BookingPal vs Hostaway

Lodgify

Amenitiz

Hostaway

Trusted by 20,000+ property managers worldwide, Hostaway is the industry leading, AI-powered vacation rental management platform designed for professional short-term rental operators.

Lodgify simplifies the process of managing a vacation rental by enabling anyone to create a bookable website, sync your listings data across channels, and manage tasks in one place. 

Amenitiz is a cloud-based solution designed to help businesses in the hotel industry manage payments, bookings, marketing, and more. Organizations can also create custom websites to connect with the target audience and establish brand identity. 


BookingPal is a centralized booking platform for vacation property managers to increase their number of online listings across leading channel partners.

Activity Tracking

Alerts/Notifications

Calendar Management

Channel Management

Commission Management

Contact Management

Content Management

Credit Card Processing

Data Synchronization

Electronic Payments

For Vacation Rentals

Guest Experience Management

Lead Management

Multi-Currency

Online Booking

Payment Processing

Real-Time Notifications

Reservations Management

Revenue Management

Transaction History

BookingPal

Web-based

iPhone

iPad

Windows

Basic

Small Business

Mid-size Business

Large Enterprises

Buildium

Buildium is a comprehensive property management software that helps property managers streamline their day-to-day operations. With features like property accounting, online leasing, resident portals, and maintenance management, Buildium provides a centralized platform to control tasks, offer top-notch experiences, and uncover new revenue opportunities.

ResMan

ResMan simplifies multifamily & affordable housing management. Effortless finances, seamless engagement, robust marketing, and compliance made easy. User-friendly interface, real-time insights, unparalleled support. Elevate your property management experience. Choose ResMan today.

DoorLoop

DoorLoop is redefining property management software as the AI-native operating platform for innovative property management teams. 

Owner and Manager

Their AI contact is not very helpful in resolving issues and I don't recommend for their first line of support when just getting started with Hostaway.

Owner

The customer service team, and specifically [sensitive content hidden] has provided timely and supportive guidance as I continue to build in my own independence on the platform.

Office Manager

Amazing customer service - the guidance was very communicative and thorough; all of my questions were answered and everything was demonstrated to me in great detail so that I fully understand how to use the platform to its full potential.

Trusted by 20,000+ property managers worldwide, Hostaway is the industry leading, AI-powered vacation rental management platform. 

Grow your business, automate guest communication, sync listings across channels like Airbnb, and boost direct bookings from one unified platform.

Access Controls/Permissions

Accounting

Activity Dashboard

Appointment Management

Availability Indicator

Availability Management

Billing & Invoicing

Billing Rate Management

Booking Management

Booking Notes

Built-in Accounting

Calendar Sync

Campaign Management

Catering Management

Channel Analytics

Collaboration Tools

Communication Management

Customer Database

Customer History

Customer Support

Customizable Branding

Customizable Fields

Customizable Reports

Customizable Templates

Dashboard

Data Import/Export

Discount Management

Document Management

Drag & Drop

Dynamic Pricing

Electronic Signature

Email Management

Email Templates

Employee Management

Event Calendar

Expense Tracking

Extended Stay

Financial Management

For Hospitality Industry

Front Desk Management

GDS/OTA Integration

Guest Check-in/Check-out

Guest Communications

Guest Tracking

Housekeeping Management

Inbox Management

Incentive Management

Inventory Control

Inventory Management

Inventory Tracking

Invoice Management

Listing Management

Loyalty Program

Maintenance Management

Maintenance Scheduling

Marketing Automation

Marketing Management

Mobile Access

Mobile App

Multi-Channel Campaigns

Multi-Channel Distribution

Multi-Channel Management

Multi-Channel Marketing

Multi-Channel Sync

Multi-Language

Multi-Location

Multi-Property

Occupancy Management

Online Payments

Opportunity Management

Order Management

Owner Portal

Owner Statements

Partner Management

Partner Portal

Performance Metrics

Pipeline Management

Point of Sale (POS)

Price/Margin Management

Promotions Management

Property Database

Property Management

By industry, Hostaway reviewers are most commonly professionals in hospitality (46%). The most frequent use case for Hostaway cited by reviewers is channel management (52%).

Users and use cases

Some reviewers appreciate Hostaway’s transparent pricing and say the included features justify the cost, especially for larger portfolios. However, some users report high costs for small operators, hidden fees, and insufficient pricing transparency.

Value for money

The Hostaway integrations most frequently cited by reviewers are: Stripe (a payment processing product rated 4.6 out of 5 for its integration with Hostaway), PriceLabs (a revenue management product, 4.8), and Vrbo (a vacation rental product, 4.2).

Integrations

Hostaway is a channel management program offering key features such as data synchronization, guest communications, calendar management, reservations management, channel management, and online booking, among others.

Android

Linux

Guesty Lite

Hostfully

Hospitable.com

Guesty

OwnerRez

Cloudbeds

iGMS

Uplisting

Hostify

CiiRUS

Zeevou

Avantio

Streamline

Hosthub

Smoobu

Hostfully Guidebooks

Payment processing challenges

VRBO payment setup is not awesome and the House rules connectivity issue is an unfortunate issue to look into.

Property Manager

The app does not have the function to be able to send payment directly from the Software to homeowners.

54% of reviewers feel negative about Hostaway’s payment integration. Users report difficulties with Stripe and other payment processors, resulting in manual adjustments and delays. Some reviewers say the platform lacks seamless integration for installment payments, owner payouts, and payment plans, which complicates financial management. They find the payment setup for channels like VRBO confusing and not intuitive. Users mention that onboarding for payment features is often unclear, and missing options like PayPal or automatic credit card processing limit flexibility. They also express concerns about security and the inability to manage all payments within the app.

Inconsistent account and data handling

66% of reviewers feel negative about Hostaway’s account management. Users report issues with syncing reservations, especially with platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, leading to double bookings, lost revenue, and account suspensions. Some reviewers say cancellations and billing are difficult to manage, with delays in support responses and unresolved charges. They find the lack of flexibility in pausing or deleting listings problematic, as it can result in data loss. Users mention that time zone differences and inconsistent account manager assignments hinder communication. They also express frustration with manual updates and limited customization for internal data management.

Limited and slow phone assistance

Managing Member

Hostaway advertises having a 24hr helpline, but the two times I tried calling, I was on hold for over 40min before I gave up and hung up.

Owner Vacation Rentals

So far every time I did this I received an email from someone with an article and some videos telling me how to fix the issue instead of a real live call or person when I actually needed it.  

44% of reviewers feel negative about Hostaway’s phone support. Users report long wait times, frequent missed calls, and difficulty reaching a live agent, especially during emergencies. Some reviewers say promised 24/7 phone support is unreliable, with calls often going unanswered or not returned. They find that most support is handled via email or scheduled calls, which delays issue resolution. Users mention that time zone differences and lack of immediate phone access hinder urgent problem-solving. They also express frustration with call queues, unhelpful responses, and the absence of a direct, responsive helpline.

Messaging and notification limitations

lots of errors when trying to integrate with other systems, cleaning task system is not very organized and efficient, no notifications section in apps, new messages do not always appear on top, causing messages to get missed,...

manager

integrating VRBO  not able to access old messages

48% of reviewers feel negative about Hostaway’s messaging features. Users report delays and syncing issues with messages across channels like VRBO and Booking.com, causing missed communications. Some reviewers say the inbox is slow to load, lacks user-friendly design, and does not support message translations or co-host messaging. They find mobile notifications unreliable and the app limited in messaging functionality. Users mention that automated replies are not helpful for complex cases, and deleting or organizing messages is cumbersome. They also express frustration with the need to use OTAs directly for certain messaging tasks.

High and opaque pricing structure

Added fees for dynamic pricing and smart lock integration adds up.  Would be cause to cancel.

Not to mention the fact that our pricing was not being seen my guest so they were booking the property for 100+ dollars less than what the nightly rate should be.  

39% of reviewers feel negative about Hostaway’s pricing. Users report that costs are higher than expected, with added fees for onboarding, dynamic pricing, and integrations. Some reviewers say the pricing structure lacks transparency, with unclear charges and minimum requirements that do not suit smaller portfolios. They find it difficult to track expenses and manage billing, sometimes facing overcharges or disputes. Users mention that the value does not always justify the price, especially when issues arise or features are missing. They also express frustration with hidden fees and the inability to customize pricing for specific needs.

Comprehensive rental management tools

President

Hostaway has most of the features for vacational rental property management, including Auto messages, Accounting, Channel integration Airbnb, VRBO, Google vacational rental, Direct booking website.

What I like most about Hostaway is how organized and efficient the platform is for managing multiple short-term rentals.

92% of reviewers feel positive about Hostaway’s vacation rental management capabilities. Reviewers appreciate having an all-in-one platform that connects major channels like Airbnb, VRBO, and direct booking sites, making multi-listing management efficient. Users say the system reduces manual work and supports scaling operations, especially for those managing multiple properties. They find features like automated messaging, accounting, and channel integration valuable for daily operations. Some users report that the platform’s organization and intuitive interface help both newcomers and experienced managers streamline their processes and maximize revenue.

Prompt and clear query resolution

Property manager

I love that you can access many helpful articles and videos at any time to help answer a question or solve a problem.   But even better, if you cannot find the answer there is a real person you can call for support.

89% of reviewers feel positive about Hostaway’s ability to answer questions. Users report that their inquiries are addressed quickly, often within a day, and responses are clear and detailed. Reviewers appreciate having access to helpful articles, videos, and knowledgeable staff who provide practical solutions. They say support is available for both routine and complex questions, ensuring they can fully utilize the platform. Some users highlight the patience and thoroughness of staff in explaining features and guiding them through processes. They find that timely answers improve their confidence and efficiency.

Continuous platform enhancement

Property Management Manager

With monthly Webinars & updates to new products, We are happy to grow along side Hostaway.

Operations Manager

They are continuing to lead the market, grow their team, and improve their platform.

94% of reviewers feel positive about Hostaway’s improvements and updates. Users indicate that regular feature rollouts and timely bug fixes help their businesses adapt and grow. Some reviewers say the company is responsive to feedback, often implementing suggestions quickly. They find the platform scalable, allowing them to manage expanding portfolios with confidence. Reviewers appreciate the ongoing webinars and communication about new features, which help them stay current. They say the system’s adaptability and integration options support their business needs as they evolve. Users report that frequent updates minimize operational stress and streamline their workflows.

Supportive onboarding experience

Ernesto made the onboarding process simple for me, which was my biggest reservation of switching PMS tools with having more than 30 active properties.

General Manager

Hostaway provided us with an outstanding onboarding experience! Since the beginning our specialist took care of us with a professional and friendly approach, we felt we have the right partner, who understands perfectly our needs and concerns.

91% of reviewers feel positive about Hostaway’s onboarding process. Users report that dedicated onboarding specialists provide step-by-step guidance, making setup less overwhelming. Some reviewers say personalized sessions address their unique needs and questions, helping them feel confident using the platform. They appreciate the structured approach, multiple onboarding calls, and the availability of knowledgeable staff. Users find that the onboarding team offers practical insights and best practices, ensuring a smooth transition. They indicate that ongoing support during onboarding builds trust and helps them quickly become productive with the software.

Partner

Unlike many other platforms that provide instant access, Hostaway requires you to move through several stages: an initial call with a sales representative, signing the paperwork, and then scheduling onboarding sessions. Because each step involves booking time with different teams, the full process took about two weeks.