Hostaway vs. Guesty: Which Vacation Rental Software is Right for You?
As Airbnb Superhosts and co-hosts, we (Jacob and Elissa) know that choosing the right property management software can make or break your short-term rental business. Whether you’re managing a single vacation rental or a growing portfolio of properties, the right tool can streamline operations, automate tasks, and ultimately increase revenue. In this in-depth comparison, we’re diving into two of the most popular vacation rental management platforms: Hostaway and Guesty.
Both platforms offer robust features, but they cater to different types of hosts and management styles. We’ll break down their key features, differences, and our personal experience using them to help you decide which one suits your needs best.
Overview of Hostaway and Guesty
What is Hostaway?
Hostaway is an all-in-one vacation rental software designed for property managers handling multiple listings across different platforms. It integrates with major booking channels like Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and Expedia while offering powerful automation, reporting, and marketing tools.
Best for: Large-scale property managers, co-hosts managing multiple properties, and those needing deep integrations.
What is Guesty?
Guesty is a high-end property management system designed for professional hosts managing multiple properties. It offers advanced automation, a centralized inbox, a direct booking website, and integrations with third-party tools for accounting, marketing, and operational management.
Best for: Professional property managers with a growing portfolio and teams handling multiple aspects of operations.
Key Features Breakdown
Channel Management & Integrations
Both Hostaway and Guesty provide seamless integration with major booking platforms. However, Guesty offers a broader range of integrations, including third-party apps for payment processing, revenue management, and operational tools.
Hostaway’s channel management is still excellent, with two-way API sync to major OTAs like Airbnb and Vrbo, but Guesty’s ecosystem is more expansive.
Winner: Guesty (for larger-scale integrations)
Direct Booking Website
Guesty provides a built-in direct booking website with customizable branding, which is ideal for those looking to reduce dependence on third-party OTAs.
Hostaway does not have an integrated website builder, requiring hosts to use a third-party solution for direct bookings.
Winner: Guesty (for direct booking capabilities)
Automation & Workflow Management
Hostaway: Advanced automation for guest messaging, task management, and reporting.
Guesty: Superior automation features, including auto-responses, workflow customization, and an AI-powered inbox for streamlined communication.
Both platforms offer robust automation, but Guesty provides more customization and AI-driven features.
Winner: Guesty (for high-level automation)
Pricing & Cost Effectiveness
Hostaway operates on a custom pricing model based on the number of properties, typically more affordable for mid-sized hosts.
Guesty also follows a custom pricing model, but it tends to be more expensive, with additional fees for premium features.
For budget-conscious hosts, Hostaway is generally the better value. However, Guesty offers more enterprise-level features that justify its higher price for larger businesses.
Winner: Hostaway (for affordability), Guesty (for enterprise features)
Reporting & Analytics
Hostaway provides advanced reporting tools, but Guesty takes it further with in-depth analytics, revenue management tools, and KPI tracking.
For hosts who need granular insights into their performance and revenue, Guesty has the edge.
Winner: Guesty (for data-driven hosts)
Customer Support & Ease of Use
Hostaway: 24/7 support, dedicated account managers, and extensive onboarding.
Guesty: 24/7 support, but response times can vary; dedicated account managers are available at higher pricing tiers.
Hostaway is easier to use for smaller teams, while Guesty requires a learning curve but offers more customization.
Winner: Tie (Hostaway for ease of use, Guesty for extensive support features)
Which One is Right for You?
Choose Hostaway if:
✅ You manage multiple properties and need robust automation ✅ You require direct API integrations with major booking platforms ✅ You rely on advanced reporting and analytics ✅ You want team collaboration features for cleaners and co-hosts
Choose Guesty if:
✅ You manage a larger portfolio and need enterprise-level features ✅ You want advanced automation and AI-powered workflows ✅ You need a built-in direct booking website ✅ You prefer deep integrations with third-party tools
Our Verdict
For our business, Hostaway wins for its affordability, ease of use, and automation capabilities for managing multiple properties efficiently.
However, for larger-scale property managers seeking an enterprise-level solution with more integrations, analytics, and AI-powered automation, Guesty might be the better option.
Your choice depends on your hosting style, business goals, and budget. Both platforms provide top-tier tools to help streamline your operations and maximize revenue.
