It's Thursday in London. The leaves are falling and this morning I put on my closed, leather black Clarks shoes instead of my brown Birkenstocks. When the weather changes, so do my shoes. Neither are better or worse, just different and serve different purposes for me.
In the same way that my Clarks and Birkenstocks serve different purposes, so do different home exchange platforms. Like the platform I founded (Keybento) and Kindred. Keybento is for families with kids, while Kindred is for everyone.
That's the short story.
Here's the whole history and colour.
In 2021, Kindred started the movement to make home swapping beautiful and mainstream. Before then, it was mostly for people who were already "into" home swapping.
They shifted the image.
Suddenly, it was beautiful couples from Copenhagen, young artists from Paris, and high-flying New Yorkers choosing to swap their homes.
However, while parents with young children also used Kindred, the truth is that the platform isn't wholeheartedly designed around their needs.
One parent we spoke to told us that scrolling through the stunning Kindred homes made them nervous, because all they could see were designer vases within reach of their toddler's clumsy hands.
That's why Keybento exists. In our homes, the vases are placed a little higher. There are extra bedrooms, cots, sandpits in the garden, kids' drawings on the walls. The people are just as ambitious and inspiring, but they're parents with children, sharing the same life stage and needs.
Kindred is a dream for younger professionals.
Keybento is a dream for parents who want to travel without compromising on space, safety, or comfort.
So, that's the difference. Simple but big.
Read on for a friendly comparison: Keybento vs Kindred.
| Keybento | Kindred | |
|---|---|---|
| Members | Families with kids (plus hosts open to children). Every home is guaranteed family-welcoming. | Open to all life stages, no specific focus on families. |
| Homes | 95% are 2+ bedrooms; minimum size set to avoid cramped stays. Located in family-friendly neighbourhoods. | Accepts all types of homes, from studios to large houses. |
| Amenities | Family essentials built in: cots, high chairs, toys, stair gates, blackout blinds, matched to children's ages. | Varies by host; family gear may be available if the host has children. |
| Availability | Peaks during school holidays when families most need it; steady supply from pre-school families and second homes year-round. | General year-round availability. |
| Services | Concierge options: chefs, nannies, housekeeping. Designed so parents get rest as well as accommodation. | Focuses on the swap itself; no extra services. |
| Cleaning | Professional cleaning before and after stays, plus optional pre-trip tidying to reduce parental stress. | Professional cleaning before and after stays. |
The Overview
Types of Members
Keybento: Home swapping is built on trust and shared values. That's why Keybento is curated for families with kids, who understand each other because they share the same life stage. People without kids can join too if they're happy to host families, and many members sign up just before having their first child. Every Keybento home is guaranteed to be welcoming to children, so parents don't need to apply a "family friendly" filter or ask if kids are accepted.
Kindred: Kindred welcome everyone onto the platform from every life stage.
Families on Keybento know from the start that every home is built around family life. On Kindred, suitability varies by host, which can add extra checks and questions when planning a trip.
Expect to stay in primary residences - homes to real families with kids.
Types of Homes
Keybento: Parents consistently told us that cramped hotel rooms or small apartments were one of the biggest sources of stress when travelling. To address this, 95% of homes at Keybento have two or more bedrooms. We also prioritise homes in family-oriented neighbourhoods where daily routines are easier to maintain—parks, schools, playgrounds, and local shops within walking distance.
Kindred: Kindred welcomes all types of homes, from studios to large houses, similar to Airbnb but for home swapping.
Keybento sets minimum standards around space and location, making family life easier while travelling. Kindred offers more variety, but that variety can sometimes include homes that aren't practical for parents.
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Eva's home in London, in a family oriented neighbourhood of Queen's Park
Home Amenities
Keybento: Since members are mostly families with kids, homes naturally come with essentials: cots, high chairs, blackout blinds, stair gates, toys and games. Families are often paired with others with children of similar ages, which means the setup usually fits well. Parents also tell us they often discover new home setups or gadgets during stays, which they later adopt at home.
Kindred: On Kindred, families may find these amenities if they book a home owned by parents with children of a similar age, but it is not consistent.
On Keybento, family essentials are part of the design, removing the need to travel with bulky gear. On Kindred, they may or may not be included, depending on the listing.
In Keybento homes, toys for your kids to play with are the norm
Home Availability
Keybento: Families tend to travel in sync, which creates a distinct rhythm of availability. Keybento homes become more available during school holidays, when demand elsewhere is highest and prices spike. Outside these times, availability comes from families with pre-schoolers, flexible work schedules, or second homes.
Kindred: Kindred has general availability year-round, reflecting its wider and more varied member base.
Keybento's supply is shaped around family travel cycles, especially school holidays, when parents struggle most to find options elsewhere. Kindred provides steadier availability throughout the year.
At Keybento, there are peaks of available homes during school holidays
Services
Keybento: Parents told us that too often, a "holiday" is just doing the same daily routines in a new setting. That's why Keybento developed concierge partnerships in each city, such as with Tripsitta for holiday nannies. Families can book nannies, chefs, or housekeeping to make their stay more restful. By growing city by city, we ensure these services are trusted and reliable.
Kindred: Kindred focuses on the swap itself and does not add additional services during the stay.
Keybento turns a home swap into something closer to an all-inclusive family holiday, where parents get a real break. Kindred keeps the experience simple and self-service.
Keybento's nannies, in partnership with Tripsitta, can look after your kids to give you a break from parenting on holidays
Cleaning and Housekeeping
Keybento: We send cleaners before you host and after your guests leave. Families can also request pre-trip tidying: putting away toys, clothes or books, which helps reduce the stress of departure. When you come home, the house is spotless and ready to step back into.
Kindred: Kindred also provides professional cleaners before and after stays.
Both platforms include professional cleaning, which is a big benefit. Keybento goes further by easing the invisible mental load parents face when leaving or returning home.
Ayes's home in London, spotless after hosting Olivier and family in July 2025
