How to Choose the Best Airbnb Management Tools & Software in 2023

For many hosts across the globe, managing a number of properties on Airbnb is a lucrative business opportunity. While some hosts have been able to turn their hosting side hustles into full-fledged businesses, growth doesn’t come without its challenges.

Competition on Airbnb is continuously growing, and staying on top can be overwhelming - especially for most property managers managing multiple Airbnb properties simultaneously. Luckily, thanks to technological advancement, there are plenty of Airbnb management tools and software on the market to choose from.

Airbnb property management software has become a lifesaver for many hosts, eliminating repetitive operations so they can focus on what matters most. Interested? Let's dig deeper into:

• What to look for in Airbnb management tools and software?
• What are the criteria for choosing the best Airbnb management tools and software?
• Top 5 Airbnb management tools and software to consider in 2023

What to look for in Airbnb Management Tools and Software?

Understanding your goals

With more and more Airbnb properties available, it's becoming more challenging for hosts to turn a profit and scale, and they are more likely to look for tools to help ease their workload while increasing efficiency and return on investment (ROI).

But before overcoming these challenges, it is important to first understand the goals and needs of your Airbnb business by identifying what aspects you struggle with the most, whether it is guest communication, cleaning management, or real-time calendar syncing. Once you've determined your needs, it’s worthwhile to put in the time and effort to research in finding the management software and tools best suited for your needs.

Compare and contrast different tools

Carefully identify the similarities and differences among the various software solutions and features available on the market that suit your needs. The best place to start is by checking out user reviews.

Reading real user reviews via reliable sites such as Capterra, GetApp, SoftwareAdvice, and G2 will help you determine the pros and cons in depth based on the user experience. Keep in mind, to be sure not to depend only on its ratings. Also, be aware of the possibility of fake reviews.

Free Trial and Demo

Find out what software and tools on the market offer a free trial and try them in action. Although, not all software provides free trials, ensure to request free demos that will help in your decision-making process. That way, before making the final decision, you can learn more about the functionalities, capabilities, and drawbacks of each software. Moreover, with the free trial, you can also determine whether the software matches your needs and is the right fit for your Airbnb business.

In case you are unclear or have doubts about the software, contact customer support for assistance. Keep in mind that it will be an additional value-added asset if live customer support is provided by the vacation rental software to its users.

What are the Criteria for Choosing the Best Airbnb Management Tools and Software?

Simplicity and Usability

Some of the Airbnb management software user interfaces available on the market can possibly be unfriendly, complicated, and sometimes outdated, meaning the user might require technical expertise and weeks of training to figure out how to use the software and its features. Thus, choose software that is simple and easy to use that even a kid or a beginner can figure out in minutes.

Fixed Term Contracts

Typically, some vendors try to seal you in with fixed-term contracts that require payments for the year in advance to avoid losing customers, especially to strong competitors. Therefore, consider vendors that offer monthly subscriptions and free cancellations, as these are positive signs that a vendor is 100% confident in their product.

Moreover, it is important to be aware of the company's cancellation terms, as you do not want to be surprised by the news.

Pricing

Vendors should ideally have different kinds of pricing options that include:

• Commissions- It is important to be aware that some providers charge commissions for reservations made or even before you connect with the software. The major drawback of this arrangement is that you cannot estimate in advance your monthly payment to the vendor.

• Fixed Monthly Rate- For most hosts, payments depend on the number of listings/properties you have or the monthly subscription package you select, where you pay a fixed amount monthly. Having flexibility allows you to choose various packages or subscriptions based on the set of features that is the right fit for your business.

Product Reviews

Choosing Airbnb management software requires deep research into the product and its features, especially when bringing your Airbnb business on top. Moreover, the performance of a business depends on the software solutions and tools selected.

Thus, it is of utmost importance to ensure that the management software tool has strong reviews from verified users via reliable sources such as Capterra, G2, and more.

Customer Support

Navigating issues requires good and reliable customer support, especially during onboarding. Be sure that the Airbnb management software selected must have 24/7 customer support and that responses are immediate. No customer wants to wait for days for a response to an inquiry or issue.

Hidden Fees

Beforehand, find out if the software provider selected has any hidden additional costs. What seems like a cheap solution may end up costing more than you've anticipated, especially after investing an amount of time in research and resources for the demo, training, and integration. Therefore, it is important to read reviews thoroughly on the company's pricing policy.

Mobile App

Today, a mobile app feature is needed for Airbnb management software, especially for busy hosts who are on the go. A mobile app also helps you stay up to date and connect with daily tasks from the palm of your hand. While some companies focus on adding new features, a lot of developers miss out on the importance of the mobile app, especially if hosts want to stay flexible.

Top 5 Airbnb Management Tools and Software to Consider in 2023

1. Hostaway

Hostaway is the all-in-one vacation rental software for property managers who want to get more bookings with less hassle. Designed to automate and optimize all aspects of your operations, Hostaway centralizes your business in one place for effortless end-to-end property management. Easily connect and manage your listings across all major travel platforms, like Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, Google, and more. Hostaway will supercharge your profitability through optimizing rates, increasing bookings, and direct booking.

It’s the #1 rated channel manager and property management system for short-term and vacation rentals across all major third-party review sites, like Capterra, Software Advice, GetApp, G2, and Source Forge.

Moreover, the software is also rich with helpful features, from automation to invoices, double bookings, payments, communications, and more. With more than 200 integrated software partners, including Hostaway's leading PMS and channel manager, daily repetitive tasks will be made simpler and easier while you focus on growing your vacation rental business.

2. Guesty

Guesty is an end-to-end Airbnb property management solution and app for short-term rental property managers looking to automate daily tasks, generate detailed financial reports, process payments, and store all communications and reservations on one centralized dashboard.

One of the features Guesty highlights to its Airbnb property managers is allowing them to sync the account with third-party services, or OTAs. For those who manage a large number of listings, Guesty is known to be a popular tool among property managers and is a solid player on the market.

3. Lodgify

Lodgify is a cloud-based software designed to help increase your Airbnb business with the tools needed to build websites, receive bookings, manage reservations, and connect with top OTAs in one place. Moreover, you can create customized plans suited to your vacation rental needs, which is perfect for all types of property managers.

4. Hostfully

Hostfully is a vacation rental management platform known for its customizable digital guidebooks, property management tools, and communication features. Hosts use it to create interactive guides for guests, manage bookings and calendars, and facilitate smooth communication. It streamlines hosting operations and enhances the guest experience for vacation rental hosts.

5. OwnerRez

OwnerRez is a vacation rental management platform that empowers property owners with efficient tools for managing bookings, communication, and property listings. With features like automated messaging, dynamic pricing, and seamless channel integration, it simplifies operations. OwnerRez offers customizable solutions tailored to property owners' unique needs, enhancing their ability to grow and optimize their vacation rental businesses.