Hostaway vs. Guesty: An In-Depth Comparison for Property Managers

Let’s dive into Hostaway vs Guesty, a close look at what each offers to property managers, from perks to drawbacks.

Selecting the right property management software is an important decision for anyone in the vacation rental business. The suitable software can streamline operations, enhance guest experience, and ultimately impact the profitability and growth of your rental properties. 

Table of Contents

1. Vacation Rental Competitors: A Market Overview
2. Understanding Hostaway
3. Exploring Guesty
4. Direct Comparison: Guesty vs Hostaway
5. Mashvisor: A Third, Better Option
6. Direct Comparison: Mashvisor vs Hostaway and Guesty

Two vacation rental competitors stand out here: Hostaway and Guesty. Both platforms offer many solutions for property management, but they differ in features, user experience, and pricing structures. However, each platform comes with unique strengths and areas for improvement. 

As we discuss features of Guesty vs Hostaway, we’ll also introduce Mashvisor, a strong industry player that offers distinct advantages and innovative solutions that set it apart from competitors.

Vacation Rental Competitors: A Market Overview

The vacation rental market is quite the talk of the town lately, and it’s not hard to see why. Take Guesty, for instance – they doubled their bookings in just a year. That’s no small feat, and it shows how they’re making changes. 

Then, there’s Hostaway. They grew their user base by 150% over the same period, proving they’re not just playing around in the game.

And we can’t forget about Mashvisor. It quickly made a name for itself with its smart, data-focused tools. Users are getting into what the tool offers and their satisfaction rates are rising.

All the market growth set the perfect backdrop for us to dive into what each platform brings to the table. We’re talking about their standout features, the real benefits they offer, and how they stack up in the eyes of the people who use them daily.

Therefore, we are doing a complete property management software comparison of the platforms to find the best one.

Understanding Hostaway

Hostaway, with a SoftwarePundit Analyst rating of 89, stands out as an interesting solution for professional property managers. Its offerings span various functionalities tailored to support sizeable real estate investing operations.

Key Features of Hostaway

Key Hostaway features include automated property management, channel management, guest communication tools, and robust reporting and analytics. Let’s break them down:

• Property Management Capabilities: Hostaway can easily handle multiple listings, providing users with a centralized platform for all property management needs.
• Integration and Automation Features: The platform boasts impressive integrations, including unique features like Google Travel and Vrbo direct messaging. They help streamline booking and guest communication.
• Task Management: A standout feature of Hostaway is its functional task management section, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.
• Continuous Improvements: Hostaway’s commitment to innovation is evident in its monthly updates, bug fixes, and new features. They help ensure the software evolves with the market and user needs.

Pricing Structure

Hostaway pricing approach is transparent and predictable, with an approximate setup fee of around $500.

The platform charges $50 per month per property, offering a balanced solution for large-scale property managers. You are free to further explore the nuances of their pricing, including any additional fees or services.

Moreover, the company can reduce its fees to as little as $20 per property each month. Hostaway also provides the option for customized pricing structures based on a pay-per-booking model.

Pros and Cons

• Strengths: Hostaway’s robust support system, continuous software improvements, and comprehensive features make it a strong contender in the market.
• Limitations: The platform’s steeper learning curve and lack of an Agoda API integration may pose challenges for some users.
• User Experience: A good review of 4.6 stars on Software Advice regarding ease of use.

A recent review on Trustpilot:
“Despite aggressive marketing to attract small business, low listing totals, property managers This product is not for property managers of less than 10 properties.” – Robert Richards

Exploring Guesty

Rated slightly higher than Hostaway with a SoftwarePundit Analyst rating of 91, Guesty is known for its intuitive interface and reliable messaging system.

Core Features of Guesty

Guesty’s core features are property management automation, channel management, unified communication tools, and data-driven insights for streamlined short-term rental operations. See them below.

• Booking Management: Guesty’s streamlined system simplifies the complexities of managing bookings across multiple platforms.
• Guest Communication Tools: The platform’s standout feature is its dependable messaging system, which enhances guest engagement and satisfaction.
• Agoda Integration: Unlike Hostaway, Guesty offers integration with Agoda, expanding the potential market reach for property managers.
• User-Friendly Interface: Guesty is designed for ease of use, ensuring a smooth learning curve for new users.

Pricing Overview

Guesty offers three main pricing models that adapt to different businesses:

• Lite: For 1-3 listings. Starts at $27 per month.
• Pro: Tailored for 4-199 listings. You need to contact Guesty for a custom quote.
• Enterprise: For 200+ listings. It is a customized deal.

Moreover, Guesty adopts a flexible pricing model, charging 2% to 5% of each booking.

Advantages and Disadvantages

• Guesty Benefits: Its user-friendly design and comprehensive integrations make it a preferred choice for many.
• Drawbacks: Some users are concerned about the platform’s annual contract and hybrid pricing model and slower support responses.

A recent review on Trustpilot:
“My experience with Guesty has been good but not great due to the fact it has few lags and small issues with respect to the payments from OTA. Other than that it is a good platform for us.” – Shafi Hussaini

Direct Comparison: Hostaway vs Guesty

A side-by-side comparison of Hostaway and Guesty reveals differences and similarities that can guide property managers and real estate investors in their decision-making process. We will explore features like Airbnb channel manager, guest messaging, templates, and automation.

After that, we will cover user experience, support, and value for money as points that must be considered when considering opting for such tools.

Feature-by-Feature Analysis

We’ll highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each platform in terms of their features and integrations.

Hostaway vs Guesty: Channel Manager Comparison

Both Hostaway and Guesty for Hosts offer good channel management capabilities, but there are differences.

Hostaway’s Channel Manager

• OTA Integrations: Hostaway boasts pre-built API connections with major OTAs like Airbnb, Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and HomeAway/Vrbo.
• Unique Integrations: It also offers iCal integrations with platforms such as CanadaStays and Misterb&b, along with Google Calendar.
• Ease of Use: Hostaway’s platform efficiently synchronizes property listings from channels like Airbnb, ensuring quick and accurate updates.

Guesty’s Channel Manager

• RentalsUnited Integration: Guesty stands out with its API integration with RentalsUnited, offering access to an extensive list of channel connections.
• Modern Interface: The overall design and user experience of Guesty’s channel manager are more modern and streamlined.

Hostaway vs Guesty: Guest Messaging and Communication

Both platforms offer similar functionalities but with notable differences.

Hostaway’s Guest Messaging

• Inbox Design: Hostaway’s inbox design, though functional, is not as modern as Guesty’s.
• Notification Quirk: A notable drawback is the need for manual refresh to see new messages, which can delay responses.

Guesty’s Guest Messaging

• Streamlined Inbox: Guesty’s messaging inbox offers a more modern and streamlined experience, enhancing the ease of managing guest communications.
• Prompt Notifications: Unlike Hostaway, Guesty provides quick notifications for incoming messages, facilitating prompt responses.

Hostaway vs Guesty: Templates and Automation

Both Hostaway and Guesty are good at providing templates and automation tools for managing repetitive tasks and communications efficiently.

Hostaway’s Templates and Automation

• Customizable Templates: Hostaway’s message templates are user-friendly, easily customizable, and can be assigned to all or selected properties.
• Ease of Building and Scheduling: The platform simplifies building and scheduling these templates, enhancing operational efficiency.

Guesty’s Templates and Automation

• Similar Capabilities: The Guesty PMS offers a comparable feature set for templates and automation.
• Semi-Automated and Automated Messaging: It provides both semi-automated (canned responses) and fully automated messaging features, catering to various communication needs.

User Experience and Support

Both Guesty and Hostaway aim to provide user-friendly interfaces and tools that streamline property management tasks. However, the specific design and navigation may differ, so you need to evaluate which platform aligns better with your preferences and workflow. Using Hostaway and Guesty reviews by existing customers is an efficient way to do that.

Based on various GetApp reviews, although similar, Hostaway is better when it comes to user experience, earning 4.5 stars.

Another critical aspect is customer support. Hosts and property managers often encounter many challenges while running their short-term rentals, and having access to responsive and helpful customer support can be invaluable. 

Consider factors such as the availability of customer support, response times, and the quality of assistance offered by Guesty and Hostaway. You can better understand its weaknesses by checking Hostaway and Guesty user reviews on trusted websites.

Again, based on numerous GetApp reviews, Hostaway is slightly better when it comes to customer support, earning 4.5 stars.

In a head-to-head comparison, users have expressed a preference for Hostaway in several key areas:

• Ease of Use and Setup: While Guesty offers a user-friendly interface, Hostaway is favored for its ease of setup and administration.
• Business Needs Alignment: Users feel Hostaway more effectively meets their businesses’ specific needs than Guesty.
• Product Support Quality: Ongoing support is crucial in the industry, and Hostaway is rated higher for its support quality.
• Feature Updates and Roadmaps: Looking towards future growth, users prefer the direction in which Hostaway is developing its features.

Value for Money

One potential area where Guesty may be considered worse than Hostaway is its pricing structure. Guesty tends to be more expensive, especially for hosts or property managers with more properties. On the other hand, Hostaway’s pricing flexibility and affordability can be attractive to businesses of various sizes.

However, consider factors like the scalability of pricing plans, the range of features included, and additional costs such as channel management or booking processing fees.

Furthermore, examine the value you receive in return for the fees you pay. Does one platform offer more comprehensive features that align with your needs? Are there any unique benefits or integrations that make one platform stand out in value? 

Be sure to consider the initial costs and the potential for increased revenue and operational efficiency each platform can bring to your short-term rental business. Ultimately, the decision should be based on which platform offers the best value for your requirements and goals.

Once again, from the GetApp reviews, Hostaway takes the lead with 4.5 stars regarding value for money. Guesty needs to catch up as a more pricey option.

Bottom Line: Hostaway vs Guesty

While Hostaway and Guesty are suitable for professional property managers, they present different strengths and user experiences. Here’s a quick overview of what we covered previously:

• Modern Interface: Guesty’s modern, streamlined interface makes it a preferable choice for those prioritizing aesthetics and ease of use.
• Task Management and Interface: Hostaway, despite a less sleek interface, offers solid task management features and comparable capabilities to Guesty.
• Cost Considerations: Both platforms might not be cost-effective for smaller businesses due to their higher month-to-month costs.

Feature	Hostaway	Guesty
OTA Integrations	Airbnb, Booking.com, TripAdvisor, HomeAway/Vrbo	Airbnb, Booking.com, TripAdvisor, HomeAway/Vrbo, RentalsUnited
Unique Integrations	CanadaStays, Misterb&b, Google Calendar	RentalsUnited (additional channel connections)
Messaging System	Functional, requires manual refresh for updates	Modern, streamlined with prompt notifications
User Interface	Functional but less modern	Modern and user-friendly
Pricing Model	Approx. $50 per property per month	2%-5% of each booking plus onboarding fee
Task Management	Strong task management features	N/A
Learning Curve	Steeper	More intuitive
Support	Good support system	Modern software but slower support
Customizability	Highly customizable templates	Comparable template features
Automation Tools	Advanced automation options	Semi-automated and fully automated messaging
Property Management	Strong property management capabilities	Efficient booking management system
Ease of Use and Setup	Easier to set up and administer	User-friendly but more complex setup

Mashvisor: A Third, Better Option

The third option – Mashvisor stands out as the superior choice and the best vacation rental software. We’re going to show you how Mashvisor outperforms both Hostaway and Guesty in several areas.

Mashvisor stands out in property investment and management, offering a comprehensive suite of tools that cater to investors and landlords. Its strength lies in its ability to reduce the time spent finding and analyzing investment-worthy properties considerably.

Key Strengths of Mashvisor

• Data Integration: Mashvisor pulls data from multiple sources, including MLS, Auction.com, Airbnb, HomeAway, and others, organizing it for quick analysis.
• Efficient Property Analysis: The leading short-term rental platform enables fast and effective evaluation of properties, giving insights into potential returns and expenses.
• Versatile Search Options: Mashvisor’s search functionality mirrors that of popular real estate websites but is tailored for real estate investors, offering filters like location, property type, and potential returns.

Unique Features and Tools

• Vacation Rentals For Sale: You can start your search with Mashvisor to discover the perfect Airbnb property for sale and enter the vacation rental market.
• Heatmap Tool: A standout feature, the heatmap allows investors to identify high-potential neighborhoods based on various rental comps quickly.
• Property Analytics: Mashvisor provides detailed analytics for each property, including rental strategy comparisons, cash flow analysis, and investment payback periods.
• Neighborhood Analysis: The tool offers a comprehensive look at neighborhoods, providing data on average property prices, rental incomes, and optimal rental strategies.
• Airbnb Calculator: Mashvisor’s RentoCalculator quickly pinpoints top short-term rental investments using real Airbnb data for precise decisions.

Mashvisor’s Advantages in the Market

• Time-Saving Analysis: Mashvisor’s ability to quickly analyze multiple properties saves investors significant time.
• Informed Investment Decisions: The platform’s sophisticated data aggregation and analysis tools help make more informed and profitable investment decisions.
• Support for Off-Market Opportunities: Unlike traditional platforms, Mashvisor also allows analysis of off-market properties, broadening the scope for investors.

Direct Comparison: Mashvisor vs Hostaway and Guesty

In a direct comparison with Hostaway vs Guesty, Mashvisor displays unique strengths that position it as a better choice for users, especially those focused on investment properties.

Mashvisor’s Edge Over Hostaway and Guesty

• Broader Property Analysis: Mashvisor offers more detailed tools for analyzing a wider range of property types, including off-market opportunities.
• Investor-Centric Tools: Its features are designed for investors, providing detailed insights into profitability and market trends.
• User-Friendly Interface: Mashvisor combines sophisticated data analysis with an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to expert and novice investors.

A most recent review for Mashvisor based on Trustpilot:
“Mashvisor is an outstanding website that helped me find my investment property. They were also extremely trustworthy as they returned my subscription despite I did it delayed (not many companies do that). I’m happy to refer them to anyone wanting to invest in real estate and I hope to have enough money to invest more based on their information in the future.” – Andreza Barbosa

Conclusion

In such a saturated field of short-term rental management tools and investment platforms, the Hostaway vs Guesty breakdown is clear. Mashvisor is taking the lead.

Hostaway and Guesty provide reasonable solutions tailored for property managers with large portfolios, each with its own strengths. Hostaway stands out for its efficient task management and strong customer support, whereas Guesty is noted for its sleek interface and practical communication features.

On the other hand, if you’re more invested in property and searching for a tool that offers quick, well-informed decision-making, Mashvisor is the go-to option. It provides a unique mix of detailed property analysis, local market insights, and access to off-market deals, proving invaluable for real estate investors.

Mashvisor doesn’t just help ease the search and analysis of potential investment properties; it also delivers in-depth insights for more innovative, profitable investment choices.

Featuring an intuitive interface, a wealth of data sources, and notable features like Airbnb metrics and property analytics, Mashvisor is changing the game for real estate investors and landlords.