Top 6 Streaming Services for Airbnb and Vacation Rental Properties

A streaming service allows users to access a wide variety of videos, like shows and movies, over the internet, with no cable or satellite subscription. With the growing popularity of online streaming, many Airbnb and vacation rental owners are now considering providing these services to their guests as an added amenity. To help you decide which one to invest in, we’ve rounded up the six best streaming services right here.

The best Airbnb streaming services include:

• Amazon Prime Video: Best Rated
• Peacock: Best Budget
• YouTube TV: Best for Cable Shows
• Apple TV: Best for Original Shows
• Netflix: Most Beloved Shows
• Disney+: Best for Families

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How We Selected the Best Airbnb Streaming Services

In order to determine the 6 best streaming services for Airbnbs and vacation rentals, we conducted extensive research and evaluated the following criteria.

We evaluated these Airbnb streaming services based on:

• Host Recommendations: We gathered recommendations from Airbnb hosts who have successfully provided streaming services to their guests.
• Online Reviews: We analyzed online reviews from a variety of sources, including the official websites of each streaming service and third-party review sites.
• Price: We considered the monthly subscription cost of each streaming service and evaluated their value compared to other options.
• Show Selections: We evaluated the overall quality of the shows and movies available on each streaming service. We also considered a diverse range of categories, and ranked services with many genres higher.
• Number of Shows: We counted the total number of TV shows and movies available on each streaming service and evaluated their selection against other options.
• Number of Screens: We evaluated the number of simultaneous screens that each streaming service allows for, as well as any restrictions or limitations on screen sharing.

The best Airbnb streaming services are:

1. Amazon Prime Video: Best Overall

Want to entertain your guests for hours on end? Or do you already have an existing Amazon Prime membership? Then we recommend Amazon Prime Video, which comes free with an Amazon Prime membership.

With nearly 27,000 movies and 3,000 shows, Amazon Prime Video is leagues ahead of every other streaming service in terms of quantity. This is a fantastic option for hosts that want to appeal to the widest variety of guests in terms of entertainment options.

However, there are some drawbacks to Amazon Prime Video. For one, it doesn’t have a wide selection of original content, and it definitely follows quantity over quality. On the other hand, Netflix (which is our top pick), has much fewer, yet higher quality, shows. Amazon Prime Video is also not fully inclusive, unlike Netflix, so both paid and free content are available on the platform.

2. Peacock: Best for Those on a Budget

Peacock is a top budget pick among streaming services for Airbnb and vacation rental owners. The platform offers a wide selection of popular shows and movies, as well as live sports and news–perfect for entertaining guests on a vacation.

One of the key features that makes Peacock a great budget pick is its availability. It only recently stopped offering a free tier, though its premium plans start at a low monthly fee making it a cost-effective option for Airbnb hosts.

However, what we don’t like about Peacock is that it’s only available in 7 countries. It does not have the same level of original content as some of its competitors, which could be a disappointment for guests who are looking for unique and high-quality programming.

3. YouTube TV: Best for Streaming Cable Shows

YouTube TV is the best choice for Airbnb owners looking for a cable TV streaming service for their guests. The platform offers a wide range of popular cable channels, including local and regional sports networks, making it great for guests who want to keep up with their favorite channels during their vacation.

The reason we recommend YouTube TV for Airbnb hosts is its sheer amount of entertainment options. There are 100+ channels available on YouTube TV, while the Spanish version has around 30 channels. YouTube TV isn’t all about cable channels, as it also has movies.

The downside to YouTube TV is its price, especially considering some cable plans are priced much lower. YouTube TV is also not all-inclusive, which means some movies may cost extra. However, if you want to impress your guests with a wide selection of networks, then YouTube TV may just be the right service to subscribe to.

4. Apple TV: Best for Original Shows

If you’re leaning towards offering original content to your guests, you can’t go wrong with Apple TV. It offers a wide range of original shows, making it a great option for guests who want to watch high-quality, unique programming while on vacation.

With over 30 movies and 50 original shows, the selection on Apple TV is completely unique and can’t be found anywhere else. Unfortunately, this also means that Apple TV is quite limited when it comes to the shows it offers; the platform has a more limited selection of content compared to its competitors, which could be a disappointment for guests who want a broader selection of shows and movies to choose from.

Still, it’s a great budget-friendly pick for hosts looking for a more unique entertainment option. If you’re looking at investing in Apple TV, we highly recommend pairing it with another entertainment option (like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video).

5. Netflix: Most Beloved Shows

It’s no surprise that Netflix made the list. The platform has a strong reputation for its high-quality, original content, and wide selection of TV shows, movies, and documentaries. In addition, Netflix has a simple and intuitive user interface that makes it easy for guests to find and watch their favorite shows and movies.

Aside from great and varied content, Netflix is a great choice for Airbnb hosts because of its affordability. With a competitive starting monthly subscription fee, it offers good value for money compared to other streaming services.

However, there are some drawbacks too. For example, Netflix is region-locked, and the selection of content may vary depending on your property’s location. Additionally, some popular shows and movies may only be available for a limited time, which guests looking for specific titles may not like.

6. Disney+: Best for Families

If you’re running a family-friendly vacation rental, look at investing in Disney+. As the name can tell you, this streaming service has many kid-friendly shows that the whole family can enjoy.

With over 600 Disney films and shows, including popular franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney animated classics, there is something for everyone. The platform offers a wide range of programming suitable for children, including animated movies and TV shows, educational content, and documentaries. This makes it an ideal choice for family-oriented vacation properties.

Keep in mind that the platform has a more limited selection of adult-oriented content compared to its competitors, like Netflix and Prime Video. This may not be suitable for older guests who would want a more mature range of programs to choose from.

Key Takeaway

For hosts looking to provide their guests with a top-notch streaming service, Netflix is the clear winner. With its vast and high-quality selection of popular shows, movies, and documentaries, it offers an entertainment experience that is unmatched by any other platform. Whether you're looking to entertain guests with the latest hit shows or provide them with a wealth of educational and documentary content, Netflix has you covered.