HomeLink
HomeLink operates the world's first home exchange network, founded in 1953, connecting individual members in 70+ countries for reciprocal non-commercial home swaps via a single annual membership fee. The platform serves consumer travelers, families, and multi-property owners through a web-based marketplace supported by 16 local representatives.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1953
- HeadquartersSouth Burlington, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What HomeLink does
HomeLink, legally Homelink International and headquartered in South Burlington, United States, operates the world's first home exchange network, founded in 1953 by a New York City high school teacher. The company runs a private, membership-based platform enabling reciprocal, non-commercial home swaps across more than 70 countries: members list their own homes and stay in other members' homes without monetary exchange between users, distinguishing the model from points-based competitors like HomeExchange or GuestToGuest and from rental marketplaces like Airbnb.
The platform is built on a web-based stack featuring a searchable home listing directory with advanced filters and wish lists, a secure internal messaging system isolated from external communications, a formal bilateral exchange agreement form available in 11 languages, and an online guestbook for post-exchange feedback. Supporting the technology layer is a human service network of 16 HomeLink Organizers (local representatives) operating in 20 countries, providing personalized support before, during, and after exchanges. The company has no native mobile app, no public API, and no documented AI/ML capabilities.
HomeLink monetizes through a single annual membership fee with unlimited exchanges, allowing members to list multiple properties at no incremental cost; a 30-day free trial is offered to drive self-serve signup. Growth is almost entirely word-of-mouth and community-driven through satisfied members, supplemented by SEO, an active Facebook and Instagram presence, and a blog. Customers are individual travelers, families, culture enthusiasts, and multi-property owners seeking free or authentic local accommodation; no enterprise or B2B segment is served. The company has operated without disclosed external funding, acquisitions, or institutional ownership for over 70 years.
HomeLink firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HomeLink
- Legal name
- Homelink International
- Website
- https://homelink.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1953
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- HomeLink operates the world's first home exchange network, founded in 1953, connecting individual members in 70+ countries for reciprocal non-commercial home swaps via a single annual membership fee. The platform serves consumer travelers, families, and multi-property owners through a web-based marketplace supported by 16 local representatives.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HomeLink industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Home Exchange Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Owner-Occupied Private Rooms (Homestays) (THAMABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Metasearch & Aggregator Platforms for Vacation Rentals (THAMALAC)
Keywords
Where HomeLink is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- South Burlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
HomeLink business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Annual Membership Fee: Simple annual fee model without any points exchange. Members pay once per year for unlimited exchanges and personal support from their local representative. Members can list as many homes as they wish at no extra cost.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual membership with unlimited exchanges |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | 30-day free trial |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
HomeLink product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HomeLink operates a traditional, reciprocal home exchange membership platform that lets members swap homes worldwide for vacation accommodation. Members pay a simple annual fee for unlimited exchanges with no points trading. The web-based platform provides searchable home listings, secure member messaging, formal online exchange agreements available in 11 languages, and personal support from 16 local HomeLink Organizers across 20 countries.
Product overview
HomeLink operates as a single, unified home exchange platform connecting members globally for reciprocal home swapping. The platform combines a searchable marketplace for home listings, secure internal messaging for member communication, and formal exchange agreement tools. Members pay an annual fee for unlimited exchanges with personal support from local representatives in over 70 countries. The service emphasizes traditional non-commercial exchange (you stay at my place, I'll stay at yours) rather than points-based systems. Supporting features include a home exchange guidance framework (10 Principles), member feedback guestbook, and multilingual agreement forms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- HomeLink Annual Home Exchange Membership Annual membership that gives members unlimited reciprocal home exchanges worldwide, with no points trading. The membership includes searchable home listings, secure member-to-member messaging, formal online exchange agreements in 11 languages, an online guestbook for member feedback, and personal support from local HomeLink Organizers across 20 countries. Members can list multiple properties (house, condo, studio apartment, summer cottage, etc.) at no extra cost. Targeted at individual travelers and families seeking free, authentic vacation accommodation in 70+ countries.
Companies that use HomeLink
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
HomeLink technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
HomeLink partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
HomeLink competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Couchsurfing: Couchsurfing is a community-based platform that connects travelers with hosts offering free accommodation, often with a cultural-exchange emphasis. Like HomeLink, it operates a free/barter home-stay model rather than a paid accommodation model, making it a direct peer in the cultural home-stay category.
- Love Home Swap: Love Home Swap is a points-based home exchange platform competing in the same direct-swap category as HomeLink. Originally an independent startup, it was acquired by Airbnb in 2019, giving it the resources of a major incumbent while still serving the home exchange use case.
- ThirdHome: ThirdHome is a members-only luxury home exchange club serving owners of high-value second homes. It targets the same core use case (reciprocal home exchanges) as HomeLink but at the luxury tier, making it a direct peer focused on a different price segment.
- HomeExchange.com: HomeExchange.com (formerly GuestToGuest) is the largest points-based home exchange platform, directly competing with HomeLink in the same product category. Both services connect homeowners for reciprocal stays, but HomeExchange uses a points/credits model while HomeLink uses a simple annual fee with traditional direct exchange.
- Intervac Home Exchange: Intervac is one of the original home exchange networks, founded in 1953 (same year as HomeLink) and operating a similar reciprocal home-swap model with an annual membership. It is a direct peer because it targets the same travelers with the same traditional reciprocal exchange product.
Emerging players
- SabbaticalHomes: SabbaticalHomes is a niche home exchange and rental platform focused on academics and researchers. It overlaps with HomeLink in the home exchange category but serves a more specialized professional segment.
- TrustedHousesitters: TrustedHousesitters is a membership-based platform connecting travelers with homeowners needing house/pet sitters in exchange for free accommodation. While not a strict home exchange, it serves a similar free-accommodation use case for travelers seeking authentic residential stays.
- Kindred: Kindred is a newer home exchange platform designed for modern, design-conscious travelers. It competes in the same home-swap category as HomeLink but emphasizes a younger, urban demographic and a tech-forward product experience.
Broad incumbents
- VRBO: VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) is a broad incumbent in the vacation rental space, connecting travelers with whole-home short-term rentals. While it operates a paid rental model, it competes for the same traveler wallet share and residential-stay use cases HomeLink serves.
- Airbnb: Airbnb is the dominant short-term rental platform and has expanded into home exchange via its AirCover Exchange feature. While its core model is paid accommodation, its move into home exchange makes it a broad incumbent overlapping with HomeLink's category.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HomeLink social profiles
Digital presenceHomeLink financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HomeLink leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
HomeLink funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HomeLink M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HomeLink
What does HomeLink do?
HomeLink operates a traditional, reciprocal home exchange membership platform that lets members swap homes worldwide for vacation accommodation. Members pay a simple annual fee for unlimited exchanges with no points trading. The web-based platform provides searchable home listings, secure member messaging, formal online exchange agreements available in 11 languages, and personal support from 16 local HomeLink Organizers across 20 countries.
Is HomeLink a public or private company?
HomeLink is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was HomeLink founded?
HomeLink was founded in 1953. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is HomeLink based?
HomeLink is headquartered in South Burlington, United States, in the North America region.
How does HomeLink make money?
One revenue line is on record: annual Membership Fee.
Who are HomeLink's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Couchsurfing, Love Home Swap, ThirdHome, HomeExchange.com and Intervac Home Exchange. Emerging players are SabbaticalHomes, TrustedHousesitters and Kindred. Broad incumbents are VRBO and Airbnb.
Does HomeLink have an API?
No public API is recorded for HomeLink.
What industry is HomeLink in?
HomeLink's product category is Home Exchange Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAMABAA, Owner-Occupied Private Rooms (Homestays), with a secondary code of THAMALAC, Metasearch & Aggregator Platforms for Vacation Rentals.