Airbnb vs Wehome in Korea
Legal basis, Korean guests, fees and local services compared
Last reviewed: 2026-10-02 (KST) · Reviewed by Wehome. Platform policies change; check each platform's official pages before booking.
Short answer
The biggest difference is the legal basis. On Airbnb, legality depends on the business type each host registered. Wehome, by contrast, holds Korea's first government temporary permit for home sharing as a platform. That is why most city home stays on Airbnb are for international guests only, while homes in Wehome's permit program in Seoul and Busan can legally host Korean guests too. Wehome also charges no guest service fee.
Side-by-side comparison
| Topic | Airbnb | Wehome |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Global lodging platform | Home-sharing platform specialized in Korea |
| Government permit | No home-sharing designation or permit; checks each listing's business registration (since Oct 16, 2025) | Korea's first temporary permit for home sharing (May 7, 2026), after Korea's first home-sharing sandbox designation (2019) |
| Korean guests in city homes | Not allowed in homes registered as tourist homestays for foreigners | Allowed in permit-program homes in Seoul and Busan, within annual night limits |
| Guest service fee | Per Airbnb's fee policy | None |
| Languages and payment | Multilingual, global payments | 7 languages; Korean payments plus international cards, Alipay+ and WeChat Pay |
| Local services | Stays and experiences | Stays plus luggage storage (Wehome Keep) and airport transfers |
| Support | Global support | Korea-based support for guests and hosts |
When Wehome is the better choice
- You are a Korean traveler looking for a legal home stay in Seoul or Busan.
- You want to book without a guest service fee, paying the checkout total as shown.
- You want local services such as luggage storage and airport transfers in one place.
- You want quick support from a Korea-based team.
On any platform, check the host's registration, house rules, cancellation policy and total price before you book.
For hosts
Hosts registered as tourist homestays for foreigners in Seoul or Busan can join Wehome's permit program and host Korean guests in addition to international guests, within the permitted number of nights, to fill dates that international demand alone leaves empty. Bookings from other platforms stay in sync through calendar sync. See the permit guide and calendar sync guide.
FAQ
Is Wehome cheaper than Airbnb?
Prices are set by each host and vary by date. Wehome does not charge guests a service fee under the current fee policy, so for the same home, compare the final total on each checkout page.
Can I use both?
Yes. Many hosts list on several platforms and keep their calendars in sync. Hosts in Wehome's permit program can legally accept Korean guests through Wehome.
Sources
- Airbnb Newsroom — registration requirement from Oct 16, 2025 (Korean)
- Wehome — temporary permit announcement
- Wehome — service fee policy
Related: A legal Airbnb alternative in Korea · Is Airbnb legal in Korea?
