Best Vacation Rental Software 2024

The market for vacation rentals is projected to be valued at more than $100 billion in 2024. That number will reach $107 billion in 2027 — a new peak after seven consecutive years of growth.

Where there is massive growth, there is technology to help savvy entrepreneurs participate in that growth. Chief among those is vacation rental software.

Which vacation rental software is the best and what are my options?

According to Statista, based on the current boom in the vacation rental industry and the market's projected growth, it is predicted that revenue in the vacation rental segment will reach US$100.08 billion in 2024.

(image credits - Statista)

Why Do Property Managers Need Vacation Rental Software?

Vacation rentals are properties rented out to guests for short-term stays, generally than 30 days, as an alternative to hotels.

Thanks to OTAs such as Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, etc., you can list a variety of furnished accommodations, including serviced apartments, campgrounds, glamping, tent cabins, private rooms, or entire homes, for short-term stays.

But managing multiple listings via multiple channels and OTAs can be a headache. By switching to vacation rental software, you can reduce time-consuming and labor-intensive grunt work, with the added benefit of automation tools that can speed up some of your work.

What is Vacation Rental Software?

Vacation rental software streamlines all aspects of your operations for short-term rentals.

And best of all, OTAs) integrate with vacation rental software, providing high-performance property management features and with property management service providers to automate, scale, and grow your business.

Identifying Essential Vacation Rental Software Features

These are key features to look out for, when selecting vacation rental software to run your short-term rental business.

1. Channel management

Allows you to promote your property on multiple OTAs by connecting your rates, availability, and content in one place.

2. Multi-Calendar

All of your reservations are available in one place with options to organize them by date, unit, channel, payment status, etc.

3. Manage bookings

You can set up, modify, or cancel reservations to ensure up-to-date guest information and availability.

4. Guest communication

Configure automated messages that include check-in / check-out instructions, answers to queries, send guests your welcome manuals and house rules, or send special offers from one unified inbox.

5. Integrations

Make sure the vacation rental software can be integrated with third-party tools and software. This helps to maximize the functionality of your vacation rental software and is designed to help hosts to automate, scale, and grow their businesses.

6. Financial accounting tools

Accounting features that ensure accurate tax and commission remittances and collections from guests.

7. Payment processing

Integrate your payment processor to charge payments and deposits or even automate payments.

8. Reporting and analytics

Track metrics such as occupancy, RevPAR, and guest reviews with customized reports and dashboards.

9. Direct website builder

Ability to publish a fully customizable, branded website that allows guests to learn about your property and book online.

10. Mobile application

The capability to manage all key features and functionality on the go. This includes all the key features mentioned above, all conveniently located in your pocket!

Benefits of Vacation Rental Software

Massive time saver

Using vacation rental software saves time that would usually be spent on administrative tasks.

Revenue growth

The software allows you to grow your business by reducing costs, eliminating double bookings, setting better prices, analyzing data for improvement, and keeping your inventory updated across all listed channels.

Multi-platform management

The channel manager, which is an important component of the software, synchronizes bookings across multiple OTAs

One interface for all your needs

Access to all your booking channels, calendars, messages, payments, etc., from a single dashboard

Integrate with service providers

Vacation rental software integrates with your many service applications and allows you to access data or services provided by the apps through their platform.

Taking control of your business

By providing a central point of access for all your short-term rental data, messaging, and tasks, vacation rental software provides hosts with complete control over their businesses regarding bookings, pricing, and inventory management.

Scale your business

Set strategic goals for each team member based on key performance indicators. Businesses can use this method to create teams with reference goals to help them develop and achieve results.

The 5 Best Vacation Rental Software for 2024

Assessing your vacation rental needs is the first step in choosing the best software. Some tools might be overkill if you only manage a few properties. Whereas some tools are better suited to scale with your needs as you grow your business.

Here are the top 5 Vacation Rental Software.

1. Hostaway

The market leader, Hostaway is one of the most rapidly growing robust property management systems, providing an end-to-end platform to automate and simplify every part of the job of a short-term rental host or property manager. Hostaway is the highest-rated property management system for Airbnb hosts and vacation rental managers.

As a vacation rental software and channel management provider, Hostaway aims to deliver the best solutions to the vacation rental industry with unparalleled customer service and engagement.

To help you manage your direct bookings, Hostaway offers marketing and sales tools, booking engines, and WordPress plugin websites. By using this software, you can train employees and boost your business at the same time. Additionally, you can manage payments, owner statements, accounting, and smart locks.

Furthermore, the customer success team trains you and your staff on all the features to configure the platform according to your needs.

Features

• Channel Manager
• Open API
• CRM & Lead Management
• Trust Accounting
• Mobile App
• Websites
• Promotional & Negotiated Rates
• Multi-Language
• Responsive Design
• Owner / Guest Portal
• Owner Statements
• Financial Reporting
• Task Management
• App Marketplace
• Unified Inbox
• User-friendly Interface

Integrations

Hostaway is a preferred and elite partner of Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com and also has partnerships with Google Travel, Homes and Villas by Marriott, Hopper, and TripAdvisor just to name a few.

Hostaway has an open API, meaning developers can build according to their product.

Hostway’s marketplace boasts integrations ranging from key distribution channels to payment processors to advanced pricing optimization software so you can run your vacation rental with the sophistication of a major hotel chain.

Customer profile

Large Enterprises

Language support

English, Czech, and a few others

Customer support options

Email/Help Desk, 24/7 (Live rep), Knowledge Base, Chat, FAQs/Forum, Phone Support

Deployments include

Cloud, SaaS, Web-based, Android, iPad, iPhone

Ratings

GetApp 4.6/5 (743) G2 4.7/5 (140) Software Advice 4.7/5 (743)

You can also read real Hostaway Case Studies here from thriving and growing short-term rental managers!

Pricing

With Hostaway, you can choose from different monthly subscription plans to meet your specific requirements.

Free Trial? No Demo ? Yes

2. RMS Cloud

Offering a property management solution, RMS Campground is a cloud-based software system created for the campground and RV resort industry. Bookings, tracking availability, price, correspondence, and billing are all functionalites.

Since RMS is flexible enough to accommodate companies of various sizes, implementation across multi-property environments may be done smoothly.

Integrations

MYOB Business, Criton, Stripe, Quickbooks Online, Braintree, Xero

Customer profile

Freelancers, Large Enterprises

Language Support

Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Thai

Customer support options

24/7 (Live rep), Knowledge Base, Chat, Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Phone Support

Deployments include

Cloud, SaaS, Web-based

Ratings

GetApp 4.4/5 (414) G2 4.5/5 (16) Software Advice 4.4/5 (414)

Pricing

Your property determines the price. It considers the number of sites or slips as well as the number of properties. Additionally, setup, migration, and training are included in the fee.

3. Streamline

Streamline provides property management software for holiday rentals. It is a cloud-based solution that offers capabilities for online booking, lead management, trust accounting, and CRM software to meet the specific demands of property managers.

Streamline is a smart, innovative, strong, and distinctive product that meets the market's ever-changing needs.

Integrations

authorize.net, Properly, Rentals United, QuickBooks Online Advanced, Stripe, PriceLabs, Beyond, SiteMinder, BookingPal

Customer profile

Freelancers, Large Enterprises

Language support

English, Spanish

Customer support options

Email/Help Desk, Phone Support, FAQs/Forum, 24/7 (Live rep)

Deployments include

Cloud, SaaS, Web-based

Ratings

GetApp 4.5/5 (76) G2 3.9/5 (8) Software Advice 4.5/5 (76)

Pricing

Pricing model: Subscription-based

Free Trial? No

4. SuperControl

SuperControl is a system that makes vacation rental bookings for agencies and property owners. It works as a business solution for online booking management and integrates seamlessly into websites. The program has a built-in channel manager and a secure, integrated system.

Integrations

Beyond, Breezeway, and Duve

Customer profile

Mid-size business, small business, enterprise, freelance, and startup.

Language support

English

Customer support options

SuperControl offers online live chat, email, and phone support during business hours.

Deployments include

Cloud, SaaS, Web-based

Ratings

G2 4/5 (1)

Pricing

£440.00 annual license fee (per property/unit)

Free Trial? Yes Free 7-day trial Free Version? No

5. PropertyMe

PropertyMe is a cloud-based property management software that streamlines operations for property managers.

PropertyMe is a robust platform that meets the dynamic needs of property managers and landlords in the property management industry, making it a choice for modern property management solutions.

Integrations

Domo, Xero

Customer profile

Freelancers, Large Enterprises, Mid Size Business, Non-Profit, small Business

Language support

English

Customer support options

Email/Help Desk, Chat, Phone Support, FAQs/Forum

Deployments include

Cloud, SaaS, Web-based

Ratings

GetApp 4.6/5 (45) G2 4.5/5 (1) Software Advice 4.6/5 (45)

Pricing

Starting from: $605.00/month Pricing model: Subscription

Free Trial? Yes

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

Exciting times in the world of vacation rental software! Advanced technologies and innovative solutions are giving the whole game a significant upgrade. Picture this: the finest software combines slick user interfaces, robust booking systems, and cutting-edge automation. It's like a super boost for property owners and managers, making everything smoother and more convenient.

These solutions don't just stop there – they go beyond that. They amp up the guest experience, streamline operations, and crank up the revenue dial. Opting for top-notch software isn't just a casual decision; it's a smart move in the competitive vacation rental market. It's not just about keeping up; it's about thriving. So, if you're in the vacation rental world, diving into this software revolution is like having your secret weapon.