6 Best Paid & Free Short-Term Rental Software Systems for Vacation Rental Property (2025 Comparison)

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Tokeet is a powerful vacation rental management technology platform that offers a comprehensive suite of tools to help businesses manage their rental properties with ease.

Founded in 2015, Tokeet has established itself as a leading provider of automation tools for vacation rentals, trusted by over 60,000 rentals across 95 countries.

What sets Tokeet apart is its cutting-edge dynamic pricing feature, which leverages market data and metrics to optimize rental prices and increase revenue by up to 30%.

Tokeet also offers other innovative features, including a customizable website builder that enables property managers to create professional-looking websites.

Features

Channel Management

Tokeet’s Channel Manager efficiently syncs availability, rates, and prevents double bookings across multiple reservation platforms, acting as a central hub for real-time rental updates.

With its intelligent add-ons, users can automate communication, boost profits, increase direct bookings, and set dynamic rates.

It also prevents overbooking by syncing your reservation calendar with iCal.

Automata

Tokeet’s Automata revolutionizes booking-related task management by offering automated and personalized guest support.

Users can communicate via email, SMS, or notifications, storing all conversations in a Tokeet message thread. Automata facilitates automated messaging with sample templates.

Users get rental-specific messaging displayed in flow or list format, alongside comprehensive customer monitoring, visual graphs, and instant notifications.

Dynamic Pricing

This feature allows users to harness metrics and insightful market data, fine-tuning their rental rates for optimal performance. It also boasts a range of rate adjustment options.

These include capitalizing on local events, modifying minimum night stay requirements, and adjusting prices based on the booking channel, weekdays, gap nights, and advanced bookings.

Tokeet’s dynamic pricing feature goes beyond basic rate management, offering API integrations, customized rates, and competitive pricing analysis strategies.

Website Builder

Tokeet’s website builder allows users to create professional, mobile-responsive vacation rental websites by using an array of customizable templates.

Websites are optimized for all devices, ensuring consistent viewing experiences.

The tool seamlessly syncs with other features and channels, including a custom, secure booking engine that matches the user’s website for a polished guest booking experience.

Plans and Pricing

Tokeet offers flexible pricing options to cater to its users’ diverse needs, providing both monthly and yearly plans.

The monthly plan starts at $134.90 per month, covering 10 rentals, and scales up to $1,280.99 per month for larger businesses managing up to 201 rentals.

The yearly plan provides a more cost-effective solution for users who want to commit to a longer period.

It starts at $107.90 per month (billed annually) for 10 rentals, and for 201 rentals, $1,024.39 per month (billed annually).

Discounts are also applied, based on the number of rental properties you manage.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Scalability. Tokeet is suitable for all sizes of vacation rental operations, from a single rental to hundreds. It’s a viable solution for both managers and owners.

• 24/7 customer support. Customer support is available 24/7 to address any questions or challenges users may have.

  With a team of highly responsive support staff located across the globe, Tokeet ensures that its customers receive prompt and effective solutions at any time of the day.

• Ease of use. Tokeet is designed to be user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and manage vacation rentals.

  The platform provides a comprehensive solution for managing all aspects of vacation rentals, from booking and payment processing to guest communication and property management.

Cons

• Limited automation in lower plans. Tokeet’s core solution has limited automation capabilities.

  Users can only perform one type of automation per property unless they purchase the Automata package.

• Poor tax calculation functionality. Tokeet’s tax calculation functionality is limited, and users cannot assign a unique tax to each rental.

  The system assigns the same tax to all rentals, which can be problematic for property managers who need to handle different tax rates for different properties.

  Additionally, the system does not generate tax reports or allow editing of tax numbers.

• Cumbersome setup process. Tokeet’s initial setup process can be time-consuming compared to other short-term rental software platforms.

Integrations

• Airbnb

• Expedia

• Beyond Pricing

• FlipKey

• Agoda

• Bookabach

• HomeToGo

• Booking.com

• Stayz

• Abritel

• Hotels.com

• Vrbo

• Trivago

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Established in 2014, Lodgable offers a premier web-based vacation rental management solution for owners and managers.

Designed for efficiency, this free vacation rental management software syncs data from booking portals such as Airbnb, Vrbo, and more in one comprehensive dashboard.

Lodgable automatically syncs rates, calendars, and guest communication across platforms, saving time and reducing errors.

Additional features like Site Genius enable users to create customizable sites for direct bookings with built-in booking engines.

Features

Channel Manager

Lodgable’s Channel Manager is a seamless and integrated solution that revolutionizes the way vacation rental owners and property managers manage their listings across multiple booking platforms.

Users can easily connect their holiday rental property management software to all of their listings on external short-term rental listing sites such as Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and Expedia.

The Channel Manager automatically syncs and updates reservations, calendars, and prices across all top channels, eliminating the need for manual updates and cross-checking availability.

Guru

Guru is a cutting-edge tool that provides users with real-time Airbnb and Vrbo data and insights.

Similar to Airbnb research tools, this innovative feature connects users to a wealth of information about their area.

This includes average occupancy rates, average daily rates, amenities, the number of rentals in the area, and even the number of rooms and properties available.

Guru also allows users to access valuable data about their property’s worth and the types of units that rent best in their area.

Site Genius

Site Genius facilitates the creation of tailor-made websites for real estate investors, helping them get direct short-term rental bookings.

Their real estate investor website builder feature enables users to effortlessly create appealing and customizable vacation rental websites.

These websites are not just visually enriching but also primed for real estate investor SEO and revenue enhancement.

Site Genius offers a comprehensive site with custom search facilities, personalized pages, and a powerful vacation rental booking software engine.

Lodgable Optimize

Lodgable Optimize helps hosts boost listing conversions, generate detailed owner statements, and enhance property visibility.

This feature uses a 20-point system for thorough property analysis, offering tailored suggestions to improve performance.

Applying these recommendations secures better search placement and boosts bookings and revenue.

Plans and Pricing

The core features of this software for real estate investors, including property management, channel manager, and reservations system.

These include invoice tools, are entirely free for short-term rental real estate investors and property managers. Users can leverage these vital features at no cost.

However, it’s worth noting that if you receive payments through Lodgable’s landlord rent collection app, guests are charged a small percentage fee of the nightly rate as commission.

You can also pay this directly as a host to ensure competitive rates. Moreover, add-on services from other businesses, like Stripe payment processing, come with their own fees.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Free pricing. One of the best short-term and vacation rental property management software apps, Lodgable offers most of its features for free.

  This makes it an attractive option for property owners and managers looking to save money on vacation rental property management software.

• User-friendly interface. Lodgable’s visually appealing and easy-to-navigate interface makes it convenient for users to access and update their listings.

• Centralized management. Lodgable uses a centralized management approach, allowing users to manage all their listings from a single intuitive dashboard.

  This feature streamlines the management process and enhances control over property information, pricing, and availability across multiple platforms.

• 20-point listing inspection. Lodgable provides valuable feedback on your listing to improve its appeal and conversion rate.

Cons

• Commissions and fees. This free vacation rental management software provides valuable tools for short-term rental management.

  However, it charges commissions on payments received through its platform. These commissions can eat into owners’ profit margins.

• Lack of audit trail. Lodgable does not offer a comprehensive audit trail, making it challenging to track changes and activity within the platform.

  The absence of this feature raises concerns about security and accountability.

• It can be buggy sometimes. Lodgable is a relatively new player in the vacation rental software market compared to established platforms like Guesty or Hostaway.

  This can translate to less-refined features and a higher risk of bugs or other technical issues.

Integrations

• Expedia

• HomeAway

• Stripe

• Operto Teams

• Escapia

• Beyond Pricing

• VacationRentPayment

• Duve

• Vrbo

• Airbnb

• Booking.com

Vacation Rental Desk is cutting-edge cloud-based vacation rental software that streamlines reservation management, payment processing, and channel management for property owners.

The platform provides a built-in reservation management feature that notifies owners via email whenever a reservation is placed, bringing automation and efficiency together.

It offers a distinctive keyless entry door lock feature along with other vacation rental management tools.

The platform also includes a direct booking calendar, reservation management, and add-ons like damage/travel protection, credit card software, and a DIY website builder.

With the aid of this comprehensive vacation rental management system, over 1 million nights have been booked, saving users around 500k management hours.

Features

Direct Booking Calendar

This versatile tool integrates reservation management and customization. Users can tailor pricing structures based on time frames and set special rates for holidays or peak seasons.

It also allows customization of other fees like cleaning, taxes, travel insurance, damage deposits, and unique add-ons like lift tickets.

The tool syncs availability with popular listing sites like Airbnb, FlipKey, Vrbo, and HomeAway.

Vacation Rental Websites

The website builder allows property owners and managers to create customizable websites for their rental businesses.

With a dozen templates corresponding to the modern standards of real estate website design, users can easily create a professional-looking website that reflects their brand’s identity.

The vacation rental websites’ feature also allows users to optimize their sites for search engine rankings.

With built-in traffic and ad-tracking capabilities, users can monitor their website’s performance and make data-driven decisions.

Google Listings

This feature offers a seamless listing of properties on Google Vacation Rentals, with no associated fees, potentially bringing the listing to life in just 1 to 2 days.

This efficient service amplifies the reach of properties, tapping into the significant potential of Google’s wide user base.

In addition to listing, the feature accommodates synchronization of critical rental statistics such as rental rates, availability calendar, rental amenities, and nightly pricing on the Google platform.

Keyless Entry Door Locks

Vacation Rental Desk’s Keyless Entry Door Lock feature is an innovative solution useful for long-distance property management.

It’s designed to modernize and streamline guest access to vacation rental properties.

Guests are provided with temporary access codes that activate at check-in and expire at check-out.

It also includes provisions for permanent door codes catering to property managers and staff.

Moreover, users can monitor and control the locks remotely through web or mobile apps, delivering an added layer of convenience and security.

Plans and Pricing

This Airbnb automation app offers a free plan for 30 days with unlimited bookings.

This plan includes a range of features such as a website and reservation dashboard, damage, liability, and travel protection, calendar sync and availability search, and keyless entry.

Vacation Rental Desk also offers a paid plan that costs $12 per rental per month.

This plan includes all the features of the free plan, plus added features like credit card processing, listing on Google Vacation Rentals, and more.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Free plan. Vacation Rental Desk offers a free 30-day plan that allows users to use its core features for free.

• Intuitive design. With consistent positive feedback regarding its user-friendly interface, Vacation Rental Desk stands out as a reliable vacation rental management solution for owners.

  Users appreciate the platform’s clear layout and ease of navigation.

• Support for keyless entry systems. The Vacation Rental Desk platform integrates with some of the most popular keyless entry systems for remote locking and unlocking.

  These systems include KEYINCODE, igloohome, and OpenEdge.

Cons

• Limited availability. Vacation Rental Desk’s notable disadvantage is its geographical restrictions.

  The platform’s credit card processing services are currently limited to the United States, excluding users in other countries.

• Only free for 30 days. The software offers significant advantages as free vacation rental management software for the first 30 days.

  However, users will need to switch to the paid version, at $12 per month, to continue enjoying its features.

• Limited third-party integrations. Vacation Rental Desk falls behind in terms of integration options with third-party platforms.

  This could limit its functionality for users seeking a versatile vacation rental management technology platform.

Integrations

• RemoteLock

• Meta for Business

• Google Analytics 360

• SimpleAccess

• Google Vacation Rentals

• VacationRentPayment

• PayPal

• OpenEdge

• KEYINCODE

Checkfront is a comprehensive, cloud-based booking management and e-commerce platform dedicated to tour operators, rental organizations, and accommodation providers.

It is one of the best short-term and vacation rental property management software apps, which was launched in 2010 in Victoria, British Columbia.

It now marks its global presence across 128 countries, having processed over $5.1 billion in bookings.

What sets Checkfront apart is its powerful Sell feature, which offers a suite of capabilities that make it easy to take reservations online and offline.

Checkfront lets you process self-service bookings, manage billing and invoices, and accept payments securely.

Plus, the platform’s point-of-sale capability allows you to manage payments in real time.

Features

Sell

Checkfront’s Sell feature allows you to manage and execute both online and offline reservations easily.

It integrates with your website, enabling guests to view real-time availability and make direct bookings.

Checkfront’s Sell feature also allows managers to instantly send customizable receipts and booking invoices to guests.

With point-of-sale capability, managers can process and swipe credit card payments at the front desk or over the phone.

Moreover, the Sell feature comes with dynamic pricing rules tailored for individuals, groups, and different seasons.

Market

Checkfront’s Market feature is designed to help vacation rental managers maximize their revenue.

It also helps them grow their business by promoting their properties across multiple channels like Tripadvisor and Booking.com.

The Market feature also allows managers to track where most of their guests book from and allows them to send personalized emails to their guests at the time of booking.

Additionally, it offers seamless integration with online travel agents (OTAs) like GetYourGuide, Myallocator, and more for increased visibility.

Reports

Checkfront significantly surpasses other free online vacation rental management software by offering comprehensive insights into guest behavior, revenue trends, and channel performance.

It aids in identifying successful strategies and areas for improvement by analyzing web traffic, referral patterns, and other vital reports.

For instance, the Daily Manifest report provides managers with a detailed snapshot of who’s showing up and when.

Checkfront also offers an iCal feed to update external calendars when availability changes, keeping all schedules synchronized and up to date

Manage

The Manage feature allows users to view all booking data in one place. It’s designed to prevent overbooking issues by enabling users to set capacity limits.

Customer relationship management is also streamlined with the Manage feature. Customers can review their booking history and store their details for future bookings.

Plans and Pricing

Checkfront software provides three distinct plans catering to different user requirements: Starter, Growth, and Managed.

The Starter plan is a free offering designed with new customers in mind.

It facilitates up to 100 annual bookings, includes a staff account for management purposes, and grants access to reporting and calendar features.

On this plan, users can only accept payments through Check Point Payments.

The Growth plan offers two subscription models. Users can choose a monthly subscription price of $225 or pay 3% of the booking fee. This cost can be passed on to guests or handled by the host.

This plan includes all the features of the Starter plan, plus additional features like unlimited bookings, unlimited staff accounts, unlimited waivers, phone, chat, and email support, comprehensive reporting.

Users also have the option to choose their own payment provider.

The Managed plan uses custom-based pricing. It provides all the benefits of the Growth plan.

It includes value-added features like multi-location support, staff training, and onboarding support, as well as a dedicated account manager.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Variety of payment options. Checkfront integrates with a number of popular payment processors.

  These include Authorize.net, Stripe, PayPal, QuickBooks Payments, and more, allowing guests to pay for their reservations quickly and easily.

• Robust reporting. Checkfront provides comprehensive reports and analytics that help vacation rental owners track their performance, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.

• Automated workflows. One of the best free automation tools for vacation rentals, Checkfront offers custom automated workflows.

  The platform allows users to finely manage their entire vacation rental process, from reservation to notifications and check-ins.

  By fine-tuning and automating tasks like email alerts and report creation, it promises efficient day-to-day operations.

Cons

• Not built specifically for vacation rentals. The software doesn’t offer automated guest messaging, rental property management features.

  It also doesn’t have integrations with the tools and channels that purpose-built vacation rental management tools offer.

• Pricier than competitors. While it offers a free starter plan for managing up to 100 bookings per year, its paid plans are pricey, starting at $225 per month, or 3% of the booking fee..

• Limited customization. Some users have expressed concerns about the limitations in customization options within the Checkfront platform, particularly regarding its booking engine.

Integrations

• WordPress

• QuickBooks Online

• Xero

• GetYourGuide

• Myallocator

• Zapier

• iCal

• Zoho CRM

• Stripe

• Tripadvisor TripConnect

Streamline VRS, established in 2005, is an advanced property management software tool designed for short-term rental businesses.

What sets Streamline apart is its advanced phone system, which displays guest data, recent quotes, and previous reservations before you answer the phone.

Streamline VRS also boasts a unique and powerful business intelligence module that helps users make informed business decisions by using real-time data and sophisticated analytics.

Features

Revenue and Yield Management

The Revenue and Yield Management feature in Streamline VRS uses built-in data science capabilities to drive business optimization.

With this feature, users can automate pricing modifications, adapting to market trends, occupancy rates, and specific business needs.

Triggers and Automation

Streamline VRS’s Triggers and Automation feature is a powerful tool that helps property managers automate various reservation and communication processes.

This feature allows users to set up customized triggers and automated workflows.

It streamlines tasks such as sending post-checkout emails or texts, compelling guests to provide reviews, and sending surveys to gather valuable feedback.

With the guest welcome and educational messages that can be set up with this feature, hosts can keep guests informed about their reservations, extend a warm welcome.

They can also tactfully upsell added services like concierge.

Phone System

Streamline VRS’s Streamphone reimagines guest relationship management by providing unique insights and features.

It equips agents with real-time guest data during calls, including quotes, reservations, and historical notes.

Instant tools enhance guest experiences by offering door codes, WiFi codes, or guest app links.

The Agent Call Scoring and Coaching function enables managers to evaluate guest interactions by using advanced tools, KPI data sets, and call recordings.

Bi-Reporting

Bi-Reporting is a built-in property management accounting software module.

Similar to other Airbnb accounting software, it allows users to generate a wide range of reports that offer a detailed analysis of various aspects of their operation.

These include occupancy, finance, operations, marketing, and more.

With business intelligence reporting tools, real estate accountants, managers, or landlords themselves can easily pull accurate occupancy data to help with financial forecasting.

They can also identify problem areas with operational reports and ensure accounting accuracy with a vast selection of accounting reports.

This real estate financial software also extends to specific aspects of vacation rental operations, such as housekeeping, email campaigns, OTA performance, and maintenance.

Plans and Pricing

Streamline VRS employs a flexible pricing structure to cater to customer needs.

The platform prides itself on having no upfront costs, making it a compelling choice for property managers looking for a robust yet economical solution.

Streamline VRS pricing starts at $1,000 per month, depending on the number of units managed.

Customers have two convenient pricing models to select from according to their business needs.

The first one involves flat-rate monthly pricing, calculated per unit per month, with an additional 1% of gross revenue garnered from bookings via OTA/third-party channels.

Alternatively, customers may opt for a bundled flat-rate monthly pricing plan.

This provides them with an all-in-one solution that includes all necessary features and services in one comprehensive package, simplifying billing and reducing management overhead.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Multiple apps. With designated apps like the Streamline app, Property Care app, and Happy Stays app for owners, staff, and guests, respectively, Streamline VRS allows users to tailor access.

  This ensures proper information management.

• All-in-one software. Streamline VRS isn’t just a calendar and booking system.

  It’s also a comprehensive, cloud-based platform that handles everything, from listings and pricing to guest communication, housekeeping, and financial reporting.

• Smart reporting. It provides numerous insightful reports to optimize your rental business.

  Revenue management for short-term rentals, conversion rate tracking, and an owner reporting suite are just a few examples.

Cons

• High costs. While Streamline offers different pricing tiers, some users find the cost high compared to competitors with similar features.

• Lengthy onboarding process. The onboarding process for Streamline VRS can be lengthy, especially for larger businesses.

  This is a common complaint among users, who report that it can take weeks or even months to fully set up and integrate the software.

• Short-term rental accounting software features are not beginner-friendly.

  Streamline VRS offers a range of landlord bookkeeping software and real estate investor accounting software features.

  However, some users have reported that they require some level of accounting expertise to use.

Integrations

• Airbnb Direct

• Vrbo

• Ski.com

• EventConnect

• HomeToGo

• Booking.com

• BnBFinder

• Hopper

• Boost

• BookingPal

• Find Rentals

• StaySense

Established in 2013 and headquartered in Covina, California, this property management platform is renowned for its Open API and integrations with a vast ecosystem of travel and hospitality partners.

Guesty allows you to connect your rental management system with various platforms and services.

These include payment gateways, channel managers, smart home devices, and local experiences, for a seamless and automated guest experience.

This landlord rental software also provides automated yet customizable guest messaging templates for inquiries, confirmations, welcome messages, and more.

You can personalize templates with your brand voice and ensure guests feel informed and cared for throughout their stay.

This robust vacation rental management business solution for owners features a Channel Manager, analytical features, and an owner’s portal.

It also has a dedicated mobile app and a proprietary CRM for real estate investors running vacation rental businesses.

Features

Multi-Calendar

Guesty’s multi-calendar feature enables streamlined reservation management. Users can oversee past, current, and future bookings, block dates, and adjust prices from one place.

It offers flexibility with availability settings and advanced customization like generating multiple-listing quotes.

The smart calendar rules automate administrative tasks, and color-coded entries enhance visual clarity.

Direct Reservation

Guesty’s Direct Reservation tool empowers managers to streamline booking, boost profits, and enhance guests’ experience.

It allows direct web booking, bypassing third-party platforms, and accommodates manual reservations via phone, email, or walk-ins.

It also offers rule overrides for on-the-go flexibility and customizable rate strategies for different days, holidays, seasons, vacancy gaps, and stay lengths.

Unified Inbox

Guesty’s unified inbox simplifies guest communication by consolidating messages, reservation details, and notes in one place.

Users can sort and filter messages by channel, guest, listing, reservation stage, urgency, and more.

They can view messages alongside reservation and guest details. The inbox integrates messages from connected OTAs, email, SMS, WhatsApp, and even property owner conversations.

Financial Reports

Guesty’s financial reports track revenue, expenses, management fees, and payout details.

Users generate in-depth income reports with price breakdowns, enabling efficient calculations of management fees and homeowner payouts.

Plans and Pricing

The platform offers three pricing plans: Guesty for Hosts, Guesty for Pros, and Guesty for Enterprise.

Guesty for Hosts is the basic plan designed for individuals or small businesses managing up to three listings.

The plan is available for $39 per month or $324 annually for one listing. It is also available for $74 per month or $612 annually for two listings, and $99 per month or $828 annually for three listings.

This plan includes features such as a mobile app, direct bookings, automated messages, a channel manager, financial reports, and more.

Guesty for Pros is a custom-priced plan designed for larger businesses or those with more complex needs.

This plan includes features like a unified inbox, multi-calendar, an owner portal, and more.

The pricing for this plan is customized based on the specific needs of each business. Interested parties must contact Guesty’s customer support team for a quote.

Guesty for Enterprise is the most advanced plan, designed for large-scale property management companies or franchises.

This plan allows users to build customized, scalable solutions with powerful features. This plan also uses customized pricing. Contact their customer support for a quote.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Multi-unit and complex management tools. Guesty provides advanced tools to manage multi-unit properties. This ensures efficiency in managing inventory and operations.

• Advanced analytics. Guesty’s platform provides comprehensive data and in-depth business analysis tools.

  These empower property managers to make data-driven decisions and optimize business performance based on real-time insights.

• 24/7 guest communication services. Guesty offers round-the-clock communication services.

  This allows property managers to respond timely and efficiently to guest queries and needs, ensuring a high-quality guest experience.

Cons

• Pricing. Guesty’s broad range of features comes with a notably higher cost compared to some other property management platforms.

  This might not be the most cost-effective solution for small rental operations.

• Glitchy Vrbo integration. Users report frequent technical glitches and bugs with the Vrbo integration in Guesty, particularly when using the unified inbox feature.

• Slow updates in the integrated communication channel. Some users have reported slow updates within Guesty’s integrated communication channel.

  The platform occasionally fails to display the appropriate property, necessitating page refreshes for each chat.

Integrations

• Airbnb

• Booking.com

• HomeAway/Vrbo

• PriceLabs

• Beyond Pricing

• Wheelhouse

• Key Data

• AirDNA

• Lighthouse

• Autohost

• Ximplifi

• Breezeway