Hostaway vs Lodgify vs Guesty

Choosing the right vacation rental software is a game-changing decision. Whether you're a property manager scaling up or a short-term rental operator looking for more control and automation, the right platform can streamline operations, boost revenue and reduce stress.

In this comprehensive 2025 comparison of Hostaway vs. Guesty vs. Lodgify, we dive into the key differences between the platforms — from core features like property management systems (PMS) and channel managers to support, integrations and customer experience.

Spoiler alert: there’s a clear winner.

Why Compare These Platforms?

All three platforms — Hostaway, Guesty and Lodgify — aim to solve the same problem, helping vacation rental businesses manage listings, automate tasks and grow efficiently. But the similarities end there.

Each company has a distinct approach to product development, customer support, integrations and pricing. And when it comes to performance, not all platforms deliver the same experience.

Whether you're switching systems or starting fresh, this breakdown will help you find the best fit for your vacation rental business.

Platform Philosophy: Built vs. Assembled

While many vacation rental software platforms may appear similar on the surface, the way they're built under the hood can have a big impact on performance, reliability and long-term value. Some companies build their technology in-house, while others rely on third-party tools or acquisitions to fill functionality gaps. Here’s how Hostaway, Lodgify and Guesty go about it.

Hostaway

Hostaway is unique in that it has built 95% of its core property management system (PMS) in-house. This approach ensures tighter control over quality, speed and performance. Everything works seamlessly because it was designed to work together — from automated workflows and calendar syncing to owner reporting and the built-in channel manager for Airbnb, Vrbo and more.

Rather than relying on third-party plugins or acquisitions, Hostaway delivers a unified system engineered for reliability and scale.

Guesty

Guesty, on the other hand, has opted to fill product gaps by acquiring companies and incorporating their tools. While this can accelerate feature growth, it often results in a fragmented experience.

Users frequently note inconsistencies across areas like accounting, messaging automation, and task management. Instead of feeling like a single solution, Guesty often feels like multiple tools tied together — each with its own quirks and learning curve.

Lodgify

Lodgify focuses on simplicity, offering an intuitive interface that’s ideal for smaller operators. The downside is that the platform has limitations when it comes to advanced automation, API flexibility, and scalability. It serves well as an entry-level solution, but many property managers find themselves needing more robust features as their business grows.

Property Management System (PMS) Capabilities

A powerful property management system is the backbone of any vacation rental business. It should help streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks and give you full visibility across your properties and team.

The depth, flexibility, and ease-of-use of a property management software can make a major difference in daily workflows — especially as your portfolio grows. Here's a comparison of PMS performance.

Hostaway

Hostaway’s PMS is purpose-built for professional operators and growing portfolios. It’s highly customizable and includes advanced tools like multi-calendar views, automated messaging, task scheduling and owner reporting. You can segment guests, apply custom filters and integrate seamlessly with third-party tools or internal systems. It’s a solution that grows with you, not one you’ll need to replace later.

Guesty

Guesty offers a broad set of property management software features, but the user experience often feels cluttered. Many operators find the interface overly complex, especially when getting started. Because the platform leans on bolt-on products for added functionality, teams may face a steeper learning curve and spend more time managing the software than running their business.

Lodgify

Lodgify keeps things simple, with a clean, beginner-friendly interface. It’s easy to get started, making it a popular choice for new hosts or small property managers. However, as needs grow more complex, Lodgify’s limited automation and customization options can become a constraint.

Channel Manager: Syncing Without the Stress

A reliable channel manager is essential for keeping calendars up to date, avoiding double bookings, and optimizing your listings across platforms. Whether you're managing two properties or two hundred, stability and real-time accuracy are non-negotiable.

Here's how Hostaway, Guesty, and Lodgify stack up when it comes to OTA integrations and sync reliability.

Hostaway

Hostaway’s channel manager is widely recognized as one of the most stable and comprehensive in the short-term rental space. It features deep, 2-way API integrations with Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, Expedia, TripAdvisor, and more — delivering real-time syncing for rates, availability, and content.

Hostaway is also one of the very few providers to hold "Triple Crown" status, meaning it’s a Preferred Partner of Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. This elite designation signals both technical excellence and ongoing trust from the industry’s largest platforms.

Features like a unified inbox and custom channel rules make it an enterprise-grade solution for operators who can’t afford downtime.

Guesty

Guesty supports all major OTAs but falls short in terms of reliability. Calendar syncing can lag, especially when integrations rely on third-party or acquired tools. Users have reported delays and mismatches that lead to operational errors, including overbookings.

Guesty does not hold triple partner status across all three major OTAs, which can impact API prioritization and feature availability.

Lodgify

Lodgify offers basic OTA syncing functionality and connects to popular platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. While it handles small portfolios adequately, the sync logic is more limited, and Lodgify does not have Preferred Partner status with all top channels. For multi-channel businesses, the lack of deep integrations can become a bottleneck.

Proprietary Tools: Built-In vs. Bolt-On

While most vacation rental software platforms rely heavily on third-party integrations to expand functionality, some go a step further by building key tools in-house. This makes a big difference in reliability, ease of use, and the number of vendors you need to manage. Let’s look at how Hostaway, Guesty, and Lodgify approach this.

Hostaway

Hostaway doesn’t just integrate with tools — it builds them directly into the platform. Out of the box, you get access to a proprietary dynamic pricing engine, smart lock automation, insurance options and a direct booking website builder — all managed in one place.

Because these tools are native to Hostaway, they work seamlessly with the rest of the system. The result, fewer integrations to manage, fewer support headaches, and a more streamlined tech stack.

Guesty

Guesty relies more on third-party solutions or acquired tools to offer added functionality. While the marketplace is large and flexible, it often requires juggling multiple vendors for things like pricing, access control or guest insurance. This can lead to a disjointed experience and more complexity for your team to manage.

Lodgify

Lodgify offers basic versions of tools like website building and calendar sync, but lacks built-in solutions for most key features. Users often turn to third-party providers to fill these gaps, which adds to setup costs, time and long-term maintenance.

Customer Support: The Make-or-Break Factor

Fast, knowledgeable help isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a vital part of keeping your operations running smoothly.If something goes wrong — or when you need quick guidance — strong support can make all the difference. Here’s how Hostaway, Guesty and Lodgify compare on support availability, responsiveness and overall user satisfaction.

Hostaway

Hostaway is the first property management software provider to offer 24/7 phone support. Hostaway also provides live support via chat and email. Whether you're onboarding a new property or troubleshooting a technical hiccup, their team of vacation rental specialists is always available and quick to respond.

That level of service is reflected in consistently high user reviews with special praise for the support team's speed and expertise.

Guesty

Guesty offers support through a ticket-based system, but many users report slow responses and difficulty reaching real-time help. This lack of immediacy has been a recurring point of frustration, especially during urgent situations. Guesty's support experience is often cited as a weakness in reviews.

Lodgify

Lodgify offers email-based support for most plans, with live chat or phone access reserved for higher-tier users. Response times can vary, and during busy periods, users have noted long delays in getting help. While sufficient for smaller operations with simple needs, it may not scale well for larger portfolios or time-sensitive issues. Lodgify averages at 4.4 stars with customer support being called out a lot.

Pricing Transparency and Long-Term Value

Pricing isn’t just about the number on the invoice—it’s about what you actually get for your money. Hidden fees, upgrade traps, or tool limitations can quickly turn a “cheaper” platform into the more expensive option over time. Here's how Hostaway, Guesty, and Lodgify compare in pricing structure and overall value.

Hostaway

Hostaway offers custom pricing based on the size and needs of your portfolio. All core features — like automated messaging, calendar sync, owner reporting and more — are included from the start. There are no surprise add-ons or forced upgrades just to unlock essentials. This makes Hostaway especially attractive to growing teams who want pricing predictability without compromising on functionality.

Guesty

Guesty is often the most expensive platform of the three. While it offers powerful features, many of them come at an extra cost — analytics tools, user roles, guest experience features, and even support upgrades often require separate fees. For fast-growing businesses, these add-ons can stack up quickly and create budget headaches.

Lodgify

Lodgify is affordable upfront, making it a popular choice for solo hosts or small teams just starting out. However, as you grow, the cost of adding listings increases, and the need for third-party tools to fill in feature gaps becomes more apparent. That can reduce its overall value over time, especially for more complex operations.

Customer Sentiment: What Real Users Are Saying

User reviews often reveal what marketing materials don’t. From ease of use and support quality to reliability over time, real customer feedback offers a closer look at how each platform performs in the real world. Here’s how Hostaway, Guesty, and Lodgify are perceived by the people who actually use them.

Hostaway

Hostaway earns consistently high ratings across review platforms, with an average score of 4.8 stars. Users frequently praise its intuitive interface, responsive support team, and deep feature set. The platform is also recognized for its flexibility — adapting well to the needs of both mid-sized and rapidly growing portfolios.

While some users note a slight learning curve during setup, most also highlight the patience and professionalism of the onboarding team, who take the time to ensure everything is clearly understood. Hostaway is often described as a long-term partner — not just a software vendor.

Guesty

Guesty receives mixed reviews, averaging around 4.3 stars. While some users appreciate its broad feature set, others cite challenges with support, system complexity, and unexpected costs. There’s a noticeable trend of declining sentiment over the past year, particularly among users managing small to mid-sized portfolios.

Lodgify

Lodgify typically earns solid but modest scores, averaging around 4.4 stars. Customers like the clean interface and affordability, especially when starting out. However, reviews frequently mention limitations in scalability and the need for external tools as businesses grow—factors that can reduce long-term satisfaction.

The Final Verdict

In a crowded market of vacation rental software, choosing the right platform isn’t just about ticking feature boxes — it’s about long-term efficiency, support, and the ability to scale without friction.

While Guesty and Lodgify each offer unique strengths, their limitations become more apparent as your business grows. Guesty’s reliance on third-party acquisitions can lead to fragmented user experiences, while Lodgify, though beginner-friendly, lacks the depth and flexibility needed for more complex operations.

While each platform has its niche, the winner is clear for growing property managers and professionals.

Hostaway stands apart as a platform built for scale. With 95% of its system developed in-house, it delivers a seamless experience across channel management, automation, dynamic pricing, owner reporting, and more. It’s also one of the only platforms to hold Triple Crown status with Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com—an achievement that speaks volumes about its technical excellence and industry trust. Add in 24/7 expert support, top-tier customer ratings, and transparent pricing, and the case for Hostaway becomes undeniable.

If you're ready to grow, Hostaway is the partner you want in your corner — not just today, but for the long haul.