Kindred is the closest competitor to what SwapSpace is building — an invite-only, credit-based home swap community with a modern app and genuine momentum. With nearly 300,000 members and New York as one of its strongest markets, Kindred has proven that New Yorkers are ready to swap.
But Kindred’s growth has come with trade-offs that New York members feel acutely. The service fees and cleaning fees that seemed minor at launch have crept upward, adding $300-500 to every trip. The platform’s rapid scaling from a tight-knit community to nearly 300,000 members has inevitably diluted the personal feel. And some early members report that acceptance rates for stay requests have dropped as more people compete for popular listings.
SwapSpace is at the stage Kindred was three years ago — small, curated, and personal. For New York members who want the community feel that Kindred has begun to outgrow, SwapSpace offers a return to what made home swapping special in the first place.
What Is Kindred?
Kindred is a members-only home swapping network founded in 2021 by former Opendoor employees. It has grown rapidly to almost 300,000 members across 150+ cities, backed by $148 million in venture funding from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and Index Ventures. Kindred operates on a give-to-get credit system where one night hosted equals one credit to travel. There is no annual membership fee, but guests pay a service fee of up to $35 per night plus cleaning fees per trip. Kindred provides professional cleaning before and after each stay, a concierge service for logistics, and $100,000 in host protection coverage. The platform is app-first and requires all members to list their own home before they can browse others.
Why New York Travellers Are Looking for Kindred Alternatives
Kindred has New York inventory, but the experience has changed as the platform has scaled.
Fees have made Kindred expensive in New York. A week-long swap through Kindred now costs $350-500 in service and cleaning fees — in a city where the whole point of home swapping is to avoid spending hundreds on accommodation. For frequent New York swappers, the $600 Kindred Passport helps, but that’s a significant annual commitment on top of any other travel costs.
Rapid growth has diluted the community. Kindred’s early appeal was its intimate, curated community where members felt personally connected. At nearly 300,000 members, that intimacy has inevitably faded. Stay request acceptance rates have dropped as more members compete for the same popular listings, and the concierge experience feels increasingly standardized.
New York demand outstrips supply. Everyone wants to swap into New York, but not everyone in New York wants to host. This supply-demand imbalance means New York members earn credits easily by hosting but may struggle to find availability in their desired destinations during peak travel periods.
Kindred vs SwapSpace: How They Compare
| Feature | Kindred | SwapSpace |
|---|---|---|
| Membership cost | No annual fee — service fee up to $35/night + cleaning fees per trip | Free during founding phase |
| Credit system | Credits — 1 night hosted = 1 credit, all homes equal | SwapCredits – 1 credit = 1 night, all homes equal |
| Welcome credits | 5 credits at signup | 7 SwapCredits for every new member |
| Verification | Application-based, members vetted | Invite-only, every application reviewed |
| Renters welcome | Yes | Yes – renters are first-class members |
| Damage protection | $100,000 host protection | Coming soon |
| New York listings | Available | Growing – founding community |
Why SwapSpace Works for New York Members
SwapSpace is an invite-only home exchange community where verified members swap homes and travel affordably using SwapCredits. Unlike Kindred, every member is vetted before joining, creating a high-trust community from day one.
The SwapCredits system is deliberately simple. One credit equals one night at any SwapSpace home, regardless of size or location. This means New York renters with modest flats can access the same destinations as homeowners with large properties – something that not every platform offers.
New members receive 7 SwapCredits immediately after listing their home. That is enough for a full week of accommodation before you have hosted anyone. This solves one of the biggest frustrations with traditional home exchange – needing to earn points or arrange a simultaneous swap before you can travel.
SwapSpace is currently building its founding community across London, New York, and cities across Europe. New York is a priority location, which means members who join now get early access to the community and the most attentive support as it grows.
Home Swapping Tips for New York
New York is the ultimate home swap destination — and here’s how to make it work.
Manhattan isn’t the only game in town. Visitors often fixate on staying in Midtown or the Lower East Side, but Brooklyn neighbourhoods like Williamsburg, Park Slope, and Cobble Hill offer a more authentic New York experience — and your apartment there is highly desirable to incoming swappers. Queens neighbourhoods like Astoria and Long Island City are increasingly popular too. Highlight your subway connections rather than your borough.
Small apartments are normal and expected. International visitors know New York apartments are compact. A well-maintained studio near a subway station is more valuable than a large apartment with a long commute. Don’t apologise for your square footage — emphasise your location, your building amenities, and what’s on your doorstep.
Doorman buildings are a major trust advantage. If your building has a doorman, mention it prominently. It solves the key exchange problem and gives both you and your guest an extra layer of security that’s uniquely valuable in New York.
Seasonal demand is year-round. Unlike many cities, New York has no true off-season. Holiday season, Fashion Week, the US Open, summer in Central Park, fall foliage — there’s always a reason to visit. This means your apartment has swap potential twelve months a year.
What New York SwapSpace Members Are Looking For
New York members on SwapSpace are typically young professionals, couples, and families living in apartments across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Many are renters — a demographic that most swap platforms underserve but that SwapSpace explicitly welcomes. They travel frequently, often to London, Paris, and other European cities, and are drawn to home swapping because New York’s astronomical hotel prices make them acutely aware of how expensive accommodation is everywhere.
Incoming demand for New York is enormous. Travellers from London, across Europe, and from elsewhere in the US all want to stay in a real New York apartment rather than a $300/night hotel. They want to buy bagels at the corner deli, take the subway like a local, and sit in a real living room after a day of exploring. Your New York apartment — however small — is exactly what they’re looking for.
How SwapSpace Works
1. Apply and get verified. Submit your home details and photos. We review every application within 48 hours to ensure quality and trust across the community.
2. Earn and use SwapCredits. Receive 7 credits when you join – enough for a week of free accommodation. Earn more by hosting other members. Each credit equals one night at any SwapSpace home worldwide.
3. Swap and travel. Browse available homes, connect with verified hosts, and start exploring. Whether it is a mutual swap or a one-way stay using credits, every exchange is between trusted, vetted members.
Ready to Start Swapping in New York?
SwapSpace is currently accepting applications from homeowners and renters in New York. As a founding member, you will get early access to the community, 7 SwapCredits to start travelling immediately, and a say in how the platform grows.
Looking for alternatives to other platforms in New York? Check out our guides to the best HomeExchange alternative in New York, best Airbnb alternative in New York, best VRBO alternative in New York.
