Lots of short-term rental hosts make the mistake of trying to do everything manually. They end up stretching themselves too thin and failing to focus on the parts of their business that need their undivided attention. 

By wasting time on repetitive operational tasks that could be easily automated, you’re depriving yourself of the chance for your business to reach its full potential.

If you want to become an effective short-term rental host in 2023, it’s time to start automating your Airbnb business.

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best vacation rental software solutions on the market. Also check out our blog post on the top 35 vacation rental host tools, including Airbnb channel managers and Airbnb automated messaging tools. 

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today! 

Best vacation rental software in 2023

1. Host Tools

Host Tools is a channel manager and automation tool for short-term rental hosts. It’s a powerful, intuitive, and user-friendly vacation rental software you can start using from the moment you sign up. It helps you manage your Airbnb business efficiently by improving guest communication and increasing positive reviews. And best of all, there’s no steep learning curve to the software.

If you can’t keep up with:

• Sending messages to guests and replying to inquiries,
• Updating your calendars separately on each of your channels,
• Adjusting your rates manually,
• Writing reviews for guests, and
• Doing in-person check-ins,

You’ve just found the tool that will clear your to-do list from time-consuming and repetitive tasks. 

With Host Tools, you can make sure that your availability is always up-to-date on all the booking sites you advertise on, thanks to its direct API integrations with Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo. And, it allows you to add any other channel calendars via iCal import. 

Main features:

• Channel manager: synchronize your calendars across all your channels, save time, and avoid double bookings. 
• Automated messaging: automatically send messages to your guests or cleaners by customizing premade message templates and setting up triggers. 

Other useful tools:

• Smart pricing: use the rule-based Airbnb pricing tool in Host Tools to set up intelligent rates and get the best price for your rental every single day. 
• Smart lock support: generate unique access codes for your guests, automate your check-ins, and send welcome messages when guests arrive at your rental.
• Automated reviews: leave your guests reviews and send them review reminder messages automatically.
• Unified inbox: Manage all your guest messages in one place, regardless of the channel they were sent through.
• Multi-calendar: See all your reservations in a simplified multi-calendar.

Pricing: $8.00 per month. 

2. Lodgix

Lodgix is a web-based vacation rental management and booking software. It aims to provide a hassle-free experience for property managers with effective marketing tools and powerful modules. Lodgix directly integrates with Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, Expedia, Flipkey, and TripAdvisor. It’s a great choice for hosts who advertise on all those channels. Lodgix’s starting fee covers the first seven listings, so it’s best for property managers with seven or more rentals. 

Main features:

• Channel manager: sync your listings across all the channels you’re listed on.
• Messaging tools: answer inquiries quickly, and track which ones turn into bookings.
• Other useful tools:
• Automated communication: send automatic emails to guests, staff, or vendors.

Pricing: Starts at $69.99 per month. 

3. Guesty

Guesty is a short-term rental platform that unites all the tools you need to run your business. Your Porter integrates directly with Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com, and allows you to import other channel calendars via iCal. Guesty’s starting fee covers the first two listings, so it’s best for hosts who manage at least two properties.  

Main features:

• Channel manager: sync your prices and availability and manage all your channels from a multi-calendar.
• Automated messages: streamline your guest communication and deliver messages whenever you want.

Other useful tools:

• Guest arrival form: collect and own guest data.
• Website builder: create a website, accept online payments, and get direct bookings without channel commissions.
• Mobile app: manage your rental from your smartphone when you’re on the go.

Pricing: Starts at $34.00 per month.

Check out our comparison of Guesty vs Host Tools: Which is better for vacation rental hosts? A comparison of both tools based on pricing, features & customer service.

4. Hospitable

Hospitable is a short-term rental platform that lets you automate operational tasks and improve your guest experience. It has direct integrations with Airbnb and Vrbo, so you can sync your calendars and avoid double bookings. Hospitable’s starting fee covers the first two listings, so it’s best for hosts who manage at least two properties.  

Main features:

• Messaging automation: send automated messages and remind guests to leave reviews.
• Task scheduling: automatically schedule tasks like cleaning, maintenance, check-in, and check-out.

Other useful tools:

• Single inbox: view and respond to all your messages in one place.
• Unified calendar: control your availability and rates across all your platforms.

Pricing: Starts at $40.00 per month.

See our comparison of Host Tools vs Guesty vs Hospitable.

Header	Host Tools	Guesy	Hospitable
Free trial	14 days	14 days	14 days
Monthly price per listing*	$8.00	$34.00**	$40.00
Setup fee	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Channel integrations	Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, Houfy	Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com	Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com
Messaging automation
Review automation
Pricing automation
Availability sync
Smart lock support
Multi-calendar
Unified inbox
iCal support
Accounting
Cleaner management
Noise detection

5. Tokeet

Tokeet is a one-stop-shop for vacation rental management tools. It has integrations with the most popular booking sites, so you can keep your calendars up-to-date. It’s a full-stack solution for vacation rental managers who want total control over their distribution and operations. 

Main features:

• Channel manager: instantly synchronize your listings across Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Vrbo, and Expedia.
• Revenue management: automatically adjust your rates across your channels.

Other useful tools:

• Guest messaging: Pre-approve inquiries and message guests directly from Tokeet.

Pricing: Starts at $14.99 per month. The Entry Plan only includes the reservation manager, channel manager, and mobile application.

6. Beds24

Beds24 is an all-in-one property management software and booking engine. It works for a variety of property types from hotels to B&Bs to vacation rentals. It helps you increase your online bookings while saving time on mundane tasks. 

Main features:

• Channel manager: keep your inventory up-to-date on multiple booking channels.
• Property management system: use a powerful front desk system to manage your bookings, rates, inventory, and guests. 

Other useful tools:

• Online booking system: enable your guests to book directly. 
• Automation tools: simplify your payment, pricing, and guest communication workflows.

Pricing: Starts at $16.80 per month excluding channel management which has a fee per property and per channel. 

7. Lodgify

Lodgify is a vacation rental software that lets property managers save time, connect with top channels, and increase their bookings. It has API connections with Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and Expedia, and lets you import other channels via iCal links. It’s great for property managers of different sizes, from small hosts to bigger companies. 

Main features:

• Channel manager: keep your calendars automatically synchronized across all your channels to prevent overbookings.
• Property management system: streamline your operations with a reservations system, guest management, task management, automation tools, and an accounting module. 

Other useful tools:

• Website builder: easily build a bookable website and generate direct bookings. 

Pricing: Starts at $13.00 per month + 1.9% booking fee (only available as a yearly plan).

8. Smoobu

Smoobu is a cloud-based all-in-one vacation rental management platform. It lets you sync your availability and pricing across top booking channels including Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, and Agoda. It works well for property managers of all sizes.

Main features:

• Channel Manager: increase your occupancy and sales by synchronizing all your channels.
• Reservation system: have all your bookings in an easy-to-scan list so you can find important information at a glance.

Other useful tools:

• Direct booking website: create your own professional and interactive website.
• Automated messages: send messages based on triggers and find all your guest communication in a unified inbox.

Pricing: Starts at $27.50 per month.

Find out how Host Tools performs as a  Smoobu alternative in terms of pricing, features, ease-of-use and customer support. 

9. OwnerRez

OwnerRez is an end-to-end vacation rental management platform. It works for small hosts and large property managers too. Channels connected to OwnerRez via API include Airbnb, Vrbo, and Tripadvisor. OwnerRez’s starting fee covers the first two listings, so it’s best for hosts who manage at least two properties.  

Main features: 

• Channel manager: manage all your channel listings from one place.
• Calendar: display all your bookings in a clear calendar view.

Other useful tools:

• Channel Bridge browser extension: easily download all your booking data from listing sites (including transactions and pet info) and upload it to OwnerRez. 

Pricing: starts at $40.00 per per month to start. Premium features not included.

10. iGMS

iGMS is a vacation rental software that lets you put your business on autopilot. It allows you to manage your properties across various channels. iGMS has direct API integrations with Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo, and allows you to add other channels via iCal. It’s good for all hosts who want to become efficient at property management and streamline their routine operations. 

Main features:

• Channel manager: seamlessly manage all your reservations and listings on major booking sites.
• Automated messaging: organize all your messages into a single feed. 

Other useful tools:

• Financial tools: receive payments and send invoices.
• Cleaning and team management: manage your team more efficiently and improve your customer service.

Pricing: Starts at $40.00 per month. You can choose between a subscription-based and commission-based pricing model.

See our comparison of Host Tools vs iGMS.

11. Hostaway

Hostaway is a cloud-based vacation rental software solution. It helps hosts spend less time on repetitive tasks and focus on building their businesses. Hostaway comes with a user-friendly mobile app and is great for property managers on-the-go. 

Main features:

• Channel manager: integrate your listings across channels like Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and Vrbo.
• Auto-task manager: manage cleaning and maintenance staff in one place. 

Other useful tools: 

• Website builder: create your own direct booking website.
• Unified inbox: centralize all your guest communication.
• Multi-calendar: get a complete view of your listings across channels.
• Mobile access: manage your business from anywhere.

Pricing: Request a custom quote.

12. Zeevou

Zeevou is a property management system and channel manager. It lets you automate various aspects of your vacation rental business, streamline processes, and minimize human error. Zeevou has two-way API connections with more than 200 channels so it’s great for hosts who want to advertise on a large variety of different booking sites. 

Main features: 

• Channel manager: synchronize your listings across more than 200 channels in real-time.
• Multi-location PMS: manage all your properties from one central login.

Other useful tools:

• Contactless check-ins: manage your key safes and smart locks.
• Website builder: create your own direct bookings website.
• Real-time reporting: get an overview of your business’s financial and operational performance.

Pricing: Has a free version. Paid subscriptions start at $28.83 per month.

13. FantasticStay

FantasticStay is a vacation rental software solution built with the aim of helping hosts grow their businesses. It has direct connections with Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo. Its extensive suite of automation tools makes it a good choice for hosts wanting to move toward managing their rentals in a more hands-off way. 

Main features:

• Listing management: manage all your listings across channels from a single dashboard.
• Channel manager: update your pricing and availability automatically on more than 60 channels.

Other useful tools: 

• Automation tools: automate your messages, payments, and guest services.
• Unified inbox: access and manage all your guest messages in one place.
• 24/7 guest communication: let FantasticStay handle your customer service.

Pricing: Request a custom quote.

14. Hostfully

Hostfully is a vacation rental property management platform and website builder that helps hosts increase their direct bookings. It has integrations with online travel agencies like Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and Tripadvisor, as well as metasearch platforms like HomeToGo and Holidu. It’s best for hosts who need an end-to-end solution for managing their channel distribution, guest experience, and operations.  

Main features:

• Channel manager: distribute your listings across various booking platforms.
• Website builder: create a branded website that lets you accept direct bookings.
• Guidebook: create a mobile-first digital guidebook to improve your guest experience.

Other useful tools:

• Upselling platform: get the most out of each stay with the help of Hostfully guidebooks.
• Analytics and reporting tools: create financial reports for multiple owners.
• Messaging automation: automatically send guests emails and text messages.

Pricing: Starts at $109.00 per month + $600.00 one-time setup fee.

15. Uplisting

Uplisting is a vacation rental software solution for managing all your bookings in one place and syncing with your favorite booking sites. It lets you instantly sync your rates, bookings, and availability with sites like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo. You can also add other channels via iCal. Uplisting is for short-term rentals bookings who want to avoid double bookings with a channel manager and get some automation tools in the same package.

Main features:

• Channel manager: sync your listings across 3 channels in real-time.
• Automation tools: put your business on autopilot with the help of cleaning, guest messaging, and smart rates automation.

Other useful tools:

• Cleaning scheduler: invite your cleaners and automate their schedule.
• Uplisting Protect: automate security deposits.

Pricing: Starts at $100.00 per month.

16. MyVR

MyVR is a short-term rental management and marketing software solution. It’s an all-in-one platform that allows property managers to streamline their workflows, save time, and maximize their revenue. It’s a good choice for hosts who need a flexible system that adapts to their needs and seamlessly integrates with lots of third-party providers.

Main features:

• Property management system: manage your inventory, housekeeping, and rate and fee plans from one place.
• Channel manager: connect with more than 70 of the world’s top booking sites through direct integrations.

Other useful tools:

• Drag-and-drop website builder: create a customizable and bookable website to strengthen your brand.
• Integrated applications: seamlessly integrate with the apps you need and love.

Pricing: Request a custom quote. 

17. BookingSync Pro

BookingSync Pro is a property management software for property managers with more than 20 listings. It’s a complex solution that lets you connect with more than 100 channels, gaining access to new markets and boosting your revenue. BookingSync has another product for smaller hosts with less than 20 listings called Smily. 

Main features: 

• Channel manager: synchronize your rates, calendars, and listing content across more than 100 websites through API connections.
• Website builder: build a professional website with an integrated channel manager and payment processing capabilities.

Other useful tools:

• Remarketing tools: retain customers and build your brand.

Pricing: Request a custom quote. 

18. FutureStay

FutureStay is a vacation rental software solution made for connecting your business to guests, channels, payments, and your own brand. It helps you provide a 5-star hospitality experience instead of wasting time on manual tasks. It’s best for property managers who need an end-to-end rental management platform with advanced automation capabilities. 

Main features:

• Central dashboard: access your payment automation tools, branded website, and Smart Connections from one place.
• Smart Connections: get bookings from sites like Airbnb and Booking.com by setting up business rules and saying goodbye to manual work.

Other useful tools:

• Relationship Builder: Get access to your guest’s direct contact information before a stay, even when booking through third-party channels.
• Post-Stay Interactions: send automated emails to guests.

Pricing: Request a custom quote. 

19. Cloudbeds

Cloudbeds is a hospitality management platform that allows you to manage guests, staff, inventory, pricing, and data in real-time. It helps you reach more guests, increase your reservations, and save time. It’s a good solution for managers of different kinds of properties, from hotels and hostels to B&Bs and vacation rentals.

Main features:

• Property management system: manage reservations with an easy-to-use calendar.
• Channel manager: sync rates, availability, and property details with hundreds of distribution channels. 

Other useful tools:

• Booking engine: drive commission-free bookings to your direct booking website.
• Revenue management tools: optimize your rates, track competitors, and get advanced analytics.

Pricing: Request a custom quote. 

So, which vacation rental software should you choose?

If you’re always short on time and you feel overwhelmed with your day-to-day tasks as a property manager, any of the above tools will make a huge difference in your life.

However, every property manager has different business needs. Make sure you keep yours in mind when choosing a vacation rental software solution.

Before you commit, try answering these questions:

• What’s your budget for vacation rental software? Choose the software solution that provides the biggest value for your money. For example, Host Tools is perfect for small hosts who need an easy-to-use, budget-friendly solution with lots of useful features.
• Which channels do you advertise on? And which ones are you planning to get listed on? Make sure the software you have your eye on has direct API integrations with those channels.
• What aspects of your business should you automate to save the most time? Is it guest communication, task management, channel distribution, or pricing? The software you pick should have the automation capabilities that are most important to you. 

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!