Excellent question—and one that can literally make a gargantuan difference in how silky (or stressful) your vacation rental business operates!
- Determine Your Business Needs
Ask yourself:
- How many properties am I dealing with?
- Am I Airbnb exclusive, or do I have properties listed on several platforms?
- Do I require a direct booking website?
- Do I require automation (cleaning, messaging, reviews)?
- Is accounting or financial tracking a priority?
- Understanding your objectives enables you to cut out the field quickly.
- Decide on What You Truly Require Features
Feature: Why It Matters
- Channel management - Connects bookings from Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.
- Automated messaging - Sent messages for check-in/out, responses, reminders
- Direct booking website - Enables direct booking without OTA commissions
- Payment processing - Accepts deposit and balance payments securely
- Calendar and reservation tools - Avon double book risk, simple date views
- Reporting & accounting
- Monitor income, expenses, and tax
- Team/cleaning management: Schedule and assign turnovers
- Mobile app: Work on the go
- Set a Reasonable Budget
- Some charge a fixed monthly fee, others charge a % of bookings. Ensure the price:
- Functions on your income level
- Doesn't devour too much profit
- Still offers features you require
- Select transparent pricing—no hidden fees.
- Compare Popular Platforms
- Here's a rapid vibe check:
- Software Best For Price Range
- Gracesoft Large portfolios, pro managers
Instruction:
- Lodgify Direct booking, small-to-medium
- Hostfully Guest experience & automation
- iGMS Automation & time-savings
- OwnerRez Reporting & customization
- Tokeet Small setups, budget-friendly
- Leverage Free Trials & Demos
- Free trials or live demos are the norm in most platforms. Try:
- Ease of use
- Dashboard layout
- Speed at which you can get started
- Responsiveness of customer support
- Read Reviews & Ask for Recommendations
Check:
- Trustpilot, Capterra, Reddit, Facebook groups
- Real-world feedback from hosts with similar setups