People Like Us vs. HomeExchange: What are the Differences?

In the landscape of home exchange platforms, we remained convinced that HomeExchange is unique. HomeExchange's formula opens doors across the world and allows people to travel more while spending less. Moreover, it allows them to travel better – more thoughtfully and more comfortably. We know however that we're not the only platform out there in the home exchange space, and this time, we are here to answer some questions about the difference between HomeExchange and People Like Us. We each have a unique approach. Read on as we break them down so you can make informed choices for you and your family.

How People Like Us & HomeExchange Were Created

HomeExchange

HomeExchange is proud to call ourselves a pioneer in the field of home swapping. We've been at it since the 1950's in the United States when we distributed a printed catalog aimed primarily at teachers. In 1992, with the dot com boom, our online community we called HomeExchange was born. This was well ahead of competitors, and allowed the concept to gain more traction. In 2006, HomeExchange became more widely known through cinema, with the release of the film The Holiday. The film was a major success and introduced home exchanges to the world. Since then, HomeExchange has become the world leader in home exchanges, thanks to our expertise acquired over decades of work.

People Like Us

People Like Us has a different story. Drew and Kathy are a Sydney couple who wanted to travel abroad more often and for longer periods of time, with the aim of improving their language skills. They decided to look into a home exchange. A software developer, Drew had the idea to create their own site and manage their own network, which launched in 2018 with the name People Like Us. While they originally designed the platform just for their friends and friends of friends, they soon realized many other people would be interested too. So they decided to open it to the public, and the community grew organically and continues to today.

Types of Exchanges Offered by People Like Us & HomeExchange

HomeExchange and People Like Us have both created different types of exchanges to ensure they are facilitating the maximum number of desired member exchanges. While some types of exchanges are nearly identical between the two platforms, each has created a unique offer for non reciprocal exchanges you can compare below.

HomeExchange

• Reciprocal Exchange: This is a classic exchange. You lend your house to another family for the duration of the vacation, and they lend you theirs, either at the same time or later, as long as you can arrange different dates.
• GuestPoints Exchange: If you want to travel to a home but the member cannot organize a reciprocal exchange, you can use our GuestPoints system. You give them GuestPoints in exchange for their hospitality, which they can use whenever to travel to another member's house. To earn GuestPoints, simply host, accumulate points, or use them whenever you like. The value of each homes GuestPoints is calculated by our site to be fair and consistent.
• Private Room Exchange: As a host, you provide a room in your main residence to accommodate travelers, while being present. The exchange in a private room allows hosts to share their daily life with their guests. This is great for language exchanges for example.

People Like Us

• Reciprocal Simultaneous Exchange: People Like Us of course also offers the classic reciprocal home exchange where two members exchange houses as the same time for an equal and simultaneous trade.
• Reciprocal Non-Simultaneous Exchange: This is the same as a classic trade, only each members stays in the other's home at different dates so long as the two parties can find different times working for both of them.
• Non-Reciprocal "Globe" Exchange: This is the solution created by People Like Us when members aren't interested in a reciprocal exchange. Instead of quantifying points, you can host a guest who's home you aren't interested in visting and in exchange they pass you the platform's Globe. That Globe can be used then by you as a pass to stay at someone else's house, so long as they agree to the exchange.
• Hospitality Exchange: This would be the equivalent of HomeExchange's private room exchange. A member can host a guest while they're at home, and then at a later day that same guest extends them the same hospitality by hosting them in their own home.

The Platforms and Their Communities

Both People Like Us and HomeExchange have a robust network of active members. HomeExchange has over 270,000 homes from more than 150,000 members across 145 countries. Meanwhile, People Like Us has nearly 40,000 members with homes across 100 countries worldwide. Here's how each platform presents itself so current and potential members...

HomeExchange:

Today, we are a community of more than 150,000 members in 145 countries that are building the future of travel together by sharing the belief that home exchange is the most authentic, humane, and responsible way to discover new places, new cultures, and new people. We are a community that practices respect, sharing, and generosity. HomeExchangers open their homes and warmly welcome each other with complete trust.

People Like Us:

Here you’ll find a diverse group of people from all over the world with varied home exchange experiences but there is a common set of values. We believe in sharing, trust, generosity, respect, communication, equality, cooperation, honesty, hospitality, friendship, flexibility and adventure. We take pride in our homes and we care about the environment in which we live: our village, city, country and our planet. We care about the ethos of home exchange and we do it because we love it.Join us, and you’ll find people here just like you.

As you can see, both communities pride themselves on members that are respectful and welcoming. These core values are present among home exchangers across all networks which is why home swapping is such a unique way to travel – it's thoughtful, personal, and about sharing as well as trust.

Pricing on People Like Us Vs. HomeExchange

How HomeExchange Pricing Works:

• Free registration allows you to create your account on the site, complete your profile and add photos of your house. It offers the possibility of surfing the platform, looking at the available offers and interacting with members of the community.
• An annual membership of $220 allowing unlimited exchanges during the 12 months of validity of the membership, only to be paid upon finalization of the first exchange.
• A membership bonus of 500 GuestPoints for free to welcome you, giving you the opportunity to finalize your first exchange.

How People Like Us Pricing Works:

• You can access free Premium service during a 30-day trial period: as a trial member, you can list your home, browse listings and ask members questions.
• If you want to remain a member it costs $149.00 per year payable at the end of the 30 day trial or upon finalizing your first exchange.
• You can receive a free Globe, awarded and unlocked after 5 nights of accommodation or on the first anniversary of your membership.
• A complimentory mentor is offered to new members. This experienced member of the site can answer questions about exchange of houses in general and the platform. The program exists to help people get started and get the most out of their membership.

Platform Services & Guarantees on HomeExchange & People Like Us

By subscribing to the platform , you benefit from the following HomeExchange advantages and guarantees:

• Member verification is a free service offered by HomeExchange through which the identity and address of its members are verified and confirmed.
• A members 24/7 member service at your disposal in the event of an emergency. Whether by telephone, Live Chat, or email, HomeExchange assists you and ensures your satisfaction.
• The following guarantees are included with each exchange during all your exchanges with support before, during and after your exchanges: cancellation guarantee amounting to 840 USD/week if we are unable to find replacement exchange accommodation, a non-compliance guarantee offering a solution replacement if the accommodation does not correspond to the initial description of the accommodation. Additionally, property damage is covered up to $1,000,000.

When you pay for a membership on their platform, you'll get these People Like Us advantages and guarantees:

• Free identity verification and secure messaging is also offered based on trust and reciprocity. Open communication and clear expectations with potential partners ensure a safe exchange.
• People Like Us points out that sometimes cancellation is unavoidable, even if it is very regrettable. In this case, the platform recommends contacting the other member as they may sometimes have friends in the area who can help or local advice to give. People Like Us invites its members to also contact their support service, who will do everything possible to help. The platform also relies on the solidarity of its Facebook group to ask for help in the event of a problem.
• People Like Us does not offer insurance. Members must arrange their own insurance which will cover exchange guests in their home and their travel.

People Like Us & HomeExchange Reviews

Want to know what users of each of the home swapping platforms have to say about their experience? You can head over to TrustPilot to read over 14,000 HomeExchange reviews from our members that have earned us an excellent rating of 4.8/5 stars. People Like Us reviews have also in them a great TrustPilot rating of 4.9/5 stars from just under 1000 reviews.

A Recap of People Like Us vs. HomeEchange Differences

HomeExchange and People Like Us both share robust communities with common values like trust and generosity. While the HomeExchange network is larger and wider, People Like Us may cater to a more specific type of home exchange traveler. While both are affordable, People Like Us has a lower annual membership fee. While slightly more expensive for the annual fee however, HomeExchange is able to include insurance coverage for both parties up to 1,000,000, compensation for cancellations, and on staff support ready to help you 24/7 in the rare event that you need. We hope that you've found this comparison useful, and wherever you may decide to join, we are confident that you will love home exchanging as a way to meet like minded travelers, save money, and create meaningful experiences on your journeys while also enjoying the comfort of a home wherever your travels take you.