Managing a short-term rental (STR) can be daunting—managing maintenance, check-ins and check-outs, bookings, listings, cleaning… the list of responsibilities goes on.
Whether you manage a single STR with a few units or act as an Airbnb host with multiple listings, easy-to-use STR software can automate most, if not all, of your day-to-day operations. This leaves you with time to focus on revenue growth and other strategic tasks.
In this article, we’ll list our favorite Airbnb management software tools—plus actionable tips to make your life as an STR manager a whole lot easier.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Why you should use Airbnb management software
- Our top pick for managing your Airbnb
- 8 Airbnb management software solutions to automate your business
- Buyer’s guide to choosing Airbnb management software
- FAQs about the best Airbnb management software
Why use Airbnb management software?
Airbnb management software makes it easy for guests to find and book your rental
An Airbnb management software will help you:
- Manage multiple properties and scale your rentals business
- Optimize for Airbnb SEO
- Manage payments
- Provide real-time insights and analytics
- Save time with automation
- Connect you with service providers
- Enhance the guest experience
Our top pick for managing your Airbnb
With the right tools in place, you can scale your rental business, delight your guests, and increase your profitability while reducing the time you spend doing busywork. Before we dive into the industry’s best Airbnb management software, we’ve got a recommendation that’ll do much more than any single software subscription.
Jetstream: It’s much more than a PMS
Jetstream is a complete service that integrates with property management systems (PMSs) like TravelClick and YieldPlanet, as well as other software solutions like Autohost and Wheelhouse.
So you get all the power of Airbnb management software combined with the industry’s top hospitality tools—but that’s not all.
Jetstream will pair you with a dedicated team of industry professionals to take care of everything from marketing and distributing your properties to handling all guest communications. It’ll save you heaps of time, and won’t cost you anything until the bookings roll in.
Jetstream isn’t Airbnb management software. It’s a complete service that integrates with the best tools on the market while boosting your marketing efforts and more.
Features:
- OTA (Online Travel Agency) distribution. Jetstream analyzes your target market and distributes your listing across major booking platforms, like Airbnb and Vrbo. We’ll also sync your calendars so you never get double booked.
- A full-service whitelabel solution. While Jetstream takes care of all the admin, from payment processing and accounting to marketing and cleaning management, it all happens under your brand. We can even help optimize your direct booking website to attract repeat bookings and cut down on OTA fees.
- 24/7 guest communication. Jetstream’s multilingual guest services team handles all guest-facing communication including pre-booking inquiries, remote check-in, and responding to reviews.
- Continuous listing optimization. Our in-house team will use market research to improve your property listings and increase visibility across your chosen booking sites. With frequent reviews and data analysis, you can be sure that your listing is always at its best.
Jetstream’s listing optimization service increases your listing visibility and gets you more bookings.
Who should use it?
You can customize your Jetstream package according to your individual needs and requirements, making it an ideal solution for anyone looking to manage vacation rentals and increase revenue without adding to the to-do list.
Whether you want the full package, including guest screening and keyless entry, or just a simple listing distribution solution, Jetstream is perfect for
- Property investors
- Hotel and resort operators
- Realtor and property agents
- Property managers
- Homeowners
- Property service providers
Pricing
Jetstream works on a shared success commission-based model. So you only pay based on the success of your business. There are no hidden costs or long-term contracts, so you can cancel anytime.
8 Airbnb management software solutions to automate your business
Sure, we think Jetstream is the perfect balance between automation and a personalized experience. But just in case you still want to compare PMSs, here’s a few of the best:
- Guesty
- IGMS
- Track Hospitality
- Uplisting
- Hostaway
- Hostfully
- Streamline
- Lodgify
Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
1. Guesty
Guesty’s multi-calendar helps avoid double bookings
Guesty is a property management software that manages each property’s listing on major travel agencies, automation tools, and payment processing.
Features:
- Channel management to keep listings up to date and sync booking calendars across OTAs
- Automation tools to manage day-to-day operations and workflows.
- Multi-calendar scheduling to avoid double booking mishaps.
- Payment processing so you can charge your guests automatically and get paid.
Who should use it?
Guesty is ideal for aparthotel, glamping, serviced apartments, urban rentals, and vacation rentals that manage multiple-unit properties.
2. IGMS
IGMS task management helps monitor and track activities in real-time
IGMS (formerly AirGMS) is an all-in-one vacation rental solution that helps property managers with booking management, reviews management, automating operational tasks, team management, and calendar management.
Features:
- Automation to streamline operations like guest communication, calendar sync, cleaning, and maintenance.
- Channel management to list and distribute your properties across multiple booking channels.
- Team and task tracking to monitor task allocation, progress, and deadlines in real-time.
- Financial solutions to receive payments and generate invoices remotely
Who should use it?
IGMS is suitable for vacation rental owners, property managers, and vacation rental
management companies.
3. Track Hospitality
Track Hospitality is an end-to-end solution that combines PMS, CMS, automated workflows, and marketing services.
Features:
- Property Management System to manage daily operations and communication tasks.
- Contact center to track specific campaigns and report on performance.
- Digital marketing services from PPC, to email marketing and everything in between.
- Website building for optimized viewings on all devices.
Who should use it?
Track Hospitality is suited for vacation rentals and independent hotels and resorts that are looking for a holistic solution to manage their business.
4. Uplisting
Uplisting multi-calendar scheduling syncs all appointments and events
Uplisting is a cloud-based solution that manages bookings and offers customer support and payments. Its automation tools provide personalized templates so users can create and customize guest messages.
Features:
- Booking management automatically lets you import bookings from all major channels and manual edits are updated across all channels in real-time.
- Multi-calendar scheduling syncs with your booking channel, so there are no double bookings.
- The cleaning scheduler keeps track of upcoming cleaning appointments.
- Offers 24/7 customer support so you can provide prompt responses to guest queries.
- Guest identity verification and screening ensure the safety of your property.
Who should use it?
Uplisting is suited for Airbnb rentals, service rentals, and short-term rental property managers.
5. Hostaway
Hostaway offers a powerful stack of features for property managers
Hostaway includes features like a channel manager, property management, and automation. It offers a customized onboarding process, so it’s not suited for those looking for a do-it-yourself platform.
Features:
- Channel management lets you import your existing listings from Airbnb and other major sites. It automatically creates a multi-calendar that gives a complete overview.
- Hosted website feature lets you build a direct booking site that can be customized easily.
- Guest communication through Hostaway’s guest message templates and automated messaging ensures that you don’t miss out on any potential guests.
- Financial reporting solutions offer in-depth analytics, listings, occupancy, and other financial reports.
- Review management lets you automatically create auto-review templates and respond to guests.
Who should use it?
Hostaway is ideal for Airbnb hosts with multiple properties who want to scale their business.
6. Hostfully
Hostfully’s pipeline view shows each of your properties in one place
What sets Hostfully apart is its focus on helping managers across all aspects of their rental business, from communication and payments to listing optimization. Their all-in-one dashboard makes it easy to keep track of everything in one place.
Features:
- Digital guidebooks that can be custom branded so you can answer repetitive and common questions.
- Channel distribution and central calendar to keep track of bookings, cleaning, and maintenance. Website design and listing optimization to ensure your property is visible on search engines.
- Pricing tools to help you optimize your rates and increase bookings. Payment processing and automated invoicing.
- Platform to upsell so you can increase earnings with amenities and add-on packages.
Who should use it?
Hostfully is ideal for vacation rental managers who want to grow and scale their services across multiple properties in various locations.
7. Streamline
Streamline’s revenue and yield management optimize pricing
Streamline boasts a stack of revenue management tools, website creation, customized reports, targeted email marketing, and distribution channel integrations. It also offers separate apps for property owners, housekeeping, and guests.
Features:
- CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and lead management tools include a unified inbox, phone system, automation, guest reviews and surveys, and campaign management.
- Revenue and yield management tools help you optimize your rates and increase bookings.
- BI (business intelligence) Reporting features cover all aspects of operations, accounting, occupancy, OTA performance, etc.
Who should use it?
Streamline is suitable for property managers who want to simplify rental administration.
8. Lodgify
Lodgify is best known for its direct booking and website builder, but it also comes with a suite of features that help automate various aspects of your business.
Features:
- Website builder lets you create a direct booking website without any design or coding skills required.
- Channel manager carries out 2-way integration with Airbnb, Vrbo/Homeaway, Booking.com, and Expedia.
- Automation tools include guest message templates and dynamic pricing tools.
- Reporting and accounting provide an overview of your business performance with insights on bookings, occupancy, and revenue.
- Review management feature sends out automatic review requests and lets you respond to guests.
Who should use it?
Lodgify is ideal for vacation rental managers who want to create a direct booking website without design or coding skills.
Buyer’s guide to choosing Airbnb management software
When choosing Airbnb management software, there are a few key factors you’ll want to keep in mind. Here is a checklist when deciding:
What type of software is best for managing your Airbnb?
The software you choose should be determined by your goals and objectives. Ask yourself, “what tasks cost me the most time?” and “What am I trying to achieve?” to zero in on the right type of software. The size of your business, the number of properties you manage, and your budget will also play a role in your decision.
For example, a simple channel manager would be a good fit if you manage a small portfolio of properties and are looking for software to automate your booking and payment processes.
On the other hand, a property management system would be a better fit if you manage a large portfolio of properties and are looking for software to automate your operation.
What features does this software have?
While some offer a 360-degree solution for your business, others offer specialized features for a specific need. The best Airbnb management software will have the following features:
- Automated booking and payments
- Channel management
- Inventory control
- Rate optimization
- Guest communication
- Multi-calendar management
- Data analysis and reporting
Does it adapt to my needs?
You need to be confident the software you choose will adapt to your need as your business grows. Search for scalable software that offers new features and integrations as your business scales. Otherwise, you’ll have to invest in new hardware and change your vacation rental website and other automation tools.
Pro tip: Jetstream offers flexibility and a tailored package that streamlines relevant data and processes for your business, regardless of size.
Can I try it for free?
Before signing on the dotted line, take advantage of free trials. This will allow you to test drive the software and see if it fits your business well.
And if you’re still not sure, ask for a demo. This will allow you to see the software in action and answer all your questions before making a purchase.
Ready to automate your Airbnb business?
When choosing the best Airbnb management software, keep in mind your goals, objectives, budget, and the size of your operation. And don’t forget to take advantage of free trials and demos to find the perfect fit for your business.
Jetstream is the perfect solution for automating your Airbnb business while maintaining a personalized touch. Our service integrates with a full suite of hospitality tools, so you can be sure the best technology is being used. You’ll also benefit from marketing and optimization advice, as well as a 24/7 guest communications team to level up your guest experience.
Plus, you can pick a package tailored to your business needs, whether you manage one property or one hundred.
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Frequently asked questions about the best Airbnb management software
What is the best software to manage an Airbnb?
The best software to manage Airbnb will depend on your specific business needs. Jetstream is a great option for those seeking a full-service solution that can outsource their back-end operations.
How do I manage a long-distance Airbnb?
You can manage an Airbnb long-distance by offering self-check-in, automating operations with Airbnb rental software, a self-help digital guestbook, and keyless entry or smart locks.
Is it possible to manage an Airbnb remotely?
Managing an Airbnb remotely is possible with vacation Airbnb rental software that enables you to automate your operations. This will free up your time to focus on other aspects of your business.
How much time does it take to manage an Airbnb?
Managing an Airbnb can take anywhere from a few hours to manage one property to full-time for those managing multiple properties, depending on your type of operation. Consider using vacation rental software to automate your operations and free up your time.
