If you host an Airbnb or short-term vacation rental, you know that managing rental properties is a challenging job, and staying organized is key to running a successful business. There are many property management software programs on the market that claim to streamline the property management business, but which one is right for you?
Finding the right program for you often comes down to which program best suits your needs based on the type and number of properties you manage. Today, Rental Recon is taking a look at Hostaway Property Management Software and Guesty Management Platform, two popular property management software programs.
Hostaway vs. Guesty: Choosing the Software that is Right for You
Hostaway and Guesty are two options for property management software programs for rental hosts. Both programs feature helpful organization tools that will ensure your rental business functions smoothly. Depending on the needs of your business, one program may be better suited for you than the other. After using both programs to run my property management business, I found that Hostaway is the best all-in-one property management software program.
What Does Hostaway Do?
Hostaway is a leading all-in-one short-term rental software program. This program features reliable technology, advanced marketing tools, and even reporting features to make tax season a breeze. Hostaway gives hosts access to a variety of tools like listing management, a unified inbox, multi-calendar, and bookkeeping tools.
Overview of Guesty
Guesty is a property management platform that is focused on streamlining and growing your rental business. Whether you are a “host” with three or fewer properties or a “pro” with four or more properties, Guesty creates a customized experience to help you run your rental business.
Key Features of Hostaway
Hostaway is a very comprehensive property management program and has various features and tools that help hosts run and manage their short-term rental business.
- The Hostaway Dashboard is your home base to view all your tools
- The Reservations Manager allows hosts to check reservation inquiries and view current reservations, accept payments, schedule cleanings, and communicate with guests
- Hostaway Accounting Tools allows hosts to keep track of owner statements, expenses, and occupancy
- A Unified Inbox keeps all of your messages in one convenient location
- Multi-Calendar allows you to see all of your bookings across all platforms in one place
- The Website Builder helps you build and customize your own booking website
These are just a few of the tools you will benefit from by using Hostaway. If you want to see more, you can request a demo, and a product expert will walk you through all the features that Hostaway has to offer.
Guesty Key Features
Guesty is described as having the property management software industry’s most robust set of smart features. This program’s long list of useful features and tools includes:
- Accounting Tools
- Analytics
- Automation Tools
- Booking Website
- Channel Manager
- Damage Protection
- Multi-Calendar
- Payment Processing
- Reporting Tools
- Task Management
- Unified Inbox
- 24/7 Guest Communication
I especially liked using Guesty’s Mobile Management App. This feature allows you to stay connected with your guests and your business on the go. Using the app, you can manage reservations, access your multi-calendar, check your unified inbox, and update tasks.
This app also comes in over 20 different languages!
What is Each Program Best Used For?
Both of these programs feature strengths and weaknesses, and depending on your rental business; one may work better for you than the other. I found that Hostaway is the best all-in-one property management software program. Whether you have one single Airbnb or manage several short-term rental properties, Hostaway Property Management Software provides all the tools you could possibly need.
One feature that Guesty has that I found useful was the Multi-Unit & Complex Management tool. If you have several listings, you can group together similar listings (like apartments in a complex) to streamline your management and optimize occupancy. This tool makes Guesty perfect for property managers who have a large number of units to keep track of.
Pros & Cons of Using Hostaway
Pros of Hostaway
- Comprehensive and easy to use tools and features
- User-friendly dashboard
- Ability to manage multiple listings on different platforms
- Great customer service
Cons of Hostaway
- The interface can be clunky while using some tools
- You must pay extra to access all features
Guesty Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros of Guesty
- Easy to use automatic messaging feature
- New features and updates are frequently added
- Responsive and helpful customer service
- A lot of integration options
Cons of Guesty
- The cost is a bit pricy
- Automations and platform can be difficult to learn
What Platforms Does Hostaway and Guesty Support?
Hostaway supports the following platforms:
- Airbnb (preferred partner)
- VRBO (connectivity partner)
- Booking.com (premier partner)
- HomeAway
- Expedia
- TripAdvisor
- Homes & Villas by Marriott
Guesty also supports all major booking channels and works with the following platforms:
- Airbnb
- VRBO
- Booking.com
- HomeAway
- TripAdvisor
- Agoda
Who Uses Hostaway?
I found that most Hostaway users are individual property managers who use sites like Airbnb or VRBO to rent out their short-term rental properties. Hostaway’s dashboard and tools make it easy to run a small short-term rental business all on your own.
Typical Customers for Guesty
Guesty customers range from single Airbnb owners to property managers who take care of dozens of units. Guesty’s customizable price plans and options make it a great property management software program for a wide variety of users and business owners.
Customer Support: How to Get Help
Hostaway Customer Support
Hostaway has excellent customer support, but different time zones can affect response time. If you are in the United States and need to contact Hostaway for customer service, you can reach them at 415-825-3034. You can also email Hostaway at one of their two email addresses: support@hostaway.com or sales@hostaway.com.
Guesty Customer Support
Guesty provides users and customers with various ways to contact support. Whether you need help with sales, tech support, partnerships, or press, a Guesty representative is only one click away.
How Do I Learn How to Use Property Management Software?
Hostaway Training
Hostaway provides new users with convenient training programs, guides, and advice. Some helpful resources include a blog, guidebook, help center, and webinars. When you sign up for Hostaway, an expert representative will walk you through a demo of the program and show you how to use all the key features. If you have any issues in the future, customer support is always ready to help.
Guesty Training
Before you get started with Guesty, you can request a demo to learn how to use their program. Once you’ve completed onboarding training, Guesty provides users with plenty of resources to continue growing their knowledge and learning how to take full advantage of all their features. As a Guesty user, you will have access to:
- Guesty Blog- Articles with tips for using Guesty and growing your business
- Case Studies- Hear directly from other customers and partners
- Guestypedia- Glossary of industry terms
- Guestyversity- Educational resources
- Marketplace- List of external partners
- Vacation Rental Guide- All the basics about running a vacation rental business
Pricing: How Much Does Property Management Software Cost?
The cost of property management software is usually a large factor when determining which program to use. Both of these programs offer flexible pricing options.
Hostaway Plans
Hostaway offers customized pricing so you can choose the plan that fits your business needs and budget. Plans start at $100 a month but are easily customized so you can add additional features.
Guesty Pricing
I really like the various pricing options that Guesty offers property managers. We know that no two businesses are alike, so it is helpful to be able to choose a plan that works best for you and your business.
Guesty considers a “host” a manager with three properties or less and provides a different rate depending on if you have one, two, or three properties. You can also choose monthly or annual billing options.
If you have more than three properties, you are considered a “pro” and will have to contact Guesty for a custom quote.
Partner Integrations for Hostaway and Guesty
Each of these apps easily integrates with dozens of partners to provide you with extra tools to run your rental business.
Hostaway Integrations
Hostaway integrates with over 100 partner apps. Some integrated partners include:
- Properly
- Wishbox
- BeyondPricing
- Stripe
- Operto
- Wheelhouse
Hostaway also works with Zapier, which provides you with access to over 3,000 additional apps that may not have a direct integration with Hostaway.
Guesty Integrations
Guesty operates with an open API, so you can enjoy integrations with external tools or even build your own tools to use with Guesty. Guesty’s marketplace allows you to see all the programs that are supported, from pricing tools to guest experience tools.
Need some ideas about what tools you should be using with your property management software? Check out our article about the 37 Best Tools for Airbnb Hosts.
Alternative Property Management Software Options
Hostaway and Guesty are great property management software options, but there are plenty of other programs on the market. Similar programs include:
- Buildium
- Yardi Breeze
- TurboTenant
- Propertyware
- RentRedi
- Rentec Direct
Each of these programs provides users with different features, pricing plans, and pros and cons. It may take a few trials to figure out which management software works for you.
Hostaway Company Details
Hostaway was launched in Finland in 2015 by founder and CEO Marcus Rader. Hostaway has headquarters all over the world with locations in:
- Helsinki, Finland
- Toronto, Canada
- Los Angeles, USA
- Barcelona, Spain
- Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Perth, Australia
Guesty Company Details
Guesty was established in 2013 by twin brothers Amiad and Koby Soto after the brothers found themselves spending too much time dealing with guest-related issues while hosting Airbnb properties. They decided they needed a way to streamline their rental management business and created Guesty as the solution. The headquarters are located in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Final Thoughts on Hostaway
If you are a property manager looking for a program to streamline your business, Hostaway Property Management Software is an excellent option. This property management software program gives you access to dozens of invaluable tools and features that will keep your rental business organized and growing. You, your guests, and your property owners will all benefit from Hostaway’s features.
Whether you have one Airbnb property or a network of vacation rental units, Hostaway is a great product to manage your rental property business.
If you still have questions about Hostaway, check out Rental Recon’s Epic Hostaway Review with an in-depth analysis of the program including pricing and key features.
Overall Review of Guesty
Guesty is a comprehensive property management software program that provides solutions for common issues that many hosts and property managers face on a daily basis. Guesty offers several industry-leading smart tools like accounting tools, analytics, payment processing, an owner portal, and a mobile app that make this platform useful whether you have one rental property or dozens of units.
Guesty’s customizable options and payment plans make this program great for any business owner, large or small, and will grow with you as you grow your short-term rental business.
