Hostaway has quickly become one of the go-to property management platforms for mid-size vacation rental businesses. Founded in 2015, it positions itself as the "most powerful" vacation rental software — a bold claim we're putting to the test in this review.
Let's dive deep into what Hostaway offers, what it costs, and whether it deserves a spot in your tech stack.
What Is Hostaway?
Hostaway is a cloud-based property management system (PMS) designed for vacation rental managers with 5-200+ properties. It combines channel management, booking management, guest communication, task management, and financial reporting into a single platform.
What sets Hostaway apart from simpler tools is its depth. Where platforms like Smoobu focus on simplicity, Hostaway provides extensive customization and reporting capabilities that professional property managers need.
Key Features
Channel Management
Hostaway connects to over 40 booking channels — one of the broadest channel networks in the industry. Key connections include:
- Airbnb (Preferred Software Partner)
- Vrbo
- Booking.com (Premier Partner)
- Expedia
- Google Vacation Rentals
- Tripadvisor
- Marriott Homes & Villas
- Holidu
- And 30+ more
All connections are via API, ensuring real-time synchronization. Sync times in our testing were consistently under 2 minutes.
Unified Inbox
Hostaway's unified inbox aggregates messages from all channels into a single interface. You can respond to Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com guests without switching between platforms. Features include:
- Automated message templates
- Scheduled messages (check-in instructions, review requests)
- Team assignment and internal notes
- AI-suggested responses
Dynamic Pricing
Hostaway includes built-in dynamic pricing powered by market data. It also integrates with PriceLabs, Beyond, and Wheelhouse for hosts who want specialized pricing tools.
Reporting & Analytics
This is where Hostaway genuinely shines. The reporting suite includes:
- Revenue by property, channel, and time period
- Occupancy analytics with trend visualization
- Owner statements with customizable templates
- Expense tracking
- Financial forecasting
- Channel performance comparison
For property managers who need to provide detailed reports to property owners, Hostaway's reporting is among the best in the industry.
Task Management
Built-in task management lets you:
- Auto-generate cleaning tasks on checkout
- Assign tasks to team members or contractors
- Track task completion with photos
- Set recurring maintenance tasks
Payment Processing
Hostaway integrates with Stripe and PayPal for payment processing, supporting:
- Automated payment collection
- Security deposits
- Split payments
- Multi-currency support
- Automated invoicing
Website Builder
Hostaway includes a basic website builder for direct bookings. It's functional — you can accept bookings and process payments — but it lacks the design polish and customization of dedicated website builders.
If having a strong direct booking website is a priority, you might want to consider alternatives like Lodgify, which has arguably the best website builder in the vacation rental software space.
Pricing
Hostaway doesn't publish pricing on their website — you need to request a demo for a quote. Based on user reports and our research:
- Estimated cost: $25-40 per property per month
- Minimum: Typically requires a minimum of 5 properties
- Setup fees: May apply for larger implementations
- No free trial: Demo only
This puts Hostaway in the mid-to-premium pricing range. It's more expensive than platforms like Lodgify (starting at $17/month) or Smoobu ($25/month), but cheaper than Guesty for most portfolio sizes.
Pros
- Broadest channel network: 40+ connected platforms
- Excellent reporting: Best-in-class analytics and owner statements
- Airbnb Preferred Partner: Deepest Airbnb integration available
- Strong task management: Built-in operations tools
- Reliable support: Dedicated account managers for larger clients
- Built-in dynamic pricing: No need for additional subscriptions
- Extensive API: Build custom integrations
Cons
- No published pricing: Opaque pricing requires contacting sales
- No free trial: You can't test before committing
- Minimum property requirement: Not suitable for hosts with 1-2 properties
- Basic website builder: Can't compete with Lodgify's website tools
- Steeper learning curve: Feature depth means longer setup time
- Can be expensive: At $25-40/property, costs add up for larger portfolios
Who Is Hostaway Best For?
Hostaway is ideal for:
- Growing property managers with 10-100 properties
- Managers who need owner reporting and financial statements
- Multi-channel distributors listing on many platforms
- Teams that need task management and role-based access
- Data-driven operators who rely on analytics for decisions
It's less ideal for:
- Solo hosts with 1-3 properties (overkill and expensive)
- Hosts primarily wanting direct bookings (website builder is basic)
- Budget-conscious hosts (more affordable options exist)
How Hostaway Compares
| Feature | Hostaway | Lodgify | Guesty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ~$25/property/mo | ~$17/mo total | ~$29/property/mo |
| Channel Count | 40+ | 10+ | 30+ |
| Website Builder | Basic | Excellent | Basic |
| Owner Reporting | Excellent | Basic | Excellent |
| Dynamic Pricing | Yes Built-in | Yes Built-in | Via integration |
| Free Trial | No | Yes | No |
| Best For | 10-100 properties | 1-25 properties | 20-200+ properties |
Hostaway vs Lodgify
Hostaway offers more channels and better reporting. Lodgify offers better pricing, a superior website builder, and a free trial. For hosts with fewer than 15 properties who want direct bookings, Lodgify is usually the better value. For property managers needing owner reports and broad distribution, Hostaway wins.
Hostaway vs Guesty
Both are aimed at professional managers, but Hostaway is typically more affordable and offers built-in dynamic pricing. Guesty has more advanced automation workflows and a larger integration ecosystem. The choice often comes down to specific feature needs and pricing quotes.
Our Verdict
Hostaway is an excellent choice for growing property management businesses that have outgrown simpler tools. Its combination of broad channel distribution, powerful reporting, and built-in operational tools makes it a strong all-around platform.
However, the lack of transparent pricing and no free trial are notable downsides. And if you're a smaller host focused on direct bookings, you'll find better value elsewhere.
Our rating: 4.3/5
If you're a mid-size property manager looking for a robust, feature-rich PMS, Hostaway deserves a spot on your shortlist. Request a demo and compare it against alternatives to make sure it fits your needs and budget.
For hosts who aren't quite ready for Hostaway's feature depth (or price tag), Lodgify's free trial is a great place to start and see if an all-in-one approach fits your workflow first.