Airbnb vs Zillow: Founders, CEOs and History
Airbnb was founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, Joe Gebbia and is led by Brian Chesky. Zillow was founded in 2006 by Rich Barton, Lloyd Frink and is led by Jeremy Wacksman.
Company facts
Founders
Airbnb
Brian Chesky
Brian Chesky co-founded Airbnb and has served as chief executive officer since the company's founding. He led Airbnb through its December 2020 public offering and remained CEO in the FY2025 Form 10-K.
Nathan Blecharczyk
Nathan Blecharczyk co-founded Airbnb and built the early platform. He remained an Airbnb director when the company filed its FY2025 Form 10-K.
Joe Gebbia
Joe Gebbia co-founded Airbnb and contributed to its early product and design. He remained an Airbnb director when the company filed its FY2025 Form 10-K.
Zillow
Rich Barton
Rich Barton co-founded Zillow with Lloyd Frink and was its first CEO until 2010. He returned as CEO in 2019, led the decision to close Zillow Offers in 2021, and handed the CEO role to Jeremy Wacksman in August 2024, moving to co-executive chair.
Lloyd Frink
Lloyd Frink co-founded Zillow in 2004 and served in senior leadership, including as president. He has long served as executive chairman and has shared the executive chair role with Rich Barton since 2024.
CEOs and their tenures
Airbnb
- Brian Chesky2008–present
Co-Founder and CEO
Brian Chesky co-founded Airbnb and has served as CEO since its founding.
Source - Joe Gebbia2008–2022
Co-Founder and product leader
Joe Gebbia co-founded Airbnb and worked on its early product and design.
Source
Zillow
- Rich Barton2004–2024
Co-founder; CEO 2004-2010 and 2019-2024
Shaped Zillow's consumer-first model from its founding.
Source - Spencer Rascoff2010–2019
Former CEO (2010-2019)
Grew Zillow into the largest US real estate portal group.
Source - Jeremy Wacksman2024–present
Chief Executive Officer
Under his leadership Zillow returned to a full-year GAAP profit in 2025.
Source - Jeremy Hofmann2026–present
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Oversees financial strategy, capital allocation and operations; the strategy, operations and mortgage leaders report to him.
Source - Cassandra Knight2026–present
Chief Legal and Policy Officer
Oversees legal, compliance and government relations.
Source
Timeline: Airbnb and Zillow side by side
2006Zillow
Zillow.com and the Zestimate launch
After starting the company in 2004, Barton and Frink launched Zillow publicly in February 2006 with free home value estimates.
2007Airbnb
First Airbed & Breakfast guests
Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia hosted three guests in their San Francisco home in October 2007.
2008Airbnb
Formal launch and DNC bookings
Airbed & Breakfast formally launched in 2008 and recorded 80 bookings around the Democratic National Convention.
2009Airbnb
Name changed to Airbnb
The company changed its name from Airbed & Breakfast to Airbnb and expanded beyond rooms to apartments, whole homes, and vacation rentals.
2011Airbnb
International expansion
Airbnb began international expansion by opening a German office in June 2011.
2011Zillow
Nasdaq IPO
Zillow went public on Nasdaq in July 2011.
2015Zillow
Trulia merger
Zillow completed its all-stock acquisition of Trulia and formed Zillow Group.
2016Airbnb
Experiences launched
Airbnb launched Experiences in November 2016, adding host-led activities to the marketplace.
2017Airbnb
Luxury Retreats acquired
Airbnb acquired Luxury Retreats, adding more than 4,000 luxury homes in 100 destinations and concierge capabilities.
2019Airbnb
HotelTonight acquired
Airbnb agreed to acquire HotelTonight to add last-minute booking and boutique and independent hotel supply.
2020Airbnb
Initial public offering
Airbnb priced its initial public offering at $68 per share and began Nasdaq trading under ABNB in December 2020.
2021Zillow
Zillow Offers wind-down
Zillow announced it would close its home-buying business and cut about 25% of staff.
2022Airbnb
Categories, Split Stays, and AirCover for guests
Airbnb's 2022 Summer Release introduced Categories, Split Stays, and AirCover for guests.
2023Airbnb
Gameplanner.AI acquired
Airbnb acquired Gameplanner.AI to add artificial-intelligence expertise to product development.
2024Zillow
Jeremy Wacksman becomes CEO
Wacksman succeeded Rich Barton as CEO in August 2024.
2025Airbnb
Services and rebuilt Experiences launched
Airbnb launched Services, rebuilt Experiences, and an updated app in May 2025.
2025Zillow
First annual profit since 2012
Zillow reported FY2025 GAAP net income of $23 million on revenue of $2.583 billion.
2026Airbnb
Trip services and boutique hotels expanded
Airbnb's May 2026 release added trip-service partners, boutique hotels in selected destinations, and AI-assisted app features.
2026Zillow
FTC rentals case settled
Zillow and Redfin settled the FTC's challenge to their rentals syndication agreement in August 2026.
Acquisitions
Airbnb
- Gameplanner.AI2023Undisclosed
- HotelTonight2019Undisclosed
- Urbandoor2019Undisclosed
- Luxury Retreats2017Undisclosed
Zillow
- Follow Up Boss2023$400M
- ShowingTime2021$500M
- Trulia2015$2.5B
- dotloop2015$108M
- StreetEasy2013$50M
Questions about Airbnb vs Zillow
Who is the CEO of Airbnb, Inc. and Zillow Group, Inc.?
Airbnb, Inc. is led by Brian Chesky and Zillow Group, Inc. is led by Jeremy Wacksman. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Airbnb, Inc. founded vs Zillow Group, Inc.?
Zillow Group, Inc. was founded in 2006 — 2 years before Airbnb, Inc., which was founded in 2008. Zillow Group, Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Airbnb, Inc..
How many employees does Airbnb, Inc. have compared to Zillow Group, Inc.?
Airbnb, Inc. employs approximately 8,200 people, while Zillow Group, Inc. employs approximately 7,068. Airbnb, Inc. has the larger workforce at 8,200 employees, compared to Zillow Group, Inc.'s 7,068. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Airbnb, Inc. and Zillow Group, Inc. headquartered?
Both Airbnb, Inc. and Zillow Group, Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Airbnb, Inc. and Zillow Group, Inc.?
Airbnb, Inc. was founded by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, Joe Gebbia. Zillow Group, Inc. was founded by Rich Barton, Lloyd Frink.
Which company has a longer operating history — Airbnb, Inc. or Zillow Group, Inc.?
Zillow Group, Inc. has been operating for approximately 20 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Airbnb, Inc. has been in operation for around 18 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Airbnb vs Zillow overview