline
How long does it take to build?
- Simple app (MVP): 2–3 months
- Medium app: 3–6 months
- Complex app: 9–15 months
To save time and launch fast, work with developers who often build apps like Airbnb.
What Should You Know Before Starting Airbnb-Style App Development?
Deciding how to build your app is just step one. If you’re planning to create apps like Airbnb, once you choose between custom or clone, your next job is to build a strong base. Today, apps like Airbnb need more than just a copy of an old idea. You need a smart plan from day one. From picking your niche to following local rules, there are many key things to figure out before you begin app development.
Define Your Niche & UVP
What makes your app different from Airbnb and others? When building apps like Airbnb, you need to offer something new that your users will love. This is your UVP—your unique value. For example, Airbnb had over 8.1 million listings in 2024 and was active in more than 220 countries and areas. To stand out in this big space, your app needs to offer something special.
Market & Competitor Research
Next, look at your market and your rivals. Check local rules, popular platforms, and how they set prices. Apps like Airbnb succeed because they know their market well. For instance, in 2024, Airbnb made $81.1 billion from bookings—a 10.6% jump from 2023. That shows people still want short-term rentals. So, deep research will help you shape your own strategy.
Regulatory Compliance
Local laws are different in every place. You may need to pay for legal help to stay within the rules. Apps like Airbnb must follow short-term rental laws to run smoothly. For example, in cities like New York and San Francisco, there are tough rules. These include getting licenses and limits on how long a place can be rented. If you don’t follow these laws, your app could get blocked.
Monetization Strategy
How will your app make money? Don’t just rely on booking fees. Think about premium options or plans that users can pay for. Good apps like Airbnb earn from many sources. In 2023, Airbnb made $9.92 billion in revenue—an 18.1% jump from the year before. That proves there’s real money in this space if you plan well. So, build your app with ways to grow income over time.
Trust & Safety
Your app needs to be safe. That means checking user IDs, offering insurance, and handling complaints well. Apps like Airbnb focus a lot on trust and safety. This keeps users happy and loyal. For example, Airbnb made a co-host system and removed over 300,000 bad listings. They did this to give users a better and safer experience. You should plan for this too.
What Ongoing and Hidden Costs Should You Expect After Launching Your App?
Planning your app is only half the job. Once your app goes live, a new set of tasks shows up. And trust me, these can quietly eat into your wallet if you don’t plan ahead. From keeping servers running to bringing in new users, let’s look at the costs that can sneak up on you after launch, especially if you’re building something like Airbnb.
Annual Maintenance Cost
After your app is out, you can’t just sit back. You’ll need to fix bugs, update features, and make sure it works with new phones. This regular work costs money. In fact, it often takes 15% to 20% of what you first spent to build the app. So, if your app costs $100,000 to make, be ready to spend about $15,000 to $20,000 each year just to keep it running smoothly.
Server Hosting & Infrastructure
Now, let’s talk about servers. Apps like Airbnb handle a lot of user data every day. So, they need strong server systems to keep up. Hosting costs depend on how big your app is and how many people use it. You could pay anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000 every year. And remember, the more people use your app, the more you’ll pay. Also, if your app grows fast, you’ll need systems that grow with it—those cost even more.
Third-Party API Fees
Next up are the services your app uses from other companies. These are called third-party APIs. For example:
- Payment Gateways like Stripe help you take payments, but charge a fee for each transaction or a monthly cost.
- Maps from services like Google Maps charge you based on how much they’re used.
So, when you use these helpful tools, be ready to spend somewhere between $800 and $8,000 each year. And as your app grows, these numbers can go up fast.
App Store Commissions
You can’t forget about app stores. If you want to be on Apple’s App Store or Google Play, you’ll pay a cut of your earnings.
- Apple takes 30% of in-app sales. If it’s a subscription, this drops to 15% after the first year.
- Google Play works in a similar way.
This might not sound too bad at first. But over time, these cuts can take a big chunk out of your money, especially if your app handles lots of purchases.
User Acquisition & Marketing
Now, let’s talk about getting people to download your app. You’ll need to run ads, create content, or work with influencers. These marketing efforts come at a price. The cost per install (CPI) is:
- About $4.70 for iPhone users.
- About $3.40 for Android users.
So, if you want your app to grow, plan to spend money on marketing. And the more users you want, the more you’ll need to spend.
Continuous Feature Enhancements
Here’s something else many people forget—your app can’t stay the same forever. Users expect new things. So, you’ll need to add fresh features and updates all the time. This kind of work often takes 20% to 30% of your original app cost each year. That means if your app costs $100,000 to build, you might spend $20,000 to $30,000 every year to keep it updated and exciting.
Technical Support & Monitoring
Things go wrong sometimes. Your app might crash, load slowly, or have bugs. That’s why you need a team ready to fix problems fast. Also, someone needs to watch your app’s performance to catch issues early. These services can cost from $1,000 to $5,000 each year. And yes, that number depends on how complex your app is and how many people use it.
Security & Compliance
Your users trust you with their data. So, you must protect it. That means spending money on safety tools, audits, and following laws like GDPR. These steps help you avoid data leaks and big fines. Each year, security and compliance can cost between $1,500 and $8,000. And even though it adds up, it’s worth every penny to keep your users safe and happy.
Conclusion
Building an Airbnb-style app in 2025 is more than just chasing a trend. It’s a smart way to enter the fast-growing digital world. But remember, success takes more than just a good idea. You’ll need careful planning, a solid team, and the right tools to bring your dream app to life.
Whether you want to build a full vacation rental platform or test a small version first, knowing all the costs helps you avoid trouble later. Every choice you make—from strong backend systems to smooth and easy design—matters a lot. These choices shape how users feel when they use your app and how well it will do long-term.
So, are you ready to turn your big idea into a real business? If yes, then now’s the time to act.
At Linkitsoft, we build fast and powerful mobile apps that fit your goals. Our expert team of developers, designers, and tech pros will help you build a smart, safe, and flexible Airbnb-style app.
Let’s build your dream app together. Reach out to Linkitsoft today and take the first big step into the booming travel app world.
