The 18 Best Vacation Rental Software Of 2024
10 Best Vacation Rental Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 18 tools reviewed.
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I understand what it's like to juggle various aspects of property management. It can get pretty overwhelming from dealing with multiple bookings to maintaining effective communication with guests. That's why I've curated this list of top-notch vacation rental software options to lighten your load. These tools are here to simplify your life.
Each software provides a unique set of features designed to automate and streamline the different facets of your rental business. From managing bookings and payments, communicating effectively with guests, maintaining your properties, to adjusting rental prices based on market trends - they've got you covered. I am confident you will find the right all-in-one tool that meets your needs and catapults your vacation rental business to the next level.
What Is A Vacation Rental Software?
Vacation rental software is a technology solution designed to assist vacation rental property owners and managers in streamlining their business operations. Users in the rental industry typically include individual homeowners, property management companies, and real estate agencies that manage short-term rental property, like vacation homes or Airbnb properties.
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The software serves numerous functions such as managing online bookings, check-ins, occupancy, pricing tools, payment processing, automating guest communications, upselling, setup fee, trust accounting, maintaining listings across various platforms, and even dynamically adjusting prices based on market trends.
By centralizing these tasks, vacation rental software allows users to efficiently operate their businesses, maximize their bookings, and improve their guests' overall experience.
Best Vacation Rental Software Summary
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Hostaway | From $95/user/month | Website |
| iGMS | From $20/user/month, (billed annually). | Website |
| Guesty | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Lodgify | From $36/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Avantio | From $100/user/month | Website |
| Checkfront | From $49/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Beyond Pricing | From $19.99/user/month | Website |
| Smoobu | From $19/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Akia | From $50/user/month | Website |
| OwnerRez | From $30/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareBest Vacation Rental Software Reviews
Hostaway
Best for combining reservation management and marketing in one tool
Hostaway is a vacation rental management platform that specializes in merging reservation management and marketing. Its dual focus on these key operational areas makes it an optimal tool for vacation rental businesses that wish to streamline their booking and promotion processes.
Why I Picked Hostaway:
I chose Hostaway for this list because it stands out with its unique blend of reservation management and marketing tools. It's this combined functionality that makes it particularly suitable for businesses looking for a comprehensive tool to handle both bookings and promotions.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Hostaway offers features such as a unified inbox for all booking channels, automated guest messaging, and revenue management. Notably, it also provides robust marketing tools for improved visibility and customer reach.
Its integrations are impressive, connecting with popular booking platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia. Additionally, it also integrates with payment processors and performance tracking tools.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides automated messaging and revenue management features
- Integrates with major booking platforms and other services
- Combines reservation management and marketing tools
Cons:
- Marketing features may not replace a dedicated marketing platform
- Might be more complex than necessary for very small operations
- Annual billing may not be flexible for all businesses
iGMS
Best for automating routine tasks across multiple booking platforms
iGMS brings an advanced level of automation to vacation rental management, handling tasks from guest communication to cleaning crew coordination. This software is designed to manage properties across multiple booking platforms effortlessly, making it a solid choice for multi-platform operation.
Why I Picked iGMS:
I selected iGMS because it excels in automating day-to-day operations, a significant advantage for managers juggling listings on multiple platforms. It streamlines operations and saves a lot of time. It's the tool I would pick for those who want to focus on growing their business rather than getting stuck in routine tasks.
Standout Features and Integrations:
iGMS offers impressive features such as automated messaging, cleaning and task management, and multi-calendar management. Its unified inbox consolidates all your messages from different platforms, making communication with guests a simpler task.
Integration-wise, iGMS supports multiple vacation rental platforms, including Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo. These integrations allow for synchronized operations across all connected platforms.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Efficient cleaning and task management
- Integrated communication from multiple platforms
- Robust automation of routine tasks
Cons:
- Can be complex to set up for larger property portfolios
- No custom API integration
- Limited features for advanced revenue management
Guesty
Best for managing complex operations of large-scale rental businesses
Guesty is a comprehensive property management platform designed for large-scale vacation rental businesses. Its robust feature set allows for the management of complex operational tasks, making it well-suited for businesses with extensive inventories and operational needs.
Why I Picked Guesty:
In determining my picks, I was drawn to Guesty due to its scalability and comprehensive feature set that cater specifically to large-scale rental businesses. The platform's robust functionality and automation of complex tasks differentiate it from other solutions.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Guesty offers numerous features including centralized inbox, automation tools, reporting analytics, and a mobile management app. Its capacity to manage multiple listings across various platforms from a single dashboard is a critical feature for large-scale operations.
Guesty integrates with leading vacation rental platforms including Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia, as well as various payment processors and property management tools. These integrations further streamline the management process.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides automation for complex tasks
- Extensive integrations with vacation rental platforms and other tools
- Comprehensive feature set designed for large operations
Cons:
- Requires a base fee in addition to user subscription costs
- Higher starting price point than some other tools
- May be more than what smaller businesses need
Lodgify
Best for building customized, SEO-optimized vacation rental websites
Lodgify is a software-as-a-service that provides tools for vacation rental owners and managers to create their own, fully-customizable, SEO-optimized websites. This attribute makes it an excellent choice for those who want to establish an online presence independently of third-party booking website platforms.
Why I Picked Lodgify:
In my selection process, Lodgify stood out due to its emphasis on empowering owners to establish and grow their online presence. With its comprehensive website builder and SEO tools, it offers a unique solution to an area often overlooked in vacation rental management.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Lodgify's primary feature is its website builder, which is designed for non-technical users. It includes professionally-designed templates, the ability to accept online bookings, and built-in SEO tools for better online visibility.
Lodgify integrates with various online travel agencies (OTAs) such as Airbnb and Booking.com, as well as property management systems. This allows users to manage all their listings and bookings from one central location.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integration with various OTAs and property management systems
- In-built SEO tools
- Website builder designed for non-technical users
Cons:
- Dependence on external platforms for some features and functions
- Subscription-based pricing can be costly for smaller operations
- Some customization may require technical knowledge
Avantio
Best for streamlining business operations with integrated channel management
Avantio offers a comprehensive property management system designed to streamline your vacation rental business operations. The integrated channel manager function makes it exceptional at connecting and managing multiple rental platforms.
Why I Picked Avantio:
When I was comparing software, Avantio stood out for its powerful combination of features and ease of use. I selected it primarily for its integrated channel management system, a feature that eliminates the complexity of managing multiple rental listings across different platforms. This tool does an impressive job of streamlining business operations, making it the best choice for property managers seeking to simplify their multi-platform strategies.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Avantio's most notable feature is its integrated channel manager, which allows users to synchronize listings across numerous vacation rental platforms. This reduces the possibility of double bookings and ensures data accuracy. Avantio also includes a feature-rich website builder, enabling you to create a custom, mobile-friendly website for your business.
As for integrations, Avantio connects with an array of booking channels including Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia. It also supports integration with payment gateways such as Stripe and PayPal for smoother transaction processing.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Broad range of payment gateway integrations
- Customizable, mobile-friendly website builder
- Integrated channel manager enhances multi-platform management
Cons:
- The annual billing cycle might not be suitable for all
- Steep learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Pricing might be high for small property owners
Checkfront is an online booking management system that provides businesses with tools for scheduling, inventory tracking, and payment acceptance. Its real-time availability tracking and instant booking features make it the best choice for managing last-minute changes and facilitating smooth booking processes.
Why I Picked Checkfront:
I chose Checkfront for its focus on real-time availability management and instant bookings. In the volatile and competitive vacation rental market, these two features can be a game-changer. Compared to other tools, it offers a more direct, immediate booking experience, which can be essential for businesses managing high-demand properties.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Checkfront offers a variety of standout features including online payment acceptance, invoice creation, and comprehensive reporting. The real-time availability tracking and instant bookings make managing last-minute bookings and cancellations far less stressful.
Checkfront provides integrations with various platforms and tools, including WordPress, Square, Google Analytics, and many more. These integrations allow users to connect their existing software with Checkfront seamlessly.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Wide range of integrations
- Instant booking feature
- Real-time availability tracking
Cons:
- High-volume businesses may find it costly
- Limited customization options
- The interface may take time to learn
Beyond Pricing is a revenue management solution specializing in dynamic pricing. The tool leverages local market trends and data analytics to optimize rental pricing, which is why I believe it's the best for owners seeking to maximize their revenue based on market dynamics.
Why I Picked Beyond Pricing:
As I selected tools for this list, I chose Beyond Pricing for its data-driven approach to pricing and its ability to respond to market fluctuations. It stands out from the crowd because of its market-based dynamic pricing, which can be a real game-changer in revenue management for rental properties.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Key features of Beyond Pricing include dynamic pricing based on real-time market data, a user-friendly dashboard for analytics, and the ability to set customized pricing rules. These features make it a powerful tool for revenue management.
Beyond Pricing integrates with multiple property management systems, including Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway, among others. These integrations offer an added level of convenience, enabling seamless pricing updates across various platforms.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integrations with various popular property management systems
- User-friendly dashboard for analytics
- Dynamic pricing based on real-time market data
Cons:
- Limited support for less popular booking platforms
- Pricing rules may require frequent adjustment to remain effective
- May be expensive for owners with many listings
Smoobu is a vacation rental management solution designed to keep booking information consistent across multiple channels. It's specifically beneficial for businesses managing multiple listings on various booking sites and needing to maintain accurate availability and reservation details in real-time.
Why I Picked Smoobu:
I picked Smoobu for its unmatched capability in synchronizing bookings across a range of channels, which is a distinctive advantage in the realm of rental management. The tool is well-suited for businesses needing to maintain synchronized, updated, and consistent booking information on various platforms.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Smoobu provides robust features such as a unified dashboard, reservation synchronization, direct booking capability, and automated messaging. Moreover, it offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making navigation and operation straightforward.
Smoobu supports integration with a broad array of booking platforms including Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, among others. This wide range of integration ensures seamless management of listings across multiple channels.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Offers a wide range of integrations with popular booking platforms
- Provides a unified, intuitive dashboard
- Exceptional at synchronizing bookings across various channels
Cons:
- Some premium features come with additional costs
- The interface, while user-friendly, may require some learning time for less tech-savvy users
- Cost may be higher than some other options
Akia is an AI-powered tool that enables direct and effective communication with guests for hoteliers and vacation rental owners. This tool combines the efficiency of AI technology with the nuances of human communication, ensuring that guests receive immediate responses and support.
Why I Picked Akia:
In selecting tools for this list, I judged them based on their unique offerings. Akia stood out because it harnesses the power of AI to enhance guest communication. I believe it's the best for this use case as the AI's capability to manage and respond to a multitude of guest queries in real-time can lead to improved guest satisfaction and smoother operations.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Among its most crucial features, Akia includes automated responses, guest sentiment analysis, and multilingual support. The tool is designed to be available around the clock, ensuring guests can get assistance when they need it, regardless of the hour.
Akia integrates with multiple cloud-based property management systems (PMS), including Cloudbeds, RMS Cloud, and RoomMaster. These integrations help streamline operations by allowing users to manage everything from a centralized platform.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integrations with popular PMS platforms
- Real-time responses
- AI-powered guest communication
Cons:
- Some complex queries may require human intervention
- May require an adjustment period for staff to fully utilize the tool
- Pricing information is not publicly disclosed
OwnerRez is a fully-fledged property management system that's primarily focused on providing an easy-to-use reservation experience. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, without sacrificing simplicity, making it an excellent choice for owners who prioritize a user-friendly interface.
Why I Picked OwnerRez:
In my comparison of various tools, OwnerRez captured my attention due to its balance between comprehensive functionality and intuitive design. I chose this tool because of its commitment to simplifying reservation management without cutting corners on the feature set. It's best for owners who seek a robust solution that remains intuitive and easy to navigate.
Standout Features and Integrations:
Key features of OwnerRez include its strong reservation management system, built-in customer relationship management (CRM), and customizable booking widgets. The software also offers insightful reporting capabilities that can help owners make data-driven decisions.
In terms of integrations, OwnerRez links with a wide range of online travel agencies like Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO. It also integrates well with payment gateways such as Stripe and PayPal, facilitating smooth and secure transactions.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Affordable pricing model
- Customizable booking widgets offer flexibility in design
- Comprehensive and intuitive reservation management
Cons:
- Customer support could be improved
- Limited advanced features for larger operations
- Features could be overwhelming for new users
Other Vacation Rental Software
- PriceLabs
For dynamic revenue management and price optimization
- Escapia
For scalability and management of large property portfolios
- Buildium
Good for property managers seeking scalability with a variety of properties
- Tokeet
Good for small to medium-sized vacation rentals wanting advanced channel management
- Operto
Good for enhancing guest experience with smart home automation in rentals
- Hospitable
Good for automating guest communications across rental platforms
- DoorLoop
Good for comprehensive property management with built-in accounting tools
- Wheelhouse
Good for optimizing rental prices with dynamic pricing intelligence
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Selection Criteria For Vacation Rental Software
In my extensive exploration and usage of vacation rental software, I've personally examined and tested numerous tools in this category. To make it onto my list, each tool had to demonstrate exceptional proficiency in certain areas that are crucial for this type of software. Here are the criteria I used to assess the various solutions:
Core Functionality
- Reservation and booking management: The ability to handle reservations, block dates, and manage availability.
- Channel management: The software should seamlessly connect to various rental platforms, like Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO, to synchronize listings and prevent double bookings.
- Automation: Automating guest communications, billing, and other recurring tasks to save time.
Key Features
- Dynamic Pricing: The ability to adjust prices based on factors like demand, time of year, and local events to optimize revenue.
- Integrated Payments: Support for in-app payments, enabling easier transaction management.
- Reporting and Analytics: A robust suite of analytics tools to track performance, understand guest behavior, and make data-driven decisions.
- Property Maintenance: Tools to track property upkeep, schedule cleaning, and manage repairs.
Usability
- Interface: A clean, intuitive interface that allows users to navigate and find necessary information quickly, such as reservations, guest details, and calendar views.
- Onboarding and Support: Comprehensive training resources, guides, and excellent customer support to assist in getting started and resolving issues.
- Integration: The software should smoothly integrate with other tools, such as payment gateways, CRM, and email marketing software, to streamline operations.
- Mobile App: A functional mobile app is necessary for managing operations on the go. It should provide essential features, such as reservation management, guest communication, and notifications.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
What are the benefits of using vacation rental software?
Vacation rental software offers numerous benefits such as streamlining operations, automating tasks, reducing the risk of overbooking, and improving communication with guests. These tools also provide insights into performance metrics and can help optimize pricing strategies.
How much does vacation rental software cost?
The cost of vacation rental software can vary widely depending on the features offered and the size of your rental operation. Some solutions charge a flat monthly fee while others may take a percentage of bookings. Prices can range anywhere from $10/month to hundreds of dollars per month.
What are the typical pricing models for vacation rental software?
The typical pricing models for vacation rental software include monthly or annual subscriptions. Some platforms also offer pay-per-booking pricing models, where you pay a certain percentage for each booking made through the platform.
What is the typical range of pricing for vacation rental software?
The price of vacation rental software can range from $10/month for basic tools up to $500/month or more for comprehensive platforms with extensive features. The cost will depend on the size of your operation and your specific needs.
What are the cheapest and most expensive vacation rental software?
Some of the more affordable vacation rental software options include Smoobu and Lodgify. On the higher end of the spectrum are platforms like Guesty and Hostaway, which offer extensive features and capabilities for larger businesses.
Are there any free vacation rental software options?
While most vacation rental software options are not free, some platforms offer limited free trials. These trials can be an excellent way to test out the software and see if it fits your needs before committing to a paid plan.
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What Next?
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